by Delilah Fierro

As a young person being a leader can be challenging at times.I was fifteen years old when my great-grandparents invited me to church. At that point in my life, I wasn’t truly interested in going. I was battling depression and felt lost, disconnected, and empty. Still, I didn’t want to disappoint them, so I agreed to go the following Sunday—not knowing that God had already prepared that very moment for my transformation.

During that season, I was desperately searching for something to fill a deep void inside of me. I tried many things, hoping they would bring peace or purpose. I struggled with using vulgar language, questioned my beliefs, and made choices simply to fit in. I experimented with drinking and smoking, believing that acceptance from others would make me feel whole. I even placed my trust in horoscopes and crystals, convinced they could offer protection or direction. Yet no matter what I tried, the emptiness remained. Nothing the world offered could heal what I was carrying.

That Sunday, when I finally walked into church, I didn’t expect anything life-changing. I had no idea what the presence of God felt like, but when I went to the altar, everything changed. I felt a warmth and peace I had never known before. I felt love, comfort, and assurance surround me in a way I couldn’t explain. In that moment, I knew that I could no longer deny that God was real and that He was exactly what I needed.

For the first time, the emptiness inside me was filled. I realized that everything I had been searching for (peace, identity, and belonging) could only be found in Him. That altar became the place where my life changed forever. Deep down, I knew this was where I needed to be. After that day, I didn’t stop going to church. As time passed, the Lord began healing areas of my heart I didn’t even realize were broken. He dealt with my fears, my past, and my insecurities. Little by little, He restored me from the inside out.

On January 14, 2024, I made the decision to be baptized in the name of Jesus. That moment marked a new beginning. I was leaving behind my old life and stepping into the person God was calling me to become. The passion that was ignited at the altar continued to grow as my relationship with Him deepened. As I continued growing, the Lord opened doors I never imagined. One of those doors came through a friend of mine named Damaris, who introduced me to the Jesus Club at our school. The club had been started by her brother and was small at the time, with students attending here and there.

When he graduated, Damaris and I felt a burden to continue what had been started. We didn’t want the group to fade. We believed there were students on our campus who were searching—just as I once was—and who needed a place where they could encounter hope and truth. Together, we stepped up to the challenge. Becoming a leader was intimidating. I was still young in my faith and learning every day. At times, I felt unqualified and unsure of myself. But I also learned that God does not call the perfect; He equips the willing. I became president of the Jesus Club with one simple goal: to make Jesus known.

That first year, attendance ranged between 20 and 40 students. Some meetings were encouraging, while others tested our faith. But we remained consistent. We kept praying. We kept showing up. Over time, the club began to grow. Today, we regularly see 30 to 60 or more students attending. Even more meaningful than the numbers has been the fruit. Through the influence of the Jesus Club, thirteen students from our school have made the decision to be baptized in the name of Jesus. Watching lives be transformed has been one of the greatest blessings of my journey. What began as a small gathering has become a powerful reminder that God still moves among young people.

Looking back, I am amazed at how far the Lord has brought me. I went from a lost fifteen-year-old searching for identity to someone walking with direction and purpose. What began with a hesitant “yes” became a life-changing journey. God changed my heart and also gave my life meaning. And by His grace, the fire He placed within me continues to burn, lighting the way not only for my life, but for others as well.

About the Author

Delilah Fierro is a 17-year-old Messenger of Peace who attends Riverside Apostolic Church and currently serves in the production ministry at her local church.