read and give feedback and improving suggestions on each paragraph. I started going to church when I was seven with my mother. She’s been a devoted Christian, and encouraged me to be the same. At first, I found comfort in the uplifting hymns, the warm greetings, and my new friends. But as I grew older, my enthusiasm for going to church started to fade, especially when my friends stopped attending. I hadn’t quite understood what it meant to have faith.

Everything changed when my mother encouraged me to join the Alpha Course. Initially, I was skeptical, but the promise of delicious meals and the chance to connect with people my age piqued my interest. Little did I know that this course would become the catalyst for me to explore and understand faith.

One discussion during the course stands out in my memory. The instructor asked, “If you had 24 hours to do anything, what would you do?” Suddenly, my mind overflowed with ideas and possibilities, and I realized that life is filled with limitless choices. In that moment, I felt a sense of vulnerability and openness, which I had never felt before. Moreover, the connections I formed with the other participants deepened as we shared our thoughts and experiences. The weeks flew by in a whirlwind of excitement and enlightenment.

But the most significant change happened when I developed a personal connection with Jesus Christ. Previously, I would lie in bed on Sunday mornings, not wanting to get up. Through my daily reading of the Bible and finding answers to my prayers, my relationship with God deepened, and in turn, I discovered a sense of purpose and anticipation for Sundays.

This gave me the opportunity to serve as a teaching assistant for a new group of Alpha Course participants. It was a chance to share my personal story and support those students who were taking their first steps into the church, grappling with their own doubts and uncertainties. Some even identified as Buddhists or atheists, caught between the expectations of their parents and their own beliefs.

Understanding their inner conflicts, I approached my role with empathy and compassion. Drawing from my own experiences as a once-reluctant participant, I adjusted my strategy to suit their interests. I shared stories such as the tale of David and Goliath, illustrating the power of faith in overcoming daunting challenges. I wanted them to see that with an unwavering belief in God, we can triumph over the giants in our lives. Through these conversations, I felt a sense of responsibility and a calling to shape the lives of these students. With each lesson, my confidence grew, reaffirming my belief that teaching was my on my blood. I hoped to give others the same motivation and guidance that I had once received.

I will engage in discussions about religion on campus by actively listening and respectfully voicing my own opinions. I am also enthusiastic about organizing and taking part in activities that encourage people of different faiths to come together and exchange ideas. Pepperdine University has chapel services on campus every week. These services are available to all students, no matter their religious beliefs. Going to chapel services would let me worship with fellow students and listen to sermons from guest speakers.