Jade | Westown, Taranaki

“So a few weeks back there was a Zeal event, and I was chosen to perform, to go up on stage and sing, and I didn’t have the songs.

I didn’t have a song in mind, and it was last minute, and so I decided to sing a worship song for Jesus, to get people to know about Him, and at first, I was like, I can’t do this. I was on stage, all ready, and then I just got the mic, and I held it and I was really scared. But I still decided to do it, and at one point, I stopped, and then the crowd cheered me on. So, I kept going.

Are you hurting, broken within?

Overwhelmed by the way of your sin?

Jesus is calling.

Have you come to the end of yourself?  

Do you thirst for a drink from the well?

Jesus is calling.

Oh, come to the altar.

The Father’s arms are open wide.

Forgiveness was bought with

The precious blood of Jesus Christ.

There we go. I grew up around Westown. We’d just run around the street doing whatever we wanted, lighting the field on fire and we were real naughty. Then at one point, I was at a low. I don’t know. I don’t know how to explain it, but I was very low, depression type of things, and I met this lady named Allie, and my dream was to become a hip-hop dancer, and she introduced me to God. Ever since then, I’ve been pursuing my dreams. I’ve started rapping, singing, dancing, hip-hop. I’ve become a teacher. So, I’m on a journey with God, practically. 

Just have faith in yourself, and act as if no-one’s there. You’re only really doing things for yourself, these days, and yeah, just have faith.

I’ve learned to be more accepting towards things that I don’t really like. I’ve learned to be less judgemental towards others, and I’ve become more forgiving to things that may be hard to forgive. I’m more brave and confident in myself to do the things that I talk about.”

**For free support for young people, or people supporting young people, contact Youthline 0800 376 633 or free text 234 **