Faith Stories: Nancy Briggs

When I was growing up, I attended church with my family on a regular basis. I am thankful that I had that as part of my growing up years because it helped me become familiar with the basic stories and concepts in the Bible. However, something was lacking – the gospel message was never presented and I just assumed that because I went to church I was a Christian and I would go to heaven when I died.

When I was in high school, a teacher started Fellowship of Christian Athletes at my high school. As part of this ministry I attended a weekend retreat. What I saw, heard, and experienced at the retreat blew my mind. I had never seen people so on fire and in love with Jesus. I knew they had something that my life was lacking. I left the weekend with a whole new perspective about what it meant to be a Christian but also with a lot of questions. To clear my confusion, I started to write Stan, an FCA member, and I bombarded him with my questions. He patiently answered them and got me involved in a Bible reading plan.

Then, the following year I returned to the weekend retreat and my heart was ready. I attended a session where Stan clearly presented how my sin left a separation between God and me. He showed me that I needed to admit to God that I was living in disobedience and turn everything in my life over to God. Finally, I understood that Christ died on the cross so I could be forgiven for everything – it was no longer just a neat story in the Bible but it was very real to me. That weekend I prayed and confessed my sin and asked Christ to come in my life to be my Lord and Savior.

After that time, my life has had a whole new focus and meaning and I am thankful that I can confidently say that I do have the gift of eternal life.