Hi, my name is Ayrika Zook, and I’m a 16-year-old sophomore in high school. I grew up in a Christian home with my four older sisters and two loving parents. We’ve attended church regularly since I was a baby, so I always knew about Jesus, that he died on the cross for my sins. But even though I knew about Him, I didn’t know Him personally. I rarely read my Bible because it felt like a chore, and I didn’t fully understand how deeply He loved me. My parents often prayed with me and reminded me of His love, but I still didn’t feel His presence for myself. Talking about God made me uncomfortable, and I would get embarrassed when others shared their testimonies or openly expressed their faith.

When I was eight years old, three of my sisters were baptized at a creek. I remember asking my mom if I could be baptized too, but she gently told me, “Not today. You have to accept Jesus into your heart.” I insisted I was ready, but deep down, I knew I wasn't. I still had a lot of growing to do.

A couple of years later, I went on a local mission trip with LEFC called Operation 717. It was such a fun experience traveling with my peers, visiting new places, and learning how others live. One of our stops was a Buddhist temple. I remember the people there were burning incense and offering food to Buddha. As soon as I stepped in, I felt a heavy, dark feeling settle over me. It was the first time I truly sensed what it felt like for Jesus not to be welcomed in a space. I never wanted to feel that again.

Not long after that, my middle school pastor, Tyler Morris, taught a lesson on baptism. That teaching really opened my eyes. For the first time, I realized I was a sinner and needed to repent. I don’t remember the exact moment, but I talked to my mom and asked how I could invite Jesus into my heart. She explained how to pray, and I followed her instructions. I repented of my sins and asked for God’s forgiveness. I didn’t feel a dramatic change right away, but I knew something had shifted, I had taken a step toward Jesus. From then on, I began to grow closer to Him and read my Bible more often.

Fast forward to beach camp in 2024. I went into that week with a hardened heart. I didn’t know what to expect, and when I arrived, I felt overwhelmed by how many students were there. But as the week went on, something changed. The sessions were powerful, but it was the worship that truly broke through. On the final night, the band played the song “Gratitude,” and it moved me to tears. I felt the presence of God in a way I never had before, so real, so close.

After the session, all of us from LEFC gathered around a campfire to share our testimonies. I’d never spoken openly about my faith in front of a group before, but I felt God nudging me to stand up. My heart was racing, but I pushed past the nerves and shared how I came into camp with a closed-off heart, and how, by the end of the week, God had opened it wide. It felt amazing to be honest and vulnerable, and afterward, I felt a huge weight lift from my shoulders. I felt free.

Since that night, my relationship with God has continued to deepen. I don’t just know about Him, I know Him personally. I’ve been more consistent in reading His Word, praying, and surrounding myself with people who help me grow. I still have hard days, but now I turn to God instead of running from Him. He’s shown me that my past doesn’t define me, He does. And I’m excited to keep walking this journey with Him, trusting that His plans for me are better than anything I could imagine.

I want to be baptized today to show everyone that I have decided to follow the Lord. “For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God” (Romans 6:10).