I read their stories—words written late at night, words carrying weight, words searching for release.
I hear their testimonies—
spoken softly, sometimes through tears, sometimes through smiles that hide what the heart still feels.
I listen to creative confessions and honest questions. I enter deep dialogue about pain and purpose, about pasts that ache, presents that confuse, and futures that shimmer with both fear and hope.
Each story becomes a mirror and a map.
A mirror reflecting who they are and who we all are.
A map guiding us through the terrain of human hearts—
uneven, unpredictable, yet sacred.
Stories do not only offer data. Stories do not only provide information. Stories supply examples. The who, what, when, where, why, and how reveal themselves not as lists but as lived experience—tasting, smelling, hearing, touching, seeing.
A story breathes. It walks toward you, invites you in, asks you to stay awhile.
Listening to a story invites me into land I’ve not entered before.
Listening to a story lures me toward an idea I’d not thought before. It stretches my mind, softens my heart, and whispers, “Pay attention.”
In the pace and flow and mood and motion, in the energy and emotion and reluctance and endurance, I find something holy.
Because behind every sentence is a soul. Behind every story is a storyteller. And behind every storyteller is the God who writes all things new.
That’s the power of stories.
They teach.
They heal.
They hold us together.
They remind us that no one is alone in what they’ve lived, and no one is finished with what they’re becoming.
Stories are so powerful, and so beneficial not only to those whose it is but those who hear about the story. Stories require a response whether emotional, physical, etc. I’m reminded of hearing stories that are similar to mine and thinking “wow, we are more similar than I thought we were.” Or hearing stories of people who maybe I haven’t loved like I should and understanding some of the reasons why I felt like I couldn’t love that person, or get along with them or learning things about people. Stories carry joy, sorrow, laughter, knowledge, wisdom, experience. I believe stories allows us to hear the experience of someone else and makes us bond in those times.
I believe that our testimonies and stories are one of the most powerful assets that we have individually as Christians. Not only do they provide an example of God’s grace and mercy, but also an emotional connection to the person saved and someone who may received the message. Our testimonies have agency in the hearts of almost any receptive person and it makes an impact whether we or even they realize it or not. Our testimonies plants invaluable seeds that a simple lecture or a conversation can not. It is a form of a living and breathing testament and word of just how good God really is.
One of my favorite things that I have done since being here at Emmanuel is hearing students stories. I love to get to know people on a deep and personal level. It is amazing to see how many opportunities we have to practice patience and listening when we invite someone to share their story. I am also so thankful for all of the professors and spiritual leaders on campus that welcome me and my story. I definitely have grown more confident in telling my story and not being ashamed of it. I love that in our weakness, God’s strength is displayed.
One thing I love about being at Emmanuel is hearing other students testimonies and hearing what have they over came during their life. Learning where other people came from is one of my favorite things to hear. The stories people tell makes other people realize that it’s okay how your story is because not everyone’s story is prefect.