1 minute read
Living All In
I ACT because...
Even though constant peoplepleasing and fearing what others think about you is stressful, it is a pretty common way of life. John Owens, ’21, used to live that way, but not anymore.
“Those two sins controlled me early in my walk with the Lord. I was hesitant to share my faith out of fear of rejection, and I put up a front because I wanted to please those around me. It left me empty,” he said. “But God, being rich in mercy, revealed to me these sins through mentors speaking into me, my brothers in Christ challenging me, His word, and prayer. God, by His grace, has changed and sanctified me and allowed me to put those sins to death by the blood of the Cross.”
God has pruned and refined John a lot in the past four years, especially through the ministries John participated in. His first step into ministry at Cumberlands was Band of Brothers, the men’s ministry on campus, which he’s continued serving with since freshman year. He joined Fellowship of Christian athletes as a sophomore, and he led the worship team as a senior. He and his wife, Cailee, ’21, have led many Bible studies in their home. The experiences have humbled John, encouraged him, and given him a greater urge to share the Gospel and love others well.
“We, as Christians, do not care if you have been running away from God. We are all sinners who have fallen short of His glory!” he said. “We genuinely want you to come join in ministry events. We want to walk through life with you, get to know you, pray with you. Ministry is designed to turn brokenness into God’s glory.”
He added, “There comes a time in everyone’s life where they have to decide to be all in or all out. God does not honor riding the fence; He actually condemns it. I say this in love, not to scare anyone, but because choosing Christ has changed my life, and I want the same for everyone else!”
