My personal experiences with finances and financial education have been shaped by my upbringing and my faith journey. I have learned that money must be handled with care and responsibility. I am still learning about finances. I have seen how important it is to budget and make smart decisions about money. This is especially true as I think about my future. One thing that had an impact on me was going to Eagle Sky camp in Piedmont, Missouri. This was after my freshman year of school. I grew a lot in my faith during that time. Felt called to help others. A speaker told me to "pass the baton" by sharing my faith and investing in others. That message has stuck with me. Even though this experience was mostly about my faith it also changed how I think about finances. I do not see money as something to chase. As a tool to help me serve others and support my calling. As I got older I started to understand the financial responsibilities that come with pursuing my goals. I want to work with people, which is not a job that pays a lot of money. So I know that learning about finances is especially important for me. I had to think about how to pay for college and how to live within my means. I learned that financial success is not just about how money you make but about how well you manage what you have. Getting ready to attend Ozark Christian College made me think more about finances. Tuition and room and board are expensive. I know I need to be careful with my money. I am learning to avoid debt make a budget and plan ahead. At the time my faith is teaching me to trust God and be responsible with the resources I have. I think there is a balance between faith and responsibility and I am trying to grow in both areas. In the future I plan to use what I learn about finances to create stability in my life. This will allow me to focus on my calling and serve others without worrying about money. I also want to teach people about the importance of being responsible with money alongside their personal and spiritual growth. My goal is not to be rich. To use finances as a tool to support a meaningful life. I believe that if I keep learning and being disciplined I can build a future that allows me to serve others and live out my purpose. Financial education and my faith journey are both important to me. I am trying to use them to make a positive impact, on my life and the lives of others.

My journey of faith has shaped both who I am and how I choose to live, especially in moments that require both courage and compassion. One experience that reflects this took place at Eagle Sky camp, where I first felt called to live boldly in my faith and later returned as a counselor to put that calling into action. During the summer between my freshman and sophomore years, I attended Eagle Sky shortly after being baptized. Although I had already made that commitment, my faith had not yet become something I fully lived out. Like many students, I felt an unspoken pressure to blend in and not stand out for what I believed. That began to change during that week. Through worship and time spent in Scripture, I experienced a connection with God that was deeper and more personal than anything I had known before. At one point, I spent hours reading the Bible, completely unaware of how much time had passed. In that moment, I realized my faith was not something meant to be hidden—it was something meant to be lived fully. The turning point came when a speaker handed me a baton and told me it was now my responsibility to share my faith with others. Accepting that challenge meant choosing to be unapologetically myself, even when it felt uncomfortable. When I returned home, I made the decision to live differently—to speak openly about my beliefs, to show intentional kindness, and to remain firm in my identity rather than conforming to what felt easier. That decision later shaped how I approached my role as a camp counselor when I returned to Eagle Sky. Leading a group of younger campers, I focused on creating an environment where they felt supported, heard, and valued. I spent time building relationships with them, listening to their questions, and sharing my own experiences. Rather than trying to force change, I simply aimed to meet them where they were and show them genuine care. Over the course of the week, those small acts of kindness led to deeper conversations. Some campers opened up about their struggles and doubts, trusting me with things they had not shared with others. In those moments, I realized that kindness is not always about big gestures, but about being present and creating a space where others feel safe. I shared my faith through those conversations, not as a performance, but as an extension of care and authenticity. After the camp ended, I learned that two of the campers had decided to be baptized. That moment was incredibly humbling. It showed me that choosing to be bold in who I am and consistent in how I treat others can have a lasting impact far beyond what I can immediately see. This experience was important because it connected two defining parts of my identity: being unapologetically true to my faith and using that identity to serve others with kindness. It taught me that real influence does not come from standing out for the sake of it, but from living authentically and loving others intentionally. Those lessons continue to guide how I live and who I strive to be each day.

FAITH HE WILL PROVIDE - Brady Butler My journey to become a youth minister started quietly. It was the summer before my sophomore year of school. I was at a camp called Eagle Sky in Piedmont, Missouri. This is where I had an experience that changed my life forever. I spent four hours reading the Bible. It felt like I was only reading for a minutes. This was a powerful experience for me. A speaker at the camp gave me a baton. The baton was a symbol of a responsibility. I was supposed to find people and share the love of Jesus with them. Then I was supposed to pass the baton to someone. At the time I was a student trying to understand my faith. I did not realize that God was preparing me to help people in a way. As I went through school I got really interested in speech and debate. A lot of people think that speech and debate are about competing.. I started to see it as a way to prepare for something much bigger. In debate you have to take ideas and make them simple. You have to be able to explain why you believe something. This really helped me to understand my beliefs better. I learned how to talk to people in a way that they could understand easily. I went back to Eagle Sky as a counselor. This was a test for me. I was leading sessions for kids. I was able to explain things from the Bible in a way that was clear and calm. Some of the kids I worked with decided to get baptized. This was really humbling for me. I realized that my debate skills were a tool. God was the one who was really working in the lives of those kids. Speech and debate also helped me to be prepared for the world. Sometimes people have questions about faith. My experience in debate taught me to stay calm and answer their questions in a way. The Bible says that we should make disciples of all nations. This means that we have to be able to explain our faith in a way that's gentle and respectful. Now I am going to Ozark Christian College. I want to study Youth Ministry and Theology. I am trusting that God will help me pay for my education. I see this scholarship as a way for me to partner with God in my ministry. My goal is to use everything I have learned to help people. I want to be a messenger of Gods love. I am ready to pass the baton to the generation. I am excited to learn more and become a minister. Whether or not I get this scholarship I am still going to be committed to my faith. I will keep working to share the love of Jesus with people. The youth ministry at Ozark Christian College is where I want to start. I know that God will be with me every step of the way. I will keep trusting in God and following His plan, for my life.

My portfolio is about finding a balance between people and the natural world. I like to capture moments in peoples lives and the quiet beauty of the outdoors. I want my work to tell stories that feel real and also be creative with how I take the pictures. One thing that is important in my portfolio is connection. I have a picture of a person walking across a bridge with their dog. This picture shows movement and friendship. It looks like it was taken naturally without posing. That is what makes it special. The natural light and the trees around them make the picture feel deep. Like you are right there. This picture shows that I like to capture life in a way that feels real and relatable. My pictures of nature are different. They are, about being and noticing the details. I have a picture of a waterfall going into a pool. This picture shows how calm and beautiful nature can be when it is untouched. The rocks, the plants and the water all work together to create a feeling. This picture shows that I love nature and I want to preserve its beauty through my pictures. All of these pictures show that I can take pictures of things and still tell a story. Whether I am taking pictures of people or landscapes I want my pictures to make people feel something and stop to think. My portfolio shows what I can do now and how I am growing as a photographer.

I think the best way to make a difference in the world is by helping people, young people who are trying to figure out who they are and what they believe in. My goal is to have an impact by spending my life working with teenagers and helping them understand how valuable they are and finding their purpose in life. A lot of people today are growing up in a world that is really tough with a lot of pressure and confusion. They often feel like they are all alone. That is really sad. I want to be someone who's there for them during the tough times. By being a friend listening to what they are going through and guiding them towards hope I think I can help young people find the confidence they need to live a good life. I want to work with teenagers because of my experiences and my faith. When I was a camp counselor I got to talk to the kids about their questions and struggles. It really made an impact on me. I found out later that some of the kids I had talked to had decided to get baptized and that showed me how powerful it can be to talk to someone and encourage them. I think education is a part of how I can make a difference. By studying to be a youth minister I want to learn more about my faith and how to help others. I also learned a lot from being on the speech and debate team like how to communicate and listen to what other people are saying. These skills are really important for working with teenagers. When you are working with teenagers it is not about talking to them it is about understanding them and meeting them where they are. I want to create a place where young people can ask tough questions about life and faith. When they feel like someone is listening to them they are more open to learning and growing. My dream is to help build communities where teenagers know they are loved and supported and that they can make a difference in the world. I want to encourage them to grow in their faith and to help others in their schools and communities. When young people learn to care about others it can have an impact that goes far beyond just one person. Really my goal is not to be the one in charge but to help others find their way. If I can just help a few teenagers find their confidence and pursue a life of faith and service then that will have an impact, on the people they meet. By working with the generation I hope to help create a future where more young people grow up to be leaders who care about doing the right thing and who have faith and integrity. Through working with teenagers, education and being a friend I think I can help make a positive difference that will last a long time.

I think the best way to make a difference in the world is by helping people, young people who are trying to figure out who they are and what they believe in. My goal is to have an impact by spending my life working with teenagers and helping them understand how valuable they are and finding their purpose in life. A lot of people today are growing up in a world that is really tough with a lot of pressure and confusion. They often feel like they are all alone. That is really sad. I want to be someone who's there for them during the tough times. By being a friend listening to what they are going through and guiding them towards hope I think I can help young people find the confidence they need to live a good life. I want to work with teenagers because of my experiences and my faith. When I was a camp counselor I got to talk to the kids about their questions and struggles. It really made an impact on me. I found out later that some of the kids I had talked to had decided to get baptized and that showed me how powerful it can be to talk to someone and encourage them. I think education is a part of how I can make a difference. By studying to be a youth minister I want to learn more about my faith and how to help others. I also learned a lot from being on the speech and debate team like how to communicate and listen to what other people are saying. These skills are really important for working with teenagers. When you are working with teenagers it is not about talking to them it is about understanding them and meeting them where they are. I want to create a place where young people can ask tough questions about life and faith. When they feel like someone is listening to them they are more open to learning and growing. My dream is to help build communities where teenagers know they are loved and supported and that they can make a difference in the world. I want to encourage them to grow in their faith and to help others in their schools and communities. When young people learn to care about others it can have an impact that goes far beyond just one person. Really my goal is not to be the one in charge but to help others find their way. If I can just help a few teenagers find their confidence and pursue a life of faith and service then that will have an impact, on the people they meet. By working with the generation I hope to help create a future where more young people grow up to be leaders who care about doing the right thing and who have faith and integrity. Through working with teenagers, education and being a friend I think I can help make a positive difference that will last a long time.

My junior year of school was really tough. When My dad lost his job, which was the way My family got money it felt like everything was falling apart. There was a lot of stress at home. I was not sure what was going to happen next. This made me feel really lost and overwhelmed. Around that time I started liking Avery and when that did not work out it hurt more. Everything seemed to be going wrong at the time. My grades started to slip. I felt like you were losing control of things that used to be easy. All the things that were happening around me started to affect my health in a big way. I even had thoughts about whether life was worth living, which was really scary and made me feel alone. Looking back that time taught you a lot about health and how important it is to have people who care about me. I saw how fast things can change and affect someones emotions and mind. This experience made you understand people better especially those who are struggling but do not talk about it. I learned that it is really important to talk about health to ask for help when you need it and to be there for people who are going through tough times. This experience also changed what I want to do with your life. Of thinking that mental health is not important or that it is a weakness you now know that it is something that needs attention and care. It made me want to be stronger to know yourself and to be kinder to others. The times you went through made me think about who I want to be and how you can help others who feel lonely or confused like you used to feel. Importantly that time taught you to be resilient. Even when everything seemed to be falling my family was stressed I had a broken heart and you were struggling in school. I kept moving forward. Getting through that time taught you that the hard moments in your life do not define who you are. Instead they can help you see things differently be understanding and become the person you want to be. My junior year of school and the experience with Avery taught you a lot, about mental health and resilience.

My journey to become a minister started with a quiet moment at Eagle Sky camp in Piedmont, Missouri. The summer before my sophomore year I spent four hours reading the Bible. It felt like just ten minutes. That week a speaker gave me a baton and told me to share the love of Jesus with others and pass it on. Since then my life has been one thing: being a stepping stone for the next generation. To do this I went to school to get the tools I needed. I joined the speech and debate team, which was like my training for telling people about Jesus. A lot of people think debate is a competition but it taught me how to listen, how to say what I mean and how to persuade people in a kind way. It helped me turn my faith into something I can use to help others to connect the stories in the Bible with the questions young people have today. In my community and as a leader of a youth group I use these skills every day. To me being a leader is about giving people a place to stand. Whether I am organizing a volunteer project or leading a group I use what I learned to meet people where they are and talk to them with gentleness and respect like it says in 1 Peter 3:15. I really understood how important this is when I went back to Eagle Sky camp as a counselor. I used what I learned in debate to explain the Gospel to kids. I realized I was not just trying to win an argument I was trying to help them have a future. When I got home I found out that two of the kids I worked with had decided to get baptized because of our talks. This was a reminder that I'm just the one talking but God is the one who helps people grow. I am a stepping stone helping them get to the other side. Now I am looking to go to Ozark Christian College to study to be a youth minister and learn more about theology. But I have a problem: it costs a lot of money to go to school. If I just look at the numbers it seems impossible.. I am getting strength from the stories of Daniel and his friends who trusted God even when things seemed really bad. They did not have a way out. They had faith. Like them I am trusting that God will help me and open doors that I cannot open myself. This scholarship is not about money it is about investing in a stepping stone. My education is not just for me it is so that when I pass the baton to the generation they will be ready to do their part with confidence. Whether I get this scholarship or not I will be okay because I trust that God will help me do what He called me to do. Thank you for considering my application and for being part of my journey to become a minister and a stepping stone, for the generation a stepping stone.

The Spark: A Baton Passed at Eagle Sky My journey to a life in youth ministry started with a moment during the summer before my sophomore year of high school. At Eagle Sky camp in Piedmont, Missouri I was in a place designed for connection. I wasn't ready for how much the Holy Spirit would move. Months after my baptism I was still learning about my faith and my relationship with God. During those five days the outside world disappeared. I remember one afternoon when I spent four hours reading Scripture. I felt like I was really connecting with God. Those hours felt like ten minutes. It was like a switch had been flipped. I wasn't just reading a book; I was talking to God. The highlight of that week was when a speaker gave me a baton. His words were simple but powerful: "I'm giving this baton to you. Now it's your turn to find someone talk to them about Jesus and love them. When the time is right give it to them. Tell them the same thing." I was fifteen. Didn't fully understand what that meant but I took that baton home with me. I knew God was with me. I struggled to understand how to show that in my daily life. It was like a seed had been planted and I was waiting for the tools to help it grow. The Toolkit: Education through Speech and Debate In school I discovered a passion for speech and debate. I saw it as " training" for my future in ministry. Education gave my faith a voice. Before debate my faith was mostly internal and emotional. I felt Gods presence. I didn't know how to explain it to others. Speech and debate taught me how to communicate, think and understand others. In a debate you have to understand the persons perspective and your own. You have to listen analyze arguments and respond clearly under pressure. I realized these were the skills I needed for ministry. To "make disciples of all nations " you have to be able to share the Gospel in a way thats both smart and compassionate. My education helped me become an advocate for Gods Kingdom. I learned how to read a room structure a message and be gentle and respectful even when challenged. The Challenge: Standing in the Lions’ Den Having a calling and the skills to fulfill it doesn't mean life will be easy. Now I'm facing the challenge of paying for my education at Ozark Christian College. The cost of tuition, room and board seems impossible to overcome on my own. In moments of uncertainty it's easy to worry but my education in the Bible gives me direction. I find strength in the stories of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. When Daniel was thrown into the lions den he didn't have a plan; he had a relationship with God. When the three Hebrew boys stood before the furnace they said their God could save them but even if He didn't they wouldn't bow to a lesser god. My financial situation is my lions den." I don't know how the money will come. I'm trusting in the same unshakeable faith that sustained them. I'm relying on God to open doors that no one can shut. This challenge hasn't stopped my goals; its refined them. Its taught me that a leader in ministry must first be a follower who trusts God in the dark. This scholarship isn't a request for money; it's an invitation to be part of the amazing provision I'm trusting God for. The Mission: Being a Stepping Stone year my faith and education came together. I returned to Eagle Sky as a camp counselor for kids. As I sat with them explaining the Bible I felt the Holy Spirit working through my debate skills. I wasn't just winning an argument; I was fighting for their hearts. When I got home my boss contacted my dad with news: two of the kids I had mentored chose to be baptized because of our conversations. In that moment I realized my purpose. I'm called to be a " stone." This is the foundation of my career. A stepping stone isn't the destination; its meant to be stepped on so someone else can reach ground or cross a tough river. If my life, words and education can be the ground that helps a young person get closer to Christ then I've succeeded. A Vision for the Future By studying Youth Ministry and Theology at Ozark Christian College I'm not just seeking a degree; I'm seeking to grow. I want to take the "baton" I received years ago and prepare myself to pass it on. I want to use my training in speech to stand up for teenagers who are lost in a world. I want to show them that faith isn't a feeling; it's a firm foundation. Whether I get this scholarship or it goes to another student who needs it more I'm at peace. My trust isn't, in a checkbook. In the Creator of the universe. I'm ready to be a stone, a baton-carrier and a servant of the Most High. I'm ready to use my education to create a future. One where the next generation knows they are loved, valued and called by God. Thank you for your consideration. May your decision be guided by the same Spirit that guides my path. Have a day.

The journey of my faith is not a story of me finding God, but rather a story of how He found me. This calling began to take shape during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school at a camp in Piedmont, Missouri, called Eagle Sky. Although I had been baptized just months prior, it was during those five days of worship that I truly felt the Holy Spirit’s presence as a constant companion. At one point, I spent four hours deeply immersed in the Bible, yet the experience felt like a mere ten minutes. It was the first time I realized that a relationship with the Lord was not just a Sunday obligation, but an immersive, life-altering reality. The turning point of that week occurred when the camp speaker handed me a baton. It was a simple object, but it carried a heavy commission. He told me, "I am handing this off to you. Now it is your turn to find someone, talk to them about Jesus, and love on them. When the time is right, hand it to them and tell them the same thing." I returned home with a fire in my heart, though I did not yet realize that this baton was leading me toward a lifelong vocation in youth ministry. I carried that sense of purpose for years, waiting for the moment when God would show me how to pass it on. I have come to believe that I embody a life of service by viewing myself as a "stepping stone" for others. To me, being a Christian means I am called to lift others up and share the Word of God so that they may move closer to Him. This philosophy is rooted in Matthew 28:19-20, which commands us to make disciples of all nations. I saw this in action this past year when I returned to Eagle Sky as a camp counselor. As I shared the Gospel with the younger campers, I felt the Holy Spirit speaking through me. I didn't realize the weight of those moments until my supervisor contacted my father to share that two of the children in my group had decided to be baptized because of our conversations. I know that success was not my own; it was God using me as a vessel. I am now pursuing a path to Ozark Christian College to professionalize and expand this mission. By majoring in Youth Ministry and minoring in Theology, I will gain the scriptural depth and leadership skills necessary to serve the next generation effectively. My education will allow me to transition from a willing volunteer to a trained minister equipped to handle the complex spiritual needs of today’s youth. I want to understand the "why" behind our faith so that when a student asks a difficult question, I can provide a firm foundation for them to stand on. I am relying on my trust in God to provide the means for my education. This scholarship would be a profound blessing, helping to cover the costs of tuition and room and board. However, I remain humble in this request: if there is another student whose need is greater, I trust in God’s plan for us both. My goal remains the same—to serve as a stepping stone for every young person I encounter, helping them find the same grace that found me.

The Spark: A Baton Passed at Eagle Sky My journey to a life in youth ministry started with a moment during the summer before my sophomore year of high school. At Eagle Sky camp in Piedmont, Missouri I was in a place designed for connection. I wasn't ready for how much the Holy Spirit would move. Months after my baptism I was still learning about my faith and my relationship with God. During those five days the outside world disappeared. I remember one afternoon when I spent four hours reading Scripture. I felt like I was really connecting with God. Those hours felt like ten minutes. It was like a switch had been flipped. I wasn't just reading a book; I was talking to God. The highlight of that week was when a speaker gave me a baton. His words were simple but powerful: "I'm giving this baton to you. Now it's your turn to find someone talk to them about Jesus and love them. When the time is right give it to them. Tell them the same thing." I was fifteen. Didn't fully understand what that meant but I took that baton home with me. I knew God was with me. I struggled to understand how to show that in my daily life. It was like a seed had been planted and I was waiting for the tools to help it grow. The Toolkit: Education through Speech and Debate In school I discovered a passion for speech and debate. I saw it as " training" for my future in ministry. Education gave my faith a voice. Before debate my faith was mostly internal and emotional. I felt Gods presence. I didn't know how to explain it to others. Speech and debate taught me how to communicate, think and understand others. In a debate you have to understand the persons perspective and your own. You have to listen analyze arguments and respond clearly under pressure. I realized these were the skills I needed for ministry. To "make disciples of all nations " you have to be able to share the Gospel in a way thats both smart and compassionate. My education helped me become an advocate for Gods Kingdom. I learned how to read a room structure a message and be gentle and respectful even when challenged. The Challenge: Standing in the Lions’ Den Having a calling and the skills to fulfill it doesn't mean life will be easy. Now I'm facing the challenge of paying for my education at Ozark Christian College. The cost of tuition, room and board seems impossible to overcome on my own. In moments of uncertainty it's easy to worry but my education in the Bible gives me direction. I find strength in the stories of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. When Daniel was thrown into the lions den he didn't have a plan; he had a relationship with God. When the three Hebrew boys stood before the furnace they said their God could save them but even if He didn't they wouldn't bow to a lesser god. My financial situation is my lions den." I don't know how the money will come. I'm trusting in the same unshakeable faith that sustained them. I'm relying on God to open doors that no one can shut. This challenge hasn't stopped my goals; its refined them. Its taught me that a leader in ministry must first be a follower who trusts God in the dark. This scholarship isn't a request for money; it's an invitation to be part of the amazing provision I'm trusting God for. The Mission: Being a Stepping Stone year my faith and education came together. I returned to Eagle Sky as a camp counselor for kids. As I sat with them explaining the Bible I felt the Holy Spirit working through my debate skills. I wasn't just winning an argument; I was fighting for their hearts. When I got home my boss contacted my dad with news: two of the kids I had mentored chose to be baptized because of our conversations. In that moment I realized my purpose. I'm called to be a " stone." This is the foundation of my career. A stepping stone isn't the destination; its meant to be stepped on so someone else can reach ground or cross a tough river. If my life, words and education can be the ground that helps a young person get closer to Christ then I've succeeded. A Vision for the Future By studying Youth Ministry and Theology at Ozark Christian College I'm not just seeking a degree; I'm seeking to grow. I want to take the "baton" I received years ago and prepare myself to pass it on. I want to use my training in speech to stand up for teenagers who are lost in a world. I want to show them that faith isn't a feeling; it's a firm foundation. Whether I get this scholarship or it goes to another student who needs it more I'm at peace. My trust isn't, in a checkbook. In the Creator of the universe. I'm ready to be a stone, a baton-carrier and a servant of the Most High. I'm ready to use my education to create a future. One where the next generation knows they are loved, valued and called by God. Thank you for your consideration. May your decision be guided by the same Spirit that guides my path. Have a day.

FAITH HE WILL PROVIDE - Brady Butler My journey to become a youth minister started quietly. It was the summer before my sophomore year of school. I was at a camp called Eagle Sky in Piedmont, Missouri. This is where I had an experience that changed my life forever. I spent four hours reading the Bible. It felt like I was only reading for a minutes. This was a powerful experience for me. A speaker at the camp gave me a baton. The baton was a symbol of a responsibility. I was supposed to find people and share the love of Jesus with them. Then I was supposed to pass the baton to someone. At the time I was a student trying to understand my faith. I did not realize that God was preparing me to help people in a way. As I went through school I got really interested in speech and debate. A lot of people think that speech and debate are about competing.. I started to see it as a way to prepare for something much bigger. In debate you have to take ideas and make them simple. You have to be able to explain why you believe something. This really helped me to understand my beliefs better. I learned how to talk to people in a way that they could understand easily. I went back to Eagle Sky as a counselor. This was a test for me. I was leading sessions for kids. I was able to explain things from the Bible in a way that was clear and calm. Some of the kids I worked with decided to get baptized. This was really humbling for me. I realized that my debate skills were a tool. God was the one who was really working in the lives of those kids. Speech and debate also helped me to be prepared for the world. Sometimes people have questions about faith. My experience in debate taught me to stay calm and answer their questions in a way. The Bible says that we should make disciples of all nations. This means that we have to be able to explain our faith in a way that's gentle and respectful. Now I am going to Ozark Christian College. I want to study Youth Ministry and Theology. I am trusting that God will help me pay for my education. I see this scholarship as a way for me to partner with God in my ministry. My goal is to use everything I have learned to help people. I want to be a messenger of Gods love. I am ready to pass the baton to the generation. I am excited to learn more and become a minister. Whether or not I get this scholarship I am still going to be committed to my faith. I will keep working to share the love of Jesus with people. The youth ministry at Ozark Christian College is where I want to start. I know that God will be with me every step of the way. I will keep trusting in God and following His plan, for my life.

My journey to become a youth minister started quietly. It was the summer before my sophomore year of school. I was at a camp called Eagle Sky in Piedmont, Missouri. This is where I had a spiritual experience that changed my life. I spent four hours reading the Bible.. It felt like I was only reading for a few minutes. It was a powerful experience. A speaker at the camp gave me a baton. The baton was a symbol of a responsibility. I was supposed to find people and share the love of Jesus with them. Then I was supposed to pass the baton to someone. At the time I was a student trying to understand my own faith. I did not realize that God was preparing me to help people. As I went through school I got really interested in speech and debate. A lot of people think that speech and debate are about competing.. I started to see it as a way to prepare for something bigger. In debate you have to take ideas and make them simple. You have to be able to explain why you believe something. This helped me to understand my beliefs better. I learned how to talk to people in a way that they could understand. I went back to Eagle Sky as a counselor. This was a test for me. I was leading sessions for kids. I was able to explain things from the Bible in a way that was clear and calm. Some of the kids I worked with decided to get baptized. This was really humbling for me. I realized that my debate skills were a tool. God was the one who was really working. Speech and debate also helped me to be prepared for the world. Sometimes people have questions about faith. My experience in debate taught me to stay calm and answer their questions in a way. The Bible says that we should make disciples of all nations. This means that we have to be able to explain our faith in a way that's gentle and respectful. Now I am going to Ozark Christian College. I want to study Youth Ministry and Theology. I am trusting that God will help me pay for my education. I see this scholarship as a way for me to partner with God in my ministry. My goal is to use everything I have learned to help people. I want to be a messenger of Gods love. I am ready to pass the baton to the generation. I am excited to learn more and become a minister. Whether or not I get this scholarship I am still going to be committed to my faith. I will keep working to share the love of Jesus with people. The youth ministry at Ozark Christian College is where I want to start. I know that God will be with me every step of the way. I will keep trusting in Him and following His plan, for my life.

The way I found the Lord or I would say the way he found me was a few years ago when I was a freshman in high school going into my sophomore year of high school. I got baptized a few months earlier and our youth pastor called and said that he has a wonderful opportunity, this opportunity was that me and my twin sister would go to this camp up in Piedmont Mo, called Eagle Sky. At this camp I spent five days in worship with my peers but during this time it felt like he was beside me the whole time. The third day in I really felt the Holy Spirit with me I spent four hours in the Bible but during that time it felt like ten minutes. Latter during the week I got a baton from the speaker and he said "I am handing this baton off to you know it is your turn to find someone, talk to them about Jesus and love on them and when the time is right hand it to them and tell them the same thing." Once I got back from camp I really felt the Lord with me but I did not know that to do with that but it would not show up until a few years later. The career I want to go into is youth ministry, the reason is that this past year I was a camp councilor at Eagle Sky for the younger kid and while I was talking to the about the Bible I really felt the Holy Spirit with me. I did not know how God was using me to impact the kids at this camp until I got home and my Boss contacted my Dad and said that two kids got baptized backed on what I said. But I really know that it was not me it was God speaking through me, one this I always say is that for me being a Christian I am called to be a stepping stone in this world. If you think about it we are called to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20) so I am called to lift up and share the word of God with everyone even if that means being a stepping stone for them getting closer to God. The reason why I say this is because I feel like God is calling me to Ozark Christian college and while I am there I will be getting my minor in theology and my major will be in Youth Minstery. This scholarship will help a lot because this college is not cheap every college is not cheap, but I am relying on trust in God to help me find the money some way. The money you give me will help pay for my tuition and my room and board. I just want you to know that if you do chose me it is a blessing but than again if you don't its fine, there is someone out there who needs it more than me. Either way I want to say thank you for reading this and have a blessed day.

The way I found the Lord or I would say the way he found me was a few years ago when I was a freshman in high school going into my sophomore year of high school. I got baptized a few months earlier and our youth pastor called and said that he has a wonderful opportunity, this opportunity was that me and my twin sister would go to this camp up in Piedmont Mo, called Eagle Sky. At this camp I spent five days in worship with my peers but during this time it felt like he was beside me the whole time. The third day in I really felt the Holy Spirit with me I spent four hours in the Bible but during that time it felt like ten minutes. Latter during the week I got a baton from the speaker and he said "I am handing this baton off to you know it is your turn to find someone, talk to them about Jesus and love on them and when the time is right hand it to them and tell them the same thing." Once I got back from camp I really felt the Lord with me but I did not know that to do with that but it would not show up until a few years later. The career I want to go into is youth ministry, the reason is that this past year I was a camp councilor at Eagle Sky for the younger kid and while I was talking to the about the Bible I really felt the Holy Spirit with me. I did not know how God was using me to impact the kids at this camp until I got home and my Boss contacted my Dad and said that two kids got baptized backed on what I said. But I really know that it was not me it was God speaking through me, one this I always say is that for me being a Christian I am called to be a stepping stone in this world. If you think about it we are called to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20) so I am called to lift up and share the word of God with everyone even if that means being a stepping stone for them getting closer to God. The reason why I say this is because I feel like God is calling me to Ozark Christian college and while I am there I will be getting my minor in theology and my major will be in Youth Minstery. This scholarship will help a lot because this college is not cheap every college is not cheap, but I am relying on trust in God to help me find the money some way. The money you give me will help pay for my tuition and my room and board. I just want you to know that if you do chose me it is a blessing but than again if you don't its fine, there is someone out there who needs it more than me. Either way I want to say thank you for reading this and have a blessed day.

The way I found the Lord or I would say the way he found me was a few years ago when I was a freshman in high school going into my sophomore year of high school. I got baptized a few months earlier and our youth pastor called and said that he has a wonderful opportunity, this opportunity was that me and my twin sister would go to this camp up in Piedmont Mo, called Eagle Sky. At this camp I spent five days in worship with my peers but during this time it felt like he was beside me the whole time. The third day in I really felt the Holy Spirit with me I spent four hours in the Bible but during that time it felt like ten minutes. Latter during the week I got a baton from the speaker and he said "I am handing this baton off to you know it is your turn to find someone, talk to them about Jesus and love on them and when the time is right hand it to them and tell them the same thing." Once I got back from camp I really felt the Lord with me but I did not know that to do with that but it would not show up until a few years later. The career I want to go into is youth ministry, the reason is that this past year I was a camp councilor at Eagle Sky for the younger kid and while I was talking to the about the Bible I really felt the Holy Spirit with me. I did not know how God was using me to impact the kids at this camp until I got home and my Boss contacted my Dad and said that two kids got baptized backed on what I said. But I really know that it was not me it was God speaking through me, one this I always say is that for me being a Christian I am called to be a stepping stone in this world. If you think about it we are called to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20) so I am called to lift up and share the word of God with everyone even if that means being a stepping stone for them getting closer to God. The reason why I say this is because I feel like God is calling me to Ozark Christian college and while I am there I will be getting my minor in theology and my major will be in Youth Minstery. This scholarship will help a lot because this college is not cheap every college is not cheap, but I am relying on trust in God to help me find the money some way. The money you give me will help pay for my tuition and my room and board. I just want you to know that if you do chose me it is a blessing but than again if you don't its fine, there is someone out there who needs it more than me. Either way I want to say thank you for reading this and have a blessed day.

The way I found the Lord or I would say the way he found me was a few years ago when I was a freshman in high school going into my sophomore year of high school. I got baptized a few months earlier and our youth pastor called and said that he has a wonderful opportunity, this opportunity was that me and my twin sister would go to this camp up in Piedmont Mo, called Eagle Sky. At this camp I spent five days in worship with my peers but during this time it felt like he was beside me the whole time. The third day in I really felt the Holy Spirit with me I spent four hours in the Bible but during that time it felt like ten minutes. Latter during the week I got a baton from the speaker and he said "I am handing this baton off to you know it is your turn to find someone, talk to them about Jesus and love on them and when the time is right hand it to them and tell them the same thing." Once I got back from camp I really felt the Lord with me but I did not know that to do with that but it would not show up until a few years later. The career I want to go into is youth ministry, the reason is that this past year I was a camp councilor at Eagle Sky for the younger kid and while I was talking to the about the Bible I really felt the Holy Spirit with me. I did not know how God was using me to impact the kids at this camp until I got home and my Boss contacted my Dad and said that two kids got baptized backed on what I said. But I really know that it was not me it was God speaking through me, one this I always say is that for me being a Christian I am called to be a stepping stone in this world. If you think about it we are called to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20) so I am called to lift up and share the word of God with everyone even if that means being a stepping stone for them getting closer to God. The reason why I say this is because I feel like God is calling me to Ozark Christian college and while I am there I will be getting my minor in theology and my major will be in Youth Minstery. This scholarship will help a lot because this college is not cheap every college is not cheap, but I am relying on trust in God to help me find the money some way. The money you give me will help pay for my tuition and my room and board. I just want you to know that if you do chose me it is a blessing but than again if you don't its fine, there is someone out there who needs it more than me. Either way I want to say thank you for reading this and have a blessed day.

I plan on not me making a difference in the world but by God working through me, for nothing that I do in this world will be because of me it will be because of him. I wanted to start off by saying that because I believe that God has great things planned for me in my life and that he will work through me in all things. I plan on going into being a minister to help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone because everyone has a chance to hear who he is and what he has done in this world. I don't know how long it will take me until I can start that message but to be honest I can start that message right now, but for me I want to know some more things about God before I got out into the world and start spreading the gospel. Now I am not saying that I am Paul or Peter or any of the twelve disciples, but I firmly believe that those men have had a huge change on the world and during the time that they were in so that was revolutionary for the world of that time. See I know I am not going to be a Paul or a Peter but I do believe that I can be a Charlie Kirk, or a Dylan Novak these two people have helped changed the world in many small ways that even they dont know about yet. See Charlie Kirk died for his faith until his very last breath and that is what all christian are called to do. We are called to share the gospel with anyone and everyone even if it means that we get to see God a little sooner. Now I am not looking to be famous or be a celebrity but that I am looking to be is a stepping stone for the all these people so they can see how great our God is. I know what comes with sharing the gospel I will lose friends, family, and sometimes my mind. But with the degree I plan on getting it will help me set up for the futuer battles I am going to face. See the degree I am going to get will help me know the scripture like I have never seen before. See I am a stepping stone in this life, so if I can help people find God like I did that is more than what I could ever want. Its up to you to see if this will change the world but what I know is this God will change the world with or with out me.