I've been feeling stirred over the last little while about investing in and championing young adults: people in their twenties and early thirties. It was when I was in my early twenties that Jesus and others really got hold of me and gave me space to step into some of what I was called to. There is so much potential in the young adults in our churches. I thought I'd ask a few that I know to share some of their thoughts on my blog.
This beaut is my friend Loren. I first met her and her husband, Duncan, when they did TSM at the King's Arms. Loren is an incredible leader and such an inspiration to me. She is in her early 20's and her heart for Jesus and people provokes me so much. She is taking hold of all Jesus has for her with her whole heart and, as a result, she is seeing so much beautiful fruit. I know you will be encouraged by reading her thoughts below.
I asked Loren to answer 3 questions:
- Who are you and what do you do?
- What is God speaking to you about the moment and how are you responding to Him?
- What would be your tops tips for people in their 20's to thrive in their relationship with God?
My name is Loren Bream. I am 22 years old and I met Jesus 9 years ago. Obviously I was saved straight after! How could I not be after encountering love as a person, truth as a voice and the life giving Holy spirit of God. It has been a wild ride so far!
I attended the BRIT School where I studied Broadcasting & film. After graduating secondary school the doors to all broadcasting opportunities shut, leaving one door wide open. It was a discipleship course in Texas. Let’s just say this trip to Texas (and 6 weeks in Indonesia) changed my life. It solidified my faith, healed me from wounds of the past and gave me deep friendships for life.
When I got back I married my best friend Duncan. Now we are almost 3 years married and living in our beloved town Croydon, London, with our cat Fuego. Duncan is a talented carpenter (like someone else I love) and I am a nanny, barista and founder of Yoke Easy - a brunch street food stall. Through Yoke Easy we are on a mission to holistically train and support 16-24 year olds who are care leavers or NEET (not in education, employment or training).
Being a Christian really is the most wild adventure.
If you don’t find that to be true in your life right now, I encourage you to ask Holy Spirit if there is anything holding you back from the fullness of what he has for you! He will show you what you need to see, and heal what needs to be healed. Adventure awaits my friend. Where the spirit of the Lord is there is freedom: 2 Corinthians 3:17.
At the moment God is highlighting to me the importance of my voice. He’s showing me that prayer changes not only my circumstances but my heart. He is teaching me that He always listens and He is a good Father who gives great gifts. I am responding to what He’s saying by asking for more and declaring things that seem impossible. I am exercising the gift of faith God has given me.
My top tips for anyone in their 20’s wanting to thrive in their relationship with God, would be:
Always go to him. With disappointment, confusion, frustration, joy, celebration, questions, basically all things. He is the counsellor of all counsellors (the gentle and kind listener) but also King of Kings (all powerful and mighty). He can heal the insecurities in your heart, and he can give you truth in exchange for the lies that you’ve believed maybe all your life. The core lie I believed since childhood was that ‘I am too much’. The Lord highlighted this lie to me and gave me in exchange His truth - ‘you are extraordinary’. I looked into my past with the Holy Spirit and saw many of the moments where I felt ‘too much’ The Lord redeemed all those moments and is still continuing to do that even now. I no longer look at myself through the lenses of a lie the enemy planted. I see myself and all I do through my Father’s lens...
I am extraordinary and so is my creator!
Check out my website for more of the things I am passionate about.
Wendy Mann Equip | www.wendymannequip.com Building Family, Prioritising God's Presence, Extending God’s Kingdom