by Zaneta Tan,
Our Father’s House (Working Adults community)
At 15, I answered God’s call and gave my life to Him, but my faith was still cerebral and more focused on deeds. I grew in knowledge of the Word, and served Him, but I was still in full control. I knew about Jesus, but I was not in love with Him. Holiness felt reserved for the rare few, so I didn’t dare to strive towards it.
In 2019, my husband and I joined Our Father’s House (one of OYP’s working adults communities) and welcomed our first son. Then, COVID-19 hit, and the conditions of my career changed as a result. Community became a safe anchor in a rocky season. Through retreats, equipping sessions and new friendships, OYP gave me the opportunity to witness people just like me striving for holiness with others. Bearing witness to people who continued to choose Jesus amidst personal challenges while loving each other more than themselves, moved me into a new way of living with God.
I started speaking to God consistently, praying to receive, listen, and develop an open disposition. I was spurred on to serve, and experienced growth through these experiences too. While serving at the Graduating University Students Retreat in 2021, I came to the realisation that all decisions I make must lead me and others towards Jesus. This then led to me allowing God to begin transforming my desires. My quest was not for happiness, but for holiness and to never be apart from Him. It was no longer about my ambitions, but for God’s will to be done, no longer to serve God only when life allows me, but to do it in the now.
I cannot imagine what my life would be like without the transformation I experienced through OYP and our friends-turned-family from our community. Today, my husband and I have found new ways to build our family and the Church, and have discovered new reserves we never knew we had. I’ve moved from loving the idea of Christianity to loving Christ Himself.
To Fr Jude, Fr Brian and all the staff at OYP, thank you for showing me that holiness is for us all. We pray for the continued raising up of each new generation! And to you reading this, if you feel like there is a prompting in your heart for more, I encourage you to give it attention in prayer. A life lived with God is so joyful and GOOD!
As we celebrate OYP’s 9th anniversary, it is only fitting that we do so in a spirit of deep gratitude and thanksgiving to the Lord. He is the one that continues to write the stories of our dear young people and brings healing to their lives. Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing nine such stories as we celebrate the past nine years. We thank you Lord for your faithfulness! #OYPTurns9
See more of our 9th Anniversary thanksgivings:
OYP Turns 9: Fullness of Life
OYP Turns 9: His Vessel of Love
OYP Turns 9: The Saving Grace of Community
