My Full Story
If you’re here, I’m really glad.
It’s how everything started… and how God has been leading me step by step.
In the beninging… just kiding .In the beginning
Before anything, I think the most honest way to say this is:
I didn’t start this journey with everything figured out.
I just started.
Introduction
My conversion story isn’t like those dramatic ones, where I lived in a worldly or immoral way. In fact, even though I didn’t find a church to truly commit to until I was 11 years old, I always believed in God. I could say my dilemma was having to choose between Catholicism, more common in my father’s family, and Protestantism, more common in my mother’s family. Although I didn’t attend a church regularly, my mother always shared stories and passages from the Bible. What marked me the most was when, at bedtime, she would always quote Psalm 121: “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth,” and to this day, I find myself reciting this verse.
In Brazil, most people are Christian, and even while being in the world, many know some parts of the scriptures. In my opinion, this can be a good thing, as it makes preaching the word easier. But at the same time, the word is neglected because people have the knowledge but reject a relationship with God.
In Brazil, most people are Christian, and even while being in the world, many know some parts of the scriptures. In my opinion, this can be a good thing, as it makes preaching the word easier. But at the same time, the word is neglected because people have the knowledge but reject a relationship with God.
Early Journey
Anyway, let’s go back to my journey. When I was a child, I attended catechism a few times, but that was about it. Later, I went to the Maranata church a few times but stopped going. Since I was very young, I depended on going with my mother, who was still making her decision, struggling with the flesh to settle into a church. I cannot fail to mention my mother, as she is the example I follow in my journey.
Some time later, a neighbor invited us to her church, and we started attending the Methodist Church. I felt at home and made friends. We are not saved by the denomination of a church, but by grace. However, I can say that this church, which I still attend today, has made my experience in fellowship much easier. Of course, nothing is perfect, but it has been a place where I’ve grown significantly. After about a year in the church, Pastor Josélio arrived and performed my baptism. I remember that day as if it were yesterday. I was wearing a floral dress, which became very heavy in the cold water of the bathtub they used for the baptism.
I would say that my Christian walk represents almost half of the years I’ve lived. The year I made my decision was around 2013, when I was 11 years old. Since then, I began serving in the church as best as I could. At that time, I was very shy. I would tremble with nervousness when I had to sing. It was easier to play the guitar and stay behind the scenes. Pastor Josélio was very important, as he encouraged me to start in the ministry. After two years, they changed some pastors, and Pastor Andreia arrived, but I couldn’t benefit much from her ministry because that year my family moved around a lot.
Some time later, a neighbor invited us to her church, and we started attending the Methodist Church. I felt at home and made friends. We are not saved by the denomination of a church, but by grace. However, I can say that this church, which I still attend today, has made my experience in fellowship much easier. Of course, nothing is perfect, but it has been a place where I’ve grown significantly. After about a year in the church, Pastor Josélio arrived and performed my baptism. I remember that day as if it were yesterday. I was wearing a floral dress, which became very heavy in the cold water of the bathtub they used for the baptism.
I would say that my Christian walk represents almost half of the years I’ve lived. The year I made my decision was around 2013, when I was 11 years old. Since then, I began serving in the church as best as I could. At that time, I was very shy. I would tremble with nervousness when I had to sing. It was easier to play the guitar and stay behind the scenes. Pastor Josélio was very important, as he encouraged me to start in the ministry. After two years, they changed some pastors, and Pastor Andreia arrived, but I couldn’t benefit much from her ministry because that year my family moved around a lot.
Ministry & Growth
In 2018, I was back in my hometown, and Pastor Fernando’s ministry began, which is when I really started serving in the worship ministry. At first, I was still nervous, but I went anyway. I began serving as the leader of the worship ministry, but since my church is small, we help with whatever is needed. Thus, I am also an assistant for the youth group. Over the years, God has shaped me, and in an amazing way, I began to sing and play alone at church. God is so good that He calls the least capable, and through the Spirit, we can be used for His work.
Today, I am a witness to God’s goodness, as I used to be so shy that I couldn’t even open my mouth to sing. Today, I can sing, and I rejoice when the church feels God’s presence. The ministry is not easy, especially since the worship ministry creates an environment for us to be used for worship. We still need to improve a lot. Pastor Fernando challenged me a lot during the seven years he was there. I ministered in worship, preached on a Wednesday, which I never imagined I would do, but it was very edifying. I also helped with the cell groups, co-leading and assisting with the preaching.
Anyway, this year, we are in Pastor Daniel’s ministry. I can see God’s power being poured out in that place in a tremendous way. The dynamics are completely different, as now we are trying to perfect the ministries. We are planning strategies to reach more lives.
As I go deeper into my walk with God, I’ve had ups and downs in my relationship with Him. I went through the phase of being a new convert, where I constantly sought God, talked to Him every day, and read the word. Later, I went through a period where my encounters with God became less frequent, and I let myself be carried away by life’s obstacles. However, I never left His presence, even in the hardest moments, when I felt resentful, lost, and directionless. In my professional life, I remained silent, and our conversations became more spaced out. But it was impossible to leave God’s presence after living so many things with the Father and realizing that He doesn’t abandon us, even in tough times.
Today, I am a witness to God’s goodness, as I used to be so shy that I couldn’t even open my mouth to sing. Today, I can sing, and I rejoice when the church feels God’s presence. The ministry is not easy, especially since the worship ministry creates an environment for us to be used for worship. We still need to improve a lot. Pastor Fernando challenged me a lot during the seven years he was there. I ministered in worship, preached on a Wednesday, which I never imagined I would do, but it was very edifying. I also helped with the cell groups, co-leading and assisting with the preaching.
Anyway, this year, we are in Pastor Daniel’s ministry. I can see God’s power being poured out in that place in a tremendous way. The dynamics are completely different, as now we are trying to perfect the ministries. We are planning strategies to reach more lives.
As I go deeper into my walk with God, I’ve had ups and downs in my relationship with Him. I went through the phase of being a new convert, where I constantly sought God, talked to Him every day, and read the word. Later, I went through a period where my encounters with God became less frequent, and I let myself be carried away by life’s obstacles. However, I never left His presence, even in the hardest moments, when I felt resentful, lost, and directionless. In my professional life, I remained silent, and our conversations became more spaced out. But it was impossible to leave God’s presence after living so many things with the Father and realizing that He doesn’t abandon us, even in tough times.
CFNI Calling
I had convinced myself that God wasn’t answering me, but in reality, it was just a way to deceive myself into not asking for the answer I was afraid to hear. Deep down, I always knew that God had something prepared for me. After entering an Architecture program in college, I felt like I was in the wrong place, as if I was far from what God truly had for me, but I still didn’t know what that was. I realized that a regular career and job would never be my goals. I always knew I would go somewhere, maybe another country.
Then, at the beginning of the year, like everyone who sets goals, I decided to set aside my fear and listen to what God was trying to tell me. God had already used some people to tell me that I had a mission and that my shyness was still preventing me from speaking about God’s love. In February, I made a vow for God to show me what He had for me. Believe me, God was very patient with me. I made a 21-day vow, during which He gave me a song about repentance and the need to seek Him while there’s still time. He is in a hurry for His children to spread the word throughout the world.
I was starting to plan to study evangelism in Europe, but my heart wasn’t at peace with that. I asked Him to show me where I should go. I had already researched CFNI, but I was considering it because I thought it would be more difficult due to immigration issues and the higher cost. After asking God to show me the country I should go to, He confirmed several times that it would be the United States. My heart was at peace because God was confirming it, and when I researched the college, I saw that it was a very welcoming place, focused on the word of God and on practicing what is taught. So, I’m going by faith, truly excited about what is to come.
My relationship with God has grown. It’s impossible to ignore God’s plans.
Then, at the beginning of the year, like everyone who sets goals, I decided to set aside my fear and listen to what God was trying to tell me. God had already used some people to tell me that I had a mission and that my shyness was still preventing me from speaking about God’s love. In February, I made a vow for God to show me what He had for me. Believe me, God was very patient with me. I made a 21-day vow, during which He gave me a song about repentance and the need to seek Him while there’s still time. He is in a hurry for His children to spread the word throughout the world.
I was starting to plan to study evangelism in Europe, but my heart wasn’t at peace with that. I asked Him to show me where I should go. I had already researched CFNI, but I was considering it because I thought it would be more difficult due to immigration issues and the higher cost. After asking God to show me the country I should go to, He confirmed several times that it would be the United States. My heart was at peace because God was confirming it, and when I researched the college, I saw that it was a very welcoming place, focused on the word of God and on practicing what is taught. So, I’m going by faith, truly excited about what is to come.
My relationship with God has grown. It’s impossible to ignore God’s plans.
DEEP WATERS
And that’s how Deep Waters started.
Honestly, it’s simple.
I am not a photographer, but I love photography.
It became something I enjoy, something natural for me.
And somehow, this became a way to connect everything.
Sometimes God gives us different strategies to reach the place He is calling us to.
And this was one of them.
I chose some of my favorite photos, the ones I had never shared before.
And I wrote reflections to go with them.
Each one carries a piece of this journey.
Deep Waters is not just a name.
It’s part of the process I’m living right now.
Where I am now
Right now, I’m in a step of faith. Trusting God for provision. Trusting His timing.
Trusting that if He called me, He will make a way. This journey is bigger than me.
And every step I take now is part of something I know He is building.
Thank you for being here and taking the time to read this.
It really means a lot to me.
I hope that somehow, even in a simple way,
this story can speak to your heart too.
I hope that somehow, even in a simple way,
this story can speak to your heart too.
This is where we are so far. I update this as new contributions come in.
My Theology Journey
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