Meet Avery Stafford
I grew up going to Bible School, I knew Jesus loved me and that He was the Creator but that’s where my knowledge ended. After preschool I rarely attended church. Eventually I had many doubts about God and began to live my life according to my will.
From a very young age I had extreme anxiety. I felt I had to be perfect. If a teacher got on to me or I got a B on an assignment, I would have this terrible nagging feeling that I was worthless and a failure. In 2018 my dad was diagnosed with cancer. As my dad underwent chemo I would go days without seeing my parents. I was battling anxiety and loneliness, and at the same time as I was struck with fear over what would happen. I was incredibly angry at God. Why would he let this happen? I remember one night I was so angry I stayed awake crying and begging God to heal my dad. Eventually my dad went into remission but I continued my life separate from God. By junior high I had come out of my shell, but still struggled with anxiety and no longer felt like myself.
In mid January 2022 my father got COVID. At the end of February 2022, after a month long battle my father passed away. My father had a faith that amazed me. Even as he faced cancer and COVID, he never once seemed afraid of what was to come. He knew where he was going.
The next two years of my life were a blur of pain and confusion. At the beginning of 2024 when I was at the lowest of lows, crying on my bedroom floor wondering why everything was the way it was, I felt a calling to pray. I knew in that moment that I would not make it on my own strength but I needed something more. I needed someone more. As I prayed I felt comfort I hadn’t felt before. After that night I realized I needed to make a change and start chasing after Jesus. Months later I gave my life to Christ. Soon after, I was invited to a Faith Students event and started to attend services and small groups. On February 9, 2025 I was baptized here at Faith Bible. I have since been working to build my relationship with God, and even though I still struggle with anxiety I know God has overcome and He has forgiven me and declared me righteous on the cross. I will continue to share my story because as our student pastor Eric would say, “Jesus has wrecked my life in the best way”, and if my story helps just one person know God better then I will tell it a million times.
From a very young age I had extreme anxiety. I felt I had to be perfect. If a teacher got on to me or I got a B on an assignment, I would have this terrible nagging feeling that I was worthless and a failure. In 2018 my dad was diagnosed with cancer. As my dad underwent chemo I would go days without seeing my parents. I was battling anxiety and loneliness, and at the same time as I was struck with fear over what would happen. I was incredibly angry at God. Why would he let this happen? I remember one night I was so angry I stayed awake crying and begging God to heal my dad. Eventually my dad went into remission but I continued my life separate from God. By junior high I had come out of my shell, but still struggled with anxiety and no longer felt like myself.
In mid January 2022 my father got COVID. At the end of February 2022, after a month long battle my father passed away. My father had a faith that amazed me. Even as he faced cancer and COVID, he never once seemed afraid of what was to come. He knew where he was going.
The next two years of my life were a blur of pain and confusion. At the beginning of 2024 when I was at the lowest of lows, crying on my bedroom floor wondering why everything was the way it was, I felt a calling to pray. I knew in that moment that I would not make it on my own strength but I needed something more. I needed someone more. As I prayed I felt comfort I hadn’t felt before. After that night I realized I needed to make a change and start chasing after Jesus. Months later I gave my life to Christ. Soon after, I was invited to a Faith Students event and started to attend services and small groups. On February 9, 2025 I was baptized here at Faith Bible. I have since been working to build my relationship with God, and even though I still struggle with anxiety I know God has overcome and He has forgiven me and declared me righteous on the cross. I will continue to share my story because as our student pastor Eric would say, “Jesus has wrecked my life in the best way”, and if my story helps just one person know God better then I will tell it a million times.
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