An Interview with Bella: How she was transformed by the Asbury Revival
Photo by Bella
During the Asbury Revival, I was inspired to follow the story of my son’s friend eighteen-year-old Bella. She was a dance student in the preprofessional division at Ballet West. My son told me God was doing something in her life. I didn’t have many personal accounts from other young people experiencing what God had done during that time, but I longed to know what might be happening months after the excitement. Bella’s words encouraged me.
Khudija: Did you consider yourself a Christian before the Asbury Revival?
Bella: I was blessed to have been raised as a Christian. I was very involved in church my whole life.
Khudija: How has your life changed since the Asbury Revival?
Bella: My faith was always important to me, but it started to feel different a few months ago. The Asbury Revival took place in February of 2023. My life changed for the better. My entire life has been dedicated to ballet. Because of that, I have had the opportunity to live in so many amazing places. I most recently lived in Utah, where all my hours were spent training for my ballet career. Around February, I felt God speak to me so clearly. I thought ballet was my future, but God had bigger and better plans. He has called me to live fully for Him and His kingdom and to serve. I recently quit ballet and I am starting my degree in Youth Ministry.
Khudija: Have you seen other people like yourself radically changed?
Bella: I have witnessed some amazing stories and have seen God work in so many people’s lives, it’s truly beautiful. I have seen how God can pick someone up and place them back on their feet. God has a purpose and plan for everyone and it is so surreal how great our God is. It doesn’t matter how broken, wounded, and far gone we can be, God will use you.
Khudija: In what ways do you see God using you?
Bella: I pray daily that God will use me to touch the hearts of others. I pray God is using me for His glory and for me to leave an impact on everyone I can. Since I am going into Youth Ministry, I am excited to see how God will use me to work in these little ones’ lives. I aspire to inspire the next generation and be obedient to where God leads me.
Khudija: Why Youth Ministry specifically?
Bella: I was a mentor to a lovely four-year-old girl with Down syndrome and she truly changed my life. This little girl taught me how important it is to help, give, and serve others. Because of her, I found my passion and love working with youth. I want to be able to help inspire and lead the younger generation into being exactly who God has called them to be. I recently served as a kindergarten leader at a summer church camp and watching all of the kids transform and grow is something I long for and feel called to do.
Khudija: What would you tell young people like you who are struggling to trust God?
Bella: Faith is really hard to stand firm in. It is so much easier to live for the world and to abide by what society tells us, but God is still moving! God forgives you and it is okay to make mistakes and not be a perfect Christian. No one is perfect except for Jesus Christ! We are imperfect people who sin and fall into temptation, but God sent His perfect son Jesus to die for us. God will use you no matter your circumstances. In all of your circumstances, stay with God. We cannot fathom how much he loves us. Abide in Him, life is found in the one who holds it.