Testimony: Connor Bond

Growing up in a Christian household, I was always aware of Christ. I was taught all the bible stories in Sunday school, served on the youth advisory council, and played my guitar at summer camp. Despite all of this, I did not personally encounter Jesus until I decided to

go all in at the beginning of 2020. What a time to commit to Jesus! The Lord worked through the people around me at Baylor University, by consistently directing them to me. They showed love, dove into scripture, explained theological concepts, and urged me to search for the Lord in my life. I was resistant to grow in my faith, because I knew that with Jesus, everything would change for me; I was comfortable where I was. The hard-headed 20 year old Connor was finally going to church (or watching online), and getting in the word daily. After this, I realized that God simply wanted my heart (Hosea 6:6, Ezekiel 39:29). The Lord began to provide for me in ways I couldn't ever expect. He brought me through some very tough times, but as always, Jehovah Jireh was there for me. Needless to say, my life changed dramatically. I

began to seek out the Lord in my day to day, in my school, and in my work. He was there. My friends never left my side through it all; God did a work through them in my life. I will be eternally grateful for those people, all of which I continue to identify as my closest friends to this day.

The next couple of years were years of massive growth in my faith. I was asked to lead a Life Group at the church I was attending. Being able to gather weekly, and speak life and truth into my group's

lives was amazing. What made it even sweeter was the fact that my co-leader was one of my best friends that God used to bring me back to faith! What a life we live.

As I continued to grow, I took a leap of faith and made the drive from Waco, TX to Grand Marais, MN. There I served as a Wilderness Leader Intern at the Coldwater Foundation. I was welcomed with open arms, a warm fire, and a 17 day wilderness trip that was designed to push the staff into leadership roles. I spent most

of my days in the wilderness, paddling through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, ministering to students. My goal of stewarding real life change in my students eventually turned back onto me, and I grew in my faith more that season than I ever have since being born again.

As I transition into a new phase of my life, many big changes are on the horizon. I am so excited to be marrying the love of my life and my best friend, Rachel. She loves Jesus, is

bold in her faith, and is driven to share the Gospel to the ends of the earth. As for me, the Lord has directed me to serve Him vocationally. I have a deep desire for people to see the kingdom of God, just as I have. I have a deep love for people, spurring from the love I have for Jesus Christ. You may have noticed a theme throughout this testimony: relationship. This is one of my big takeaways from my story, and motivates why I do what I do. Others being relational to me changed my life, and I want to be able to be that person for others. It all centers around Gods mercy and forgiveness. He can change you, just like He changed me.