Five years ago, JT MacLeod was struggling with who he was as a person and what purpose he had on this planet. For the first 13 years of his life, he rarely attended church because it was just not on his "priority list." But he began to attend a Tuesday night church youth group during his seventh grade year, which jump-started his faith.

"It showed me that it wasn't boring at all. I went for a year just learning about Jesus and what He has done for me," MacLeod said.

At the time, MacLeod admits he was hanging out with the wrong crowd, but his newfound faith helped him move away from those wrong influences.

"With my transition from that lifestyle to a Christian lifestyle I grew and fell away from that group of people, but I was blessed to be able fit right in to a new group of friends in Christ," MacLeod said.

NEXT THING YOU KNOW…

MacLeod began attending church regularly during the first month of his freshman year and accepted Christ soon after.

"During a Freshman Ski Retreat I made the decision and accepted Christ after the Saturday night message. It was at this point in my life that I felt as if I knew I had purpose and meaning," MacLeod said.

MacLeod has been attending the Pointe from the very beginning. He helped launch the church when it was in its infant stages and feels privileged to be a part of something that God has blessed.

"I became very interested in being a part of The Pointe Church, since it was obvious that God had plans for this church…I grew spiritually so much during this time as God had definitely shaken up my world from what it once was," MacLeod said.

Middle school ministries has been a passion of MacLeod’s ever since he became a Christian five years ago. He found his way into the middle school ministry program at The Pointe last summer.

"It was some of the best times of the past few years of my life working with the students in that ministry. I definitely felt the Lord calling me into student ministries in some way, shape, or form," MacLeod said.

MacLeod’s favorite bible verse is Isaiah 40:30-31: "(30) Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; (31) but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

This is his favorite verse because he sees himself living it out time after time, knowing that his own power will never take him where he needs to go.

"So many youths these days do think they can do it alone. And when they realize they can't, God says to trust in Him, and they'll have the power," MacLeod said.

"I Can Only Imagine" is MacLeod’s favorite worship song because it perfectly describes something that cannot be described.

"We can only imagine what it will be like in Heaven, we can only imagine what we will feel and see. Heaven is indescribable, so we can only see it in our imaginations. We never feel on earth the way we will feel in Heaven, or see things as beautiful here as we will there. We can only imagine." 

MacLeod faced some major road blocks and spiritual warfare in his first year of college, however he has seen God reveal himself recently more than ever before.

"Through hardships and tests of faith, God has built me up higher than I would have ever imagined I'd be right now," explains MacLeod.

Share Your Story! Want to Share Your Story? Here at The Pointe we are all a part of God's Family, and we want to get to know each and every one of you. An easy way to do this is by devoting an entire web page to focusing on the amazing ways God has worked in the lives of His people.   We want to hear your story of God's glory!  If you'd be willing to share your story of salvation or spiritual life change for Next Thing You Know, email Shelley at ShelleyG@ThePointeChurch.Net.