Nataisha Goddard

Growing up in the church, I was exposed to many things about God. I sang the songs, memorized the verses, and checked all the boxes to ensure that I was good with God. Despite all of this, I missed the point for so long: a relationship with God. I knew a lot about Him, but I didn’t know Him personally. Around age 15, I encountered the Lord in a personal way. It was no longer what I could do for God, but it was all what He has done for me. It truly is the great exchange: death for life. Before Christ, I was in bondage to a need for control, feeling lost, depressed, crippling fear, and despair. Not to say that I have never struggled with those things again, but in walking with the Lord, He has taught me how and has grown in me a deep dependence on Him. He is my strength, He is my safety, He is enough in every season, He is good, and He is worthy of my life, honor, and all glory. 

The Lord continued to transform and sanctify my heart through two summers serving at a camp in North Carolina, getting baptized, college highs and lows, working in caregiving roles, community, missions, and this last season through a lot of grief and joy coexisting. After graduating college in December, I had the desire to spend an extended amount of time pursuing ministry, in whatever capacity the Lord called me to. 

During this season, the Lord reminded me of John 13:7 - “Jesus answered him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but afterward you will understand.’” I just kept feeling Him say, “Afterward you will understand.” Since applying and now walking into this season at Freedom House Discipleship School, I have felt some of this being answered. It shows what the refining was working in me and pointing to, a reminder to walk in obedience, that He is working in the waiting and in what I don’t understand, and that it truly is all for my good and His glory. I am so excited and expectant for what the Lord has for me in this next season with FHDS and to continue to see how much deeper a relationship with Him goes. I have learned that He is my joy and He alone satisfies. Thank you in advance for stepping into this journey with me through prayer and funding! I am extremely grateful, and it would not be possible without the body of Christ surrounding me.