Monthly Archives: March 2025

Church Youth Meeting – Bethesda, Maryland

Date: March 22, 2025
Bella’s Message:

“Good evening, everyone! I’m so excited to be here with you tonight. I want to share a story about faith, determination, and standing firm in what we believe in, even when the odds seem stacked against us. It’s about a young woman named Jordan Patel, a figure skater right here in Bethesda, Maryland.

Jordan had one dream—to compete at the national level in figure skating. She trained tirelessly, balancing long hours on the ice with helping her mother run their struggling coffee shop near the local ice rink. It wasn’t easy, but Jordan loved both her family and her sport.

One day, news broke that a wealthy developer planned to demolish the ice rink to build luxury condos. For Jordan, this wasn’t just a building—it was her second home, the place where she poured out her heart and soul. Losing it meant losing everything she had worked for. It would have been easy to give up, to accept that she was just one person who couldn’t make a difference. But Jordan wasn’t one to back down.

With the help of a former rival, Lena Brooks, she started rallying the community. They organized petitions, reached out to the media, and even planned a major skating event to raise awareness. But just as things were looking hopeful, Jordan uncovered a truth that shook her world—her own family had ties to the developer threatening to tear down the rink. Suddenly, her battle was more than just saving a building. It became a journey of understanding her own past and realizing that sometimes, the biggest challenges aren’t just external—they’re within us.

Now, let’s pause and ask ourselves: Have you ever felt like the odds were against you? Have you ever faced a challenge that seemed too big to handle? Maybe it’s a tough situation at school, pressure from friends, or doubts about your own abilities. In moments like these, we have two choices—we can give up, or we can trust that God has a greater purpose.

Proverbs 16:9 says, ‘In their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.’ Jordan thought her battle was about an ice rink, but God was using it to teach her about courage, resilience, and family. Sometimes, we focus so much on what we think we’re fighting for that we don’t see the bigger picture God is painting in our lives.

Bethesda is a city that has changed a lot over the years. It started as a quiet community but has grown into a thriving urban center with amazing restaurants, theaters, and cultural attractions. Change can be good, but it can also be scary. Just like Jordan had to embrace change and trust that something greater was happening, we, too, have to trust God when things shift around us.

Tonight, I challenge you—what is something in your life that feels overwhelming? What is a dream you’re afraid to chase? What battle do you feel like you’re losing? I want you to remember that just because things seem difficult doesn’t mean God isn’t working. Sometimes, He uses the hardest moments to shape us into the people we’re meant to be.

Group Discussion Questions:

Have you ever faced a situation where you felt powerless? How did you handle it?
What is something you are passionate about that you would fight for, like Jordan fought for her ice rink?
How can you trust God more in difficult situations?
Do you believe God is guiding your steps, even when you don’t understand where you’re going? Why or why not?

Fellowship and Reflection:
After the meeting, the youth gathered for snacks and continued discussions about their own challenges and dreams. Some opened up about struggles at school, while others shared how they wanted to be bolder in their faith. As the night ended, there was a sense of encouragement in the room—a reminder that no matter what they faced, God was walking with them, just like He walked with Jordan through her journey.

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Church Prayer Meeting in Columbia, Maryland.

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Trish’s Encouragement from Sophia Tran’s Story

Date: March 18, 2025
Location: Columbia Community Church, Columbia, MD

Opening Prayer:
“Heavenly Father, we come before You tonight with open hearts and minds, seeking Your wisdom, Your encouragement, and Your guidance. We thank You for bringing us together as a church family and for the opportunity to be uplifted by Your word. Bless our time together, and may the message tonight inspire us to walk in faith, trust Your plan, and remember that You are always working behind the scenes for our good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Trish’s Message:

“Good evening, everyone. It is such a blessing to gather together in the house of the Lord tonight. As I was preparing to speak, God placed a story on my heart—one that speaks to perseverance, trust, and uncovering the blessings that may be hidden in our past. It is the story of a young woman named Sophia Tran, who grew up right here in Columbia, Maryland.

Sophia was a high school junior, passionate about fencing. She had been training for years with one goal in mind: to earn a scholarship to a prestigious college. She worked tirelessly, dedicating countless hours to her craft, honing her skills, and dreaming of the future she believed she was meant to have.

But then, something unexpected happened. A new coach arrived at her club—his name was Victor Moreau. He was different from the other coaches Sophia had known. He pushed her in ways that no one else had. He challenged her to rethink everything she thought she knew about fencing, about strategy, and even about herself. And as they worked together, Sophia felt a strange sense of familiarity. Something about Coach Moreau stirred memories deep within her, though she couldn’t quite place why.

Then, one day, Sophia made a discovery that would change everything. She learned that Victor Moreau had once been a student of her late grandfather—a man she had only known through old photos and a few stories. Her grandfather had been an Olympic fencer, a legend in his time, but he had never spoken much about his past. And now, here was Victor, someone who had been deeply shaped by her grandfather’s teachings, standing before her and carrying forward a legacy she never even knew existed.

Sophia could have ignored this discovery. She could have continued to focus only on herself and her personal ambitions. But instead, she leaned into it. She began to ask questions, to learn more about her grandfather’s past, and to understand the hidden history of her own family. And as she did, she uncovered a truth that shook her to her core: Her grandfather had once been on track to win Olympic gold, but due to unforeseen circumstances, he had walked away from the sport entirely. However, even though he never returned to competition, he never stopped passing on his knowledge, training students like Victor, who in turn was now training her.

What does this tell us, church? It tells us that God’s plans are bigger than our own. We may think we understand our path, but God is working in ways we can’t always see. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.’

Sophia thought fencing was just about earning a scholarship, but God had a deeper purpose for her gift. He was connecting generations, revealing a legacy, and showing her that her talents were not just for personal gain but to honor those who came before her and those who would come after her. Isn’t that what faith is about? Seeing beyond what is in front of us and trusting that God is doing something greater.

Tonight, I want to encourage you with this: There may be things in your life right now that seem uncertain. You may feel like you are working toward something, but the path is changing in ways you don’t understand. Maybe you are questioning why certain doors are closing or why new challenges are arising. But let me tell you, God is not just writing your story—He is connecting it to something greater than you can imagine.

Think about Columbia, Maryland. This city was planned and designed to be a place where families and businesses could thrive. It was built with intention. And look at it now—Columbia has grown into one of the most livable places in the country, filled with opportunities, beauty, and community. In the same way, God is planning your life with intention. He sees beyond the moment you are in right now. He is shaping your story to bless you and to bless others through you.

So, I ask you tonight—what legacy are you carrying forward? What hidden blessings is God waiting to reveal in your life? Maybe there are family stories, old dreams, or forgotten callings that God is bringing back to the surface. Maybe, like Sophia, you are on the brink of a discovery that will reshape how you see yourself and your purpose.

Let us not be discouraged by what we don’t yet understand. Let us walk forward in faith, knowing that God is always at work. He is training us, preparing us, and placing us exactly where we need to be.

Closing Scripture and Prayer:
Jeremiah 29:11 – ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’

‘Heavenly Father, we thank You for the reminder that You are always at work in our lives. We thank You for the hidden blessings, the lessons, and the legacy that You are weaving together for our good. Help us to trust in Your plans, to walk in faith, and to embrace the journey even when we do not understand it. May we be lights in this world, passing on the faith, wisdom, and love You have placed in us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.’