By Brittany Ulman, Ansonia Girls’ Bible Study Volunteer
“You’re never alone. Jesus is always here for you.”
Kiera and Sarah want everyone to believe these words. So when Matt Auker asked Sarah if she would want to lead a Bible study at school, she knew it was an answer to prayer. She also knew who she wanted to co-lead: her close friend, Kiera.
Both ladies have faced their share of trials, but they have also experienced God’s love and grace. When asked who Jesus is to them, Kiera replied, “Jesus is my lifeline; I wouldn’t be here without Him.” Sarah agreed, “Jesus is a friend, but more. In my toughest struggles, He’s always been there. I’ve never felt such love.” A love they want others to know too, especially their female peers.
“It’s tough being a girl right now, and I want the other girls to not feel judged because of their faith,” Kiera says.
Before they fully surrendered themselves to Jesus, Kiera and Sarah often felt alone or judged when talking about Jesus with others. But now they know His voice is the only one that matters. Sarah says, “Life is a blink of an eye. Other people aren’t eternity, Jesus is.”
Since starting the group in late spring of 2024, the girls have witnessed God move. Their classmates’ demeanors are brighter, happier. One was encouraged when she got to share what she knows about Jesus. Others have made complete turnarounds, encouraged to know they’re not alone and God can heal them.
Personally, Sarah has felt her bond with Jesus strengthen. She says, “One spark of Jesus can start a fire. Being able to declare Him out loud is refreshing. It’s been a comfort to share Him.”
Kiera agrees, “We’re doing what Jesus commanded. I used to think Christianity was like a track race. You were in your own lane, and it was about who could make it to the finish line faster and better. But now I know it’s more like cross country. We’re all racing together and are here for one another to encourage and pick one another up when we fall. When Christians connect, it’s an unbreakable bond.” A bond they want their peers to find in this group.
It has truly been life-giving to watch God work in Kiera and Sarah, and I’m thankful Matt kept pressing me to volunteer. He had asked me several times before, but I declined each time for various reasons, namely, life was busy. It still is, yet when Matt asked me again this summer, I knew this time was different. I didn’t understand why, but then I met Kiera and Sarah. Their passion for Jesus is palpable, and it’s this fire they bring to their Bible studies.
When asked what advice they have for other students who are considering leading their own Bible studies, Kiera says, “Don’t be scared of judgment because there’s more people out there who want to learn and are in the same ship as you.” Sarah agreed and added, “Don’t wait. Hesitation kills you. It stresses you out, and you won’t do it. Remember, it’s not about you. Go in open-minded, be authentic and accepting. If you give someone an inch of Jesus’ love, they’ll go a mile.”
I had to laugh when Erin Ayette first asked me to write this, as I’ve just been a bystander to what God is doing. He’s given Kiera and Sarah great support systems in Matt and their youth pastor, Adam Klipstine. They, with God’s lead, have cared for and equipped these ladies for this moment, I’ve just gotten the blessing to watch as I encourage Kiera and Sarah and join the study twice a month. We’re praying for God-sized victories to come out of this study, and we’re waiting in expectation, knowing He will answer.