Meet our Intern!
Introducing Marisol!
In August of 2020, as a sophomore in High School, Marisol walked into church for the first time. She had no intentions of getting to know Jesus, or visiting church again, until she met April.
Marisol had heard about Jesus, but the version of Jesus described to her all her life by Christians didn’t seem like someone who was interested in her or her two moms. It was words and actions telling her again and again that she and her moms were going to hell. The language was never inviting, never understanding, and never full of empathy and compassion.
From a toxic dating relationship, a season of partying, and unhealthy friendships in her life, Marisol felt that her worth was compromised – she felt lost. Marisol longed for something real and was searching for truth. At the same time, April was praying for someone to share the truth with.
As a Youth Pastor for 4 years, April had been a part of many altar call moments of young people saying “Yes” to Jesus for the first time; yet, her heart desired more. She wanted to see life change before her own eyes and more than witness it, she wanted to walk with someone through it.
Over the next six months, in the midst of the pandemic, April and Marisol met weekly, often in April’s car due to a lack of open meeting space. Their conversations were challenging, exciting, rich, sometimes full of tension while covering hard topics; yet, ultimately their time always pointed back to Jesus and nothing else.
Their relationship was a living example of true discipleship; two individuals willing to put aside their differences, upbringings, and what they had been told, in order to discover Biblical truth.
In January of 2021, sitting in April’s car after youth group, Marisol said yes to Jesus, and got baptized by April a few months later.
Marisol still remembers vividly April sharing with her the decision of following Jesus would come with sacrifice. In fact, she shared that the things would get hard due to the enemy’s fear of the life Marisol was choosing; and she was right.
Soon after Marisol’s acceptance of Jesus, she lost all of the friends in her life. It was lonely and often doubts filled her mind of whether or not she really wanted this new life. In addition, the new Christ-like community Marisol was gaining began to move away, including April. This left Marisol struggling with loneliness, as she yearned for Godly community in her life to walk out her faith with.
Simultaneously, April wrestled with the move from Washington to Texas. She knew it was what God was calling her family to do. Yet, she struggled with fear that Marisol would walk away from her faith due to lack of discipleship and community. However, April ignited a passion of prayer over Marisol’s life and recognized Jesus as her savior and nothing else.
April surrendered Marisol’s life to Jesus, believing that the seeds planted in her life would begin to grow and flourish.
Marisol, after spending a year of feeling stuck and stagnant in her faith, decided to take a hard look at the relationships that were having a major influence in her life and reevaluate. Midway through her senior year, another shift began to take place. Marisol began to realize her identity was still not fully in Christ alone. She was still reliant on people and what they thought of her.
When she fully surrendered to God in trusting His plan for her life, her world changed. She began to desire truth in all aspects of her life and developed a hunger for God’s Word. She got connected to God-community and began to seek God on her own. She was evidently growing and discovering her own purpose and voice. At the end of her senior year, Marisol graduated with a full-ride to Texas Christian University with a strong call and desire to pursue ministry.
To say it simply, April’s prayer was answered — she not only witnessed life change before her eyes, she got to walk with her dear friend through it. And it wasn’t only Marisol’s life who changed, it was April’s as well.
Often when April and Marisol introduce each other to someone else, or bring up the other person in conversation, they are left trying to find the right words to describe their relationship. Mentor, pastor, friend, sister, student – these words have all crossed their minds at different times. But the truth is, all of these words encapsulate the special relationship that April and Marisol have built.
The relationship shared between Marisol and April is what encouraged April to take a risk and launch Cherish Ministry. The non-profit organization had been a desire of April’s since 7th grade and remained a dream she consistently prayed for, specifically guidance for when to start. After meeting Marisol and doing life with her, it was evident that the time was now.
In 2019, Cherish Ministry started as an Instagram page and in 2021, Cherish Ministry became an official 501(c)3. Almost four years later and Marisol has now shared interest in taking Cherish Ministry to the next level and we are so excited to have her as our first intern.
You girls are unstoppable. Lead the brigade, know that you have everything you need to love 1, who many love many, who may go on to show Jesus’ love across the world.