Why California?

It's my desire ...

Growing up, I found so much joy in helping others. The ability to make my parents proud, or bring a smile to someone’s face, or simply take a task off their to-do list was what brought me fulfillment. I surrendered to full-time ministry when I was sixteen years old, and though I was not sure what that would look like, I knew I wanted to help others. As I asked God what He would have for me, I began to desire to be a nurse with a burden for medical missions in South Africa. My idea was that if I could give medical help and gain the trust of a person, then he would be more willing to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. I was excited to begin online dual enrollment classes at Pensacola Christian College and pursue what I believed to be what God had for me. After attending college days, I was positive that PCC was the place for me, and I began the process of applying. About a month later, I was told of a direction that PCC was beginning to take that went against my convictions. Many of my friends were no longer planning to attend the college, and I began to wonder what God had for me. I discussed my concerns to my parents, my mentors, and my pastor. My dream was to be a nurse, and in my case, Pensacola Christian College was the only way that dream would become a reality. All my plans were crumbling before my eyes, and suddenly, I had no plan. I strongly desire to be in the center of God’s will, but I must admit, I began to question what He was doing in my life. I began to pray even more fervently about what my future would look like but graduated high school with no idea of where I would attend college. It truly was a time that I had no choice but to wait for God’s leading. The desire to be a nurse began to fade, and I came to the conclusion that I would attend The Crown College in Powell, Tennessee. The choice simply made sense. I have family who live close to Crown. I would be able to have my car at college which would give me freedom to go anywhere I wanted. My parents love the church and pastor. It just made sense, so I began the process of pplying to Crown majoring in Elementary Education. I was not necessarily determined to go to Crown, but in my mind, it seemed God was opening the door. On June 17, 2022, I applied to attend Crown, but our church was also having a special service that night to allow Golden State Baptist College’s tour group to sing and present their college. I knew of Golden State, but because of the distance, it was never an option for me. I told my mom that I would not be going to California, so GSBC was not even an option. It was impossible. I needed my pastor to fill out a form for me that night to continue my process of applying, but coincidently, (now I know it was Providentially) I left the form at home. I sat in the pew, but did not even listen to the group sing because I was wondering if God would have me go to California. I tried to get the idea out of my head, and just enjoy the service, but the idea kept coming back to me. If you have ever had a tour group come present their college to your church, then you know that they are vultures to get your information and to get you to apply, so I did. I mean, the guys had come all the way from across the United States, so I could at least give them some hope that their labor was not in vain. I knew my parents were not going to allow me to go to California. Despite the incredible atmosphere I knew GSBC had, it was not the place for me. There was not enough time to even visit the college. But I could not get the idea out of my mind. Though I totally expected her to shoot the idea down, I went to my mom to just see what her response would be. I presented the thought, and to my surprise, she supported it. Though she was hesitant and probably thought I was out of my mind, she told me to get information and pray about it. I was completely shocked, but I still knew I had to talk to my dad. There was no way he would allow me to attend college across the country when Crown was a eight hour drive away and offered the same majors. My mom told my dad that night that she wanted him to know I was thinking about California, and he told her that if that was the will of God, then I should go. Let me pause for a minute and say that I thank God for parents who allowed me to follow God’s will even when I was considering a college across the country. I thank God for parents who supported me and my desire to follow God. I would not be where I am today without them. A couple weeks later, I received a phone call from Mrs. Jolene Sloan and was able to talk with her for over an hour about the college. I told her my desire to follow what God had for me no matter what it required me to do. I hung up the phone with nothing but a burning desire to go to Golden State Baptist College. My mom knew it by my face when I walked out of the room, and she began to cry telling me to go to Golden State, but I was so hesitant because of the distance. She encouraged me to talk to my pastor, and I was determined that whatever my pastor said was what I would be willing to do. With an open heart and mind, I met with my pastor on July 10, 2022. My mom told him what my dilemma was, and he looked at me and said, “Well, Emma, what do you think God wants you to do”? Wait, this was NOT how this conversation was supposed to go. Pastor was supposed to tell me how ludicrous my idea was and that I needed to attend Crown. Without much thought I said, “Golden State,” and he told me that if that was God’s will, I should go. I was scared, but there was peace in knowing that I was headed to California in a little more than a month.

I began studying Elementary Education, but I found that it was just not my personality to be a teacher to children with imagination. I tend to be a motivator. I tend to be more serious, and I figured I would crush a second graders dreams; therefore, I changed my major this semester to Secondary Education. I love Algebra, and I love English. My Algebra and English teacher was my favorite teacher in high school. It was obvious she wanted her students to succeed not only in their studies but also in their spiritual walk as well. I appreciate what she instilled in me as a student and hope to do the same with my future students.

I never thought it would be easy to be here. I love my family more than anything. I love the comforts of home. I love my friends and my home church. But for this season–”for such a time as this”–this is where God has me. Every time I have to leave my family, my heart breaks into a million pieces, and I find myself asking God how His will could be so painful. It is in my weakness that I find his strength to leave all I know and all I love to follow Jesus. I “laid my Isaac down” when I left my family, but there is peace knowing I am right where God has me. Golden State Baptist College is truly everything I needed in a college. Though it was never an option for me, God knew I needed this place. God knew I would need every message I have heard. He has worked in my life in more ways than I can count, and I can only image the blessings I would miss had I chosen my way over God’s will. I have come to realizethat my testimony is not about me. God gave me the strength to come across the country. He gave me the peace when the storms came my first semester. It is my Jesus Who has sustained me all the way, and He deserves all the glory for what He has done in my life. It is not about how strong and great I am, but it is about how great my God is. He brought me to Golden State Baptist College for “such a time as this”, and He has been good all along the way.