Highlight Testimony: Madison La Forte

To me, FCA means everything! If I had not gone to FCA Lacrosse Camp three years ago, I do not know where I would be today.

From a young age, my parents always made sure they brought me and my two older brothers to church. This was especially important to my mom and we all respected that. At 10, 14, and 16 years old, we never fully understood what was being preached, until the summer before my 7th grade year, when my family's whole life got turned upside down. Our world was shaken to the core and God's word got real. I found myself personally struggling emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I couldn't understand how a God, who loves all creation, would ever allow such pain in our lives? Pondering doubt, coupled with feeling lost, numb, and eventually emotionless, I spent the next year operating on autopilot.

It was then, that my parents told me they had signed me up to attend FCA Lacrosse Camp with a friend from town. While there, every night we would have chapel and every night I would half-heartedly participate. I was there to get better at lacrosse, or so I thought...

On the last night of FCA Camp 2018, I vividly remember the Pastor preaching a word that seemed as though God was speaking directly to my heart. I 'felt' every word and it sincerely, scared me! So much so, that I even left the church for the next five minutes to try and comprehend what was happening. When I returned, the Pastor was giving instructions to form groups to be led by a camp leader to talk about what we had just experienced. When I stood up to move, I noticed that everyone in the room was crying. I found a random group, although two girls were from my Huddle, and they were all talking and praying,

but I remained silent. That is, until our camp leader turned to me and asked, "What is something in your heart or life that you want to let go of?" Right there and then, I broke down in a flood of tears. Standing there in that chapel, I cried for the first time in over a year.

As it turned out, I did not stop crying for the next six hours...

I cried through the whole two-hour Huddle afterwards. I even cried myself to sleep. However, in all those tears, there was surprisingly, room in my heart to comfort others. I prayed over every girl in my Huddle that night. I also opened up to my Huddle Leader and shared my story for the first time. She started crying, too!

When I left FCA Lacrosse Camp the next day, I felt something different and in fact, I was different. Now, I had a personal connection with God that I had never experienced before.

Eight months later, Covid-19 hit America and along with it a season of 'quarantine'. In other words, lacrosse wasn't happening and I could not participate in anything FCA with my team. Without the fellowship, depression and dark thoughts began to rule my mind. Without the supportive environment, I felt lost again and falling short in my relationship with God.

BUT GOD! In His faithfulness, He sent a messenger, Sadie Robertson, who would reach me through a 'reposted video' of her preaching on instagram. I liked what she was saying and began watching her everyday, sometimes even up to three times a day. Sadie spoke words that made me realize God was near and His eyes were upon me. I was moved to His embrace once again, knowing He is the only answer for my life.

Once I started giving everything to God, everything in my life began to change. I experienced joy again, like the joy I first experienced at FCA Camp. God strengthened me for the days ahead...my freshman year of high school!

After a few months of school, I realized my peers were struggling with the same things I struggled with. A lot of kids were lost and out of touch. This broke my heart and I felt God speaking to me to bring FCA to my high school. Kids need an outlet, community, support, and most of all...God himself.

No coincidence, while I was explaining all of this to a 'mom' at my brother's lacrosse game, she just so happened to work for FCA. She put me in touch with the FCA Connecticut State Director, Ed Trask. God literally put all the pieces together to establish His FCA Huddle in my high school.

After months of preparation, FCA Student Leader Training, and overcoming some opposition, I've prevailed in bringing FCA to Waterford High School. At last, as a Sophomore, I am now offering others hope, truth to answer their questions, community, full acceptance and God's Love through His Word.

Thanks be to God and all those He used to lead me in my call with FCA- especially my family, who have been unwavering in their commitment to help me pursue this!

"that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him,

being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" Colossians 1:10