Savanna’s Story
As a senior in college about to graduate with a nursing degree, Savanna Richmond is on a path to a promising and exciting future. In addition to working toward her professional goals, Savanna also lives out her faith by serving in the children's ministry at Hope Chapel. However, she candidly admits that getting to this point was a journey through some really tough places filled with doubt, insecurity and, at one low point, questioning her faith.
Savanna began attending Hope Chapel as a teenager. “Growing up, I attended a church with my parents that was very structured and seemed to be centered on rules. Through a friend, I came to Hope Chapel when I was 16 and found that I really enjoyed being a part of things there. I got plugged in with the Kairos youth ministry and served in the children’s ministry. I felt a strong calling to help with the kids and youth.”
Of course, life is full of unexpected twists and turns and during Savanna’s sophomore year in college, a series of events left her reeling. “I was involved in a ministry at college, but I had pretty much stopped going to church.” During her time at college, a 4-year relationship with her boyfriend ended and her grandmother passed away. “With the end of the relationship and without consistently being in a church I felt lost and isolated. When my grandmother died, I became angry with God. I didn’t understand why he would take her away from me, and I couldn’t forgive Him.”
Savanna eventually began searching for a church again. “After being gone for a while, I just thought I couldn’t go back to Hope Chapel, but I also couldn’t find a place that was a fit for me.”
In late 2020 she did decide to go back to visit Hope Chapel. She admits a “scary feeling” about going back after being gone. “I connected with the children’s pastor. She made it so easy to plug back in and I began serving which rekindled the deep connection I have with kids.” But in her mind, she still felt like she was an outsider who didn’t deserve to come back. “I talked to our youth pastor about my feelings of not really belonging there. I just didn’t feel like I could actually come back. He was so understanding and reassuring. He told me that everyone was happy to have me there, that I was loved and that I should never feel that I wasn’t at ‘home’ there.” Other people at church reinforced that message to her as well, telling her that she was loved and accepted regardless of how long she had been gone or how she was feeling.
Beyond serving, Savanna eventually started attending morning gatherings again. One Sunday morning, it was announced that there would be an upcoming service that would include baptisms. Savanna began experiencing a strong leading to be baptized. After her baptism, her faith was reinvigorated and she realized that she had finally made peace with God regarding her grandmother’s death. She feels like she has found the place where she really does belong.
“Pursuing your faith and calling is not always easy, but is so worth it. I am so glad that God put this church and the people there in my life. Hope Chapel is a place where people love, support, and most importantly, welcome you no matter what.”