“Why not now?” Dawn’s Story

When I was young, I attended church with my mom and sisters, but we stopped going when I was around 8 or 9 years old. I don't remember praying much or really talking about God growing up.

Around the time I was finishing high school, my sisters started attending church with their friends. That's when I moved to Calgary for school and lived with my aunt and uncle, who were devoted Christians. My aunt at the time asked if I wanted to attend Alpha with her, and I told her, “No,” because at that point in my life, faith wasn't something I was looking for.

Fast forward to 2022, and one of my sisters was in the ICU on life support. This was one of the hardest times our family had ever faced. I never prayed so much in my life! I felt scared, helpless, and desperate for my sister to survive. During that time, I leaned heavily on my youngest sister, my aunt, and my cousins. We added our family to prayer chains for support. 

By God's grace, my sister came off life support and made a full recovery with no lasting effects. Looking back, that experience was the beginning of God working on my heart. It made me start wondering what life would look like with Jesus in it.

After that, I found myself listening to Christian music all the time. It brought me a sense of peace that I couldn't explain, and it helped calm the anxiety I was carrying. The lyrics spoke about hope, faith, and God's love in a way that resonated with me.

Even though I wasn't attending church, God was beginning to get my attention.

Then, last year, I found myself experiencing burnout from work and life in general. I was struggling with depression, anxiety, and loneliness, and I felt overwhelmed. I was exhausted emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Life felt heavy, and I found myself searching for something that could bring peace and purpose.

When my youngest sister asked me if I wanted to go to church with her, I accepted the opportunity. I had been curious, but I was too nervous to go on my own. Having my sister beside me made it easier to take that first step. We started coming to FAC regularly in October 2025, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be.

At the beginning of January, we saw that Alpha was being offered. Stepping outside our comfort zone, we decided to sign up! Looking back now, I can see how God had been patiently drawing me to Him for years, even when I wasn't paying attention.

At first, I wasn't sure what to expect from Alpha. I was nervous about meeting new people and worried that I wouldn't fit in. I quickly realized that Alpha was a place where it was okay to ask questions and be honest about where I was in my faith journey. I didn't feel judged for not knowing things. Instead, I felt welcomed, encouraged, and accepted.

As the weeks went on, I found myself looking forward to each session. The discussions challenged me to think about things I had never really considered before. For the first time, I began to understand that Christianity wasn't just about believing that God exists. It was about having a personal relationship with Jesus.

One evening during Alpha, the conversation turned to deciding to follow Jesus. I remember feeling like I was standing at a crossroads. Part of me wanted to take that step, but another part of me felt unsure. I kept thinking maybe I needed more time, more answers, or more certainty.

That's when one of my facilitators asked me, "Why not now?"

It was such a simple question, but it hit me right in the heart. Honestly, I didn't have a good reason to wait. God had been pursuing me for years, through my family, my sister's illness, Christian music, church, and now Alpha. Looking back, he has always been there for so many moments in my life.

That night, I decided to say yes to Jesus.

I didn't experience fireworks or hear an audible voice. Instead, I felt a deep sense of peace. It felt like a weight I had been carrying for a long time had finally been lifted. For the first time in a long while, I felt hope.

My life isn't perfect now, and I still face challenges, but I no longer face them alone. My faith has given me peace in the middle of uncertainty and strength when life feels overwhelming. I am learning to trust God with my worries instead of carrying them all by myself.

On May 30, 2026, I got baptized to publicly declare my faith in Jesus and celebrate what he has done in my life. Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change. It is my way of saying that I have chosen to follow Jesus and trust him with my life.

I am grateful for my family, my church, my Alpha group, and my facilitators who asked one simple question: "Why not now?"  That question helped lead me to the best decision I have ever made.

Thank you, Dawn, for sharing your journey with Jesus! If you’re experiencing uncertainty in life, know you don’t have to experience it alone. FAC provides the support and care you need.` Find out ways you can get connected with others on your campus.