Lauren
Lauren, an awesome chick skater, gives an insight into her sport and her faith.
What does being a Christian mean to you?
A Christian is someone who believes that Jesus is God and that when he died and rose again, he took all sin on himself so all people could be forgiven and have a relationship with God in this life and eternally. As a Christian I try to make a decision every day to trust and follow Jesus and his teaching. I live in friendship with Jesus and I want to share that with others as well.
You’re obviously a Christian, what’s been your journey as a skater coming to a Christian faith?
When I started skating what I was really doing was trying to find God. Skating helped me to have healthy fun and focus in my life, so I stopped all my out-of-control partying and reckless endeavours. I tried to go to church and find God but I still was trying too hard just to ‘be good’ and hoping this would help me find the real God.
Living up to ‘goodness’ got too hard and I realised I didn’t know God any more than before. I met some people who were Christians and they explained to me about having a ‘relationship’ with Jesus and the forgiveness he is willing to give if we accept it. It isn’t about being ‘good or ‘perfect’. Jesus just wants to hang out with me as I am. I hadn’t heard that before but I could see God was real as I saw him in these friends’ lives and in the passion they had for him. I sat back and thought about it and I knew I needed to make a decision about giving my life over to God and to trust and follow Him. It was 100% or nothing. He is really all right and real, or he is not at all. I chose that night to live 100% with and for God.
Through staying in a close friendship with him, he has changed my life and heart for the better and given me life to the fullest. I was always searching for the best adventure and the biggest high. Now, knowing Jesus is the biggest adventure and high of my life. I have kept skateboarding and God has used my skateboarding at demos, high schools, competitions and parks to share with other skaters about that relationship they can have, and that you don’t need to ‘have it all together’ to hang with God.
What verses stand out for you?
Ephesians 2: 8, ‘You were saved by faith in God, who treats us much better than we deserve. This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own.’ 
Quotes?
'Keep it real'
For me this means not being someone you’re not, or not doing things just because they are so-called accepted. It means to stay true to your beliefs. Also as a Christian, ‘keeping it real’ means not to pretend in our friendship with God and with others but to live in that freedom and be honest and open.
Lauren's story is included in the Skater's Bible - a fantastic resource for young people with a passion for skate boarding. Get your copy today for yourself or a young person who needs the love of God.