Hi, my name is John-Lewis Anderson. I am a student studying graphic design at the University of Arkansas in the United States. I moved to Arkansas when I was in second grade. I was raised Catholic but all of my new friends when I moved were protestant, and I got involved with a youth group there. Throughout middle school and high school I experienced a lot of confusion over my faith and never fully grasped what it meant to follow Christ. In high school I began to struggle with lust, which became crippling weight, and stunted any substantial spiritual growth I wished to have.

When I got to college I realized I wasn’t entirely sure what I believed. This caused me a lot of anxiety and I wasn’t sure what to do about it, but I decided to start from scratch. I explored, researched, and asked questions about and to God. During this time I joined a bible study through Cru. The friends I made there encouraged me, answered questions, and showed God’s love to me on a regular basis. It really solidified my faith in God. I realized that I had gotten so caught up in the confusion that I had forgotten a simple truth that lies at the heart of the gospel, which is that we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus. This realization provided great comfort and impact for my life.

In the years since I’ve experienced tremendous spiritual growth. I got involved with Cru and the worship band there. As a musician, I’ve been drawn to worship and the idea of honoring God through creating music. I have found worship to be the only appropriate response, when encountering our infinite and loving God. God has been showing me, though, that worship goes beyond Sunday church or a cru meeting; that worship goes beyond music. As a Christian, my life should be my worship. God has proved himself time and time again, through this. In living for God, he has shown me freedom and forgiveness from my lustfulness, anxiety, and doubt.