The founder of Dare2Share, an organization dedicated to reaching teens for Christ by equipping teens for evangelism, says the quote is great, but needs an adjustment. Greg Stier suggests, “Preach the Gospel. It’s necessary. Use words.”

This statement became a reality for Nya. Nya started attending church at The Salvation Army around the age of six. Nya loved the music and arts programs within the Army, participating in everything from singing to dancing to playing the timbrel; she even played trombone in the band. “Honestly,” Nya says, “the word of God was said, and I listened to sermons, but I thought it was the most boring thing in the world … but I was there listening. I knew God was around and I knew of Him, but I didn’t have a relationship with Him.”

But God has a way of using those lessons in our lives, even when we’re not actively listening. Nya’s family moved away, and although they returned to the area a few years later, she didn’t return to church at The Salvation Army.

Nya graduated from high school a year early and was eager to fully experience college life. Unfortunately, Nya says, that included the stereotypical college experience. When she least expected it, God brought someone into her life, a true friend, who would show her the way back to Him. Her friend would drop Scripture and his experiences with God into everyday conversations, and Nya began to desire that kind of relationship with Jesus. There was no happiness, contentment or peace in the lifestyle she was living; she realized what she truly needed was only found in relationship with Jesus. 

Nya committed her life to Christ at the age of 19. After making that commitment, Nya felt God leading her back to The Salvation Army. Through it all, Nya has learned to take it all—every dream, every desire—to the Lord. “There was one prayer that I’ve prayed for when I first began my journey with Christ. I asked God, ‘Please … I want an inner circle, I want friends who will hold me accountable and that I can hold accountable, friends that can read the Word together and worship together.’” A little over a year after that prayer, in God’s perfect time, He brought her the community she needed. 

Nya is finishing her degree in business management and working at the corps (church) as a ministry assistant, helping in every facet of ministry, both in the church and in the community.