A Short Blurb on my L I F E

What has been the journey to today?


My name is Anika Jade, I am soon to be 24 years old. I grew up in Eastern Long Island, New York in a wonderful Jesus-loving family. I have two older brothers and three younger sisters, an amazing set of parents and two funny dogs. I have been so blessed to live near the ocean my entire life, and I can't find myself without the salty air and sea waves for too long. Maybe that's the main reason I went to college on the East Coast of Florida (it is)...

I studied at Flagler College in Saint Augustine, FL and left with a bachelor's degree in political science & fine arts. St. Augustine and my experience in the nation's oldest city left me hungry for adventure. A desire to experience new culture, language, food, places, and people grew within me. During my studies I learned a lot about international relations, different ways of living, governing, ways economics effect a nation. I learned about the differences between first-world and third-world countries.. and this intrigued me to say the least--- (you can read more about this in future posts.)

Not to say that where I went to college and what I studied defines who I am, but it did get my heart searching and beginning to churn for what God revealed was next. I see now, two years after graduating, that God was planting seeds in my heart my entire college career, and those seeds are beginning to come to life.

For a year and a half post-graduation, I wandered. Not feeling connected with God, lost, and confused on where to go or what to do, I spent time wandering. Trying to find that deeper something that I knew was within. I traveled here and there and spent the summers back home working. I grew up believing in Jesus and calling myself a Christian, but I don't think I truly knew what that meant until this year. I accepted Him into my heart at a young age, and was baptized when I was 12, so I KNEW he was always with me. What I didn't know was what He wanted for my life, and how he wanted to be in a relationship with me.

So about a year ago, I answered a call. The call was from God and He was directing me to this organization YWAM, Youth with a Mission. I had looked into YWAM's programs for a few years and I even started an application to one of their schools a few years back, but timing never seemed right. I wasn't ready a few years back. YWAM is based all over the world, and they run a 5-6 month DTS or Discipleship Training School. Their mission is to bring young people in (and send them out), "to Know God and to make Him known." A year ago, I still didn't really understand that God is a personal God- I thought that if I went to this school, I was going to learn about some far away God. I had no clue ALL that my God was going to do in me. After years of running around lost and confused, I decided to take this leap of faith, and go on this journey He was calling me to.

BEST. DECISION. EVER.

Everything felt right. It was scary, and I was so broken, but a midst all of the pain and darkness I was living in, it felt right. One summer day as I was complaining about not knowing what to do next, and not wanting to stay home for the winter my dad says, "Why don't you do a DTS like you've wanted?" Oh yeah! Little by little, after researching, finding the right school, applying and being accepted to Marine Reach in New Zealand, I was on my way across the world and into the next HUGE chapter of my life.

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Six months passed, and here I am, back in New York. Completely transformed, renewed, ALIVE. Truly, spiritually awakened. I was blind but now I see. He saved me from myself and the path I was on. I know who I am- a daughter of the most high, a child of God. I have found that deeper relationship that my heart was crying out for, I have found so much freedom. All from answering God's call.


A year ago, I would never write or publish anything about my Christian walk, I was walking oppressed by fear.. fear of what the world thinks. Seven months ago, I recommitted my life to Christ, I surrendered all, and I continue to surrender day after day. It has been the greatest choice I have ever made. Life BEGINS with HIM. So here is the beginning of something new, and I am excited to be writing about my journey!

If you are wondering what happened in the six months with YWAM... Stay tuned!