Interview with Jenny Van Den Heuvel, a Year 10 girl Bible study leader for Christ Church St Ives. Interview by Rachael Mayrick
Rachael:
“Hi Jenny, thank you so much for agreeing to talk to me.”
“It’s a pleasure Rach!”
Rachael:
“So, let’s get started! Okay so first question. How long have you been a Christian?”
Jenny:
“Well, I was born into a Christian family but I took on my faith personally in year 10 and really grew to know Jesus.”
Rachael:
“What have been the most challenging things in your walk with Christ?”
Jenny:
“Um… I think there have been some times when I have really struggled with my identity in Christ and how to live for him in our secular world. There have been times where I feel judged or have been made an outcast because of my faith. So it has been a challenge to remember that Christ actually tells us that this will happen but that this suffering is insignificant in comparison to the glory of God’s grace.”
Rachael:
“Do you sometimes find it hard to find your identity in Christ?”
Jenny:
“Yes, it is really challenging with the things of this world constantly telling you to find your identity in them. That’s why I find it really important to anchor myself in the bible which tells me the truth of where my identity should be.”
Rachael:
“What is your favourite bible verse?”
Jenny:
“Hmm… that’s a tough one. I think my favourite verses would have to be Ephesians 1:13-14 which says: ‘And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.’”
Rachael:
“Wow that’s a really cool verse.”
Jenny
“Yeah I love the thought of being marked in Christ and having this guarantee of eternal life because of the death of Jesus.”
“Yeah that’s a really encouraging message. So next question is, what is your favourite way to relax and de-stress?”
Jenny:
“I find that a good way for me to relax is to catch up with my friends and go to the beach.”
Rachael:
*laughing* “Now I really want to go to the beach! Oh well, next question.What is your absolute favourite ice-cream flavour?”
Jenny:
“Oh my gosh that is an extremely hard one! Oh I know, strawberry cheesecake!”
Rachael:
“Ooo, yummy! Now do you often find yourself worrying about your self-image?”
Jenny
“Yes, especially when you are bombarded with media portrayals of beautiful people.”
Rachael
“If you had to go out on your perfect date, where would it be and what would you wear?”
Jenny
“I think I would wear a nice flowy dress and the guy would take me to a restaurant by the beach and we’d have a really nice dinner.”
Rachael
“Sounds good. Now some slightly more serious questions. What are some ways that you serve God in your day-to-day life?”
Jenny
“I try to put Him first in the way that I plan and prioritise my day and I try to honour him in the way I act. Being a light that points to God to my non-Christian friends and encouraging my Christian friends in their own relationship.”
Rachael
“Last question. What do you think is the best part about being a Bible study leader?”
Jenny
“There are so many amazing things about leading a bible study, but I think the best thing would have to be seeing the girls that I lead grow in their understanding of God and his love for them. Also seeing them becoming independent in their relationship with Him so that they don’t rely on me to lead them but they seek after Him themselves.”
Rachael:
“Thank you so much for your time Jenny. I really appreciate you talking to me!”
Jenny:
“No problem Rach! It was my pleasure”
END INTERVIEW
Rachael:
“Hi Jenny, thank you so much for agreeing to talk to me.”
“It’s a pleasure Rach!”
Rachael:
“So, let’s get started! Okay so first question. How long have you been a Christian?”
Jenny:
“Well, I was born into a Christian family but I took on my faith personally in year 10 and really grew to know Jesus.”
Rachael:
“What have been the most challenging things in your walk with Christ?”
Jenny:
“Um… I think there have been some times when I have really struggled with my identity in Christ and how to live for him in our secular world. There have been times where I feel judged or have been made an outcast because of my faith. So it has been a challenge to remember that Christ actually tells us that this will happen but that this suffering is insignificant in comparison to the glory of God’s grace.”
Rachael:
“Do you sometimes find it hard to find your identity in Christ?”
Jenny:
“Yes, it is really challenging with the things of this world constantly telling you to find your identity in them. That’s why I find it really important to anchor myself in the bible which tells me the truth of where my identity should be.”
Rachael:
“What is your favourite bible verse?”
Jenny:
“Hmm… that’s a tough one. I think my favourite verses would have to be Ephesians 1:13-14 which says: ‘And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession – to the praise of his glory.’”
Rachael:
“Wow that’s a really cool verse.”
Jenny
“Yeah I love the thought of being marked in Christ and having this guarantee of eternal life because of the death of Jesus.”
“Yeah that’s a really encouraging message. So next question is, what is your favourite way to relax and de-stress?”
Jenny:
“I find that a good way for me to relax is to catch up with my friends and go to the beach.”
Rachael:
*laughing* “Now I really want to go to the beach! Oh well, next question.What is your absolute favourite ice-cream flavour?”
Jenny:
“Oh my gosh that is an extremely hard one! Oh I know, strawberry cheesecake!”
Rachael:
“Ooo, yummy! Now do you often find yourself worrying about your self-image?”
Jenny
“Yes, especially when you are bombarded with media portrayals of beautiful people.”
Rachael
“If you had to go out on your perfect date, where would it be and what would you wear?”
Jenny
“I think I would wear a nice flowy dress and the guy would take me to a restaurant by the beach and we’d have a really nice dinner.”
Rachael
“Sounds good. Now some slightly more serious questions. What are some ways that you serve God in your day-to-day life?”
Jenny
“I try to put Him first in the way that I plan and prioritise my day and I try to honour him in the way I act. Being a light that points to God to my non-Christian friends and encouraging my Christian friends in their own relationship.”
Rachael
“Last question. What do you think is the best part about being a Bible study leader?”
Jenny
“There are so many amazing things about leading a bible study, but I think the best thing would have to be seeing the girls that I lead grow in their understanding of God and his love for them. Also seeing them becoming independent in their relationship with Him so that they don’t rely on me to lead them but they seek after Him themselves.”
Rachael:
“Thank you so much for your time Jenny. I really appreciate you talking to me!”
Jenny:
“No problem Rach! It was my pleasure”
END INTERVIEW