Dakota The Shining Light of a New Day, Part 1

Dakota was raised in a Christian home in Arkansas. His parents did their best to raise three millennial children in church, teaching them to respect and obey the Bible.

As a family, they visited many different churches in search of the one that taught all the Bible. He recalls, “This journey to discover truth was difficult at times; however, one day, without us recognizing it at first, the undiluted truth flashed through our home.” His parents had discovered the Amazing Facts Millennium of Prophecy series with Pastor Doug Batchelor.

At the time, Dakota was just a child beginning kindergarten and was not interested in spiritual things; the truths that his parents had been learning were unknown to him. Fast forward ten years later, and he entered into those spiritual war zones called “public schools.” He had soon become so jaded by the world and entrapped in entertainment that the last thing on his mind was God.

Dakota spent most of his time searching aimlessly for any thrill he could get. “All the while, I had no idea that my pursuit of happiness would never be filled by what this world has to offer.” At the time, his dad felt a conviction to start a church plant in his hometown. Shortly after, his brother began to share with him the Amazing Facts Storacles of Prophecy series. “It was through these insightful Bible lessons that I began to see and recognize for the first time the imperative truths for our time.” It opened his eyes to a new purpose.

Inspired by these great truths, Dakota decided to memorize all the Scriptures that he had learned in the Bible lessons and begin sharing them with everyone he possibly could. “I would go to school and spend my lunch time giving Bible studies. Sometimes, I had over fifteen teens attend. Although it was always a struggle attending public school, God continued to convict me of the truth I had learned and reminded me of His matchless power to give me the strength to stay faithful and to graduate.”

But before graduating high school, Dakota had another big test to pass. The test was figuring out what he should do with his life.

Reflect: What’s the biggest test you’ve ever faced in your life? Did you pass? God tests us to determine, not our knowledge, but our characters.

Key Bible Texts

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV)