Today we’d like to introduce you to Alyssa Taylor.
Hi Alyssa, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My name is Alyssa Taylor, I am 24 years old and I was born and raised in Paterson, New Jersey. I grew up in a loving, Christian home and spent my childhood attending church with my grandparents. However, during my early young adult years, I was lost, in search of who I was and for something more. As a result, I found myself living a life in the world & struggling with depression.
Then in 2019, God touched my life and everything began to change. I had finally found, what all these years I thought was so far from my reach, a relationship with Jesus Christ. That same year the Lord delivered me from the strongholds in my life and freed me from depression. My heart was set ablaze for the gospel and I knew I needed to share it, however, and wherever I could. So, I started a Christian club at my community college, where I began to teach and minister to young adults. Little did I know, God was using this to prepare me for so much more.
My cousin and co-leader, Nareliss Velez, is 35 years old and was born and raised in Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. She grew up in a Christian home and attended church her whole life. She answered the calling on her life to worship and teach the word of God. Throughout the years, she taught the youth in her church and was a youth district secretary for the Church of God for two years.
In 2020 my family and I relocated to Tampa, Florida where I began to attend Tower of Prayer Church. Tower of Prayer Church is a bilingual church that is pastored by my uncle and aunt, Eliud and Nancy Velez. In January of 2022, I started a young adult ministry, with the help of my co-leader, Nareliss Velez, called Rooted. Our mission in Rooted is to bring revival to the Tampa Bay area by cultivating intimacy with the Father and propelling the next generation into living out their God-given purpose. Our desire at Rooted is to see young adults rooted in the truth, love, and knowledge of Jesus Christ, become disciples and spread the gospel.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
So far, it has been a fun and smooth transition. The young adults at Tower of Prayer Church have responded well to the ministry and have really gotten involved. Our next step in this amazing journey is to make ourselves known in the Tampa Bay community.
As you know, we’re big fans of Rooted. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Rooted is so much more than a gathering of young adults, it is a place where warriors are born for the kingdom of God! Our group is here to make disciples and help them discover and develop their spiritual gifts and the callings God has given them.
We recognize that everyone is different and comes from various walks of life. So, it is important for us, that the Tampa community knows, we really are a “come as you are” kind of church! Especially at Rooted. Nowadays, so much is being thrown at us from social unrest to political turmoil and personal struggles. Rooted is a lighthouse, a safe haven for young adults, to come find healing, clarity, and wholeness in God. We love to love on people around here! ALL are welcomed.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I’ve learned in this journey so far as a leader is to enjoy every moment. As a leader it’s so easy to get caught up in the “to do” lists, making sure everything is done correctly and running smoothly. That everyone feels heard and noticed. But even through the midst of all that, I find myself remembering to just take a moment and enjoy what’s happening!
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://tower-of-prayer-church.business.site/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=referral
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/rooted.top?utm_medium=copy_link
