YWAM Perth | Our Stories -- Hannah Jackson

Summary

Hannah Jackson, a 23-year-old from Georgia, reflects on the trauma of losing her brother, Drew, to a senseless shooting. Growing up in a family of educators, she struggled with grief, initially turning to partying to cope. Despite her resistance, her brother’s Christian faith and teachings about forgiveness and eternal life resonated deeply with her. After his death, she felt God’s calling to do mission work and began to see profound healing and freedom from past struggles. Her story emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s plan and the role of discipleship in life and faith.

Takeaways

• 😀 The narrator, Hannah Jackson, shares a deeply personal and emotional story about the traumatic loss of her brother, Drew, who was tragically shot during a robbery.
• 😀 Hannah comes from a family of educators, with both parents in influential roles in the school system, shaping her early life and values.
• 😀 After her brother's death, Hannah initially turned to partying and avoided addressing her grief, but her brother's persistent Christian faith and influence continued to resonate with her.
• 😀 Drew was not only a radio DJ but also a devout Christian who tried to guide Hannah towards a stronger relationship with God, even after his death.
• 😀 The day Drew died, he encountered a robbery at their home and was shot multiple times, which was the catalyst for Hannah's devastating loss.
• 😀 Hannah recounts the emotional moment when she learned of Drew's death, walking into the hospital's emergency room and being told that he had passed away.
• 😀 In her grief, Hannah questioned God, asking why such a tragedy would happen to a person who had been so devoted to worship and faith.
• 😀 Eventually, Hannah experienced a profound sense of forgiveness and peace after reading Romans 5:6, realizing that she needed to forgive the person responsible for her brother's death.
• 😀 The teachings of her late brother, especially about sin, death, and eternal life through Christ, began to bring healing and clarity to Hannah during her grieving process.
• 😀 Hannah felt called to pursue mission work and found that by surrendering her own will and plans to God, opportunities and healing began to emerge in her life.
• 😀 Through her journey, Hannah learned that true freedom comes from obeying God's calling, and she emphasizes the importance of discipling others in faith, not just within a classroom but throughout life.

Q & A

What was the initial traumatic event that led to a significant change in the narrator's life?

The initial traumatic event was when the narrator's brother, Drew, was shot and killed during a robbery at their home.

How did the narrator cope with the trauma of losing her brother?

The narrator turned to partying as a way to escape her pain, attempting to drown her worries with worldly distractions.

What role did the narrator’s brother, Drew, play in her spiritual life before his death?

Drew was a Christian radio DJ and continually tried to guide the narrator back to God, encouraging her to pursue a Christian life and focus on her faith.

How did the narrator initially respond to the death of her brother?

The narrator was overwhelmed with grief and confusion, questioning why God would allow such a tragedy, especially given Drew's devotion to God.

What was the significant turning point for the narrator in her healing process?

The turning point came when the narrator read Romans 5:6, which helped her understand God's love and forgiveness, allowing her to forgive the person who killed her brother.

How did the narrator describe her relationship with God after her brother's death?

The narrator’s relationship with God began to strengthen as she reflected on her brother's teachings and realized the importance of God's plan for eternal life, leading her to embrace her faith more fully.

What prompted the narrator to consider doing mission work?

The narrator felt God’s call to do mission work after a period of deep reflection and prayer, which was confirmed by reading Proverbs 16:3 about God determining a person's steps.

How did the narrator's perspective on life and purpose change after she decided to follow God’s direction?

Once the narrator surrendered her will and plans to God, opportunities began to fall into place, and she experienced a sense of healing and freedom from past burdens.

What does the narrator believe about teaching and discipleship?

The narrator believes that everyone has the ability to teach and disciple others, and that discipleship extends beyond the classroom, impacting people in the world by following God’s commands.

What was the significance of the narrator’s realization that God brought freedom and healing to her life?

The realization that God brought freedom and healing allowed the narrator to see that her struggles, like strife and unresolved issues, were being resolved as she grew in her faith and obedience to God.