By Chesley Quinn
Chesley Quinn (center) at Camp Ilahee.
“Jesus said, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first commandment.’” – Matthew 22:37-38. It’s a passage many of us have memorized since childhood, but living it out can be more difficult than simply knowing the words.
I often describe my testimony as “boring.” I grew up going to church every Sunday, praying regularly, and attending Bible studies. I accepted Jesus into my heart and was baptized at a young age. To some, it might sound ordinary, but I’ve learned that a testimony doesn’t have to be dramatic to be meaningful. God has been faithful in shaping my heart through consistency, community, and quiet moments with Him.
Since 2019, I’ve spent part of every summer at Camp Illahee in Brevard, North Carolina. It’s my favorite place on earth, and I’ve never felt God’s presence more clearly than there. One of my favorite parts of camp is Faith and Fellowship, or Bible study. One summer, our leader asked us to share how we practiced our faith outside of camp. She explained how she set aside intentional time every day just to be with Jesus.
Her answer made me stop and think. I realized my relationship with Christ mostly lived at church or Bible study; rarely did I seek God out on my own. That realization stayed with me long after camp ended, and I promised myself that I would start spending more time with Jesus in my daily life.
That’s when everything changed. I began reading my Bible more often, praying in my own words, and talking to God like a close friend. Slowly, I started to understand what it means to truly love the Lord with all my heart. I felt less stressed, more joyful, and more at peace than ever.
Today, whenever I go through a rough patch, whether I’m frustrated or stressed, I’ve learned to pause and ask myself, “When was the last time I spent time with Jesus?” Almost every time, it’s been too long. And when I sit down to pray or read scripture, I feel the weight lift from my shoulders. God’s presence never fails to bring peace.
For me, Camp Illahee is more than a summer camp. It’s a place where young girls can encounter Christ in a powerful way, grow in their faith, and begin to understand what it means to have a personal relationship with God. And for me, it’s where I first learned how to love the Lord with all my heart.
Chesley Quinn is an 11th-grade student at Jackson Academy with a heart for faith, creativity, and leadership. She’s involved in show choir, plays softball and golf, and holds leadership positions across many clubs and teams. Outside of school, she loves volunteering with kids and using her creative gifts to design graphics. Through everything, Chesley strives to honor God and encourage others to see the light of Christ in everyday life.