The Amaya Family
Truth and convictions were deeply rooted in our hearts through our parents and small groups at the Springs.
Alexandra (23), Aidan (21), and Alizabeth (18) Amaya have grown up in a family passionate about creating a Jesus-centered culture in their home. From their earliest ages, their parents, Oscar and Liz Amaya, have prayed that their kids would grow up to know and love Jesus and walk with Him all the days of their life.
Alexandra
For the entirety of my life, my parents have sought to walk faithfully with God. As a family, we memorized Bible verses together and had regular conversations about what God was teaching us. My parents took us to church consistently and explained the value of community, demonstrating what it looks like to be "all in."
When we first started the Springs, we didn't have a name or a building, but we watched our parents be incredibly prayerful and committed to starting and serving the church. During these years, some friends and I were discipled by the same woman from 7th grade to graduation. This experience, together with the student ministry that grew during our High School years, gave me an authentic gospel-centered community and a safe place to process "tough questions" and the challenges of high school.
When it was time to go off to college, I didn't question "if" I should continue pursuing Jesus apart from my family's influence — I had already decided that giving my life to God was better than any other way. Knowing how formative church was to my childhood, I sought to prayerfully get plugged in as quickly as possible in College Station.
I am still learning much about God and His character (as my dad says, "you never stop learning"). I work as a case manager at a secular non-profit with only one other believer, so every day is an opportunity for me to trust God and share the gospel. Through counseling and the constant support of my husband (Wes Anderson) and our church, I am learning to see more clearly how God works in my life and in all things.
Aidan
Growing up, my parents worked with CRU. This meant having college students at our house for discipleship or Bible studies was a regular occurrence. As a result of my parents working with Cru, we had the joy of going on summer mission trips. It was incredibly impactful watching students be transformed on these trips, and my parents helped me realize that I was witnessing the work of the Lord. Watching these students be filled with such zeal for the Lord left me wanting that in my life.
I knew I wanted to deepen my relationship with God from a young age. My parents taught us a lot through their actions and words, and we saw them prioritize their relationships with Jesus, one another, and us through discipleship, discipline, and unconditional love.
I was around 8 or 9 when my family helped start the Springs. I don't remember much from the early years, but I'll always remember Sunday services in living rooms, doctors' and dentists' offices. The families that helped start it grew very close together, and I always looked forward to Sundays.
High School was a difficult time for me. I was a pretty shy kid, and I longed for friends. Yet, I knew that these deeply felt desires would not and could not be fulfilled by man but by God alone. Looking back, I see the joy he had in store for me. He wanted me to know him, and without "friends," I was blessed with time with my Father. He showed me that fullness of joy dwells in his presence alone.
These truths and convictions were deeply rooted in my heart through my parents and small group at the Springs. My small group and my leader greatly impacted my spiritual journey.
In college, serving at my church and with CRU has brought me an incredible community of friendships. But, responsibilities like school were neglected as I enjoyed deep friendships and freedom for the first time. When I failed classes, I realized the hole I had dug but was too scared to tell anybody. As hard as it was, I confessed and was met with forgiveness, grace, and love. Above all, I went to God and repented for allowing the good gift of friendship to become a distraction from my relationship with him and my responsibilities.
Right now, after college, God continues to show me more and more of himself, and I realize more and more of his love for me. I'm thankful daily for my parents and the church’s role in my walk with the Lord. Growing up at the Springs showed me the importance of fellowship, authenticity, and community. I have seen that it is not only important but necessary. The Springs has also helped show me the importance of accurate biblical teaching, counseling biblically, and admonishment rooted in relationship and love.
Alizabeth
When I was about five years old, I recognized my need for Jesus and realized that I didn't want to live my life without Him. However, it wasn't until I was 11 that I truly understood the gospel. When the Springs first started, it was just a group of twelve families who knew the importance of living in fellowship with other believers. I remember it felt like a family doing something fun and special together.
As the youngest sibling, I've watched my siblings navigate High School, college, and post-grad. Their example of being faithful to the Lord in every circumstance has challenged me to dig deeper into my relationship with God. My small group leaders from church have been incredibly influential in my walk with Jesus by mentoring and faithfully leading me and the girls in our group.
In High School, I struggled to find a good group of friends. God answered my prayers through my Springs small group. When I struggled to live out my faith, my small group and leaders reminded me of who I am in Christ and kept me accountable to the truth. They encouraged and counseled me in my pursuit of the Lord and have helped keep Christ at the center of my life.
Being at the Springs has shown me that following Christ does not have to be boring and "rule" focused but a freeing and fun adventure with Jesus. I just graduated from Canyon High School and will be a freshman at Texas A&M this coming Fall. I'm super excited to be part of a college Christian ministry and a local church in College Station. I want to build rich relationships with people who know, love, and follow Jesus and will help me do the same!
Alexandra
For the entirety of my life, my parents have sought to walk faithfully with God. As a family, we memorized Bible verses together and had regular conversations about what God was teaching us. My parents took us to church consistently and explained the value of community, demonstrating what it looks like to be "all in."
When we first started the Springs, we didn't have a name or a building, but we watched our parents be incredibly prayerful and committed to starting and serving the church. During these years, some friends and I were discipled by the same woman from 7th grade to graduation. This experience, together with the student ministry that grew during our High School years, gave me an authentic gospel-centered community and a safe place to process "tough questions" and the challenges of high school.
When it was time to go off to college, I didn't question "if" I should continue pursuing Jesus apart from my family's influence — I had already decided that giving my life to God was better than any other way. Knowing how formative church was to my childhood, I sought to prayerfully get plugged in as quickly as possible in College Station.
I am still learning much about God and His character (as my dad says, "you never stop learning"). I work as a case manager at a secular non-profit with only one other believer, so every day is an opportunity for me to trust God and share the gospel. Through counseling and the constant support of my husband (Wes Anderson) and our church, I am learning to see more clearly how God works in my life and in all things.
Aidan
Growing up, my parents worked with CRU. This meant having college students at our house for discipleship or Bible studies was a regular occurrence. As a result of my parents working with Cru, we had the joy of going on summer mission trips. It was incredibly impactful watching students be transformed on these trips, and my parents helped me realize that I was witnessing the work of the Lord. Watching these students be filled with such zeal for the Lord left me wanting that in my life.
I knew I wanted to deepen my relationship with God from a young age. My parents taught us a lot through their actions and words, and we saw them prioritize their relationships with Jesus, one another, and us through discipleship, discipline, and unconditional love.
I was around 8 or 9 when my family helped start the Springs. I don't remember much from the early years, but I'll always remember Sunday services in living rooms, doctors' and dentists' offices. The families that helped start it grew very close together, and I always looked forward to Sundays.
High School was a difficult time for me. I was a pretty shy kid, and I longed for friends. Yet, I knew that these deeply felt desires would not and could not be fulfilled by man but by God alone. Looking back, I see the joy he had in store for me. He wanted me to know him, and without "friends," I was blessed with time with my Father. He showed me that fullness of joy dwells in his presence alone.
These truths and convictions were deeply rooted in my heart through my parents and small group at the Springs. My small group and my leader greatly impacted my spiritual journey.
In college, serving at my church and with CRU has brought me an incredible community of friendships. But, responsibilities like school were neglected as I enjoyed deep friendships and freedom for the first time. When I failed classes, I realized the hole I had dug but was too scared to tell anybody. As hard as it was, I confessed and was met with forgiveness, grace, and love. Above all, I went to God and repented for allowing the good gift of friendship to become a distraction from my relationship with him and my responsibilities.
Right now, after college, God continues to show me more and more of himself, and I realize more and more of his love for me. I'm thankful daily for my parents and the church’s role in my walk with the Lord. Growing up at the Springs showed me the importance of fellowship, authenticity, and community. I have seen that it is not only important but necessary. The Springs has also helped show me the importance of accurate biblical teaching, counseling biblically, and admonishment rooted in relationship and love.
Alizabeth
When I was about five years old, I recognized my need for Jesus and realized that I didn't want to live my life without Him. However, it wasn't until I was 11 that I truly understood the gospel. When the Springs first started, it was just a group of twelve families who knew the importance of living in fellowship with other believers. I remember it felt like a family doing something fun and special together.
As the youngest sibling, I've watched my siblings navigate High School, college, and post-grad. Their example of being faithful to the Lord in every circumstance has challenged me to dig deeper into my relationship with God. My small group leaders from church have been incredibly influential in my walk with Jesus by mentoring and faithfully leading me and the girls in our group.
In High School, I struggled to find a good group of friends. God answered my prayers through my Springs small group. When I struggled to live out my faith, my small group and leaders reminded me of who I am in Christ and kept me accountable to the truth. They encouraged and counseled me in my pursuit of the Lord and have helped keep Christ at the center of my life.
Being at the Springs has shown me that following Christ does not have to be boring and "rule" focused but a freeing and fun adventure with Jesus. I just graduated from Canyon High School and will be a freshman at Texas A&M this coming Fall. I'm super excited to be part of a college Christian ministry and a local church in College Station. I want to build rich relationships with people who know, love, and follow Jesus and will help me do the same!