Ms. Tyra F: A Shining Star of Faith & Achievement

Ms. Tyra F., is the youngest daughter and fifth child of her parents. She is an active and faithful member of Faith Tabernacle A.O.H. Church of God in Richmond, CA. Her service includes the youth usher board and the youth-led praise team. Tyra is also a talented writer of poetry and readings, and notably, she received 1st place in the 2024 National Youth Convention Essay Competition. 

Tyra is an outstanding scholar and was an active member of her school, particularly excelling in the area of academic excellence.  She maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA in High School and a 3.8 GPA in College.  Her notable accomplishments include serving as a section leader in choir for two years and taking on lead roles in high school musicals. In 2024, she played the lead in one production and was cast as Pilar in Legally Blonde. In 2025, she held a lead role as Eurydice in the musical Hadestown. 

Throughout her four years of high school, she was a dedicated athlete in both Varsity girls' track and field and Varsity girls' basketball.  Additionally, she contributed to the football program for two years as the team's manager, meticulously recording statistics for both varsity and JV games and updating MaxPreps. Her role as the lead statistician highlights her commitment and expertise in this area. 

Tyra has already achieved significant milestones, and her potential for future accomplishments appears limitless. Demonstrating her exceptional academic aptitude and diverse talents, along with her extracurricular involvement, the following points are noteworthy: While in high school, Tyra completed more than 40 college units. Furthermore, she served as a paid ambassador for Napa Valley College (NVC) on her high school campus, providing support and guidance to students enrolled in NVC courses. 

Tyra has extensive musical experience. She plays the piano, cello, violin, and viola. For the past two years, she has been a member of the acappella group PDA (Public Display of Acappella) and her school's chamber choir. Additionally, she was involved in the school's choral department throughout all four of her High School years. 

Despite numerous achievements, she also maintained a strong work ethic, holding a part-time position for two years and earning a promotion within the company. 

Tyra dedicated three years to her school's “Peer Court Club”, a distinctive opportunity where students face real hearings for academic or behavioral missteps. This program offers a chance for students to make amends, which, upon completion, results in their records being cleared. This allows them to move forward positively, both as individuals and as members of the school and broader community. 

This remarkable young woman's potential is limitless through God. May she continue to pursue all that God has destined and enabled her to achieve in every aspect of her life. 

Submitted by

Sis. M. Tanner

“No Limit for World Changers”

It is much easier to stand behind someone and follow them rather than to stand out and it is uncomfortable to stand alone. It takes great courage to be a leader, to be admired, and needed. Although so much is required, everyone has the capacity to change the world. There are multiple God-fearing leaders that many admire today, Martin Luther King jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Billy Graham. But also many great leaders from much farther back in time, such as David, Moses, and Noah who are still admired today. It is not possible that any of these men would’ve known that God would’ve allowed them to reach their full potential. It is also not possible for them to have known that they would rebuild their communities or cleanse the hearts of nations, however, it was God’s love and mercy that allowed them to be such powerful leaders and creators of change.

Many profound leaders in the Bible did not have humble beginnings. Adam, Eve, Sarah, Jacob, Saul, to name a few, had fell from grace on many occasions (Hebrews 11). It was God’s love and redemption that caused a drastic change in each of their lives. Leading their lives by God’s example and giving God a “yes” no matter their uncertainty in any situation, allowed for them to change whole nations. Noah, alone, was tasked with saving the entire human race and animal kingdom, and without fail he obediently listened to God and was successful (Genesis 6:13-22). Moses killed a man before he saved all of Israel (Exodus 2:11-22). David, who was one of the greatest leaders of Israel, committed murder and adultery, but through God’s salvation he turned his life around and was able to usher in unity and God’s word amongst the people of Israel (Psalm 133).

God does not want perfection from us. Many great leaders had their shortcomings but these great leaders were successful because they listened to God as he guided them through plagues, spiritual, and physical warfare. To change your community or the world you do not need to slay giants or save nations, you need to lean and depend on God. Psalm 27:1 says,“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”. With God all things are possible. In all of your wrong doing, by seeking God’s forgiving kindness and mercy he will allow you to redesign yourself, people, and whole nations to reflect his will. God has set no bounds that does not allow his followers to not be leaders. He in fact has encouraged us to be leaders (Genesis 1:26). To be strong willed and proclaim him as Christ our lord. In these challenging times where the devil is running rampant and confusion is omnipresent, there is no limit for world changers (Romans 12:4–6; 2 Chronicles 16:9).

 “No Limit For World Changers”

Have you ever thought if you were in the right place at the right time, being where you were supposed to be? Sometimes I wonder if we are in the right place in our lives. 

Nothing is impossible when you are doing what God wants you to do. Sometimes, people can wonder why things aren’t going well for them. Their first thought is usually, “Maybe I am doing something wrong”, or “I don’t think I’m good at this”, but we rarely consider that, “Maybe this isn’t what God wants me to do.” 

During these situations, we need to stay prayerful. Throughout these times we should ask The Lord to show us His plan. 

You may think that you’re right all the time and we can be great all on your own. It is possible to succeed as long as Jesus is truly the head of your life. That’s why it is important to know God’s voice and know His Word.  It is good to ask someone of wise counsel that is qualified to give it.  When we obey God’s Word, we will surely get the victory in our lives.

I’m not saying that there won't be some challenges or hard times, because spiritual warfare is real; but keep your faith in Him. 

Overall, I’m saying that nothing is impossible with God, and yes, we can even change the world!  It can be hard to be saved if you don’t have a mind to do it. Salvation and grace comes from God and it is free as long as we give him all of us and not solely by our efforts. 

If we the church come together on one accord and through faith in Jesus, all things are possible as world changers in Christ.