A Strength Beyond My Own

Katie Fruits entered her first year of TeenPact with a specific kind of excitement. At her core, she was a self-described “history nerd” and a “homeschool debate kid,” so the week felt like a dream come true. She wasn’t just there to watch; she was there to dive in head-first, ready to test her skills in the most hands-on way possible.

“It was no surprise that I jumped into TeenPact head first and loved every second of it right from the start,” Katie recalls. But as she walked into the Capitol, she had no idea that the skills she expected to sharpen weren’t the only things God was going to refine.

Greater Than a Victory

Katie’s strategy was simple: try everything. Every open position, she ran for. From the small-scale interviews in her committee to the high-pressure speeches in front of the entire class, she threw her hat in the ring for Clerk, Chair, Senator, and even Governor.

“My heart was pounding out of my chest,” she said. “I had no clue what I was doing.” She didn’t win her committee roles. She didn’t win the office positions. In a world that focuses on victory, Katie was experiencing a lot of “losses.” Yet, she refused to let them phase her. Instead of walking away discouraged, she realized that “putting herself out there” was building a confidence that a title never could.

The Real Treasure

While Katie was busy trying to find her place in TeenPact’s mock government, she stumbled into something much deeper. She had come to the Capitol for a lesson in civics, but she ended up finding a sense of peace that had nothing to do with her performance.

“I walked in hoping to learn about politics,” Katie admits, “and I left in awe of Jesus.”

In the middle of the “heart-pounding” nerves and the disappointment of losing, she realized she didn’t have to carry the weight of her future on her own. She learned to lean into a strength that was far bigger than her own adrenaline.

The strengthened communication skills were helpful,  but the discovery that she could trust God with the outcome—win or lose—was the real treasure. She realized that she wasn’t just a student trying to build a resume; she was a leader being shaped by her Creator.

From Mock Sessions to the Montana House

Today, the girl whose heart pounded during a mock election is now knocking on doors as a candidate for the Montana House of Representatives. Katie is living proof that TeenPact doesn’t just “wish” the world were better; it trains students to make the world a better place.

She is no longer the nervous student in front of a crowd, she is a leader who understands that the public square is just another place to give God the glory. Looking back, her advice to her younger self—and to every student starting their journey—is simple: “Don’t be afraid to take chances, then trust God with what He makes of it.”

A Vision for the Next Generation

Across the nation, there are thousands of students just like Katie. When you partner with us, you aren’t just funding a program; you are coming alongside the next generation of leaders as they find their voice and their faith.