Who I Am and Why I Matter

A First Step Into the Unknown

Abigail Hendrick’s first TeenPact State Class began in Mississippi, where she and her brother, along with friends, attended the One Day class. She had never heard of TeenPact before. As soon as she stepped into the room, she was greeted by cheerful staffers asking for her name and giving her a box game. Confusion and fear of meeting new people gripped her, and she ducked behind her friend, Gabby, hiding her student notebook behind her back.

But as the morning activities began, a friendly staffer encouraged Abigail during a committee meeting, encouraging her she could participate, even as a newcomer. Tentatively at first, Abigail raised her hand—and as the discussion began, curiosity overcame her fear. She soon found herself speaking eagerly about gas prices and improving the economy, her confidence growing.

Discovering Prayer and Purpose

Then came a time of prayer walks, where students and parents were guided by the Staff Team to ask God to guide the Mississippi state leaders. Until that moment, prayer had mainly happened for Abigail at her kitchen table. Memorizing verses for AWANA and listening in church had been familiar, but praying on her own initiative was not.

“I looked up in the middle of the prayers and saw everyone faithfully closing their eyes, and the words they prayed were so profound that I felt small and unworthy,” Abigail recalls. That evening, she went home and talked to God alone for the first time. “It wasn’t magical—no swirling lights or voices—but it was a conversation with Someone who truly cares and listens.” 

Since then, her prayer life has grown, with its ups and downs, requests, and cares she shares with the Lord. 

Finding Identity in Christ

As she matured, Abigail reflected on her identity and purpose. Reading an article from Summit Ministries titled “Gen Z’s Identity Crisis”, she realized that questions like “Who am I?” and “Why do I matter?” couldn’t be answered by comparing herself to peers or online influencers. 

“TeenPact’s core values and how these are built into the programs pointed to the One who fearfully and wonderfully made me and helped me think through these questions of identify,” she explains. “The daily times of personal devotion – Bonjours, Rendezvous – and lessons helping us think about government with a biblical lens helped me understand my purpose and gave me the clarity to answer the question – ”Why do I matter?’”

Abigail reflects further on how TeenPact helped her develop spiritual disciplines to maintain and grow her relationship with the Lord. “The programs taught me daily habits of worship and devotion, as well. I now seek to pray without ceasing, strive to understand Jesus through the Word, and worship Him with my mouth and my hands. These daily habits affect my interactions throughout each day.”

Life Lessons

“TeenPact’s programs nurtured gifts I was lacking—humility, patience, and grace—and gave me a place to practice living out the fruits of the Spirit,” she says. “Through TeenPact, I learned this quote and its great truth: C.S. Lewis says, ‘Humility is not thinking less of yourself; rather, it is thinking of yourself less.’”

One of Abigail’s most impactful experiences came at TeenPact’s Alumni Event called Judicial, a week-long immersion into the judicial process. “The staff emphasized that excellence is not about perfection or outshining others,” Abigail recalls. “Excellence comes from careful and meticulous actions done through the Lord, not out of ambition or conceit. Your value is measured by your mindset and attitude toward Christ—not by recognition or success.”

“TeenPact encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, meet new people, and act boldly, trusting that the Lord would lead me down the path of righteousness.”  

Following the Call to Be a Servant Leader

As a young adult, Abigail faced a moment of discernment while attending TeenPact’s National Convention alumni event for the second time. After hearing a speech about the importance of TeenPact’s staffing role, she felt the Holy Spirit tug on her heart, but didn’t understand why. 

The opportunity to serve as a TeenPact Staffer seemed like a closed door – She had applied the year before but been turned away, and this time she doubted her purpose in applying. “I was confused and close to tears, but as I spoke with others, particularly one adult leader, I realized that God was guiding me toward applying again for this role of service and leadership,” she says. Abigail applied and was selected to serve as a TeenPact Staffer, gaining further training, discipleship, and experience.

ENgaging culture with biblical clarity

TeenPact also clarified Abigail’s understanding of how Christians can engage culture with both truth and grace. Lies like “Christians shouldn’t be involved in politics can paralyze young believers,” she shares. 

“TeenPact teaches that while God’s kingdom is not of this world, His followers are called to represent Him faithfully in government and society,” Abigail explains.

The program also opened doors for further growth: “TeenPact has allowed me to seek programs and networking opportunities in my young adult life. I have had the opportunity to staff for TeenPact and to participate with Forge Leadership Network and other organizations that further the kingdom of God through younger generations.”

“TeenPact shaped my prayer life, clarified my identity in Christ, developed my leadership and spiritual gifts and disciplines, and prepared me to engage faithfully with the world as a follower of Christ,” she concludes. “It taught me that living out faith in Jesus in the public square is not just possible—it’s essential.”

TeenPact is grateful for the partnership of hundreds of supporters each year, who make stories like Abigail’s possible! Their financial investment helps teens discover their purpose, grow in faith, and step into servant-hearted leadership.

Abigail’s Current Service and Preparation

Abigail is currently part of the Forge Leadership Mentorship Program, where she connects with leaders in business and politics and learns how to live out her Christian faith in the public square. She also serves as a Director for Classical Conversations, guiding students in discussions to help them better understand the world the Lord has made. Studying online, she is pursuing an undergraduate degree in political science with plans to study law in the future. Abigail hopes to move to Texas next year to begin a new chapter of her college journey.