Hi, I’m Sydney!
My Story:
When I was 21, living on my own in Astoria, I was the most depressed and lonely version of myself. I had friends, but no real community. I had no sense of purpose. I based my worth on how much I thought people liked me.
At the end of 2022, I started babysitting for a couple, Elyssa and Joseph Pudetti. My life at the time was full of toxic and abusive relationships, both at work and in personal relationships. Their home became a safe haven for me. I remember noticing how kind and full of love they were, though they hardly knew me. When I was in their home I felt safe, welcomed.
Spring of 2023, Elyssa invited me to go to an Alpha course with her. I attended every week of the course and decided to attend the Alpha retreat. Right before the retreat, I had gone through a deeply painful event that left me in the most anxious state of my life. My entire body and soul were consumed by guilt and shame. I remember feeling captive to the worst hurt I’d ever experienced; it seemed like it would be impossible to ever be free from it.
On the second day of the retreat, there was time for ministry. A woman named Jess went to the front of the room; she had a word for someone. She went on to describe everything I had been going through. I went up to receive prayer from her, and when she laid hands on me, I experienced the love of God for the first time. I had a shattering encounter with the holy spirit, in all the best ways. I believe the Father spoke to my heart that day. He freed me from all of the shame and guilt I had been carrying. He introduced me to His son, who forgave me for all my sin and gave me the gift of encountering his holy spirit.
A few weeks later, we had our last Alpha dinner. Someone I had worked for for years had just spoken awful words against me. My friend Jenavene came over to pray for me. I remember her saying that I could give those words that were spoken against me over to God. I did, and then she encouraged me to wait and listen to what he had to say about me. I remember hearing Him say, “Sydney you are kind, you are loving and you care about people.” I remember feeling secure in who I was for the first time in my life. I decided that day that I wanted to give my life to Christ and I was baptized a couple of months later.
Going Deeper…
Towards the end of 2024, my walk with the Lord went to new depths. I entered a season of deep pruning, it felt as though every part of my past was being stripped back and exposed, leading me into the fruitful future He had prepared for me. At the beginning of this year I remember exclaiming things like “I want to know you more Lord! What do you want me to do? I’ll do anything, I’m ready!” I distinctly remember hearing, “Read my word.” Humbling, to say the least. So, I started getting into the Word. He gave me a hunger to know His words. His character. His perspective. His will. It has since become my everything.
He pointed me towards one of the pastors in my church, Olivia Munn-Shirsath. She also felt a push to disciple me. I remember saying to her, “All I care about is Jesus, all I want to do is spend time with Him, but you can’t make a career out of that.” She attempted to hide her chuckle and replied, “Sydney, what would you call what I’m doing?” Olivia and other leaders in our church started seeing something in me that I couldn’t yet see. A call to ministry, to lead, to teach.
Two of my dearest friends, who also brought me to the Lord, told me about a program called Trellis. They described it as a three-year program that gives people who have been called to ministry the opportunity to go to school while interning at a church where they would receive hands-on ministry training. It sounded like a dream. I brought it up to Olivia the next day and trying to hide her smile she said, “Sydney, we’re doing that at Wellspring!”
All of the pieces began to fall into place. I decided to take a step of faith and say yes to the call. The call is Him. It is to grow in a deeper relationship with Him. To know Him, and make Him known to others. I want people to know what is possible and available for them. I want them to know His love and through His love experience life in all its fullness. Over the next three years, I will be in Trellis’ full-time program. I will be earning my bachelor’s degree in biblical studies while interning at the church, receiving real-life ministry experience.
Supporting My Journey!
Throughout the program, I’ll be fundraising my rent and living expenses. The Lord has opened my heart up to fundraising and community. He has shown me new depths of how He cares for us and desires to provide for His children. He has taught me that I was never designed to do anything alone. Would you prayerfully consider financially supporting me and following along with my journey? You can learn more here: