I took the Foundational Class when I was nineteen and in college in Connecticut. I was in a special education teaching certificate program and needed to take public-speaking classes to learn to be in front of my classroom. I was afraid and very bashful to be in front of people, let alone students in my own classroom. I needed to overcome worry and fear!
It was my turn to speak to the PR class, and I was at the podium, fully prepared and fully nervous. I was shaking so hard my toes were moving in my six-inch platform shoes. The front row could obviously see my nervousness—in my sandals and in my whole being. One girl in the front row began snickering, and I made the mistake of looking at her. The next moment, I was on the floor passed out. I had fainted in front of the entire class. The teacher asked someone to shake me awake. He asked me to get up off the floor and return to my speech. I couldn’t believe that he was not sorry nor had empathy for me at what had just happened. I muddled through the speech and sat down—totally embarrassed and humiliated to be in this class.
Later that week a classmate told me about the Foundational Class and how I could overcome my worries and fear. The principles in the class would aid me in this public-speaking class and with life in general. I took it the following summer, and in my next public-speaking class, I was not only successful in my presentations but I also helped the teacher coordinate and direct a Reader’s Theatre presentation for the entire university. I was able to speak clearly and confidently in whatever was needed and also to help others overcome their specific challenges in this area.
Taking the Foundational Class and other Biblical classes enabled me to become an enthusiastic believer and teacher. I’m able to speak clearly to others about God’s Word and to speak confidently to my classroom students as a result of principles taught by The Way Ministry in the Foundational Class, in the Way Disciple program, and in The Way Corps training program—all of which I can proudly say changed my life and still help me to overcome worry and fear today.