I was going through a difficult time as a recently discharged Army veteran. I was trying to reintegrate myself back into civilian society, but I couldn’t find the support I needed. I have no family in Bakersfield and I felt alone and frustrated without friends. I wanted to find a group of people that I could connect to, but I was looking in the wrong places. My life wasn’t going the way I thought it would; it wasn’t the route I had planned for myself.
“I didn’t know who to talk to or where to turn.”
My co-worker at the time introduced me to Christianity and helped me find Discovery Church. Coming for the first time was such an impactful experience. The song that was playing was one of my favorite Christian songs. After I tried a couple of other churches, something kept drawing me back to Discovery and I decided to make it my home. After coming here for a few months, I went through the classes the church offered to help me find my purpose. I’d always had an interest in videography, photography, and production and wanted to be part of a creative environment.
“When they told me I could get on a camera, it was almost too good to be true.”
I dove right in and learned what they wanted and needed on the production team. It satisfied the creativeness that God designed inside of me that wasn’t getting fulfilled anywhere else. I’ve gotten to pioneer the development of different shots and techniques we use. I love going back and watching the services online and recognizing that I did a good job. In the moment, I just do what I feel God is telling me to do. The rest of the team encourages me and I know that it’s God directing me as I take my shots. I want to learn everything there is about the productions team and eventually be a service director.
“I’m the most joyful I’ve been in a long time because of where I am and what I’m doing.”
I’m okay and it’s been a long road to be able to say that. I wake up and I know that this is my calling and what I’m supposed to be doing. When I was in the middle of transitioning from my old job to my new one, I knew that even though I won’t make a lot of money, it doesn’t matter. I couldn’t shake the calling on my life. I know that God put this desire in me and it completes me. In 2022, I’m looking forward to starting my new career. I want to continue the life of service I started ten years ago when I joined the military. Everything I do, I do to bless others. I’m driven to serve the church, to serve the community, and serve the country. It’s what I’ve always wanted to do with my life, and I know that’s what God has called me to do.
Seth Williamson, Camera Operator in Productions, approaching his one year anniversary at the church