Tanisha Stoute’s Journey of Faith
Tanisha Stoute is no stranger to change. Originally from New Jersey and proudly Guyanese-American, she moved to Brooklyn last year and is currently navigating a season of transition. After seven years in Human Resources, she’s stepping boldly into pastoral ministry—a path she once ran from, but now embraces with open hands.
A Seed of Faith at 14
Tanisha wasn’t raised Christian. While her mom believed in God and church was sometimes part of family visits, she didn’t grow up with a personal relationship with Him. That changed in middle school when she started spending time with her aunt, a Seventh-day Adventist. “Her home was peaceful, joyful, and full of love,” Tanisha recalls. “I didn’t understand Saturday worship at first, but I was drawn to the warmth of the community.”
One afternoon, while visiting her aunt, she heard a sermon on the radio that stirred her heart. The gospel spoke directly to her, and she made the decision to follow Jesus. At 14, she was baptized into the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
But Tanisha’s journey hasn’t been without struggles. Over the years, she wrestled with pride, self-righteousness, and seasons of rebellion. At times she ran from God’s call to ministry, but His mercy never let her go. “That moment of surrender is now,” she shares. “I’ve watched God protect, provide, correct, and comfort me. I’m in my mid-30s, starting over—and it’s wonderful.”
A particularly difficult season last year tested her faith. A close friend left the Adventist church, shaking her confidence, while her first dating relationship challenged her commitment to purity. “I made choices I regretted and even walked away from God for a season,” she admits. Professionally, she felt burned out. Spiritually, she clung to the prayer, “I believe—Lord, help my unbelief.”
The Gift of Community
In the midst of loneliness and transition, Tanisha began seeking community. She had been faithfully serving in her local church, but longed for peers to walk alongside her. That’s when a friend invited her to an AYP camping retreat in 2023. “That’s where everything changed,” she says. “I found genuine community, heartfelt worship, and inspiring stories. It wasn’t just about serving anymore—it was about belonging.”
From there, she connected with AYP’s NYC chapter and attended events that helped her build friendships and grow spiritually. One of the most impactful moments for her came at the Behold Convention. During morning prayer, overwhelmed by emotion, she broke down in tears. Her roommate placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and whispered, “It’s going to be okay.” That small act of compassion left a lasting imprint.
Finding Joy in Service
She also loved joining in AYP’s service projects, like a playground cleanup and school supply drive. “Serving the community is close to my heart,” she says. “The church we partnered with was so generous—they even gave us dinner. There was so much food we brought some back to the hotel!”
Now, Tanisha is preparing to pursue graduate studies in pastoral ministry. While she is still discerning which university she’ll attend, she knows this next step is part of God’s plan to equip her for congregational ministry. She also feels a growing call to life coaching, with a vision to help Christian women discover their purpose, and dreams of one day starting a nonprofit.
Her encouragement to other young professionals is simple yet powerful:
“It’s okay if you’re a late bloomer—what matters most is that you BLOOM. Trust God’s timing. Be kind to yourself. Be patient. Don’t give up on your dreams. God wants to fulfill His good plans in your life.”
One verse keeps her grounded in this season of transition:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
—Jeremiah 29:11–14
For Tanisha, those words are more than a promise—they are the very foundation of her new beginning.
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