A Journey Through Division: My Time with a Youth Bible Study That Became a Movement
In my early teenage years, I became part of a Bible study in my hometown that was unlike anything I had experienced before. It was a small group of youth from multiple denominations, all seeking a deeper encounter with God. What began as an intimate gathering of passionate believers eventually evolved into The Ramp—a youth conference center, ministry school, and church that has gone on to influence thousands of people across the globe.
I was part of this group from the age of 14 until nearly 17, a time that was both transformative and deeply challenging. My involvement ended abruptly due to a doctrinal disagreement, specifically over the teaching of the “second blessing” doctrine. This belief held that receiving the Holy Spirit was a distinct, subsequent event to coming to faith in Christ, evidenced by speaking in tongues. The group pointed to several passages in the book of Acts where such events seemed to occur.
Even as a teenager, I held firmly to my understanding of Scripture. I believed that the Holy Spirit is the source of new life and rebirth in Christ—that faith in Christ itself is evidence of the Spirit’s work. It is the Spirit, after all, who enables us to cry out, “Abba, Father.” This doctrinal difference placed me at odds with the group, and eventually, I had to leave.
Leaving wasn’t just about stepping away from the Bible study. It also meant losing my connection to the First Baptist Church I had attended since infancy. The church viewed The Ramp with suspicion, and eventually, those involved in the movement were asked to withdraw their membership. I unknowingly crossed a line, and when I separated from The Ramp, I found I was no longer welcome at my home church either—not even in their youth services.
I became, in a sense, a spiritual hybrid. On one hand, I had come to believe in the continuation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which placed me at odds with the cessationist teachings of my Baptist upbringing. On the other hand, I could not affirm the second blessing doctrine central to The Ramp. This left me spiritually homeless.
For the next five years, I wandered outside the Church, unable to find a place where my beliefs and experiences could coexist. It wasn’t until I moved to a new community that I returned to the Baptist tradition in which I was raised. Even then, I kept my belief in the gifts of the Spirit hidden, allowing them to lie dormant for years out of fear of reigniting the conflicts of my past.
Looking back, I can see how this season of life shaped me. It forced me to wrestle with my faith, to dig deep into Scripture, and to consider what it means to live in unity despite doctrinal differences. It would take many years, but eventually, I found a spiritual home where my experiences and theology could align.
My journey through this division has taught me the value of perseverance and the importance of holding onto truth even when it comes at a personal cost. It’s a story I continue to reflect on, and one I hope will encourage others to remain faithful, even when the path feels uncertain.
