Luana Conforto-Scheel’s (30) journey to faith is a testimony to the slow yet profound process of transformation and an ever-deepening relationship with God. As an Italian raised in Germany, Luana’s background and cultural experiences shaped her into the passionate, extroverted individual she is today. Growing up in a tight-knit, vibrant Italian family, Luana’s early life was marked by warmth, family, and tradition. Today, Luana is a pastor’s wife rooted in God’s family, who has a living and deep relationship with Jesus.
Traditionally raised—and hungry for more
Luana often refers to herself as having “the best of both worlds”—the lively, passionate energy of her Italian heritage and the punctuality and organization that came from her German upbringing. Her family was close-knit, extending beyond just parents and siblings to include a large network of cousins, aunts, and extended family. Raised in a Catholic environment, her faith was more a matter of tradition than conviction. Luana recalls going through the sacraments—baptism, communion, and confirmation—almost as formalities, without truly understanding or experiencing a deep personal connection to God.
However, one time when Luana was in mass for confirmation, she remembers she bowed down and closed her eyes. When she came back up everybody stared at her to see if she was doing alright. She simply replied: ‘’Yes I am, I was praying’’. This incident, although she vaguely remembers it, reveals to Luana that God was working on things before she even knew. ‘’That was very crazy for me’’, she shares.
An Unexpected Invitation at the Bus Stop
When she was 13 years old, Luana’s family relocated to Weingarten to support her uncle, who uses a wheelchair, and to provide greater assistance to her grandmother after the death of her grandfather. The move marked the beginning of a new chapter in Luana’s life, one that would ultimately lead her to a deeper understanding of faith.
It was in Weingarten that Luana’s life began to change. On her first days in the new town, she met a girl from school who invited her to youth group in Lebenswerk. Initially unsure, Luana told her mom, who一to her surprise一encouraged her to go. ‘’It was weird because my mom was always very strict with me, she would never just leave me somewhere.’’
Yet, Luana’s mom took her to the youth group. She met a girl there, called Laura, who would prove to play an important role in Luana’s journey of faith.
‘’I got to know the pastor’s daughter. We connected immediately because she grew up in Bolivia since her father and mother, before becoming pastors in Germany, were missionaries in Bolivia. That was the beginning of a really cool friendship. So I started going to youth regularly.’’ It was through this friendship and the community in the youth group that Luana began to open her heart to the Christian faith.
The Path to Baptism
As Luana spent more time with the youth group and immersed herself in the community, she began to feel a deeper pull toward faith. It was a slow process; she didn’t experience a dramatic, immediate transformation but rather a steady, gradual change. Over time, the small, consistent shifts in her heart began to add up. One of these shifts led her to the decision to be baptized again—a decision she made to publicly declare her belief in Jesus and solidify her commitment to following Him.
Her baptism was a bold statement. Even though many people around her didn’t fully understand her choices—especially her family—she remained steadfast in her decision. For her, baptism wasn’t about conforming to expectations but about marking the beginning of a personal relationship with Jesus.
When Jesus Became Personal
Luana’s faith journey was not without its challenges. At one point, Sam—her boyfriend at that time—was going through his own spiritual transformation when he went to BSSM (Bethel Supernatural School of Ministry). Luana described it as him being on a high-speed train of spiritual growth, while she struggled to keep up. Although this left her feeling somewhat behind, it was also an opportunity for her to reflect on her own faith. Sam’s deepened relationship with God pushed Luana to grow, and eventually, she felt called to pursue her own path of spiritual growth by becoming a Mission Builder at YWAM (Youth With A Mission).
The time at YWAM was significant for Luana. It was during this period that she began to understand faith not as a set of rules or religious practices but as a relationship with God. This was a major shift in her thinking. Instead of seeing Christianity as a mere tradition or social activity, she began to experience a deep, personal connection with Jesus.
Following God Despite of Family Disagreement
Luana’s family had always been a central part of her life, and as she continued to grow in her faith, she found that her relationship with them was changing too. Her family was supportive but cautious, especially as they saw her making decisions that seemed unconventional, such as selling her belongings and leaving everything behind to follow God’s calling.
When Luana and Sam decided to attend BSSM together for another year during the pandemic, her faith was tested even further. Her family couldn’t understand why she would make such a radical decision—leaving behind (financial) security and comfort for something uncertain. Yet, through the process, Luana grew even stronger in her faith, learning to trust that God would provide for her and that she was following His will.
The Impact of Being a Witness
One of the most meaningful parts of Luana’s journey was how her faith influenced her family. She invited her younger brother, Adriano, to the youth group. He eventually found his own place in the church and fully gave his life to Jesus. For Luana, seeing Adriano come into his own in the faith was a powerful affirmation of being a christian and sharing her faith with her family.
Luana knows that her family believes more that ‘there is a God somewhere out there’. While her family’s faith journey is still unfolding, Luana’s own story continues to shape her family anyway. She testifies that the seeds that she has sown are coming to the surface. One story that shows this is when her mother had financial worries and she was scared to call the bank to request a certain credit she needed. Before calling the bank, Luana’s mother prayed. In that moment, the bank told her that the credit would be granted. Luana’s mom later described the situation to Luana by stating that ”a miracle had happened”. Luana shares: ‘’Every little see that you plant, no matter how small, if it’s the right moment and you’re honest about what you believe or think, two years later you may see a big plant, tree or flower.’’
God’s Faithful Hand
Looking back on her journey, Luana sees a clear pattern: God worked in her life slowly, making gradual changes that were not necessarily visible to her at the time. But in hindsight, each of these changes was a step closer to becoming the person God created her to be.
Her journey to faith wasn’t instantaneous, and it wasn’t always easy, but it was deeply transformative, and it continues to shape her life today. It encourages us to make the small step to tell someone about Jesus—perhaps as ‘small’ as a youth group invitation at a bus stop.
