“I Finally Have a Sense of Belonging”

Gospel-centered learning was something Brandon never realized he was missing

BY: Kylee Hale

Brandon Tavella never had the opportunity to share his beliefs. Growing up in France, strict religious laws prohibited the discussion of religion in public, but Brandon had a love of the gospel of Jesus Christ and desired to share his testimony with others. He never expected that PathwayConnect would allow him that opportunity.

A memory from his mission led Brandon to something unexpected

Brandon applied to serve a full-time mission and was called to serve in the Canada Montreal Quebec Spanish-speaking Mission. He developed a love for the Canadian people, the Spanish language, and especially helping God’s children come back to the fold.

Unfortunately, his service was cut short due to an injury that required surgery followed by several months of recovery. Returning to France, Brandon once again felt alone with his faith and wanted more than anything to share the gospel and progress in his life.

One day, while thinking about his mission, Brandon recalled seeing the Church’s announcement of BYU-Pathway Worldwide on their website and an article about the program in Church magazines. He had also seen how it was impacting the members he had served in Canada. After some research, Brandon decided to enroll. He felt that this could be his chance to continue sharing his beliefs even through recovery.

Brandon (center) with President and Sister Phillips, his mission president and his mission president’s wife

PathwayConnect allowed Brandon to combine his beliefs with education

Brandon (right) with his parents and sister at the Paris France Temple

What PathwayConnect offered Brandon was unlike any kind of learning he had ever experienced before: He could share his testimony during his Life Skills course, and he shared the same standards with those in his gathering.

“I finally have a sense of belonging,” Brandon said. “I’ve never felt that way attending school before.”

Brandon’s testimony of the Church grew as he participated in PathwayConnect, which allowed him to apply his religious beliefs in an educational setting with his peers. He witnessed the strength that comes through including the Lord in education.

“PathwayConnect has given me an opportunity to not only progress in my education, but increase my testimony and share it with those in my courses,” Brandon said. “I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity.”

I couldn’t ask for a better opportunity.

PathwayConnect provided Brandon with a gospel-centered education

The gospel-centered learning in PathwayConnect was something Brandon came to truly appreciate. Finally, after years of feeling alone without the opportunity to share his faith, he was able to be open with his beliefs among people who felt the same way he did.

“PathwayConnect helped me feel that I’m not alone,” Brandon said. “It’s a very rewarding experience.”

Brandon Tavella is currently working towards a BYU-Idaho online bachelor’s degree in family and marriage therapy, presented and coordinated through BYU-Pathway.

PathwayConnect provides a high-standard learning environment for Church members around the world. Learn more at byupathway.lds.org/pathwayconnect.