Coming to Cumorah Academy for a semester requires a great amount of sacrifice for our students.
When we think of what many students have sacrificed to be here we can see a great amount of dedication, preparation, and time and effort put into this journey.
Some students might sacrifice more than others but then again the sacrifices one student makes does not determine the level of impact the Cumorah experience will have on them individually.
However, incredible sacrifice and effort deserve credit when credit is due, and that’s why it’s worth examining the story of Tiago Gago.
The Sacrifice
Before coming to Cumorah this semester, Tiago made the choice to leave behind his wife, job, and calling as Branch President in Portugal for 3 months of Coding and Leadership classes.
His choice was simple – he wanted to grow into a stronger leader, husband, and future father. He knew Cumorah was his chance to do that.
He was willing and determined to make this kind of sacrifice because of the love he has for his wife and his desire to provide for his future family.
Sure it was tough, but he knew the 3 months would help him also better visualize how he could better serve the people he loves back at home. The time away would be a time of reflection and discovery. It would be a time for him to transform himself.
Coming To Cumorah
Ultimately for Tiago, he’s received positive, reinforcing clarity in the decision he’s made because of the connections he’s been able to make with other people while here.
He understands that being here means he’s learning about other cultures and receiving a deeper reflection of who he is in the process.
“I believe that Cumorah has the ability to transform our lives and help me to become the man I know I can be through challenging me to think outside the box and ultimately live outside my comfort zone.”
These words from Tiago reflect on his experience. It is challenging him to grow through getting outside his comfort zone which is the primary reason he’s made these sacrifices.
Something inside him had been yearning for these kinds of experiences.
Most people in Tiago’s situation would not even think that a 3 month leadership and coding program away from family, church calling, and working would be a responsible option, but this is one way that Cumorah is bringing like-minded people together based on their values.
It’s a sacrifice, but it is one you’ll make trusting in the reality that you’re going to a Christ-centered environment to grow through working with mentors and learning important life skills that can transform your life.
Life Changing
Part of the change Tiago has seen has come through following a lot of the rules and principles both leaders and mentors of Cumorah have been teaching him.
During the accountability challenge, Tiago was a huge advocate of following through with his morning and evening routines, and in completing his most important tasks every day. He was always a strong voice in his group to help his peers complete their routines every day. This was because it reflected how he felt the program was transforming his own personal life.
“Cumorah Academy has the ability to transform the life of a person, you know this is true. It transformed my life in all aspects and for me personally I needed that – I needed that big shock.”
Tiago needed that “big shock,” to revive him as a leader who’s hungry to grow, improve, and change. You can see it in his eyes when he speaks about the change he’s undergone here at Cumorah. In this way, this experience has been a wake up call for him.
The 3 questions Tiago was asking before he left his wife for 3 months were, “how can I provide for my family? How can I advance in my professional life? And how can I be more successful in every aspect of life?”
This experience has helped him in his confidence for finding those answers and that’s all it takes. A renewed confidence – a momentum swing students can take with them as they return to their lives back home after the semester has ended.
“So, here at Cumorah, we have the potential for helping people, to come here and organize our lives, spiritually, emotionally, financially, and physically. I believe the people who study here have more success so I invite everyone to come study here. I can promise you that in my time here I have had the experience of my life and I’m so grateful for that.”
This is a realization Tiago could not come to if he had not taken the chance to make the sacrifice he made. It is because of his choice he can now show up as a better, more improved version of himself for his wife and calling when he returns home. His life is one that is forever changed.
Tiago shares his testimonial of his experience at Cumorah Academy:
Written by Weylin Hollister
Photos by Natalia Lopez
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
