“I always believed in God, but I wasn’t living fully for Him,” Teona recalls. “Then everything changed. God tells us to pick up our cross and follow Him, and that’s exactly what I had to do.”
Teona Pagan once held a role that shaped the future of young minds. As the fellowships and public service program coordinator at City University of New York’s Research Foundation, she empowered students to dream big, chase opportunities, and craft brighter futures. But in a life-altering twist, the woman who had helped others stand tall found herself on the edge of a personal battle, standing firm on her newly rekindled Christian faith.
It wasn’t just a job for Teona; it was a calling. For years, she had been an ally of various causes, including the LGBTQ community and Black Lives Matter, standing for what she believed to be right. But in April 2022, her life took an unexpected turn — one she never saw coming. She became a Christian, a transformation that called her to reassess her convictions and realign her life with her faith.
“I always believed in God, but I wasn’t living fully for Him,” Teona recalls. “Then everything changed. God tells us to pick up our cross and follow Him, and that’s exactly what I had to do.”
This profound shift wasn’t without its struggles. One of the fellowships she oversaw, an LGBTQ-centered program, began to weigh heavily on her conscience. Teona felt a conviction that she could no longer manage a program that conflicted with her newfound beliefs. So, she did what her faith taught her: she prayed, fasted, and consulted with spiritual leaders. Her decision was not rash but rooted in deep reflection. She sought accommodation from her employer, requesting a shift in duties that would honor both her faith and her job. However, what she hoped would be a simple adjustment turned into a fight for her beliefs.
Teona’s request was denied, and in the weeks that followed, she was placed on administrative leave, prohibited from returning to the workplace, and ultimately terminated. The reality of what had happened was sinking in. She wasn’t just fighting for her job anymore; she was fighting for her faith, her rights, and the courage to stand tall in the face of opposition.
“It wasn’t easy,” Teona admits. “I didn’t wake up one day and just decide not to do my job. It was a process of prayer, fasting, and trusting in God. I believe He holds us accountable, and I couldn’t ignore what I felt He was asking of me.”
Teona’s legal battle isn’t just a matter of employment rights. It’s a story of faith in the face of adversity — a young woman grappling with societal expectations while answering to a higher calling. Her attorney, Kristina Heuser, believes Teona’s case reflects a growing trend of hostility toward Christians in the workplace. Despite the challenges ahead, Heuser is confident they are on the right path, even if the road is long and fraught with obstacles.
As Teona moves forward with her lawsuit, she hopes to inspire others to speak boldly for their beliefs, even when it’s hard. “I didn’t think it would come to this,” she says. “But maybe that’s the point. Maybe through this, someone will ask, ‘What must I do to stand for what’s right?’”
Her story is more than just a legal fight — it’s a spiritual journey, a stand for faith in a world filled with noise. Despite the outcome, Teona believes her fight is one that will leave an impact far beyond the courtroom, sparking conversations about courage, faith, and the strength to follow one’s convictions no matter the cost.
For Teona, this battle is not just about winning a case — it’s about winning souls.
Source: CBN News
