Testimonies
My life before salvation was ignorant and selfish. I was looking for acceptance from the wrong people and I was hanging out with people that were not good influences, causing me to do things out of character. I felt empty and I continuously got hurt by the things I was doing. I got into a relationship that I knew I should not have gotten into and ultimately it caused me a lot of pain. It brought me to a place of brokenness. At the time of my breakup, I was working with someone at Starbucks and I told her some things that I was going through. She ended up inviting me to RED Nights in May 2018. I did not know what to expect but she told me that I would enjoy it. When we came into the service, the worship team was in the middle of worship and not even five minutes of being there, I was brought to tears. I remember Pastor Sharon was embracing me because I was weeping and I knew that the ministry was a place of love. At the time I did not know why I was crying, now I understand that that was the love of God surrounding me, that was the presence of God touching me. I accepted Jesus into my life and got born again at the end of service.
After that day, I continued to come back to RED Nights every Friday, and then I started coming to church on Sundays. God really helped me to get through the pain I was feeling after my breakup and showed me how faithful and loving He is. The Lord placed me into fellowship with people that are loving, compassionate, uplifting, and have so much passion for Him. Their example helped me to want to live a life pleasing to God. A few months later, I got a prophetic word from Pastor Sharon. She told me not to go backwards. God was already moving in my life and the Lord knew that I was being tempted to get back with my ex. Because I did not know any better, I got back with him anyway and I told myself that it would work out. Fast-forward nine months later, we ended up breaking up again. It hurt much more than the first time. It reminds me of the scripture in the Bible where it talks about unclean spirits coming out of a person. It says in Matthew 12:45, “Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there. And the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. So will it also be with this wicked generation.” Because I was seeing God move in my life after He brought me out of that relationship and I chose to go back to what He delivered me from, I got hurt a lot more because I was ignoring God’s instruction. Towards the end of that relationship, I kept thinking, “I should go back to church.” And I remember one day I was just crying because I was so hurt by how I was being treated. I went to the dollar tree to get some things to try to fix the situation, and I ended up standing behind a woman in the check-out line. She paid for all of my things. As we were walking towards our cars, she stopped me and said, “Let me give you a hug, I don’t know what’s going on but you’re going to be okay. God knows your heart. If you need anything, and I mean anything, give me a call.” She told me her name and where she worked. While she was saying those things, I started weeping because I knew that was confirmation from God to go back to church. I documented what happened when I got back in my car and I was just thanking God for still loving me when I felt so far away from Him. After coming out of that relationship the second time, I was still doing things of this world. I was talking to people I should not have been talking to, I was doing things I should not have been doing before I decided to come back to church.
One day I saw a couple of people from Red Nights come into Starbucks while I was working. When I got off we were just talking and I was invited to come to RED Nights again. I came back to church and rededicated my life to Christ and my life took a 180-degree turn. I see how God delivered me from worldly desires that I had; from the music I was listening to, the clothes I would wear, and even just how I saw other people. I was not expecting so much of a change, but I praise God for having His way in my life because I feel so much freedom and happiness. It is mind-boggling to see how much God can change your life when you allow Him to have His way. I feel His presence with me and I hear Him speaking to me and guiding me. I am so blessed to have a relationship with the God that created all of heaven and earth, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. God has given me confidence and a knowing that because He has won every battle, we will be victorious in our trials. He is making me into the woman of God that He has called me to be and I am submitted to Him. God has brought me out of situations that I could not get myself out of and that really showed me how much God loves and cares for me. God is so good and gracious!
Mariel N.
After that day, I continued to come back to RED Nights every Friday, and then I started coming to church on Sundays. God really helped me to get through the pain I was feeling after my breakup and showed me how faithful and loving He is. The Lord placed me into fellowship with people that are loving, compassionate, uplifting, and have so much passion for Him. Their example helped me to want to live a life pleasing to God. A few months later, I got a prophetic word from Pastor Sharon. She told me not to go backwards. God was already moving in my life and the Lord knew that I was being tempted to get back with my ex. Because I did not know any better, I got back with him anyway and I told myself that it would work out. Fast-forward nine months later, we ended up breaking up again. It hurt much more than the first time. It reminds me of the scripture in the Bible where it talks about unclean spirits coming out of a person. It says in Matthew 12:45, “Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and make their home there. And the last condition of that man becomes worse than the first. So will it also be with this wicked generation.” Because I was seeing God move in my life after He brought me out of that relationship and I chose to go back to what He delivered me from, I got hurt a lot more because I was ignoring God’s instruction. Towards the end of that relationship, I kept thinking, “I should go back to church.” And I remember one day I was just crying because I was so hurt by how I was being treated. I went to the dollar tree to get some things to try to fix the situation, and I ended up standing behind a woman in the check-out line. She paid for all of my things. As we were walking towards our cars, she stopped me and said, “Let me give you a hug, I don’t know what’s going on but you’re going to be okay. God knows your heart. If you need anything, and I mean anything, give me a call.” She told me her name and where she worked. While she was saying those things, I started weeping because I knew that was confirmation from God to go back to church. I documented what happened when I got back in my car and I was just thanking God for still loving me when I felt so far away from Him. After coming out of that relationship the second time, I was still doing things of this world. I was talking to people I should not have been talking to, I was doing things I should not have been doing before I decided to come back to church.
One day I saw a couple of people from Red Nights come into Starbucks while I was working. When I got off we were just talking and I was invited to come to RED Nights again. I came back to church and rededicated my life to Christ and my life took a 180-degree turn. I see how God delivered me from worldly desires that I had; from the music I was listening to, the clothes I would wear, and even just how I saw other people. I was not expecting so much of a change, but I praise God for having His way in my life because I feel so much freedom and happiness. It is mind-boggling to see how much God can change your life when you allow Him to have His way. I feel His presence with me and I hear Him speaking to me and guiding me. I am so blessed to have a relationship with the God that created all of heaven and earth, the King of kings and the Lord of lords. God has given me confidence and a knowing that because He has won every battle, we will be victorious in our trials. He is making me into the woman of God that He has called me to be and I am submitted to Him. God has brought me out of situations that I could not get myself out of and that really showed me how much God loves and cares for me. God is so good and gracious!
Mariel N.
I grew up feeling alone most of the time with few friends and very lonely sometimes to the point of dealing with depression. When I received the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart, there was a peace that came over me that replaced that loneliness with acceptance, peace, joy, and excitement.
From the moment I received the Lord Jesus into my heart, He has been The Rock that I can lean on during turbulent times and He steadies my path. In some ways, life is more challenging as a born-again Christian who is aspiring to sincerely hunger and thirst for righteousness because there's a new level of accountability. I can no longer lead the rebellious life that I used to lead. The "narrow path" can be challenging but there is a new peace that truly does surpass all understanding. Now, there's a deep "knowing" that gives me the confidence to keep moving forward no matter what it looks like in the natural. I know who I am in Christ, as a warrior and soldier for the Lord Almighty. I will not rest until I have fulfilled my calling.
I grew up fearing conflict even having issues with crowds, stores, and in public places. Personally, I have grown to be more bold and confident. I am more direct, more authentic, more real, and less fearful of confrontation. I now understand that it is just and right to address injustice. Confrontation is what mature Christians will do in love and respect while listening to others and understanding their perspective. I strive to never go to bed angry and to go to my brother/sister if he/she has an issue with me, not only if I have an issue with them. My life is a life with more peace and maturity. Instead of running away from my problems or hiding from them, I am more empowered and enabled to face them head-on. Through the role modeling of my pastors and their family, I have witnessed godly conflict-resolution, godly parenting, and godly spousal interactions.
My biggest accomplishment since salvation is becoming an evangelist for the glory of God. I am learning to use wisdom, to hear the voice of the Lord, and to speak to those whom I am supposed to speak. I have witnessed transformational experiences and souls being saved for His glory and His honor. I now have personal relationships that are more authentic, substantial, where the other party knows who more of who I truly am and I'm less likely to put on a mask or pretend I'm someone that I'm not.
Roger D.
From the moment I received the Lord Jesus into my heart, He has been The Rock that I can lean on during turbulent times and He steadies my path. In some ways, life is more challenging as a born-again Christian who is aspiring to sincerely hunger and thirst for righteousness because there's a new level of accountability. I can no longer lead the rebellious life that I used to lead. The "narrow path" can be challenging but there is a new peace that truly does surpass all understanding. Now, there's a deep "knowing" that gives me the confidence to keep moving forward no matter what it looks like in the natural. I know who I am in Christ, as a warrior and soldier for the Lord Almighty. I will not rest until I have fulfilled my calling.
I grew up fearing conflict even having issues with crowds, stores, and in public places. Personally, I have grown to be more bold and confident. I am more direct, more authentic, more real, and less fearful of confrontation. I now understand that it is just and right to address injustice. Confrontation is what mature Christians will do in love and respect while listening to others and understanding their perspective. I strive to never go to bed angry and to go to my brother/sister if he/she has an issue with me, not only if I have an issue with them. My life is a life with more peace and maturity. Instead of running away from my problems or hiding from them, I am more empowered and enabled to face them head-on. Through the role modeling of my pastors and their family, I have witnessed godly conflict-resolution, godly parenting, and godly spousal interactions.
My biggest accomplishment since salvation is becoming an evangelist for the glory of God. I am learning to use wisdom, to hear the voice of the Lord, and to speak to those whom I am supposed to speak. I have witnessed transformational experiences and souls being saved for His glory and His honor. I now have personal relationships that are more authentic, substantial, where the other party knows who more of who I truly am and I'm less likely to put on a mask or pretend I'm someone that I'm not.
Roger D.
I was raised in church, so I don’t really know much of what life would be like before Jesus because I was so young and protected by my parents and family. Everything was stemmed in Jesus. I didn’t have much choice of my own. I did personally decide to walk with Jesus as the Lord of my life at 12 years of age, and every year since then, I’ve gotten closer and closer to Him. Learning more every day.
Before becoming fully engaged in a life with Christ-for me, a mature life with Christ, Christianity was just something I claimed and clung to. Yes, I definitely knew Jesus, but I wasn’t willing to necessarily put my skin on the table. I just knew I was “saved”. But after growing up, I’ve learned that it’s much more than just being “saved”. This is a lifestyle ridden with important choices that need to be made on a consistent basis. And just because you accept Jesus does not mean you’ve made it. You can have a license to drive, but that doesn’t make you a getaway driver or someone worthy to drive on Nascar’s biggest stage. This thing is a constant process and you never fully arrive. It’s a lot of losing for the sake of fully living. Lots of sacrifices, and knowing true life is in living humbly, yet boldly in the shadow of the Almighty God. And that requires a relationship. Not a name tag.
Life with God has been a journey. Definitely on the side of trusting people. Which stemmed much deeper. Do I trust God? Did I trust God? I learned that it wasn’t about the people around me but rather, do I trust God in the situation concerning people. I’ve learned that the fear of man is something that can be dangerous and can begin to control you and alter the choices you make. Trusting my creator and Heavenly Father more authentically and leaving my vulnerability in his hands has been life-changing. Still a process, but still an upgrade in my life.
I've been involved with Basileia for 3 years and it’s been a journey. I’m a big worship guy. Most of my expression comes out when I can worship. I’d say that’s been a huge growth area for me since I used to be “the quiet, only to myself singer”, worried about what people would think or say about my voice quality, so I’d hide behind my musical ability and use an instrument as a shield against the opinions of others. It was as if they mattered in collecting the case of whether or not God would receive my worship based on my vocal talent. I used to care what people thought of the voicings, or chord progressions I could string together during a worship set.
That’s all changed. By the grace of God, literally, everything I play is inspired by Him. And just releasing myself in complete authentic, vulnerable worship. On top of that, I’ve learned that worship is actually a warzone. And the worshippers have to have and maintain a perspective of intentional spiritual focus. Knowing that worship is as serious as it is, it’s not a show, it’s not meant to be glamorous, it’s not meant to garner the worship and attention of people, but it is meant to break down walls and help people get free so they can receive what the Lord has been trying to deliver to them. There’s a lot more on that topic, so without going too deep, I’ll just say that the worship has been key.
Milo S.
Before becoming fully engaged in a life with Christ-for me, a mature life with Christ, Christianity was just something I claimed and clung to. Yes, I definitely knew Jesus, but I wasn’t willing to necessarily put my skin on the table. I just knew I was “saved”. But after growing up, I’ve learned that it’s much more than just being “saved”. This is a lifestyle ridden with important choices that need to be made on a consistent basis. And just because you accept Jesus does not mean you’ve made it. You can have a license to drive, but that doesn’t make you a getaway driver or someone worthy to drive on Nascar’s biggest stage. This thing is a constant process and you never fully arrive. It’s a lot of losing for the sake of fully living. Lots of sacrifices, and knowing true life is in living humbly, yet boldly in the shadow of the Almighty God. And that requires a relationship. Not a name tag.
Life with God has been a journey. Definitely on the side of trusting people. Which stemmed much deeper. Do I trust God? Did I trust God? I learned that it wasn’t about the people around me but rather, do I trust God in the situation concerning people. I’ve learned that the fear of man is something that can be dangerous and can begin to control you and alter the choices you make. Trusting my creator and Heavenly Father more authentically and leaving my vulnerability in his hands has been life-changing. Still a process, but still an upgrade in my life.
I've been involved with Basileia for 3 years and it’s been a journey. I’m a big worship guy. Most of my expression comes out when I can worship. I’d say that’s been a huge growth area for me since I used to be “the quiet, only to myself singer”, worried about what people would think or say about my voice quality, so I’d hide behind my musical ability and use an instrument as a shield against the opinions of others. It was as if they mattered in collecting the case of whether or not God would receive my worship based on my vocal talent. I used to care what people thought of the voicings, or chord progressions I could string together during a worship set.
That’s all changed. By the grace of God, literally, everything I play is inspired by Him. And just releasing myself in complete authentic, vulnerable worship. On top of that, I’ve learned that worship is actually a warzone. And the worshippers have to have and maintain a perspective of intentional spiritual focus. Knowing that worship is as serious as it is, it’s not a show, it’s not meant to be glamorous, it’s not meant to garner the worship and attention of people, but it is meant to break down walls and help people get free so they can receive what the Lord has been trying to deliver to them. There’s a lot more on that topic, so without going too deep, I’ll just say that the worship has been key.
Milo S.