My testimony is one of God’s faithfulness even when I was faithless. God has put situations and people in my life that have leaded me to where I am today. I was put in a Christian day-care at Hammonton Assembly of God at the age of three. Even from this young age, God was leading me into ministry. When I began going to this day-care, my mom and I were attending a Methodist church. My mom eventually met a woman who told her about Missionettes and I started attending.We started attending Hammonton A/G shortly after, but only for special events. When I was around eight years old, we started attending that church full-time. At the age of nine, I officially dedicated my life to Christ at a local Christian camp. That same year, I was molested; this was an emotionally scaring experience that would take me years to recover from. At the age of ten, I got baptized. Soon after I was baptized, I felt that I was called to ministry.
In the meantime, my mom — who has multiple health problems — began getting sicker and sicker. When I was thirteen our church got a new pastor and he was a graduate of Zion Bible College. After talking with him and his sons, who were also Zion graduates, I felt that this was where I was called to be. At fourteen, I went on a missions trip to Honduras. Soon after, I was filled with the Holy Spirit.
At the age of fifteen, I had to have surgery, which left me almost bedridden for several months. This brought me into a deep downward spiral of depression. In the meantime, my mother’s health continued to fail. This depression continued on, even after I came to Zion.
Shortly after starting Zion in fall 2009, my mother –who was already wheelchair-bound—fell. She was hospitalized for about a week. After this she went into physical rehab. It was determined from there that she should be placed permanently in a nursing home. This left me with no home and no financial support.
Over thanksgiving break, God opened doors that I never imagined would be opened. He softened the hearts of my grandparents, and allowed me to move in with them. He also provided the financial support I needed. He allowed the old wound of my sexual abuse to heal by letting me come face-to-face with my abuser. This allowed me to say “I forgive you” to his face. I know have learned to use this past hurt to minister to others who have been in my shoes. God completely healed me of depression while at Zion and I have truly learned the meaning behind the phrase “The joy of the Lord is my strength”. He truly has strengthened me and given me unshakable faith. I also discovered my specific calling of kids and missions while there.
I stayed at Zion until May 2011. At this time I felt God calling me away from Zion. I didn’t understand at the time but, obeyed and left. My home church, Hammonton Assembly of God, desperately need someone to take over the Children’ Ministry. So in January 2012, I took over this ministry and have gotten many confirmations that I am doing what God had planned. I am now enrolled in Global University and finishing my credentials. I have been through many trials in my life but I regret nothing. If I hadn’t experienced struggles throughout my life I wouldn’t be where I am today. I give God all the glory for everything He has brought me through. I am looking forward to what God has in store for my life and future ministry.
