My Testimony

I came to know Christ as a young girl. I was raised not only in a Christian home but with a Christian extended family as well. I was surrounded by people that not only loved me, they loved God and lived out a relationship with Jesus Christ. When I was ten I sat in a summer revival and suddenly was just struck by the knowledge that "For God so loved the world" meant ME! I was acutely aware in that moment, by the power of the Holy Spirit, that God loved ME and I wanted desperately to know Jesus. I literally ran down the aisle to ask Jesus into my heart. Yes, I got saved in a very old fashioned way!!! I was baptized and at the tender age of ten began this adventure of knowing Christ and my journey of faith.

When I was twelve I was at a G. A. Camp at Shocco Springs, a camp in Alabama. (for those of you not familiar with Southern Baptist life, this is Girls in Action, a mission organization for young girls) All week we had learned about missionaries and one night we sat around a campfire and discussed what God wanted us to do with the life He had given us. Although I do not remember anything in particular about what was said that night, I do remember the firm knowledge I had that God was calling ME. I had no idea what He wanted me to do, but I knew that my life now must be His. As a woman raised in a Baptist church in the south, I had actually never seen a woman do anything in ministry besides be a missionary. So I prayed and prayed about this but just never felt that this was what God wanted me to do. Since I had never actually seen a woman do anything else, I had absolutely no other ideas of what God might be calling me to do. As I went through my teenage years I firmly dedicated my life to Christ and increasingly used my vocal abilities in ministry in my local church as well as other churches in our area.

When I was 17 I began dating Phil, who would become my husband. On our first date I heard God say very strongly to me that I would marry Phil. Of course I wasn't looking for a husband so this threw my plans all awry! I knew that Phil was the man for me and I was so touched by his devotion to Christ. We married a mere nine days after I graduated from high school and had three children in six years. During this time I sang consistently on our church's praise team, helped lead worship for our students and my husband and I led the youth group at our church.

Then at the age of 28 it happened. I led worship for a church plant and felt God's pleasure in an almost tangible way. I had discovered that thing God had created and called me to do! When I lead worship I feel God's presence in such a strong way and - besides holding my children and being with my husband - seeing others worship God and connect with Him is the most meaningul experience of my life. I consider it such an honor to be used in any way as God is at work transforming lives.

My faith journey has not been totally smooth, of course. I have climbed some hard mountains and been treated with some incredibly beautiful vistas but I have also traversed many valleys that seemed unendingly dark throughout the years. I hate it, but it's true. I've learned the most through the difficult times in my life. I've walked through health problems, raising our children, church difficulties, losing loved ones, the heartbreaking challenges of leadership, the failure of a church plant, being misunderstood or just plan disliked, walking with a husband and child through their bouts of depression,the pain of being a woman in ministry leadership, my own struggles with anxiety and now the sorrow that accompanies my children leaving home and adjusting to a new era of our family life. Through all of these times God has taught me more about Himself, and He has taught me about myself as well. Even in the midst of pain and grief I have faithfully seen His hand and heart at work. For that I am thankful.

It's been quite a ride and I have the great expectation that God is not through with me. I know He is continually preparing me for what He has next!