This past Sunday I shared my testimony in our church service. I recently became a member at NHCC, so when you become a member they ask if you would like to share your testimony publicly. I've had some people mention that they would like to hear it also... so here we go.
I grew up in South America where my parents have been missionaries for close to 28 years. I really appreciate my parents a lot because they have been a great example to me.
Before Christ, I was trusting in my family's salvation and my works, but I was a sinner condemned to hell. Because I was in a conservative Christian family, sin was not shown in obvious ways but in little lies, stealing, doing bad things with my friends, and attitude towards my parents.
When I was 8, I would have reoccurring nightmares of being stuck in a house on fire. After a particularly grueling VBS on Sin, Hell, and Salvation, I came to the realization that I need to accept that Savior as mine and not just use my family. It hit me, after waking up in the middle of night after one of these, that it was because of my sin I was willingly staying in the fire pit. Christ’s work on the cross kept coming to mind. All I had to do was repent and confess my sin and ask Jesus to become my Lord and Savior. I did and He did. After that I struggled with basing my salvation on my works, and trying to please God. I was in a cycle of drawing close to God, and then drifting away… and my heart was hardened through this process. I was baptized at the age of 16. My dad actually baptized my sister and I in a river in Uruguay.
At the end of my senior year at BJU, I was not in a good relationship with God. My heart was very hardened towards Him and His Word. I actually hated Sunday and anytime that the Word was preached.
God had to shock me back to Him by bringing me to NHCC. Coming from a conservative fundamental background, I was astounded at this body of believers, the freedom of worship and the love towards God, the Word, and each other. God brought me to a decision point, were I chose to pursue Him. Now, I’m growing in Him, I’m living in His Grace, and using the talents He’s given me to serve the body. I'm learning more and more about Him every day.