These stories closely resemble someone I know.

This person, at the age 12, began attending meetings at the UCKG with her mother. But, at that time, she was very involved with the world and what it had to “offer”. She was raised by her grandparents because of her parents’ separation, and so, she grew up without many people noticing her bad attitude.

At 17, she ‘decided’ to attend Church more often, to gain some freedom from her mother. But things got interesting because that cute auxiliary pastor, that flirted with her, always came with the same story, “Look, you’re young and pretty, don’t just give your life to anyone. You should become an assistant!”

So, what did she have to do to become an assistant?

Evangelize, be part of the Youth Group, etc…

Well, that is what she did. And succeeded. Soon she was an assistant, but that ‘pastor’ already had two girlfriends in the Church, and she did not want to be one more: she went to look for someone in the world.

Soon, she was faced with a world of “opportunities” and met many men. She stole, lied and did all sorts of inappropriate things, even though she was still an assistant. Until one day someone found out, and she no longer had to pretend and left the Church once and for all.

Years later, this young girl, who was now a grown woman, found herself married to a man who cheated and humiliated her. Discouraged with life, without faith in God and without a job, she was kicked out of the house to make room for the other person who would now live in her home, live with her husband and enjoy all of her things.

In short, she decided to return to that faith her mother tried to teach her. But this time, it would be for real, without looking at other people’s mistakes or thinking that everyone was a saint. She was able to have an encounter with the God she often despised. He gave her another chance.

This is my story, and now I am a new person, or rather, daughter of God, and filled with the Holy Spirit, not an emotion. And Jesus, my God, rebuilt the shards of what I used to call life, but today I give thanks to my King.

Ada

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I would love to share my testimony because I believe that, in the Name of Jesus, it can help others.

I was born into a family that did not have any type of structure.

My mother got pregnant and was always a single mother. Because when she was with my father, a woman who was interested in him, did voodoo to separate them. And that is what happened.

My mother separated from him and went on to have several types of health problems. She was skin and bones. It was just the two of us, and I witnessed all of her suffering.

My aunt, who was an assistant of the UCKG, invited my mother to attend the meetings. She was delivered from that curse and was healed.

I grew up in the UCKG.

I went to Bible School and when I grew up, I even helped take care of the children. I evangelized, helped clean the Church and whatever else was needed – even though I was still very young.

Apparently, I had a blessed future ahead.

BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT HAPPENED.

My mother and I moved to another state. We left the whole family behind with the intention of succeeding.

At the age of 13, I thought it would be better “enjoy my life’ a bit since I had grown up in the Church.

At first, everything captivated me. Everything was new.

I got involved with the wrong crowd, began lying a lot, drinking, smoking, tried with some drugs, got piercings throughout my body and colored my hair pink (I did all this to get attention).

I went to parties almost every night, because apparently, this is was what temporarily filled my void. I dated the wrong people, stole money from my mother and even kissed other women.

I had several disappointments in my love life.

I became depressed, to the point where I would cry all day long, and needed medicine to go to sleep. My life was a living hell. I lost a lot of weight because of my spiritual problems. My life was destroyed.

This is how I returned to Church: destroyed.

I lived almost four years away from the presence of God, and those years seemed like an eternity. I went back to Church when I was almost 17 years old.

I returned because of the suffering, and not because someone invited me. I returned because of the hand of God, Himself.

I surrendered my life into His hands like never before.

I was baptized in water, devoted myself exclusively to God in the Youth Group, baptized in the Holy Spirit and raised as an assistant.

There was such a big transformation in my life, that there have been people who didn’t even recognize me.

I’m really happy.

I don’t need an addiction to fill any voids. Jesus saved me.

This month will make 3 years that I was raised as an assistant. I have the desire to leave everything and serve God on the Altar (many criticize my choice, especially at my job, because they do not understand why anyone would want to do that, but I’m in the faith with a man of God who already serves on Altar). In Jesus’ name, I will spend the rest of my life serving my God.

I wholeheartedly thank God, as well as you, Bishop, and every man and woman of God who have helped me along this journey.

In faith, never discouraging,

Lyvia

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My head is swirling with so many thoughts that I don’t even know how to start organizing them. All this is because I began reading your book “Nothing to Lose”.

I’ve been reading it for the past 2 days and I’m almost done. I am so surprised by the spiritual strength of this book, while I learn about your stories and beliefs, it also reminds me of who I was and who I am now with God. This is, today, I realized that I was convincing myself that I had something I never actually did, which is the Holy Spirit.

I have had several encounters with God, just like what happened with you, as you described in your book. But the real baptism of fire has not been fulfilled in my life, because thanks to you, I know that when someone is baptized in the Holy Spirit they no longer have doubts about anything that comes from God. They also do not lie, steal, fear death or constantly think about the death of a relative, and especially, those who are baptized with the Holy Spirit live by faith and use this same faith in the One living God Almighty.

But, unfortunately, this is not what has happened with me.

Therefore, during this Fast of Daniel, my purpose is to receive this wonderful Spirit that I hear everyone talking about. Thank you for being sensitive to the voice of God and bringing the Gospel to every creature.

I know that if I work hard and deny the desires of my flesh, I will become a part of the Chosen Nation.

Thank you, Bishop!

May God bless you and your entire family.

In faith,

Edna