Testimonies

On Fire for God!

Raised in an Adventist home, I was baptized when I was 12 and even thought I would grow up to be a minister. However, as a teenager I started hanging out with the wrong crowd. Soon, God didn’t mean much to me—nor going to church or anything else connected with being a Christian. But when I was 20, I realized I needed Jesus and His church in my life. I started going back, but I had been away for so long that I felt I didn’t belong. It wasn’t until I met my wife that I went to church every Sabbath.

In August 2008, everything changed for me. I had become a deacon and youth leader in my church, but God had bigger plans. I watched a sermon about the last days and world events and it woke me up big time! I realized I was not where I needed to be with God. I hated feeling that way, but I didn’t know what to do. So I prayed, asking God to forgive me for wasting my life and to show me what I must do to be saved. That was the start of the transformation.

I was still drinking alcohol at the time, so I had to stop and throw it all out. Afterward, I knew I had to stop listening to rock music, so I threw out all my CDs. Of course, I needed to go through my DVDs as well. My wife thought I was going through a midlife crisis because I was going through everything and throwing out so much. It felt good, though, and I praise God I am no longer bound by those things.

I also knew I needed more spiritual things in my life than I had before. I started going to prayer meeting, and after attending three meetings I was asked to lead the next one. After leading out my third week, I was asked to be one of the permanent leaders. I was also asked to teach adult Sabbath school and be an elder! I realized that God had a work for me.

My pastor was instrumental in bringing me to the point where I was able to go to AFCOE and get formal training. I was on fire for God and wanted to do nothing else but work for Him, so I couldn’t wait to go! It took a while for everything to fall into place—we have two kids, we couldn’t afford the tuition, and I couldn’t afford time off from work. In fact, there seemed to be an impossible list of things to overcome. But God took care of that list for me, one item at a time. It was incredible to see Him work for me and through the people around me to make it happen. Finally, in the fall of 2010, I was able to go. It was hard leaving my family knowing I would not see them for four months, but I needed to go as I felt God had called me there at that specific time.

AFCOE was an awesome experience … I thought I would never be able to remember all the things we learned! After graduation and back at my home church, I befriended new people who had started attending while I was at AFCOE. One of the new couples agreed to study the Bible with me, and this past March they were baptized! Now they attend a small group at my home every week, along with other new Adventists who I’ve been able to disciple for Christ.

I was also anxious to train church members in outreach and started a class a few months later. By God's grace, seven members are now trained to witness for Christ more effectively to co-workers and door to door. I taught the same class at a sister church, where 11 people were trained, and some have ongoing Bible studies now because of it! It's awesome to see the excitement in them as they do the Lord’s work! One couple in my class started a nursing home and homeless shelter ministry. It has been a blessing to help out with these ministries, and we hope the Lord will open some hearts soon to receive Bible studies. We have plans this year for addiction recovery seminars, door-to-door outreach, and whatever else we can do to reach our community.

I’m excited to be able to share Jesus with so many people and disciple those who are on fire for Him. If it wasn’t for AFCOE, I wouldn’t be able to do all that I’m able to do now. What a difference four months can make! The training is intense, and at times it seems overwhelming, but when you are willing to do the work, God will always bless your efforts.

What an amazing experience to be able to be used by God, especially in these last days. I believe Jesus is coming soon, so the more laborers in God’s field, the better! May God bless each one of us as we prepare for His soon return!

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5 Comments

Andy

Tuesday, January 31, 2012 8:05 PM

Thank you for your testimony! May God continue to bless and work through you.

Dallena Wood

Wednesday, February 01, 2012 9:33 PM

Praise the Lord!

Koantlane

Wednesday, February 01, 2012 10:46 PM

thanks a lot my brother for the testimony! i am also awaiting the day the Lord will sent me to AFCOE! May He bless you more!

Nathan

Monday, February 20, 2012 3:53 PM

Yes, the Lord has blessed me greatly! I'm always anxious to see what He will do next and what opportunity He has for me. Koantiane, keep praying and God will open the door at the right time to send you to AFCOE. God bless.

Nathan

Saturday, March 10, 2012 12:55 PM

The Lord has blessed me with a website to post my sermons and even Bible studies from time to time. Check it out at www.ntballard.com. I pray you'll be blessed by it.

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