My Testimony

Intro:

Intro self: lead pastors 3 1/2 years standing on the shoulders of our Founding Pastors, Glen and Thresa. They stewarded this house faithfully for 40 years and I was to honor them!

VISION: We live to know Him and make him known.

Word of the year: ZEAL!

When God’s passions become our own.

And God is passionate about our testimonies so Im so honored to share mine!

Background & Upbringing

Grew up in a small town outside Tulsa, Oklahoma

Occasionally still say “y’all” — part of your roots

Raised primarily by your mom

Dad was present physically but not spiritually or emotionally

Mom loved Jesus deeply and was committed to church life

Attended church constantly: Sundays (morning & night), Wednesdays, prayer meetings, kids camp

Mom believed strongly in proximity to the presence of God

Your life is a result of a praying, faithful single parent

Early Faith

Accepted Jesus at 5 years old

Clearly remember the moment — talking to yourself in the mirror

Declared belief in Jesus and felt something solidify spiritually

Knew you were saved and going to heaven

Spiritual Influences

Grandma: strong, fiery Pentecostal woman

Saw authentic faith and the Holy Spirit in both your mom and grandma

Later attended a small Baptist church with your aunt

Church loved God and His Word and gave you a strong biblical foundation

However, they did not believe in speaking in tongues or spiritual gifts for today

First Spiritual Tension

Youth camp-began feeling something was missing in your walk with God

Couldn’t fully explain it, but sensed there was “more”

Defining Moment at 16

Started dating a boy from church

He spoke negatively about speaking in tongues

You defended it based on what you had witnessed in your mom and grandma

Chose experience and truth over pressure

He broke up with you over that belief

You still didn’t speak in tongues yet—but you knew it was real

Encounter with the Holy Spirit

Attended a youth rally in Tulsa

Heard teaching on the Holy Spirit and spiritual gifts

Went forward for prayer but initially felt nothing

On the drive home:

Others prayed in tongues

You whispered simple prayers: “God, I love you… thank you”

Told God you wouldn’t fake anything

Immediately received your prayer language

Started with one phrase, repeated it

Knew you had found what was missing

Life Challenges & Spiritual Drift

Shortly after, parents’ marriage fell apart

Infidelity

Substance issues

Anger and emotional strain

Took on emotional burdens no child should carry

Referenced Mark 4:19 — cares of life choking the Word

Relationship with God became about survival, not intimacy

Faith Without Depth

Never walked away from God completely

But stopped letting Him be Lord of everything

Relied on:

Church attendance

Serving

Lived spiritually off “Sunday fumes”

Built a “Christian résumé”:

Lifelong church attendance

Years of serving

Mission trips, camps, ministry involvement

Realization: without intimacy, these were empty titles

The Trap of Familiarity

Began managing relationship with God instead of living in it

Fell into familiarity:

Becoming spiritually apathetic

Losing expectancy

Believing you’ve “seen it all”

Put the Holy Spirit in a controlled “box”

Only leaned on Him in emergencies

Result: quenched the Holy Spirit

Awakening & Breakthrough

While doing daily reading, came across Jude 1:20

“Pray in the Spirit and build yourself up…”

Felt conviction immediately

Repented for taking the Holy Spirit for granted

Began praying in tongues daily

Started seeking God wholeheartedly again

Transformation

Praying in the Spirit broke familiarity

Learned:

The Holy Spirit is living water

Always moving, never stagnant

Always fresh and new

Realized:

You cannot stay stagnant when walking with the Holy Spirit

He brings the Word to life

He directs your steps

He reveals God’s heart and mind

Key Truths You Discovered

The Holy Spirit is not optional — He is essential

Praying in the Spirit builds and refreshes your faith

1 Corinthians 2:11 “11 For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.”

The Holy Spirit:

Knows the mind of God

Communicates His truth, love, and character