Rachel’s Testimony

Born into a STRICT Christian home, my parents raised me to follow all of the commandments of God and to devote myself to his service. From a very early age I understood that the work of the Lord had priority. I was already a very active member of the church @ the tender age of 4. I was the little poet, story teller and star dancer at our cultural programs. As I got older, I continued on in the way that my parents and church leaders set out for me. At 14 years of age, I held the title of Associate Youth Leader and have since been through the ranks of Senior Adult Sabbath School Secretary, Young Adult Sabbath School Associate Director, Family Life Youth Liaison, Women’s Ministries Council Member, Singles Ministries Coordinator, Communications Council Member and a member of the church and school boards. You could say church was my life. It was all that I knew.

I was brought up to always be doing something for God. If you weren’t active in church and in the limelight, you were treated as a nobody and looked upon as “not-there” with God. The church seemed to have my whole life planned out for me. I was to become a nurse or doctor and marry a pastor and boy did they have quite a few in mind. I felt like I was a pawn in a game and I had no say in the matter. Their crazy plan almost worked until it ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. It was at that moment that I decided to live my life for God and no one else.

[Note: Some have asked what do I mean by "almost got me killed". I had finally found someone that met their expectations, but he was physically abusive and had it not been for God's grace, mercy and faithfulness, I wouldn't be here to tell my story.]

As the years went on, i remained active in the church. However, I started to feel like something was missing. I kept saying to myself, There just has to be more to God than this. There has to be more than just an emphasis on a day of worship. I kept asking myself, was God only focused on when you worshiped him and what you ate? Did he not want more than rituals and traditions? Why were they making him appear to be so shallow? The more I searched within my heart, the more I kept hearing that still small voice whispering to me – THERE’S MORE TO ME THAN THIS. One day as I communed with God, I realized that I was keeping the rules of the church, following the doctrines and living up to the expectations of the “church family” but I didn’t know GOD as my personal Savior.

The realization that I had been working the gospel instead of living the gospel inspired me to plunge into the Word of God. I was determined to get to know HIM. I continued to study and soon realized that I had a religion but no relationship. Yes i prayed, yes I served, yes I knew the Word but, I HAD NO PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP. This was my turning point. I decided that I wanted a relationship with God and set out to develop one. As I got deeper in the Word, the Spirit of God made the Word of God plain. I realized that the Gospel of Jesus Christ wasn’t as complicated, complex and vague as I was brought up to believe. It was simple. IF I AM TO BE A CHRISTIAN, I AM TO LIVE LIKE CHRIST. IF I LIVE LIKE CHRIST, I WILL KEEP GOD’S COMMANDMENTS (and not just the 10 in Exodus, but also the one that says LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF which is the greatest commandment of all). IF I LIVE LIKE CHRIST I WILL SERVE GOD WITH ALL MY HEART.

Since this revelation, God has worked wonders in my life and I am extremely grateful. I have a deeper understanding of HIS Word and now have a personal relationship with God. He has changed my life and is taking me on a journey that is calling me to leave everything I thought I knew, everything I’ve ever known and FOLLOW HIM. This journey has been rough. Through it all, one thing keeps me stable. It is my conviction that God is calling me to reject all I have ever learned to learn ALL THAT HE HAS TO TEACH ME. I am amazed by the new things I learn everyday and I am humbled that God is willing to use my broken vessel.

I am on a journey with God that is leading me to where He wants me to be. I am now a vessel in the Hand of the Almighty God.

So, who am I? What’s my denomination?

I am a Christian Woman sincerely seeking God daily and there’s no other place I’d rather be than on a journey with my God.

About Rachel

Rachel is a daughter, friend and soon-to-be wife to a wonderful man of God named Kenton David. I am always a work in progress because the Lord is constantly doing a NEW thing in my life. I am a born and raised New York-er and live in the most populated borough of Brooklyn. I am a NATURE lover and enjoy some of my best moments just walking around the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens and NYC open spaces. I trust God to do what he wills in my life and I am always excited to see what he has planned for me.

I am not perfect, I am a sinner who has fallen more times than I’d like to admit, but I serve a God that continues to pick me up each and every time that I do. I started this ministry because I know that they journey that I am on will help those who will come behind me. We all can use a little encouragement on our journey and it always helps to know that someone has gone before us and left a trail. I learn new things everyday and I am committed to sharing them with you as long as God gives me the chance to write them.

I pray that this ministry will be a blessing to you and that I will play a little part in hastening the coming of the Lord by allowing him to use me to share the gospel message with anyone who is willing to hear.

God Bless You!
Sister Rachel

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