Hope Reaches Behind Prison Walls in Sierra Vista — Summer 2013

There is also a fresh outpouring of dominion on our outreaches and street meetings! We are seeing great favor!

A new couple that has brought encouragement to our church family was the salvation of a young man, well known for his street life, who was living with one of our young “church raised” girls who backslid.

God’s timing was wonderfully at work as after some very frightening encounters with the law, Steve realized he needed help. He just happened to be invited to a home Bible study where he initially prayed. He sealed his intent at the alter in the next service, and everyone who knows him has not stopped marveling at the change.

He has had such impact on his job that one of his coworkers who came to pick him up from morning prayer also got saved. He came to pick Steve up at 6 a.m. but Steve said, “I am not finished praying,” so the man came inside with him. He did the sign of the cross, sat down, and before he knew what hit him, they were praying the sinner’s prayer! God is so awesome!

This couple got married and it was like the “Bishops on the bride’s side of the church and the MauMaus on his side … small brim hats and all … and five raw sinners were saved. It was a sight to see!

We are eternally grateful for all your prayers – God is answering them in Sierra Vista.

Following are the testimonies of this couple, I hope they touch your heart. Testimony

Marina’s Testimony:

I want to thank God for giving me a purpose in life once again. I grew up in church, but when I was 16, I thought I knew better, like the prodigal son, and left the church and my house only to make a disaster of my life.

I thank God for faithful Christians who never gave up praying for me. I was so lost and searching for the answers, hoping somehow I would find true happiness. But I declare to you today the only true happiness, joy and peace lies in Jesus Christ.

Before I gave my life back to the Lord, on the outside I was your average person. I went to work, had a family, and paid my taxes. But on the inside there was depression and emptiness. I would drink every weekend only to find myself more alone and eventually, I wound up being arrested for driving under the influence.

My home life wasn’t much better with Steve, my boyfriend at the time. My home was filled with violence and hate. We were only staying together for the children that we had together. One night it got so bad that I just wanted to take my life. I felt so trapped, like it was my only way out. I thank God for his grace and mercy and for meeting me at the place where I was at. I bowed my knee, said I loved Him and wanted to come to Him, and at that moment I was instantly set free.

God has restored our relationship and today I can proudly say that God saved both Steve and I, and we are now happily married. I know that if it had not been for the blood of Jesus and Calvary’s cross we would not be here today, in our right minds and having the happiness that we do.

I want to encourage youth everywhere to stay in church because it is not worth it to leave. I wasted eight years of my life thinking I knew better, when the reality is we are nothing without Jesus.

Steve’s Testimony:

I spent most of my adult life behind bars, drinking, doing drugs and running the streets. It seemed that I would only find the Lord when I was in jail. As soon as I was out and hit the streets, I was back on the wrong path.

My personal relationships were just terrible and mismanaged, just all around empty!

Everything changed when I got saved. I found a new path, a new beginning, a new joy and a new life in Jesus Christ. My eyes were finally opened.

I used to be the one talking bad about the church and making fun of it but now I’m the guy that just can’t shut up about it! Being saved was and is the best thing that has ever happened to me and my family.

I am blessed to be a part of something so positive for a change, instead of so much negative. I am so grateful to be a part of a great family, the Christian Fellowship Ministries. I am grateful to serve the Lord.

Wanted: A few

good Trumpet reports!