PERSONAL TESTIMONY

 KEY VERSE:

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

ESSAY:

During this period of unemployment, I have been applying for several ministry openings. Many of them require that I submit my personal testimony in writing. This is what I have been including with my application.

            I grew up in a Christian home and have had the opportunity to attend church and learn about God all my life. I accepted Christ as my personal savior at age 7 while at Jennings Lodge church camp.

            My faith was an important part of my life throughout my teen years. I had the chance to develop my ministry and leadership skills as president of my church’s high school youth group. I continued my walk with Christ while attending a four-year Christian college, George Fox University (GFU). I was very active in drama ministry at GFU.

            In my professional life I have grown in my faith under the wise counsel of two Christian supervisors, most notably Anne Jeffers, who was my mentor and boss during my six-year tenure at Corban University in the 1990s. I thrived under her godly leadership in my role of providing academic, career and even some personal counseling to students.

            My faith in Christ has grown most dramatically in my time as a parent. The birth of my special needs son Parker gave me a firsthand look at the miraculous hand of God. Born with more challenges (autism, cerebral palsy and brain malformation among others) than most of us will face in a lifetime, my son's perseverance and personality have made him a hero and inspiration to many. According to 2017 statistics one in 68 children born in the U.S. are diagnosed on the autism spectrum. And one in every 33 children worldwide is born with a birth defect. My son Parker was born with both. He survived a difficult pregnancy and spent time in the hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and proves every day why he is our very special miracle. I cannot imagine caring for my beloved son Parker without the daily grace, protection and strength of my Lord and Savior.

            I attend Bayside Church in Roseville, California. I have been active in service ministries such as Serve Day and Trunk or Treat.

            From 2009-2014 I also served as a Board Member for Pregnancy Support Group (PSG), a non-profit ministry that is committed to providing positive, life-saving alternatives to abortion. We actively sought to lead men and women in crisis pregnancy situations to a life of sexual abstinence until marriage, and to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

            Currently I volunteer for Joni and Friends, an international Christian ministry that provides hope and resources to individuals with disabilities.

            I desire to return to full time ministry in a position that allows me to use my spiritual gifts of public speaking and writing to the glory of God.

APPLICATION:

            Have you ever written out your personal testimony? I had never done it before I started job hunting during a time of unemployment and then again, a few years later while on medical leave. It is such a valuable experience and one that you never know when it might come in handy. Spend thirty minutes today or this week writing out your personal journey with God. It will remind you of His presence and provision in your life. You will be able to draw from it when you are called to “give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have,” and share your faith with others.

This essay is from my book More Autism and Awesometism: Devotionals From and About a Special Needs Family.