BOB OKAMURA

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

My walk with the Lord doesn’t seem very long to me, but as I look back on my life, I can see that the hand of God was working on me. He refined my spiritual gifts and skills that He used in my later years.

My life journey began in May of 1942 when I was born in Lodi, California which is a small community in the Central Valley between Sacramento and Stockton. My dad was born in Hawaii, but when he was ready to go to school, my grandparents sent him to Japan for his education. He is known as a kibei which means that he was a US citizen, educated in Japan and returned to the US. My mom was born in Burlingame, California and went to school in the US. After my mom graduated from San Mateo Junior College, my grandfather took her to Japan to find her a husband. An arrangement was made for my dad and mom to get married, and they were married in the US. A month or two after I was born, our family was ordered to report to the Bay Area for assignment to an interment camp because the United States had entered World War II 6 months earlier when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. We ended up in Rower, Arkansas where we spent the next three and a half years. In 1945, we left camp to go to Chicago, Illinois because my dad found a job there. It was in Chicago that my brother, Steven, was born, but he lived for only 3 days. My dad and mom had Rh incompatibility which means that the first child is healthy, but the subsequent children have blood disorders. Today, doctors who know that parents have this condition order a complete blood transfusion shortly after birth which saves the child. My parents were told that they couldn’t have any more children. So, I grew up as an only child. Several years later, we came back to California on a train and settled in a small farming community known as Acampo, which is located several miles north of Lodi.

Our family was not a Christian family, at least outwardly. After my mom passed away, I found her baptism certificate from a Baptist Church, but she never mentioned that. Most of my parents’ friends were Buddhists. When I was 8 years old, my mom asked me if I wanted to go to a church in Lodi with a classmate’s family. I said sure and enjoyed Sunday School, but the church did not emphasize teaching the children about Jesus Christ. After several years, I stopped going and did not attend any church for the next 10 years. After graduating from high school in 1960, I attended UC Berkeley. I went to church with several of my classmates. But again, the preaching and teaching didn’t emphasize the grace of Jesus and no invitations were given. I got busy with other things and distractions. So, I stopped attending.

After graduating with a degree in civil engineering, I went to work for the City of Los Angeles. But my draft board caught up with me and ordered me to take an induction physical exam. I didn’t want to be drafted into the Army and decided to join the Navy reserve. When I went on active duty, I was assigned to a Naval Construction Battalion (a Seabee maintenance unit), and we deployed to Dong Ha, Vietnam from June 1966 to June 1967. We worked 6-1/2 days a week and got Sunday afternoons off. But we were given the option to go to chapel on Sunday morning, and a lot of guys went to chapel to get out of working in the morning. So, I went because some of my friends asked me to go with them. It was a multi-denominational service because there was only one Chaplin and one service every Sunday. I still didn’t know what it meant to be a Christian.

After returning from Vietnam in June of 1967, I was separated from active duty and went to work. I got married in 1970, and we had one daughter. I worked for various government agencies and private engineering companies developing my skills gradually and working my way up the corporate ladder. Unfortunately, the marriage did not work out, and I found myself pursuing worldly things. During that time, I went to several churches including Neighborhood Church searching for something to give me direction in my life. One day in February 1992, I felt particularly empty and alone. So, I decided to call Neighborhood Church, where I had attended once before with a friend, to talk to a pastor. I met with Rev. Malcolm Cash who spent several hours explaining the Gospel to me. After he was done, he asked me if I wanted to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, and I said yes.

After I accepted Jesus as my Lord, I had many questions about what that meant. So, I began reading an old King James Bible that my mother had given me back in 1950. As I read, I came across a passage that really piqued my interest, St. Matthew 10:38, “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” Being a new Christian, I didn’t know what that meant. So, I kept reading wanting to know what that passage was telling me. Then I came to St. John 12:26, “If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be; if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” The Holy Spirit opened my eyes, and I knew I was to obey God’s teachings and serve Him. That started my path to God’s service. I volunteered to becomes an usher because I felt that was the only thing I could do since I was a baby Christian.

My mountain top experience came in June 1992 when I went to a Promise Keepers conference in Boulder, Colorado. The event was held in the football stadium of the Colorado Buffalos, and there were approximately 35,000 men attending. We sang praises to God and heard inspiring messages for 2 days. That awe-inspiring moment lit a fire in me to go back to Neighborhood and begin searching for a way to serve. I worked in the singles ministry as well as the usher ministry. Eventually I became the Head Usher where I served for 14 years. I was then approached to serve on the Governing Elders Board for a period of time. In 1993, Promise Keepers brought one of their conferences to the Oakland Coliseum where I volunteered in the hospitality area. The next year, the conference returned to the Coliseum and I was chosen to be the event manager, in charge of the entire event as a volunteer which was quite an honor.

In 2005, I had the opportunity to go on 2 short term missions trips with Foot Steps, a missions organization, where I was able to use my gift of administration to help the others do their mission work. I went to Romania to help college students do church repair work and evangelize the local residents of Timisoara as well as a women’s group conduct Vacation Bible School classes in Sibiu. In 2006 I went to Costa Rica as the leader to help our group teach Vacation Bible School classes and witness to the local residents of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, and to do church repair work in San Jose, the capital. In 2009 I had the opportunity to go to Cambodia to use my engineering skills in planning a potential private university site in Kampong Chhnang.

After I retired in 2007, I volunteered to help in the senior adult ministry doing administration work. Eventually I came on staff working in the senior adult ministry and the finance office. I used my construction and administration skills coordinating church activities with the general contractor and the architect for the remodel of the A, B and C classrooms, and the work on the Children’s Ministry Center and the relocation of the Chapel. Several years later, I did the coordination work for the construction of the Connection Center/Café 4 building. As I look back on my life, I can see where God had His hand on me as I developed skills that I would use when I became a believer. My main spiritual gift is administration, and God used that gift in the usher, singles, senior adult, missions ministries and church construction work. My current job title is Missions and Senior Adult Ministry Coordinator.

God brought a wonderful woman, Susan, to be my wife, and together we serve on staff at 3Crosses doing what God has called us to do using our gifts, talents and skills.

Since I became a Christian at age 50, there is always hope for those in your family circle, co-workers and friends no matter how old they are. Keep praying for grandparents, parents, siblings, friends, and co-workers.

In addition to Matthew 10:28 and John 12:26, there are 2 other verses which mean a lot to me. The first is Hebrews 13:5 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” That verse keeps me focused on God rather than my own needs or especially wants. The second is 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now these remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” This verse keeps me focused on others and not myself.

BOB RYAN

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

Bob had been raised in the Southern Baptist Church. He said that he was going with a group of teenagers out to rob a school house. Previously, they had broken into a bakery, and stole some pies. At the time, it was considered a small town back then. Bob was 17 years old, and lived in Lubbock, Texas with his family. This one night, his mom wanted him to go to a tent Revival meeting at church. He was planning on going, and then leaving. His step-father watched him go into the tent meeting. (His step-father had a foot injury, so he was on crutches.) Bob said that he was going to run away, and meet his friends, but his step-father was standing there on his crutches, watching him that he stayed at the tent meeting. That night, Bob heard the gospel message and he went forward and accepted the Lord! His life was completely changed!

One other boy, one of his friends, was caught that night, trying to break into the school house! The judge gave him the choice to go into the Korean War, on the front lines, or go to jail. He later also got saved in the Army. He died a hero's death on the front lines, guarding the other soldiers, and he wiped out a whole squadron of Korean soldiers!! He died with the machine gun in his arms. Some of the others that broke into the school house went to jail.

Bob went on to go to college, and he was ordained in the Southern Baptist Convention as a pastor. He was then drafted into the U.S. Navy, and served in the Korean war as well. He visited the Neighborhood Church's Port O'Call in Oakland. He met his wife, Diane there, who was a Port O' Call hostess. They were married at the Oakland Neighborhood Church by Dr. Jacob Bellig.

Bob went on to teach Sunday school for several years, sang in the church choir, and he enjoyed being a church greeter at the Castro Valley Neighborhood Church.

BRENDA NELSON

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

Humpty Dumpty Sat on a Wall
My first time in a Church, I was 4 years old. My mother, step-father and I were living temporarily with my grandmother in Brooklyn New York. My mother did not go to church, so my grandmother asked her if she could take me. Her and I walked across town to this white steeple Christian church. On the way my grandmother introduced me to the butcher, baker and everyone she knew walking. I never felt so special and loved. When it came time to sing the hymns, and everyone picked up the hymnal book and started singing, I wanted to join them but I didn't know how to read. I said to myself "I will open the book and sing along and no one will know I can't read." I sang all my nursery rhymes as loud as I could. Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall---- Little miss muffet sat on a tuffet--- Baa Baa black sheep have you any wool (ect.). My grandmother let me sing and never asked me to be quiet. I felt so good. When we left the church I said to myself (I want THAT in my life).

The month that we were living with my grandmother she also taught me the Lord's Prayer and also "Now I lay me down to sleep". She would tuck me in at night and sit on my bed and I would say my prayers. After a month we left and moved many times and out of state. I always asked my mother if we could go to church. She said no. I asked her if she would ask a neighbor that went to church, if they would take me. She said Yes and would, wherever we moved.

At age 9, my grandmother sent me a bible and I was thrilled, but I didn't understand reading the King James Version, but said to myself, "someday I will." I searched all my growing up years for a church. I went by myself as a teenager to small churches but no one ever acknowledged that I was there. It was a very lonesome feeling. I married a California man (in fact he was an Oakland Policeman) and had two children, and we were living in Castro Valley in 1974. He asked me what I wanted to do on Mother's Day and I said I want to go to Neighborhood Church, the one with the 3 crosses. We took our young children and went and I prayed that someone would greet us with a smile. Frida Post my first church friend greeted us with a big smile and welcomed us. That was it. My children grew up in the church and me and my husband were active members. He died in 2003. I invited Jesus into my heart along with my husband and children in 1974 when Pastor Bellig was Pastor. We all started immediately in a Sunday school class, and with the excellent Bible teaching at Neighborhood Church, I grew to understand the Bible my grandmother gave to me at 9. My husband and I have had a bible study in our home on Tuesday nights for 30 years, which has continued after my husband's death. The blessing from my grandmother taking me to church and letting me sing "Humpty Dumpty" has lead my whole immediate family, two children, four grandchildren, and six great- grand children to be strong Christians walking with the Lord

BUTCH MONK

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

I was born into a Christian family and regularly attended Havenscourt Colonial church in Oakland. Each Sunday was a family affair with no questions asked, required attendance at church. Church included morning and evening worship along with Sunday school, Jr. church, and weeknight meetings. Each Sunday was thoroughly a church day, with no going outside after church or wearing play clothes. In fact, the only outing allowed after church was to take an afternoon ride with the family and listen to the radio. Such radio entertainment as “Fibber McGee and Molly” or “The Jack Benny show” was considered acceptable listening on the Sunday ride. Throughout the week, our activities were predominantly church-oriented. I participated in the “Sky Pilots” each week where we learned memory verses, worked on model planes, and even had boxing lessons. My parents participated in many church activities from singing in the choir, leading singing in an adult Sunday school class, and cooking for church events. The significance for me in all of this was the development of a church-oriented mindset where all scheduling of activities hinged on what was going on at church.

One Sunday morning, after Junior Church, my two older sisters took me to the missionary guest speaker in order for me to have a personal conversation about what it meant to “give my heart to Jesus”. I am not sure about my motivation for listening to this presentation. Probably it was a mixture of fear and curiosity along with the fact that everybody else was doing it. I usually did what my sisters asked. I also knew that my parents would be happy that I finally “made a decision” to follow Christ. Sitting on the steps to the Jr. Church room, I prayed to accept Christ and started my journey as a follower of Jesus.

Shortly thereafter, my parents decided that it was time to start going to Neighborhood Church of Oakland. Neighborhood offered many more children and youth programs, along with a dynamic music ministry, an evangelistic emphasis both to the local community and the world. Jake Bellig was the pastor. His goal was to reach the Bay area for Christ. Every Sunday night, He and a group of dedicated volunteers presented Illustrated sermons that were named after modern songs. I found each service to be a fascinating combination of Biblical history and contemporary application. It was during one of the services, in high school, that I rededicated myself to truly following Jesus.

I started teaching in the Jr. high school department when I was eighteen years old. Ed Harris Sr. along with his wife provided an atmosphere of strong Biblical teaching and fun outings from ice-skating to trips to Santa Cruz and summer camp. The group kept growing and became a focal point for all my activities just as I had experienced when I was a youngster. The church moved to the Castro Valley location in 1969 and the Jr. high ministry grew even more with the use of the gym each week for Sunday School and break out Sunday School classes, that required movable partitions to be put up in the gym each week.

When Ed asked for someone to coach a girl’s basketball team, Pat Cozzens and I became the coaches. It was during this time, that I realized that Pat was the girl for me. I proposed after one of those basketball practices and we were married in August of 1970. By this time, I was teaching English at St. Felicitas Catholic School. The audience for our wedding was full of students from St. Felicitas and from our Jr. High group at church.

In all of these events, I could see God’s Divine hand of providence working on my behalf. None of the events were accidental or coincidental. God certainly had orchestrated each event from childhood to young adult with His own special purposes in mind. I became the director of the Jr. High department in the mid-seventies and became a part-time staff member in 1975.

In 1972 I left St. Felicitas and moved to Redwood Christian School where I again taught English and eventually became a part of the administrative team. A new campus was opened at Neighborhood Church in September of 1975, and I was named principal. I retired from Redwood Christian schools in 2008. During these years, working at both the church and school, I had many opportunities to see God work in the lives of individuals and families. I have had the privilege of being part of countless programs and ministry opportunities all because God lovingly showed me grace and allowed me to be a means by which His work could be accomplished.

In December of 1990, I began to teach adults for the first time, becoming the teacher of the Challengers’ class. This class has become a major blessing that has led to many other opportunities with adults such as Active Adults on Thursdays. God has blessed Pat and I with an exciting ministry, four children, fifteen grandchildren, and innumerable Christian friends who have been our support system throughout the years. I thank the Lord for the influence of my parents and two Bible-believing churches that consistently taught God’s Word, provided opportunities, and accepted the many bumps in the road along the way.

Some thoughts For The Next Generation:
First of all, I would advise any young believer to make a daily quiet time with the Lord an absolute, consistent priority. In the midst of balancing two jobs and the busyness of life, God has used the daily quiet time, as the means by which He has provided daily guidance and wisdom for larger lifetime decisions.

Secondly, I would advise the young believers of the next generation to make an absolute surrendered effort to organize their lives around Jesus Christ. When decisions are to be made, and relationships developed, it is absolutely essential that one put Christ first and the principles of His Word. Often, we think that the hurried, busy life that the world requires is somehow a sign of influence and status. But, as we commit ourselves to The Lord, we find that making Him the center of life, and slowing down to linger with Him daily in prayer are the keys to success as believers.

Finally, I have learned that strong Christian friends are an absolute joy and necessity for living the Christian life. Having a few, close friends with whom you can share perspectives, problems, and prayer will prove to be just what is needed when one becomes entangled in the difficulties of this world.

KEY SCRIPTURE

• Proverbs 3:5, 6
• Ephesians 4:1, 6
• James 3:17-18

CARL ANDERSON

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

About the time that I was born, my mother dreamt that she had died and tried to gain access into Heaven, but God would not admit her. Based on this experience, she decided to return to church and take her children, too. Consequently, I started attending a Christ-centered church at a young age, and at approximately 9 years of age, I accepted Christ as my Savior.

Now that I am older, this is what I would like to share with the next generation. I firmly believe that prayer and Bible study are integral parts of the Christian life and need to be practiced daily to strengthen one’s faith. Praying allows us to stay close to God and is necessary for confessing sin and obtaining forgiveness. It is an indication that we are relying on God for wisdom and not trying to live the Christian life on our own power, something that is impossible to do. God’s standards are high, and through prayer, we can grow spiritually and take on more of the nature of Jesus Christ. Reading and studying God’s word will also transform our thoughts, words, and deeds to be pleasing to God. His Word is full of guidance that will improve our lives and others’, too. Memorizing Scripture is a worthwhile endeavor as you will have it readily available when facing temptation or life’s challenges. If I neglect prayer and Bible study, my spiritual life suffers. Conversely, beginning the day with reading His Word and prayer gives me comfort and strength.

KEY SCRIPTURE

One of my favorite Bible verses is a commandment given by Christ in Matthew 7:12: “Therefore all things whatsoever that ye would that men would do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.” (King James Version) This instruction sums up how to live according to the Spirit. Jesus is telling us to treat others as we would want them to treat us. By following His own example, we will improve our relationships with others and possibly give them hope.

CINDY VIADA

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

When I was 21 years old, in 1983, my mother became very ill. She was in a coma as she was in a hospital. I said, “God if you are real, take my mother home”. Fifteen or so minutes late God answered my prayer. One year later, in December 1984, I came to 3 Crosses to see a Christmas performance. At the end of it the pastor asked if anyone wanted to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, so I raised my hand and went to the prayer room. One of the interns or pastors sat with me and read the 4 Spiritual Laws to me and that was when I asked Jesus into my heart.

As my walk with the Lord became stronger, and my faith also, I’m able to do a lot for God now because I listen more and read Scripture. God’s love is so strong I can tune in to Him more each day, and through His Holy Spirit, He has shown me more of who He is. When I was younger in my faith, I was not really understanding who God was. Now, 30 years later, my faith has grown. With people praying for me, God moved me to a better place to live. Now I am obeying God and helping more people at church; I’m now on the first-aid team. I know God can help anyone who wants to receive His son Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

He is a loving God, always caring, and is always here. He is also a healing God who gives you serenity everyday. He will never leave you nor forsake you. When you have Jesus in your life, you are never truly alone even when it seems so. But no one can take you from God’s hands, nor can you get out of His hands. God loves you no matter who you are or what your background.

You also are joining a really big family when you become a Christian. But it is not an easy road. There are many trails, tribulations, and mountains and valleys but also you will have eternal life and be with Jesus in Heaven; forever no more crying, no more pain, and no more death. Jesus wants everyone to be saved; come join His family for Jesus will give you a real peace, not man’s peace, but God’s peace. His arms are open wide for all to come to Him.

KEY SCRIPTURE

My favorite Bible verse is from Psalm 23.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want”.
This is one of my favorite scriptures because God gives me what I need all the time. I do not need to worry about anything at all, He always provides for all my needs…..daily! I pray daily and God covers my needs.

FERN WALLACE

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

We attended a family reunion on my mother’s side in Wisconsin. I was seven years old at the time. I was reared in a Christian home and attended Sunday School and children’s church. I had heard about the way to heaven, but never made the decision to receive Christ into my heart.

One night I was overcome with a dreadful feeling of dying and going to hell as I wasn’t ready for heaven. I wanted my mother to pray for me, but was prevented from waking her up by my cousin. She sat me up on the ironing board she was using and gave me a lemon to suck on. She said I could go quietly in their bedroom and check to see if she was awake. I knelt before my mother and listened to her breathing in and out and quite deep in sleep, so I was afraid to rouse her at all.

When I awakened the next morning that awful dread had passed so I never told my mother of my experience as I had not died and passed it off as a strange experience.

At the age of ten, I heard two visiting missionaries who spoke in church. They ended it by singing “I’ll Live On.” I knew that I would not “live on” until I made things right with God. I went forward to the altar kneeling down to repent in tears and receiving an overwhelming gift of peace and wanted to share the good news of salvation and forgiveness with everyone. Of course, I shared that experience with my mother.

I like to say that sucking on a lemon will not take your sins away, but the precious blood of Jesus definitely will. All you have to do is ask.

FRED PORTER

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

THIS STORY begins in Pontiac, Michigan.  I was born in 1942 into a marriage that lasted about one and a half years following my birth.  My biological father loved someone more than my mother so they were divorced in 1943.  In the summer of 1944, when I was two, my mother and grandparents packed their belongings and moved to Los Angeles to avoid a custody suit brought by my father in Michigan.  In those days he had no jurisdiction in California.

My mother and grandparents were Methodists although they did not attend church on a regular basis, but they saw to it that I attended Sunday school at local churches or community centers whenever possible.  Although I was taught many bible stories and knew about God, I did not know the God of the bible, but even then I felt God’s hand on my life.

In 1949 my mother married a man attending the Los Angeles Police academy.  During that first year he decided to leave the academy and join the Army to become a Military Police officer.  Following the completion of his training in 1950, the Army stationed us in Oakland, California where we lived in the projects until 1954.  Later that year we were assigned to Munich, Germany for one-year tour of duty where I once again attended a Sunday school on the Military Base.

In late 1955 we returned to the United States where my father was once again stationed in Oakland. Following our return my parents bought a home in San Lorenzo so that I could attend Arroyo High School and finally have permanent roots.  All of this led me to a friendship that became my introduction to a life of faith.

My mother found a job working at a local bank.  There she worked with a woman whose son was also attending Arroyo High School and was in the same grade. She told me about this woman and her son and asked me to introduce myself to him (Steve) and perhaps strike up a friendship.  Little did I know that this was an appointment set up by the Lord.

Shortly after Steve and I became friends, he asked me if I wanted to attend a boy’s club at his church in Oakland where they did crafts and other activities which sounded fun, so I accepted.  That was my introduction to The Neighborhood Church.  I enjoyed myself so much that I began attending the Junior Hight group on Sundays and eventually signed up for Junior High camp at Mt. Hermon that the following summer.  It was at that Jr. High camp that I came to realize that God’s grace pursued my heart and I committed my life to serving Him.

I became involved in (Omega) High School leadership, later in the college group, and finally, I became involved in adult ministries.  In 1958 I met my future wife and we were married in 1964 by former pastor Dr. Jacob Bellig.

After High School, I decided I needed to extend my education so I enrolled at the College of San Mateo.  After the first semester, I found that I wasn’t ready for the college experience.  I also realized that I was vulnerable for the draft.  Many of the young men I knew were being drafted into the Army and my being an Army kid, I knew I didn’t want to wind up in the regular Army.  A friend at church suggested I consider the California National Guard where I could serve and still stay at home and work and accomplish my goals which were yet to be determined.  So, I joined in 1961 and did my basic training and returned home to complete my obligation for the following nine years.  My service was completed in 1969.

Following our marriage in 1964 we had three sons over the next 10 years. Our marriage lasted 49 years until her death in 2014.  We raised our sons in the church and then, like it happens in many families, our sons were seduced by the music culture.

 Early in 2003 we discovered our youngest son had become a heroin addict.  He was arrested and placed in the court system.  He was convicted of using illegal drugs and sentenced to 6 months time in jail.  With God’s help and our love, he overcame his addiction. Today this amazing young man is an English Teacher teaching the English language to German students in Frankfurt, Germany. 

Our middle son got his education in Architecture and has become a successful designer and businessman here in the Bay Area. He has a beautiful family with three children and is giving them a multi-cultural education both here and in Mexico where they were born. 

In early 2008 our oldest son, having become a professional rock musician, and who for 15 years had toured with a major rock band and traveled both nationally and internationally, quit the band life. We saw that he was depressed and exhausted and needed help, so we volunteered our home to him at Lake Tahoe.  I thought this would help him find himself and restart his life.  However, I didn’t realize that this somehow only deepened his depression and sense of isolation.  I had started going to Lake Tahoe a couple time a month to spend time with him and attend church with him.  I felt he was making progress.  However, in June of 2010 while going to spend the weekend with him we discovered his body.  He has committed suicide.  Even today, I cannot reconcile his death because as his father it feels that I should have noticed the warning signs.  But I believe God knew his heart and brought him home.  (Isaiah 57:1-2) That alone in my consolation.

In 1975 I decided to start my own business as a Painting Contractor.  I became successful and felt I could be equally successful as a builder so 1982 I bought a large piece of property for a subdivision.  I had to overcome many obstacles on the project which also involved a law suit over the fraudulent sale of the property.  After more than a year I was not able to continue the suit and forced to surrender the property and file for bankruptcy.   This was a desperate time for our family as I had invested everything in this project.  We eventually lost our home and savings and needed God’s help.  Almost immediately our friend who was a real estate agent found us a rental home where we were able to live for the next 11 years.

For 10 years I struggled to get us back on our feet financially and continued to pray that God would provide relief from this struggle.  In 1992 I was recruited by a friend to join the maintenance staff at Macy’s department stores.  I was able to close down my contracting business and find financial security.  During the following 4 years I was able to prove my skills and expertise to my superiors and was promoted to Senior Executive of our division.  This completely changed my trajectory and opened new doors. After 8 years I left my employment at Macy’s and joined an project management company where I became a construction manager for Target Stores.

Looking back, I can clearly see God’s hand in all of this.  Although my eagerness put my family at risk, God was able to both teach me new skills and point me toward a career change that proved to be successful for our family.  Never rule out God no matter how desperate you feel.  He has a plan and you can trust Him to carry it out.

God also opened the door to ministry for me early on in my life.  In 1959 I joined the choir and the Sunday evening group called The Choralaires where I served for 18 years.  God’s hand was guiding me and opening doors for future ministry. During the years I served in The Choralaires, I became a member of a quartet which was very popular and performed regularly on Sunday nights during the musical portion of the Sunday evening program.

In 1975 our Quarter performed at the Bay Area Sunday School Convention.  We were only the opening group for the main concert that evening which was the Covenant Four Quartet who were based out of San Francisco.  I remember meeting these men and hearing about their travels and ministry and wishing that I could join a professional ministry like these men and use my musical talents on a broader scale. 

Surprise!!  In 1978 the Lord answered the desire of my heart and I was contacted by a friend who was a composer and producer for the Covenant Four Quartet. He asked me to audition for the Quartet.  Although I had been doing vocals for a local recording studio, my concern was that I might not be talented enough for such an amazing ministry.  But the Lord knew what He had invested in me and provided this opportunity.  At the audition I was accepted and asked to join.  For the next 35 years I sang with the Quartet.  There was traveling, recording 15 albums, radio and TV, and performing all over the western and central United States and Alaska. It was a wonderful period in my life and as the word tells us it was “beyond all that we desire or even think”.

Up to this point I have described how I came to discover and accept God’s work of grace and redemption in my life and the blessings I have experienced through that grace.  But my life has had its tragedy and pain.  God has not promised us an easy life. In fact, most of us who reach our age have discovered that life can be very difficult.  But God has promised to be with us and be our delight (Prov. 3:5-6,)

Following my wife’s death in 2014, my sons who were concerned about my state of mind, suggested I call on one of our friends with whom we had been close for over 40 years.  She was widowed having lost her husband a decade before and my wife and I had stayed close to her through all of the following years.  My sons saw that I needed companionship beyond what they could provide.  Here again God had a plan for my future. So, I called her and suggested we have lunch as friends.  That friendship continued and grow into a love that brought us both together to form the miraculous marriage we have today.  Pat is the miracle of my life and I wake up every morning and thank God for her love, grace, and beautiful spirit.  God completes our lives through his wonderful gifts.  We have been married for four and a half years and counting.  Every new day in a miracle.

In my life I’ve suffered business failures and successes.  Many things have interacted in my life at any one time.  I’ve lost a child and family members and through all of this He has loved me and been my comfort.  As I look back over my 78 years, I can see His hand in all of it. God knows our hearts and the Psalms tell us that he has planned every day of our lives before we were born.  He knows the hardships and victories and provides his love and care through all of it. The one consistent in my life had been the hand of God. I have lived a full life and a rich life and with whatever days remain, I will serve him till the end. 

In conclusion, no matter where you are in your life, no matter your age or financial situation or other hardships, God knows all of it and has a plan to see you through to eternity.  God uses everything in our lives to bring glory to himself.  All he needs is our trust and faithfulness.   Stay close to Him and trust in Him and he will be your delight. 

KEY SCRIPTURE

• Prov. 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
• Isaiah 57:1-2, "The righteous perish, and no one ponders it in his heart; devout men are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death."

HELENE GRANATH

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

How I became a Christian: I saw the change in a person’s life when I was 22 years old and I knew I wanted that in my life also. I was raised Catholic so I have some understanding of God but I did not have a personal relationship with Him. I did not know you needed to invite Jesus into your life in order to become a child of God. So when I found out that is what was needed, I did it. Ps 40:3b Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.

KEY SCRIPTURE

2 Chronicles 20:6-12 "O Lord God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? (v. 7) O our God, did you not … (v12) O our God, will you not…for we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

It’s a great reminder that God is the creator of the universe (v6) and that He is in control (v7). God will help you as he has done in the past. (v12) God is there for your needs in the “here and now” to help you. There are insurmountable problems we all face and we don’t know what to do, but if you lay the problem on Jesus, He will guide you.

What is a scripture that has special meaning for you? One of my favorite scriptures is Psalm 103: 1-6 Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Who forgives all thine iniquities, who heals all thy diseases, Who redeems my life from destruction, Who crowns thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like eagles. The Lord executes righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

The reason I chose this is because it tells us how to be saved and the benefits. You go to the Lord (v2) your sins need to be forgiven and you are healed spiritually as well as sometimes physically (v3) you were headed to hell before and now you have been given access to heaven and God’s lovingkindness and mercy while here on earth (v4) The Lord satisfies your daily needs and gives you strength for daily activity (v5) We are declared righteous in God’s sight through the blood of Jesus (v6) It goes from the moment you are saved till you go to the grave. God is with you.

JEAN MORROW

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

God has been incredibly good to me. It all began on July 26, 1939, when He brought me into an amazing Christian Family. My dad, Howard Critchfield, had been an Assembly of God (AG) traveling evangelist who had to find work during the depression years to provide for his family of now four. He took a job teaching at Monte Vista Christian School in Watsonville, and my mom, Laura, stayed home with my older sister, Anita, and me.

When World War II broke out everyone plunged into war work. We moved to the Bay Area so Dad could go to work at the Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, building Victory Ships. We landed at his friend Irving Ford’s place in Oakland, where Dad helped milk the cow and assisted in Reverend Ford’s church.

In 1947 my parents decided to check out the new church they had watched being built on MacArthur Boulevard in Oakland: the Oakland Neighborhood Church. To Dad’s delight, his old AG friend, David Von Rotz, was playing the organ. While we had always attended Assembly of God churches, Dad commented “If it is good enough for Dave, it is good enough for me!”, and we made the move to Neighborhood, primarily for the excellent youth programming.

I recall the powerful pull of the Holy Spirit on my young, pre-teen life. In the late 40s we attended the evangelist faith-healing tent meetings of Oral Roberts in Alameda, where I went to the prayer tent and prayed to receive Christ. Then when Jacob Bellig became pastor in 1954, I went to the prayer room and counseled with Charlotte Bellig, where I made a more mature reconfirmation of my faith. Charlotte told me to read the Bible each day in the New Testament, which I began doing. I was off to a good start! 

When I was in high school the church began the annual Kick-Off Rallies in the fall at the beginning of football season. They were a very popular event among high schoolers, drawing big crowds. I was very active in the Omega ministry at that time, serving as president during my senior year. The church was my life! I played in the orchestra and then sang in the Choralaires. 

In 1957 I moved to Berkeley to start college at U.C. I would say today that the devil works overtime on college kids, trying to derail their faith. It was my goal to be a missionary – a Wycliffe Bible Translator. Neighborhood Church sent me to Mexico during the summer between my sophomore and junior years to stay with a Wycliffe family, learn about missionary life, and bring back a report. I was excited and switched my college focus from my major in psychology, to linguistics. But things got “fuzzy” for my faith and future as I mentally wrestled with the teachings of my atheistic professors, especially in psychology and anthropology.  I began questioning my faith.  I thought unbelievers “had more fun”. I wanted in on that fun, and I made some really bad choices. And I had a boyfriend.  Missionary work just wasn’t going to blend in with what I wanted for my life. I wanted to marry Ray and stay home. Ray lived a very exciting life of symphonies, operas, and world travel. While he was a Christian, there was no missionary future for him. Somehow I ended up throwing out my faith with my missionary ambition and married Ray.  

While I gave up on God for awhile, He never gave up on me. Oh, I continued to attend church, Ray saw to that. But I was confused and skeptical. I considered myself to be an “intellectual agnostic”. In fact, I had chosen to disbelieve because it was convenient. I had been tricked and duped by Satan.

Ray took a job in Colombia, South America, in 1969, where we lived for two years. While there I completed my Ph.D. thesis, writing a grammar of the Car Nicobarese language (spoken on the island of Car Nicobar, annexed to India. I had visited India twice to do research, and while I was there, I had the amazing privilege of a personal sit-down meeting with Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India.) 

Upon our return to California, we moved in with Ray’s parents. While it was home to Ray, it was suffocating to me! To get out, I quickly got a real estate license and went to work in my dad’s (then vacant) real estate office in Castro Valley. I loved selling real estate – it was so practical and down to earth – not acerbic and aimless as I considered college teaching to be (I had taught briefly – even having California governor Jerry Brown as one of my students!). 

Early in my sales experience a woman from Neighborhood Church - Elaine - contacted me about relocating. Elaine and her husband had four children (I had none and that was just fine) and she had a very visible faith in God. She prayed about everything. At that point, I had a gnawing emptiness in my soul and a longing for something more. I had turned away from God. Ray and I had travelled until I was tired and I could have anything I wanted, but nothing could satisfy me. Elaine was such a contrast. She hadn’t been anywhere and had to struggle to figure out how they would buy the house, but she exuded contentment and joy. I wanted what she had! On inquiry I learned that she attended a weekly Bible study which she said was just wonderful and gave her strength. She offered to pick me up and take me. I asked her where it was and told her I would be there! And I was – the very next meeting!

I will never forget that day, April 23, 1972. When I arrived – late, as was my style – there were probably 300 women on their feet singing joyously. My heart surged with the feeling that I was coming home – that this was what was missing in my life and here I would get back on track with God. And I was right.  I was assigned to a small group led by Jonette Richardson. Their group was having a luncheon after class in the home of one of the women; they urged me to attend. Meanwhile, after the small group the big group reassembled in the main hall of the church (First Pres, Hayward) and, after singing a song, we listened to a forty minute lecture explaining the lesson the ladies had just discussed in the small group. After the lecture I found the house where the luncheon was being held and enjoyed a kind of fellowship that I had never known. It was simply wonderful. I reaffirmed my faith that day. 

One of the things the lecturer, Sandy Blackmun, said was, “If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.”  John 7:17.  Hearing this verse made me realize that my lack of faith was not resultant from lack of evidence. It was due to a lack of will on my part to obey. I realized it was also due to my pride and willfulness, a desire to be my own master and not be answerable to anyone. I had determined that God was not knowable because He could not be found through the scientific method, and I considered myself to be a scientist. But when I humbled myself and said “yes” to God, that I would obey Him, He revealed to me that He was much greater than my mere, finite mind could dissect and analyze and “find”. He will be found by those who seek Him in truth with a humble, willing heart. (Jeremiah 29:14) To those, He will reveal Himself. He revealed Himself to me. Salvation is a gift – even the ability to find God is a gift from Him. I am forever grateful for His grace to me.

God put a song in my heart that day, and He definitely “Keeps Me Singing”. Since then, life has been good: walking with Jesus every day, reading His Word, fellowshipping with His people. I can’t imagine a better life than I have had. And I owe it all to Him. 

Since coming back into fellowship with Jesus it has been my desire to get the word out about His great salvation. Through the years God has given me many wonderful opportunities to serve Him, among them:

• Calling on visitors to the church to make them welcome
• Beginning and coordinating a bus ministry to pick up children for Sunday school
• Going door-to-door in Castro Valley inviting people to attend the church
• Playing trumpet in the church orchestra
• Leading small group Bible studies for over forty years
• Beginning and coordinating a guest reception ministry on Sundays in the church
• Serving as Bay Area Women’s coordinator for the 1996 Billy Graham Crusade
• Joining and serving with the Auxiliary of the Gideons International, which continues to be a wonderful motivator and enabler to sharing my faith
• Working these past few years as an online missionary with Global Media Outreach, through which I have worked with 672 people throughout the world to date

To those who know Christ, I would say God has not called us to sit and stew. We are to “occupy until He comes” Luke 19;13. We are never too old to serve the Lord.

To those who think they “don’t need God” I would say I found it was possible to have a fairly good life apart from God. But when I allowed Christ into my life I became dramatically more contented and full of joy. The emptiness was gone. And on top of that, I have assurance of eternal life. This is life at its best!

To those who say they can’t find God or don’t know if there is a God, I would say “Yield!”  Humble yourself, and yield as much of yourself to God to as much of God as you can understand. Ask Him to reveal Himself to you, and tell Him – and yourself - you will believe and obey Him when He does. And He will reveal Himself to you.

To everyone, I would say God is good! He is “what” makes life worth living. Take Him as your own Lord and Savior!

JENI LAMBEL

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

I have been a believer nearly all my life but back in 2005 something went wrong. My husband of 30 years passed away to be with our Lord. I had already experienced the pain of my dear father’s passing a year earlier. I was not prepared for either of the two most important men in my life to join our Lord.

A friend suggested a glass of wine would help me sleep. Long story short…one glass turned into a bottle then a box. Over the next ten years, I found myself drunk 3-4 nights out of every week. I kept a good job but many mornings I went to work hungover, if not a little buzzed.

Time after time I prayed to my God to help me stop drinking. I thought He wasn’t listening. I remained a “good Christian” attending church and praying every night for His help. It didn’t come.

A doctor I was seeing asked on many occasions, “when do you think you will stop drinking?” or “don’t you think it is time to stop drinking?”. Well, this just went in one ear and out the other for years. Until one day he asked his usual question and it was the “last straw”. I said to him, “sure, how about now?” He picked up a phone and called CDRP at Kaiser (Chemical Dependence Recovery Program). At the same time, I was advised(required) to join AA.

In AA they asked me to “get” a Higher Power.  Well, I already had my Lord, and He wasn’t doing much to help me. But I played along with the commitment I had made to my doctor and myself. Well, week after week went by and I wasn’t drinking. Then weeks turned into months and months into years. Today I have been clean and sober for five years and counting.

Somewhere in the last five years, I realized God wasn’t ignoring my pleas, he was waiting for me to work with Him and not to expect Him to work another miracle and take this ailment from me.

He was with me the entire time. He just knew it had to be my decision to help myself. My requests, although I thought sincere, were really empty. When I decided to work with God, He helped me.

How many times throughout my Christian life have I asked God for something, sat back, and expected Him to take care of it?!

Now I understand what it means “with God’s help I can do almost anything”, with God’s help.

JOSEPHINE WONG

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

I grew up in an atheistic home. But my father who was an Asian American soldier and fought in WWII in Europe, encouraged us, 4 kids, to attend church to become "good". Easter 1966 I chose to follow our Lord Who found me and loved me first. Here is what I recalled how my salvation came to be: 

I had a high school classmate (whom I will call "Hannah" here) who one day said something odd sounding to me. In discussing our upcoming Latin exam, Hannah said, "I believe in prayer."

Instead of writing her off, I listened. I was curious why Hannah would believe in an invisible God. Hannah invited me to her Friday night college/high school fellowship, "Souls for Christ Fellowship (SFC)" in Oakland. I accepted her invitation as a way for me to have something to do Friday nights. There was laughter, Singspiration, creative skits and BIBLE STUDY, and sincere sounding Prayer. It was my first exposure to young believers. I wondered why they seemed so happy and sincere in their faith. I listened and observed. I attended for months.

And then I got scared and quit coming Friday nights. I knew that I wasn't one of them.  This troubled me.

But Hannah remained my friend and invited me to join her at a 3-day Spring retreat at Redwood Alliance woods. By a church scholarship gift, I went, but by the 2nd evening, I decided not to participate in that night's campfire. I still could not "see" and understand God like them. This troubled me.

That evening, I skipped dinner and before I fell asleep in my lonely bungalow, I found myself asking God to show Himself. With a sad heart, I fell asleep in the darkness and stillness of the bungalow.

The next thing that happened is hard for me to explain. The bungalow light suddenly flashed opened awakening me from my slumber. Individuals were returning from the campfire. One of the girls threw herself on her bed sobbing and crying out, "I'm no good. No good! I failed Him." Other girls surrounded her giving words of comfort.

It was what she blurted out and her grief for being useless, that my heart finally understood that there was a Loving Father God Who loved me for being "NO GOOD. NO GOOD!". I can't explain it but on that Easter 1966, I became an authentic Christ-follower. I became born-again (John 1:12).  I loved Him then, I love Him now and His WORD is precious to me. For once I was blind but now I see.

By God's grace, I have served our Lord in many different ways as He's provided me service opportunities. My heart is to "GO! GO! GO and tell others!" I've been told that I'm Evangelistic. I can't help myself! I've had opportunities to serve in various capacities in the church, serve as a facilitator for 17 years in BSF, and recently in Griefshare. I am called now to pray for my children and grandchildren, for my family members, for my neighborhood, for those missionaries who serve sacrificially. Presently I'm called to serve my husband who is learning to manage his partial blindness with the help of the Society for the Blind.

He has granted me a loving family with my children also following our Lord. My parents, my brothers, many of my friends have become Christians because God has emboldened me then and now to share how REAL God is. By His Spirit, I live on this side of the River telling others of Him being real and I look forward to being in the Presence of Our Heavenly King. For those who have gone before me to enjoy His presence, I just think, "What a wonderful reunion that will be!"

KEY SCRIPTURE

• Galatians 5:16 says, “So I say, live by the Holy Spirit’s power. Then you will not do what your sinful nature wants you to do.”
• Galatians 4 speaks of the struggle Paul saw between those of the law and those of Spirit. Just as twins Esau (flesh) and Jacob (God's promise) struggled in the womb, I struggle in my weakness yet in Christ.  
• "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13)

Dear Heavenly Father,

Thank You for Paul's warning not to be swayed by the flesh and stay with old comfortable habits. Thank You that even though Paul could have thrown in the towel, he kept on course and completed his race. Thank You that I understand You in Your Word now.

Thank You that I can hope in the reality of a Kingdom that I will soon become a part of. Help me not throw in the towel. Help me stay the course. Help me complete the race that You set before me. Help me rely on Christ alone to guide my thoughts. Give me Your Peace I boldly ask in Jesus Precious and Holy Name. Amen.

KAREN LEONG

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

I became a Christian when introduced to church in Junior High.  My parents belonged to a group called The Lucky 12.  It consisted of 12 couples. 1 couple hosted each month. The purpose was to get together for fun games of Mah Jongg for the wives and Poker for the husbands. Some couples brought their families with them. They would mingle on their own. I was one of them and there was another girl my age that went to church. Her dad and my dad had conversations about going to church since his daughter was attending one. My dad thought it was a good idea even though he never went. He thought it would be a good place for me to socialize.

My parents arranged a sleep-over at the other girls’ house and the next morning, her dad would bring me to church with his daughter. She introduced me around the small, apartment-like church and I saw another friend and a cousin I had known. I went a couple of times. So, one night when a Lucky 12 party was at our house, the other girl brought a tract to share with me. We sat on the side of the bed and read the tract together. That was when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour. 

My parents never attended church. They worked and attended those parties. We just co-existed in the same house and every once in a while, I could talk with my dad. He would stop what he was doing and just listen.  I was well-provided for. My mom and dad made sure of that.

That small church was very friendly. They had weekly clubs for Elementary all the way to College. The children always had guidance through their teaching and events. I had no social problems. There was always something to chat about to someone. And the church provided the transportation with the many vans they purchased. While growing up dealing with all the worldly challenges, I had a group that centered on the Lord. The clubs had annual gender-based meetings also. Meetings where the boys and girls met separately to talk about anything the kids wanted to regarding growing up. I didn’t have to worry about peer pressure, drugs, joining a gang. I had a Lord-centered group. Church was the most positive thing in my life. 

Was it church or was it the Lord Himself that keeps me coming back?  I believe it was those who the Lord touched to serve Him in capacities of club sponsors, drivers, counselors, pastors, various club speakers. 

I found out about a God who cares, among thousands of people, about me. A God who cares about my identity in Him, my confidence in Him, my attitudes, my actions -- that they would reflect His goodness and love, which is beyond what the world could give me.  

My God has other attributes that attract me to Him. Not only is He good, gracious, and loving when the world isn’t, He is glorious, holy, merciful, just, faithful even when I am not. He is self-sufficient—it is only because of His love I can have eternal life, not anything I’ve done in my life. He is wise beyond all human thinking, all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere— there isn’t any place He is not there. 

All I had to do was to say to Him, I believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. That He died on the cross to pay for my sin. And ask Him to come into my life. 

I would like to share with my children and grandchildren--to search for God. Find Him and His Son Jesus and join a God-honoring group/ a community of believers that studies the Bible and helps you grow through life’s circumstances. And if your church provides, find a Mentor- someone who is impartial and mature in the Lord. A person who you can spend time with. This provides the opportunity to share about things you struggle with.

A favorite song: Waymaker. This song describes the character of God. Life is not always pleasant. When that happens, focus on the song. You will find peace.

KEY SCRIPTURE

• Eph 1:3-14 describes our identity in Christ. In the world, you will get huge amounts of criticism and teasing from others. You will get many self-judgements from yourself. Some of these can be harmful to a healthy self. Many are lies the world has taught you to believe about yourself. Now, look at what Christ tells about you. Those are true! That’s God saving you from harmful thoughts.
• Eph 3:14-21 describes God’s riches, strength, love. God is vast. God is more than what we humans can ever imagine. 

A wish to anyone who reads this, may you find strength, peace, hope, and a relationship with Jesus Christ.

MARJORIE JOHNSON

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

Until the age of 8 years old I lived on a peach ranch with my parents, as the oldest of 3 girls, I was very happy and secure in my role at home and at school, liked and accepted by all of my classmates. Then suddenly we were forced to move to Modesto from the ranch because of a dispute between my Father and his Dad, who owned the ranch. The bottom fell out of my world. I changed from being self- confident to very shy and insecure, not knowing my new classmates and not feeling accepted by them. As I look back on that time now, I can see the Lord’s hand in this. Being in town now, my sisters and I were able to freely attend church, not dependent on being driven into town. We would walk, roller skate, or ride our bikes on Sunday mornings, while our mom stayed home on her only day off to do the laundry and the inevitable ironing. I have such treasured memories of accepting Christ at the age of eleven at an altar call. My younger sister Sharon and I went forward, faced the congregation, and repeated the words after the pastor, accepting Jesus as my personal Savior.

My salvation experience was glorious and I wanted to sing praises and write poetry expressing my love for Jesus. But due to tension in the family with my Dad’s alcoholism, my insecurities never diminished.
At the age of 15, I became involved in a relationship with my future husband Harold. “Hal was very controlling, which contributed to our marriage when I was 16, between my Jr. and Sr. year of High School. I did graduate from high school in 1955, while my husband was sent to Japan with the Marine Corp. After graduation, I joined Hal at his various assignments as a military wife. I was able to join him when he was shipped off to Italy for 3 years. The experience of living abroad added an extra dimension to our lives. In 1963, we returned Stateside with a 4-month-old baby, Eric, and a 1959 Maserati 3500 GT Coup. The Maserati had significance due -to -the- fact that it opened the door to what would become the primary source of income and focus for our growing family. In 1965 our daughter Liz was born in Modesto. Then in 1968 Hal and I established our foreign car repair business in San Leandro (which still exists to this day now owned and operated by Eric). In 1969, our son Christopher (CJ) was born in Hayward. One of our family’s greatest difficulties stemmed from Hal’s excessive drinking. He was also fiercely jealous of anything or anyone who would possibly take my time and attention away from him. He especially had a great hostility toward my relationship to the Lord, and wouldn’t allow the Bible to be visible or even to be read in his presence. I took our children to church over his objections and attended Bible Study Fellowship for a number of years until I started working full time at the family business. During this time my relationship with Christ, my church attendance, and my long-distance calls to my mother strengthened me.

My life’s verse is Romans 8:28 which says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” This verse was such a comfort and held me together through some very rough times.

Over time, Hal softened somewhat in his objections to my faith. In 1979, Hal was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol with an added charge of assault with a deadly weapon. That night, after bailing him out of jail, I was able to persuade him to read a booklet called “The 4 Spiritual Laws”. I pray that he truly meant the words that he repeated. His life didn’t ever reflect a great change, although he did attend Challenger’s Sunday school with Glenn Schaeffer for quite a few years. In 2005 he chose to be baptized and was baptized by our son CJ, who was a pastor.

Hal passed away 5 years ago (2015) with dementia, leaving behind 3 children, 15 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. I am so richly blessed by my family.

At the age of 82, looking back on my long life I have such a strong feeling of gratitude to my Savior for all of my blessings. Watching my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow and learn from their trials, mistakes, and successes shows just how important it is to make wise choices.

Walking with Jesus has been the source of my strength. My prayer for my beloved family is that each one will reach out to Him through prayer and studying His precious word.

MARTHA CAVILLO JUSLIN

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

I am one of 6 children, the only girl among 5 brothers. I had a very dysfunctional upbringing. As a result, I grew up always feeling unloved, rejected, abused, and emotionally and spiritually neglected. This is how my mind was set from the very beginning. 

      I know now that parents cannot give to their children what they themselves do not possess but I didn't know that then and I was hurt and angry with the dynamics of my family. So, there I am, with a label and message in my head that I was there to serve and clean and endure whatever the males desired. Unfortunately, starting with my father, drinking alcohol was the focus for fun. With the drinking came dad's sketchy friends. They would come to our home unannounced and steal all the family time. This was allowed because my parents didn't want, or know how, to say no! No to unwanted company, no to allowing our home to be the hangout. So, as a result, the streets were where the kids lived; South of Market, San Francisco between 6th and 7th streets.

I was dominated by fear, surrounded by drunks, pedifiles, addicts, and abused women and families. Before I was out of elementary school I was already sniffing glue, smoking and drinking a little alcohol. Molestation began at age 8 until age 14 when my family finally moved.

By the time I'd graduated from High School I had already been beaten repeatedly by a drunk father, ridiculed by family and close family friends, and ignored and frowned upon by my mother. Looking for anyone to pay attention I cried out to God  "Don't you see me?"

Fast forward.....my only boyfriend in high school was mentally, physically, and sexually abusive. I was so insecure and had no self-worth. I moved to Texas to get away from him. Still, looking for love and peace, I married a man from Texas, thinking he'd be everything different than my culture and upbringing and we'd find a better way of living. Nope, he too was broken and unfaithful, so, I moved back to San Francisco. Then, another man pays attention to me and there I go again, actually believing we were gonna show this world and our families how happiness is done. Wrong again. He was just another broken individual, but this time we had started attending church and had the church to help right??? Wrong! who wants to get their lives involved with such toxicity and dysfunction? No One!! Unfortunately, I learned that attending church doesn’t just fix everything and other Christians, and even leaders, are not always equipped or available, and let’s face it, sometimes even willing to get involved in another person’s problems.

Nonetheless, I committed to trying to fit in, trying to learn to "Let go and let God" but still it seemed that no one was willing to become "our church family" or to take us under their wings and light the way. I searched for counseling for us, but my husband only gave lip service with no real intention of implementing change.

Then in 2013, I heard God's call to me! I was lying on the floor, curled up from crying, and God said " Stop arguing with him, you are participating in more sin that way. Be still and know that I Am God, and go enjoy your day and tell everyone what I've done for you."

I began to trust in God alone! I moved away from defeat and hostility and also received spiritual counseling. I removed myself from the toxicity and joined the 3 crosses choir and began a new life of worship and praise in the midst of my turmoil. Now I know that God is my only hope and has lifted my head and given me peace that passes understanding. He has freed me of the life I once lived, a life apart from Him, and now I have a new and joyful life walking with Him daily.

God told me to live.... and to leave my family in His hands. As for me, I needed to get away in order to heal and recover and discover what God has intended for me in this life from the beginning. So for now, I am on the Potter's wheel, loving the transformation, from old to new, His wonderful work in progress. God will get- and has- all the glory.

For the next generation
As I finish my testimony, I know that God wants my story to speak to the next generation. So, I say... Look for God first and foremost, because he's looking for you! He has a beautiful life in store even with troubles and heartaches. He knows what's best. He made you. Trust his Living Word and the people who have been transformed by it. Don't waste time going your own way, hurting yourself and others along the way because you think you need to be in control and grown up. No, we are always children of God. stay dependent on Him and His ways, like a child, and know God is our perfect parent, who will always be there, guiding and filling life with His great adventure and fullness. You will never be alone. The other thing I want to say is that in my old life, I started out a victim of my feelings and as an alien and stranger among my family. But thanks be to God!! In my new life I am a victor in Christ alone and can trust the feelings of the Holy Spirit to be a saved stranger, alien, and pilgrim looking for a " New City" and "Eternal Home". Now I am confident in the journey and in what His Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control will create in me for His glory.  

KEY SCRIPTURE

Romans 8:2 "For the law of the Spirit of Life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. "

Ephesians 1:4 "For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. "

Psalm 29:11 "The Lord will give strength to his people, the Lord will bless his people with peace. "

1 Peter:2:9 "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light "

Psalm 25:4-5 "Show me your ways O LORD, teach me your paths, guide me in your truths and teach me. For you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all the day long "

MARTY BARNIKEL

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

I was born in Oklahoma but grew up in Santa Rosa, California, one of 4 children.  Mom and Dad were both teachers—Dad in high school and Mom in grammar school.

My parents were Christians, and involved members of the Santa Rosa Methodist Church.  So all four of us kids attended church.  Even though active in the Sunday schools and Methodist Youth Fellowship, I didn’t really hear the gospel preached until my late 30’s.  In the meanwhile, I had lived an undirected life in which I made poor life decisions, such as marrying at the age of 22 without giving it much thought and four years later getting pregnant, which wasn’t in my husband’s plans.   That marriage ended in divorce by the time my son was 1 year old. 

Five years later, I married a man who lived in Washington State and we began attending a church that preached the gospel and had altar calls after each service.

It was at this church that I was baptized and became a member.  However, even though I had confessed Jesus as my Lord and Savior, I had no idea of what that really meant.  As a result, operating under my own power, I enthusiastically proceeded to volunteer for any and all opportunities to serve.   At this time, I was teaching during the days, which limited my joining daytime Bible studies, but faithfully, God opened the opportunity for me to join the very first evening meetings of Bible Study Fellowship, held in nearby Mercer Island.  This 5-year in-depth Bible Study grounded me in my faith.

During this time, it seemed that life was going well.  However, when my son was 16 years old, my marriage started to fall apart, and after seeking counseling we agreed to a divorce.  Soon after, my son came down with an illness that lasted for several months.  It was a long and agonizing period of time before we saw any progress and it wasn’t until I finally turned him over to the Lord and prayed, “Thy will be done,” that my son was healed.  Ever since then, my life has been guided by the knowledge that God loves me and desires my very best.  All He wants from me is to trust and obey Him.

After my son graduated from high school and began his college years, I felt God’s strong hand leading me to something new.  In 1984 when I was a member of our church’s Missions Council, I learned that teachers were needed in China to teach English to Chinese college students.  Earlier, I had taken a trip to tour Mainland China with my mother, and while there I felt drawn to the country and its people in a most supernatural way.  So after praying and following through the doors that God opened for me, I discovered a Christian organization in Southern California that would train and place English teachers in colleges throughout China.  With the support of my church, I made application to the organization and was accepted for the school year 1985-86.  I then took a leave of absence from my community college and taught for a year in Changchun, China…a year that was much blessed with spiritual growth and new visions for my life.

During that year, I felt God’s prompting to commit to longer service in China, but to do so meant I needed to get more training in teaching English.  So, while still in China, I applied to the Master’s degree program of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at the University of Washington in Seattle, took my GRE test in China with hundreds of hopeful Chinese students, and eagerly awaited the results.  On getting the news I had been accepted, I immediately resigned my position at the community college. 

When I returned to Seattle, I had no place to live, but as God would have it, he had prepared a home for me in advance.  A friend with whom I had taught in the community college heard that I was returning to the States and planning to begin studies at the University of Washington.  She and her husband, both strong Christians, had just built a house close to the University with plans to accommodate 9 visiting scholars from Mainland China.  All had been prepared, but they needed a Christian to manage the home.  Enter Marty.  I joyfully lived with the scholars and managed the home for two and one half years. This was indeed a gift from God that met my needs to serve the Chinese as well as to study for my degree--a win-win.  

I received my Master’s degree in 1988, which was the same year my son graduated from Palmer Chiropractic College.  All seemed to be a “go” for me to return to China to continue my goal of teaching English there.  However, God had other ideas.  In the course of my making plans to go to China, I received a phone call from the director of a nonprofit Christian organization in Berkeley, California.  She said she needed someone to help her in the administration of her relatively new China teacher-sending organization and asked if I would like to move to the Bay Area and become Assistant Director. 

Even though I wanted to go back to China, God moved my heart to accept the position.  God’s reason for this became clear shortly thereafter.  My parents, who still lived in Santa Rosa, had been in poor health and were being cared for by my youngest brother who lived nearby in Rohnert Park.  Sadly, ten days after I accepted the position in Berkeley, he was killed in a boating accident, making it necessary for me to see after my parents.  Praise God for His care and perfect timing.

While working at ERRC I met my German husband, Dietmar, who was a prominent chef in San Francisco and, coincidentally, on the Board of Directors of ERRC.  We found that we had common interests and both loved the Lord so after a rather short courtship, we were married in 1993.    Since then we have traveled extensively both for fun and for Christian service and have served Him wherever we were called at 3Crosses.  We are thankful that God has been central to our marriage these past 28 years, as He has carried us through many of life’s challenges and has blessed us with joy. 

My advice to younger generations is to learn about God by studying His precious Word and spending personal time with Him on a daily basis.  Always consult Him before making decisions.  You can trust Him, for He is faithful.

KEY SCRIPTURE

• Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways, submit to him and He will make your paths straight. 
• Romans 8:28 – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
• Philippians 4:3 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. 
• Psalms 23:1 - The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

MARY WHITFIELD

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

I thank God I grew up in a loving and peaceful family with my parents, three brothers, and two sisters. I loved hearing Bible stories in school about creation, Adam and Eve, Noah...and Jesus and all the miracles He performed in showing His love to people. I believed Jesus was God's son...that He loved all people including me. I knew He died on the cross, was buried, rose from the grave, and ascended to heaven.

But I didn't understand the details of the true gospel message-“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life:”...John 3:16,”

which most people know, and John 1:12 which says, "...to those who received Him [Jesus], to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God”. I had never heard Romans 6:23..."The wages of sin is death [hell] but the gift of God is eternal life [Heaven] through Jesus Christ our Lord." I also had never heard 2 Corinthians 5:21..."God made Him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." Jesus, Himself, made the gospel very clear by saying “ I am the Way, the Truth, the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

I figured I surely would go to Heaven someday because I loved God and tried to keep the commandments. But...not so. The Bible says we "are saved by grace..through faith....and this is not from ourselves, it is the gift of God not by works lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2: 8,9)

Well, life moved on. In my late teens, I felt the best goal in life was to be happily married, to have children, and to do fun things together as a family. :) Every night I prayed, "Lord, help me to have a happy and successful marriage." Well, a few years later I got married, and as in many marriages, my husband and I had struggles.

It was during one of those difficult times that my sister connected with me. She shared the gospel message and how the Lord was working in her life. She got me involved. I went with her to Neighborhood Church (now 3 Crosses), and one night, to a Bible study at a friend's house. I went home and read "The 4 Spiritual Laws" booklet, which the leader there had given me, and it shared how to become a child of God. And so I prayed. I admitted to God that I was a sinner, I asked Him to forgive my sins and come into my life and be my Lord and Savior. And He did!!! Oh what joy!!!

Very soon after that, I joined Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), and a home Bible study, and also a prayer meeting each week in the home of someone who was a spiritual mother to me. I was amazed at all the truth I was learning and grew closer to God every day. I was so thrilled that He was living in me, that He would never leave me, that He would supply all my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus, and that someday I would live with Him in Heaven the moment I took my last breath on this earth! I wanted to shout it from a mountain top so everyone could know the joys of being God's child!

Since that time, my marriage saw great changes for the good, which I abundantly thank God for. Among these blessings were my husband coming to Christ, and our re-marriage after a brief divorce. The Lord blessed us with two wonderful children, and eventually our son-in-law, and two grandsons. Some years ago, I discovered in a class at church that...my personal mission in life is "to glorify God by leading the lost to Christ and helping those in need." I have served the Lord in various ways since becoming a Christian. It was my joy to do so then and still is. In recent years I have been involved in the kitchen ministry at church, and in children's ministry leadership at Community Bible Study (CBS); and also in handing out tracts, helping individuals in various ways, and above all, in following the verse that says, to "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope you have." (2 Peter 3:15). God has truly been good to me, and I am thankful He is helping me to live the abundant life that Jesus came to give me.

Looking back over my life, I would advise all people-no matter how young or old you are, how good or bad you feel you are or have been- the best and most important decision you need to make is to believe in Jesus and receive Him as your Savior and Lord. Then walk faithfully with Him in obedience to His commands and trust His promises. Like the vertical and horizontal spokes on a smoothly running wheel, it’s important for spiritual growth to read God’s word, pray to Him, fellowship with believers, and share the gospel with ‘the world”. Live out Proverbs 3:5,6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path”. I love using Romans 12:12 as a helpful focus. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” And remember, God is faithful to His promises. He is our help and strength at all times!

MIKE ABSHER

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

I was not raised in a Christian home, even though as a very young boy I went to Sunday School thru a bus ministry. My early interests and life’s career path revolved around science and sports. Science had taught me and repeatedly stated, there is no God. That very same science made it clear that God and science are mutually exclusive, they do not mix. With my home life not involving God, my schooling not allowing God, and my work in a scientific field where God was denied, I definitely declare “God truly works in wondrous ways.” So, you might wonder how I became a strong and bold Christian. This is how it occurred.  

It became clear to me, after many years falsely denying God’s existence, that He is alive! In fact He was present all my life, even though I denied Him. God’s persistence and presence, by the power of the Holy Spirit, continued to seek me, until I fell on my knees before Him and confessed Jesus as my Lord and Savior. You see, being a scientist I proposed this question to myself. Did I create myself? No, of course not! My parents came together and I became, right? No, not just biology, there had to be more! More simply put, where did I come from? Who made Michael, Me? Who gave me a soul, a spirit? Are all those the same question? Are there any answers to those age old questions? Did I just come out of the nothing or did I just evolve? No! All science gave me were many empty answers or at least, more questions. Those answers do not explain one fact. I do have a being, my spirit. More than biology, more than evolution, those don’t explain spirit. They, that is, science and biology, and certainly not evolution, were Not the answer! In fact, I came from someone, from somewhere else, something more. Yes! Someone gave me “the spirit of life." I wasn't just cells that grew inside my mother. 

Science could tell the processes of birth and all that entails, but it could never answer "them big questions" like, where did the universe come from or when did it begin? When does the life force come into those cells inside my mom, your mom? Their must be an answer, a starting point, things don't just happen without a starting point! Ask yourself … Do they? I could not come up with an answer. As I was at the lowest point in my dissatisfied and destructive life, I listened. I finally HEARD, not my conscience or Jiminy Cricket, but “that voice inside of me telling me to mend my family, look for truth.” I knew for certain I couldn’t do it myself. Yes, that ever-present voice which had always been inside of me finally got through! Even so, ever defiant, I asked, why do I need to go to church? No answer! It took me some days fighting with why no answer, but I wanted answers. So, after nearly 33 years of denial, I went back to church where my wife, who was not a church person, had retreated for protection. I joined my wife and sons in church! That inner voice I had ignored and denied all of my life spoke loudly through my hurts. It said, “I am here, just believe, trust and come find rest under my wings.’’ In 1994, on my knees, I asked Jesus to guide my life as Lord and savior. I had begun to reconcile with my second wife and my children and along with some christian counseling, yes that helped, greatly. I listened and began to grow in knowledge of the Lord!

I know why God allowed me to explore the false-hoods science offers and why evolution isn’t correct as taught. The evolution as taught in our schools today is wrong. God allowed me to walk down wrong paths, so I could counsel and teach others who had questions and no answers. If you have any of these same questions, feel free to ask me for more info or further clarification. I am happy to discuss these truths further.  

But just realize this as always, when science finds a better truth they just rewrite the textbooks and proclaim those other, older scientists got it wrong! Sorry! And, have you noticed that our bible is re-translated, researched and reviewed but the basic religious doctrine or tenets are unchanged? I wonder why ?? 

Please, I implore any who read this, to listen to the voice who beckons from “within and without” each of us!

I affirm that my justification is by grace alone through faith alone because of Christ alone. In justification Christ's righteousness is imputed to me as the only possible satisfaction of God's perfect justice.

I affirm that because salvation is of God, for His glory, I must glorify him always.

I must live my entire life before the face of God, under the authority of God and for his glory alone.

I deny that I can properly glorify God if my worship is confused with entertainment, if I neglect either Law or Gospel in my teaching, or if self-improvement, self-esteem or self-fulfillment are allowed to become alternatives to the gospel.

Jesus is the sustain-er of my daily walk and the finisher of my spiritual journey. So, I thank God for His patience with me, and may the Grace and Peace of the Lord Reign in my life!

Finally, I am also sure of this, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion.”

In Him you also heard the word of truth, the gospel “the good news of your salvation!”

KEY SCRIPTURE

My life verse is Luke 11:53
“Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering.”

MIKE CAVALLERI

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

I heard about the Lord when I was in the Navy in 1960. During that time, I would go to the “Sing for Your Supper” meetings in Long Beach, CA, to get the free meals.  I heard about Jesus during those meetings, but I ignored it.  All I wanted was to do things for myself.  When I got home from the Navy, I continued getting in trouble. I moved to San Francisco with my girlfriend, but that didn’t work out.  I met another woman and eventually married her, but that ended in divorce after about 11 years.  

After the divorce, some dear friends, Harvey and Marie Klein, and their three children invited me to go to church to see their kids in a musical skit.  Not knowing what the Lord had planned for me, I continued going to their church and a Sunday School class for adults. I was so lonely and had money troubles and other problems, and I lived in an 18-foot trailer for 3 years. During this time, as I continued to go to church, God softened my heart,  I finally gave in and accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. I didn’t want to give up a life of sin because I thought going to church would take away my fun and freedom. But as a Christian, I’ve discovered a life that is so much fun and it turns out I didn’t give up fun and freedom at all. As time went on, I started turning my problems over to Him. Things began to slowly improve. I had to learn that all things come in His time, not mine. 

In the Sunday School class I was attending, there was a group of people that were not married. We would go out to dinner on Sunday evenings, which was often the highlight of my week. I decided to ask one of the ladies in this group to go with me to a yearly picnic event held at a camp near Watsonville, CA. I was nervous when asking her. I felt like a high school kid asking for a date. It was wonderful when she accepted. On the way home from the picnic, we stopped in Capitola to walk on the beach.  At one point I took her hand to help her across a creek that was running out to the ocean, and when we held hands, we both knew there was something special in our relationship. The Lord put Nancy Francis into my life.  He had definitely put us together.

A few months later, my dear friends, the Kleins and their 3 beautiful children decided to go to Disneyland in their motorhome.  I had a pickup truck with a camper, so Nancy and I decided to go too.  Nancy would stay in the motorhome with the Kleins and their son would stay with me. On the way to Disneyland, Nancy rode with me. I loved her so much, that during the drive, I asked her to marry me and she said yes. I knew that the Lord was in charge. I wondered how He could put together two different people like us, but felt this was what He wanted and who am I to ask why. We have been married 37 years, and we have one wonderful son. Over the years God has guided us through some big problems, including financial issues, lost jobs, and deaths of family members and friends. The Lord has taught me to pray and trust in Him through all of life’s difficulties. 

We started attending 3Crosses about 17 years ago. At that time, we felt that the Lord was leading us to find a new church. On Thanksgiving weekend that year, Nancy’s parents were visiting us.  We told her mom that we wanted to try out 3Crosses church, and she said, “Let’s go.”  So we did, and we’ve never left. We felt so welcome here and knew this was where the Lord wanted us. 

One thing I wanted to do was to serve others by being an usher.  The Lord led me to Bob Okamura who was the Head Usher at that time. I worked under his guidance for a few years and when he retired, the Lord led me to take his place as Head Usher. It was such a wonderful experience serving the Lord in that way.

Susan Okamura was a leader of a Bible study small group, and the Lord guided us to join that group. I did not read very well at all, and one of the first things I told Susan was that I didn’t want to read or pray out loud. Well, the Lord took over again, and Susan asked me to read just a verse out loud.  I had time to read the verse to myself several times before it was my turn to read out loud, making sure I knew all the words. That was the beginning of God helping me improve my reading skills. He has caused such an improvement, that as of this time, I have read through the Bible eight times so far, and am currently reading through a chronological Bible. Praise God for teaching me to read so well and for giving me enjoyment in reading and learning His Word.  I praise Him for helping me to read His Word!

I feel so fortunate to have met and worked with some wonderful pastors at 3Crosses.  Also to have made some life-long friends here. My wonderful wife of 37 years has been a very special blessing to me.  We know that what we do is always with the Lord’s help.

In closing, I accepted the Lord in September, 1980, and wish I had done so much earlier in my life.  I just turned 78 years old and have had a wonderful life with the Lord.  Even though I have had some problems, I have nothing to complain about.  I know that by turning my problems over to the Lord in prayer, He has accomplished so much in my life.  No matter what comes your way, pray to the Lord continuously and wait for Him to guide you through.  Also, you don’t need to feel lost in a large church like 3Crosses.  Join a small group and do some volunteer work in the church. You can also become part of one of the community classes. As you become involved in these groups, you could meet some wonderful people that will become life long friends. God will bless you greatly as you draw close to Him.

KEY SCRIPTURE

My favorite Scripture is still John 3:16-
“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

NANCY BESSON

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

My siblings and I were sent to Sunday School as children. My younger brother and I went to a church-sponsored summer camp when I was around ten, and it was there that I gave my heart to the Lord.  

In my teens and twenties, I strayed away from the Lord, and it is by the grace of God that I lived through those years. I didn't go on to college right out of high school. At age 21, I met my future husband, Wayne.

Wayne was raised in the church but strayed away in his senior year of college. He taught Philosophy at a university. He became involved in The God Is Dead Movement. He tried to convince me there was no God, but I never gave in, but since my teens, I had already decided that I didn't need Jesus. 

We married in 1972 when I was 25. Wayne said he didn't want children, so I agreed. He had a son from a first marriage. In 1975, I became pregnant, even though we used precautions. Wayne wanted me to have an abortion, but I didn't. Our marriage was really rocky until my 7th month, when he came around.

Laurie was born with 2 heart defects. She had 2 surgeries at 3-1/2 months and 20 months. I started praying to God, but still didn't connect the need for Jesus.

In 1976, Wayne lost his job, and we moved in with his parents in Omaha, Nebraska. I didn't know anything about alcoholism, but Wayne drank a lot. He was an alcoholic. Of all things, we bought the largest nightclub in Omaha. My life became a living hell.

In 1977, our second daughter, Nicole was born, and we got our own apartment. I remember my sister would call me once a week, and I would cry. She had become a born-again Christian a few years before. She and her family lived in northern California. She would tell me each time she called that I needed Jesus. I told her that I was too bad of a sinner and I owned a bar. I wasn't worthy. My sister, Laurine, witnessed to me that we are all sinners, and that none of us are worthy. We are saved by grace.

Wayne intimated me, so I actually took my two girls and flew to my sisters with the intention of surrendering my life to Christ. Sunday, March 26, 1978, the pastor of Laurine's church gave an invitation, and I gave my heart to Christ. I was much bolder and confident when I returned home and started going to my in-law's church. It was very small, but they just started a 12-week discipleship program. God's timing was perfect.

Fast forward to Christmas, 1985, we were living in Los Angeles, and my parents came down from the Bay Area to visit. My mother announced that she had become a born-again Christian. My father intimidated her like Wayne had intimidated me. My mother said that she wished she could see her grandchildren more often. In October 1986, she was diagnosed with cancer, and 7 days later she died.

Laurie had kidney failure at age 9, and was on kidney dialysis, which I gave her at home. She was on a list for a kidney transplant. Wayne and I were separated at the time. January 1985, he gave his heart to Christ, and went through an alcohol treatment program. I didn't love Wayne in my humanness, but I kept asking God to let me love Wayne with the love of the Lord. We got back together as a family, and we renewed our vows in March.

At Thanksgiving, 1986, we were with Wayne's parents at their house. On Friday, November 28, Laurie told Grandma Shirbroun that she was going to faint, and she died. We were out in the country, on their farm, so we didn't wait for an ambulance. We drove her to the hospital.  She was brain dead. I tried to give Laurie CPR, but to no avail. We called her cardiologist, and he told us she died without pain. Laurie adored Grandma Shirbroun, and I believe she was where she wanted to be when the Lord took her to heaven. She died about 5 weeks after my mother. God answered my mother's prayer by having her waiting for Laurie in heaven.

When parents lose a child, no matter the age, they either draw closer to God, or away from Him. I drew closer to God, but Wayne drew away. He returned to drinking. We divorced. He died on Christmas Eve, 2007, of cancer, at age 67. Wayne never gave up drinking, but I believe he got right with God near the end.

I am 74 now, and I think I could fill a book of how God has blessed me and shown his love for me. Jesus is with me every day of my life. The Holy Spirit is inside me as my guide and comforter. My daughters and my sons-in-law walk close with the Lord. My 2 grandchildren, ages 15 and 9, accepted Jesus as their savior and were recently baptized.

In the name of Jesus Amen and Amen, 
Nancy Besson

NINA FILLER

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

SALLY HOLT

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

At age 8, my mom died. During school breaks in the next 3 summers, our dad sent my twin brother and me to Percy Crawford Christian Camp in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. There were 3 separate camps for adults, boys, & girls, but there was also a common meeting and campfire area. It was there that each of us said “yes” to the gift from our Lord Jesus. We returned to Brooklyn, where we lived. Each Sunday Pop would give us each a dime to put in “the plate,” as we faithfully attended Sunday School at the Evangelical Church of Peace. At age 12, for Pop’s health, we subsequently moved to Miami, Florida, and joined the First Baptist Church of Miami, where my brother and I were baptized together. It was there I joined the choir, with my step-sisters (my dad had re-married ). Soon my high school church pastor changed to the relatively unknown Charles Stanley. What a blessing. After graduation I attended a university 500 miles from home, no longer in a circle of believing friends and family. Tuition started at $75/semester! The next 4 years were spent as an RN in the US Navy Nurse Corps, with exposure to good experiences & new worlds. I moved to California and attended/examined many churches. Eventually, the Holy Spirit led me home to 3Crosses, praise the Lord. “Seek and you will find.” Matt 7:7.

SHARED ADVICE
a. I think a common feeling in new believers is guilt. As I grew from teen to adult, I experienced this uncomfortable feeling often. When I went away to college, I confess I put that out of mind. My advice now is don’t! God was very patient with me. Do what it takes to keep growing in the Lord, & don’t let Satan have his way. Charles Stanley has said “It doesn’t work when Satan is your defense attorney!"

b. We act the way we think. Make friends with someone who understands the Word of God. Speak with a Christian friend or pastor, if you have questions or concerns. Exchange verses, prayers, encouragements. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart & lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, & he will make your paths straight.” Prov 3:5-6.

c. When you choose to believe in Jesus as divine Savior, accept his promises as commands eg, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14: 27. Commit to nurturing your personal relationship with God, through study, humility, gratitude, and in prayer, as your will yields to Jesus in your life daily.

d. Forgive- “Carry each other’s burdens.“ Gal 6:2, Col 3:12-15. God wants us to depend on Him. As humans we are weak. He knew that when he told us to bear each other's burdens. We may need to ask Christ to enable us, to forgive as he forgave. As we are in a forgiven state, how could we not do the same?

KEY SCRIPTURE

Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” This tells the why, the what, the how, the requirement, and the exclusions. It motivates me to feel thanksgiving and to want to “produce fruit” by sharing. It is my prayer the reader will be blessed by also choosing to accept this “gift of God.”

SHARON BREEDLOVE

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

I was an 8th grader when the big blue bus came from Oakland to San Lorenzo because a girl down the street had invited me to the NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH! It actually picked both of us up at our house. That was 59 years ago! At an evening service, I learned what Jesus did! I loved Him for what He did. I didn't know much more about Him than that (He loved me, and that's all I knew!) I gave my testimony from the stage with Paul Travis. It was simply that I felt a hole in my heart without Him. I was emotional when baptized shortly after by Kenneth Backlund before he left to start another Neighborhood Church in Chico. That was publicly my first step of obedience. Ken Backlund, Don Larmour, Ed Harris (senior) led our teaching, membership outreach, ski trips, etc.

When the church moved to Castro Valley it got a new name of Cathedral at the Crossroads. The church sent a bus to Basic Youth Conflicts (Institute in Life Principles) to San Jose for a week-long seminar where I learned that man has a Spirit, Soul and Body. The Spirit (God-consciousness), The Soul (Mind, will and emotions) and the Body (flesh). I also learned that SIN IS ANYTHING THAT SEPARATES YOU FROM GOD! I soon learned that circumstances may not be appointed but allowed! God orchestrates and is is sovereign. The first doubt and question with my faith came from a crime against me that I lived through. Afterwards, I bought a snub-nosed 38 caliber revolver (shot hollow bullets - left a large hole as it exited. Sargeant Agler (homicide) explained that I shouldn't point the gun unless I planned to empty it. I was ready to kill anyone that attacked! Where was God? I figured that He didn't love me. I felt empty. But God was faithful. He showed me the way through Paul Travis, Eleanor, and Leland Todd. He taught me to listen (hear) and learn regardless of what I felt. God took care of having the right people at just the right time. I learned at a communion service (held on the floor, large circle, sung acapella, and cried). Paul said it was good to be so tender before The Lord.

Wanting to serve Him, I joined Charlotte Bellig with the little ones (on the "story rug") and then Ethel Fix and Millie Story took care of my teaching needs. I was seeking with my whole heart and needed to learn more. God involved me.

At the Welfare Department (Oakland), where I read the Living Bible through, Psalms 18 became very dear to me...."When I was weakest they attacked...(through verse 19)...for He delights in me. I learned that knowledge "puffs up" where true wisdom comes only from God. I I wanted to see the world through God's Eyes. A wise man, Albert Einstein, said: "I want to know God's thoughts - the rest are details"

My name was Sharon McKnight until 1978 when Paul Travis married John and I at the 1st Presbyterian church (Our church was busy with Christmas) I became Sharon Breedlove and John and I had 2 sons. We dedicated both to God (at ceremony at church where the entire congregation prayed for them and their future). Both boys came up through Redwood Christian Schools and wanted to reach others for Jesus Christ. They were 9 years apart in age. Matthew, our eldest, earned his way to Hong Kong and China as a Royal Servant with Reign Ministries. Elijah earned a scholarship to The Hope Home in Calcutta, INDIA where he taught English (and some math) for over a year! When the boys finished their around the world trips, Elijah stayed in India at The Hope Home. Matthew returned to the Hope Home with Impact Ministries and became close to Dev Sarker, the founder. Matthew, his wife Debbie and twin daughters (now 7 yrs old) Lexi and Anya found a no abortion country (there are only 6) with a storybook river house where they are learning to serve God. Now, in my 70's (60 years at Neighborhood) I have survived multiple surgeries, Cancer, Stroke, Raped, Robbed and Burgled 9 times. God never left me...did not forsake me (It was orchestrated by God, all part of His redemptive plan to further His Kingdom)

Now I am the dishwasher for the WIT (Woman in Touch) luncheons outreach for missions. Then I get to serve them (hostess) and collect written prayers and praises that are then sent to WIA (Woman in Action) where ladies fellowship and trim used postage stamps for missions and pray over the WIT needs.

KEY SCRIPTURE

Advice and scriptures for the next generation Since God is with us always, He deserves our attention. Include Him in all your conversations....don't leave Him alone, which brings me to a favorite verse:

• I Thessalonians 5:16 “Rejoice Always!”
• I Thess. 5:17 “PRAY WITHOUT CEASING “
• I Thess. 5:18 “In everything give thanks!”

Philippians 4:8 taught me what was permitted to think about...."Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” “Greater love hath no man but that he lay down his life for his friend.”

We love God by loving others. God will take care of loving us. We all have different gifts but all are "Others Minded." My adult needs were brought into focus through the Challengers Class and Alfred Monk (Butch) who I sensed loved God with all of his heart. He spoke my language and continues today with my eternal gratitude for his faithfulness to the truth. (I will make it plain to you if you fully obey the truth you have.)

God is not willing that any should perish. He gave His Son to absorb our sins on the cross. What more could He have done?

The Fellowship of the Unashamed

I am part of the “Fellowship of the Unashamed”. The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple Jesus Christ.

I won’t look back, ley up, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals.

I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I now live by presence, learn by faith, love by patience, lift by prayer, and labor by power. My pace is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable, my mission clear.

I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity.

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I must go until Heaven returns, give until I drop, preach until all know, and work until He comes. And when He comes to get His own, He will have no problem recognizing me. My colors will be clear.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of salvation to everyone that believes, the Jew first and also to the Greek.” - Rom 1:16

SUSAN OKAMURA

SALVATION EXPERIENCE

The first time I remember thinking about God I was around 9 years old. I know now that it was the Holy Spirit touching my heart since I didn’t grow up in a Christian home and no one in my family or extended family ever went to church. Around that time, I began asking my mom about God, and my sister was interested too. My grandfather who lived with us off and on (he was a caretaker and worked on ranches), came to our house one morning as he usually did when he wasn’t working and brought my sister and I a rosary because we had been asking for one. We each kept it on our bedposts. To us, it represented God. Also, in those days there were door-to-door salesmen that came around in the neighborhood selling household items and miscellaneous things. My mom bought us a set of little Bible books, of which I still have Book Four, “The Children’s Friend,” “Pictures and Stories of the Life of Jesus.” (Copyright 1928) Even though my family never attended church, my dad encouraged us kids to go. Down the street from us lived a Swedish family, so my sister and I would go to the Lutheran Church with their youngest daughter, Marie. At other times, I remember my mom getting my brother, my sister and I all dressed up in our Sunday best and my dad would drive us to the Havenscourt Colonial Baptist Church and drop us off. I remember as we went in, we discovered we were early and the first ones there. Once inside the foyer, I looked up and saw a large sign that read “Silence, this is the House of the Lord.” We then went inside the sanctuary and sat down in one of the pews before anyone else was there. My little 5-year old brother sat there dressed in his best Sunday suit including a new hat. The kind usher came by and said “son, remove your hat in church.” We didn’t know any better.

As I entered junior high school, I was only 11 years old, and there I met my best friend Rosemary. We would spend the weekends over each other’s houses sometimes and when we were at her house we would go to St. Cyrl’s Catholic Church on Sunday mornings. I loved it! I started asking Rosemary questions about God and church, so she gave me her catechism book. I remember reading it from cover to cover. I wanted to know so much about God. As I learned more, I wanted to become Catholic and told my mom of my desire but she said no.

As time went on, my sister and I met a family that moved in down the street with 3 daughters. Sharon was the youngest and was my sister’s best friend. I remember one day my sister told me “Sharon says we have to be saved.” We didn’t know what “saved” meant. Sharon’s family were Christians and they attended Oakland Neighborhood Church on 84th and MacArthur Avenue in Oakland, not far from where we lived. They invited us to church and we went every Sunday morning and Sunday night. After a few months, my sister and I decided we were going to answer the “altar call” the next Sunday night. So, on Sunday evening, March 4, 1956, as Pastor Bellig gave the invitation to accept Jesus as our Savior, my sister and I raised our hands, walked down the steps to the isle that lead to the Prayer Room where Mrs. Foote, Sharon’s mother worked, and we prayed together to receive Jesus into our hearts. We were so happy that we had just become “Christians.” That night I wrote in my diary “we gave our hearts to Jesus. We are now Christians.”

As we became involved in Neighborhood Church, we began going to the High School activities on Friday nights called the “Hi Wy,” and on Sunday’s, Kenny Backlund was our Sunday School teacher. It was one of the best times of my teenage years, I was learning so much about God and Jesus. My sister and I would sit on our beds each night and read the bible together, given to us by Neighborhood Church. The next step was baptism. Sometimes on Sunday nights they would have a baptism service and that was my next step, but when I asked my mom’s permission, she said no. I was 15 years old at the time and it wouldn’t be until I was 36 years old that I would finally get baptized. During this time at Neighborhood Church, I invited my best friend, Rosemary to go with me and my sister to the high school activities on Friday nights. I also asked my grandmother to go with me to church one Sunday, she lived on the next street over from us and my dad drove the two of us to church that Sunday. As Pastor Bellig gave the invitation to invite Jesus into your heart, as he did at the end of every service, my grandmother raised her hand and we both went to the prayer room together where my grandmother prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior, she was 65 years old.

My Adult Years as a Christian

At the age of 20 years old, I married a young man I had met at the Hi Wy at Neighborhood Church and we were married in the Crimson Chapel. He was a Christian and had gone to a Christian Elementary School. As the years passed, we had two children, a boy, and a girl, I had started attending Fremont Neighborhood Church when my daughter was 2 years old and that’s where both of my children grew up. I started participating in small bible studies with ladies from our church. One day I saw an ad for a bible study called Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) taking place in one of the local churches. I went to the orientation and joined the first class, not really knowing how to actually “study” the bible. I was hooked. I learned so much after that one school year. I was then approached to become a “Discussion Leader.” For the next several years, I went from a Discussion Leader to becoming the Administrator in BSF. This was one of the best times of my Christian life. I was then approached to be the next “Teaching Leader,” the person that gives the lectures after the discussion classes. According to BSF guidelines, I was to ask my husband for permission to accept this position, but I was in for one of the biggest shocks of my life that would rock my world. My husband said no. To make a long story short, my husband had decided to leave our marriage.

One of the times in my life that I have actually heard God’s voice was after my husband had moved out. I had been on my knees every day praying and thinking about what’s next for me and my children and I remember saying to myself, “what am I going to do?” Then I heard God’s voice so clearly say to me “I will help you.”

After my divorce, there were some difficult times that followed and I confess that I drifted away from God for a few years and made my own (wrong) decisions and have had many regrets, but God is a God of second chances and in His great provision for me, He called me back to Himself, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Some years later, I remember reading in the book of Joel and thinking of those years I wasted, and as I looked down at the page I was reading, these were the Lord’s words to me, “I will restore to you the years the locusts have eaten…” Joel 2:25. I have carried that verse in my heart all those years since and He has restored to me ten-fold…no, one hundredfold to my life!

As the years passed, I was able to buy a condo and I lived by myself after my children had grown and moved out. I had to live very frugally but always paid my tithes each week and the Lord continued to provide for me. My friend was going to refinance his condo at the time and told me I should do the same. I was fearful that I could even attempt to do something like that even though I had managed on a shoestring to buy my condo, but would give it a try. Again I remember driving to work and saying out loud to myself, “Lord, if you can hang the stars in the heavens and call them all by name, you are able to make this refi go through.” Again, I turned to the book of Isaiah for the Lord’s answer, “Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you.” Isaiah 41:10 needless to say, the refi went through with flying colors.

I have been praying for my family members for many years and the Lord has again answered me through His word. One time I was praying for salvation for my family members with my bible open and I asked for a word from the Lord, as I looked at the page I was reading, I read “…Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31. I dated that scripture 10/25/93. In the margin of that page I have written over the years, those who have come to the Lord: my son baptized 4-2-94; my mom, 6/1/94; my son-in-law 12/17/95. And while praying over one of my favorite scriptures, Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.” The Lord once again answered me, my grandchildren: Harlie 7/20/14 and Ben, 3/26/16.

Another time while driving on my commute to work in Milpitas, I would pray for my day ahead as my job was very challenging a lot of the time. So many times I would read these scriptures over and over “…Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. Isaiah 43:1-2 They would sustain me.

I continue to use God’s word for every decision and task for my life, along with prayer. It has sustained me, and spoken to me at every turn. Specifically, one time I was trying to make a decision about my job, whether to continue to work or to quit and take a long break. After pouring over the scriptures for days, the Lord spoke to me again. We happen to be driving down to southern California and I was looking out the window, thinking about my decision. Again I heard the Lord’s voice, “You have a choice.” Right then and there, I blurted out the words, I’m going to quit my job!

What I would like to leave at the conclusion of my life is that the Lord is Faithful! Faithful to His promises, faithful to provide for your needs, faithful to speak to your heart with his mercy, grace and affirmation of His great and awesome love. He choose me before the foundation of the world, how awesome is that! “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:16b.

KEY SCRIPTURE

I want to pass on to the next generation, the wisdom of the scriptures. God has provided a book to help us live life the way he designed it, if we heed his words. And I leave you with this scripture that I pray sums up my life: “Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, Your might to all who are to come.” Psalm 71:17-18