We usually think of a "testimony" in legal terms. That is, people are called to
testify in a court of law as to what they witnessed or what they experienced. In much the
same way people "testify" about what God has done in their lives. Many times
these testimonies include the way God used His church to bring about change in people's
lives. Below you will find three testimonies of members of Swartz First Baptist Church.
New testimonies will be added frequently. Come back and read about God's Work in the lives
of His people!
Monroe, Louisiana!
Who would of thunk it? I grew up in Maryland, moved to the state of Washington when I was
nine, then fmally moved to Texas in middle school. I was offered a track scholarship to
the University of Louisiana at Monroe during my senior year of high school. I had never
heard of Monroe, even thought twice of the state of Louisiana, until I came here.
My freshmen year started out kind of wild. Seemed like everything I did lead to another
side tracking event. For example, the parties lead to a late night, late nights lead to
missing class the next day, missmg class lead to a lower GPA, and soon all of this was
affectmg my athletic abilities. I was lost and I knew it! I felt so insecure about myself
and pressured to fit in.
Coming into my sophomore year) was eager to excel in my studies and athletics. I wanted to
really focus on classes and break some records in the pole vault. The sad thing is my
heart was not where it needed to be in order to make these things happen. Again, I was
caught up in the late nights and partying. I was not improving in either area, if
anything, it was getting worst!
Later in the school year I was asked to be roommates with Christin Mohon, Jessica
Williamson and Sam Staiger. I couldn’t understand WHY they wanted me to be their
roommate and WHY they were so nice to me! The girls would send me facebook messages just
to say hey and let me know the room was still open. Finally...I accepted their kind
invitation and began moving myself in.
So now, I was a roommate with three Christian women. I saw how they lived their life and a
part of me questioned how I was living mine. I didn’t understand why they wanted to
wake up so early on Sundays, go to church on Wednesdays and go to Bible studies. I felt
like there were a ton of questions running through my mind.
One night after Haven I felt a unique sensation m my heart The music, the scnpture, the
invitation to the front felt like it was all directed to me! I knew I had felt this before
but this time it was stronger than ever! We went back to our dorm and I asked Jessica to
talk with me. I asked her a ton of questions about her faith and her decision to follow
Christ. During that whole conversation, I was feeling nervous, anxious and definitely
convicted. It was that night, August 29, 20061 when I accepted Jesus Christ into my life.
Today, I have the privilege to say “it was the best decision I ever made in my entire
life.” I died to my old self! God changed my heart and showed me what life is really
about. At first I was scared to give up my sinful ways, but the more I trusted in Him, the
less appealing those things were. I recommend Jesus' love to everyone!!!
Kathleen Gancayco
