God is in Your Story
Every person has a story, and every story is an opportunity to see God at work. A testimony is simply sharing what God has done in your life, and how He has brought hope, healing, freedom, restoration, or carried you through a difficult season. Some testimonies are big, life-changing moments, while others are found in the quiet ways God shows His faithfulness every day.
We share these stories not to celebrate what we have done, but to give glory to what God has done. Our hope is that as you read the testimonies of people within our church family, you will be encouraged, reminded that you are not alone, and inspired to trust God with your own story.
Because when we share our stories, we get to tell His story.
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Cheryl S.
"My early twenties were consumed by the relentless grip of a severe drug addiction, born from a deep desperation I struggled to understand. This difficult period became even worse during my father’s battle with stomach cancer, a fight he ultimately lost. In a chapter of my life I am deeply ashamed of, my addiction led me to abuse and attempt to profit from his leftover medication. The weight of that guilt became unbearable. Convinced my choices were somehow connected to his death, I fell into a deep emotional darkness and eventually attempted to end my life by taking a dangerous combination of substances until I lost consciousness.
I awoke in a mental health facility after spending a month in an induced coma, my body severely affected by the overdose. There, a nurse told me, “Somebody up there loves you.” At first, I questioned why I had survived, but with time, I came to see my survival as an undeniable testament to God’s mercy and a precious second chance at life. Today, I share my testimony of His goodness, mercy, and transforming grace. Through my faith and the steadfast presence of Jesus, I found not only the preservation of my life, but the salvation of my soul and a profound new purpose."
Judith C.
"For a long time, I didn’t believe in God. I struggled with deep depression and extreme anxiety while also experiencing identity theft and an abusive marriage. I hid my depression from my family. When my daughter Nayeli began attending a Christian church, I wouldn’t go with her. Instead, I would walk the streets feeling like I was searching for something, although I didn’t know what. One day, I passed a church and realized that was what I had been looking for. I began attending church with my daughter and asking God to reveal Himself to me and show me that He was real.
One Sunday, during an altar call, the minister began speaking about depression and said to get up and “make chorizo and eggs for your brother Hernando.” I was stunned—my brother’s name is Hernando, and he loves my chorizo and eggs. I knew God was speaking directly to me. I went forward for prayer, began crying, and felt the heaviness leave my heart. From that day forward, I knew who God was, and I have never been the same. He was what I had been looking for all my life. I will always be grateful to Him for saving my soul and my life."
Mary B.
"On March 2, 2021, my husband was involved in a catastrophic accident on Highway 111 in Holtville, California. An SUV carrying 28 people who had crossed the border collided with his semi-truck in an accident that made international news. He was flown to a trauma center in Palm Springs with eight broken ribs and injuries to his shoulder, knees, and neck. He also experienced PTSD following the accident. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, I was initially unable to see him, but a nurse graciously allowed me five minutes by his side.
The years that followed were a long and difficult journey. My husband struggled to walk, experienced severe knee pain and headaches, and was treated for chronic pain and other lasting effects of the accident. Although his recovery has been slow, we thank the Lord that he is still here and continues to recover. We are incredibly thankful for God’s faithfulness through this difficult journey and for all the people and church members who have faithfully prayed for us."
Brenda S.
"For about three years, I prayed for God to send me a husband, a saved man who would love my children and me, but who would love God even more. Because of difficult experiences growing up, I had developed a deep wariness toward white individuals and never imagined God’s answer to my prayers would be Jim. When Jim expressed interest in me, my pastor challenged me not to allow my past hurts to stand in the way of what God might be doing. Jim soon became convinced that God had brought us together and asked me to fast and pray with him for three days. I agreed but told God I needed something tangible to know His will.
On the third day, while visiting my son, a woman at the facility unexpectedly approached me. She told me I had been praying for a husband and that God had sent Jim to me. I immediately knew God had answered my prayer. When Jim returned, I saw him differently, I knew I loved him. We were married within three weeks. Later, I tried to find the woman who had spoken to me, but no one knew who she was. Nearly 40 years and five children later, I am so thankful I trusted God’s unexpected answer and didn’t say no."
Linda P.
"I don’t remember the exact year, but it was around 1990. On New Year’s Eve, I was sitting in my living room in San Diego watching the countdown and waiting for the ball to drop in Times Square. As midnight arrived, fireworks began going off throughout the neighborhood. After watching for a few minutes, I got up, went into my bedroom to say my prayers, and got ready for bed.
Just as my head hit the pillow, I heard a loud thump in the living room. I went back, turned on the light, and found a bullet lying right where I had been sitting only moments before. Someone had fired a gun into the air while celebrating the new year, and that bullet landed in the exact spot I had just left. Had I remained there a little longer, things could have been very different. But God! I am so thankful for His protection over my life. Praise Him!"
Kenneth C.
"Four weeks ago, during an evening church service, I suddenly became dizzy and began seeing what looked like little tornadoes. When I tried to sit down, I fell into my seat with no control over my body, and a terrible headache followed. The headaches continued for several days, but I didn’t tell anyone, hoping they would go away. By Thursday, the left side of my body was tingling and painful, and I was finding it increasingly difficult to move. When I finally told my wife, Crystal, a CT technician, what I was experiencing, she immediately said the symptoms sounded like a stroke and took me to the emergency room.
At the hospital, doctors performed several tests, including a CT scan, chest X-ray, and bloodwork, but told us they could not find anything wrong and sent me home. My wife and I knew how serious my symptoms had been, and throughout it all, we were praying. I believe with all my heart that God heard our prayers and intervened in what was happening to my body. I will believe that until the day I die. I know God answered my prayers and the prayers of my wife, and I give Him all the glory."
What's Your Story?
Has God moved in your life? We would love to hear your story and celebrate what He has done!
Click the button below to fill out and submit your testimony, or write out your story and email it to testimony@vlciv.org. Your story could be the encouragement someone else needs to hear.