Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Ashley had spent her teenage years living for herself, indulging in whatever she wanted to try, but her priorities changed drastically seven years ago when she became pregnant. She knew had to stop the drugs and recklessness for her son. While she was trying to get better, someone invited her to a Mission Arlington® church in East Arlington.

That’s where she met her pastor, Marci.  Marci helped Ashley find an apartment, provided furniture and clothes, and taught her about the Bible.  Ashley says, “She became much more than a pastor to me.  She is a friend, a best friend.“  Through Marci’s actions and testimony, Ashley knew that Jesus must be real and Jesus began to really change her life.

After some time and growth, Ashley began teaching the 1st – 6th graders at the Arbors Bible Study.  In the past month, God has allowed her to start a brand new work in the apartments where she lives.

After a bad fire, Ashley visited the manager to see how Mission Arlington could help.  The manager replied that the people in her complex really needed Jesus and asked if the Mission could start a Bible Study.  The next week, Ashley had keys to a vacant apartment and a roomful of adults and children learning the truth about God.

Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing her people begin their relationship with Christ.  She says, “To know that I can be a part of it all and that God chose me, that’s special.”

Sunday, February 16, 2014

When W.C. remembers the darkest night of his life, he knows, “I didn’t have to get religion to come to God. He came to the bottom of the pit where I was.”

In 2006, W.C. decided to take his life.  The pain from years of drug addiction was too great. He recalls, “I knew I wanted to quit, but when I knew I wasn’t able to, it made me more depressed and despondent.”

But before he finalized his plan, he remembered something from a Celebrate Recovery (Christian addiction recovery) session.

“I heard that God loves me unconditionally, that no matter how great the stain of my sin, he could wash me clean. And that he cares about me.”

So laying down his weapon, he demanded, “God, if you are out there, I need to know right now.”

And he waited.

Within 15 minutes, a friend from the drug scene was at the door explaining that she knew W.C. was about to take his life.  She had come to stop him.  Fifteen minutes later, a friend from work came to check on him.  A customer had said that someone should check on W.C. right away.  Together, they made it through the night.

The next day, W.C. talked truthfully to his employer about his addiction.  While W.C. waited to be fired and worried for his future, his employer replied, “How can I help?” Then they held hands and prayed.

The next Friday W.C. went back to Celebrate Recovery and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord.  Now he faithfully attends church and ministers at Celebrate Recovery.

It was a long, difficult journey, but W.C. knows he was saved by persistent prayer.

“Those prayers that take years to answer are still worth praying.  I think I may be proof of that.”

Sunday, February 09, 2014

Rodney accepted Christ while serving a prison sentence and was first introduced to Mission Arlington when a judge ordered him to volunteer.

Rodney’s life seemed to be getting back on track until one night of bad decisions sent him to prison for another year.  On his way to his cell, Rodney told God, “Every step I take, every breath I make, for the rest of my life, I’m yours. I’m sold out.”

So, during that year, he shared Christ from within that prison and earned the nickname “Preacher Man.” That was also when he heard God say, “Go to the Mission and tell them you want to teach.”

Rodney wasn’t sure if he had heard right, but then another inmate approached him saying that God had told him to visit the Mission also after his own release.

That inmate was released and Rodney followed three months later.  Two days after being back home, God spoke to Rodney again, saying “Get up and go now.”

So he went. Although Rodney hasn’t seen the man since, the friend from prison was standing in the office when Rodney walked in.  Rodney is still not sure why the other inmate was visiting that day, except that it gave Rodney another confirmation that he was in the right place.

Rodney started helping the next week at Spanish Park Apartments.  Now, 13 years later, he sings on the praise team and teaches the children and teens.  In addition to his Mission Arlington commitments, he’s a chaplain for the Tarrant County Sheriff’s office.  He visits the local prison to pass out Bible Studies and preach.

Rodney shares the gospel wherever he goes.  He says “I know what Christ can do. If you will truly begin a relationship with him, he’ll change everything about you.”