Testimonies of Pastors' KidsNäide

By Maria Acevedo, Iglesia Rosa de Saron

I was raised in the church, but I didn’t have a personal testimony—something I was once falsely told. Every day at church, I’d listen to my dad prep messages, lead meetings, and pray. I was surrounded by a Christ-like environment, yet I was not saved.

I was baptized at 13 and began my “religion” with Christ, but I lacked an inner connection with Him. I knew of Him, but I didn’t truly know Him. At 15, I began walking in sin, even as I attended church. I learned about the world and allowed the devil to stray me from Christ.

In December 2021, I was struggling with smoking, drinking, depression, and an eating disorder. I believed my life was ending. I thought God could help everyone else, but perhaps not me. Those were lies of the devil.

The new year came, and I knew if I didn’t stop, it would only get worse. I tried to escape through sleep, but God intervened. In April 2022, as I lay in my room, I played an audio version of the Bible as background noise to sleep. Little did I know, God was calling me home. I began to cry—not a sad cry, but a cry of my soul longing for Him.

I opened my Bible to Isaiah 63:9 (NIV):

“In all their distress He too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them. In His love and mercy He redeemed them; He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.”

God spoke to me. When I thought I was alone, He was with me. That was the moment I repented and surrendered my life to Him. On that day, He gifted me comfort, love, peace, forgiveness, and the gift of tongues. Since then, I have served Him faithfully, assisting in my home church and co-pastoring our second church with my husband.

My testimony proves that no story is too small, no struggle meaningless. God can transform anyone. His mercy is new every morning, and if you are reading this, you have a second chance today. All glory to God!