Testimonies of Faith

"Brothers, if you have a message of encouragement for the people, please speak" - Acts 13:15

This page presents Testimonies of Faith given by a variety of individuals:

• Christian Camp Saved From Colorado Wildfire
• The Mechanicsville local featured an article about the Youth's Mission Trip to Guadalajara, Mexico
• A Story About Cool Spring's Sudanese Visitors is Published in the June 2002 Dover Baptist Association Newsletter
• The Youth visit the homeless in Washington, DC.
• The Mechanicsville Local featured an article about the MissionFuge trip to Charleston, South Carolina
• The Mechanicsville Local features the testimony of "Richmond North After-Five" speaker Evelyn Liton
• Testimonies from the Cool Spring Contagious Christian Class.
• 250 Pairs of Glasses Donated for Missions Work in Zimbabwe.
• Vote for your Favorite Christian Praise Songs, Hymns, and Singing Groups, and See a List of your Favorites.
• A Thank You Note to Cool Spring Church.
• Former President George Bush - from a 1992 prayer breakfast in Houston.
• Paralympian John Register - Praising God Despite Disability in an October 2000 testimony.
• Former Washington Redskins coach Joe Gibbs - discusses the low points in his life in a 1991 Washington Post interview.

Read Testimonies of Faith Here:

The Mechanicsville Local ran an article about the Cool Spring Youth Summer Mission Trip to Mexico on July 24, 2002.

(As printed in the Mechanicsville Local, page 2, July 24, 2002):

In June, 17 students and adults from Cool Spring Baptist Church took a weeklong missionary trip to Guadalajara, Mexico, a town located in the central part of the country.  They group went to do construction and painting on the city's churches, to teach Vacation Bible School to the local children, and to conduct sports outreach programs for the city's youth.

"Our goals were to help support local Mexican churches and pastors in serving whatever they needed us to do," said the Cool Spring youth minister.  We did worship services, along with other ministries to bring people, especially children, into a relationship with Jesus Christ.  Much of what we did was relational, as the local pastors and workers now can follow up on many people in their own areas."

Teaching Vacation Bible School was a challenge, however, translators helped them communicate with the people of Guadalajara.  Also, some members of the youth group had taken Spanish in middle and high school, which allowed them to be able to carry on simple conversations with the local citizens.  "At first, it was strange  speaking Spanish with people who had done it all their lives, but eventually it all fell into place," said youth group member Meredith Michael.

The sports outreaches conducted by the church group were very popular with the Mexican youth.  It consisted of going to parks and gathering people together to play soccer, the most popular sport in Mexico.  After the church members introduces themselves to the local teens and told them why they were visiting, they invited the young people to attend Vacation Bible School, church, and music services.

This tactic of getting the local children to church worked.  "The kids really wanted to hear about Jesus.  They came to the services, and some of the kids we met in the parks even brought their friends," said Jamie Harner.

Cool Spring has taken other missionary trips in the past to places that include Charleston, South Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; however, this was the first youth/student trip to another country.

It proved to be a positive and exciting experience for the youth group, who got to see another culture for the first time.  "Some things were hard to get used to, like not having as nice facilities like we have here, but it was fun.  I definitely want to go back to Guadalajara," said Michael.

The youth minister agreed with his youth students.  "The week was a tremendous success, not just because of how life-changing it was for our students, but to see how we can work and serve and love people who don't speak our language.  Our group has a heart and love for the Mexican people that they never imagined."

The trip was such a positive adventure and a great success that the church hopes to continue sending missionaries across this country and to other nations as well.

I would like to see our group go back to Mexico, as they are such special people and there is such a need to American students to go and impact lives in a powerful way," said Hedges.

 

The Mechanicsville Local article also included a photograph of some of the children that the church worked with during Vacation Bible School, and a photograph of Rachel Philips and a local Guadalajara girl.  

Submit Your Own Testimony of Faith Here

When I [Steve Allsbrook - Director of Missions of the Dover Baptist Association] visited Cool Spring Baptist Church for the dedication of their new building, I met a Sudanese refugee.  Jason Smith told me about this man, one of several refugees the church has been helping.  I asked Jason to share the story...

As Dover Baptist Association prepared to move, three men from Sudan left Richmond to begin the next leg of a journey that has brought them halfway round the world.  Cool Spring has ministered to a group of six Sudanese refugees, including these three, who moved to the area.

Samuel, who is now a member of Cool Spring, Gabriel, and Peter were selected to participate in an educational program called Job Corps.  Job Corps is a school that provides tutoring in math and English, as well as specific job training.  Prior to their departure, they had been working at Tyson Foods where they picked chickens for eight hours a day.  After two years at the Job Corps boarding school in Pennsylvania, the three men will have the skills needed to get better jobs.  Many members of Cool Spring, as well as three apartment mates they left behind, miss them, but feel excited about this new opportunity for Samuel, Gabriel, and Peter.

Simon, Abraham, and Kerbino, the three Sudanese who remain here, were too old for the program.  They continue to work at Tyson and worship at Cool Spring.  Simon, also a member at Cool Spring, and the others are looking for a more affordable housing for three people.  They hope to enroll in a GED  program next fall.  This summer, the church plans to provide tutoring to prepare them for the course load.

The journey from Sudan has been a long one.  The men came from different villages but had similar stories.  Sudan is a country torn by nineteen years of civil war during which an estimated two million people have died from fighting of famine.

Simon remembers awaking to the sound of gunfire at the age of six, and then running into the bush with other villagers.  The next morning he tried to return, but planes dropped bombs and fired on the village.  For three years Simon wandered through Sudan without his family.  At times he walked with bands of children, eating dirt, leaves, or anything they could find to fill their stomachs.  Simon eventually found shelter in a refugee camp in Ethiopia.  While there, he came to know Christ through a Catholic ministry.

After that camp was attacked, Simon returned to Sudan.  He eventually made his way to a refugee camp in Kenya where he lived for ten years.  There God provided him another community of faith which gave him hope and love.

Last September, with help from the World Council of Churches, Simon and the others arrived in Richmond.  They had nothing but the clothes they were wearing.  Jason learned of their situation from a bank teller in Richmond and began to involve members of the Cool Spring in assisting the Sudanese.  While on the way to but food during the first week, Simon asked if there was a place they could go for prayer.  Simon and Samuel joined Cool Spring several months later and the others have continued to attend.

Cool Spring folks thank God for bringing these men into our lives.  I am grateful to have the opportunity to serve Christ by helping them.

 

- J. Smith

Submit Your Own Testimony of Faith Here

DC Homeless Ministry Day

On a cold, rainy Saturday, December 8th, 40 Youth and adults traveled to Washington DC to minister to the homeless. Led by the Cool Spring Minister to Students, they visited a street corner known by him where many homeless people live.  The poor weather was actually a blessing, as more homeless people were available and readily willing to accept the gifts of love being offered to them by the students.

Items to be distributed on this day had been collected during the Adult Choir Christmas Musical, held December 1st and 2nd. Those attending that event were encouraged to donate backpacks; winter clothing such as hats, gloves, and coats; personal toiletries such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, etc.; and non-perishable food items. Each backpack also contained a copy of the New Testament.

During the day the Youth and adults visited with the homeless, prayed with them, and supplied lunch. 110 backpacks were given out, as well as the other items mentioned above.

For more information about the Student Ministry at Cool Spring, go to The Stand page.

The Mechanicsville Local ran an article about the Cool Spring Youth MissionFuge trip, including this photograph.

(As printed in the Mechanicsville Local, page 13, August 15, 2001):

Cool Spring Baptist Church's senior youth group, The Stand, went on a mission trip to Charleston, S.C., this summer. The group stayed in dorms at Charleston Southern University with youth groups from all over the country and spent their days on home improvement projects, or witnessing and entertaining at nursing homes. Matthew Michael, 17, helped remodel a house that belonged to a man who did iron art work, "but he doesn't sell it. His house needed a new floor and new walls."

Amber Nicole Suppan, 15, visited senior citizen centers and the beach. "We did skits, puppet shows, and musical programs" all featuring Gospel messages.

Both cited the "fellowship and worship in the evening" back at the dorms as a highlight. "That was awesome," says Suppan. "You meet groups from all over the country."

Mandi Barnes, 13, a rising freshman at Lee Davis, was the youngest church member on the trip. "I went to daycares and played with children from low income families," she said. "They were happy to see us. When we walked in with our games and equipment, their eyes lit up."

She came back to Mechanicsville with a new purpose when the week was over. "I found out when I got back that God wanted me to minister to my family." It was her first trip away from home for longer than a weekend, but there was no time to be homesick. "They kept us busy."

Before the group of 23 left, they raised money for the trip doing chores for church members.

For more photos of the MissionFuge Trip, go to The Stand page.

Submit Your Own Testimony of Faith Here

Submit Your Own Testimony of Faith Here

"J.B.", 4/5/01

Taking the Contagious Christian course was a real eye-opener for me, and a vehicle God has used to increase my awareness of several things.

First of all, as the class progressed, I realized that, over the years, though my circle of friends has increased, that circle is about 90% Christian. This is one reason, I decided, that I'd previously thought I'd had so few opportunities to share Christ with friends - most of them already knew Him! Now I realize that I must make an effort to "barbecue" with neighbors, coworkers, and even family members who are not Christians.

The course also increased my awareness of opportunities I have every day to start spiritual conversations. One day at school, a textbook representative (a stranger to me) stopped by my office to ask about the classes I was teaching. After a few minutes, our conversation became more personal, and I had a chance to share how God had worked in my life to help me with a difficult experience. She didn't have much to say about that, but I learned from the course that I shouldn't be discouraged, because my talk with her might have been a link in the chain that leads her to a close relationship with God.

Also at school, I'm not allowed to "preach" in class, but I have found another way to open myself up to being more approachable about spiritual matters. I now make it a point to mention sometime during the semester that I'm a Christian; in the past few weeks, that alone has been enough to bring a couple of students to me, asking questions about my faith and asking me to pray for them.

The Contagious Christian class also made me more aware of the fact that everyone I lock eyes with in the course of a day matters to God. This has really helped me on days when I'm locking eyes with 22 people at a time who want to be anywhere on earth except sitting in an English class, looking back at me! Thinking about how precious each person is to God has made me come into class and ask them how they are, rather than coming into class and immediately trying to figure out if they've done their homework!

I have a long way to go to be the ultimate witness every day, but I feel as though I'm much more sensitive to opportunities that God gives me to share Him with others.

"My life will never be the same again!"

This was my thought as I left the final session of "Contagious Christian".

This is one of the best classes I have ever participated in. The eight sessions are just the beginning for what will be a life-time adventure between God & me. I expected a class that would remind me of the importance of spreading the Good News. The sessions did that, but in ways I NEVER expected. The most awesome theory we were taught is that we have never locked eyes with another human who does not matter to God. Upon accepting this theory, how can we go through life the same as before? Suddenly, working for God becomes of paramount importance. The most comfortable part of this class is that we're taught to reach others for God by being ourselves! God made us & really can & will use us! We learned to be God's instruments, but to leave the final result to Him. With that, we can't fail.

If you're will to impact the world - through one person, by one action at a time, this IS the class for you! What better reward than to lock eyes with people in heaven, that you helped to get there.

J. Fisher, 3/01

Cool Spring Family:

I want to take the opportunity to tell you about a course that I attended at our church. The title is "Becoming a Contagious Christian" and this course prepares you to do the things you have always wanted to do but didn't feel you were qualified or equipped. This course will help you to tell others what God has done in your life, but the main emphasis is witnessing to others about Jesus Christ.

I guess most of us wonder what plan and purpose God has for our lives. One thing for sure as Christians we are expected to share God's Word and awaken the unbelievers to their need for Christ.

As Christians, are you prepared to witness to a person that tells you, "I need Jesus in my life?"  If there is no one else available and it has to be done now, are you ready? This may be the only time this person has to be saved from eternal damnation. If you are not ready, you need this course.

So I salute Ted Tussey and Debbie Tate for their dedication and for a job well done in facilitating this course. And I do urge every member who has not availed themselves to this course to sign up for it the next time that it is offered. 1 Corinthians 15:58 states, "Always give yourself fully to the Lord, because you know your work in the Lord is never wasted."

B. Berry - 3/01

I have been a Christian for several years and have experienced periods during those years that I can point to and say "I definitely grew as a Christian" during the event. My experience with "Becoming a Contagious Christian" ranks as one of the most meaningful spiritual markers in my walk with Christ to date. The information was presented in practical, real-life situations that I have since shared with several non-Christian friends. I see those people growing daily and have watched as my own boldness in witnessing about my relationship with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has increased dramatically.

D. Alan Chandler, MD (5/14/01)

I would like to thank the Cool Spring Church Family for taking the time to search for old pairs of glasses to be sent for missions work in Africa.  The glasses left for Bulawayo, Zimbabwe 5/14 with missions teams from VCU and Longwood College (in spite of the recent fire at their campus). 

The glasses were generously donated, then cleaned and the prescription read and printed.  Necessary repairs were made.  The glasses were packaged with their prescription and a Christian tract.  The glasses will be matched by an optometrist in Africa to people who need that prescription.  Many of these glasses will be used by local pastors and teachers in Africa who are spreading God's Word.  What a tragedy it would be if those seeking Jesus were unable to do so because of simply being unable to read print, even if the Bible was printed  in their native language!  These glasses make this possible.

Overall, the glasses were in very good to excellent condition.  None were sent that were not usable.  Many of the glasses were bifocal, and some had high prescriptions capable of correcting the vision of people who would otherwise be legally blind without them.  Many of these glasses would have cost hundreds of dollars each purchased at retail price.  With a conservative valuation of $50 per pair, over $12,000 worth of glasses were sent from Cool Spring!  For our brothers in Christ in Africa, these represent a gift from God; for some, a miracle.  However, priceless is the value of one person being saved as a result of this effort.

A Thank You Note to Cool Spring:

Thank You!

Thank you so much for opening your church up to provide a place for our conference. Everyone was so warm and friendly and your facility was very flexible to the conference setup.

The FOOD and COOKS were outstanding. I feel I have gained 50 pounds. The servers & youth were wonderful! Thank you for letting our Lord open your doors for this blessing. Having helped with conferences at our church I know what it entails.

God will surely bless this church in many ways.

God Bless You.

As we meet today, deep in the heart of Texas, we meet deep in the heart of the most religious nation on Earth, too. I'm usually not much for polls, but here's a Gallup poll that makes sense to me. According to this survey, 7 in 10 Americans believe in life after death; 8 in 10, that God works miracles; 9 in 10 pray; and more than 90 percent believe in God. To which I say, thank God for the United States of America. I'm delighted that Jim Baker's here, fellow Houstonian, and Susan. As he knows and as our Vice President knows and the other members of our Cabinet who I see out here know, we open every Cabinet meeting with a prayer. And it's going to be that way as long as I am President.

Today we've got difficult times, but we Americans have much to thank God for. Yes, challenges face us: good schools and safe streets, sound economy -- all the problems that Bob Lanier works with as Mayor of our great city -- and a world at peace. But we will meet and master them as Americans always have, not by running America down but by using God's gifts to lift America up. Thomas Jefferson phrased the first gift best. ``The God who gave us life,'' he said, ``gave us liberty at the same time.'' Today God's gift of liberty is remaking the entire globe. In Berlin, like Jericho, the walls come tumbling down. In Barcelona, just ask Mary Lou, this summer the games were held without boycotts, without terrorism, without politics. That's exactly as it should be.

Over the past 3 1/2 years, bayonets have been no match for the righteousness of God. Look at Bulgaria, where at last people wish Merry Christmas to each other without fear of being labeled religious. Look to Russia, where a cathedral once called the All Union Museum of Religion and Atheism now houses God's apostles, or the former East Germany, where Bible studies are like bluebonnets in the spring, they're busting out all over. In a season of thanksgiving the world says grace. By God's providence, the cold war is over, and America's views prevailed.

I remember when, 10 years ago, one of God's great soldiers went to Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union. Returning to America, Billy Graham predicted that freedom would outlast tyranny. He felt that religion was alive way back then. The doubters said, ``He's been tricked.'' But Dr. Graham knew something they didn't. He knew the chains of oppression forged by men were no match for the keys to salvation forged by God.

I talked about this with Billy, Barbara and I did, just, well, it was a year ago in January when we invited him to stay at the White House the night before our troops started Desert Storm. I thought a lot that night about thousands of people praying in the churches, about our own home parish right here, Jim's and mine, St. Martin's. I see our bishop over here, and welcome, sir. St. Martin's parish, with its prayer books and its crosses and handmade Christmas cards made in Sunday schools for our troops in the Gulf. It's true of every parish represented at this wonderful ecumenical service. It is absolutely true of all religions. We prayed for the troops themselves, the finest sons and daughters any nation could ever have. I know how a second gift of God's, family, can lift America. I can no more imagine a life without family than I can a universe without love. Last night -- here she is -- you saw Barbara on television. I'll let her explain why family matters so much. I thought she did a first-class job of that last night. But here's her quote. ``At the end of your life,'' she said, ``you will never forget not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, nor closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend, or a parent.'' Barbara knows that kids, quoting Art Linkletter, say not only the funniest but the most insightful things, especially about religion. Once a Sunday school teacher started talking about the story of Jonah and the whale, and she asked what the story showed. A small boy raised his hand. ``I know,'' he said. ``People make whales sick.'' [Laughter]

Well, each of us turns to God daily to make lives well, and we act through the third and greatest of God's gifts, prayer. If Congress can spend time debating Vanna White's appearance on the Home Shopping Network, surely Congress can find time to pass an amendment allowing voluntary prayer in our classrooms. So let's do what we can to bring the faith of our fathers back to our schools.

You know, I've been President for 3 1/2 years now. More than ever, I believe with all my heart that one cannot be President of our great country without a belief in God, without the truth that comes on one's knees. For me, prayer has always been important but quite personal. You know us Episcopalians. [Laughter] And yet, it has sustained me at every point of my life: as a boy, when religious reading was part of our home life; as a teenager, when I memorized the Navy Hymn. Or how 48 years ago, aboard the submarine Finback after being shot down in the war, I went up topside one night on the deck, on the conning tower, and stood watch and looked out at the dark. The sky was clear. The stars were brilliant like a blizzard of fireflies in the night. There was a calm inner peace. Halfway around the world in the war zone, there was a calm inner peace: God's therapy.

This month I got a letter from a little girl, age 11, Joy Vaughn. Oh, I love getting the mail at the White House, but this one was special. She lives in Mesa, Arizona, and one of her brothers is a missionary. She wrote, ``I just wanted to tell you that I am praying for you.'' And then she added, ``God is in charge.''

So Barbara and I have concluded, as every family that's been privileged to live in the White House I'm sure has concluded, that you cannot be President without believing in God. We say our prayers every night. When we sit in that historic family dining room on the second floor of the White House, we say the blessing before our meals. Today I ask for your prayers, not for the campaign that we're in but prayers asking God to give those of us in leadership positions and give me as President the strength to do what is right, the courage to lead this, the greatest nation on the face of the Earth, the United States of America, one Nation under God. Thank you, and may God bless our great country.

Paralympian John Register

John Register is a paralympian from the U.S., who will be competing in the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, beginning Oct. 19. Here is his testimony:

In high school I won an Illinois State Championship in the 300-meter hurdles. Next, I received a scholarship to track and field powerhouse University of Arkansas, where I became a three-time All-American in track.

In 1988 I didn't participate in the Olympic trials because I was intent on finishing my degree, and I couldn't train adequately for the event. After being out of school a few years, I decided I wanted to try out for the 1992 Olympic team. The United States Army has a World Class Athlete program, which allows soldier-athletes two years of preparation and training for the next Olympic Games.

Everything was going well … until Operation Desert Storm. Suddenly, I was on my way to Saudi Arabia. It was an amazing experience -- I was able to share my faith in Christ with some guys, and we had a prayer group that grew and grew.

When I made it back to the States, I had just 10 months to train for the 1992 Olympic Games. I ended up finishing 17th in the 400-meter trials. There would be no Olympics for me that year.

In October 1993, I was recommended to go to Officers Candidate School. Then in May of 1994 I was back training at the All-Army track and field camp to try to get back into the World Class Athlete Program -- this time as an officer.

During practice, I went across a hurdle, and when I landed, I dislocated my knee. It rotated about 30 degrees inward and popped out of the joint backwards. I had been leading a Bible study at the track, and immediately what came out of my mouth were simple praises to God. I was living out the faith I had been telling others about during this traumatic experience.

Then my life took a surprising turn. The injury had severed the popliteal artery in my leg, and the doctors were unable to make an artery that would work. After a few days my leg became infected, and we made a decision to amputate my leg just above the knee.

I sensed God was telling me, during this time, "I haven't brought you this far just to leave you. I've planned out everything. You can use this to bring glory to Me."

A short time later, I started swimming for physical therapy. A local lifeguard saw my stroke, and she started helping me refine it and work on flip turns. I took her advice, and I began working diligently on my swimming. Ironically, that leg injury and amputation led to the fulfillment of my dream. I finally made it to the Olympics -- competing in the Paralympic Games in swimming.

Later, a company called Flex Foot, which is a lower extremity for amputees, donated a foot for me to run on. Another prosthetics company built me a socket, and I was able to run again.

In 1998, I went to the World Championships, and after three meets I made the World Championship Team, placing sixth in the long jump (4.59 meters).

For the 2000 Paralympic Games, I hope to make the finals in the 200- and 100-meter dash. I also have my sights set on being in medal contention for the long jump.

I know I've inspired people with my story. But I have been inspired, as well. At the 1996 Games I saw an athlete from Laos. He had no arms, and he was swimming -- doing the 200 meters. He dove in the water and kicked all the way down the pool.

To turn, you have to touch the wall before you turn, which swimmers do with their hands. This swimmer hit the wall with his head, turned over and then did the backstroke kick all the way back, hit the wall with his head, and did the breaststroke kick, hit his head again, and came in with a freestyle kick, hit his head on the wall to stop the clock and win the event. It was amazing.

Even more amazing is God's love for me and you. I have learned that if you put Christ first, He will guide you in what He wants you to do. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Former Washington Redskins Coach Joe Gibbs

Joe Gibbs, who only recently began to discuss publicly his religious beliefs and their impact on his life, said yesterday that bad investments and poor judgment cost him $1.2 million and left him virtually broke shortly after becoming head coach of the Washington Redskins in 1981. Gibbs often has spoken vaguely of the financial problems, and a year ago began including references to them in some of his public talks.

But last week as the keynote speaker at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes breakfast and again yesterday at the National Prayer Breakfast at the Washington Hilton and later in an interview with The Washington Post, he detailed the depth of his trouble.

He became involved in a real estate partnership in Oklahoma just as the Sunbelt boom was ending and ended up owing seven banks about $1.2 million. At one point, he became so desperate that "I got on my knees. . . . I said, 'Hey, God, it's in your hands. I'm bankrupt. The only person who can straighten this mess out is You.' "

He said he had difficulty speaking about the matter in the past, but, "Now that it's over with, it's become part of my testimony. I think I can help other young people. Most people are going to have to deal with it sometime in their lives. There have been some other things in {his wife} Pat and my lives that I think other couples could benefit from. We've had a few experiences that have been trying."

Among them: Pat Gibbs underwent two long and life-threatening operations for removal of a brain tumor in 1979. She was at the end of a complete recovery when Gibbs joined the Redskins in 1981, thereby fulfilling a dream to be a head coach. The Redskins began 0-5 that season and Gibbs has listed that beginning as another of the turning points in his life.

He said, "I got in the business deals for this reason: I had a short-term contract, I didn't know what was going to happen here and I was going to jump out and invest in this real estate boom and make enough money that I don't have to worry about things. I didn't put my security in the right things. I was trying to get it in money and other areas. I wasn't willing to trust God with my finances. I was looking elsewhere for my security."

"I had disasters in three different areas. I learned a lot and felt I was a better person because I went through them." He discussed all of them in Tampa, telling the audience how his wife was misdiagnosed for 6 1/2 years before the tumor was discovered, how she underwent the two operations and how she made a virtually complete recovery. "You still can't put it into words," he said. "You can't just write a column and explain what it was like. You're on the border. She had one operation and they thought she was fine. Then she had a relapse and had to go in for more surgery and almost died. That part of it is hard."

"I use the things I've gone through to illustrate that God's love is different from the world's love," he said. "The world's love says if you win, we love you. If you lose, we're going to boo you. God's is unconditional and really he's teaching you and molding you and making you more during the tough times. I use that as a contrast.