I grew up as a missionary kid, in Peru, South America.  It was under my parents ministry at the age of six that I accepted the Lord Jesus as my personal Savior.  As I grew into my teenage years, the peer pressure of wanting to be a part of the “in” crowd, led me down a path that pulled me farther and farther away from the Lord.

Music has always been a big part of my life.  I began listening to the wrong kind of music that sent messages contrary to the teaching of the Word of God.  As a teenage I dressed in ways to get the approval of the wrong people.  My parent's rules, I thought, were ridiculously strict.  I did not want to be that missionary kid who had to set the example, but rather, I was curious and wanted to experiment with the some of the vices the world had to offer.  Even though, I thought I was doing the right, I was not happy.  I was rebelling against my parents and God.  I became so depressed, I began thinking of ways I could take my life.

Once I graduated from high school, my parents encouraged me to go to Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College.  I had enough of school, however, I went to get the approval of my parents.  The first semester I was miserable.  You see, I was still not happy inside, I was angry, I could not find the “in” crowd there, so I pulled into myself and became a loner.  Second semester, they had a speaker in chapel whom the Lord used to speak to my heart.  The message opened my eyes and made me realize I cannot do it on my own.  I needed to “Let go, and let God” be in control of my life.  At that point, I re-dedicated my life to the Lord, finished my first year of college.  After completing three more years at Faith Bible College in Iowa, I lived with my folks for two years in Phoenix, Arizona, while I was looking for a place to minister.  My mom found an ad in a Christian magazine for a church secretary in Lancaster, California.  December 28, 1984, I flew to California, and Pastor Rex Furman and his family were very hospitable to me.  I did the interview and told him I needed some time before I gave him my decision, thinking I could answer “no” by phone once I got home.  So we agreed I would give him my decision by January 1, 1985.  My flight back home was not a pleasant one, once again I was wrestling with the Lord.  I didn’t want to move to California all by myself.  I didn’t think I could do the job.  Yes, I had the education, but I didn’t think I was good enough.  Why would anyone hire me?  These sounded like good excuses at the time....I pulled out my Bible and it opened to Psalm 25 and I read, “What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.  His soul shall dwell at ease;   The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will show them his covenant.”  As that airplane landed in Phoenix, my folks were there to meet me, with tears streaming down my face, with no doubts in my mind, I knew I was moving to California.  I needed again to “Let go, and let God.”

My first Sunday on the job January of 1985, the Lord brought my best friend and now husband into my life.  While we were dating Paul had shared with me how he wanted to minister as a pastor some day.  I let it go through one ear and out the other as I thought he enjoys teaching so much, he’ll teach until he retires.  I can remember, when Paul came to visit one of the services here at Faith Bible.  He came home and shared with me they were in need of a pastor.  My heart sank, “No Lord, I cannot be a pastor’s wife, I cannot do the job.”  Once again, “Let go, and let God.”

God lead us to the ministry at Faith Bible in 1997.  There have been several areas that have been very difficult for me, singing special music, “Let go, and let God;” teaching Sunday School, “Let go, and let God;” Kid’s Time, “Let go, and let God,” sharing my testimony, “Let go, and let God.”

I thank the Lord for what He has done in my life, there is no better place to be than in the center of God’s will.

I learned after so many failures

And wrong decisions I’ve made,

To let go and let God do the doing

But there was a price to be paid.

My mind was filled with worries and fears

And my health was beginning to fail

I got to the lowest ebb in my life,

Like a sailboat without a sail.

And then, at this point, I fell to my knees and said,

“God, if You’re real, let me know.”

Then a wee small voice in my spirit said,

“I’m waiting for you to let go!”

Have you “Let go yet?”  Accept Jesus Christ today.  He can change your life too.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”  If you need further help making this decision call or write to:

Faith Bible Church

44746 Challenger Way Lancaster, CA  93535

Phone:  661-942-5465   E-mail:  pastorpauldennis@msn.com

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