My Testimony
by Donna Simpson

When I was 6 years old I remember my mother coming to me and explaining that if I didn’t ask Jesus into my heart then I could go to hell. My mother was a baby Christian at the time and she thought that I was old enough to understand. I remember laying on my bed and praying for Jesus to come into my heart.

Not long after that, I remember seeing the Evangelist James Robinson on TV and he was saying to be saved you should repeat this prayer. I don’t remember the exact words of the prayer but I remember thinking I didn’t say those words. I better say them just in case I said them wrong before.

A few years later my family started visiting a denominational church. I remember sitting in the pew and yet again thinking that the pastor said a different prayer. And I was confused even more when the pastor said that if I was really saved I would want to be water baptized. My Dad of course tried to explain why this was not necessary but I remember feeling fearful. What if my Dad was wrong?

When I was about 11 years old, Brother Jerry Lockhart began teaching a Bible Class in Arlington, TX, where I lived. He kept teaching the Word and talked about trusting. I remember doubting my salvation, but I kept thinking if I asked God to save me when I was 6 then surely he did.

That summer we attended a Bible Camp in Alabama. Brother E.C. Moore was teaching one night; I remember it was dark outside. He asked the crowd "Do you remember a time when you were lost and trusted Christ as your Savior?" This is when I really began to feel conviction. I was afraid to die because I wasn’t sure if I was saved. This conviction in my heart went on for months.

In October of that year my parents took us to the Grace Bible Conference in Pensacola, Florida. This time I was in a teen class and the teacher was Jack Lockhart. He gave his testimony. He was a lost believer. He had grown up the pastor’s son, and he was struggling with the fact that he was lost. He just couldn’t be lost, after all, he had been at every church event since he was born. He told the story of pacing in the back yard and wringing his hands and trying to figure it out. Finally he gave in and realized that he didn’t need to figure it out, and he trusted that Christ would save him. He told of the peace that he had felt every since that day. I was able to see myself in his story. I was trusting in my mother, father, pastor, or words to save me, but I had finally gotten lost and realized that Christ knew me when he hung on that cross and he suffered pain and death for me. God raised him from the dead to be my Lord and Savior. I felt complete peace immediately. I remember still feeling embarrassed and not sharing my salvation testimony with anyone for a long time. Thank the Lord for my parents who took me to Bible Study, Bible Conferences and the Bible Camp. The preaching of at least three different Grace Pastors worked towards me realizing I was lost.

I am so thankful for the peace that passeth all understanding and my gift of eternal salvation.

Rom.10:17
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2Cor.4:3
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2Tim.1:9
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Tit.3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

Rom.10:15
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Phil.4:7
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus

Rom.6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.