Rhonda Brown

I was raised in Polk City and at the age of 11 or 12, I prayed for forgiveness of my sins and asked Jesus into my heart. I knew about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit as I was involved in church activities as a child. I believed Jesus was sent by God to earth and was crucified for my sins and then rose again and is now in heaven. I was saved during Awana’s with the help of a gentleman from the Evangelical Free Church. How exciting and joyful that day was for me.

As a teenager/young adult I fell back into sinning. I still believed in God but I was ignoring his likeness and disobeying his word. (Sinning) My life was a mess. After two failed marriages, I decided to move back to the Polk City area and be closer to family.

The spring of 2009, I was introduced to Pastor Dave, as he was visiting my parents when I stopped by. He asked me if I was saved and I said yes. Then he asked me, “where do you go to church?” I told him I attended the E-Free Church once in awhile. He said, “why not all the time?” I then exposed my heartfelt guilt to him stating that I’m a smoker and it’s such a nasty, dirty habit, it’s hard to go to church and not feel guilty because I smell of smoke and I know it’s a sin. His comment was, “maybe church can help keep you from sin instead of sin keeping you from church”. WOW! That really struck a cord. That statement stuck with me. I began reading my Bible again and confessing my sins and asking for forgiveness. I wanted to be involved in a church and learn has much as I could about God. That’s when I started attending Lakeside Fellowship. Eager to learn more and be a member of a church.

In the back of my mind, as a youth and young adult, I had a desire to be baptized, but I did not feel deserving of such a symbolic act. When I heard Lakeside Fellowship was having a baptism last summer, I asked if I could be baptized, no longer fearing I did not deserve this open confession that I was saved by Christ blood shed on the cross for my sins. God has blessed me in some many ways since that day.

I used to think, I’m saved and going to heaven, so what’s all the fuss about being involved in a church. For one thing I learn and keep learning about Jesus every week. The truth is heard and it penetrates the depths of my soul. It brings joy and it brings out sin in my life. It also holds me accountable for my actions and words. It’s all about learning what’s in the Bible and obeying it’s word. Believing in the cross and striving to be Christlike. Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Living my life for Jesus is hard work. It takes a lot of obedience. When I fail, I get back up with God’s help and press on for his love and glory. I give thanks to God and praise his name. I know he will never leave me. His love, grace and mercy are more than I can even begin to comprehend. He is above all things.