About

I grew up in a non-Christian home. Both my parents worked hard and drank hard. Mom sent us kids to church every Sunday, though, something which has had a lasting effect on me.  At the age of ten I started to attend a new Pentecostal Assembly Church in my hometown of Nipigon, Ontario. Both the pastor and his wife showed love and acceptance, something I greatly needed.

One Sunday morning, I overheard the pastor talking to another girl who was a bit younger than I. I remember hearing the salvation message really for the first time. Before this, I thought as long as I was a good girl, I would make it into heaven, and I thought one could earn their way into heaven by doing good deeds. This pastor spoke of Jesus like I had heard no one speak of him. I heard for the first time that Jesus loved me, that He loved me so much that he gave his life so that I could be joined back to God.

I stood and listened to him read the various Bible passages from John and Romans. It changed my life. When he bowed his head and led the girl in the sinner’s prayer, I bowed my head too and prayed along with them. But being a shy and fearful child, I didn’t tell John for some thirty years.

“I heard for the first time that Jesus loved me, that he loved me so much that He gave his life so that I could be joined back to God.“

Throughout grade school, my faith stood out, but that didn’t matter to me. God was my reason for living; even as a little girl, I knew that. When I prayed, God heard and answered my prayers. So my heart would be forever his.

Then in high school, it stood out even more when I did the daily scripture reading over the intercom to the four hundred and some odd students. Some ridiculed, and some thought it was brave. To say the ridiculing didn’t hurt would be a lie, but my love for God was great, and his love for me even greater. His love kept me and healed many wounds, over and over. So I prayed for those who made fun of me.

Although my life may have been hard at times, I have never looked back and never regretted my decision that one early Sunday morning. I have remained true to God all these years and will remain true until I cross that river and see Christ face to face.

Lauren A. Harrison