Testimony of Randy Yates
I grew up in a little Baptist church in Milton, WV named Bethel Baptist. My grandparents attended church there and so it was decided that we would also. One of my earliest memories of church was being bitten by a fellow toddler. I still have the emotional scar. (Kidding)
Early as a teenager my life had headed in the wrong direction. By the time I was sixteen and my father had passed away and I got away from the Lord and into “the party scene.”
Years later, with a marriage in trouble, I accepted Christ for myself. I was talking on the phone one evening with one of my brother-in-law’s Christian friends, who had been witnessing to me, and I gave my life to Christ. God was so gracious that not only did he save me, but he gave me back my marriage and my family.
My spiritual journey thus far is that God has given me an unquenchable desire to learn his Word. As a result, I have read the Bible several times from Genesis to the maps J I also have my own study and prayer time that is separate from my normal reading.
Some of the activities that I have been involved with at Teays Valley Church of God range from playing in the String Group to working with the garden ministry. I have also worked in the sound booth, running both the sound and the multi-media projector. One of my favorite things was doing the lighting for the Christmas play.
One of the things that I am excited about is seeing our church going out into the community. Everyone can play a big part in this especially our youth! When we announced that we would have a Family Fun Day at Kmart, I was a little skeptical. Having experienced it though, it was awesome! Whether I have the privilege of working with our youth or clearing the tables at the next Mother and Daughter Banquet my hope is to become more like Christ.
Christine Yates’ Testimony
I grew up in a little 3 room church in St. Albans named Riverview Freewill Baptist Church. My grandfather, on my dad’s side, was one of the founding members and the pastor at one point. My mom played the piano during worship and was in charge of our youth group when I was a teenager. She and my aunts had a singing group and my Uncle Bill was a pastor there for 5 years.
When I was 6 years old while spending the night at my Uncle Bill’s house, my cousin Sherri tried, in her wise 9 year old way, to explain why I needed to give my life to God. She basically scared the devil out of me! I prayed to receive Christ, but rather than feeling God loved me, I was afraid of Him. I look back now and see why I wasn’t committed to Him.
In 1993 I recommitted my life to God. During the next several years I tried so hard to remain faithful to Him and raise my daughters the right way, but we were struggling as a family and Randy and I struggled as a married couple. On Easter Sunday in 1997 I decided to come to church at TVCOG.
It was a lot bigger than what I was used to but I thought I could hide in the back easier that way, (HeHe.) It was awesome! The people were so warm and inviting and loving that I decided to come back. I even convinced my mom that she should try it out. After a visit from two ladies in the church and a return visit to church, I made this my church home and found the loving God that I had search for and didn’t see when I was younger. My husband accepted Christ and our family began to grow stronger. We have the most wonderful r elationship and I know that it would have never been possible if not for God. I will never stop thanking Him for such a wonderful husband and father to our girls.
During my time here at TVCOG I’ve been involved with the drama team, have done Scripture readings, read stewardship thoughts, participated in Christmas and Easter plays, worked in the nursery, volunteered for VBS, have taught preschool and elementary classes and volunteered wherever I was needed. Here recently, Randy and I developed the church website and monthly newsletter. My hope and prayer is that the youth can somehow be as blessed by Randy and me, as I’m sure we are going to be by them.