Edwin Hostetler

November 15, 2008

Hi everyone! Here is a testimony I wrote and would like to share it with others.

I became born again on March 9, 1993. Before I was saved I had nowhere to turn to and nothing to look forward to. I was suffering from mental issues and sin and I knew it was Satan trying to tear me and my family apart. Although I had a good job and was providing for my family there was still a sense of emptiness in my life. I was raised in a family with lots of pride and self righteousness but not God's love.

Then, in 1993 I was at my lowest point in life. I didn't want to live anymore and suffered with deep depression; it was awful. Then one day my wife handed me the Bible and told me to read it so I started reading Romans. The light at the end of the tunnel was getting brighter. God was truly working on me and for the first time I started to feel His love. I knew God was talking to me.

Then I came to Romans 10:9 which said, that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. March 9th was my day of salvation! Afterward, I couldn't get enough of God's word.

In 1994 the Lord led us to Cortland Trinity Baptist Church. We were baptized and became members of the church. Things went well until my back surgery in 1995. I was off work for a year, lost some things because of a lack of finances but made it through with help from friends, family and the church. Then I lost my job. And for 11 years I let pride and self take over. I told myself I didn't have to go to church and be with other believers. I never lost my faith but Satan sure took advantage of me. But God was not done with me or my family.

In 2007 my whole family started back to church. God showed His love through my two sons who would call me on Sunday mornings to ask if I would come to church. They tried to talk to me but pride was still there. I saw the Holy Spirit doing great things as my son-in-law Austin Harr accepted Christ and was baptized. God was really working to get us back. I started reading the Bible again...then I started attending a men's Bible study and experienced God's blessings. Then we started to attend church some. The prayers of so many were working!

Then I attended two Sacred Assemblies (public gatherings of the body of Christ for prayer and repentance) and felt the Holy Spirit grab me and humble me. I was blessed by what I saw God doing in these public gatherings. Prayer is the key! During the last Sacred Assembly special prayer was being offered for the Pastors who were there and I was interceding for them with some other men. During this time of intercession we could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit. It was a powerful experience for me; I knew I was being filled with the Holy Spirit! I was drunk in the Spirit for a whole week after that. I thought, Wow, what power God has; what an awesome God He is! Later, I came across the following two scriptures that truly blessed me.

Romans 15:5-6: Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah 3:14-15: Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

Remember, Jesus is the only way to life everlasting. I am giving Him the glory and honor for what He has done and is doing! As of today my whole family is born again. What a blessing this is to me and my wife. My heart is swelled with what God is doing. Keep living for Christ Jesus our Lord and all will be well and is well. My hope is that my testimony will somehow inspire and encourage you in the love of Christ Jesus.

-Ed Hostetler

^{This letter has been published with permission from the owner.}