John and Kathy Burkholder

July 22, 2013

In January 2012, our lives changed in a way that we never anticipated. My husband John and I went to a John Regier seminar for marriage relationships. That day, we heard a lot of inspiring information. As I lay in bed that night, I asked Jesus to forgive me for my sins and to live in my heart. I remember thinking to myself just before I completely fell asleep, “How am I going to tell John?”

The next morning, John, had an experience in the living room and became born again. It was an unusual thing to communicate to each other, because we had never read the Bible much in the past. Only on the days our church would have a fasting day would I try to read the Bible and think to myself that I needed to lead a better life; but it never lasted long, as I could not lead a better life on my own without Jesus in my heart.

At first we thought we could be born again and remain Amish, but by fall it was clear to us, that we would have to leave the Amish culture at some point. We left it to the Lord to work out how and when. My relationship with my family was getting very strained, and rumors were flying around the community that we have a funny belief. My mother was giving me Scripture verses that she wanted me to read that were all about honoring your mother and father.

Going to the Amish church was more and more difficult, since our ministers knew how we felt; they would continuously preach that you cannot have assurance of salvation.

The thought of leaving our families and culture kept us on our knees.

My one desire was for our children to finish the school term, as we knew that would have enough changes ahead. The Lord granted me that desire, as the opportunity to leave did not come until the last week of school. Plans then started to fall into place in a way that could only have been from the Lord.

My husband, John, talked to a friend of ours about the possibility of us leaving the Amish. I would have to move somewhere with the children as John needed to stay in the area because of his work. This friend of ours, gave us Joe Keim's phone number. That same evening, we told the children what we had planned for the next day.

Through many tears and prayers, we all agreed that this was God’s will for our lives, as only He could have worked it out so perfectly. The children had many questions, and we answered them the best we could.

The next morning, we left with a friend for Mission to Amish People (MAP) in Ashland. Shortly after we arrived, we were able to move into a house provided by the ministry.

In the following weeks, MAP, Associated Charities, and others helped us with food, clothing, getting my driver’s license, and more. MAP provided things for the children to do like helping a local farmer, mowing grass, and providing Bible lessons for me, John, and our children.

The Lord has richly blessed us since we left. When we had a need, people were always there to help us. Leaving the security of the Amish has been scary. No longer having the church rules and regulations to “keep us in line,” it is now between us and our Lord to walk the narrow way.

Having the veil lifted has been an awesome but scary thing. It is such a new way of life, and it has really kept us seeking the Lord. I would request prayer in the following ways: for our family to find a new home where we can all be together, our relationships with our families, for a large van we can all fit in, financial provision, strength to carry on in this great journey, and that we all remain strong in the Lord.

This testimony has been published with permission from the owner.

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