Testimony 4

Margaret Therrell

Born Again: During a revival
Place: In a church in Milan, Tennessee
Age: Teenage

Her Testimony
I went to Sunday School and Church at Milan, Tennessee. When I was a teenage girl, I was saved during a revival. I was real happy. We moved to Peoria, Illinois, in 1947. We lived in Peoria and the Peoria area for thirty-two years. I attended Church regularly and enjoyed my years as a Christian. In 1980 we moved back here and I joined Independent Baptist Church. I have been happy with the Church here. I feel when I die I will go to Heaven.

Margaret went home to be with the Lord on October 4, 1998.

Brenda Thomas

Born Again: At 8 years of age

Her Testimony
My relationship with God started when I was a very young child. My parents took me to church and my grandmother had the strongest faith of anyone I've ever known. God saved my soul sixty years ago when I was only eight years old. I remember and still feel it as if it were only yesterday. My God is my rock. Through the years He has always been there for me. I've strayed from Him, been close to being angry with Him. He never left my side, not once. He has blessed me beyond measure.
Finding Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church and this awesome church family has been a wonderful blessing. I am a true example of how God can lift you out of the depth of despair and give you hope. So I praise Him for never giving up on me, for walking with me daily and filling my soul with joy and peace. My salvation is real and the best thing that has ever happened to me.

Brenda is the wife of Jack Thomas and both of them are devoted members of HMBC. Jack is a very talented carpenter and has used his talents in serving the church. Brenda is an active member of the HMBC choir and The Helping Hands.

Donna Thomason

Born Again:
Place: At Home in My Bed
Age: Early Twenties

Her Testimony
I have been truly blessed with a Christian mother who took me to church all of my childhood and taught me about the Lord. I have heard her call my name in prayer many times and every time I get chills to my spine. I joined the church and was baptized at an early age, but during my early twenties under the preaching of Brother Kenneth Massey, I realized that I was not saved. I became very troubled and knew that if I died I would go to hell. One Sunday night while I lay in my bed I prayed and prayed for the Lord to save my soul. I prayed until I fell asleep. It was some time before I realized what had happened that night. I tried to pray, but the Lord kept taking me back to that night in my bed. I realized that the burden had been lifted and the Lord had saved my soul that night. But that was not all. I didn't tell anyone. I thought no one would ever knew I was lost anyway and I just couldn't get up in front of everyone and tell what had happened. But the Lord knew! It was two or three years later before I told anyone. I was burdened to set things straight with the Church almost as much as when I was lost. I cornered Brother Massey one Sunday morning between Sunday School and Church in the broom closet and asked him to please be sure and have an invitation for Church membership during the service. I joined the Church that morning and was later baptized into true Church fellowship. I could have never gotten up in front of everyone and told my experience without the Lord's help. I felt as though he was lifting me off of that pew and pushing me down the aisle.

Donna has been a member of HMBC for many years and is Choir Director and soloist. She is the daughter of Kay Smothers who also shared her testimony of salvation with us.

Larry Thomason

Born Again: A Friday night in 1953
Where: A tent revival in
Jackson, Tennessee

His Testimony
I can never remember not going to church when I was growing up. Mom and Dad took me to church Sunday, Wednesday night, and to anything else that was going on at Calvary Baptist Church. Revivals were never less than a full week and sometimes two weeks.

Music has always been a big part of my life. I started singing in the adult choir when I was seven in the alto section because that was the part they were short on. Mom and Dad loved the Bible study courses that the church offered so I was taken to them and learned the scripture at an early age.

One Friday night in 1953 at a tent revival where evangelist Eddie Martin was preaching on Allen Avenue in Jackson, Tennessee, several young people, including myself, went to the service. I was saved that night. That was 59 years ago and I know that heaven will be my home when I leave this earth.

Larry was a talented musician and took an active roll in the music ministry of HMBC. He was a member of the Victory Quartet, a soloist, and could play several instruments.
Larry passed away April 6, 2017, and he is missed, especially for his rendition of "O What A Savior".

James Turner

Born Again: Second Sunday in October 1937
Place: At Prayer Meeting
Age: 12

His Testimony
When I was twelve years old, I was attending a revival meeting and as the preacher was preaching, I got under conviction. About two months later, my family and I were attending a prayer meeting. My Dad was leading in prayer and after the prayer, I went to the altar. I had the greatest desire to be saved. I started praying and God saved me. It was on the second Sunday of October in 1937.

I attended the country church where I was saved until I moved to Michigan. There I attended a Free Will Baptist Church for over twenty years. My daughter Brenda was saved there and I loved everyone there, but they believed differently than I did, so I never joined that church.

When I retired, I moved back to Huntingdon and started going to Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church where my mother, Mrs. Essie Turner, had belonged until her death in 1988. I have attended this church for many years as a visitor, but on September 15, 2002, I joined the church and was baptized by Pastor Lynn Stapleton. It was a joyous and fulfilling occasion.

James went home to be with the Lord on October 8, 2007.

Cody Umstead

Born Again: June 27, 2005
Where: Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church

His Testimony
I had been asking my step dad and my Mom about how to get saved and they told me to listen in church. Then I became under great conviction. By then Revival had come and I was feeling worse than ever. I didn’t go the first night even though I was worried about not getting saved. But the second night came around and my eyes were starting to water and as soon as I was just about to go up there my mom was halfway down the aisle and I went right behind her and was saved by the grace of the Lord.

Kelli Carver is Cody Umstead's mother, They were saved on the same night.

Julia Umstead

Born Again:
Place: Mount Comfort Baptist Church
Age: 14

Her Testimony
I was saved at Mount Comfort Baptist Church at the age of fourteen. I went to the altar several times before I was able to turn everything over to God. When I did, He saved me. I thank God every day for filling my heart with His wonderful Spirit and I thank Him that I can know that I have been saved. I am proud to be a member of Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church and I love my church family.

"And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life." [I John 5:20]

Tony Umstead

Born Again: Thanksgiving Weekend 1992
Where: At Home

His Testimony
I was sitting on my bed. I had gone just about as low as I could go. I had some family praying with me, asking God to forgive me and He did! It's funny how you can be so lost and giving up when God reaches down and takes out that old heart of trouble, and strife, and sin and replaces it with a heart of love and peace. I walked out of my bedroom a changed man.

Joining the Church on November 16th, 2014, also changed my life !! It was for the better and my life has been so different. With God being with you and realizing He is with you is a life changer! The peace and happiness, well, there's no way to explain it if you haven't been through it. It's that great!! With God all things are possible!! I do love HMBC. My Church Family is so dear to me!

The following is the chorus to the song I wrote about what God and the Church have done for me.

I gave my life to Jesus,
Became a new man.
Got a light in my life
Where it's never been.
Something's in my heart,
That I've never felt before
And I know it is
My Father's Love.

Tony went to be with the Lord on October 26, 2017

Teresa Warbritton

Born Again: 1978
At a church "sleep-in"
First Assembly of God Church
Age 13

Her Testimony
I went to a "sleep-in" at the First Assembly of God Church close to where I lived. We were having a prayer session and there were some things I wanted better in my life. I knew only God could help me. I knelt down on my knees and began to pray. I was crying and repenting of my sins and asking God to save me. Almost immediately there was a sudden change. The tears stopped, my burdens were lifted, and I felt light as a feather. I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness like nothing I had ever felt before. I was so happy my feet didn't seem to touch the ground for days.
Since that day, I have known that God was with me. When I am sad or need help and comfort, He is always there. During my lifetime, God has shown me the difference that He and only He can make. Thank God for His mercy! He has shown me many miracles and I'm proud to say I'm a child of GOD and I truly would not be here if it were not for His love, grace, and mercy.

JoNell Weatherford

Born Again in 1968
Place: Independent (now Huntingdon) Missionary Baptist Church
Age: 15

Her Testimony
I was saved in 1968 at the age of 15 at Independent Missionary Baptist Church, now Huntingdon Missionary Baptist Church.
I grew up in church. I didn't attend every Sunday, but most of them, Sunday school and Church. Our church had revival in the summer (month of June), morning and night services. I believe the preacher we had for revival was Bro. Hedge. I had really been listening to him and what he was saying about hell. Then, on a Friday morning, I was standing in the pew listening and singing along with the song they were singing. My heart was beating fast and I was hanging on to the back of the pew, scared to go down front. I was shy and still am. I said to myself "I can't get out". My cousin Judy was standing next to me by the aisle. Back then the ladies of the church would come and talk to you during altar call, so, I forget which lady it was, but she came over to Judy and then Judy was at the altar. Then, I got really shaky and thought, if they sing another verse I'll go, but before that verse started my foot seemed to move without my help. Then I was in the aisle on the way to the altar. I prayed to Jesus to save my soul, I did not want to die and go to hell. I prayed and others prayed. Then, there came this calm feeling over my soul. I felt light as a feather. That conviction was gone and I knew Jesus had saved my soul. I was so excited! I wanted to tell my mother and daddy and my friends.
I have been saved ever since and nothing can change that. Praise the Lord!
At that time in my life I thought you only needed Jesus to keep you from going to hell, but it is much , much more than that to me. I have had a difficult life at times and some of those times it was just Jesus and me. You need Him every day. I don't believe I would be here today if I had not been saved. I could not have made it through life.
Jesus brought me into this world. Jesus saved me from this world. Jesus will take me out of this world.
Thank you Jesus for saving my soul!
Praise The Lord!! Written April 1, 2017

Bonnie Jean Webb

Born Again: A Sunday Night in May of 1961
Place: At Home - Kneeling by my bed in prayer

Her Testimony
I was saved on a Sunday night in May of 1961 when I knelt by my bed in prayer. I and my three small children were driving home from a visit with my parents when the Lord convicted me of my sins. My husband James was working away from home and I felt so lonely and helpless because I had most of the responsibility of raising our children. That afternoon God spoke to my heart. It was so strong I started crying. I felt so useless and unholy and I felt that I must be one of the meanest women in the world. That afternoon God revealed to me that if I would believe and put all my trust in Him that I would never be alone again.

The conviction did not leave me the next day at work or the next so I started talking to some of my Christian friends whom I trusted. They told me that God was wanting to save me and that they would pray for me, but I would have to pray for myself. I had been taught to pray when I was a little girl, but at night at home.

On that Sunday night in May, my only prayer was for Jesus to save me. I don’t know how long I stayed down on my knees by my bed. I have never felt so lonely, afraid and lost in God’s sight. I knew that if something didn’t change I would go to Hell if I died. I prayed and begged God to save me and that deep burden left me. I can honestly say that I went from the worst feeling I have ever had to the most wonderful feeling I have ever had. James was not a Christian at that time so I started praying for him to be saved so that we could have a Christian home for our children.

A few years later God saved my children. First Randy, then Billy and then Gail. Finally, James was saved.
Thank you God! I can never thank God enough for His blessings.

Bonnie went home to be with the Lord on January 19, 2021.

Denise Webb

Born Again: One night after revival services
Place: At Home
Age: Mid-twenties

Her Testimony
I joined Yuma Baptist Church when I was about ten years old. I knew at the time that I wasn't saved, but a lot of kids were baptized that year and I guess I wanted to be too. When Harold and I married we started attending church at Independent Baptist Church. Revival services began and Brother Kenneth Massey was the preacher. Harold started going to the altar for prayer and I would go to pray with him. The Lord began to remind me that I wasn't saved either. Needless to say my condition got worse. We would talk about the service every night after we got home. It seemed like the Lord dealt with me more when I was alone with my own thoughts at bedtime. When I laid down to sleep I would pray on my pillow for the Lord to save me. Then, one night as I lay on my pillow praying I just thought, I'll die if that's what it takes, and somehow within myself I gave up everything in this world. At that very moment RELIEF passed over me and I fell asleep immediately. I doubted my experience for some time until I realized there was no burden in my heart when I heard sermons about dying and going to hell and I haven't had trouble in my heart like that since. I joined the church in 1982 and was baptized.

Denise is the wife of Harold Webb and mother of Rachel Webb.

Harold Webb

Born Again: Saturday, July 1981, at 9:30 P.M.
Place: Independent Baptist Church
Age: 27

His Testimony
Through the preaching of the gospel by Brother Kenneth Massey, I became convicted of my sins. I witnessed the salvation of others and how they shouted and rejoiced in the Lord and I decided that is how I wanted to be saved. I discovered later, however, I could not be saved the way I wanted, but the way God wanted. After doing everything I knew to do, I turned everything over to the Lord and prayed that He would save me. When I did that, the Lord saved me and I knew it. Sweet peace came over me and I have never been lost again. The revival at Independent went through Saturday that year and I was saved on Saturday night.

Harold is an HMBC Deacon, and Treasurer of the church. He and his wife Denise Webb are devoted members. He is one of our congregational song leaders and a member of the Victory Quartet. Denise is a HMBC choir member. They have one daughter, Rachel Webb.

James Webb

Born Again: On a Friday about noon the second week in July 1969
Where: At Home
Age: 40

His Testimony
I was saved on a Friday, around noon, the second week in July 1969. I was forty years old. I had taken a vacation day off from work on Friday of that week. The revival was going on at New Cross Roads Baptist Church and my wife Jean and children went to church that morning, but I stayed at home. That night Jean and the children got ready to go back to church and I got ready and went with them.
I was saved that morning when I was at home alone, but I did not tell anyone. That night at church an invitation was given for the lost to come to the altar for prayer and when the invitation song started, I went to the altar. I knew I had been saved that morning at home, but the feeling was so new to me that I wanted to be sure. When I went to the altar that night the Lord assured me that I had been saved because all I could pray was to thank Him. I did not have that heavy burden any more. On Sunday morning after that I joined the church and was baptized.

From that day on all of the years I worked, I would take a week off my job to attend the revival. That was the most enjoyable week I spent after I got saved.

I thank God for my salvation and for all the people who prayed for me to be saved.

James went home to be with the Lord on August 16, 2022.

Rachel Webb

Born Again: July 1, 1998
Where: Independent Baptist Church
Age: 9

Her Testimony
I was saved when I was nine years old. I was at church and I started shaking and got sad. I prayed that God would save me. When I got saved my heart started feeling different. I felt better after I prayed that God would save me. I felt happy!

Rachel is the daughter of Harold Webb and Denise Webb.

Ginger Smith Welp

Born Again: June 1995
Place: Independent Missionary
Baptist Church
Age: 14

Her Testimony
I was saved at Independent Baptist Church when I was 14 years old. I had been under conviction for a long time, and had gone to the altar several times. One Wednesday morning during revival, while Brother Trey Crews was preaching, I felt like he was preaching just to me. When the altar call was given, I remember my brother asking me if I knew where I would go when I died. At that very moment, I went to the altar and prayed for the Lord to save me. He did. I know I am saved because I felt a very sweet peace in my heart that I had never felt before. I joined the church and was baptized on Sunday after the revival.

Ginger is the daughter of Brent Smith and Wanda Smith, and the granddaughter of Ray Smith and Wilma Smith.

Ruby White

Born Again: About Midnight
Place: At home in my bed
Age: 27

Her Testimony
I went to church with my dad's people when I was a little girl and I thought I was saved. I joined the Church of Christ and was baptized, but I was never really satisfied. I had gone to bed one night and was reading my Bible by a coal oil lamp. As I was reading from the books of Romans and Hebrews, I became very troubled and began to pray. I lifted my hands toward heaven and said, "Lord, I'm not satisfied. If I'm saved let me know, and if I'm not, please save me." About midnight the Lord saved me and I was satisfied. I joined New Liberty Missionary Baptist Church and was baptized in Briar Creek. I am ninety years old now and I am still satisfied.

"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness." [John 12:46]

It may have been a coal oil lamp instead of a candle that shone on the night Ruby was Born Again, but she knew that she had received the light of the Lord Jesus Christ and that light has sustained her through the years.

Ruby went home to be with the Lord on February 16, 2000.

Drake Whitworth

Born Again: July 1, 1998
Where: Independent Baptist Church
Age: 7

His Testimony
When I knew that I was not saved I knew that I was going to hell. Then I went to the altar and prayed and my dad went with me and he prayed for me and my mom did too. Then after I prayed I felt a lot better.

Drake is the son of Mitchell Whitworth and Sheila Whitworth

Dustin Whitworth

Born Again: July 1, 1998
Where: Independent Baptist Church
Age: 10

His Testimony
On a Wednesday night, fourth night of the revival, I was sitting on the second row on the far left. I knew if I did not get saved I was sure enough going to hell. There were three or four people under conviction. I just knew I had to get saved that night. I did not want to take any more chances. That night I was sitting on the pew and the Lord started messing with my heart. That night I got saved. It was the happiest feeling I had ever had.

Dustin is the son of Mitchell Whitworth and Sheila Whitworth

Mitchell Whitworth

Born Again: Friday Night, July 2, 1993
Place: Independent Baptist Church
(On the left side of the Altar)
Age: 29

His Testimony
I felt conviction when I was about nine years old. I knew if I died I would go to hell, but I dodged going to church so I would not feel so bad. Many years later, I started going to church again. The conviction I felt as a child soon returned and I knew I was lost. During a revival in 1993, I went to the altar three times and prayed for salvation each time, but was not satisfied. On Friday night, the Lord saved me, but I was not sure what to do. Sunday morning God let me know and I gave my testimony and joined the church. I was baptized that night. I finally realized God was the only One who could save me and He did. Now my heart is filled with joy and peace and love.

Mitchell is the husband of Sheila Whitworth and the father of Drake Whitworth and Dustin Whitworth.

Shelia Whitworth

Born Again: Thursday, July 1, 1993, at 9:15 P.M.
Place: Independent Baptist Church
Age: 26

Her Testimony
I knew I had been lost for a long time (since I was 13 years old). I have always been a stubborn person and would tell myself to wait till the next revival or a Sunday when not many people were at church and then try to be saved. On July 1, 1993, I became so burdened it didn't matter how many people were at church. That Thursday night, I went to the altar and prayed for about an hour. Still unsaved, I attempted to stand, but when I was half way to my feet, the burden was so heavy I fell to my knees again. Then in a twinkle of an eye, I was saved and I felt peace within.

Sheila is the wife of Mitchell Whitworth is the husband of and the father of Drake Whitworth and Dustin Whitworth.

Carrie Wilkes

Born Again: On a Sunday Morning
Place: Palmer Shelter Methodist Church
Age: 16

Her Testimony
I went to Sunday School at Christian Chapel Church of Christ when I was a little girl because it was close to where I lived. My mother and father were Seventh Day Adventists. My mother died when I was three and I don't remember dad going to church much. We moved near Palmer Shelter Methodist Church and I attended services there. I was saved one Sunday morning when I was sixteen. I was real happy. I moved to California in 1957 and returned in 1972. I rented a house on Lexington Street and started going to church at Independent Baptist Church. In 1980, I told Brother Kenneth Massey, the pastor of Independent, that I belonged to the wrong church. He said, "You know what to do." I joined Independent and was baptized. I am 93 years old and I'm still saved and ready to go. (Independent's name was changed to Huntingdon M.B.C.)

"Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. He gaveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." [Isaiah 40:28-29]

Carrie went to be with the Lord on February 13, 1999, but she has left this testimony of what her Savior did for her and she would be glad to share it with the world.

Tommy Wood

Born Again:
Place: Independent Missionary Baptist Church
Age:

His Testimony
Tommy has gone to be with the Lord. While going through his school work, this testimony was found written in a journal.

Journal: The Night I Was Saved.
This night I was back in my seat at church and was heavy burdened because I was lost. I go to Independent Missionary Baptist Church. I always sit in the back pew with the rest of my friends and that night I went up to the altar and prayed for what seemed like an eternity. I felt an unexplainable feeling that went from sad to happy in a second. After I got up I felt the burden lifted and felt the love of God and everyone around me. I wiped the tears from my eyes and hugged everyone in the church. I joined the church the next Sunday and was baptized.

Tommy went home to be with the Lord on December 17, 1995, as all will someday who have experienced the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Tommy is the son of Donna Wood Thomason who has also shared her testimony with us.

"Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee; and let such as love thy salvation say continually,
Let God be magnified". Psalm 70:4

Susan Wright

Born Again: Summer 1969
Where: Letourneau Christian Camp, Canadaigua, New York

Her Testimony

I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior in the summer of 1969 at Letourneau Christian Camp in Canadaigua, New York. My cousin went to the camp in 1968 and shared her experience with me of accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. I had to wait a year for my turn to go to camp. Even as a small child I knew there was a God especially while standing under the old pine trees and seeing their majesty and the whisper of the winds from their tops. I did not know that you could receive God's son as your personal Lord and Savior. At camp the very first time I heard the truth of the gospel and the invitation was given I went forward and prayed to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior! Little did I know that I could have asked Jesus into my heart at any time or place An elderly woman in our neighborhood sent any child who wanted to go to this camp. She left a lasting impression on the lives of many children and their families.

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