STORY OF IMPACT
Recently, I was sent this testimony from a man I have been mentoring and praying for for years. I had no idea this was his story. I am once again humbled and eternally grateful to God for using me for His divine purposes. All of you supporting my Strong Disciple ministry work through your prayers, donations, and faithful support help make this possible.
Pastor Mark
I wanted to share my story with you. I hope it is a blessing.
When I was in my late teens I got into a really bad car accident, and was in a coma for 2 months. I had to relearn how to eat, sit up, walk, throw a ball, pretty much everything. I was even on life support for a week because I couldn’t breathe on my own.
After I recovered, I started back to college and I kept running into this guy who invited me to his church, but I kept saying no. One day, I saw him and his friends hanging out and they seemed really cool, so I thought, “I need friends anyway, so I’ll try.” I loved it and that next week they had a fall retreat so I went. I had no idea what to expect! This guy (Pastor Mark) came up on the stage in a black leather motorcycle jacket. He started preaching with such passion and emotion, and such fire and conviction, as I’d never heard before. At first I was shocked! I thought, “What in the world’s going on?” A few minutes later I was enthralled with his whole talk. I could not believe how amazing it was!!
God used Pastor Mark so much, and in so many ways to help me understand my identity in Christ. Things I’d never fully grasped before.
Pastor Mark rocked my world at that retreat! He helped me see the Bible in a whole new light and understand things in a whole new way! I realized that God loved me, God wanted me, and God was proud of me. God chose me, and I finally, truly believed that God loved me! I couldn’t sleep at all that weekend because I was so amazed and enthralled by these messages Pastor Mark shared. Years later, I found myself still listening to the messages from Pastor Mark that weekend. It shaped who I am today. It helped me have confidence in Christ that goes beyond anything I had previously imagined or experienced. I know without a shadow of a doubt that God loves me, thanks to Pastor Mark’s talks! I listened to those messages hundreds of times. They formed my identity in Christ, along with reading the Bible of course! Anytime I can get his messages, articles, and listen or read them, I eat them up!
From our conversations, I’ve been inspired by his love for God. Pastor Mark became a role model for me. You see, I didn’t have a father growing up. My real dad and mom got separated when I was 2 years old, and my stepdad was a druggie and severe alcoholic who was in prison for years, so Pastor Mark kind of played that role a little bit in my life. God used him so much in my life.
We all know that God has everyone on their own path, but God chose to use Pastor Mark in my life in such a tremendous way that it encouraged me to share the gospel and pray with over 30 people to receive Jesus Christ as their Savior! Thank you Pastor Mark for always sharing the truth no matter how hard. Thank you for standing by your convictions. And thank you for obeying Christ!
To God be the Glory for the great things he has done in this man’s life!
Recently, over the last several months, on a daily basis, thousands of messages and articles have been downloaded from people in Communist Vietnam! I praise God for the ways He is using this ministry all over the world.
Roman 15:17 NLT
So it is right for me to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. I dare not boast of anything else. I have brought the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I lived before them.
Helping you become a Strong Disciple,
Because of Jesus,
Pastor Mark Darling
