By Justine Namara
I discovered the power of sharing testimonies a few months after getting born- again. At the time, I was meandering in different Pentecostal Churches, looking for where I would comfortably settle.
I noticed most of these Churches have in common the session for testimony where members of the congregation come up to share their salvation stories, healing, deliverance, and provision, among others.
These stories did not only inspire me. They also encouraged me so much. I have since settled in one Church and I should admit, hearing and reading people’s testimonies is something I am always looking forward to.
God, in His greatness, has made each one of us unique; no one has walked in the other’s shoes, except by empathising with one another. Everyone has a different story.
As Christians, we believe these stories were beautifully written by God, even before we took our first breath. So, we need to let those stories out.
Reasons for testimonies
Giving God glory
Testimonies are powerful tools for sharing what God has and continues to do in our lives.
In fact, in one of the Churches I attended, the first portion of service was given to individuals to testify, before anything else on the programme.
Some of the testimonies shared were different from what I expected.
I always thought a testimony was an unchanging story- something that took place in one’s life until God stepped in.
However, listening to different testimonies made me realise that these stories change as we grow closer to God.
But whether closer to God or still on the journey, our testimonies give God His Glory.
God has done, is doing and will continue to do mighty things in our lives, and your testimony glorifies His faithfulness, greatness and power.
Bringing others to Christ
It is important to realise the value of our testimonies. Not only do our testimonies represent us coming to Christ, but they also continue to bring others to Him.
Before I made a decision to get born-again, which happened after several rounds in different churches, I thought one can just wake up and make that decision.
I would attend the services and go back home, still not sure if I was ready for salvation, but one testimony changed me.
I had decided to try out a lunch–hour fellowship at Mabirizi complex in Kampala.
During the fellowship, a 19-year-old girl shared her incredible testimony. She narrated how she had been praying for her parents’ healing.
“After two months of prayer, my parents; both of them were able to walk, a sight we had not had for four years. They have now understood that God is a healer and they believe in Him,” she said.
Immediately, I said to myself, “Maybe I should just surrender mine too.”
My parents were not in bad health, but they did not have a perfect one either.
So, I needed that for them. But first, I had to understand this mighty God before I could make the decision to accept Jesus as my Lord and Saviour.
The boldness of people to share testimonies inspires the rest to come to Christ.
Giving hope and faith
That girl’s testimony did not only bring me to Chirst, but also gave me hope.
Although I had a Christian background, I was not used to stories of people sharing their healing journeys, deliverance and more. I knew of the phrase, “With God all things are possible”, but I did not believe it.
In fact, that was part of the reasons why I started exploring the pentecostal Churches.
I wanted to try out this God that never fails. The more I listened to testimonies, the more my hope in God increased.
Most importantly, hope to get a job, which was the most pressing issue for me at the time.
Your testimony has the power to free someone lost in hopelessness. Testimonies increase the faith of believers.
God’s power and love
God always asks us to face hardships without fear because He promised that He would never leave us or forsake us.
It is through testimonies that we are able to understand His power and love.
He, indeed, does not leave us to suffer alone. Romans 8: 37 states: “Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.”
This means we conquer because of God’s love. Our lives and experiences are a testament to God’s power and our stories act as examples of the power that God has over us.
“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they did not love not their lives even unto death” (Revelation 12:11).
