Testimonials
I was dying
I recently asked myself this question: Do you feel whole and complete, Shana? The answer was yes! I’m not yet married, not reached my desired weight nor am I healed from two life-threatening conditions. Sounds negative right but actually, it is not! In fact, for me it’s a wonderful place to be right now because five years ago I was up to my eyeballs in debt, grieving the loss of both my parents, my heart hurt over a broken relationship from years before. I loved the Lord but was in-between churches, I was living in a rundown flat….oh yeah, and I was dying!
If my friend Andrea had not invited me to the Wholeness Retreat when she did I would not be here now to give my testimony. When I look back on it all now the timing was perfect! There was nothing that God had not sorted out from how I got the money to go to where I sat in the services. It was the beginning of a story that continues today even as you read this.
That Wholeness Retreat was the catalyst that God used to ensure my life was going to go from upside down to right side up! I went on to do a programme JPIM was running called Women Inspiring Women (WIW). It was in doing WIW I went on to start my own cake business, also I revisited the doctors about a pain I was having in my head only to find out I was slowly dying. This programme gave me a courage I didn’t know I had….it saved my life!
Over the years I went to more Retreats, Day Programmes, The Wholeness Academy and social events; each time I left something behind: low self-esteem, rejection, pride the list goes on. As I was leaving stuff behind I was also picking things up: self-worth, confidence, joy, friends and so much more.
Being part of JPIM hasn’t just been beneficial for me but also my children, my everyday living and my church. I’m a better person for it, ask my children…lol.
I’ve recently moved into a bigger and better home, I will be relaunching my cake business and expanding it soon, just a few more payments and I’ll be totally debt-free. I am also a church trustee, the church treasurer and soon I’ll be hosting and leading bible study group from my home.
You couldn’t make this lot up but then again I don’t have to because I’m actually living it!
And to top it all off it’s not over yet!
It’s not all easy and plain sailing but it’s worth it….”When I walk into the thick of trouble, keep me alive in the angry turmoil. With one hand strike my foes, with your other hand save me. Finish what you started in me, God. Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now”. Ps 138v7-8 (The Message)
Shana
Released from distress
Since my mum died in December 2013, life took a tumble. I fell over and was struggling to get back up again. My children were hurting, my household was in pain and things just appeared to get worse as time went by. 2015 started with more distress with my siblings and other family members and I held on tightly to God’s everlasting arms. I had never experienced such pain and distress throughout my entire lifetime.
When I received the invitation to go to Jacqueline Peart’s conference, I felt relief was coming as I knew I would receive something new. I arranged to attend with my friend Coral, who has been supporting me during this challenging time, and my longest friend Donna, who said she was coming at the last minute. When they invited people to come up for prayer, I went willingly knowing I needed something desperately and, more importantly, my good friend Donna (who was not yet saved) gave her life to Christ! Halleluiah! Throughout our friendship years, I have prayed for her knowing that God would spare her life for such a time as this, because I did not want to go to the heavenly mansion without her there too! As we spoke after the conference, a lady approached us (one of the JPIM team) and started talking about the Wholeness Academy and how it changed her life. Coral and I were meant to have done the Women2Women programme many years ago but never quite got around to it. Newly converted Donna was ready to pursue wholeness and was keen to engage so we decided we would all do it together.
I was so glad because I knew I needed this more now than I did back then so this was also a good time for me and I am sure Coral too! We arrived very excited about doing it, knowing we would be getting something new and moving forward. The first session was powerful and I knew this was a safe environment to release, regain and restore. The women on our Wholeness walk were great and I instantly felt safe and secure with them. I even met another old friend from my primary school days, Lorraine Ivory, so this truly felt like a miraculous experience from day one. I realised, however, that I was still broken by all the family issues that had taken place and needed healing in order to move forward. I needed to forgive but this was going to take a while, but God knew what help I needed and therefore I was on my way to wholeness. Throughout the 2 years of pain, God was working miracles and pouring out a blessing, which I was soon to realise. During the storm, my business was growing and by the time I realised it, I was in the process of employing contractors to assist with the workload.
I now have about 10 contractors employed to work with a couple more waiting for paperwork to be completed. God has increased my clients to the point that I have recently resigned from my part-time post with Barnet Council to pursue my private practice. I believe this is all due to faith and trusting Him during the storm to help me through. I mean trusting Him by taking a leap of faith, holding onto the hem of his garment, not letting go, asking for directions wherever possible and not leaning on my own understanding but trusting Him to direct my path. Being broken and honest, allowing myself to be healed from the inside out. To be honest, I knew I could not do it without Him, I didn’t even realise what I was doing but if I did let Him go, I don’t believe I would be standing here to tell this testimony. Through it all, I have learnt to be obedient and to trust Him more and as I continue to pursue wholeness may I encourage you to hold on to His everlasting and never changing-hands. We may love Jesus, but Jesus loves us much, much more than we could ever imagine.
He is Yahweh, He is my rock, my redeemer, my healer, my saviour, my father, my friend, the rose of Sharon, the bright morning star, the lily in the valley, the lion of the tribe of Judah. The peace that surpasses understanding, the lamb of God, the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last and my wonderful counsellor and HE IS AWESOME! Halleluiah. He is my all and all and I love Him! Thank you, Jesus, Yeshua the Christ!
Halleluyah!
Mauva Johnson-Jones
Wholeness event saved my life
I attended the Wholeness Academy Class of 2015 and can truly say, wow it saved my spiritual life! I know it sounds a bit of a cliché but really it has. You see, before attending I was away from Church and could have been classed as one of the “done with” group. For those who have not heard the phrase, it is a group of Christians who’ve decided, for whatever reason, they do not need to be in Church but acknowledge they are still with Jesus… mmm? Pause for thought?
For me now knowing the truth, that was the biggest cop-out lie the enemy fed me and I ate it! Not just ate it but gobbled it – why? Because it was the fleshly excuse to be lazy, have no accountability, no fellowship, no corporate worship, no Word! Do you see where this is heading? You see, I realise that due to whatever reason, I judged the Church and the people in it and took it among myself to opt-out!
So I came across JPI Ministries via a friend (I truly believe it was via the Holy Spirit through a friend). “Finally!” Got to say it again, “Finally!” A Ministry I can trust, trust to be true, trust to exercise the Love and Excellence in serving and leading. Remember, “I opted out”.
I decided I wanted to be whole. You see, God had already told me He is going to use me in ministry. “I was out, so how can this be…?” I said to myself. Oh, don’t underestimate the power of the Holy Spirit!
By attending the Wholeness Academy, I learned the truth about me! I was challenged, delivered, educated, supported, loved and accepted by the ministry and group.
One year on and my life has changed. I am now back in Church, doors have opened for ministry, my financial life is blessed, and, more importantly, I have a renewed and refreshed relationship with my Heavenly Father. “I am whole, praise be to Jesus.” It is important to say that the gifts of the Spirit are without repentance so although we may operate in the gifts of the Spirit without true wholeness, we can potentially cause damage to ourselves and the precious people of God. I am not ashamed to say I am an ambassador for Christ and believe I should walk as a positive (didn’t say perfect) example for those in the body, and it doesn’t matter what level we are at; whether we are in or out, leading or serving, we all need to be whole.
I pray that whoever reads this testimony the Spirit of God will speak to you, touch you, encourage you, and guide you to ALL TRUTH!
IN JESUS NAME AMEN!
Audrey Noden
A weight taken away
When asked to share my testimony I pondered for a while as to do so would mean reliving a very difficult time in my life. However, I feel that the good and bad times that we experience in our lives are meant to be shared with others for the glory of the Lord.
I was trying to deal with a very difficult marriage that began to fall apart in 1998. By 2000 we were attending court in regards to divorce and custody for our child. My ex-husband won on both accounts. My whole world as I knew it began to tumble down.
I had a child from my previous marriage and was very much aware of how this was affecting him. I talked with a lovely lady that invited me to church after finding out about my situation. This is where I met Reverend Jacqueline Peart and her family. I had been going to church for many years and still struggling with all life was throwing at me. I tried hard to study my bible and pray several times a day. My weeks consisted of work, church, church group, therapy, medication, tears and anger. Angry at myself for marrying again, angry at God for letting me get into this situation. When the anger dispensed I felt that life had nothing to offer and really didn’t want to be here. I know it is a sin to have such thoughts, but I was in a very dark place and after a while wanted not to be there anymore. I remember feeling as if I was in a tunnel, looking up I could see a tiny beam of light and asked God to turn it off! Needless to say, He did no such thing and here I am to tell my story.
How did you turn things around, I hear you ask… well, as I began to focus more on God I started to hear Him speak into my life.
I wanted more and focused more on my home group and the scriptures we shared. I was lucky enough to have a praying partner (Normagene Peart) and she was there for me when things were difficult. She mentioned going to a conference that Jacqueline (her daughter) was hosting in Stratford. I went and had an amazing time with a woman of God that is REAL. I went to many meetings after that, then to the Wholeness Retreat and finally decided last year to do the whole years program!! During this time, I met others going through dreadful times in their lives. I was compelled by the Holy Spirit to give my testimony at a weekend retreat and felt relieved… like a weight had been taken away. The feeling of shame had taken over my life and guilt. I was dealing with so many emotions and needed to let go and ‘let God’. I enjoyed the security of being a part of this ministry where I felt secure, loved, valued, cared for and so much more. The more intimate settings of the Wholeness Academy course allowed me to open up and share, discuss, evaluate and build onto previous knowledge. Through discussion and guidance, Rev Jacqueline and others in my group helped me to find my God-given purpose. God still has much to do in my life and I now know this process is slow and precise. I no longer battle with the Lord but work with Him as He knows best. I’m in a good place and look back on the changes and know that only God could have got me through! I have fabulous relationships with both my sons. I have begun to build bridges with my family and friends. It has taken approximately 17 years from start and is not yet finished but I know I’m well and truly on my way. What a journey it has been so far!
Deborah Henry
Changed happened for me
I thought that I was alright, that I was doing all the things a Christian should do, i.e., reading my Bible, doing my devotions and trying to be considerate towards others. Yet there was a stirring in my spirit which would not go away. I was always praying the same prayer and nothing seemed to be shifting in the natural. I don’t quite know when, as it was a gradual thing but God started showing me the blockages that I was and had been ignoring for a long time and letting me know that until these were dealt with there could be no change.
I prayed about these things and, although fearful, I decided to be obedient and make the changes that God had instructed me to make. One of these was to change the dynamics of relationship with certain family members.
I have always been close to my family and was fearful of family rifts, so I only did half the job. God reminded me of the scripture in Genesis 12:1, where He said to Abraham, “Get out of your country, from your family and your father’s house, to a place that I will show you”. God wanted to show me and take me to a better place, by me exercising my faith but my fear negated my faith. Abraham took Lot with him. I had also taken a Lot by not being totally obedient. God is so gracious that He gently assured me that He would sort things out if I would just trust Him. So I repented and did the whole job.
I attended the DCUD 2011 Retreat, and for all who were there change happened. Change happened for ME and I will NEVER be the same again. To all who did not come, all I can say is that it was awesome and encourage you NOT TO MISS the next retreat.
My spirit has not stopped stirring since my return. God is so faithful, He has been my comforter, my peace and my joy. He has taught me that obedience really works. My relationship with the family members concerned has improved. More than that, as I have allowed Him access to my heart, He is changing the way that I think and, consequently, my outlook on life.
Things in the natural have now shifted. I shall be starting a course which is directly connected to my calling and will also be having coaching sessions, which in the natural world have been beyond my means. WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE!
