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Thursday, April 9, 2015
Monday, April 6, 2015
Testimony of Jesse Martinez
In the summer of 2011 I attended Camp Grace, with Dr. Ralph “Yankee”
Arnold. I was just married and about a year out of high school. I had plans for
my life but there was a void, something missing. Something was not right about
the life I was living. I had been in church all my life, and trusted Christ
when I was ten or twelve years old. I believed in the death, burial, and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. I had dedicated my life several times, but the
flame had always dwindled.
But this camp was different. I met a group of singers from
Chicago and all of them were serving the Lord. They were happy with what they
had, although it was little. They were satisfied to be serving God where they
were. They also attended Bible College.
This impressed me immensely. How was I, a newlywed, supposed
to lead my family in the right direction without having a deeper understanding
of God’s Word? How could I know what the will of God is for my life if I did not
know what the Word of God said? After a long discussion, my wife and I decided
to pursue Bible College -- in Chicago.
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Jesse and Kyla |
Our families were shocked. Chicago is not exactly a close
location to Tampa, Florida! No one understood why we could not do something
online or just do more in-depth studies on our own. I believed God wanted me to
get an education in His word. There were many nights that my wife and I would
feel empty and unsure of our decisions. But we pressed forward. We did not
renew the lease at our apartment, and moved in with her mom in anticipation of heading
for Chicago in August, 2012.
Then we saw God working. We changed how we were praying
about our decision. Instead of asking the Lord to show us how Chicago would
work out, we asked Him to help us properly discern what His will was. We were
limiting God by thinking Chicago was the only way to get success. So we prayed
for his will to be shown. Opportunities began to open up. I was asked to serve
as a deacon at Calvary Community Church. We started serving in ministries where
we were. Then out of what seemed like thin air, Florida Bible College of Tampa
was announced. I remember exactly where I was in the church. My eyes welled
with tears of joy! The Lord had not only shown us our way, but also gave us the
opportunity to continue serving in Tampa! We were over joyed!
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Jesse - Director of the Tampa Youth Ranch |
Florida Bible College is not the only college on the map
that teaches Bible. However, it is unique in its focus on the clear gospel and
its emphasis on getting that same gospel out to a lost and dying world. For my
wife and I, it is truly an answer to many nights of prayer. We don’t know
what’s next, but we are both glad to be a part of Florida Bible College of
Tampa.
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