by Debbie Epperson as shared to Ella Reef

"You shall be my witnesses . . . . to the uttermost parts of the earth." Acts 1:8

As a child, my family didn't attend church regularly. When I attended school at Harrison Elementary, our teacher would walk us down to the Church of the Nazarene. That was probably my first experience at a church. I loved singing Bible songs and hymns. My family ended up attending that church for several years. I remember learning about Jesus, and I would always feel so big giving my offerings of $.35, I remember the day our Sunday School class handed out banks to all the children. The banks were shaped like a little white church. The members were building a new church out on Fuson Road. The children were to fill the bank with money, then give it to the church. We were helping the adults build a church! The visual is important to children. We could hold the bank and fill it with money. It set in my room. I felt so important. We were building God's house. When the new church was finished, we went to our church, then all the people made a caravan and drove to our brand new church.

We eventually stopped attending church. We didn't follow all the church's rules, but we did follow God's commandments.

My personal commitment to Christ was in 1980. My father passed away. He was my hero. I was heartbroken and so sad. We were all in shock. I was 27 years old, and my oldest daughter was eight at the time. She attended church regularly with friends. She could see how sad I was. She said, "Mommy, why are you so sad? Grandpa is in the best place ever. Heaven." She was right. That changed my life, the way I thought of death. I knew God would always be in control of my life.

I didn't start going to YUMC until probably 2008. My mother attended regularly. I did occasionally. I started attending regularly in 2014. I attend YUMC regularly now. I was baptized at church on Easter Sunday in 2018. My biggest commitment to my church is getting my mother to church every Sunday, and being there with her. I love the glow on so many faces there, especially my Mother's. For many Sundays I couldn't come. I worked at the Youth Opportunity Center. The children were there seven days a week 24 hours a day. I felt God would understand. I have helped with a few meals at church. Eventually I may be able to do more.

I have had many experiences where I knew God was with me. One I always think of is when I was sitting in my car with a friend waiting on a train on Walnut Street. The train ended. The RR arms went up. A driver on the other side started across the tracks. As soon as he pulled out, the arms went back down. Everyone in line I'm sure thought he would be hit. The train was flying. When he made it across, I saw it was my Dad! Wow. When I told my mother, she said God didn't want me to see my Dad get hit. He passed away five months later doing something he loved, jogging at the YMCA.

One of my favorite verses from the Bible is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”