Nov 9th, 2010Christina’s Story

My story may seem pretty intense. I grew up in Yuma, Arizona where I was introduced to God and church. Although my grandparents were pastors, my own immediate family was not involved in church, but did believe in God. Because my parents didn’t attend church, I went with my neighbors every week. I did everything available to me at church; serving, youth groups, and Vacation Bible School. When my family moved to Vegas in 2000, I was very upset and I did rebel. I didn’t find a church I liked and got myself in trouble. When I was 19, I became involved with the wrong guy, and cocaine. God sent me many red flags that seemed to scream, “come home, I want to save you!” I fought the messages for months. Eventually I gave in, and came to Central. Every service it seemed God was using Pastor Jud’s message to save me from myself. I finally surrendered and got clean. I have been at Central ever since, three years now. I got back into church, back in college and continued my path in education. I’m doing my practicums (pre-student teaching) and love working with high school kids. They are so amazing.

To allow me to work with the youth at Central, I enrolled in First Step. First Step is amazing. It doesn’t matter if you’ve grown up in church or are new to the entire church scene, First Step is a great crash course in the love God has for you. The journey you get to experience and the connections you make will make it worth your while. It is also a great reminder of not only how much our Father loves us, but what He has done and will continue to do for you. You get to meet great people that have the same beliefs as you journey together. I did get baptized on the 24^th of October and that was just incredible! It is difficult to find words to explain how I felt after baptism. I’m glad I completed the requirements for membership and I look forward to God revealing my talents and how He will use me in and out of the church.

That is where I am today. It doesn’t matter if you have just found Jesus or if you have know him your entire life, First Step is a journey worth taking.

Christina

Jul 12th, 2010God Moving in My Life

Hello. My name is Sharon Andres and I have been attending the First Step classes at Central and I've been taking everything in and being as serious and as diligent a student I can by doing my homework and memorizing my bible verses, which btw I am proud to say I so far have the three we've learned thus far memorized by heart, verse number included. :) Praise God as my memory DEFINITELY isn't as sharp as it used to be. Anyway, I am compelled to contact and share my story because for the first time ever have I truly and genuinely felt the Holy Spirit nudging me within the past few days.
Firstly, I want to acknowledge God moving in my life. He's ALWAYS been moving in me and I've been aware of it but only NOW am I truly getting it. To give a quick background about myself, I've been a lost wretched soul in desperate need of guidance. I've been trapped in darkness for a very long time, walking blindly through it longing for any light to lead a way out. I've been through the darkest of abysses dealing with sin (addictions with alcohol, drugs, promiscuity, materialness, vaingloriousness--basically all things that equate the Vegas Sin City lifestyle) and multiple tribulations (depression, wrath, unemployment (twice), multiple health crises including lymphoma cancer, and now another rare, incurable chronic illness, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, or LAM for short). By the grace of God and my family and friends' wholehearted prayers I survived those afflictions: I have been drug-free for the past 3 years, I am cancer-free, I am seeing a Christian counselor/life coach to help me deal with my depression and anger issues, and I'm still here, breathing to live another day. However, the battle still was not yet won; Satan still had a firm hold on me. I was still lost. I was still confused, I was still partaking in reckless living i.e. continually surrounding myself with the wrong crowd & environment, heavy drinking/DUI, living a non-purposeful life. Times I felt like, 'Why does God keep me on this Earth? Why am I still here? Why did he save me through all my illnesses and turmoil while I do NOTHING to glorify Him, glorify this life of mine that He spared, that He gave His only Son to die for ALL MY INCONCEIVABLE SINS? Instead I continue to stay in darkness. How on EARTH am I worthy?" I finally had to put my foot down. I needed to say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. I wanted to be released of these shackles. I wanted to be free. I needed to be free.

I was finally saved on May 13, 2010 with my Christian Life Coach, with whom I recited the Sinner's Prayer with. I then took the next steps by enrolling in First Step and getting baptized at Central on June 19, 2010 where I got to share this moment with my sister, Antonette Andres, who was baptized at Central a decade ago & who has been actively praying for a relationship between Jesus and me. She came into the water with me and I'm sure that she'd like to hold me down in that water a lot longer than that split second. :) Anyway, I'm trying to say that God never left my side. Even though it took a long while for me to rid my blind eye and finally reach for His hand allowing Him to pull me out of the darkness, He waited patiently - like any Loving Father eagerly waiting and wanting a relationship with me.

Inspired by John Chapter 15, I'm gardening. I've been on a pruning process, purging out those negative influences in my life whether it be "friends" and just "things" that hinder my walk in Faith, resowing my seeds in hopes that I'll become a gigantic, fruitful tree. I am in that point in my life where I really need to refocus what I'm doing, who is in it, and where I'm going. I want to feel rejuvenated, recharged, redirected, refreshed, recentered. I've decided to focus on myself 100%, with zero distractions. I've been trying to figure out my purpose in life for the past decade, and what great timing that I'm taking First Step because it's also allowing me to focus in on allowing God to control it. I've struggled through this throughout my 20's and I know now that it’s because I didn't accept Christ into my life. Now that I recently celebrated my 30th birthday, I'm happy to be starting a new decade with God at my side because "once I was lost, but now I'm found." I know that I won't be struggling anymore...because now I am one with Jesus. He is "the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through Him, Christ Jesus." I am now guided by the light. The light I wish to foster so that I will shine so brightly in His name, a light that I wish to shine over the darkness.

God has a plan for me and He wants to use me. I don't know what it is yet, but by golly I'm longing to find out! And I'm glad to be a part of the Central Family as I know that it will be there too to help guide and support me. I am so joyed to be a part of a church that will nurture me, a baby lamb, that when I'm ready to take on what God has in store for me, I will be prepared. :) So thank you, Central. And (from what I learned in First Step) THANK GOD! PRAISE GOD!
Lost but Found,

Saved Sharon

May 25th, 2010Singles Small Group Testimony

February 28th, 2010 turned out to be one of the most significant days of my life. It was the day I graduated from First Steps, and the day you spoke to me about leading a small group. I was a little intimidated by the challenge, being a “Spiritual Rookie” and all, but you (with a little help from God) gave me the confidence I needed to step up. About 8 people showed up to the first group meeting, all of them apprehensive and unsure of what to expect, and we’ve since grown to about 12-14 of the best people in the Las Vegas Valley meeting every week. The first DVD series (Understanding the Bible) was a blessing, having Jud lead us through the study time and prayer was perfect. We’ve transitioned into Uncensored Truth, following along with Jud’s services every week, and we’re loving every minute of it. We meet every Thursday night for group study and fellowship, and most of us meet every Sunday at 10am in the Two42 for the 10:20 service. We’ve had some great social outings too… Bowling at Sunset Station, Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar in Town Square, 51’s baseball game at Cashman Field, Dinner and a Movie out at Red Rock, and more to come…

Some of the members of our group have experienced some trials and tribulations in their personal life, and I truly believe that without the amazing power of group prayer and God’s grace, they wouldn’t have been able to get through them. One of our group members’ brother found himself in the hospital with kidney and pancreas problems, facing a lifetime of dialysis in order to survive. She put it out to the group to keep him in our prayers, and less than a week later, through the perseverance of one of his doctors, constant and thorough medical investigations, and most importantly the group’s prayers and God’s amazing grace, he made a full recovery. The medical staff might have saved her brother, but the small group’s prayers and her relationship with Jesus saved her. Another group member (a former eye doctor) is in the midst of a 2-year custody battle with his ex-wife, he can’t find medical work, and he’s literally broke with less than $20 to his name, unable to pay his rent or put food on his table or gas in his car. We’ve pulled together as a group to raise money for him, feed him, and make sure he has a ride to church, the group meetings, and any job interviews he has. He’s in the fight of his life for his two beautiful daughters, and again, without the support of the group, he might not be able to continue living… we keep telling him God’s grace is coming to him in a big way… he’s just gotta keep fighting and stay faithful. There are others, of which I’ll spare the details, as I’m sure you get the point by now… the small group experience has been nothing less than amazing in every way.

May 5th, 2010 was easily the other most significant day of my life… It was the day I was baptized at Central. Words can’t even describe how rad the experience was. My whole (not-so-small) group was there for support, and my parents drove in from northern Arizona too. We almost took up a whole row! I now have such an awesome group of lifelong friends, who are (and will be) there to support me in my relationship with Jesus and anything else I might need… it’s truly priceless, and I couldn’t imagine a better group.

I asked the group to write a little bit about their experiences too, so I’ll include those below:
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From Lisa:
I am so extremely blessed to be a part of, and surrounded by, God's grace in my singles small group. Every individual has exemplified Christ-like ways to me during a difficult time in my life. The bonding and camaraderie is genuine and REAL. I truly consider my fellow group members an extension of my family. I am appreciative to have each and every one of them in my life. God is truly amazing and GREAT! Thank you God! Thank you Central for encouraging small group participation!!!
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From Rob:
We do have a great group. I have been to several at church and at other churches and hands down this is the best. It is so important to hang around like-minded people of one’s Faith in Christ and humor. The group we have truly follows the verse in Proverbs 27:17 “as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another”. This is what our group is all about.
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From Kristi:
I attended the single's small group connection event because I am going through a divorce after being married for 11 years. I felt like I needed a new focus to be able to meet people that may have similar situations. I wanted to be able to meet people who love God like I do (my ex would always make fun of me for going to church). It has been such a blessing to be able to connect with people in my age group who have gone through similar things. It has especially been so awesome to meet people that are in different stages of walks with God but to know that they are ALL on walks with God. Real men love Jesus! I look forward to our gatherings soooo much. We have the best time and we all help each other during the study. It's so enlightening to hear others' interpretation and to get different perspectives. It's been an awesome experience and I thank God every day for the opportunity and for putting us all together (and for making me go to that first one because I was nervous and didn't know what to expect). Thank you, Central, for making it happen! : )

Thanks again, Greg, for giving me the opportunity to get connected to Christ, Central, and an unbelievably cool group of people with whom I’ll be friends for life.

Jason Rapoport

Oct 28th, 2009Neon Faith

Do you still dream big? Many of us had big dreams when we were little. When we were young, some of us wanted to be firemen, or astronauts, or maybe even President of the United States. Not me! When I was young I wanted only one thing ... to play Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs. Well, like many of our dreams when we were young, it kind of faded away. Mine was erased completely when I threw my arm out at 14. Little did I know the true adventure that awaited me!

What are you trusting God for today? Our Creator wants us to know that dreaming isn't just something for little kids. He still wants to use us in a mighty way ... no matter where we've been or what we've done. He can still use us, in spite of (and sometimes because of) the tough experiences we've been through. The question isn't whether we're worthy (who is?), it's whether we'll allow God to be the real leader of our lives. It's about sliding over into the passenger seat and allowing Jesus to take the wheel. It's about realizing that life really isn't about us at all. Then our dreams become His, and that's when REALLY big things can happen!

What are you trusting God for? So many people are just happy to be alive, but God has bigger plans for us than that. He wants us not just to be alive but to thrive; not necessarily for money or health or worldly success, but to be used by God in a cool way that will give glory to Him. Then our lives will shine in the darkness like a Neon sign beckoning all those who are tired of the mundane and the addiction of sin to step up to what their Creator is calling them to do and to be.

What are you trusting God for?

Viewing 10 Most Recent Blogs

Nov 9th, 2010Christina’s Story
Jul 12th, 2010God Moving in My Life
May 25th, 2010Singles Small Group Testimony
Oct 28th, 2009Neon Faith
Sep 17th, 2009A PERSONAL THANK YOU FROM A VOLUNTEER
Aug 4th, 2009With forever gratefulness and love
Jun 3rd, 2009Great Leaders Hover!
Jun 1st, 2009Take Your Discussions To The Next Level
May 20th, 2009Silence Can Be Golden
Apr 9th, 2009EASTER AT CENTRAL

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Nov 9th, 2010Christina’s Story

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