5225 N. Brighton Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64119 (816) 453-6921
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5225 N. Brighton Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64119 (816) 453-6921
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Testimonies from our members... There are two ways to look at life...One is as though nothing is a miracle...The other is as though everything is.
I MUST praise Jesus...... My sons Michael and Jason and my nephew Shane were involved in a car accident and I would be remiss if I did not give God the glory for saving them from severe injuries and or death! I know, and they know, that the Lord had His Hand on them!!
One thing I need to mention is that the picture with the car on its side is the way they landed! They hit a forklift that was right next to a house and then hit another car that was in the yard there. (It looks like a junkyard but believe it or not, it is a residence.)
From Bodybuilding to “Soul” building… I was a sophomore in college and enjoyed a measure of popularity. I was pledging through one of the local fraternities, had played 2 years of college football and had started competing in local bodybuilding and power lifting competitions. I often gave the perception that I was secure, confidant, happy and fulfilled but the truth was that this was a façade.
I knew that there had to be more to life or else what really mattered? Otherwise, I was just a cosmic accident, a product of time and chance. However, pursuing the natural selfish lifestyle that arose as a result of this worldview left me very unhappy, and frankly lonely. This surprised me as many people thought, “I had it made”. I had friends, popularity, girlfriends etc. yet my soul longed for something more.
So, I tried something else. In addition to trying to be “a good guy”, I began to pray. I prayed to God and said, “God, I don’t know who you are but I want to know you better. I don’t know if you are Allah, or Buddha, or Krishna, or what, and I don’t care. I just want to serve you. I want to know you. I will do whatever you ask of me. I love you but I don’t know how to know you better. Please help me!
Here I was. Standing before a baptismal tank, in a blue robe, virtually alone (no family, one friend) about to embark on a life changing experience. It was do or die. I so felt the presence of God-in a way I never had before, yet I also felt a bit of doubt. What if this was just another “phase” I was going through. I tried to shake off the doubt and focus on my goal.
After some silent praying from me, the pastor led me into the baptismal tank. He proclaimed, “Jesse Hernandez, upon the confession of your faith, I now baptize you IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF ALL YOUR SINS…” and he “dunked me”. I came up out of the water and lifted my hands. I cannot explain the feeling I had. I felt as if every sin, every chain, every guilty thought and deed, every weight, every doubt was cast off me. It felt as if the all my sins were a palpable weight that had remained in the water through the invocation of the NAME. I felt light, and airy. I felt so much joy and thanksgiving. I felt again, God, this time like a thick, invisible cloud. I felt grace and mercy.
Everyone around me was praying and praising God-loudly J it was a bit distracting but also a bit liberating at the same time. The pastor grabbed my hands and started praying and praising out loud. He told me to thank God for forgiving me of all my sins. I had a much more meditative, sober, quiet, religious background but muttered quietly “hallelujah”. It actually felt good. The pastor encouraged me…”that’s it Jesse, praise God for what he’s done.” I said “hallelujah” again, a bit louder.
Suddenly, a bit of doubt began to creep in. I wondered, “what if this is all just in my head? What if I’m making a fool of myself? What if this isn’t what I’ve been looking for?” The enemy was working on me, trying one last time to block my path to my Savior. Then suddenly a thought struck me. I had seen people “worship” in secular concerts, ball games etc. I had seen people “fall out”, “hoop and holler”, “shout” and basically show their adoration and approval for OTHER MEN. I prayed silently in my head. I said, “Jesus, the doors swing both ways. I know that I can leave and never come back, but, no regrets- Lord, I’m going to give you my all. I’m going to praise you with all my heart and mind. I’m not going to let any secular person worship another human being greater then I should worship you.
With that, the Pastor whispered, “Jess, God inhabits the praises of His people. You are His child. Praise Him and He will “live” in your praise.” With that, I let loose with the loudest, most sincere “Hallelujah” I could muster. It felt great! I followed it up with “thank you Jesus, I love you Jesus, I praise you Jesus.” With greater and greater abandon I began to praise God. A curious thing began to happen. I could feel a sense of receiving a great big “hug” from God. I began to weep and shake under the power of God. I continued to pray Him and soon found myself stuttering and stammering. “That’s the Holy Ghost, God’s filling you with His Holy Ghost” the pastor explained. I was blown away! I knew I was feeling something- a high- but so much greater then anything, any thrill, any experience I had ever felt before. Plus, there were no negative feelings, no feelings of guilt or feelings of regret.
Soon, I was stuttering and speaking in another language! I was like a baby that left the womb, passed through the blood and water, blinks at the outside world and begins to babble, coo, cry, and yell! I had become “like a child” again. I was born again and I knew it, I felt it! I was feeling wave after wave of love inside of me and the sense of love all over me! I felt forgiven, valued, needed, I felt hope! I continued speaking in another language for a good 15 minutes, drinking like a man who’s been lost in the desert and has discovered a pure, cool well of water. I was like a man dying in the desert suddenly surrounded by a pool of LIVING WATER. I instantaneously knew I had found what I was looking for!
Finally, I am blessed in my marriage to a wonderful wife and I must give God glory for blessing me with 2 of the most beautiful, wonderful children in the world. They are my glue that keeps me motivated and remind me of God’s great love for His children.
I thank God for my extended family, my church family and for my wonderful parents, brothers and sisters and friends (some in the church, others who are not). I pray God’s calling, mercy and revelations for all of them and hope my testimony has been a blessing to anyone reading.
May God bless and keep you, Jesse A. Hernandez (For The Full Story Click Here)
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