FARMINGTON — Church can become home, as shared by testimonies of two members of Living Waters Assembly of God Church. We offer their stories, which they shared with Pastor Steve Bracy.

Steve Moseley

I have never been a church-going person or a religious person. But, for the past 15 months when I walk through the doors of Living Waters Assembly of God, I know I am home, where I was supposed to be after being lost for so many years.

I ended up coming to the homeless shelter at the church on Sept. 9, 2015. It was the best thing that could have ever happened to me because going upstairs to the church is where I found a new life, where God touched my heart and changed the angry hurt person inside of me.

I used alcohol a lot to hide from anything and everything — ever since I was 14, and I am 53 now. I was married for 14 years. I ended up with a divorce. At one point in my life I gave up and overdosed. At the hospital, my heart stopped and I was gone, but they brought me back.

I didn’t realize at that time but God wasn’t ready for me. He had plans for me that I didn’t know until now being here at Living Waters.

The pastor and the people here at the church make me feel at home, something I haven’t felt in years. I have been the maintenance man here at the church for a while now.

That hurt and angry person that I was is gone! Am I perfect? No. Is anyone? No, but I am a different person. Today, God has shown me a way to deal with the things that occur in my life and I have the fellowship of everyone here at Living Waters.

Torey Seymour-Russell

Over a year ago, after being sexually assaulted by a stranger in my home and then getting into an abusive relationship, I felt I was broken beyond repair.

I reached out to a pastor in our community. Pastor Bracy and his wife came to visit with me. I was so numb. At times, I felt as if I were frozen in time. My life, my body, just wasn’t moving at all. They prayed for me and prompted me to attend church.

At first, I was going through the motions. I would go every Sunday, and sit there afraid to move or say a word. Then, God started moving in my life. He surrounded me with people who cared and He restored my faith. My faith is stronger than it has ever been. 

I am no longer that person that was afraid to leave the house. I stare adversity in the face. I no longer run from it.

I jump up and volunteer to help others and be involved because I know I am not alone. I have my God, my faith and my church. My life has moved forward in so many ways. And I can’t praise God enough these days!

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