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New member of Great Commission Church - Debra Danna – 7-2023 

I was very blessed to be born into a Christian home. My father and mother had a very strong Christian marriage and home life. My mother always read me stories from the Bible and taught me about all the characters in the Bible. 

I was basically an only child. I did have a brother and sister, but my sister was 10 when I was born. 

I was born on Palm Sunday and that season of the year, and its meaning was always very important to me. I was raised Baptist and my mother had me on the Cradle Roll at about 3 weeks. So, to say I grew up in the church was an understatement. I always attended VBS and now realize how important that was for me. I loved going to church as a child and learning about Jesus. 

One Sunday it was Palm Sunday and my Sunday School teacher was telling us about Holy Week. She explained everything to all of us. But the most important thing to me was about how we were all sinners and that many of the horrible things Christ went through was because of our sin. 

Then I went to the church service and our pastor, Dr. Woodson Armes, was speaking on the same thing – and continuing what I had heard earlier. Isn’t it great how God works those things out for us. He went into the suffering that Jesus went through for us and that our actions caused all of our sins to be put on Jesus that day on the cross. He talked about how each crack of the whip on Christ’s body was put there by our sins.  

I knew that I loved Jesus, and I didn’t want to ever hurt him in anyway. Our pastor also explained that on the 3rd day Jesus rose from the grave for us. I knew right then that I wanted to become a true Christian. I believed that Jesus died for my sins and that he rose on the 3rd day and that he lives forever. 

I was 11 years old at the time. I went down front alone and told my pastor that I wanted to be saved and follow Christ in believer’s baptism. So, I gave my life to Jesus that day. 

My pastor talked to me and asked me some questions and told me I could be baptized next week. I was so happy and of course my parents were happy for me. I was saved on my birthday, Palm Sunday and then baptized the next Sunday on Easter. What a wonderful birthday present – Salvation and then baptism. 

I knew I wanted to give my life to Jesus and follow him the rest of my life. 

The Lord has always been with me through all the good and bad times in my life. He has never left my side. My life has been a true adventure, but the Lord has always guided my path, even when I couldn’t find the path myself. 

I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior and Lord. I want to always follow him and teach others about him, even as my Sunday School teacher and pastor did for me that wonderful Palm Sunday.