This past Sunday, we were able to celebrate God’s grace in the lives of two folks - Reagan Hawkins and Lucretia Mayfield - through the ceremony of baptism. Prior to the baptisms, we heard a testimony from Lucretia about God’s work in her life. The following is her story…
Baptism Testimony: Lucretia Mayfield
Growing up, my family believed in God, but that’s where my knowledge stopped. I was made fun of in school for being overweight and extremely tall for a girl. Name calling was difficult. I prayed for any kind of relief, but praying felt like throwing pennies into a wishing well - and I began to wonder if God was even there at all? Later, I was confronted with my need for spiritual answers when a friend of mine died. In my search, I was introduced to some people in the Mormon church and was baptized into their faith. But in reality, I had joined that church for the friends that I had made, not because I believed what they were teaching. Years later, I began attending another church. Even though we did countless activities, something was still missing. I was still lost.
I experienced some hard things in my family that lead me to feel even more lost. I didn’t have the best relationship with my father. It was as if we battled to see who could hurt each other the most with our sharp words. I also had a strained relationship with my older brother as well as a number of broken friendships. I was surrounded by darkness.
Eventually, I started going to a gym here in TN. It was through an interview for a job at the gym that I met Bryan Hurst. He invited me to Trinity Grace. I was hesitant to show up, but I did and immediately fell in love w/TGC. Shortly after, the Hursts helped me find a place to live with Fran and Paul Citrullo. I was scared and nervous but never did I dream I would find a family within Paul/Fran. God was using these people to begin healing the broken things inside of me that I didn’t realize were broken. God's word can pierce holes in you to let the light in and cast the darkness out.
Through TGC, many people have shared about God with me. Joy Finch and I have been meeting monthly to talk about things we’re learning in the bible. She has opened her home as a safe place for me to talk about what I have learned and the transformation God is just beginning to do within me. I am so grateful to God for her and the many others He has used to change my life.
When I was baptized into the Mormon church, I really just wanted to fit in. But today is different. I want to openly show that I know that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior and that I know he died for my sins. I no longer am the girl that was shouting “crucify him” like those in Mark. Instead, I now know that by his grace and mercy I am saved and washed clean by his blood. I no longer hold onto hurt or drown in condemnation or feel the need to seek validation in the world because I belong to him and I walk with him.