"At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, "Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus," Revelation 19:10
Jesus has a testimony, and his testimony is that he went to the cross, died, and resurrected! His testimony is the most powerful of all, and it validates Christianity! Without his resurrection, Christianity would be just another religion without power, truth, or accuracy! Testimonies have the power to change people's lives and even to inspire or encourage them. In the same way, there have been a few pastors, teachers, and even evangelists who have influenced my faith. Though I haven't met most of them, hearing their stories when they preach, shatter a light and even build up my momentum to believe in God for more. Here are some people that have influenced my belief in God!
1. Smith Wigglesworth
This man is regarded as giant of the faith in his time period. His ministry has not only experienced extravagant miracles, signs, and wonders, but also claimed to have documented resurrections of the dead, and even more powerful testimonies. I once heard someone say that this man would stop whatever he is doing throughout the day and would pray constantly. He interrupted his schedule various times to be able to seek God and pray. If I was alive during his time period, he would have probably been one of the main preachers that I would have wanted to receive. It would have been such an honor to meet him.
2. Rachel Scott
She was only a 17-year-old girl, but her story has captivated the entire world. You may have heard of her; in the shooting that happened in 1999 at Columbine High School, she was the first victim to have died. Scott wasn't afraid to show and proclaim the love of Jesus throughout her high school years, despite the troubles that she had with classmates. She was a different human being, and her writings were an example of what was on her mind. Her journals, poems, and writings were held and they have inspired many people around the world to continue to pursue Jesus and to believe in him at all costs. Even at the last moments in her life, a witness claimed that the killers asked her if she still believed in Jesus, and she said, "You know I still do," right before they shot her and ended her life.
3. Maya Angelou
One of my favorite writers ; her faith had translated in her novels. Pure-hearted and sweet, her stories built a faith that have impacted many people in her generations. One of the most memorable works that I ever read from her was the poem "I am a Christian," which was one of the most humble expressions of faith that I have ever heard someone write. She went through a lot of circumstances throughout the stage of segregation, but her faith in God kept her going through the toughest of situations.
4. King David
In the Bible, to have the heart of this man has been my desire since the beginning of my walk with God. The passion that is inflicted in the book of Psalms compares to no one else. It's passionate, fiery, and overwhelming with love toward God. His everything was God; even when he sinned, he was quick to seek after God and ask for repentance. Even when the whole kingdom attacked and ridiculed him, he sought after God with his entire heart. That is the heart that I want to have.
5. Guillermo Maldonado
Not only my pastor and spiritual father, but a pioneer in the supernatural movement to many people around the world. He has broken spiritual walls and dimensions and has entered into territories that have never entered before. His heart after God is overwhelming, and his humble beginnings are an affirmation that God can do anything as long as we seek him. He has faced trials, and people have betrayed him, but he has continued to go after God, and expand his kingdom like never before. The miracles that take place wherever he travels are powerful, and people all over the world put a demand on the mantle that God has given him. I am forever grateful to be a part of his church and the movement that God has placed me in.
The list is tremendous, and there has been an enormous amount of preachers that I couldn't mention in this list. From Benny Hinn to T.D. Jakes, and Joyce Meyer to Brian Carn, there are many preachers that God has used to ignite a flame of passion in me to seek him more. Who has inspired your faith?
