Kevin Backward - Testimony
Kevin Backward, Cherokee
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.
Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
2 Cor 13:5
April 2, 1996 . . . At a Tuesday night Bible Study was when my life changed for ever! That was the night I gave my life to Jesus!
When I was a kid, I remember going to church as Round Springs Baptist Church under Pastor Duke Pickup. Oh, how I loved going to Sunday School and leaning the Bible stories of the Old Testament, like Daniel and the lion’s den (Dan 6:16-20), David and Goliath (1 Sam 17:48-49), Noah and the ark, just to name a few. I often got picked on from some of the other kids because I loved going to church. They used to call me Sunday School Charlie, who was a kid we learned about in Chapel at school. Which now . . . I realize isn’t a bad thing.
When I was around 10 or 11 years old, our family started to drift away from church. That’s when I began to see the evil and wickedness of the world. I began to see what alcohol and drugs could do to a family, how it could tear a family apart. I remember there was a lot of arguing and fighting going on in the family, and how it would break my heart. I would hide in the garage or go for walks crying my eyes out hoping, and wishing for something better!
Eventually, as I got older, I began to sneak around and started drinking. Why did I start drinking? Simply because . . . everyone else was doing it. I always felt like I never belonged in the crowd that I was running with. I was different . . . somewhat of an outcast.
Not too long after I graduated, I remember going to my uncle Ronnie’s church in Southwest City. From there we went to Brush Creek Baptist Church where Brother Larry Prichett still pastors to this day. My mom and dad had both rededicated their lives, so not too long after that I did as well.
One afternoon Brother Larry asked me how I would feel about being a Sunday School Director. Not wanting to disappoint him I told him “sure,’ it would be an honor. Years go by and I find myself not only as assistant Sunday School Director, but also a Youth teacher, a licensed minister, and also the Cherokee Baptist Association Youth Director. You could say that, finally, all was well. I spent all my time at church. My friends I use to run with tried to get me to go run with them, but I told them I didn’t want to live that life anymore. I was happy at Brush Creek.
One morning around 3:00 am I woke up . . . and the Lord asked me, “If I were to come right now . . Would you come home with Me?” I will never forget that. I told the Lord . . . of course I would . . why would you ask me that?” This goes on for the next 3 to 4 months. I told the Lord that I was a teacher, a preacher, a Sunday School Director, and Association Youth Director. I thought I was saved when I was a kid back in 1983! I examined my heart and asked myself, why? (2 Cor 13:5) Why did I go up to the front back then? Because, everyone else was doing it! And when you go forward don’t they shake your hand, baptize you, and give you a brand new Bible? And that’s what I wanted, so that’s why I went up!
So, I’m at work, stacking lids when the Lord asks me again . . . my answer was, “I don’t know.” My friend working behind me asked, “are you okay?” And I told him what was on my mind. He asked if I wanted leave work and go talk to my pastor. I told him if it was what I really needed the Lord would continue to deal with me. So the rest of the work day went by and I thought I was okay.
As soon as I walked out of the front door, it was as if the Lord was on the porch waiting for me. And again He asked me, “If I were to come for you right now would you come home with Me?” I didn’t care who was around, right there on the front porch I broke down into tears and told the Lord, “No I wouldn’t.” My heart had been broken, like it never had been broken before! I ran to my car, tears running down my face and rushed home. I didn’t talk to anyone. I hopped in the shower and rushed straight to church! I was an hour and a half early, waiting for the Bible Study Group to get there.
That night’s study was, be 100% sure of your salvation and know where you stand with God. After the study, I told my pastor I needed to talk with him. When it was just me and my pastor there in the fellowship hall, I came straight out and told him, ‘I need to be saved !! He asked, “Are you sure?” I told him I have never been more certain of anything in my life.
So, we knelt right there in the fellowship hall, and I asked Jesus into my heart and repented (Luke 13:3) of my sin! I wept like a child! When my pastor and I walked outside, I had to shout! My chains had been broken and I had been set free! The weight had been lifted off my shoulders, I felt like I could take one step and jump over the hills by the church. Words can’t describe how it made me feel!
I now find myself at a little church out in the sticks, called Old Clouds Creek Baptist Church, where I am now a Sunday School teacher, guitar player, and will soon be preaching again. This time it is for real, genuine, blessed, and led by the Spirit of God. I am ready to go where He leads. God gave His best for me and I want to give my best for Him. God removed bitterness, anger and hatred from my heart and has filled me with His Spirit of life.
Now and then, satan tries to bring out the old man in me, but I always remember the cross. I always focus on God and what He has done for me. Thank You Jesus !!!
So if there are times you feel empty and void, why not call on Jesus. He loves you and wants to be your Lord and Savior. Accept Him (Jn 1:12), praise Him and serve Him (Jn 12:26) with all your heart!
God bless you and may He guide you in all your ways!!
By permission - Gary Waddell - Victory Ministries of Middle TN - VMMTN.COM
Thanks for "Taking Five" - God bless and bless GOD
