Meet Esther Jackson

Praising God - In Spite of What It Looks Like

As told by Esther Jackson

My husband (Randy Jackson) has been ill over the past four months and hospitalized for two weeks. I watch him suffer in pain, given blood transfusions, have a loss of appetite and go through numerous tests. Every evening I would come home, with a prayer in my heart, knowing that he was healed in spite of what it looked like. The doctor advised Randy to be released to a nursing home but we both agreed that home care environment would be the best medicine he could receive.

I’m praising God regardless of our circumstances, opening my mouth daily to let God know I appreciate his love for me. I am his workmanship, made in his image, his holy temple. I praise him for Divine health and thank him for directing my footsteps. I thank Jehovah Shammah because he will never leave me or forsake me. I praise God even when I don’t feel like praising him and before the day is done I feel much better and think back on how the praises get me through the day.

When you walk by faith, not by sight, that is not just a cute little verse you learn and read, you have to live it and go through it. Regardless of what it looks like, keep praising God and that praise will get you through all the things the enemy puts in your path.

Getting out of bed, praise God for the use and activity of your limbs and pray for those in our Military serving this country that have lost a limb. Showering and getting dressed, thank God for hot running water and clothing to put on, many people in this world do not have that luxury.
Eating breakfast, thank Jehovah Jireh our provider for the food we have to eat, so many people are starving in this world. As you reach the door, to leave your home, thank God for your shelter, so many are homeless, or confined in hospitals and nursing homes.

On behalf of my husband and myself, I would like to thank Berith Christian Fellowship for assisting the Jackson family in their time of need. We thank the many members who have sowed into our lives, those who have prayed for us and came to visit us. Thank you for your gifts of labor, food and encouragement. You are all doers of the word and not just hearers of the word. You are covenant people, lifting up others when the need arises.

Meet Marlon & Tiffany Mathis

Trusting in God, no matter the circumstances.

As told by Marlon and Tiffany

One year ago, Marlon and I stood before you, giving our testimony about wholly trusting in God, no matter the circumstances. We shared our real life story about how we were depending on God even though we had no idea what would be in store for us during 2007. We would like to share some of the miraculous events that have transpired in 2007. Although there are many, many accounts that we could give you, for the sake of time we chose to only share a few.

In 2007, we were led by the Holy Spirit to create a list of our prayer requests. The purpose of this document was to list the items that we had desired but were waiting on God to manifest. We decided to print this list and hang it on our refrigerator as a daily reminder of the blessings that were yet to come for us through our faith and dependence on God. Some of the items on the list included:

Marlon: To become more of a provider for the family financially.
To be led to a career/job and to seek it.
To remain healthy and free of epilepsy.

Tiffany: For us to become 100% tithers.
For Marlon to remain healthy and free of epilepsy.
For us to become financially secure.

Jazmyn’s prayer was for God to watch over her always and to bless her family.

Again, we would like to reiterate that our lists were compiled separately, however Marlon and my prayer requests were somewhat similar in nature. If you listened to the individual prayer lists, Jazmyn’s was that God watch over her always. We know it to be true that God always watches over her, but it was more obvious on the day that Marlon had a seizure when only him and Jazmyn were at home. God watched over her and saw them both through what could have been a very traumatic situation for someone else.

On May 25, 2007, we were able to update our prayer requests because some of our desires had been manifested. Most importantly, we became 100% tithers!! We also added a few new items to the list.

Marlon: After suffering from seizure after seizure, I knew that something had to give. Although I wasn’t sure what route I would take, I knew that I wasn’t living the complete life that God would have for me. Years ago, a neurologist said that I may be a candidate for an epilepsy surgery. During this surgery they would remove the scar tissue from the part of my brain that caused the seizures. However, back then, I didn’t think twice about having the surgery because I wasn’t having seizures very often. I would have a seizure maybe once every other year, if that. But because the seizures were happening more often, I began to consider this major surgery as a way to get my life back.

Because this was the toughest decision of my life, I knew it was no longer in my hands. The outcome would affect not only me, but my family as well. I knew that I couldn’t make this decision without guidance from the Holy Spirit. As a result, Tiffany and I added this to our prayer request list. I began to go through the necessary testing for the doctors to determine if I was still an eligible candidate for this surgery. I felt that if I did go through with the surgery it would be better if I got the testing done.

A few months before this time, Pastor had taught the series “Receive Your Healing Now”. A very good friend of mine knew the decision that was before me and suggested I go back and review the series because it was so relevant to what I was going through. While reviewing the series, Pastor Rick pointed out that sometimes we have to mix medicine with our faith. This stood out for me. After hearing this for the second time, I realized that I had gotten my answer. I felt a sense of calmness and I had already received my healing!

Tiffany: Also in May, we received notice from the management company we were renting our apartment from saying that our lease would be up for renewal in July. When we moved into this particular apartment, we had decided that we would only be there for a year. Marlon and I stepped out on faith and on June 1, 2007, we gave our 30 day notice of intent to move. We added this request to the list that we would move into our desired place by July 1, 2007.

We were definitely walking by faith because we had no clue of where we would be going. But we knew that God would provide for us and that things would be ok. During this time, we found out that one of the properties owned by the management company we were currently renting from was available. It was a nice two bedroom apartment and it was in an “ok” environment. We decided to apply for this apartment but it fell through. Although we were disappointed, immediately we realized that this just wasn’t the place that God wanted for us. We didn’t get discouraged nor did we give up on God.

To make a long story short, a few days later, we were led to another condominium community and we set up an appointment to view the condo. Before going, Marlon and I prayed that God grant us favor with the owner. Not only was this condominium larger than the other apartment we were interested in, the complex is nicer and most importantly, the owner is a believer! We moved into our new place on June 23, 2007! After moving in, the owner told us that after reviewing 21 more qualified applications, she kept coming back to ours and the Spirit told her that we were the ones for the place! Another manifested prayer request!

Marlon: Once all the testing for the eligibility of the surgery was completed and after being deemed eligible for the surgery, the doctors had to tell us all the side effects that may occur after recovery. There was a list of things: blurred vision, headaches that could even a year after the surgery, speech problems, seizures (from the brain being swollen after surgery), memory problems, and that I would be out of commission for at least twelve weeks. After hearing all this, my wife looked at me and said “these are someone’s side effects. But they aren’t yours!” I totally agreed with her and we were set for the surgery to happen.

In late August, I was led to apply for another position within Kaiser. I knew this was the Holy Spirit because out of all the positions that were open, this is the only one that I was led to apply for. As a matter of fact, when I met with my supervisor to inform her of the upcoming surgery, I told her that I was not going to return to the Emergency Room! When I told my wife what I had told my supervisor, after her initial shock had subsided, she realized I was walking by faith and not by sight and that I was willing to prove it!

The week before my surgery was scheduled to occur, I received a call saying that they wanted to interview me. They scheduled the interview the day before my surgery. Although I left the interview confident in my presentation, I was concerned about the hire date. Then I reminded myself that my prayers were already answered and that it was out of my hands.

Tiffany: Marlon had the surgery on October 11, 2007. As expected, he did not experience any of the side effects that the doctor warned us of. He was up talking and walking around about 5 days after my surgery. At one point, his neurologist felt the need to assure us that they actually did do surgery on him and that they didn’t just cut his head and stitch it back together.

To date, Marlon has had no seizures, he can see just fine, his speech is working and he can remember everything he’s supposed to! Most people that don’t know about the surgery can’t tell that he went through it. ANOTHER PRAYER MANIFESTED!

Marlon: About 5 days after my surgery, I received a call informing me that I had been hired for the job! Not only did I receive the job, but the start date was to occur on the exact date my doctor said I could return to work! Also, the job pays a lot more than what I was making before… ANOTHER PRAYER MANIFESTED!

Although this is not everything that we went through in 2007, it gives you a major view into our lives. We don’t want to stand here and paint a picture like everything was easy for us and that we didn’t struggle because we did. We do want you to know that from hearing our testimony that if you put all of your trust in God, He will lead you every step of the way!

Marlon serves on the Usher, Set-Up and Heir's Together team and is also a mentor for the God Squad. Tiffany is the Team Lead for Babes in Christ and on the Greeter's team.

Meet Mona Aubry

Faith in God and Depending Upon Her Church Family Revitalized Me

As told to Jerilyn Taylor

I have served as Team Lead for the Greeters Helps Ministry since the beginning, about six years now. When we began, our ministry was small and somewhat informal, but as the church grew and we needed to better organize, the First Lady asked me to take over as the official Team Lead. I said yes to reassure both the First Lady and myself that I could do it.

Things started off fairly manageable; I made the greeter’s schedule, communicated with the team members, and held regular meetings. But as time progressed and our team grew even larger, and as I became more aware of the duties and things that needed to be done, details began to fall through the cracks. It was a difficult process, but I felt things were going to get better. Unfortunately I just had no idea of what I was getting myself into.

Pressure Builds
When I joined Berith and began serving in Helps Ministry my eldest child, Alex, was two years old. My husband Tyrone wasn’t yet in church, so I was attending alone. My husband later joined church and became active in a ministry himself. Then my son Nathan was born with challenges and had to undergo heart surgery when he was only eight months old. During this time there were events at church that required greeters to serve. I was trying to organize the team from home and even though I wasn’t always present at the events, I worked hard and tried to lead. I never had an assistant and wanted to delegate some of the responsibility, but I didn’t know how. I was exhausted, and like he usually does when your faith is shaken, the enemy got busy.

I now had two children, a husband, and the responsibilities began to wear on me. I wanted the Greeters ministry to go to a certain place, but I didn’t know how to take it there. The final straw was when someone made an off-hand comment to me that I took offense to. I said, “that’s it,” and told my husband I planned to quit the ministry.

Reaching Out
I spoke with Pastor Rick about my plans to quit the Greeters. Voicing my concerns with Pastor was comforting. He mentioned that sometimes people don’t think they’re doing a great job when they are.

About this same time, Pastor taught on being tired. While I don’t believe he taught the message because of me, it sure hit home! I was working everything out all by myself. I had to pause to ask if I was relying on myself to come up with all the answers or allowing God to give me the strength to continue?I knew I needed help so I reached out and asked a team member to co-lead with me.

The Change Was Awesome!
She helped get me organized and rolling again. More importantly I accepted her help and the team is more cohesive because of it. We’re communicating and things are going well. Currently there are 15 greeters including myself, and we are operating on a much tighter level.

I Am Not Alone
You know, when I quit the Greeters my conscience wouldn’t leave me alone. It was an unction – I knew I wasn’t quitting for the right reason, but I also knew I couldn’t continue to juggle everything by myself.

God told me to stay the course and see it through. I’m glad I reached out. I’m glad I stayed connected. I believe the skills I learn as a Lead of a Helps Ministry carry over into other areas of my life. These are practical tools! Knowing that I serve an awesome God I can rely upon, and that I don’t have work out everything alone, is a very good thing.

Mona Aubry is currently an employee at Berith, Team Lead for the Greeters and serves as a Teachers Assistant with the Kingdom Kids Helps Ministry Team.

Meet Vanessa Ransom

Vanessa Ransom Shares How Faith in God Saved Her Brother...Literally

As told to Jerilyn Taylor

God’s Great and Mighty Glory!
Not long ago, I received a call from CHP telling me that my brother Damon had been in a car accident. He had used his cell phone to call for help but didn’t know where he was. They asked me if I knew whom he was with or where he could have been going. I hadn’t a clue, but said that I would find out anything I could and call them back. I called my father to ask he if he might know. He did not.

Then I stopped and I prayed! I pressed into my covenant Representative and Partner. I made a demand on my inheritance, for God to rebuke the devourer for my sake (my brother, to my knowledge has not received Christ yet). I asked God, assured in Christ, to send His very best to save my natural brother who is precious to me. I believed that my brother would be the better by the incident and walk away from it without serious injury.

I believed that I would not panic because I walk by faith, not by sight. I believed that God wants to help me and will help me if I allow Him to meet my needs. I believed that His will for me is that no weapon formed against me shall prosper. I believed that He would keep safe the members of my household. I believed and I did not doubt.

With CHP holding on my home phone, I reached my brother on his cell phone. He was hurt and afraid. It was tough...he was screaming and the temptation to lose peace was knocking on my front door. We went on like this for an hour. We were cut off several times during the conversation calling back every time we were disconnected. CHP confirmed that they had a visual of him and they told me that they would call me after they airlifted him to a medical facility. The last time I heard Damon’s voice was when the helicopter reached him.

I waited anxiously to hear that Damon was safe. But while I waited, I rejoiced because I learned at Berith what covenant was and trusted God at His Word. I understood that He is always with me and would never forsake me. I rejoiced because I believed and acted on what God said instead of what I was told by circumstances.

Later that afternoon, I received a call from nurse Barbara at John Muir Medical Center who told me that my bother had just arrived and he had asked her to call me to tell me that he was not dead.

That is the meat of my testimony. Now, I have experienced the grace of God and His Living Word in a different way than ever before. My faith was challenged and I chose correctly. Glory hallelujah!

Some Details I Learned After the Incident
Damon’s accident occurred because he swerved to miss a bicyclist on Grizzly Peak near Fish Ranch Road. He was thrown from his car into a tree, and as he was falling (the bottom of the canyon is at minimum 75 feet straight down), Damon held on to the 2nd or 3rd tree he hit. Rescuers could not reach him by air because the density of trees in the area and the composition of the cliff’s face.

The Contra Costa County Fire Department was told not to attempt a rescue until the Park Rangers arrived because they could lose their own lives in the process. The shift leader from the Dublin Fire Department organized a human chain using fire hoses and whatever else was on hand to get to Damon. The rescue took more than an hour and was a multi-county effort (CHP/OPD/BPD/Contra Costa County Fire Dept. and Oakland Fire Dept.) and included many volunteers that had “just shown up”.

After 12 days my brother walked out of the hospital with 6 or 7 staples his head and two minimal fractures that will not affect his mental or motor abilities. Everyone called his survival amazing and lucky. I say it is miraculous. I say the Word of God is true. I say covenant ain’t no joke. I will call his survival victory and evidence of the unyielding love, majesty, faithfulness and glory of God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ.

Vanessa Ransom is the Team Lead for the Christ Like Ones, Berith’s ministry for unmarried Christians, and serves as a member of the Counters Helps Ministry Team.