You would have heard a pin drop last Tuesday night as three women testified to the life-changed impact of Jesus Christ on their circumstances during a Transformations Night at Victory Praise Community Church in Pennybridge, Ballymena.
Organised by Timeless Publications to coincide with the publication of ‘Wounded Not Wasted – Transformed By God’, the event featured live interviews with three of the people who were featured in the book.
Ballycraigy native, Allison Minford recalled how her life was changed forever when she suffered a spinal stroke at the age of 36. Now 60, Allison revealed how God enabled her to walk again and be a mum to her daughters, Emma, and Lauren.
Worse was to come for the family when Lauren was tragically killed in a road traffic accident in March 2013. Allison recalled how ‘the prayers of God’s people’ carried them through this difficult time.
Next on the platform was Jenny McQuillan, who spoke about the miraculous healing of her eldest son, Connor, now 24, from what she and her husband, Chris, were told would be a life-limiting condition.
Medical practitioners feared that Connor would struggle to walk, talk, or master his motor skills. By the goodness of God, Connor became a top cross-country runner at youth level before graduating with a first-class honours degree in music and winning several awards for piano playing. Indeed, he received full marks for his final piano recital at Queens’.
Jenny also shared about her own battle with fibromyalgia, revealing that she is in good health.
Kells woman, Eileen Russell, recalled growing up in a loving Christian home before growing resentful towards God after her father, Alec, developed severe mental illness as a result of traumatic experiences during ‘the troubles.’
After the delivery of her stillborn son, Eileen, and her husband experienced God’s presence with them. The loss of her little brother had a profound effect on the couple’s then three-year-old daughter, who turned from a confident child into a very withdrawn and frightened one.
This sparked an interest in Play Therapy in Eileen’s mind, who retrained in the field and now helps other children to overcome trauma and grow into the people God created them to be.
The evening was enhanced further by the worship team from Victory Praise Community Church who ministered in thankful praise.
Thanks are also due the sound and media team from the fellowship, not forgetting the volunteers who manned the bookstand.
Joe Boyd, who authored Wounded Not Wasted, hosted the evening and was delighted by the success of the event.
He said: “Over 40 people came along to hear the testimonies and enjoy some beautiful worship. I thank Allison, Jenny, and Eileen for sharing their stories with such openness both in the book and on the night.
“We praise God for what He has done in each of their lives and pray that others will be encouraged by what they heard.”
If you have not yet read Wounded Not Wasted – Transformed by God’, you can grab your copy from Timeless Theological Academy online bookshop or on Amazon
