Dana Brantley
I grew up in a small church in Gaffney, SC. As far back as I can remember I heard about Jesus dying on the cross and being resurrected on the third day. But I grew up not making a decision to receive Jesus’ forgiveness for my sins. I remember my parents teaching me how to live and what to stay away from like drugs, alcohol, and sex. I wanted to please them so I made a decision that I would not do any of the things you shouldn’t do. Basically, I wanted to live a good life, even a righteous life. But I had not received Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
I graduated from high school and began attending USC-Spartanburg (now USC-Upstate). I heard about Campus Crusade for Christ and decided to get involved. I met some wonderful friends and decided that I would go to a fall conference at Awanita Valley. Crawford Loritts was speaking one night and I knew that I needed to stop trying to live in my own strength. For so long I had been doing all the “right” things but it was without the power of God. I was living a life that was good works instead of by his grace. That night,October 8, 1988, I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior.
I began to read God’s word and learned so much about Jesus and His love for me. My sins were forgiven and what a wonderful gift salvation is! It’s been almost twenty years since that life-changing day. Life has had ups and downs but God has never left me and He always provides exactly what I need at the exact time I need it! Jseus is continuing to show me my need for him and His forgiveness and how much He loves me. What a wonderful gracious God He is!!
Posted in I Grew Up in Church, I Was a "Good Person" ,
