When I didn’t really know who God was, I drank, smoked and lived a life of pleasure.

I didn’t fully understand the consequences behind my actions.  I felt I could straighten up at any time, but the deeper I sank in sin, the more hopeless I became.

Then one day I looked around me and all I saw hopelessness:  no true friends, no family, no future.

That was the point when I realized I was all alone.  I didn’t fit in with the sinners and was misunderstood by the saints.

I felt empty inside.  My friends thought I was a hypocrite because I would tell them Jesus loved them and frank a beer 15 minutes later.

I always knew the truth about my sin choices, I just tried hard to forget about all the truth I was taught.

I have my heart to Jesus at 14 and then became my parent’s nightmare.

I was about 27 yrs old when I felt The LORD calling me back to Him.  I worshipped Him with the gift of singing that He gifted me with, but He was tugging at me constantly telling me I would never be happy just being lukewarm.

He wanted all of my heart.

I knew I had to recommit my life to Him but I had gone so far away from Him.  I just couldn’t fathom Him ever approving of me, a screw-up, wanting to be clean.

The thought of me dying a sinner was the turning point.  Years later I was filled with Holy Ghost fire that wouldn’t die out.

I was on fire for God and grew in my love for the word and for the lost souls I came across.

It wasn’t until I had children that I began to understand unconditional love, in fact,

God used my children to help me understand His undying love for me.

As a mom there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for them.

I am known as “Mama Pope” in my community.  I love prison ministry as well.

My life is a testimony and the world is my pulpit.  I am called all times of night and all times of day to seek and save the lost.

It’s in my everyday walk.

Two marriages , 4 kids and 2 grandkids later I am still in Love with Jesus.

Man forsook me — but He never did!

My daughter and my sons are my nearest and dearest friends, and family is my support system.

It’s in these areas that I have undergone the greatest attacks, but I have learned that it’s also the areas that have brought me the greatest joy!

My children love The LORD, and those they have befriended also are family now.  My daughter-in law is now my daughter and I also am blessed with an extended family whom I love.

Life is real simple.

Love God, love people.

Love people love God.

He looked beyond my faults and saw what was precious in me.  As Marvin Sapp sang, “He saw the best in me when everyone else around saw the worst in me….”

I am no recording artist, but I use my gift with all my heart and soul!  The Spirit of God reaches the lost in ways I could never when I sing.

It’s all Him.  I did co-author a book and traveled to share the gospel in any way God will use me.

I have been used to prophesy and heal hearts and physical bodies.  Glory to God.  I make my boast in The LORD alone!

It is Christ’s love and Holy Spirit power that compels me to keep going.

He is Holy and He is good, but He also knows what it takes for us to have a life of wholeness.
Apart from Him, we aren’t really living.

It is for this purpose I was ordained as a pastor.  It’s not because I love to memorize scripture, or have all the theologically sound answers prepared for all who ask for evidence that God is who He says He is;

I love others and God because He first loved me.  Plain and simple.

I don’t sugar coat stuff, because I don’t like stuff sugar coated.

But I do love beyond my ability to love.

In my flesh I used to tell a person off in a heartbeat, I still may if you beg me to, but it’s always out of love.  I’m not stupid, I’m just aware who I am,  and who I believe in now.

I felt I had to share this for someone.

God ain’t finished with you yet!

 

~ Angela Pope

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Pastor Angela Pope – a daughter of God in Christ Jesus.

 

 

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