"Christian by Our Love" by Ross Gowen




A Faith That Began Early
I am thankful for the chance to share my story. I grew up in a Christian home. My mother was a strong believer. She did not always speak loudly about her faith, but she lived it every day. She prayed often and cared for people in need. Watching her taught me that faith is not just words. It is love in action. Even as a very young child, maybe two or three years old, I knew what Easter meant. It was not about candy or games. I knew it was about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. That truth stayed in my heart from the beginning.

A Big Family and Hard Changes
I grew up in a large family with many siblings. Life was full, but it was not always easy. When I was twelve years old, my parents divorced. That was a very hard time for all of us, especially the younger children. My mother raised us mostly on her own, and she carried a heavy burden.
Later, she remarried. That brought more changes into our home. As a teenager, I struggled with those changes. I did not always accept them well. But even in those difficult years, God was still watching over me.

Lost but Not Forgotten
There was a time in my life when I was not walking closely with God. I made poor choices and got pulled into the world. I struggled with drinking and other things that were not good for me.
I remember feeling like I was stuck in a swamp, sinking deeper and deeper, almost unable to breathe. But even then, God did not leave me. He was still there, reaching for me. One day, I realized something had to change. I knew I could not keep living that way. That was when I began to turn back to God.

Meeting Penny—A Gift from God
I met my wife, Penny, in a simple but special way. From the beginning, something in me knew she was the one. Penny often shares our story, and she tells it better than I do. She has been a great blessing in my life. We were married when I was twenty years old. Life was not always easy for us, but we stayed together. For a time, we were not active in church, but God never let us go.

Returning to Church
After some years, God brought us back. Through the friendship of a pastor’s wife, Penny and I began going to church again. That relationship helped open the door for us. I had always known about God, but now I began to grow again. My faith became more real and active. I could feel God drawing me closer.

A Call to Serve
I felt God calling me to preach and teach. I went to Bible college for a year. I did well in my classes, but I struggled being away from my family. I also saw things that discouraged me.
In the end, I chose to come back home. I did not finish school, but I knew the calling was still there. God was not finished with me.
Penny and I became involved in ministry, especially with youth. We led a youth group that grew very quickly. Many of the kids who came were struggling with serious problems. We did not turn them away. We loved them. We welcomed them. Some people did not understand that, but we believed love was the way. And we saw God work. One young woman even came to live with us. She had been struggling with drugs. We loved her and walked with her through that time. God changed her life. Today she is doing well and serving the Lord. That is something I will always thank God for.

Walking Through Hardship
Our journey was not easy. Penny and I went through a time of homelessness. We lived in a camper, in tents, and in very cold conditions. There were times we had no heat, no electricity, and no comfort. I remember waking up in freezing temperatures. But even in those moments, God provided. Somehow, we made it through. That season humbled us and taught us to depend on God more than ever before.

A Life of Prayer
Over the years, my faith has grown stronger. I have become a prayer warrior. Prayer is now a big part of my daily life. I pray for my family, my church, and others. I have seen God answer prayers in ways I cannot explain. That is why I keep praying. I believe prayer changes things because I have lived it.
My favorite Scripture is John 13:34–35. Jesus tells us to love one another. He says people will know we are His disciples by our love. That is what I want my life to show. Not just words, but love in action. That is what my mother taught me, and that is what I try to live out every day.
I know I still have more to learn. That is why I asked Ted to be my mentor. I believe we all need someone who can guide us and speak truth into our lives.
I want to keep growing in my faith. I want to keep learning and becoming more like Christ.

My Hope for My Family
More than anything, I want my family to know God. I want them to walk in faith and to be with me in heaven one day. That is my deepest prayer. When I look back on my life, I see God’s hand everywhere. Through struggles, failures, and hard seasons, He never gave up on me. He lifted me up and brought me this far. That is my testimony. Thanks be to God. 

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