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Issue link: http://magazine.kcm.org/i/1538270
symptom that had plagued her since becoming sick had disappeared. She was healed. "That introduced me to a whole new world of faith," Sarah recalls. "Growing up, I'd heard of Kenneth and Gloria. My grandmother graduated from Rhema Bible Training College when I was a small child. Now, with my health restored, God directed me to go to St. Louis for a summer internship with Joyce Meyer Ministries." Following that, the Lord instructed Sarah to eventually move and enroll in the ministry's three- year ministry program. "When I moved there, they asked anyone who served in the kitchen to take a Hepatitis A vaccination," Sarah recalled. "Of course, my doctor exempted me from that and later the COVID-19 vaccine. He said either might trigger a return of Guillain-Barré. I read a book about different vaccines and their side effects, and Guillain-Barré syndrome was listed as one of the side effects of the tetanus shot. It said the side effect might not manifest for five years. "I was diagnosed at age 20. At 15, I had had a tetanus shot before going on a mission trip. Although there's no way to prove it, I suspect that's what triggered the disease. "The ministry school was wonderful. In addition to classes, we had hands-on experience serving the homeless, doing street evangelism and children's ministry. I accepted a job and stayed there after the program ended." New Attacks Over the years, Sarah battled bouts of depression. One evening, while standing in her kitchen, she felt a dark spirit attach itself to her. It urged her to pick up a knife. That dark moment spurred her to ask God how to get free. Sensing the Lord telling her to attend Keith Moore's church in Branson, Mo., that weekend, Sarah took off from work that Friday and drove to Branson for the evening service. Standing in the congregation, she expected to hear a word that would bring deliverance. Instead, the associate pastor taught on the goodness of God. Though she felt angry and disappointed, Sarah listened to the teaching and took notes. The following day, she sat poolside and studied the notes. On Sunday, Keith Moore preached. His message—the goodness of God. Even the songs that were ministered during worship were about God's goodness, Sarah remembers. Despite her feelings, she yielded and worshipped God for His goodness. The next day after work, while walking at the park with friends, Sarah found herself laughing again. She noticed the world now sparkled with color instead of being black and white. The heaviness of the depression had created an emptiness, which caused her to lose significant weight. Before, she was physically incapable of eating more than a few bites. With her appetite restored, she found herself eating as many as five tacos—another miracle. Sarah had been delivered from depression through praise! Sarah lived across the street from the Dream Center where she worked. One day as she started her car, a young man approached her. "Get out!" he commanded. She laughed, thinking it was a joke. When he grabbed her phone from her hand, kicked her car and demanded that she get out, she realized it was no laughing matter. When she stepped out, he drove away. Sarah ran across the street to the Dream Center and told a staff member what had happened. He took her to an office and called the police. A church member pulled her aside. "You know what to do. Call the car back to you." Sarah did that. A pastor's wife called the enemy confused, and that he would go around in circles. "My car was recovered a mile away," Sarah says. "I had a quarter tank of gas. The person who stole it drove to a gas station and met another man. Together, they robbed another young woman. When police arrived, they ran on foot. "When I got my car back, the tank was full. My phone and the other woman's purse was inside. I didn't have cash in my purse and one of my co- workers had called to put a hold on my debit card. Still, I prayed for my purse to be returned. "Two days later, my purse was returned. It had been found on the steps of a nearby church. Through this, I learned that there is no reason to be a victim. If we use our authority, we don't have to be one." "The officers thought I was crazy for believing that I would get my purse back. It was so satisfying to email them a picture of me holding my purse with a smile." A New Direction After seven years in St. Louis, Sarah moved home to Georgia. In the fall of 2019, she listened as Brother Copeland spoke about KCBC. Since Sarah had already graduated from a ministry school, she saw no reason to go. But in early 2022, she knew the Lord was leading her there. One Sunday during worship 1 4 : B V O V HOW TO USE THEIR FAITH. JOIN US IN TEACHING BELIEVERS Partner with KCM. KCM.ORG /PARTNERNOW