Participants:
Series Code: UBR
Program Code: UBR210029S
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00:01 Stay tuned to meet a husband and wife team
00:03 who's taking a journey of faith. 00:05 My name is Jason Bradley, 00:07 and you're watching Urban Report. 00:32 Hello, and welcome to Urban Report. 00:34 My guests today are Ernie Hernandez, 00:37 Founder and Owner of New Creation Media 00:39 and his wife, Laura Williams, singer, songwriter, 00:43 and recording artist. 00:45 Welcome to Urban Report, Ernie and Laura. 00:48 It's great to have you. Thank you. 00:49 Yes, this is your first time on Dare to Dream. 00:52 So this is exciting. 00:53 Our viewers are going to get to know you, 00:55 find out about your background, and just all of that. 00:59 You know, I met you, probably years ago 01:02 at one of these events, ASI or GYC, 01:06 or one of these things, but I got a chance 01:09 to hear your testimonies 01:11 the other night at a concert. 01:15 And that was I was very impressed. 01:17 And I knew that we needed to share this 01:19 with our Dear to Dream viewers. 01:22 So let's jump into your background. 01:25 Ernie, let's start with you. 01:26 Okay, yeah, my background, 01:27 I grew up in a family that didn't have like 01:30 a religious background at all. 01:31 Okay. 01:33 So religious things and spiritual things are just, 01:35 they weren't in the cards for me kind of thing. 01:37 Yes. 01:38 Some other big things about me, I'm an adopted child. 01:40 So I didn't grow up with my biological family, 01:43 I grew up with a step family, 01:44 but I didn't go through the foster care. 01:45 So I was adopted within the family. 01:47 It may sound really confusing, 01:49 but I just understand that I didn't know my mom 01:52 and my dad and that kind of stuff. 01:53 Yeah. 01:55 I did not live with them because my mother was addicted 01:56 to methamphetamine, 01:57 she has a substance addiction problem. 01:59 So, left me with a lot of questions, 02:02 like, wondering, it's just like, who am I? 02:04 And why am I here? 02:05 And why am I not worthy of love and that kind of stuff? 02:07 And that'll it'll weigh on you as we grow up, 02:10 and you get older and older. 02:11 So, yeah. Yes. Yes. 02:13 And, Laura, what about you? 02:15 Well, I guess you could say I was the opposite. 02:18 I grew up in a really good Christian home, 02:20 and had a good upbringing. 02:23 But the world had a very strong pull on me pretty quick. 02:28 Yes. 02:29 And so by the time I was in my early teens, 02:30 I was like, completely rebelling against God, 02:33 I didn't want anything to do with God. 02:36 One reason, because I just found myself 02:40 wanting to do my own thing, you know? 02:41 Yes, yes. 02:43 And then, you know, another reason too 02:45 is getting so caught up, 02:47 looking at all the negative things 02:48 that can go on in Christianity. 02:50 I got so caught up on seeing that everywhere around me 02:54 that I associated that with God. 02:57 And that's how I started to see God. Yes. 02:59 And so I just wanted to go as far away from Him as I could. 03:03 See, you just brought out something 03:04 that's quite profound. 03:06 You know, a lot of times people look at people 03:09 as opposed to the message. 03:10 So people get caught up on the messenger, 03:12 as opposed to the message, the gospel, 03:16 and they fall off of course. 03:19 So that's, yeah, that's a profound point. 03:22 Ernie, I want to transition back to you and talk about, 03:24 you know, how those things impacted you, 03:27 the being adopted within the family, 03:30 which it was a blessing 03:32 that you were still within the family, for sure. 03:34 But what role did that play in your development? 03:39 Yeah, the truth of the matter is it just, 03:42 it really crushed me because as an adopted child, 03:44 even though I had every opportunity to excel, 03:47 to succeed, I was taken out of a circumstance 03:49 that otherwise would have been terrible. 03:52 But you don't grasp concepts like that, 03:54 you don't grasp love that way when you're little. 03:57 I mean, I was two years old when I was adopted. 03:58 So by the time I got into middle school, 04:01 into high school, those kind of things, 04:02 I just felt like I didn't belong anywhere. 04:04 And I think I mentioned in my testimony the other day 04:07 that my skin color was a little bit lighter 04:09 than my adopted family. 04:11 So I just felt like I didn't belong even within the family, 04:14 just time and time again, it was just like, 04:16 I am alone in the world, I'm not worthy of love, 04:19 and there's nothing I can do about it. 04:21 So I would take it out on myself, 04:24 I developed like self-destructive behaviors, 04:26 and one was self-mutilation. 04:28 And that's a clinical term but I would lash out at myself 04:32 and I would cut myself 04:34 or hurt myself in certain ways and whatnot. 04:36 All it was I was in so much pain, 04:39 but had no way to release it or to fill that void. 04:43 You know that kind of thing. Yeah. 04:44 No healthy outlet. No healthy outlet. 04:46 Yeah, exactly. Yes. Yes. 04:48 And, so you were in a very dark place in your life. 04:54 What were some of the other things 04:55 that you were into at that time? 04:57 Yeah. Oh, I just embraced the world. 05:00 So I mean, I took on the darkest types of things, 05:03 I would watch terrible movies, horror movies, 05:05 I was really into that genre. 05:06 I got into the punk rock scene. 05:08 So very anti-establishment, anti-everything, 05:10 anti the world, you know? 05:12 And I just thought that that would empower me 05:15 in some way, shape or form. 05:17 And I thought it did, 05:19 but it really didn't bring me any more sense 05:21 of fulfillment or purpose. 05:23 It just gave me an outlet for all that aggression and anger. 05:26 And then from there, there was no healing. 05:29 Yeah. 05:30 So it sounds like you were searching for principles. 05:33 Oh, yeah. 05:34 But you were searching for the principles in the wrong areas. 05:37 Absolutely. 05:38 Laura, you were gravitating towards the world. 05:43 What was your pull? Was it music, then too? 05:47 Did you want to become like famous singer 05:51 of maybe I don't know what genre. 05:54 But did you want to become a famous singer was that? 05:57 Yeah, that was the goal. Okay. 06:00 My plan actually, as an early teen was 06:04 I wanted to run away from home, 06:06 I wanted to go to LA, 06:07 which is actually where my parents left from 06:09 as soon as I was born, because they didn't want me 06:11 to be raised in LA. 06:12 Okay. 06:14 So I was going to go back there. 06:15 And I was so determined that, you know, 06:17 I could join the music industry, 06:19 become a famous singer. 06:21 I wanted to be the next Sarah Brightman. 06:23 Okay. That was my thing. 06:26 So yeah, that was my goal pretty early on. 06:29 Got you. 06:30 And so when did God grab ahold of your life? 06:35 Well, what happened 06:38 is there was a time 06:42 when I actually did know somebody 06:44 that was quite influential in the music industry. 06:47 And I just remember several times him sitting down 06:50 with me and basically saying, 06:52 "Is this what you want? 06:54 Do you want success? 06:55 Do you want fame? 06:57 Because, you know, you can have it?" 07:00 And that's exactly what I wanted, right? 07:02 But it was just like, I could never say yes, 07:05 there's always this feeling like, "No, this is not for you. 07:08 This is going to take you down a really dark road." 07:10 So I never would say yes to that. 07:12 And so right in the middle of this, 07:14 I was sent to Fountainview Academy. 07:16 Oh, wow. Wow. 07:17 Some of the viewers may know what that is. 07:19 Yes. Yes. 07:21 So it sounds like there was a great controversy going on. 07:24 There was a battle, and praise God 07:27 that He intervened on your behalf, 07:30 and you went to Fountainview. 07:32 Right. Yes, to shift that focus. 07:36 What about you, Ernie? 07:37 When did you grab hold of the gospel? 07:39 That is, that's really a long journey to tell you the truth. 07:43 After middle school, high school, 07:44 after being institutionalized, after therapy, 07:47 after all these things, 07:48 it wasn't until like my tail end of high school, 07:51 when I got in argument with my step family, 07:54 my family, you know, kind of thing. 07:56 But Steve's, my mom threw me out, 07:58 and I was homeless for like two and a half years. 08:00 Wow. 08:01 And I just, again, 08:03 I took on more self-destructing behaviors 08:04 and picked up smoking, drinking, I went right 08:07 to substance abuse, just like my biological mother. 08:10 And I said that in my testimony, 08:12 it pains me to say that, but this is the truth, 08:14 I was given every opportunity to succeed 08:16 and to live that life, and that's exactly 08:18 where I went when I had freedom. 08:21 But God really intervened. 08:23 There's two stories within that, 08:24 but God really intervened. 08:25 The first time that I can recollect very powerfully 08:28 when a certain individual came into the gas station 08:30 where it worked. 08:32 And he asked to pray with me. 08:33 That was a really simple request. 08:34 That's all he asked of me and me not having a background, 08:37 religious things and growing up in a respectable home, 08:40 I thought it'd be fine. 08:42 You know, there was something about who he was, 08:43 he looked happy, he looked, the good purpose, 08:45 all that kind of stuff. 08:46 So I let him pray for me. 08:48 He handed me a little tiny, like, tiny Bible, 08:50 little pocket edition, and then he just left 08:52 and I never saw him again. 08:54 But after that, I decided there was something about him 08:58 and like, just his the way he was living his life. 09:00 He was just happy. 09:01 So I thought maybe it's his relationship with God. 09:04 So I think it's my testimony again Yes. 09:06 But I took a quarter out of the register, 09:07 and I go out and I say heads is going to be yes 09:09 and tails is going to be no. 09:11 And I get really, really firm with God. 09:13 I was like, if you're really going to talk to me, 09:15 you're going to reveal to me now 09:17 because I don't know what I'm doing, 09:18 I feel lost, I feel hopeless, all these things, 09:20 and obviously, this man just has all those things. 09:23 So you can give me those things, too. Yes. 09:26 So I started out with all those questions, are you real? 09:28 And I would flip that quarter, and would land on heads, 09:30 you know, time and time again. And I thought I'd be smart. 09:33 Like, I'd throw it through the same question, 09:36 just a different way. 09:37 It will still land on heads, you know, that kind of thing. 09:39 Wow. He was being that direct with me in those moments. 09:41 Yes. And it was really powerful. 09:44 And there's lots of great detail I can go into, 09:45 but that's when I really saw 09:48 that God had a purpose for me 09:50 that He wanted something more than when I was, 09:53 you know, going through at the moment. 09:55 But even then I wasn't ready, 09:56 and I kind of stepped away from it. 09:58 Yeah. Yeah. 09:59 We actually have a picture of you 10:01 when you were going through some dark times. 10:04 I want us to take a look. Yeah, there. 10:06 I would never, looking at you today, I don't see that guy. 10:10 But that is what's amazing about Christ. 10:13 Oh, yes. 10:14 You know, your countenance has changed 10:16 so much since that picture that we just saw. 10:19 And that's powerful the transformational power 10:23 of Christ in our lives. 10:25 So, Laura, what took place? 10:29 So you transition, you sat down with the guy, 10:32 you didn't want the fame, he was asking you, 10:34 you couldn't decide to go down that route, 10:37 you got sent to Fountainview Academy, 10:39 now take us from there? 10:41 So at Fountainview, you know, we had the choir, 10:44 the orchestra, the touring all the time. 10:46 So this is where I really was able to gain 10:48 a good foundation in music, and what you know, 10:52 traveling and all that would be like. 10:54 I didn't realize, 10:55 you know, what the plan was for the future 10:57 that I would be doing full time music ministry. 11:00 But I can look back at that now I can see 11:02 that God was completely preparing me for that. 11:05 Yes. And He taught me so many things there. 11:08 But, after I graduated, 11:13 all those feelings started to come back. 11:15 All that bitterness that I'd held on to before 11:18 getting so caught up in all the negatives, and just again, 11:21 not wanting anything to do with Christianity. 11:24 And so I spiraled into this extreme depression, 11:28 I became suicidal. 11:31 Just kind of like Ernie not really feeling like 11:35 I knew where I was going, or what my purpose was, 11:37 or anything like that. 11:39 But all the time, though, 11:41 you know, God was trying to speak to me, to reach me. 11:44 I can look back at it now and see it so clearly 11:47 how He was all the time, 11:48 you know, working to bring me back to Him. 11:51 And I regret so much now 11:55 that it took me so long to listen. 11:56 Yes. 11:58 But my coming back to Him wasn't in a single moment. 12:02 I can't say like, this is when it happened. 12:04 Yes. 12:05 But over several years, He worked on my heart. 12:08 And when I saw my brother gave His life to God, 12:12 that's what really sealed it for me 12:14 because I had prayed for my brother for years. 12:17 Whoa, whoa, whoa. 12:19 I got to slow it down right there. 12:20 So you were praying for your brother for years, 12:23 but you weren't right with the Lord at that time, 12:25 but you wanted to. 12:27 It's interesting how that works. 12:28 It is. Our brains are so funny sometimes as we are. 12:33 It's so hard to explain, 12:35 but what I can boil it down to 12:37 is that even though for myself, I wanted my own way, 12:41 and I was, you know, running away from God. 12:44 In my heart, I knew it was what was right, 12:46 and I still wanted it for him. 12:48 Yes. 12:50 But and then in the long run, you saw his conversion... 12:53 I saw his conversion. 12:54 And that led to you being converted 12:57 as well which is incredible. 12:59 How did you two meet? 13:01 Yeah, so ironically it picks up right there. 13:04 So Jeremy, your half brother. 13:07 He gave his life to God like a week before 13:09 and my best friend that I lived with when I was homeless, 13:12 those two years everything we went through thick and thin, 13:15 he got a job next door at the smoke shop. 13:18 So I was an avid pot smoker 13:19 then because obviously self-destructive behaviors, 13:21 but he ends up in a conversation 13:25 with Laura's brother in the back 13:27 while he's closing up shop. 13:28 And he talked for like three and a half hours. 13:30 So I'm up in the front and I decided to go over 13:33 to those front lobby of the pizza place. 13:35 And me and Laura start talking, and then Minda, 13:38 her brother's wife comes out, we just sat there 13:41 and we just all connected for like 13:42 that three and a half hours 13:44 and because I was going to college at the time, 13:46 and I needed a place to stay, 13:47 you know I would go there wait for him to get off work, 13:49 but I would spend all my time with at pizzeria, 13:51 you know, that's why I always get around. 13:53 So it wasn't the pizza that kept you in the pizzeria. 13:56 Yeah. I hear you. 13:59 That's incredible. 14:01 So how long have you all been in full time ministry? 14:05 Yeah. 14:06 So for me, it's been about 10 years 14:08 at full time music ministry. 14:10 And I've had Ernie with me. 14:11 We got married about five years ago. 14:14 And it's been a lot better, let me tell you. 14:16 It's much better that way. Nice. 14:18 You got your partner in your corner. 14:20 Right. 14:21 We actually have a picture of you two in action 14:23 and you can tell us where you are 14:24 and what's going on here. 14:26 It looks like Ernie is playing the guitar. 14:28 Yep. That's one of our concerts. 14:29 It's actually had a Revelation seminar 14:31 that we were closing up closing weekend 14:33 doing a concert for that. 14:35 Nice. 14:37 I want to transition back into your testimonies 14:40 and kind of finish that up 14:42 because I want people to see 14:44 the totality of what God has been doing in your lives. 14:49 Let's go to you, Laura. All right. 14:51 So I got to see my brother's life changed. 14:54 I saw that even while I was running from Him, 14:56 God was still hearing, 14:58 He was still answering my prayer, 14:59 and that just really solidified me coming back to Him. 15:03 And I realized that we can never look 15:07 at other people as our examples of Christ. 15:11 Christians can give Christianity a bad name. 15:13 I think we all know that. 15:15 But it's not about that. 15:16 It's not about looking at them. 15:18 It's we have to keep our eyes on Christ. 15:19 Yes. 15:21 And when we do that, we reflect His character to others, 15:23 and that's what it's all about. 15:25 And I saw that it is so much more satisfying to sing music 15:29 that can change a person's life 15:31 that can have an impact on them for eternity, 15:34 rather than maybe just a feel good song. 15:36 Amen. 15:38 And what about you, Ernie? 15:40 Yeah, my transition was when I kept coming 15:42 around the pizzeria, Laura would minister to me, 15:45 she tried to give me a Bible, 15:46 and I was still really reluctant about it. 15:48 But she invited me to some of her concerts in the area. 15:52 And that was just ministry of music 15:54 is just amazing to tell you the truth. 15:57 But there was a particular event 15:58 where she had to sing for a Revival seminar 16:02 put on by a pastor by the name of Jeremiah Davis. 16:05 Okay. 16:06 And I don't know if any viewers are familiar with him 16:08 and his ministry. 16:09 But the way he goes about preaching is very, 16:12 very aggressive. 16:13 It's like very militant drill sergeant, 16:15 kind of aggressive. 16:17 And that's what I needed to hear. 16:19 Because the way I was living my life was also aggressive, 16:22 it was abrasive, it was harsh, 16:24 you know, all that kind of stuff. 16:25 So when he was presenting the Word of God in the way 16:28 that I could understand, in the way 16:29 that I've always understood the world, 16:31 you know, it was powerful, and it was transformative. 16:34 And then Laura took me home 16:36 to meet her parents for the first time, 16:38 put me through a 10 day detox, full body detox kind of thing. 16:41 And it was terrible. 16:43 It was awful, you know, five days of not eating food 16:45 and charcoal and parasite killers 16:48 and bug killers and all this kind of stuff. 16:50 But sure enough, you know, as bad as I felt, 16:53 and I really did feel terrible during that detox. 16:56 I needed to get rid of all the substance abuse 16:59 that I was doing with my body and the drinking, 17:00 the smoking, all that kind of stuff. 17:02 But the fifth day I kneeled next to the bed, 17:05 and I just started to talk to God again, 17:07 like I did when I was flipping the quarter. 17:09 But this time, I was all in. 17:11 I wasn't trying to run away from Him anymore. 17:13 I knew He had a purpose, and I knew He was leading. 17:15 And I was ready to embrace Him, and He was ready to embrace me, 17:18 and I've never been the same. 17:20 That's beautiful. That is beautiful. 17:22 Did you ever think that you would be doing 17:25 what you do right now? 17:28 What do you think? 17:30 Not like this. No. 17:33 It's been amazing. 17:34 You kind of imagine God always has a better plan for us 17:37 than we have for ourselves. 17:38 Amen. 17:40 And then did you ever think that you would have a wife 17:43 that you could be in full time ministry with as well? 17:46 Yeah, no, I've never thought about that. 17:48 I don't know where I would be without God. 17:50 I think I would be in the music industry 17:52 just doing live sound or something. 17:54 But this is so much more fulfilling. 17:58 And you know, that kind of thing. 17:59 It really filled the void I was trying to fill with the world. 18:02 Jesus has come and done so much for both of our lives. 18:05 Praise God. There's no better story. 18:08 What are some, maybe some miracle stories 18:11 that you can share with me as far as like, 18:16 you know, you've been traveling, 18:18 you've been going to different places, 18:20 and you've taken that journey of faith? 18:23 What are some things that you've noticed in that journey? 18:27 Oh, man, there's so many stories. 18:30 We be here for hours, countless stories. 18:34 But what we have learned through experience 18:36 after experience is that we can always rely on God. 18:40 If we are focused on serving Him, 18:43 working for Him, putting our best, 18:46 He takes care of the rest. 18:47 We don't need to worry about things He provides, 18:50 and He makes a way 18:51 where it doesn't seem like there is one. 18:54 Wow. Amen. 18:56 And, Ernie, you've covered a lot of miles 18:59 driving all of that stuff. 19:01 In fact, the transmission went out then. 19:04 Tell us a little bit about that? 19:06 Yeah. 19:08 And not even a little while ago. 19:09 That's kind of why we're here is 19:10 because our transmission failed. 19:12 So glad you brought us on the show. 19:13 But yeah, that just came out of left field for us, 19:15 and we needed to know what we were going to do 19:18 all that kind of stuff. 19:19 But the way God set everything up for us to be here. 19:21 We did the concert, and whatnot. 19:24 I mean, it was providential. 19:25 We needed some downtime, because we have future albums 19:28 that me and Laura working on that we're trying to finish, 19:30 you know. Yes. 19:32 And I didn't have any time with a tour. 19:33 We're booked three, five times a week sometimes. 19:37 Wow. 19:38 We're on the road for the next seven months. 19:39 So it's... Wow. 19:41 Got long ways to go. Yeah. 19:42 Very intense. 19:43 It's not the first time the car has given us problems. 19:45 Before we even left on the store, 19:46 we had a timing belt problem. 19:48 We had no way to pay for it. We had nothing. 19:51 And we made the appointment, we figured out the price, 19:54 and the next day somebody had given us donation 19:56 to cover the cost. 19:58 Exact same price. Exact same price. 19:59 Wow. 20:00 So like we've had that time and time again 20:02 and in other in different ways, 20:03 but God is always there for about doing His work. 20:06 Praise God. 20:09 Let's talk about some of the projects that are taking place. 20:12 What are some projects, upcoming projects, 20:14 and maybe projects that you've done in the past? 20:17 Well, our upcoming projects, there's just so many. 20:23 We actually have three CDs 20:24 that are on the verge of coming out. 20:26 Okay. 20:27 'Cause I have a hard time 20:28 sticking to one thing in a time. 20:30 But the CD that is just, 20:31 you know, almost within days 20:33 of completion is a fully original album. 20:36 That's all songs that I've written, 20:38 that Ernie has written. 20:39 And the other one right behind it is a scripture song CD. 20:43 So it's specifically made scripture songs 20:46 for the last days. 20:47 Nice. 20:49 So that 'cause I think it's so important, 20:50 you know, right now, especially for people to be able 20:52 to memorize these scriptures, these promises. 20:55 Yes. 20:56 So we're trying to get that one out. 20:57 Absolutely. 20:59 I think we have a picture if I'm not mistaken. 21:00 We have a picture of those. 21:02 I love the covers on the album. 21:04 It's such a peaceful type of scene. 21:06 What are some other aspects of your ministry? 21:10 Do you want to take that? Sure, I'll take that. 21:12 Yeah, we do kind of two things primarily, obviously, 21:15 Laura does music. 21:17 She's a fantastic singer, whatnot. 21:18 But the Lord impressed upon me to get into video work 21:20 and photography. 21:22 And that involves doing music videos, 21:24 promos, working with other evangelists and pastors, 21:27 getting stories and testimonies and like the raw movies, 21:32 kind of cinematic way kind of filmed 21:34 and the Lord has been good to us and that kind of thing. 21:37 Praise God. 21:38 You look like you're going to say something, Laura? 21:40 Yeah. 21:41 We tend to travel more than we're home. 21:43 So we stay on the road probably eight to nine months out 21:46 of the year, typically, and just do concerts 21:49 and evangelistic meetings, things like that. 21:52 Nice. Yes. 21:53 What would you say is your favorite thing 21:55 about doing ministry? 21:56 Yeah. 21:57 I mean, just seeing people's lives transformed, I mean... 22:01 That's it, yeah. 22:02 We've heard so many testimonies. 22:04 And I mean, it just, if you think about it, 22:07 I mean, if I were to think about it, 22:08 I'd just get overwhelmed with how many incredibly cool people 22:11 we've met, and like, their stories 22:14 and what they've gone through, and how God has, 22:15 you know, redeemed them and changed them just like me, 22:17 like my story, you know? 22:19 Yes. And it's just powerful. 22:20 And that's the best part. 22:22 There's nothing like finishing a concert 22:24 and having someone come up to you in tears and saying, 22:26 like, "I just really related to what you shared here," 22:29 or they have a similar story. 22:31 But they just, they weren't sure 22:33 if they wanted to fully commit. 22:34 Yes. 22:36 And then, but they decide to, like things like that, 22:38 it's just, 22:39 there's a lot of discouraging days in ministry. 22:41 Yes. But it's things like that just, it's so worth it. 22:45 And it's always worth it. 22:46 Amen. Absolutely. 22:47 And ministry is one of those things 22:49 where you don't see the full impact until we get to heaven. 22:54 Right. Yes. 22:55 And that's going to be a beautiful, beautiful day. 22:58 Absolutely. 22:59 What are some of the needs of your ministry? 23:01 Because I know there's a lot 23:03 that goes into making all of this happen. 23:06 What are some of the needs? 23:08 Well, right now we're actually just about 23:10 to finish building our own home and studio. 23:13 So we're going to have a full studio, video and audio. 23:17 So right now we're working to start equipping that studio. 23:21 At the same time, you know, 23:22 to produce all these projects that we have, 23:25 we have our own recording equipment. 23:26 So that saves a ton. Yes. 23:29 It's incredible. 23:30 But you know, the production costs, 23:32 the copyrights, all that kind of thing. 23:34 Yes. Yes. 23:35 Okay. 23:37 And if someone wants to, 23:38 let's say they want to book you, 23:40 or if they want to help support, 23:42 we have your contact information. 23:44 We're going to put that up. 23:46 And, Laura, I'll have you read that for us. 23:49 So we'll take a look at that. Yeah. 23:51 So if you want to reach out to us for any reason, 23:54 booking, donations, you can visit my website, 23:58 laurawilliamsmusic.com 24:00 You can write to us at PO Box 58, 24:02 Addy, Washington 99101. 24:06 Ernie's website for New Creation Media 24:08 is also newcreation. media 24:12 All right. 24:13 How has being, in full time ministry 24:16 how has it strengthened your faith? 24:18 Ernie? Oh my, that is another tough question. 24:21 To tell the truth, 24:22 I think the best part of our traveling ministry 24:25 is that I've gotten to work 24:27 closely with really strong speakers. 24:30 It's really amazing, you know, 24:31 ministers and evangelists and all that kind of stuff. 24:34 And being around that environment all the time, 24:37 it rubs off on you. 24:38 Yes. 24:40 And I've seen even sometimes when I speak 24:41 or share something you know, I picked it up 24:43 because I witness someone else do it that kind of thing. 24:45 The edifying of the work, you know, 24:47 because of others you know, commitment to Christ. 24:49 This has been an amazing but there's so much like just 24:53 to hearing the stories from others is strengthening 24:55 my faith that what I'm sharing 24:57 and I do get very vulnerable in our concert. 24:59 I most of the time cry, you know, that kind of thing, 25:01 but it's so real to me. 25:03 And it's so real to people that listen to. 25:05 And there's a lot of people that are experiencing, 25:07 you know, those hardships, and there's a lot of young kids 25:10 that are still self-hurting, 25:12 you know, things like the same way I did, 25:14 and that kind of thing. 25:16 So, ministry will change you. 25:18 If you're not already changed, it will continue to change you. 25:20 Amen. What about you, Laura? 25:23 How has being in full time ministry 25:24 strengthened your faith? 25:27 Just with all the experiences, all those moments, 25:30 you know, where you come to a point 25:31 where you don't know what's going to happen next, 25:34 you know, you can't of yourself, 25:37 you know, fix the problem. 25:38 Yes. And then you just see how God works it out. 25:41 I mean, he's done so many things. 25:43 Just recently, we don't even have time for these stories, 25:46 but He will work out our problem, 25:49 before we even know we have it. 25:50 Yes. 25:52 And then you look back, 25:53 and you just see it all play out and things like that. 25:54 I mean, how can your faith not get strengthened? 25:57 Absolutely. It's huge. 25:59 You know, I think about your trip here. 26:01 And what could have been a tragedy, 26:04 you know, God ended up using it as a blessing. 26:09 And I got to hear the testimony. 26:10 Now you're sharing your testimony, 26:12 and everybody's getting to hear your testimony, 26:15 which we hope that you know, 26:16 lives will be won for Christ's kingdom. 26:19 Real quick, I want you to share some final thoughts. 26:23 Laura, and Ernie, 26:25 I want you to look into this camera over here 26:26 and speak to that individual 26:28 that may not be walking with the Lord. 26:31 Why should they? Right. 26:34 Oh, for me, you know, having grown up with Christianity, 26:37 and spending so much time running away from it, 26:40 just because of misunderstanding it, 26:43 or just because I simply want my own thing. 26:46 If there's any viewers 26:48 that are going through that as well, 26:50 young people that were like me, 26:52 you know, just getting caught up in the world 26:54 and all the distractions, 26:56 I just want to tell you that it is not worth it. 27:00 The world doesn't have anything that you need. 27:02 Because serving God is by far the most satisfying, 27:06 fulfilling thing that you could ever do with your life. 27:09 It brings so much purpose and happiness, 27:11 and I would never want to do anything else. 27:14 And I encourage you to also give it a try. 27:16 Give your life to God and see what He can do with it. 27:19 Amen. 27:20 Ernie, what's on your heart? 27:22 Yeah, everything that Laura said is the truth. 27:25 And if it's for people out there 27:26 that have been in the church for a long time, 27:29 it's real easy for us to lose sight of the big picture. 27:32 But the truth is, there's a world out there 27:34 outside of our church walls with people that are hurting, 27:37 people that feel hopeless, and your story 27:40 and your testimony can change their lives. 27:43 Amen. 27:44 And I want to thank you for coming on 27:46 and sharing your testimony and your story 27:48 and what God has been doing in your life 27:51 and in your life as well. 27:52 And I want to thank you for joining us. 27:54 Well, we've reached the end of another program. 27:56 Until next time, God bless. |
Revised 2021-12-23