MY TESTIMONY

It all began in my shower in New York City, 1982, I was lost, hooked on Marijuanam Cocaine, Heroin and Methadone for 20 years. I was on my way to hell, ready to commit suicide when I called on the name of the Lord. Even though I did not know Him, He knew me. That day, in my shower, as I cried out in desperation, Jesus saved my soul and cleansed my body. He made a change that no one else could have made. Right from the start, God had a plan for my life. Now He has called me and anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor and preach deliverance to the captives and set at liberty those that are bruised.

THE HISTORY OF INNER CITY MINISTRIES

In 1987, as I prayed, the Lord gave me a tremendous burden for the hungry and outcasts “ the untouchables”. With this burden came a plan. I would set up chairs on the corners of drug-infested neighborhoods and hand out clothing, food and tracks, as I ministered to the people of what God had done for me.

One of the places God instructed me to go in 1989 was on the empty lot of Church and Davis Street, in the heart of the inner city of Jacksonville. After one service there, God told me to set up a tent for three days and invite all the pastors from section one. That is when I met Pastor Danny Baggett, who informed me that he had been praying for a man to pastor the inner city. He felt that I was that man. My first reaction was “No way, not me”!. God must have forgotten to tell me that part of His plan!!

I went to prayer and sure enough, God confirmed that part of His plan for my life was to reach the addicts & the needy. We went into action, and on March 25, 1990, we held our first outdoor service as a church on that very corner. For the next twenty months we held services every Sunday morning and Tuesday night. We experienced the power and anointing of an awesome God!

Sunday June 24,1998, God gave us a beautiful church, located at 5518 N. Pearl Street. We have come a long way and there is still a long way to go. At times the road has been bumpy, but God has always been faithful. He has kept the burden alive in me and brought others to share in that burden. Together, with my wife Yvonne & our son Joseph , we will march forward into all that the Lord has for us. Trust in Him, He will never fail!!!

Addicted to Christ…………….Pastor Edwin Suro