Feature Personality
The Writing Team of the Washington D.C. Apostolic Faith Church has been making an effort to bring the testimonies of members of our diverse congregation to the limelight. We encourage you to visit our website from time to time to read these periodic testimonies and learn more about the D.C. saints!
Meet Sister Mertie Moore
We recently caught up with one of the gospel veterans, Sis Mertie Moore, and had a nice chat with her. Below she shares with us her testimony and some of her life's experiences growing up.
Q: Can you tell us a little about your upbringing: what was it like growing up?
A: I grew up in Middlesex, North Carolina and was born to Christian parents; I remember that we were usually the first ones there when the church doors opened! I had nine siblings so my family was pretty large.
Q: So you must have had an early exposure to Christianity; could you share with us your earliest memories of God?
A: My parents taught us right from wrong as early as I can remember. Growing up, we were brought up with strict rules, for example, I wasn’t allowed to go and see a movie until I was seventeen years old. And even then, we weren’t allowed to be out no later than 10pm, so sometimes I could be in the middle of a movie but if that was time to go home in order to make the curfew, I had to leave without finishing the movie!
Q: What are some memorable highlights you have growing up?
A: We were raised on a farm and so everything we saw on our kitchen table came from our farm. Our animals provided us with pork, beef, chicken and eggs, while we grew crops such as sweet potatoes, white potatoes, corn and cotton. I also learned to cook at an early age. I was not much of an outdoor-type so when I wasn’t working in the fields, I would help my mother in the kitchen and there, I learned a lot about preparing meals.Today I still cook my own meal and for others.
Q: What influenced you the most growing up?
A: Well, I had four older brothers who took leadership roles in the church as deacons. I also had four sisters, one of whom is currently a church minister. Growing up, I sang in the church choir and also on the town’s radio station every Sunday morning. I felt very privileged to have been a part of this singing group. I remember a particular red light which would come on in the studio, indicating that we were on air, while a green light would let us know we were off the air. We were very good at singing and received a lot of invitations to sing at various events.
Q: At what point in your life did you decide to follow Jesus Christ?
A: As I indicated earlier, my mom and dad had a tremendous influence in my life as I came to know and love Christ. They lived an exemplary life as Christians. Unfortunately, during my young adult life, after I moved away from home and came up here to Washington, D.C., I strayed away from my childhood upbringing and messed up my relationship with the Lord. But God was faithful and sought me out even in my backslidden state. Sometime in 1984, my husband, came into contact with one of our neighbours - Josephine McElveen. My husband offered to work on our neighbor's green little car, and through this contact, Josephine McElveen invited my husband to church. My husband told me about it so I just thought I would tag along. Arriving at the Apostolic Faith Church at 513 M Street in Washington D.C., I didn’t think much of the church itself; it was quite small and the people there were friendly, or so I thought. But nothing prevented me from going forward to the altar of prayer. There God met me as I prayed an honest prayer of re-committing my life back into His hands.
In the weeks following that prayer of re-commitment, the devil would often cause me to doubt my salvation. One night following an evening service, we came home and I thought I would rest before I reported to work that night. While lying in my bed, I was awoken by an evil spirit that seemed to get hold of my entire body. I remembered that I couldn’t move; the spirit of fear and darkness had taken hold of me. Although this spirit seemed so powerful, I knew there and then that I could not let it gain control over my mind and heart. As helpless as I was on my bed, I started rebuking the devil and cried out in faith, “In the name of Jesus get away from me.” And slowly the demonic spirit withdrew each time I mentioned the Lord’s name. Within a few minutes, I felt completely free from this dark, oppresive spirit. It was then I knew that Jesus was my Lord and King. A strong sense of peace came to my heart and I felt God’s Spirit reassuring me that He was my Shield. Oh, I was very happy with this assurance and knew that my relationship with the Lord had been completely restored.
Q: Tell us about your early work with the Apostolic Faith Church, going back to the years when you joined the group at the M. street location in Washington D.C.
A: Rev. Dennis Prothro, the pastor of the work back then had called me one day and said the Lord put me on his mind to be a Church trustee. I thought the reason he asked me was because I had earlier suggested that the red curtains which were used at the time would make a perfect replacement with the ones I made myself! After that Bro. Dennis put me to work, first as a trustee, then later as an usher. I later was asked to work with Bro. Ayo Mobolurin in collecting tithe funds and offerings. After Rev. Prothro’s pastorship, the mantle of leadership was passed unto Rev. John McElveen, and I was asked to be the church’s financial clerk under the new administration. Years later, Sister Josephine McElveen became the Pastor after Rev. John McElveen’s retirement, and she asked me to continue in that role as a clerk. One of our ministers, Brother Peter McPhun was later asked to take the leadership role in the management of the church’s funds, and I was asked to be in charge of collection and record keeping. I’m currenlty working in that capacity and I'm grateful to the Lord for the wonderful opportunity.
Q: There are a lot of young people out there who are seeking deeper experiences in their walk with God; based on your own christian journey, what encouragement or words of wisdom can you give to such youths?
A: Well, I would encourage them to learn to love others as they love Christ. They should be careful not to tolerate any evil. God cannot tolerate sin and he expects us as Christians to stand against it. Young people should surrender themselves in service to God: they should not only be willing to give their time and efforts to the work of God’s Kingdom, but they should also have the love of God in their hearts or else their service will be meaningless to God.
Today, I still count it as not only a pleasure but a wonderful privilege to work for God. Each Sunday before entering the church’s office to record tithes and offerings, I get down on my knees and ask God to go with me, guide me, and direct my efforts so that I can give a good account of the responsibility that I have been given. The same applies to young people: you should be accountable for what God has given you. Also very important is having an attitude of gratitude for what God has done for you and knowing that He will be your Guide as you journey through life.