A testimony is evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something.

The Holy Bible is written based on eyewitness testimonies who had the Holy Spirit, the spirit of God, in their heart. This is why people refer to it as “God’s Word.”

In today’s society, testimonies play a significant role in the beginning of many people’s journey with Jesus Christ. 

The beautiful part is that everyone has a different testimony; some are fairly simple, while others are extremely eventful. Nonetheless, everyone’s testimony holds purpose and value. 

Testimony #1

Gael Gutierrez is a first-year student at Fresno State, coming from the Mexican Catholic Church.

Gutierrez grew up with a foundational belief in God and was baptized as a baby. 

At a young age, he moved to the U.S., which was a harsh transition for him.

“It was hard because I didn’t really know any English at all,” Gutierrez said. This made it difficult for Gutierrez to connect with people who didn’t speak the same language. 

After a couple of years of struggling, he found friends who shared his culture with him. Although he found connections, it did not completely heal the deep wound of leaving Mexico. 

During Gutierrez’s years in high school, he fell into dark times in all aspects of his life, including losing friendships, his home life and he began to start losing himself.

He decided to return to church and one day attended Mass, a worship session, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“It did help me change, because I prayed to God a lot,” Gutierrez said. 

Gutierrez realized that he didn’t want to be a person who hurts others, especially the people he loves. He began going to church again, praying consistently because he wanted to. For Gutierrez, it was a change of heart and mind that helped him recommit to his faith in God.

“When you pass through the water, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, The Holy one of Israel, your Savior.” – Isaiah 43:2-3

Testimony #2

Kenya Alvarez, a first-year student at Fresno State, learned about Jesus Christ as a young girl and continued her relationship with him as she reached college. 

Originally attending church with her grandmother, who was a devout believer in God, Alvarez spent most of her childhood in the Catholic Church. 

As she grew, she began attending church by herself out of a sense of commitment and her love for Christ. Now being on a college campus, Alvarez feels like she is always walking with someone by her side. Having Christ with her is like having someone she can always talk to when things are going wrong. 

“When you’re having a bad day or something, you wanna talk to Him about it,” Alvarez said. “He’ll be there and always listening to you.” 

Being closer to Christ allows Alvarez to feel the comfort she needs. For her, it is constant discipline that keeps her close to God.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit: for without Me you can do nothing.” – John 15: 4-5

Testimony #3

Khyree Lewis Haynes is a fourth-year student at Fresno State.

At a young age, Haynes was in an environment where drug abuse was normalized. Being neglected at such a young age changed the way he viewed life. 

Lacking any role models and feeling more isolated, he began to learn everything he knew through his personal experiences. After getting to high school, he fell into deep depression. 

“A lot of times I was alone and I felt like I had no hope,” Haynes said. “It was tough.”

During his time in high school, all of Haynes’ insecurities began to come to the surface. 

However, also around this time, his stepmom became very involved in his life. This is the time when Haynes was introduced to Jesus Christ. He learned certain things about Christ’s character, yet he didn’t understand the bigger picture.

Then one night, he had a transformative experience with God. Sitting in his room late at night, the Bible began to illuminate in the dark room. He opened to a verse. 

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” – Proverbs 1:7

For the first time in his life, he began to understand. He knelt and began praying for the first time, talking to God intently. At this moment, he felt a weight being lifted off his shoulders. 

That realization was that he had to get closer to God. He began attending Bible studies and learning about God’s word in a deeper way.

He started to learn that without Christ, he wouldn’t be the man he is today. The perspective changed from, “Why does bad stuff happen to me? ” to, “If bad things never happened, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

For Haynes, tough times brought him to the revelation that Christ is the only way.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:6 

I believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Light; many are lost and have lost sight of the path, yet I know The Lord is calling us back to Him.

For The LORD has called you like a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, like a youthful wife when you were refused, says your God.” – Isaiah 54:6