Pauleen Young

I did not grow up going to church on a regular basis. I do remember going with Grandma sometimes and remember her taking my cousins and me to vacation bible school. When I was in high school, I would hear of kids going on youth retreats and doing stuff with youth groups and I wanted that too. I did attend church with a couple of friends. So through my Grandma and a couple of close friends, I was exposed to Christianity.

After my husband and I married in 1995, we started going to church regularly and joined the church where we got married. We got involved in Bible studies and I attended a women’s group. On a Thursday night in March 1998, I remember being in the chapel with these women and we were lined up on our knees across the altar. I could see and hear the spiritual emotion in these women. I did not have that. I wanted that. That night, as I drove home from Rock Hill to Fort Mill crossing what used to be the little bridge, I surrendered myself to the Lord. I was a mess when I got home. My husband didn’t know what was happening. I immediately called my pastor. I got down on my knees in my bedroom and prayed and prayed. The news traveled quickly amongst my bible study group. The next two days were filled with phones calls of encouragement and praise. I could not wait for Sunday to come. I wanted to shout to the universe that the Lord had saved me. My husband and I sat two rows back that Sunday morning. I could hardly wait for the pastor to stop preaching and give the invitation. At his first word of the invitation, I was up out of my seat and in front of him. My life was changed that Thursday night. I had a peace that I had never felt before. I have assurance that I will be reunited with my family who is already in Heaven.

Pauleen Young