Apostle Dr. Peggy Elliott

                   Dr. Mary Jo Winston                                                                                                                                    Apostle Dr. Peggy Elliott

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I AM A MIRACLE CREATED FOR HIS KINGDOM!

 

Dr. Mary Jo Winston is a mighty woman of God.  By all stretches of one’s imagination, she should not be alive, nor in her right mind.  Yet, what the enemy thought he was going to do to bring utter destruction to her life, God had other plans for Mary Jo.  She is currently a pastor in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Purpose for Life Worship and Outreach Center. Along with pastoring, Dr. Mary Jo has a food and clothing street ministry and a ministry to set women free from spiritual, emotional and physical bondage, titled Bridges of Hope Leadership Academy. She has been working for his kingdom for more than four decades.  Her story will move you to understand the healing, saving and redeeming power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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The sexual abuse began in my life at the age of five. I was a scared, quiet, shy, little girl. My mother gave me to my father to raise me.  He then gave me to my aunt, his older sister, who had no children of her own.  My aunt was a very loving, caring Christian woman, who worked daily as a maid.  She would go off to work, leaving me alone with her husband, my uncle, who had retired from a job in the food service industry in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Like any other five-year-old, I wanted to be loved.  I was afraid of my uncle.  He would wait until my Aunt left the house, then, he would pick me up and put me on his lap.  He would touch me sexually and did this almost daily.  I didn't understand how someone who provided for me, bought me clothes, toys, and food, would harm me physically or sexually. As a child, I couldn't believe this was my reality. 

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Each week he would leave and go to Memphis for three days, then return to our home. I would hate when my little five- year old ears would hear him come through the doors. The sexual villain was back to attack me and did so for the next eight years Yes, the abuse got worse.  As I grew older, it turned from sexual to physical abuse. I often thought I was going to lose my mind.  I never told my Aunt what her husband was doing to me, but I believe she knew and felt as helpless as I did.  How could she save me when she could not save herself?

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For many years I harbored unforgiveness and the pain of my past. I smiled and laughed under false pretense. I carried my uncle within my soul, allowing the pain to weigh me down for years.  But at the age of 13, I could not hold it any longer inside my heart.  The only way I was going to heal was to begin sharing my testimony.  The more I shared, the freer I became. In my teen years I became closer to Jesus.  In drawing closer to him, I began to realize that I am a miracle and I must share the message of his miracle-working power over and over. I was a work in progress for many years, remaining on the potter's wheel.   God renewed  my mind and proved to me daily, how much He loved me.

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Taking me to church was all my Aunt knew to do to help save and heal me. I survived because of my aunt's love and her prayers for me.  Her rituals and routine of teaching me about Jesus so early in life. taking me to church every Sunday, and to Monday nights choir practice and youth bible study, all helped in saving me.   I believe God's protection was in my life even in my pain.  At times, the pain was so overwhelming that I wanted to die, but I couldn't. I wouldn’t.  Through all the trauma and feelings of abandonment, I survived because I was determined to stay strong. Quitting was not an option.

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I am here today because my purpose has not been completed. I must keep sharing my story of our miracle working God. I survived against all odds. I am mentally stable because of God's mercy and grace.

 

Jesus healed me because of his love for me. Love covers a multitude of sins.  The sins of my uncle’s sickness and perversion, did not stop God from loving me. I was created to complete an assignment from heaven, which is, to help heal many on earth. Healing and delivering me was part of God’s plan all along. I experienced the even deeper healing power of God when I was in my early thirties. I love the gift of healing, it is a must for all of us. To experience the healing power of God, we must want to heal and surrender our pain, giving it over to our creator.

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God designed and fashioned our bodies to be a walking living vessel for himself.  We must carry love, healing, deliverance, joy, peace, gentleness, faithfulness, longsuffering on the inside of us to walk in this world as a manifestation of God's presence on earth. I am now walking in God's healing power to help thousands heal from their past, so they can help others live an effective and fruitful life on earth.

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My abuse was not my fault. Those reading who were sexually and or physically abused, it was not your fault.  Some would say that we are victims.  I say that we are victorious vessels, women, men, boys, and girls, You have the power to heal and be delivered, through Jesus Christ. Take your power back and live.

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Now, at 59, still, I RISE! GOD allowed me to survive through it all. God anointed me with the power to survive. I am destined for the greatness to survive whatever comes against me. I AM A VESSEL FIT FOR THE MASTER"S USE. In my ministry today, I teach my students that, every day is a new day to start over again.  The bible states that every day we receive new mercy.

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God uses my testimony to bless and rescue hundreds of women, men, and children, I am not my past, I am a new creation; old things have passed away, they are now in the sea of forgetfulness, I try daily to live in the NOW.  Whatever pain you need to surrender, whatever pain is holding you bondage, give it to God. Trust God to heal.  Trust Him with your testimony. Live the abundant life that God has promised to all of us. Don’t procrastinate. Don’t sabotage the plan God has for you. Follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Seek wisdom. Live, love and heal.

 

DR. MJ. WINSTON  (c) March 1st, 2018

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