Abused Women Ministry

Abused Women Ministry

My name is Dawn Marie Wilson and I am called to abused women ministry. I am 49 years old. I am a mother of three adult boys. I live in New Jersey. I am very happily married. Family means the world to me. I am also an Instructor that teaches Military, and Law enforcement and civilians in personal protection. I have been doing this type of work for 15 years. I have a passion for teaching others. Throughout my adult life, I have always found that I have been missing out on something. I will go into that later.

I first had my experience with coming to the Lord our God when I was 12 years old. Although I was excited about this new endeavor for me, I found it very challenging because of the church that I was attending with my parents. I went to a Christian School from grades 7-9. I enjoyed the path that I was on but still felt like something was missing from my life. I would have visions and dreams that were very disheartening to me. I also grew up in an abusive family so I would question why this was happening to me: Why would God let this happen? I lost faith in my mentors and pastors, as no one would believe what was going on in my house. I became rebellious and always looking for the easy way out. I left my parents’ home when I was 16 years old. I lived on the streets and did what I had to do to survive. I did things that I am not very proud of.

When I was nineteen I got pregnant with my first son. My belief was that now I would have something to love unconditionally. A year later, I met my first husband whom I thought was a good match for me. I was wrong! I turned to alcohol more then I knew what to do with. It became apparent that this relationship was an abusive one too, but I could not get away. We had two children whom I love with all my heart. Through all of this preparation for an abused women ministry, I still felt like: God, Why?

It took a really good friend of mine to help me turn my life around. Once I finally got out of that abusive relationship and looked at the world fresh and new, I suddenly realized that I missed the boat. My little family and I started going to a Catholic Church but still felt like something was missing. I felt like going to church was a chore. I still didn’t have a real relationship with Jesus Christ. I knew that my boys had to go to church, but once again I slacked off because I felt like I did not belong. It was years before I finally admitted to myself that I needed God back in my life.

Then it happened, Super Storm Sandy hit back in 2011. Our house was destroyed, no clothes left for us to wear, no electricity, no cars, etc. Then two days before Thanksgiving, my fiance and I were in a terrible car accident. Once again, I was questioning God. Sure enough, a few days later there was a church group that was doing community outreach for supplies and work needed to help those that were affected by the storm. That’s when I met some of the most gracious and loving people. The pastor came over and sat and prayed with me. His love and compassion are what brought me back to our Lord Jesus Christ. I had a renewed spirit for the love of our God.

Through this training at Christian Leaders Institute, I want to have an abused women ministry. I am now an ordained deacon with my church and Christian Leaders Alliance. Praise God! There are a whole lot of things I want to accomplish. I have told my story to many and they have also found Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. I can now say that I am very happily married to a Man of God, and we both are walking in the Lord’s grace every day. Today, I help in my community doing outreach and help out local churches in the area. I am excited about this journey. Our Lord and Savior is truly amazing!

Author: Henry Reyenga

Henry Reyenga is president of Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance.