My testimony of darkness to Light!

The Spirit of the Lord revealed that it is time for me to speak about the darkness I was in. I don’t like to talk about me. But, He revealed that in sharing this in truth it will not be about me, but about Him and His goodness & power.

As Paul admitted when he walked in darkness as his testimony to the faithfulness of God. So do I.

I was a leader in headship as it was called at Genesis Ministries. In fact as my brother would say, I did the lion’s share of the preaching when he was not there.

I am Michael Babin’s sister. I love my brother dearly. And was with him in the very beginning of starting Genesis Church. In fact I called those that we determined were to be a part of us. They all came.

This is my testimony. I was asleep in my home one night when the Lord stood over me and called my name. He said, Adoria. I woke up and looked for Him that called me and saw no one. So I went to my husband and asked him did he call me. He said no. When I went back to sleep, I was told the next time He calls your name, say, Yes Lord, for it is the Lord that calls you. I did as I was told. When the voice called my name again I said, “yes Lord.” He showed me my whole life that night. When  I awoke I didn’t remember what He showed me only that He had.

In my youth and zeal I ran to tell my brother Michael. I told him everything. That was our relationship.  We were the closest out of all our siblings. We moved our family to Oceanside so I could be near my brother. I adored him. Michael was not just my brother, he was my best friend and my Pastor. He led me to the Lord. God used him to baptize me in water and in the Holy Spirit. He gave whatever he had and did whatever necessary to help me and my family. I love him.

As time past Genesis grew, people were healed they prospered and they changed by the power of God’s Word. Homeless men became stable. Addicts were delivered. Families were restored.  I clearly remember an older man and his wife came to visit because of an article they saw in the paper. In the article Michael was standing in front of the window where there was a painting of a man with armour on it. Each piece of the armour indicated as the scriptures details the armour of God. This man brought his wife who was stricken with an incurable disease. He was in awe of our boldness in declaring God’s power. She was prayed for and called the next day to say she was healed. This man told me that we were like children having no idea what God had given us. I have never forgotten his words for they were true. At the time I proudly ran and told my brother what was said about us. We rejoiced!

Time ticked went on ...the bigger we got the more we tried to organize for what we thought was the betterment of all and to grow the ministry. For the teaching we believed was “if God is in it, it will prosper/grow”. In the attempt to organize and prevent “foolishness” more and more structure was set in order. We aligned ourselves with established ministries like Chapel Hill of Atlanta, GA and tried to emulate their practices. We submitted ourselves to Mel Bailey because of the teaching/doctrine of “you must have a covering”. I honestly can’t remember who brought us that teaching. But it was embraced without question and the people were instructed in this teaching immediately. All were told that they had to be covered in a church or else they were outside of God’s will and thus His blessings and protection. This teaching is still very much in effect throughout the body of Christ although I have not been able to substantiate it from or by the Word of God.  

We began to have teachers from all over the world come and share. This was an exciting time. None of us had experienced such things People from everywhere wanted to come to Genesis. One such teaching, that I believed wholeheartedly was that somehow we were forging a new way for the kingdom of God, we were the point.(Failing to understand that the kingdom of God is within us)  And those that were with us were “called” to be with us!! And that God had put us at Genesis using the scriptures, “God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleases.” I remember telling a woman one day that I went to Genesis and she actually physically ran from me. I reported this to the whole congregation (from the pulpit) and we all rejoiced, thinking her behavior was indicative of our stand for God. And that our standard for His kingdom was so undeniable it struck fear in the hearts of people. We believed we were taking the city for Jesus. This belief became a source of pride & bondage.  As I write about it now I am dumbfounded by my error and ignorance, for none of this is truth. I was in darkness and did not know at the time the folly and dangers of what we had embraced and were perpetrating.   

We were taught if anyone left “us” they were leaving the will of God. I honestly never embraced that one because I knew God was in me and with me. Yet our lives were completely entailed with Genesis church. For me it was all of my friendships, all fellowship, my ministry and my family.

Another teaching/doctrine is that all were to submit to headship or the leadership. I didn’t need to be told submit to Michael, he is my big brother I submitted to him my whole life. I trusted him. I really never considered anyone submitting to me. That wasn’t and isn’t important to me.  Although I realize that I was a part of and had the expectation that people did submit to the leadership at Genesis. This is very difficult for me because I learned the extent people embraced this to their detriment and demise. People stop living their own lives and making their own decisions. They were in bondage. We had made ourselves as kings ruling them. And they allowed it and coveted it as well.

Honestly initially those that transgressed the expectations of leadership and we’re deemed outcast I thought they deserved it. I looked at their behaviors and made determinations in my mind. Because I had swallowed the whole doctrine. I now know there is no reason, no excuse, no justification for the manner in which God’s people were treated. And treated thus so because of the failure to know truth. Jesus is the truth.  I also realized through the light of God’s Word shared with me by another brother that I was in darkness. That I had embraced lies and error as truth. I knew for a few years before leaving Genesis that we had veered from the way. However the darkness prevailed through yet another teaching. Which is I was not to judge and if I saw something I thought was wrong, I needed to pray and let God handle his leaders. Well, I did pray for a few years. (and let me say I’m not one of those people that say they pray and don’t) I prayed! And God changed NOTHING!!! What did happen is the faithful brother continued to speak truth to me and the light of God’s Word began to expose the darkness in me.

One fateful night. A Wednesday night we left Genesis. The particulars which many desire to know are unimportant. What is important is that God gave His Son Jesus to be the Light of the world and I sat in darkness in the “church!” (Now I know who/what the church is) This is my testimony to the glory of God. Paul testified that he persecuted the church but did it in ignorance. I participated in the harm of many while in darkness though I did it ignorantly. As Paul walked anew, so have I. I now know one of the very things that I will spend my life doing is teaching the dangers of error and lies to God’s people. Shedding the light of His Word on the darkness and deceit in the church, the body of Christ. Jesus warns us continuously, to be aware of the leaven of the Pharisee and that a little leavens, leavens the whole lump.(The trouble is we don’t believe) I do now! I have received in myself the recompense of my deeds. I now examine any and all teachings according to the Word of God. Jesus continues to reveal darkness within me and as He reveals I  walk in the light.

I know I am and will always be associated with Michael Babin. Of course he is my brother. I love him. My testimony is not a commentary about Michael or Genesis. It is a declaration of the truth of God’s Word that lives and abides forever. I am a representation of the faithfulness of God's Word. For He has given me liberty and strength. I am forever indebted to Him to do His Will. However it is a commentary about the darkness within the church, the body of Christ that continues and prevails.

Yet in all things I will be obedient. Even as He instructed me to share this I will walk in Him.

 

The Gathering of Saints is this Saturday, May 24 @ QLN Conference Center in Oceanside. 1938 Avenida Del Oro. 10am - 12pm. This meeting too is in obedience to Him. If you are His, you are welcome!