Thank you for reading my life journey. May you be blessed and know that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
"To God be the Glory for changing my Story" by Esther Pinkston.
Please leave a comment or prayer request on the contact page. Thank you.
Let's begin:
Born again (anew), Water Baptised by submersion, Filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of Speaking in Tongues in 1978 at Zion, the City of God, Tampa, Florida, under the Late Pastor Frank Fornos.
Received Evangelist License in 1987 under the Leadership of Bishop Lewis T. Brown Pastor of Faith Covenant National Church of God.
A member of the Akoma African American Women's Gospel Choir Membership from 1995- present.
Founder of Pinkston Music Instruction from 1987- 2008.
I was born in Clyatteville, Georgia, to Nona Patterson and Ernest Jackson. I am the youngest of five boys and three girls and the only child from this union. My life started with testing as the relationship between Nona and Ernest was not ideal. Nona faced persecution over my birth. She contemplated adoption to a great aunt when a dear family member encouraged her to keep me and raise me regardless of the controversy. She was sure that I would be a blessing to her in her older age.
Nona was going into the change of life, having a baby to care for at this time was a considerable challenge. Growing up as a child, Nona taught me that my father was someone else, and I carried the name of this other gentleman all through life until marriage. As a child, whisperers would say that this man was not my father. They would ask questions that I could not answer because I was determined to believe my mother, and whatever she said was law. I felt that if my mother was not telling her the truth about my father, there is an excellent reason.
I was raised in the church since day one, starting at Peyton AME Church in Clyatteville, Georgia. At the age of eight years old was relocated to Crystal River, Florida, and attended Bethel AME Church under the Leadership of Reverend William Patterson Sr., who was Nona Patterson's father and a host of other appointed Pastors. I participated in and carried out many duties in my teen to young adulthood such as Usher, Choir Member, Church Secretary, Pulpit Assistant, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Superintendent, and more.
As the years passed and I reached my seventeenth birthday, I graduated from high school, made a decision to attend college, and relocated to Miami, Florida, to start a new life as a young adult. While on this new life journey, I decided to search for my birth father. I looked so much like him until a DNA test would not have been necessary. Numerous questions needed answers. We were getting to know each other. I formed a relationship with my biological father and shared my experience with my mother, Nona. I wrote a letter sharing how much I loved her—thanking Nona for not giving me up for adoption. Admitting that I did not understand the details of that relationship, I loved her even more for what she had done for me. You see, the relationship between Nona and Ernest was so distasteful until she would not let me hear her mention his name.
During these years of young adulthood, I experienced a life of worldliness. Only by the grace of God are I able to tell how I survived while living in a world of alcohol and drugs, fornication, and every evil work. I am not proud of this part of my life story. I was a lost young lady looking for love in all of the wrong places. I had been mentally hurt and abused by so-called loved ones because of my untimely birth. I grew up, suppressing my feeling, and pretending that I did not hear those whisperers. I was going to show them that I was someone to be dealt with powerfully. I was no one push over. The toughest, coldest, I'll get you before you get me type. I placed a wall between myself and others, determined not to let anyone in that could cause the pain of any sort. If you hurt me, I would never let you know it. I would not give you the satisfaction of knowing that you caused pain of any sort. While hearing the Word of God since birth, I knew that there was a God. I knew that He loved me and had a shield of protection around. I would always find away to hear the Word of God outside of a Tent revival or a Sunday Morning Service at the nearest Church. Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
I often thanked my Mother when she was alive and daily thank God that she loved me enough to not give up on me. I heard the voice of God and or felt His presence in the night clubs while parting. The Word would always come to my mind while intoxicated or sober. The Holy Spirit would reveal himself through an acquaintance to let me know you are going the wrong way or doing the wrong thing. I tried to drown Him out with a stiff drink or loud music. Yet, the prayers of the saints, of Nona, my dearest mother, would always get through to the Heavens. God's grace and mercy was still there, even when I would not acknowledge Him.
There was a calling on my life, and I knew it. I served God and read His Word. Sang gospel songs and prayed to Him daily. He had answered my prayers on many occasions and delivered me from many evils. The day I met the love of my life, everything changed. I knew that there was hope for me. A man that loved me for who I am. He accepted me for me. He showed love and respect for his parents and siblings. A provider, an athlete, a great sense of humor, divine love, and respect for God and our Lord Jesus Christ. He supported my endeavors, and I helped him as well. We were soulmates.
I would attend RN Nursing School, Husband and Wife Entrepreneurship, Health care jobs, while not feeling fulfilled. I would always find myself in a position of leadership. I had a desire to teach, to share, and to help others not make some of the same mistakes in life I made due to a lack of knowledge. Yet, I was still searching.
On Tuesday evening, in the Summer of 1978, I fell to my knees and fully committed my life to Christ. I accepted His calling on my life. I then made it public by sharing with my Christian College instructor who had been used by God to lead me to the Lord Jesus Christ. I then was Water baptized as a young adult. Matthew 28:16-20" ...baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit..." Since my new birth, I have been on the battlefield for God, my Heavenly Father, and my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now widowed since October 14, 2009, my passion is to share words of wisdom in the body of Christ: spiritually, physically, financially, and mentally.
I am presently serving as a Worship leader; Bible Class Teacher; Jail Ministry Leader and member under the spiritual leadership of Bishop David J. Singleton; Pastor and First Lady Dawn Singleton of Ark of Jesus Ministries; Rochester, NY.
To God be the Glory for changing my story. Testimonies and prayer encourage others in their faith in God. *Leave comments and or prayer requests on the contact page.*
