The Church of God of Carmichael

My Testimony:
I was raised in a semi-religious but alcoholic home.  Getting good grades and going through religious training through high school did not enable Patty to live for God when faced with the temptations assaulting young people her age.  The church she grew up in did not demonstrate to her any better way of living.   She became so frustrated with herself and religion that she vowed that she would not go back to confession until she knew she could stop sinning.  “I did not want to live a life of a hypocrite; being religious and then falling back into sin over and over again.” There had to be a better way to live.

At the age of 20 someone invited Patty to a Church of God revival.  By the end of the first service she knew she had heard the truth. The religious foundation that she had been raised on was beginning to crumble beneath her. “I began to study the Bible and found that the creeds and doctrine I had been taught and believed, did not have Bible Foundation.  It was very alarming and I was tempted to run from the truth, but I knew it was reality; If I did not face it here, I would face it at the Judgment Throne of God.  No matter how distressing it was to face my sinful condition, I wanted to be prepared for that day.”   As she continued to attend services and study her Bible, she realized how much God loved her, and that Jesus died to take away her sins and His plan was for people to be pure and clean on the inside.  Patty repented and Jesus forgave and took her sins away. Christ cleansed her heart and has kept her clean and holy since that day.  “It truly is amazing grace! I firmly believe that if a person is honest with himself and with God: God will lead to a place of repentance and salvation."  

About the Teacher
In 1977 the first Church of God, Bible Story Time effort was started by Sister Sandy Coleman in the home she shared with her daughter and Sister Patty. "The basic principles that I use in B.S.T. today I learned from Sister Sandy."  Over the past 31 years, Patty has assisted in several different Bible Story Time efforts in the Sacramento Area.  Now, after raising her own children, she realizes more than ever how fast children grow and how soon they are faced with choices and decisions that will effect their future, not only here, but in eternity.  “I want the children to know the truth - I want them to know what the Bible teaches and I want them to know God.”  Patty Robichaud