My name is Debbie Mella let me tell you my story…

I received the Lord Jesus into my life at a church in Wayne, New Jersey.  I was baptized in water about six months later.  I attended this local church for 3 years.  I became involved in the drama ministry, took all the biblical classes I could handle and even started bible studies in my home with a group of believers.  I wanted to know everything I could about God.  I was very jealous about my works. 

About two years later I went to breakfast with a couple of friends.  One of my close friends told me that John Ramos, her nephew, was in New Jersey to stay following God’s leading to minister in New Jersey.  As soon as she said those words, my spirit leaped for joy.  I did not understand what was going on.

Two months later I went to a New York hospital to visit a friend of the family who was very sick.  As I was leaving the hospital, I went into an elevator.  I was alone in the elevator and my eyes focused on a button in the elevator that read “Help is on its way”.  I said, “Lord is this not a weird saying”.  The elevator door opened and I proceeded to leave.  As the doors of the elevator closed, I felt immediately in my spirit that the Lord was speaking to me and telling me that help was on its way.  I didn’t understand what kind of help but I gave the Lord thanks for it. 

That same month I visited Vine Fellowship Network New Jersey, VFN New Jersey, and John & Theresa Ramos spoke to me about the vision of Vine Fellowship Network and how the Lord called them to New Jersey to minister and launch VFN New Jersey. This was the kick off service and I just went to visit.   I continue to visit VFN New Jersey every week and felt drawn to do so, still not understanding the plans God had for me. Three months after starting to attend VFN New Jersey I asked John and Theresa to disciple me because I started to feel that there was something lacking in my walk.  I started to see how authentic and real their walk was with the Lord and how the glory of God was in their home.  They told me that God wanted to speak to me and that abiding with the Lord is everything.  As I was being discipled by John and Theresa, with the use of the discipleship booklets and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit revealed a truth in my life.  I did not KNOW God.  I had a lot of information about God but I did not know Him.  I did not know how to abide with the Lord and I did not know His voice.  The Holy Spirit revealed that you can know all about God, the Word of God, do works for God but not have a relationship with the God and really know Him.  As I read scripture (Matthew 7:21-23), I had a true revelation that I did not know Him and this truth pierced my heart and penetrated deeply.  Jesus was definitely my Savior but not my Lord and I did not know Him. As I continued to be discipled, I started abiding and learning to listen to the voice of God.  The Lord showed me that I had finally reached the edge of a never ending ocean and my toes were finally touching the water.  There are deeper waters and I had no idea that you can have knowledge but know nothing.  I repented and asked the Lord to undo me and to teach me on how to develop a relationship with Him. I asked the Holy Spirit to be my best friend, my guide, my teacher, everything to me.  My walk has taken a different direction.  When I abide with the Lord, I am excited and expectant to hear what He has to say to me. I get to spend time with the King.    

During my discipleship in the Book entitled “New Testament Baptisms”, the Lord gave me a dream that my tongue was on fire and that I was praying and singing in a strange and unknown language.   My tongue felt a tingling burning sensation as though I was eating the “rock kind of candy” that I used to eat when I was a little girl.  It felt so real.  I was sad when I woke up because I realized it was just a dream.  But it was not just a dream, four days later the Lord manifested this dream in my life.

After six months of being a part of the VFN Family as I was meeting with the VFN New Jersey church, John Ramos, by this time, a spiritual father to me, read scripture about the infilling of the Holy Spirit and asked me if I wanted to receive the gift.  I said, “yes” and he laid his hands together with Theresa Ramos, a spiritual mother to me and prayed that I receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  I worshipped Jesus and continued to praise His name and as I took a step of faith, not thinking with my mind but believing God’s word. Jesus baptized me.  I began to speak and sing in a new language.  I felt the presence of God in such a tangible way together with freedom and an inexplicable joy.  I experienced God’s power over my life with just a step of mustard seed faith.

I have been a part of VFN family for seven months and God has moved in my life in a powerful way. I have surrendered every part of my life to the lordship of Jesus. I have a family and am loved and accepted.  The transition from a traditional expression of the church to a church that is a family and has a true relationship with each other is exactly what I believe the church is called to be.  I know this is the heart of the Lord. I know the Lord has so much more and I am expectant.  It is a beautiful journey and I am honored and humbled to be part of the body of Christ in the VFN Family. I speak these words to encourage anyone who is walking with God and feels that there is a lacking in their walk.  I speak these words to anyone who does not know God.  The key is remaining in the True Vine and staying connected. The VFN Family is about being real, honest with yourselves and the family of God. It is about loving God, loving others and leading everyone to the True Vine, Jesus Christ.  Why would you not want to KNOW the King of the Universe, the King of Glory, Our Creator? 

May God bless you abundantly and give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you may know him better! 

If you’d like to invite the Lord Jesus Christ into your life as I did read more.