Sister Regina Wright has been a member of New Beginnings Ministries of Jacksonville for two years. 

I am not originally from Jacksonville, Florida. I’m from Cleveland, Ohio. I came down here in 2009 on the night before Thanksgiving, hoping to leave home all my pain and suffering that I was going through back home. 

I was the Madea of the family. I cooked, I cleaned, I washed everybody’s children. I gave my life to the Lord. I have been saved ever since I was a little girl. I have been in many different churches and denominations, looking for the sprit and presence of God. I was looking for the family of God — people that walk in the way that He asked us to, even though we still fall short.

I came down here to get my relationship back with God and to restore my motherhood with my three children, and get a relationship back with my oldest daughter. 

When I ran from home, I was running from my daughter being molested by my Pastor for seven to eight years. I trusted them, and pulled them into my family. 

When I came down here, I was angry at God. I was angry at myself. I was angry at everything.

I went to prison for three and a half years. In prison I had a nervous breakdown. I lost my mind for five months. The Lord ministered to me through counselors about how to get myself right in my mind. They say that I am schizophrenic, bipolar, post traumatic stress syndrome — I have a lot of issues. 

When I came out of prison in January 2013, I moved to a Danese Street, off of East 11th Street, where I did not know the house of God, that God ordained for me, was located. 

The Lord showed me the smile of the Pastor’s wife and he told me that I would remember her smile when I saw her. I came to New Beginnings Ministries, embarrassed of what I had done, ashamed of myself and had not forgiven myself. 

I came to this church to get some food. Sister Blair prayed for me. I knew the words that came out of her mouth were Godly. Something told me to come to church that Sunday. I came and the word that came from the pulpit that Sunday released something in me, and told me that this is where you need to be. 

I did not know at that time that this is a family oriented church. I did not know that Pastor Hawk’s mother, brother, sister and children were members here. I joined the same day.

I’ve been in this church for the past two years and have gotten free from my past, I have been delivered in my mind and spirit and soul. 

God has showed me that this is where I belong and this is where I am going to be. 

Thank you, God Bless You and God is Good.