Maria Belem Penner - New Members Testimony

My name is Maria Belem Penner. I was raised in the Mormon church, where I was taught that being close to God came through good behaviour, keeping the Ten Commandments, and being baptized. I was baptized at eight years old, and for most of my life, I never questioned the beliefs I had been taught.

In May 2022, my parents tragically passed away in a car accident. In that moment, I felt completely alone. I believed God had abandoned me, and my heart was empty and broken. I began living without limits, surrounding myself with the wrong friends, making harmful choices, and rebelling against everything I once believed. But even in that lifestyle, the emptiness never left me.

Everything began to change when I met my now husband, Juan Penner, at a New Year’s gathering. He invited me to church. At first, I refused, but he kept insisting until I finally accepted. During the service, a song was played—I don’t remember its name, but its message touched my heart deeply. It described the very life I was living, and I left that service questioning everything.

Juan continued sharing the gospel with me, and we began reading the Bible together. I was confused at first because I had always believed salvation came through baptism and good works. But through Scripture, I learned that salvation is a gift given by grace through faith, not something we earn.

One day, I prayed to God with all my heart. In that moment, the emptiness I had carried for so long disappeared. I felt loved, secure, and seen again. God brought me back to Himself, and since then, He has guided me, strengthened me, and shown me His grace even though I was full of sin. He gave me a gift I did not deserve.

After understanding the true gospel, I chose to be baptized "again"—this time fully aware and trusting in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.

Today, I want to follow Him for the rest of my life. I know I need Him always, and my desire to serve Him grows stronger every day. That is why I want to commit to this church and dedicate my life to serving God as part of this community.