Marc Hill (right) with his grandson

Overcoming Battles
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:37-39

This scripture from Romans gave me courage and hope to go on during times in my life when I needed to know it most that I was a conqueror through Christ. Had I been more faithful at certain times or known Christ earlier in my life I would not have made some of the mistakes that caused grief in my life. Thank God I did become a disciple of Jesus. I had just gotten out of the Air Force in 1988 and enrolled in Art School in Cincinnati. I had been searching for answers. I was in a lot of turmoil at that point and had almost lost my Mother. I think God was preparing me to need him. He would bring me to my knees to get me to pray to him. And I was met by someone at this time in art school who invited me to a Bible Talk group. I began to study the Bible and thought it was awesome that so many people my own age were studying together like this. It really impressed me. I grew up in a Catholic church where only the older people were the regulars at church. So I continued to study and was baptized a month later.

The cross meant to me that I didn’t have to attend all those religious ceremonies and do all the rituals like the worry beads to get to heaven. I know now that Jesus’ pain on the cross replaced all that and that I don’t have to put myself through misery. Because of his death on the cross I am free to respond to him out of love and thankfulness instead of drudgery.

What stood out to me the most (besides my own sin) after studying was that I had never been baptized after repenting of my sin. I was baptized as an infant and thought that was OK. Even after it was mentioned to me that infant baptism is invalid I persisted that it was valid until I understood it from the scriptures. Something else that stood out to me was that I had not regularly shared my faith with people. Once I made it over the hump of having to be baptized I took the plunge! The music played at that service on the day of my baptism was awesome: “I Got My Mind Set on You” by George Harrison. I identified with the lyrics on that one because it talked about how we have to use time and money to do it, to do it right. Also “Eye of the Tiger” was played. These were excellent songs. I never knew rock and roll could be played at a baptism. Awesome! The hardest things were ahead but looking for peace in God’s word brought me through and will continue to as well.

I am appreciative for the patience that God has had with me and continues to have with me. I have gone through many battles and hard times as a Christian: some because of my own sin, others because of my commitment to Christ. Before I was a Christian drinking was a part of my past. I had to give this up for Christ.

I have also had many struggles in the area of purity. This was a problem in my life before and after I became a disciple. However after becoming a disciple of Jesus I have had more power to obtain victory and now stand committed to total purity for Christ as a single.

Another testimony to God in my life since becoming a Christian was in the area of health. At one point in my life I gained a lot of weight, maxing out at 235 pounds. I was motivated to loose weight and started going for prayer runs. Over a period of 5 years I lost 70 pounds and am now down to approximately 180. God has given me many victories. As a disciple, the greatest thing I have enjoyed was studying the Bible with many different people and baptizing someone while in Louisville, KY. I am grateful that this is the mission here in Chicago as well: to seek and save the lost.

In 2003 I had left the fellowship while living in Louisville after a letter was published that spoke out against legalism in our movement of churches. Although I agree we did need to repent of some legalism, I went too far and fell spiritually, returning to my old sin and getting a divorce. It took me about a year of being a slave to my sin before I made a call to a brother to help me to get back on my feet spiritually. Shortly thereafter, I was restored to a great relationship with Jesus again.

So far, the fruits I have enjoyed the most being here in the Chicago International Christian Church have been peace and joy, although it has not been all easy. I am now attending school at the Illinois Institute of Art Chicago. So far I am receiving a 3.7 which is the opposite of how I did in school before I was a Christian. I am so thankful for the church here, especially Chris Broom for encouraging me to move here. I’m also indebted to Seth and Amy Drew for letting me stay with them after I moved here as well as Dave Cadell for letting me stay at his place for a little while. I am grateful to Joe Chiapetta for encouraging me to move here also as well as the help he has given me spiritually.

More than anything coming back to God and joining the Portland family of churches meant a return to evangelism and working out my salvation again. Having this second chance to serve the Lord with strength and renewed commitment has meant everything to me.

Marc Hill

Categories: Testimonials