Our guest speaker was Celine Cozema.
Celine is from France. In 2013 she arrived in the USA to attend Oakwood University. In addition to her degree in Theology, she is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Chaplaincy and Social Work.
We met Celine at church where she manages the Oakwood University Church Grocery Store. The clients work at the church and help her stock the grocery shelves and perform other duties. Celine considers them as her ‘brothers’ and is so appreciative of their help.
This week she had a confrontation with one ‘brother’ that made her so angry bringing back ‘the old Celine.’ After talking to Cliff, she agreed to share her personal testimony.
Although growing up as an Adventist Christian, she was a mean person. She cursed and demoralized people making their lives miserable. She said she was a ‘witch’ to her coworkers at her job.
One morning she woke up crying incessantly and could not stop! She said, “Jesus slapped me, for real, bringing me to my senses!” With the best job, a big check and a big position, she was lost without Him. At that moment, she surrendered her life to Jesus. She quit her job, moved to Alabama and her life has never been the same. .
Celine’s conversion made her a new person. No cursing or demoralizing people at all. This change took place by surrendering and allowing the Holy Spirit to change her.
This week recognizing the ‘old Celine’ rising up, she immediately turned to God for victory over her anger. By prayer with her pastor and spending time alone with God, she overcame self, her greatest battle.
The behavior of her ‘brother’ was wrong. Last night he asked Celine to forgive him and she did. She also advised him to be more aware of his words and actions and to realize the impact he has on the lives of other people.
We appreciated Celine’s vulnerability and we were all inspired by her testimony.
