I am the second born of five children to John and Julia McKnight. I was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama and grew up in the heat of the civil rights movements. Although my parents worked hard to protect and shield us from the hatred and violence, it still influenced and shaped my thinking in so many ways. My father was the chairman of the Deacon's Board and my mother was very active in every aspect of our church. Church was a real part of my experience (I wasn't given a choice). At an early age I experienced the reality of the power of prayer. As a child I never questioned God or His power. However, as I became a teenager I was confused as to who Jesus was. As the events of the Sixties unfolded I couldn't understand how White Southerners could profess to know Christ and yet be filled with so much hatred for Blacks. As a result of needing answers and not getting them, I withdrew from my childhood commitment and began to live a life of rebellion that led me down a path of emptiness and bitterness.
I met my childhood sweetheart, Vernon, in the ninth grade and in 1970 we were married. Just three days after we exchanged our vows he joined the United States Air Force. We were blessed with three wonderful children Vernon Jr, Lavette, and Jevon. We have spent twenty-two years traveling as an Air Force family. We spent three years in Spain and three years in the Netherlands.
It was in the country of Spain where I had a personal encounter with God (as a result of loneliness and emptiness). I realized that I didn't know Jesus as my personal savior and that if I died in that state I would spend eternity in hell. I prayed and asked Jesus to come into my life. It wasn't until returning to America (Northern California) that I began to grow and give Christ total control of my life. While in Spain I drew back form the Lord and prayed that He wouldn't let the rapture come until I made thing right with Him. I told the Lord if He would just let me get back to the United States I would serve Him and never turn back. He answered my prayers and I have (by the keeping grace of God) kept my promise to Him.
As a result of yielding my life to Jesus, He has filled me with His love where I was bitter and He satisfied me with a full life of purpose. He resurrected my dead marriage and gave me his instructions for raising our children. Because of my passion for Him I am committed to making Christ known in every way possible.
My Testimony