Testimonies

Carlos Villalba

Carlos was deep in business debt in Guatemala and didn't know how or when he would ever be free of this heavy weight on his life. After attending a Crown seminar and surrendering his lifelong dreams to God, Carlos began to experience God's peace in his life. This inspiring story shows the reach of Crown across the globe because of our faithful supporters and prayer partners. Watch the video.

 

Meet Trevor and Michelle Thomas

Trevor and Michelle began their marriage in debt but decided to take a different approach to reach their dreams. Watch the video.

 

Meet Helen Nelson

God brought Helen of Atlanta, GA, to a place of complete surrender after her circumstances collapsed around her. Watch Helen's testimony and see how God's Word and a Crown Small Group Study helped change the course of her life to one of True Financial Freedom. Watch the video

To obtain a complimentary DVD containing this video testimony to show to your local church members or life groups, contact a local Crown representative in your area. You can also download a hi-quality QuickTime version. Right click and save the movie to your computer Download Now

 

Share your testimony with Crown

We'd love to hear your story and how Crown has impacted your life. We often receive interview requests from the media looking for stories from Crown study graduates. Now is the time to share your story! Be a part of something big and help people in the process.

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Recent Crown Stories

1/4/2011

I have been out of work for two and a half years, but I have continued to tithe no matter how bad my finances were. I have been amazed at how faithful the Lord has been in helping me to meet my financial obligations! I have received many, many unexpected financial blessings and have been able to give substantially back to my church.

Praise the Lord!

Gabrielle, WI

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1/4/2011

Five years ago, I was introduced to the Crown Money Map and participated in a Crown video course offered through our church. I still have my Money Map and refer to it often. In five short years, my family went from Destination 1 to Destination 6. During this time, we have been blessed in so many ways.

We are trusting God with our first fruits and understanding that all we have, physically, spiritually, and materially, belongs to Him. This also includes our time, the most precious resource God has given us (next to His Son, of course). We have learned to live with less, yet God continues to provide more. More time, more opportunity to serve, more opportunity to help others.

We are currently renovating a portion of our home for our elderly parents to move into. We are doing much of the work ourselves and paying for all materials and outside labor with cash. Five years ago, this would have been impossible. We are so grateful that the Lord has allowed us the opportunity to help our aging parents in their time of need.

I recently purchased a Crown Money Map and book for my 27-year-old son and his fiance. Please pray for them. First they need to know the Lord. They have heard the Gospel, yet their hearts remain dark. May He grant them eyes to see and ears to hear. Then I pray that they would desire to live lives pleasing to the Lord and practice bBiblical stewardship.

Thank you for Crown Financial Ministries. May the Lord continue to bless your work.

By His Grace,

Guy and Carol, VT

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1/5/2011

Dear Crown,

A year ago, my husband and I were living our worst nightmare. The farm we had worked for and loved for over five years was closing. The family who owned the farm was going to have to sell everything they had, and we would have to start over in our careers. I had kept the books for them for seven years, and my husband had been their harvest manager for five years. They are a godly family who had always put God first in everything they had done. I did not understand why their business was unraveling, and my family was not prepared to be unemployed.

I had been listening to Crown's podcast regularly for several months and started to rely heavily on your teachings, as I wanted to honour God, as this family had taught me, even in our times of turmoil. Because of Crown's teachings, I had realized months before, when we incurred over $10,000 worth of medical bills, that we had to honor God no matter what our circumstances were. I committed our finances to God, and began tithing faithfully for the first time in our 10 years of marriage. When it looked like we both were going to be unemployed with no job prospects, it got really hard, but I knew it was the right thing to do. I hadn't even reached the first Destination on the Crown Money Map, but I knew that, if we were diligent with our spending and put God first, He would take care of us.

I am happy to report to you today that my husband and I both found jobs in God's good timing. An accounting job opened up at the local hospital exactly two weeks before the farm sale. I am loving it there, and it's a perfect fit for me. My husband was also able to find work, and his new job offers so much flexibility that he has been able to spend more time with our children than he ever has before. Did I mention that we have exactly the same income as before? My wage actually went up, and Dave's went down, but he got the flexible schedule, whereas he used to work 80 hour weeks 6 months out of the year. I feel like we're living the best of both worlds.

God has blessed us so much. I am pleased to report to you that we FINALLY reached Destination 1 this month. We are on our way to eliminating debt and finally feel in control of our finances for the first time in our marriage. Thank you not only for the timely financial advice you shared with us for our personal finances, but also that I was able to help guide my employer through a financially difficult time in a way that would still honor God. Their farm sale was a success, and they were able to resolve many of their debts.

You are a blessing to many, and I appreciate the ministry you provide. God's blessing on all of you in 2011.

Christi Anne, CO

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1/15/2011

I have basically raised three children on my own. At one point I remember being so far in debt that I would have to use a credit card to feed my kids. After my divorce, in a panic I bought the first home I thought I could afford, which turned out to be a bad idea. I am now a believer in waiting one year after a life-changing event before making a big financial decision. I also lost my dad, my grandmother, and my job all in a two-year period.

I attended a Crown class at a local church. I was able to land a government job as a nurse aid in a veterans home. I am debt free except for my home. By March, I will have at least $1000 in the bank, and I am five months away from putting myself through practical nursing school and will graduate at the age of 51 in June with only an $1800 school loan.

Our God is awesome and I in no way could have done this without Him. Even after a serious injury, I am back and work and will finish school on time. Thanks for your awesome program.

Brenda, OH

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1/26/2011

In January 2010, our church hosted a financial seminar through Crown. The speaker made sure that everything he spoke on was Biblical. I would like to share a short testimony about how this seminar put things in perpesctive in our lives.

I have never been one to be completely foolish with my money (so I thought). I always made sure our bills were paid on time, no matter how many of them we had. I was raised in church and always paid my tithe no matter how little it may have been. I strayed from my upbringing for a good period of time, but God had other plans for me. He managed to put me and my wife together and place us both in the church where she grew up. I soon realized that I needed to regain my relationship with God. We have always been very happy together but now with two children, we were failing in our finances, including allowing our tithe to slip from month to month until it seemed like we just never had the money to tithe.

I went into 2010 without paying tithe, owing credit card debt, debt on two vehicles, and a house payment, and then regular utilities. I was scared of attending the financial seminar because of all that I had been doing wrong. After leaving the seminar on the last day, I drove about five miles down the road with tears in my eyes. I had to turn around and come back. I found our lead deacon outside the church and stopped to speak with him. It just seemed better getting these things off my chest and speaking with someone.

My wife and I made a commitment that day to adopt a budget until at least we payed off some of the unnecessary bills. But, our largest commitment was that we would pay our tithe. I did not pay my tithe expecting anything in return. However, just the fact of giving to God every two weeks (as my paycheck comes in) made me very happy, realizing that all I have belongs to God anyway.

We adopted the envelope budget because it was simple for us to follow and it seemed like it was a forceful approach. After the credit cards were paid off, we maintained the mindset to watch our money closely. I am now sending you this testimony one year later, and we owe nothing on the credit cards and payed off one vehicle (two years early). We paid cash for our vacation and for all of our Christmas gifts, and expect to pay off the other truck in a few short months. Most importantly, we have been dedicated in our tithing.

After receiving my last paycheck for 2010, I realized that I made less money in 2010 than I did in 2009. There is only one reason that paying off the debt was even possible and that is God. God has blessed me in so many ways, and I just want to tell people what He can do for you if you just put your faith in Him, knowing that He will take care of you. This seminar in our church was a terrific blessing to me and my family.

Thank you so much for giving me the oppurtunity to listen and learn. What this organization does is so special and cannot be replaced with a typical financial class. It is so important to be sure God is in everything we do, and this is definately a point in which is stressed in your ministry.

Shan, GA

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1/27/2011

We first took the Crown financial course about nine years ago. At that time, we were typical Americans with around $200,000 in mortgage debt and a $20,000 car note.

After learning how God feels about debt, we both got an extra job, and today we are excited to say our mortgage and car are PAID OFF! Praise the Lord, and thank you, Crown, for teaching us Biblical financial principles!

Brad and Kathleen, TX

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1/27/2011

These past two years of being unemployed were the most crucial to our finances. Thanks to prayers and a spending plan that served our God, He was able to meet our needs. Hallelujah!!

We paid off our short-term interest bearing loans and our home and were still able to make housing repairs and firmly establish an emergency account. ALL while being unemployed. Again, I say, "Hallelujah!"

Thank you, Crown! By the way, I just started my new full-time job in November 2010. My wife and I can say firmly, "Hallelujah!"

Kash, PA

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