My Testimony

 

I have lived my life following and serving my Savior Jesus to the best of my ability since accepting Jesus as my Savior at the age of 8 years old. My mom and step-dad devoted several years of their lives as evangelists, and I of course served with them. Having given up our home and most of our possessions we travelled throughout much of the Southwest United States at first following the Indi car racing circuit where we ministered to the race care drivers and their families, and eventually segued into street ministry in Southern California sharing the gospel to folks from all walks of life, including the homeless and financially challenged. In those early years my role in ministry was primarily as my mom's back up singer, as I had an ear for creating a back up harmony to any song whether I knew the song or not. Although I did also try as best as my painfully shy self was able to share about Jesus with any children near my own age.

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In my teens I was introduced to the Sport of Figure Skating and found that I had a God given talent for Ice Dancing. in less than three years time I went from rank beginner in rental skates to a Novice Level Competitive Ice Dancer in spite of being told time and time again that such was impossible to do in so short a time, and even more so impossible if you are too poor for massive amounts of lessons and ice time. Ah, but with God ALL things are possible. Making it all the more incredible was the fact that we were still homeless, sleeping on the floor of businesses where my mom and step-dad worked. Most would think that pretty crazy to be participating in a very expensive sport in our circumstances. Logical rational would say that any income should of been put towards rent of a proper home for us. But my mom always said that she felt that God knew I needed that sport at that time in my life, for whatever reason, more than I needed a home. And I would have to say that she was right. I was struggling with so many things at that time of my life and those struggles really destroyed my self esteem. But through that sport, God taught me so much about perseverance and determination, and to never look at the circumstances, nor to allow circumstances to limit you. And It also taught me beyond a shadow of a doubt that with God ALL things are indeed possible.

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In those early years of my life however, there was also one skeleton in my closet that I struggled to grapple with. My step-father, who was supposed to be a Godly man, was really a wolf in sheep's clothing. Within days after he married my mom when I was 9 years old... he began sexually molesting me, and he used the Biblical teaching of being submissive and obedient to your parents to control me and keep me in bondage to his twisted behaviors. As well he kept me silent by telling me that if I ever told my mom, that she would not understand, hate me, and throw me out. So, I was left feeling powerless, ashamed, and terrified of my mother's rejection if she ever found out. This really scarred me and made me feel quite unworthy. I really struggled with my faith in those years not understanding why God would allow that to happen to me. This part of my testimony is far too long to include here, but you will find a blog on the Blog page in this site where you can read the full testimony account of that abuse and how God helped to free me from it and helped me to overcome the guilt and shame of it.

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In my 20's and 30's God opened the doors for me to become a Figure Skating coach... a job I very much loved... perhaps too much. Admittedly over time, my focus turned more towards the sport and less on God. And I, for a short time, fell away from my commitment to fully serving Him, although never turning from my faith. Then in my mid 30's, life changed dramatically. I married a man who claimed he was a Christian, but after he married me he became very abusive, and he admitted he lied about being a Christian and that he just wanted a Christian wife because the Bible says that a Christian wife must be obedient to her husband. I told him that the Bible also had instructions on how a husband was to treat his wife, but he argued in retort that he was not obligated to be that biblical husband because he was not a Christian. So throughout our one and a half year marriage he emotionally, psychologically and physically abused me. And if I fell short in any way... even to even the slightest extent... he made very sure to put me smartly in my place in as hurtful a way as he could. To be blunt, he was quite abusive in every way. I struggled to endure because I took my vows "for better or for worse" very seriously and knew that God does not like divorce. But the emotional and psychological abuse was taking a very unhealthy toll on my emotional well being, perhaps more-so because by now I also was dealing with pregnancy hormones.

 

A year and two months into our marriage, our daughter was born, and complications from her birth caused me severe injury that very nearly ended my life. I survived the ordeal, but it definitely closed the doors to any future career in skating for me. At the time I could barely walk, let alone skate. So God had other plans for me obviously. And like He did with Jonah, God ensured I would do what I was called to do. But it would take some time for me to get there.

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By the time our child was two months old, the abuse (inflicted on both of us now) had escalated such that I had to call the police for help. The police sent me and my infant child to a home for abused women, where we stayed for a couple weeks until my husband could arrange to return to his home in the United States before his visitor permit expired. Once he had left the country I returned to our home and my job... only to bet told by my employer that I was being "let go" because they felt that my husband was a potential threat to the safety of the children that I coached at the Figure Skating Club. And my physical injury caused by the child birthing complications were also a contributing factor. I was crushed. I felt like all all my hopes were shattered. I felt like I had failed in both my marriage and my job, and I felt like I was a big disappointment to myself, and I thought therefore surely I was a big disappointment to God too. I especially felt now like I was no longer fit for ministry. But God was not finished with me yet, and He was far more merciful to me than I was towards myself... clearly. Indeed God still Loved me, and He was still there in the midst of all that pain and heartache helping me... even though my eyes at the time were blind to that fact.

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I spent several years focusing on my healing from the Post Traumatic Stress which I was experiencing as a result of the marital abuse, and I would come to find that my PTSD challenges were further complicated by the earlier mentioned sexual abuse at the hands of my stepfather. I also re-committed myself to God and began attending church regularly and serving Him again, rather than secular pursuits. Then in time, God in His grace started opening doors for me in ministry. First, the Lord opened doors for me to give my testimony at a couple of large inter-denominational events in Thunder Bay, Ontario; which then lead to invitations to speak at a few Woman's groups, including Woman's Aglow in Thunder Bay; and eventually I was also called on to lead a Woman's group at my church, also in Thunder Bay, Ontario. In some of my speaking engagements I spoke on my personal testimony and on overcoming abuse. Other events I spoke on various biblical topics relevant to these times to encourage, strengthen, and spur us all forward. As well, over the past 20 years the Lord also opened up opportunities for me to serve on worship teams at several churches in Thunder Bay. This is how I met Jamie, the wonderful man whom I would later, in God's perfect timing, marry. Jamie, who is a drummer/guitarist and fellow worship leader, and who after many years of friendship won over my skeptical and wounded heart by proving himself to be a wonderful, kind, loving, and very patient man. I am so very grateful for his love and encouragement, and I really do thank God for him, and for the healing that has come to this wounded soul in part because of him. The main credit for my healing and restoration is of course Jesus Christ. But God used Jamie in mighty ways to help bring healing. I feel so blessed that God has given to me such a wonderful Christian husband to partner with in this life, and I thank God for him every day!

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The Lord brought us to Vancouver Island in September 2019. We were still in the midst of trying to find a church here when the government shut all churches down in the name of Covid. It was out of that isolation, and an intense need to somehow share the gospel of Jesus and His life transforming power that I started an online ministry called "Peace, Love, & Jesus". The intent was to use the internet and various forms of social media to share the gospel and encourage all us "shut in" Christians, including myself.  However, Praise God, in His perfect timing we were lead to a couple churches where we have served on their worship team for the past few years. It was a pleasure and blessing to serve at those churches with a team of exceptional musicians who all have such a heart to serve Jesus. 

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But as God's plan unfolds for our lives, we find sometimes He takes us in directions we would have not imagined possible. Doors open and God's expands the horizons as He leads you where He wants you to go to fulfill His purpose in your life according to His will. So in the past year it became clear that each of the ministry ventures that God has had me on over the past few years were growing and would be needing a website, as well as much more of my time. And at least to begin with, it seemed wisest from a financial point of view to combine each of these ministries onto one single website under a single ministry umbrella. And thus "Lori Loy Ministries" and this new web page was developed to serve the purpose of all the ministry ventures in which I am involved. I hope and pray that the contents here will help to encourage you in your own walk with Jesus, and draw you ever nearer to Him.  

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Plans and Hope for this Ministry

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If you have already looked through this website you will have seen that there are four different Ministries in one here. First are my Blogs; second are Music Ministry with an Album currently in production and expected to be released in the Summer of 2025, Lord willing; as well as plans aid in getting the music heard by as wide an audience as possible. The third ministry soon to debut are two different Video Podcasts which will be under the "Peace Love and Jesus" name. The first podcast which is expected to begin airing by the end of February 2025 will be the "Peace, Love & Jesus Minute Message". This video series is a short minute to minute and a half long message to encourage and motivate, or even to simply a bright spot in your day. The second Video Podcast expected to be released in April of 2025 is "The Peace, Love & Jesus Podcast" which will be a weekly,  20 min, in depth teaching with the occasional guest speaker to share additional perspective. And the fourth Ministry also in the works are my book writing ventures which will include my biography, several topical teaching series books, as well as some early reader children's books.

 

While up to this time I have covered the costs of this ministry out of my own pocket the best I can, with all these new ventures, it now also necessitates some fundraising ventures to help cover certain project costs which are beyond my means. So in April 2025, I will be introducing the Lori Joy Ministries Online Store where some products will be available for sale, the profits of which will go towards Publishing and Printing costs of the books, as well as other administrative costs for the ministry (such as the cost of maintaining the website). As well, in March 2025, I will begin the process of registering Lori Joy Ministries as a Not for profit Member Funded Society so that we will legally be able to accept charitable donations to help financially support this ministry so that we will then have more funds available to: 1) cover any expenses/fees of the guest speakers; 2) video production costs; 3) advertising to help the ministry grow and reach a wider audience; 4) and where possible, to also be able to support other ministries who are doing well in fulfilling the Great Commision.​

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Lori Joy Ministries is a Non-Denominational organisation. I strive to provide Biblically accurate  and sound interpretation of Scriptures. However, I also understands that many of us may come from differing denominational backgrounds which can influence one's own interpretation and understanding of scripture. I make every effort to be respectful of any differing opinions, understanding that we all can be at different levels of understanding at different times in our walk with the Lord. We are all growing, we are all still learning. I would hope and pray that followers of this ministry would have the same grace and understanding towards myself, and others who follow this ministry.​

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Thank you to those who have been patiently waiting to financially support this ministry, whether by Sponsor donation, or by purchasing products we will be offering for sale.

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​More detailed info on our Sponsor Donations, Charitable Status, Products we offer for sale to help support this Ministry, and future plans for this ministry... will soon be on our 

donations and online store page. ​

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Thank You!

I very much appreciate your support and encouragement.

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