Rooted & Reaching Ministries Amber’s Testimony
Hi, my name is Amber, and I became a follower of Jesus when I was 18 years old. My journey began in a very dark place. I grew up in a home filled with both verbal and physical abuse. My stepfather was an alcoholic, and the environment I lived in broke me emotionally. I was made to feel worthless, insignificant, and invisible. I was constantly told that I was to be seen and not heard.
Because of the conditions at home, I struggled at school too. My parents chain-smoked indoors, and I was only allowed to shower once a week, so I was often teased for how I smelled and looked. I never had new clothes, or even second-hand ones that fit well. Socially, I felt completely lost and awkward. I didn’t know how to connect with people and was regularly bullied. There were times I didn’t want to live anymore—I truly couldn’t see a future for myself. On top of that, I was considered an “illegal immigrant” in the U.S. since I didn’t have a visa or green card as a Canadian. My outlook was hopeless.
Then one day, a friend invited me to a youth group. I didn’t know what to expect, but I felt something there I hadn’t felt before—acceptance. I kept going, mostly to escape my home life. I also started attending FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes). It was at an FCA conference that I heard the Gospel clearly and surrendered my life to Jesus. That moment changed everything.
At 20, I moved back to Canada and eventually pursued a Diploma in Business Accounting. I had faith, but at that point, my relationship with God was surface-level—I went to church on Sundays but didn’t go much deeper. It wasn’t until my mid-20s that I realized something was missing. I was deeply discontent, constantly seeking a relationship to fill the void. I was desperate to get married, thinking that would solve everything.
After several heartbreaks, a friend invited me to do a program designed to strengthen our relationship with God. But there was a catch: I had to fast from men. At first, I was shocked—how could I give that up? But I did. And through that fast, I fell in love with Jesus in a new, deeper way. He brought healing to places in my heart I didn’t even know were broken. I began to understand what it meant to have a true relationship with Him—not religion, but real connection.
Even now, I’m still working through things, but I’m no longer overwhelmed by them. After several years of singleness and contentment in Christ, God brought my husband into my life—completely unexpectedly. I had finally reached a place of peace in being single, and that’s when God surprised me.
Today, I walk in a deep relationship with Jesus, and my heart burns with a desire to teach and disciple others—to show them how to dig into scripture, how to walk with God, and how to become true followers of Christ. This isn’t just something I believe; it’s someone I know. It’s not religion—it’s relationship.
I have countless testimonies of God’s faithfulness and goodness in my life, and I look forward to sharing more as He leads.