Testimonies of God’s Grace

The following testimonies are of men and women who have been blessed by the Lord as a result of coming under the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word while at Bethel Colony of Mercy.

This YouTube playlist is a playlist of testimonies that will be updated periodically, be sure to check often to see how God is working at Bethel to deliver men and women from the bondage of sin.  You can find the playlist in the top right corner of the video screen below.



Bethany Williams, 2020 graduate

My name is Bethany Williams, and I am 30 years old. I did not go to church as a child and did not know God as my heavenly Father. At the very young age of 13, I began to hang around older men, drink, and do drugs. I acquired a lot of attention this way, so I went all-in with this lifestyle and didn’t look back. Before I knew it, it had been over ten years, and I had dived deeper into drugs and sex than I ever could have fathomed. By trying to find security in others, I found myself in countless abusive relationships that left me physically, mentally, and emotionally beaten down. I would use my body to get what I wanted, not caring if I hurt others or myself in the process. Everyone I cared about cut me out of their life. By this time, I hated who I was more than I ever could explain, which had me spiraling into an all-consuming depression that led me to attempt to end my life many times. I realized I did not want to live the life I had been living anymore. By the grace of God, I ended up at a Celebrate Recovery meeting where the people made me feel welcomed and loved. As I sat listening to the message, it hit me, Jesus Christ was who I had been searching for all my life, but I never knew it. At this time, I committed my life to Christ, was baptized, and truly felt I had changed. Although I still was not clean from drugs. I was taking Suboxone. For years I ran from God’s truth, going back and forth from Suboxone to my drug of choice, which left me confused, discouraged, and eventually back in another treatment program. I met my wonderful husband, Chris, around this time. We were very close friends. He was the only person I could talk to about how I believed God was the right way to live. To my amazement, he believed the same. After several bad decisions later, I had overdosed twice and was right back on the same path. Chris told me about this place called Bethel Colony of Mercy and said that we should go. I persistently prayed about it and knew God was telling us to go. For the first time, I followed through with what God told me to do and not the world. I put it in God’s hands, and I gave him what little trust and faith I had. He gave and continues to give me courage and strength. Beyond my belief, the Lord has begun restoring relationships in our family, created a strong foundation in our marriage, and opened my heart to a deeply loving relationship that I feel worthy of. I have re-dedicated my life to Jesus Christ and I have learned the enemy will always be hard at work attempting to destroy everything God has planned for my life. Chris and my paths have not been of continual success but multiple failures. However, our failures are always followed by growth, as long as we are steadfast in relying on the Lord.

I am a child of God, and Proverbs 3:5&6 says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will not make your paths straight.”  

Bill Howington

1953 graduate of Bethel, shares a testimony of God’s grace in his life. Bill has been faithful to the LORD and to Bethel since his graduation. What a testimony to the power of God!

Delbert “Pete” Austrew

I came to Bethel colony of Mercy in November, 1998. At this time in my life I found myself at a loss of family, friends and everything else I loved or cared about. I had been drinking and drugging very heavily just to deal with the emotional pain I was feeling.

On arriving at Bethel, I had a desire to turn my life around simply because I knew it was a miracle of God that I made it there. You see, I knew “about” God but had no relationship with Him. Everything I had attempted in life had become a failure. Relationships, employment and then my health! In 1987, I was involved in an industrial accident that resulted in six major surgeries in seven years! Two major back surgeries that left me relying on a wheel-chair, a total left hip replacement, and two shoulder replacements. A tumor was found in my neck resulting in surgery that has left one side of my face numb. On my back in Shands Hospital at the University of Florida, I cried out to Jesus Christ. Soon after that a nurse came into my room and asked; “Where are the roses? I smell roses.” No one had brought roses to my room.

I continued in my difficulties for some years as I was in and out of physical rehabs. At one point I was prescribed over ten different pain medicines and had become addicted to them all. I was also addicted to street drugs and alcohol. This continued to the point I lost my family and all that mattered to me. Then, a family member told me about Bethel Colony. I came to Bethel as soon as I could get in. My experience at Bethel was one that I will walk with for the rest of my life. I wish I could say that when I left Bethel everything went well for me. Sadly, my life continued to spiral downward. But, at the most precious time in my life, what was instilled in me while at Bethel came forth! I had “NOT” surrendered everything to Jesus! I had held on to anger, resentment, and deep emotional pains. My most precious time was the point of surrender of everything to Jesus!

Feeding on the Word, I began to discover how much He loves me. John 3:16 says; “For God so loved the world (me), that He gave His only Son.” I discovered His identity within the Bible and began to see my own identity through His eyes. This experience changed my life forever! You see, as I discovered these truths through the Holy Spirit, I discovered who was the author of my failures…Satan! I learned I have authority over my enemy in the name of Jesus! Because of this discovery, my life has purpose and meaning today. Yes, I lost everything, but God has restored my health, both mental and physical. Today I am as healthy as I have ever been in my life. God is blessing me in so many ways.

On June 8, 2007, I graduated from Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute in Hendersonville, NC. I am a licensed Baptist minister. I will be attending Florida Baptist College to pursue a Master of Ministry degree. In the meantime, I have traveled from Kentucky to Florida preaching the Word of God and giving my testimony. I feel the Lord has placed a burden on my life to write a book concerning the role of the “Spiritual Priest of the Home”. God is doing things for me that I would not have thought possible! My testimony is simply this; He is still in the business of raising the “dead”! He is no respecter of persons and He will do the same for “whosoever”.

The roses no one could find in my hospital room? One day I read in the Bible that He is the Rose of Sharon! Praise God! The tomb is empty! Revelation 12:11; “And they overcame the evil one by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony.” Praise God, we win! And as the old song says…”It is well with my soul!”

These comments were taken from Exit Interviews of former students.  These are the things they are thankful for concerning their time at Bethel Colony of Mercy:

Awesome teaching, great balance of teaching, structure, and discipline.  The application of Biblical teaching to real life – character, marriage, fatherhood, etc…Only place I’ve ever been with any substance to the teachings.

The ministers are truly concerned with every student’s success.  Preachers and counselors have been in shoes that were once not walking with Christ but now are.  You cannot break the bonds of addiction without Jesus Christ.

Bethel equipped me with spiritual tools to know how to be successful in life. This place has lit the spiritual fire in my soul again.  I learned who I was in Christ; more than a conqueror!

They help you get to the core of your problems.  Helped me rededicate my life to God.  Class, church services, praise and worship.

This has been a life changing experience for me.  Having a schedule and responsibility to take care of myself.  The preachers’ teachings.  Thank you for everything you guys do!

There are so many people who have dedicated their lives to help others.  There isn’t a place I’ve been to that will teach you like Bethel does.  I have drawn closer to God than I could ever imagine.  He has softened my heart.  No other facility is going to help like Bethel does.

Top notch training in the Word of God.  The counseling and the teaching of the Word of God.  The staff really cares about us and God is blessing this ministry.

The spiritual guidance was extremely helpful and eye-opening to me.  My eyes are now open and I have a new beginning.  I needed structure in my life.  This place is changing men’s and women’s lives.  It saved my life!

Very good classes, church, worship, and a lot of love and caring here.  I learned so much in the classes and listening to and watching how the pastors handle everyday things.

You have structure, rules, and an excellent Bible program to learn more of God’s Word. You gave me the tools to fight the enemy.  I think Bethel is an excellent program to learn structure and obedience.

Bethel saved my life and turned me into the man my family and I needed me to be.  The most helpful thing about Bethel is the relationship I built with God and opening my eyes to everything He wants for me.  I want others to have the same opportunity I had.

Bethel is designed to transform you.  It brought me back from my backsliding and gave me new hope.

I have been blown away by the quality and effectiveness of the program/pastors/staff at Bethel.

Today I have peace.  I have a personal relationship with God.  Bethel provided a structured environment, one-on-one counseling, fellowship with other believers, and love.  I am a living testimony to the success of Bethel.

And, as a reminder that Bethel has been doing this for over 70 years, this note was enclosed with a recent donation to Bethel…”Bethel Colony helped my dad in the early 1950’s and I thank you.  His stay with you helped him stay clean for the last 15 years of his life.”

We thank God for your prayers and donations which help make this possible!