Tribe Leaders: Kevin & Patti Murray

We greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. To my brothers and sisters who will read this testimony, I pray that it would give you hope and change you, not because of the words that I have written, but because you know that God is a mighty God and his word never returns void.

My name is Kevin Murray and I am married to a beautiful woman (inside and out) named Patty. We have 5 children. Their names are Jacob, Sarah, Joshua, John and Danielle.

Patricia and I were raised Catholic for all of our lives until approximately the year 2000. About 4-5 years prior to that, our marriage was on huge rocks. I had the attitude that it was okay to schedule basketball games at least 3 to 4 times in the evenings and on the other days; I would be out drinking with my buddies. I was taking illegal steroids during those years that would cause me unspeakable anger, rage and language that would make a sailor blush. I did not want to come home to raise my 4 kids at the time, because I thought I had better things to do like golfing, drinking, basketball, fishing and just all the things I wanted to do.

In the meantime my wonderful wife was working a 40-hour a week job, raising the children, working through all of their issues, going to their sports games and basically doing it all. She was very much alone in her world with very little true love coming from me.

At this point in time after years of loneliness, raising the children by her self, working her fingers to the bone, not to mention all of the laundry, dishes, breakfast, lunch, and dinners made, doctors and dentist visits, just dried up in side due to me not honoring my wife, she met a man that paid some attention to her. As the days went on, their relationship grew, and Patty began to have feelings for him.

One thing led to another and we found ourselves getting a divorce. We had $80,000+ dollars in debt, two car payments; we were losing a home and now were going to go our separate ways.

The last time that I saw her before she left is when she brought a u-haul to where we lived. That was the day that I began to let God change me. Up till that time I was stubborn, self centered and extremely prideful. In the rearview mirrors of the truck after I helped Patty load it, I could see the faces of my wife and children just weeping, hearts broken, crying so loudly that I could still hear them before they left the area on to the main road. My eyes were open to the most precious blessings I had in my life and now they were gone. All that was most precious to me was driving away to be loved and raised by another individual, a stranger.

At the time of this departure, I believe that the Lord spoke to my heart and said “In three years, I will make all things new and reunite this marriage and this family. I certainly could not see this happening at this point in time nor during the times that God would remind me throughout the duration of that time period. I had no concept of what faith was. I was watching with my eyes and my eyes told me that this new stranger in Patty’s life wanted to marry her and live the rest of his life with her and our children.

During this time of separation, I was promoted and took a job in Victoria, Texas. God blessed me with a great salary and I needed every bit of it to pay the note on the 80,000+, two car payments and money for alimony and child support. I moved into a one- bedroom apartment that had the bathroom, kitchen, bedroom all in one room. Things were a bit tight. I lived on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and Top Ramen soup. I was there with no other family, just me and soon to find out, God! I felt a tugging in my heart that there was more to life than what I had previously experienced and soon found myself getting into a bible study correspondence course with Kenneth Hagin Ministries. As I began to read, I felt a strong hunger for the word. Soon I was enveloped in the lesson plans and wanted more and more.

One day my neighbor asked me where I was going to church and I told him that I was going to the local Catholic Church. He was a retired Lutheran minister and told me “that was good and that it was ok to go to that church”. He then began to tell me not to go to “that Faith Family Church.” This was a huge non-denominational church very similar to Cornerstone. He said that those people were something else. (He actually said something else)

As I really got into studying the word I began to prosper, paying off the cars and started bonusing really well at my employment so that things were getting paid off rapidly. There came a point in time that Patty allowed our children to come and stay with me. At that time I was able to afford to rent a house and just at that time a house became available that had 3 bedrooms, a huge back yard, 2-car garage and was in the neighborhood that had the best schools. Our children came to live with me, and what a joy it was to have them. Patty also would always make special trips often to ensure that I would see our kids. She would drive from Corpus Christi to Victoria so that I could be with them. It was almost like she never left. She would come nearly every weekend.

One day while the children were at school, the Power Team came and presented their rock crushing, bar bending skills. It enthused my children so much that they had to go see them. The event was to be held at that “Faith Family Church” place. So off we went and I experienced the power of the Holy Ghost so strongly as I entered the church that I knew I was home. I was in the place where God would transform my life forever. I was scared to death to go to the church at first so after 2 weeks I mustered enough courage to go. I had never gone to a non-denominational church before and all I knew about them was from what I saw on TV. The congregation would raise their hands and shout and just seem to have an awesome time. I was not use to this. I sat in the second section back from the alter, in the last pew on the far left hand side. The pastor preached his message and called for all of us to bow our heads. He began his alter call. Deep inside I knew what he was going to ask, and told myself that I would never raise my hand. Soon after he was done speaking, he made the call and sure enough, my left arm went up. I began to weep like I never had before. I was the only one in the place giving their life that day! As the pastor called for me to come down to the alter, someone had to nudge me because I was so enveloped in Christ’s love that I could not hear the pastor.

As I went down to that alter, I experienced his cleansing power and forgiveness for all that I had done. Soon after I was baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Shortly after I moved back to San Antonio I had just got back from signing a lease at a new apartment complex and the phone rang. It was Patty on the other line. I knew that she was going to move again but I did not expect to hear what she told me. She told me that she was going to move, but that she did not want to move away with him. I said what does that mean. She did not answer, but wept. I said “does this mean that you want to try to make our marriage work?” She told me she wanted to, but I had told her “if she left, I would never take her back.” I told her “that was the past; back when I said stupid things.” I said, I still love you very much and want to be a family again. She said she would like to come home. As she said this, she seemed relieved but still troubled. She then said that she needed to tell me something. She said she was pregnant. My first instincts even though it was not my child was, I was getting my family back and I am going to have a baby! I told her it was ok and we would work through it. This was joy to my ears, and at that moment the Lord reminded me that my 3 years were up.

Pastor John remarried us in a wonderful ceremony of healing, reconciliation of all families involved and in matrimony. Our income has tripled because of Gods faithfulness to those who will tithe. Jake is in his first year of college, Sarah, is a junior at Churchill playing Varsity Soccer. Josh and John are in middle school; soon to be seen as Olympians in the sport of swimming. Danielle, what can I say, she is a constant reminder to me of God’s never ending grace, mercy and love.

Sometimes God needs to get us all by ourselves so that he can have personal one on one time with us. Though these were the toughest years of my life, I would not trade them for any amount of currency on this earth. The lessons were invaluable and priceless.

I will tell you that God can change anybody, any situation or circumstance. Shortly after all of the debt was paid off, we were able to afford new vehicles and a home we never dreamed of being in. I will tell you truly if you will seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, all these things will be added to you.

Today after being under the teachings of Pastor Hagee and under the direct supervision of Pastor John Ramos, I have been taught how to be a servant, how to be a husband and how to be a father by the awesome teaching of the Word and the examples that they are.