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“We Heard a Loud Bang, and Then BOOM!”: Megachurch Pastor on God Turning Off His Church’s Power So They Could ‘Witness His Power’

“We just encountered something I haven’t experienced before at Long Hollow or at any church for that matter,” Gallaty explained. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We now with unveiled faces are looking at the glory of God are being transformed.”

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They Were Born 6 Hours Apart in the Same Hospital. 35 Years Later, They Got Married

Like many modern couples, Joshua and Elizabeth Colbert met on a dating app, Hinge. Except in their case...that's not really 100% true. It turns out, the couple discovered they'd actually first met in the hospital nursery, on the very day they were born.

Bride Shamed at Church for Her Birthmark Refuses to Cover It for Her Wedding

My name is Ferrin Roy and I was born with a nevus birthmark, otherwise known as a pigmented skin lesion, on my right cheek. I refer to it as my beauty mark. The journey to accepting the way I was created has certainly been one of self-realization.

Courtesy of Ferrin Roy
Courtesy of Ferrin Roy

Growing up, I can’t recall a single barbie doll, action figure, cartoon, or teddy bear that resembled my appearance. Having a birthmark like mine is a constant feeling of being in the spotlight.

Surprisingly, the very first time I was truly made to feel ‘different’ wasn’t because I was being teased by my peers (like most), but because of an adult. I was just 9 years old.

Courtesy of Ferrin Roy

I was a part of a youth choir group and I made eye contact with a lady who made a hand gesture for me to remove my birthmark from my face. I ignored her, but every time I would gaze her direction, she would make the same gesture. At the end of the service, the pastor asked if anyone had any final remarks. She stood up and stated, ‘I wanted the young lady to remove what was on her face but I realized she couldn’t.’

Luckily, I had a loving mother who instilled confidence within me at a very young age. She taught me that my birthmark was a part of me. She was my voice and defended me when strangers would make derogatory comments. I personally can’t recall all of the times I was teased, but my mother remembers a few incidents that dampened my self-esteem.

The older I became, the more I would recognize stares outside my community. I had no choice but to begin defending myself when my mother was not around. However, there were times when the comments would linger in my mind.

My escape? The mirror!

I would talk to myself in the mirror. I would compliment myself and recite daily affirmations. I recall my mom asking me so many times, ‘Ferrin, who are you talking to?!’ I would simply close the door in the bathroom and stare at myself and talk. While looking into the mirror, I could escape the unpredictable comments and stares. In the mirror, I was the only one with an opinion. Most importantly, I was the only one with an opinion that mattered. I slowly learned to see a beautiful and confident young woman with a very distinctive look staring back at me.

“We Heard a Loud Bang, and Then BOOM!”: Megachurch Pastor on God Turning Off His Church’s Power So They Could ‘Witness His Power’

“We just encountered something I haven’t experienced before at Long Hollow or at any church for that matter,” Gallaty explained. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We now with unveiled faces are looking at the glory of God are being transformed.”

10 Common Mistakes in Marriage, According to Divorced Men

Learn from 10 common mistakes in marriage shared by divorced men, with insights on building stronger communication, connection, and mutual respect in relationships.

They Were Born 6 Hours Apart in the Same Hospital. 35 Years Later, They Got Married

Like many modern couples, Joshua and Elizabeth Colbert met on a dating app, Hinge. Except in their case...that's not really 100% true. It turns out, the couple discovered they'd actually first met in the hospital nursery, on the very day they were born.