I was raised as a Christian and grew up going to religious services three times a week. In my younger years, I was like most kids, I did not necessarily LIKE going to religious services, it was just something me and my siblings had to do and it was part of life. As I got older, my interest and understanding of what the Bible said grew and I wanted a relationship with God. I was baptized in November of 2013 at the age of 26 … I continually told myself that it was the right thing to do, and I wanted to please God, but in reality, it was more out of a desire to please my family. After getting baptized, I still felt a void in my personal and spiritual life and longed for something more, something was missing …

I met my husband, Dwayne (Bishop Freeze), in the summer of 2018 and, due to a difference in religious beliefs and expectations, I never thought we would succeed as a couple. But then he invited me to his annual charity banquet later that year (which I reluctantly agreed to attend), and the “religious” shield over my eyes began to be lifted. I was awe-struck and really started to see what SOZO was all about – I had never experienced anything like it in my life. Shortly thereafter, I attended a Sozo Kidz club (an act I originally told Dwayne I would never do…can you imagine?!?). My heart was opened, and I was amazed at the love being poured out on the children. I grew up with such a restrictive view of ministry (and God) and it had such a strong hold on how I thought I was supposed to live my life. But I began to realize there was so much more to our loving, heavenly Father … and so much more for me to see and learn.

I am a changed woman now! And it was nothing but God!! He has removed that “religious” shield from over my eyes and I can finally SEE my Father! And He is a God of immeasurable love and grace. I am now a member of the SOZO Missions team and work every day alongside my husband as the Executive Assistant – something I never could have imagined myself doing ... but GOD! I feel so fulfilled and have so much JOY now. That void I once had has been filled and I have found my purpose – furthering the kingdom of God through SOZO … alongside my awesome husband! I long to see the children’s smiling faces at the Sozo clubs every week and it warms my heart when they run up to me and give me a big hug. God is not done with me yet and I am patiently (and anxiously) waiting to see what he has to show me next!

–  Shavonna Parker