1. What if your full name?
Keyshla Edison
2. Where were you born?
I was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico
3. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Bronx, NY
4. Where do you live now and how long have you lived there?
I live in Waterbury, CT and have been here 10 years.
5. Did you grow up knowing about God? How do you feel about your answer?
I knew about God, but I did not grow up going to church. The only time we went was during Easter. I do wish we went more often as I found it to be peaceful anytime we did go.
6. What led you to God in your adulthood? And how old were you at the time?
I was invited to a churchby a friend from my high school. That eventually led to being invited to a bible study class led by his cousin (Pastor Paul, not a pastor at the time), and the bible study was hosted by his wife Brenda (only friends at the time). That was in 2000, and I was 19 years old at the time.
7. What kept you connected to God?
rom that I learned a lot from that very first bible study I went to. Until this day I remember the key word taught to us from that day, Pseudo (fake/false) friendship. I learned that we needed to build a real relationship with God, not a Pseudo one. That class sparked my interest in God and I wanted to learn more from then on.
8. How old where you when you dedicated your life to him?
I was 20 years old
9. What ministries are you involved in currently? And what does the ministry entail?
I am involved in the Visual Communications Ministry. It entails marketing/advertising to social media, the church website, print marketing, etc. to help inform the community of the church services and events.
10. What ministries have you been involved in previously?
I was in choir a long time ago but have primarily focused on visual communications.
11. What do you want to get most out of your relationship with God?
I want to have a trusting and co-dependent relationship with God. One where he can trust me to do as he needs and where He can depend on me for anything He needs. I already know he’d do anything for me. I just want to be able to do the same for him.
12. Have you been ordained or are you currently in a class for future ordination?
I was ordained a Deacon and am currently in a pastoral class that would lead to becoming a Pastor when it is completed.
13. When did you come to Nea Zoe Church and why?
I came to Nea Zoe Church in 2008 when it started to help Pastor Paul build the church.
14. What is your vision for Nea Zoe Church?
I envision Nea Zoe Church being the mother church to many other Nea Zoe Churches in the US.
15. Where would you like to see Nea Zoe Church in 5 years?
I would love to see it in its own building, working together with other organizations to bring services to all of Waterbury, CT.
16. What is one thing people should know about your relationship with God that they don’t know?
They should know I’m committed to Him and certain of whom He is and will go as far as He takes me. Also, that I’ve seen his hand move in my life enough to know that He says what he means, means what he says, has perfect timing, and makes no mistakes, and He will do the same for anyone else who allows him to.
17. What is one piece of advice you would give to a new believer or new visitor coming to Nea Zoe Church?
We are not perfect. Sometimes we rise above expectations, but as humans, sometimes we fall short too. I would advise a new visitor or believer to get to know us as we try to get to know you. From experience I can say that building a relationship with God and each other takes time and dedication but you don’t have to figure it out alone or in one day. I would also advice, not to allow offense to control your decisions. We may not agree at times, but that’s ok too. Nonetheless, communicate how you feel to one of the leaders and you might be surprised at their responses.
18. In closing? Any final words?
Yes, welcome to Nea Zoe Church!