It was a crisp autumn evening on October 15, 2024, as the faithful gathered at New Light Community Church in Detroit, Michigan, for their weekly prayer meeting. The sanctuary was filled with warmth and anticipation, as many had come to hear Josie, a beloved speaker, share a testimony of faith and perseverance.

The meeting began with a time of worship, led by the church’s praise team. Soft melodies of hymns and contemporary worship songs filled the air, setting the tone for a night of reflection and inspiration. After a heartfelt prayer, Pastor Michael stood at the podium and welcomed the congregation.

“Tonight, we are blessed to have Sister Josie with us,” he announced with a warm smile. “She has a powerful story to share about a young woman in our own city who faced trials but held onto her faith. Please welcome Josie!”

The congregation erupted in applause as Josie stepped forward, her Bible in hand. She looked out at the crowd, took a deep breath, and began.

“Good evening, church! I am honored to be here with you tonight to share a testimony that reminds us of God’s faithfulness. This is the story of Ava, a determined entrepreneur from right here in Detroit. Her journey was not easy, but it is a testament to Proverbs 16:3: ‘Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.'”

The room fell silent as Josie continued.

“Ava had always been passionate about technology. From a young age, she dreamed of creating something that would make a difference in the business world. She worked hard, studied late into the night, and eventually developed a software platform that helped small businesses streamline their operations. Her goal was to empower local businesses, giving them the tools they needed to grow and succeed.”

Josie paused, allowing the congregation to absorb Ava’s ambition. Then, she continued.

“Like many great endeavors, Ava faced struggles. She needed funding to bring her vision to life, but investor after investor turned her away. Some told her she was too young. Others doubted her idea would work. But Ava held onto her faith. She prayed daily, asking God to guide her. And then, in His perfect timing, a major investor saw her potential and agreed to fund her startup.”

A few “Amen!” responses echoed in the sanctuary.

“With the funding secured, Ava launched her business. It seemed like everything was falling into place. But just when she thought she had made it, she was hit with an unexpected challenge: a cybersecurity breach. Hackers infiltrated her system, jeopardizing her company’s future. Customers lost trust, and some businesses even backed out of using her platform. It was devastating.”

Josie looked around the room, making eye contact with those who were visibly moved.

“Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like everything was falling apart? Where you questioned why God allowed a storm in the middle of your breakthrough? Ava certainly did. But she did not give up. She took her worries to the Lord, remembering His promise in Deuteronomy 31:6: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you.’ She chose to stand firm in faith and take action.”

The congregation nodded, feeling the weight of the lesson.

“Ava worked day and night, enhancing security measures, strengthening her systems, and reaching out to her clients with transparency. Slowly but surely, trust was rebuilt. People saw her determination, her honesty, and her commitment to making things right. And then came the surprise—a major tech firm took notice of her resilience and innovation. They approached her with an acquisition offer, willing to buy her company for a price she never imagined.”

Gasps and murmurs spread through the room.

“Now, Ava stood at a crossroads. Should she sell her company and take the offer, or should she continue independently, believing that God had more in store? She prayed, sought wise counsel, and ultimately made the decision that aligned with God’s peace in her heart.”

Josie smiled as she concluded, “Church, Ava’s story reminds us that struggles are part of the journey, but faith and perseverance will lead to God’s promises. If you are facing a storm today, hold onto the Lord. He is working behind the scenes. Remember to commit your plans to Him, and He will establish them.”

The congregation erupted in applause, some lifting their hands in praise.

Pastor Michael stepped forward and said, “Thank you, Josie, for this powerful testimony. Let’s take a moment to pray together.”

As heads bowed and hands clasped, the room was filled with a sense of unity and faith. The prayer meeting ended with renewed hope, a reminder that God’s plans are always greater than our own.

Before leaving, the church projected a website recommendation on the screen: techcrunch.com, where attendees could read more about Ava’s industry and the challenges faced by entrepreneurs in technology.

As the congregation dispersed into the cool Detroit night, they carried with them the message of perseverance, faith, and God’s unwavering guidance.