RAVONNE THORNBURG
“…I learned that God didn’t just want
my Sunday mornings—He wanted my heart. He wanted to be with me in every part of life.”
Growing up as a pastor’s kid, I had a loving family and did all the “right things.” I went to
church, prayed, and read my Bible—but I didn’t have a personal relationship with Jesus.
Beneath the surface, fear quietly ruled my life. Fear of men particularly gripped me as a result
of being molested at a young age. In addition to my anxiety, because I was bullied in school, I
never felt like I truly belonged.
In college, I had my first relationship with a woman and openly embraced a gay lifestyle. I still
identified as a Christian, convincing myself that God was okay with my choices. After several
painful breakups, however, I turned to alcohol to numb the ache. Eventually, I spiraled into full-
blown addiction, using alcohol to drown fear, pain, and rejection. I sought comfort in nightlife
and shallow relationships, but it only left me feeling more broken. Once, in my desperation, I
even drank mouthwash when I had no alcohol left, landing me in the hospital with pancreatitis.
Despite the consequences, I continued to chase love in all the wrong places, falling deeper into
depression, self-harm, bulimia, and suicidal thoughts.
In 2014, I got engaged to another woman, but my fiancé and I both struggled with substance
abuse. Experimenting with drugs opened even darker spiritual doors, and I started seeing and
hearing demonic entities. On August 8, 2017, I overdosed. As I lay dying, I encountered what I
can only describe as the spirit realm—demons mocked me, and the spirit of death told me I
would die that night. I cried out to God in desperation. In that moment, I forgave the people
who had hurt me, and I asked for God’s forgiveness. Miraculously, the demons fled, and I
became instantly sober in that hospital bed. I rededicated my life to Jesus, surrendering
everything—even my relationship—and He gave me the strength to walk away.
Since that night, everything about my life has changed. My relationship with God has been
totally transformed. In the months following my overdose, I learned that God didn’t just want
my Sunday mornings—He wanted my heart. He wanted to be with me in every part of life. I
discovered that I am His daughter, deeply loved and valued. God began to heal my trauma, my
insecurities, and the lies I believed about myself. He showed me my worth and helped me
embrace my identity as a woman created in His image. My attraction to women vanished, and a
healthy attraction to men soon emerged.
Through Celebrate Recovery, Bethel Worship Center, and Transformed Ministries (TBGL), I’ve
found community, accountability, and deeper healing. With the Holy Spirit guiding me, I no
longer live for validation from others. I live for Jesus—the One who chased me down with
relentless love. I used to think I had to earn love, but now I know I am already fully known and
fully loved by God. Today, I live in freedom. I’m sober, healed, and full of hope. My passion is to
help others find healing and discover their identity in Christ, just as I have. God didn’t just save
my life—He gave me a brand new one.