I’ll become a Delta you know I’m singing a song you know and I’m just excited excited and you know I’m going through campus like I was already not a shot bomb but it was like having those letters it’s like oh I’m somebody like you know y’all thought I was something I’m something now
You know I was just pray for my best friend remember I was talking about a powerful guy you know we were just you know walking and stuff and I was like hey girl you know what’s going on
Um how’s your you know day going it’s like God has really just been trying to focus on God and she was an organization too I said so have you been you know doing anything with your organization
She’s like girl I kind of pulled away from him so I remember when she said that I was like okay I remember going to sleep before my sleep I said Lord I said whatever you have for me I
Said Lord I just want a better relationship with you it’s like they went into Attack Mode they was like what you’d announcing and I remember like but I could hear like them arguing them fussing
You know why would you do that you know it’s going in and like I hear guys saying choose me this day well Mercedes it’s an honor to have you on the channel today we are in Arkansas first time you’re our first recording in Arkansas which is amazing uh for
The people who don’t know you who maybe have never seen you uh could you just introduce yourself to the people who are watching right now yes my name is Mercedes um I am a proud mother of a little girl named Angel Diane Vaughn uh she is my miracle baby
So I am forever grateful for her uh I am also one of the uh Outreach leader in my church that body of Christ Worship Center on the leadership of Alfred Warren Junior and Roslyn Warren so yes amen
Um Mercedes again super thankful that you’re here uh to share about what Jesus has done in your life let’s start with your uh childhood tell us about your testimony of Jesus starting with
Your childhood yeah so um growing up I am from a small town uh called four days um I was raised by a single parent it was me and two of my brothers and so growing up my mom just made her mission
To grow to raise us uh in church so we had no choice of growing up you know you played but when it came down to Sunday and Wednesday we was you know at church which I’m very thankful to this
Day because uh she would always say if I’ve done nothing else you know I gave you guys back to God a long time ago so her setting that foundation for us you know made us grow up to have our individual
Relationship with guys so even if we stir it away or you know did our own path you know we still kept God as our core regardless on what life decisions we made and so um I just kept that you
Know as a little kid I never really understood but I know as a child she would always say that uh I will always pray um even when I was a little kid you know when she kind of stopped going to church
Um you know I always wanted to go you know if she didn’t go I was in somebody’s lap going to you know Vacation Bible School or anything that was like it was just always uh I feel like something
That God just I just have a personal relationship you know with God as a kid and um I’m just grateful because looking back like that’s that’s you know that’s who who kept me you know and
Um that’s like where I am today like he is my lord and savior he is God Almighty and I’m just forever grateful uh for him and just going back on my childhood you know from a kid going to like
You know high school and even going to college I uh kept guiding my core you know and being um the only girl out of two three boys I just always been like that go-getter mama always told me you know
As a kid I was always one of her kids that she didn’t have to worry about because I always had my mind made up I kind of already knew what I wanted to do like even after high school you know they
Would ask me what I wanted to do and I always said I want to be a nurse uh that was always something I wanted to do I wanted to become an RN so even then you know or pray ask God you know Laura you
Know help me you know get into college and you know make a way and my faith was just always strong but as a kid I really didn’t understand you know I knew who God was but my faith was just so
Strong so when I prayed I never doubted it and when I did pray it came to pass so like you know um going back to school you know even from a kid from like Middle School to high school you know I
Always pray like even in school they would call me granny because you know I had that old soul and uh even playing basketball uh one of the ladies in my church gave me a prayer cloth and so uh when
We got ready for our games we will get the prayer cloth and put it in the center we’ll pray before I gain and we would always win as simple as that is like you know we have faith not in the prayer
Cloth but just like just putting guy in you know first before we played a basketball game and so even going to college you know um people just seen like how bubbly I was even in the dorms you know
I would I would still have that prayer cloth I would even pray like they’d be like you know I got a test coming over okay you want to pray they’d be like sure you know what I’m saying they like
Oh yeah you know you’re going to be an evangelist so you know like you know like you know you always you know praying and stuff like that and I just never mind like I was never ashamed of God never
Mind praying you know I was always me you know I wasn’t like you know just out here holding down I just was never ashamed of prayer I was never ashamed to you know tell people how much I love
God and and and that’s just what you know kept me through it even you know in college and I was first generation going to college you know nobody in my family on my mom’s side went to college so
First generation to graduate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock I got I received my bachelor’s degree uh there even in college you know my face was even tested when it came down to basically like I want to say finding my identity be kind of like you know because when you’re in
College you know you buy yourself there’s no rules it’s like freelance you know you kind of can like see I ain’t gonna say what the world holds but kind of like you know you on your own you know
No one is telling you no one’s holding your hand telling you go to college or go to class anything like that there was times where you know I got interested you know I uh I went to school
You know I did my work but you know there was just certain things at the school that you know came to my attention like you know I was always goofy you know doing my work you know playing basketball and
Um I just remember like even in college like it was just so much that was like just being introduced to me like when it came down to like different uh organization people from different
Countries and cultures and uh and so I was just like oh my God you know you would see people the same color as you or the same race you’re saying race but they would speak different languages so
It was just like okay you know that was new I remember my best friend we went to college together we was always nosy you know always you know just playing around being into everything you know because in my hometown we didn’t have like half away the university had you know we
Was used to the same people you know your little country stores and stuff like that but going to college you know you introduced a lot of things and so I would one particular thing I would say
Was uh about our Junior sophomore year you know we were just you know just walking around as we always do you know just being to different stuff you know just seeing with the college
Um pass or whatever and I remember like when we be in the dorms we would always see like these group of people and like you know different um color shirts we will you know see them like you know
Like you know Channing and dancing and stuff you know we love to dance so I was like okay you know like this is cool but you know they’ll be throwing a different size and stuff like that
And so you know we were just like oh my God you know that that looks fun so you know we will go outside and just you know just see like what was the hype about you know it’s just kind of
Like just like okay like and you know we never understood like what sign they was throwing up we just saying that they was dead dancing and stomping and we was like you know hey we want
To see what’s that about and uh one of the ladies that was in one of the organizations uh she was our Mentor prior to coming to college when we seen her we was like okay you know like she doing
It so we want to know like you know what is this you know like what what are these organizations like what do these colors mean and stuff like that and I remember like you know we were just walking
Around and we just so happened to end up in the gymnasium on campus and we remember seeing like like the crowd on like both sides and people just packed and you know chanting and people
Had gifts and we was like what is going on and so the lights come off and we see like these group of ladies like all and like military not military form but you know like they was all like in a line
You know they had a mask on and you know they were singing and they were throwing up you know um their organization and singing to the people that you know the founders of that organization
You know they was chanting you know Delta Sigma Theta and so I was just like who’s like okay he was like you know so we excited and stuff and so you know um after they you know crossed and
Uh you know they pledged and stuff like that you know this is like our oh like I said I think it was like I saw my junior year and I remember uh we was like walking around you know he was like
Okay you know you know we was in our dorms like okay you know I can see myself doing that you know kind of like practicing doing the steps you know because you do because one thing about it
We told us you know you couldn’t do what they was doing because it was considered an insult you know what I’m saying because it’s like they work hard they went through that so you know whatever you do
Behind closed doors don’t let them see it because you know it was like disrespecting I remember was it a basketball game one of the girls was like you know hey and it was amongst other you know
Delicious and the advisor at the time and she was like no y’all interested and you know in college you don’t supposed to tell people you know your interest like it’s supposed to be a secret thing
Like whatever you was like interested in you don’t know what I’m supposed to know so you know when they asked us up in the open we were just like is this a trick question saying you know like do
We supposed to say Yes you know we interested or what and so because it was like I want to say like maybe like five or six of them around and we were just like yeah you know yeah we our
Answer was like okay they was like you know well we having a interest in me at this time you know be on campus at this time you know and and uh like all right man I said we ended up finding a flyer
And you know we just you know excited he was like oh shoot you know we’re gonna be stepping we’re gonna be stomping you know not even understanding what the organizational doing because everybody was like do your research do your history about the organization so when we in her mind we like 18
19 years old you know we’re from a small town we never heard anything about Greek life or anything like this so we like okay well all right we need to know the founders you know what I’m saying we
Need to know like what the founders do you know it’s 22 Founders you know we didn’t know like you know what they stand for and they stand for you know uh Sisterhood leadership and they found on
Christian principles and when we saying anything we was like okay that was like Hey not only is this a legit organization they found a Christian principle it said it right here you know so this
Gotta be of God you know I’m saying like this has to be something that you know why would they say that why would they say based on Christian Christian principles you know if they didn’t
Believe in God so that was just a plus I was like okay this is my sign you know this this gotta be something I want me to do and so when it got down got down to like to interest me and so you know
We had connection you know I’m saying like because when you join the organization you know everybody don’t get in you know it’s through a process some people get in by you know affiliation or
You know by somebody a family member you know uh to have like that pool well on us you know we had our Mentor that was already in the organization so you know that was kind of like a lead way to
Where we can like jump the you know jump the line and so I remember interesting came up you know we got the information and then after that you know they give you this package this deadline on uh
You know when everything got to be due and so you know we did all that and then you know once that’s done you know then they call you for like you know an interview and so it’s like two steps you got
To interest me the interview and then you have the actual induction meeting and so you know I got the um interview I remember getting the call I’m working at JCPenney’s I remember getting the call
You know the girl was like you know hey this this is such and such meet me at this time and she was lying her being she was whispering I’m like what you say and she was like meet me here like okay at
Least she hung up I’m like Lord I don’t even know if I even got the right so and uh when I got the call you know my best friend was like because we didn’t know if we both got in a night so we
Didn’t want to say like hey did you get the call and then the other one then and so we got back to the dorm I was like she was like yeah I got a call like okay okay okay got the call got the interview
And you know um they asked you questions about the organization you know what access do you have and I remember it in the interview you know know I would say you know the access I can bring is you
Know my personality because you know coming from a small town when I came to college I didn’t you know like any friends like I was always a people person I was just that person that can be friendly
With anybody like I never met a stranger so I just felt like okay well any accidents I can read to organization it’s me because you know I’m God fearing you know I don’t mind going above and beyond you know I’m available when needed you know you know just telling them everything
Of me what I can bring to make the organization because it’s like I didn’t need them I you know they made it needed me you know to see you know what I can bring after the interview you know uh
The girl when I Mentor she was like Mercedes you didn’t do good on the interview and I was like Oh I thought I did good you know she was like no you didn’t answer none of the questions right
And I was like oh oh okay and then she was like well I’m gonna try to see if I can pull because when it got down to picking people it go through like a point system you know as far as like you
Know your grades of course you know you haven’t supposed for the you know the uh organization to get in and all that so my score was low and I was like oh and then my best friend you know she did
Good on her interview so she was kind of already in so so my mentor at the time she was like you know you know I’m a poor for you I’ma you know try to get you in like all right then I was like
Um okay and then I got the praying and my best friend she was like well if I don’t if you don’t get in I’m not gonna get in I was like nah I was like you know one of us got to do it I was like
And I remember praying like okay God I was like you know Laura if it’s for me if it’s your will you know let it happen make long story short got the call got an organization and boom you know
I’ll become a Delta you know I’m singing a song you know and I’m just excited excited and you know I’m going through campus like I was already not a shop bomb but it was like having those letters it’s like oh I’m somebody like you know y’all thought I was something I’m something now
You know I was just prideful before even College I remember one of my cousins her husband would tell on me like you know you don’t need to be know because I was telling them you know back
At home like I said our first generation in the graduated college and then I’ll be I was the first generation to join an organization so I was like I mean he was saying you know that’s
Not the devil and I was like well how can you be on the devil you know when they say they based on Christmas principles you know we pray before we do everything and he was like no he was like
You know they ain’t number devish but I was like you call him the devil but I’m I’m more of like a viewer person like if you tell me something wrong I need to see it you know I need an example I need
A description like show me words is wrong in the Bible and that was a thing that he didn’t show me he just said it was of the devil and see where I come from growing up treasure God in Christ
Everything that you did it’s like you was going to hell like you know they told us like you know if you played basketball he’s going to hell like you know it was just they would put fear in you saying
That anything that you didn’t anything that wasn’t glorifying God you’re going straight to hell you know coming from there I was like you know I’m not even I’m not you know I’m not even gonna take that because growing up that’s what y’all told her we’re going to help everything so I don’t even
Believe you 2016 I pledge 2018 my senior year my former sisters you know they had graduated and so this is my senior year and I remember like even in the organization we would say like certain things
And you know coming from you know uh church I knew the Bible you know what I’m saying so you know like there’s times you know we had Bible study and they would uh you know we would have
Like you know uh different scriptures you have to quote and stuff like that and I remember uh we was in our chapter meeting and I remember when so when you have a chapter me you know they have
Um it’s like the people in the organization do you have the executive board and I remember um we had a a board meeting I remember the president the vice president the chaplain and the treasurer and the financial secretary you know they all sit at the top and I remember
Um the president would go in and she was uh say her part and I remember when she said her part instantly it’s like the Holy Spirit fall through he was like it’s not the Bible and I remember uh telling my best friend you know we both looked at each other when she
Said it and I was like girl I was like you know at the church I was about church but I said I um our meeting I was like hey you know that part they said in the uh chapter mean I was like you
Know I was like man that’s that’s in the Bible and she was like I know she was like this can’t be right so right then and there like I was like they pulling out the Bible so when I like you
Know Google tell you everything so I literally just like you know uh type thing you know what we say in the meeting and then the scripture of First Corinthians 13 11 came up and so I was like
Um oh I was like we quoting the Bible so I remember you know pulling my advisor side I was like Hey I was like you know don’t you know you know we’re recording the Bible and she was like
And I remember her saying not quote and I said we paraphrasing and she said well there isn’t really no um perfect way to paraphrase or plagiarize the Bible and I was like but we using guys
I was worried will be putting this deal to them so then I feel like the spirit with Holy Spirit was even deal with me then but like you know when you’re young and I want to say that my
Relationship wasn’t strong with God it’s just like my mind wasn’t fully mature and So like um I was just like I brushed it all so okay I was like well maybe you know this is just something
That they do you know I was like you know we still praying so it’s okay you know I breasted off because I’m like this is what I want to do you know we praying so obviously it can’t be that bad
And Mercedes just to clarify what was it that they were that you heard so and I’m just gonna say this part so like in our rituals so each chapter has a ritual uh Delta Sigma Theta they have a ritual uh
Any divine nine they have a part and so uh when it came down to it I’m just gonna read this this part so like you know uh in the ritual when it came down to each meeting the president she would say
Um and this that you’re reading um what is it exactly coming from so it’s so the rich is supposed to be second it but you know it’s on Google you can research it people has you know put it out there it’s a ritual from the the um the rich that we have
That they have for Delta Sigma Theta and the scripture that they they pulled from was first Corinthians 13 11 and so on this part uh this basis where the president will start out her
Um her beginning of the um of the meeting and so I’m just gonna read this part go for it and um so the part in this in this whole part is considered the meditation that Deltas use and
Um they basically like pulled the whole chapter of First Corinthians 13 and I just read like the first two it says though I speak with the tongues and learn and the profound and have no love I am a
Noisy gong and claiming symbol when she said that you know it automatically hit me and then when she read on I’m not gonna read the whole thing and the one that really hit me was and that’s when
I feel like the Holy Spirit hit me was like God was like okay hey something ain’t aligning and that’s when he was when they said when I was a pyramid I taught as a pyramid I understood as
A pyramid I thought as a pyramid but now I have become a Delta I am done with the ways of those intended to be dealters and that’s from First Corinthians 13 and 11 in First Corinthians 4
Lesson 11 it says when I was a child I understood as a child you know I thought as a child but when I became a man I put away those childish things so I even took that to my advisor like when I
When I found that and when I heard it and I even brought it to the you know her from the ritual she was like it’s like they breasted all so I was just like oh man I was like something ain’t
Right but then again it’s like you know when your spirit is saying something in your flesh you know that even the Bible tells me for us not against flesh and blood by spirits and spiritual warfare
So it’s like I was already Bound in like I feel like you know God was already dealing with me then but something in me just still wanted to be in the organization and so fast forward you know
I stayed in there and so here it is it’s 2017 you know now uh so when you’re in an organization you know you have a certain amount of people that you know join and then you know people become senior
So a lot of people that was in on the same line as I was in it was 22 of us so baby like 17 was already getting ready to graduate so after that it was uh the people that are still in the in the
Organization they have to get ready for a new line to come in so at that time God was already dealing with me you know everything had died down it was like I was just like you know everything they was
Doing you know from the rituals to the chanting to the songs we were singing like summer song We were singing you know all of my love my peace and happiness you know it belongs to Delta and I
Remember when I was singing it I was like and I would try to change I was like my peace and happiness belongs to Jesus you know I would try to like instead of saying Delta I would say Jesus to
Make it like be okay okay guy you know they saying Delta let me put Jesus in it so you know but I was saying it silently instead of openly I remember like uh it was our senior year and at that time
They was like Hey Mercedes they was like you know we got to bring a new line and they was like we need y’all to bring them through and I was like okay and I was like and at that time I was like
I don’t really want to do it because like God was talking on me like that part in the ritual like you know First Corinthians I was just like God was like hey you don’t need to do this like okay
You know the guy I’m not gonna do it started my advisor was like you know I feel like you’d be a good fit because when it comes down to joining it would come down to bring another line they start
A whole new executive board you got the president the chaplain it’s like you know you having to fill those positions and so when you bring a new line in there’s a whole nother executive board and it’s
Called the Minerva Circle and so the Minerva is something that you know that Delta’s wear on their uh jacket it’s a shield and if you go on a jacket it’s the the crest that they have and the Minerva
Is pointing this way if you Google minervous it’s called the guy she’s the goddess of wisdom and so uh when I got ready to you know start a new line that was like you know we need you to
Be uh the leader I’m like no no you know can we have somebody else to come in there was like you know Mercedes I feel like you know you would be the best fit so I was like and at that time you
Know a guy was already dealing with me you know I didn’t know what directions he was leading me but I was like no like someone was in me like no you didn’t do that like you don’t need to
Be knowledge that you joined this organization but now you finna be a leader of so many young ladies just coming in so I was just like no I was like you know can somebody else do they was like
We feel like you you know you’re fit they was like man you know your personality like you know like that was like you know they even said like bro it was like you God fearing people already know
You around campus because I was really involved like when I played Delta I was involved I was in every chapter meeting you know I was in every you know community service like whatever they
Had on on campus you better know that I was there you know I was dressed and all that and so when the opportunity came you know and I brought the description back to my my advisor I was like we
Are you know playing with God I was like you know I said we are taking God’s words switching to death and they was like you know you know we love God and you know this is you know we will never
Do something like this like okay so they kept on impressing me like you know the pressure and you know I had them in my in my ear and I had some of the ladies that brought me through was considered
My profiles they was like you know nobody else can make had his position but you like you’re the best fit to you know bring these girls through so I was guarding guys so you know I was trying to reason
You know I was like okay guys like how about this if I do it I’m going to bring them to you I was like you know I’m gonna have a conversation with god all right guys I was like you know I’m
Gonna let you get the glory I said that’s what I’m gonna do I’m gonna psych them I’m going to be this leader and just tell them hey even if you’re doing this organization don’t uh stop your relationship
With God so here is 2018 and we bringing in 30 girls I was you know considered the dean of pledges uh like the mother duck and I was gonna say the leader of minervous circle because you know she’s the head I remember like those girls coming through and it’s like my identity change
Like I was mean I remember like you know getting all in some of the girl’s face because when you’re in line they teach you that well I ain’t gonna say like the attitude but you know when you’re online
You know you you know you kind of you get I’m not gonna say get talk bad too but there’s people that tend to try to manipulate you or you know kind of see like where you are whether you’re weak or
Whether you strong right you know I just kind of like imitate it like you know when you’re a child you imitate what you see I just imitated on what was done to me and so you know when it came down
To like getting them straight making sure they know that they uh information you know I would be in their face you know I will say stuff like you know you don’t know your stuff so I went against
Everything that I told God I was gonna do you know I said you know I’m gonna bring them to you but here I am trying to drill in this information you know to them and then after that you know they
Came through and you know they uh you know they learned their information and you know we even had an induction you know where they go through this process like once you go through the pledging you go through induction and you know you can sit there walking through the Burning Sands and so at
That point you know the burning says so it’s like what you it’s considered like you walking through like not like fire or anything like that it’s just like not gonna say like a walk of Faith it’s just
Something that you just walk through it’s just a process so it’s like they lose just like put down sand and you know you walk through it to you know get ready to say what you need to say
As far as like you know saying that I promise not to share any information about the organization I promise to keep all the the Chris the trust the the promises the secrets and all that stuff of Delta so it’s just another ritual to come in into the organization right and so you know
Um and no one can come in you have to be a part of the organization so it’s like a formal meeting with just members like just Deltas so you know you come in and so you know the people like myself and
Some of the ladies that I did brought the line through we’ll be at the front and then the ladies will come through in a white rose and they you know walk through the sand kneel down and they
Repeat the oath you know you know saying like you know they gotta announce their name and you know and repeat you know that I will you know you know like kind of like when you’re at the courthouse
They say you raise your hand and you got to make a oh to promise not to do this and do that even then you know I will be looking and it was like somebody like this is not right you know but at
This point I feel like I was just too late you know I’m already in it it’s too late I already done and done you know I got these girls in it and so at this point it’s 2018 I don’t graduated
I’m done with organization well I’m not dumb but you know I’m not I’m not an active member and I remember the ladies you know they the girls that I brought through you know they were just happy
You know and they was calling me Mom you know just you know I just thought you know okay you know I did my part now it’s time for me to do me and so I ended up getting pregnant in 2018 I had
My little girl she was born one pound 14 ounces a grade two brains very chronic lung disease and I’m sadness to say because going back to conversation like I said I grew up in church I’m gonna say my
Relationship with God had like you know stranded or anything like that but after having my baby and going through what what she went through it it uh opened my eyes and I gained a relationship stronger with God uh because you know it’s one thing to become pregnant but to have your
First child you know being born early you know she wasn’t crying she didn’t have a heartbeat you know and it was like I thought it was a punishment you know it sounds like okay you know all that I’ve
Done I was like this is a punishment you know for me so make a long story short I was in the hospital and you know I was depressed I was like you know Wonder like you know what did I do you
Know to to do this like you know and so you know she on a breathing machine you know they telling me you know well you know she got a grade two brain bleeding just all this is just going on
Fast Forward here she is she five months and you know the grain the grade two brain believe resolved and now they’re saying you know her heart is open it’s like you know like Miss Vine you know
Her heart never closed it was like we got you got two options you either got to do immediate heart surgery or if you wait she’ll be on the weight uh transplant transplant list for a new heart
I saw I was like oh my God and so at that point I just gave up I was like you know a guy I was like I remember laughing at the doctor because I was like God this is you I was like you’re gonna
Have to fix this you know what I’m saying and so even in the hospital like those long nights I never gave up you know I had my my church behind me you know I had people praying for
Me even in the midst of my depression I had people you know they’re praying for me and I was I remember praying with my daughter and I said I was to say like that process grew my relationship with God like my faith and so now it’s 2018 baby girl strong you know got
The heart uh her heart fixed she’s strong she’s healthy and so now it’s like 2019 and I remember um my uh best friend remember I was talking about a powerful guy and you know we were just you know walking and stuff and I was like hey girl you know what’s going on
Um how’s your you know day going and she’s like right it’s really just been trying to focus on God and she was in an organization too and she was like you know I said so have you been you
Know doing anything with your organization she’s like girl I kind of pulled away from him so I was like okay Alyssa what you doing and she was like you know I just want to go roll a stronger issues
With guys so I was like okay I was like man you know a guy’s been good he been too good to me I said you know hell on my baby to live she’s strong she healthy she have no delays so I remember when
She said that I was like okay I was like you know I remember going to sleep we’re falling asleep I said Lord I said whatever you have for me I said Lord I just want a better relationship
With you I said whatever you know that I need to be taken away from you know just praying you know just trying to be sincere and was sleeping and he gave me a dream and I remember in that dream
Um he would uh in that dream um I would sleep and it was like a uh it was like my body left my dream and we was on campus like your your body left uh your spirit yeah yeah and so I remember I was
Sleeping and um it was like in a dream I was back on campus Because like uh we was a I remember was at the DSC uh room well DC building and it was in a four-year room on campus and that’s where
Like most like you know like when we had like meetings with other Greek organizations that’s what everybody go to for like a meeting and so I remember um being outside the door and I remember
One of the girls that you know I had pledged with I remember her saying she was like Mercedes she was like girl you know you get it because you know we heard the music and stuff you know that we were
Uh stroll to and stuff I remember her saying hey she’s like you know you you ready to go in and I remember her saying uh I said no I said hey I got something to tell you I said God has been dealing
With me I said um you know he want me to denounce and she was like what she was like girl we don’t really have time for this she was like you know she’s like I don’t get it but you know she like
That’s you and I was okay and I said when we go in here I said don’t stroll I said because you know I can’t do it she’s like all right so your secret safe for me so we go into the room and it’s uh
You know some of the fraternity guys in there and they like what’s up Reds and you know and at that point like God is like you know what you gonna do you know what I’m saying and was that your
Like fraternity name or or so like yeah so the maternity so you gotta returning sorority so the sorority are like the girls and turning out the are the uh guys so the return that was in it was
Like uh Omega Sapphire and so like you got Delta you got cues and so they kind of like connected together but the guys that was in there we kind of like cool with them so I knew them personally like
On a person like we was always around each other you know laughing and talking and stuff like that so when we got in there you know they was already hype and you know saying like what’s up Reds like greeting because when you’re an organization everybody had their own greeting with different
Organizations like you got the Deltas and the queues the issue rolls and the capitals and then the AKs and the alphas and so we went in there you know they was already you know happy to see us and
Stuff and you know the song was coming on and I told her I was like don’t stroll because like each organization or each you know returns to really have their own like you know stroll like a walk
He’s like a walk like we got like you know uh not we but you know they have like you know they got like a duck wall which is like for Deltas got it and you know and so like everybody
Got their own like little stroll that they do for they you know on organization whether it’s a distro you know a high stroke so it’s just like different stuff that each organization do and so
Um a song came on I remember it was called it was wipe me down and that’s like one of the highest songs that everybody strove to and so uh I told I was like don’t stroll I was like because I’m
Telling you know I’m not gonna do it with you and I remember him looking at us like you know like what’s going on and so they were like what’s going on reds that’s what they call you know the devils
And stuff I remember she was saying she was like you know the only uh Delta the only Raiders in here is me because Mercedes is denouncing and so my eyes just got big and I was like what I
Was like it’s like they went into Attack Mode they was like what you’d announcing you know because when you go on YouTube there’s a lot of people on YouTube that that’s already announce him I remember them like going like in on me like you know like are you just like those people on
YouTube you know you’re saying you know the reason why you’d announce this because you know it’s staring away your relationship with God I mean they were just hounding me and it was like and
Even in like that moment it was like I was sitting down and it was like I was like at an altar like you don’t say it was like and I remember like but I could hear like them arguing them fussing you
Know talking you know just you know just like why would you do that you know it’s going in and like I hear God saying choose me this day you know what I’m saying so it was like God was like
He choose me or them and I was like okay God you know I choose you because it was like it was getting hot like it was like hit it was just like God was like and he gonna choose me or she
Was down it’s like if you choose them you already know the ending of it so I remember I was I woke up and I was like who like okay God I was like you know it’s like like you said like my spirit left
And then they came back like okay God I was like okay I’m getting rid of everything you know what I’m saying and so but even then like you know that dream was like a wake-up call it’s like he
Wasn’t done with me and it was like you know I had that dream that day and like you know I started like you know packing up stuff you know putting stuff in uh trash bags and stuff like I went to
Sleep again and it was like I had another dream this dream was you know I was walking on campus and you know we have like kickoffs so kickoff is when a school start you know all the Greeks come
Together you know we stroll you know basically you got the refreshments coming in from college you know you got all newcomers so kickoffs were all like you know the alpha the cues the capitals like all the organizations come around you know we strolling and kind of like you know getting
Everybody a scene and letting people know like who we represent and so I remember like I don’t know why I was walking on campus but I remember walking I remember like one of like I say you
Know I played 2016 2018 you know I brought a group of girls through and I remember I was walking by and uh one I was like hey mama hey mama because that’s what they call me and so I was like Hey I
Was like you know I’m not your mom it’s like what you talking about because of what they call me you know and I was like I was like I got something to tell y’all cause all little one there but it was
Like maybe two or three of them and I was like I got something to tell you I was like you know you know God has been dealing with me I was like um but I plan on I said I plan on announcing my
Letters and I remember like she was like what and I was like you know I was like yeah I was like man God has been guys been dealing with me and I was like you know I plan on denouncing she’s like and
I was like why is she shushing me you know what I’m saying because it’s like maybe she didn’t hear me I was like I’m putting on and I was like what she was like don’t don’t say that I don’t
Say what she said don’t say you’d announcement because of God and it was like what you know I’m saying because it was like I was getting shushed to say like why was I doing like you
Know like I was just trying to say like you know hey I’m denouncing because this is what God when we do but in the missing me saying I’m denouncing because of God she would shush me after that and
Like when she was just me I remember screaming in my dream I was like I announced I didn’t know I announced because it was like it was almost like the enemy was trying to keep my mouth closed from
Saying like no don’t tell them you’re doing it because of God you know what I’m saying so it was just like after that I didn’t I didn’t ask for my pastor you know like I didn’t like I didn’t
Have to ask for a second advice I didn’t have to call nobody it was just like God was just like choose me this day because if you don’t like you’re not gonna enter into heaven and so
Um it was scary because it was like we come you go to college and things that seem so like innocent you know I’m saying like things that seem like so like it can be deceived because in my eyes I’m
Thinking like okay this is just you know seamless you know it ain’t harming nobody but it was uh a decision I made and God was like you know not only did you make a decision but you made a covenant
I’m sorry but it’s okay take your time I’m not sad but I just thank God for having Mercy over me you know because you know we players to things and we agree to things and not knowing the effect you know and I didn’t know that I made a covenant with something that I
Shouldn’t never made a covenant with you know because I kneel down in front of the altar you know what I’m saying and I pledge and I agree with something that I had no idea that I had basically
Sold my soul too you know what I’m saying so it’s bigger than you know just chanting it’s bigger than you know saying like oh I’m an organization no you’re connecting your spirit with something that is not of God you know and so looking back I just thank God for having Mercy over
Me you know for me being obedient for me being um quick you know what I’m saying like because like I could have like the dream was so real like I just feel like if I waited I would have ran out
Of time you know and that’s just how I feel like God was giving me like this is your last chance you know you know this is your time to choose me because if not tomorrow’s never promised right so
You know and I was just like even now like you know when I hear like different songs you know when I’m reminisce on some of the stuff like not that I miss it but when I be like you know some of
The stuff that you know we say I’m like dang God like you know I really was in this you know I’m saying I really kneel to alter I really pledged to something that was not of you because they
Make it pretty you know and they make it seem like it’s harmless but it’s it’s not you know and you know God telling me like you’re gonna serve me or serve them because you can’t serve two guys that
Was the thing you know that God like brought to me like even like you know now like you know you have people that are in church and stuff like that and people are interested and they have you know they
Uphold leadership you know I’m saying because we had people that will be you know missionaries or you know first ladies that within an organization you know they would come to church and but they’ll put their letters on after church and it’s like you can’t do both you know what I’m saying that’s
What God was telling me like you know you have to choose me you know because he’s a jealous guy you know you you can’t play both sides and even being in an organization like you know there’s
No two side you either for God or you ain’t and that’s basically what he was telling me like you know I gave you mercy and that’s why I thank God that he’s patient he’s longevity you know what
I’m saying because I could have died and my soul still have been you know bonded to that you know it still would have been connected to that but he still gave me grace and mercy you know to be
Disconnected because you know growing up we always talk about you know generational curses I didn’t know that by me pledging not only did her pleasure something but I I started like I ain’t gonna say
I started to curse but I created something that could have passed down to my baby you know had I not got out I’m just grateful that I was able to you know do that and guide to lead and guide me
To you know to uh denounce my letters because when I done it I had no I didn’t think second about it and and missing me denouncing like it was a burden lifted off my shoulder like and that’s how I knew
That it was of God because you don’t realize how something heavy can be on your shoulders like you know it was like a burden so when I you know I burnt up the stuff it was like something just
Released like my body just came like light you know it was just like this is what I need to do this is something I supposed to have done a long time ago but God still gave me Grace you know to
Do that so I’m just forever grateful um and you know even when I denounced you know the ladies they didn’t understand someone you know I still talk to and someone like you know I don’t really
Understand why you did it and I told him I said well I didn’t do it for y’all I Didn’t Do It For Me I said but but by me denouncing is not to you know cause conviction towards you I said because
You have a conviction then you see God because whatever God showed me he may show you you know differently so I just told them like you know I’m not judging you to still be in the organization
But you know look think about the stuff that we did we said I was like if you don’t have any condition to it then I mean maybe you don’t see it but I still pray you know that God show you
Because I haven’t had a young lady that was in the same organization as me and I remember she reached out to me she said Mercedes she was like you know I know that there are certain things that
We say in an organization that’s contrary to God I said but I put so much money in you know and I put so much time in so she’s like I feel like you know there’s no harm intended she was like
So when we sing certain stuff I just don’t say it I said but you’re still allowing yourself to be in that Circle to still be upon that Covenant that is not of guys and I even told her I said think
About the songs we sing think about how we sing you know all of my love my peace and happiness you know belongs to Delta you know you know and I said you know don’t you see that she was like
Yeah she was like but I just feel like I put too much in but I’m like regardless of how much time you put when God come back it’s not gonna matter I was like you know like what we do for God is
What’s gonna last what we do on Earth is going to pass over so I was just like you know it’s not for me to you know tell you you know the end time and what’s gonna happen I said but I told
Her I said you seek God you ask God to show you because he may show you a different way you know I always been showing dreams when I was a kid always dream dreams and I remember uh my mama
Used to tell me I used to have dreams and she’d be like but say that was a gift from God and I say my mom wants this girl because as a kid I used to uh be scared of them because I didn’t understand them
But anything that I said always came to pass and I used to tell myself I said Mama I said I pray that God is tasted from me she said nah baby that’s gift that’s the gift that God gave you
So even in the midst of this testimony it’s like I’m glad I did it because I was being obedient and I wanted to you know to live for God and to you know go to heaven but even in my denouncing it’s
Like people that you know that I was connected to they’re they’re starting to question it you know they’re starting to go through the rituals that you know we read and stuff like oh man you
Know this is not of God now I see what you saying so I just hope and pray that you know people do see you know that even if things seem you know it may seem like you know like seamless or you know
You know harmless yeah you know it’s it’s it’s you know it’s not it’s not it’s okay but it’s it’s not because it’s an attachment that that can literally you know change your identity you know take you from you know the will of God and stuff like that so I’m just forever grateful for
God saving my life and that I have you know I’m able to share this testimonies to bring you know awareness you know because we always say you know like when covid-19 came you know bring awareness
Today but I feel like it’s you know people need to know that it’s not okay to be in this organization like there is you know some demonic stuff that’s in the organization you know that have you questioning and you know it should be questioned because it’s not based on Christian principles you
Know everything that that’s done in organization is nothing of God you know they make it seem like it’s okay but it’s not it’s not at all Mercedes who is Jesus to that man is my my Lord and Savior
Like he’s my rock you know like he’s my beginning to end like I will forever be bold and I’m getting tearyotic so I’m not sad but it’s just like Jesus is just that good and I would tell anybody like
I would be bold for him you know that’s what he’s wanting like he wanted people to be bold to bring where there’s Darkness there is light so like you know like he is the light in my life
And I will forever be you know bold in and be strong and be willing to testify and say whatever needs to be done so that he gets glory and so that Souls do be safe and so that’s just who he is to me Mercedes for people who are watching your testimony right now
Who maybe are finding themselves in a sorority uh or even in a fraternity right and uh this is new to them and they don’t know uh what to do or how to respond uh what is a word of encouragement
That you can give to those who are watching right now who are currently in these organizations my word to you is that don’t be afraid to question things that you’re in I mean everybody don’t have
A foundation of you know growing up in church but I feel like you know when we do go to college you know don’t just think about it as like the history go deeper into it because that was a thing that
You know didn’t nobody tell me you know and don’t just think about the history think about like you know the meaning of it go deeper because like I just looked at the colors I just looked at
The chance but when you break down that Chris when you break down their songs and stuff like that that would you need to do you know you have to be willing to be accepting to to the
Uh the uh the truth you know sometimes you know we research things and we see it and just don’t be blindsided you know like and and be okay with asking questions because even if you do join you
Know asking the questions you know ask them like you know is this of God you know question them and see what they say because at the end of the day like we live in the last days and so I feel
Like you know if you are an organization you are thinking about it think about you know uh what are you doing it for you know it and does it please God you know is this of guy because that’s the
Thing that didn’t nobody tell me you know they are you know like I said they told me that it was of the devil but nobody broken down nobody broke it down to you know the ritual to the songs on you
Know how it was contrary to what the word of God says so I just feel like you know and be bold in your faith you know if you grew up in church you know be bold with it you know what I’m saying and
Be okay with calling out things that are not of God because at the end of the day that’s all what matters so I just feel like you know just you know just do your research but also you
Know just ask God for understanding pray about it and just let the Holy Spirit Lead You amen um Mercedes for for those who are wanting to denounce and maybe they don’t know where to start can you very briefly just talk to us about that process of denouncing and what does that look like
Um so the domestic process is pretty easy um like for me some people public didn’t denounce and some people renounce and so what I did was after um you know I had to announce my letters I
Had you know each organization they have like you know where you can write in to the headquarters so like Delta I wrote to Delta you know and they have like a um not a slack but if you go on a page
Is where you know you can write in a letter and then once you pull it uh once you click on that link it’ll say you know my reason for the now see you know and it have you you know put your reason
Whether it’s like you know Financial reason or you know you being Haze for when I did it I my reason for it is because like I just said like you know because I feel like this is what God
Chose me you know had me to do and they even have an option for it I can’t remember exactly the word but it was like funny to me because it was like they didn’t have that option to where
You know you either announcing because of like your personal reason or because of your Christian belief like religious religious belief expression or something like that so when I said that I was like y’all have it on here so obviously you know it gotta be more people that have done it but like
They it was just mind-blowing that they even had their option on there once you do that you write your you know little synopsis on why you did it and then you just send it in and then once you do
That they’ll write you back and say you know you are uh you’re no longer like they’ll say you know I I’m sorry to lose you you know like a part of the organization we ask that you know you return
All paraphernalia or send it over to headquarters or you know they want you you know to get rid of thing that was of the organization and the crazy part about it is that I didn’t realize until one
Of the ladies had brought to my attention was that when I denounced and I just read you know I just wrote it I was like okay I’m gonna you know write myself out of this organization each
The application where you say I and you say say your name it says I’m Mercedes you know have you know the nails and stuff like that it says I also you know promised to not share any secrets and
Uh sacred trust organ of the organization and so when my friend girl told me that I said oh shoot I said I had promised that I wouldn’t share it and she’s like yeah they did that to try to hush
You up saying that you know that you won you know not only did you announce but you want to share like you know any sacred um uh secrets that you know we have an organization so I was like well
That’s out the door I said because I’m going to share it you know I’m saying because people need to know what’s going on in this organization and you know and what comes with it and so um I
Just thought that there was one like you know not crazy but I just I didn’t see it I just wrote it you know not knowing you know what I had agreed to but at the end of the day I really don’t care so
Mercedes any last words for people who are watching uh your testimony right now my last words would be like you know be bold and and continue to let God use you I also want to you know apologize
To any of the ladies you know in the organization you know that I had brought through that I had heard you know whether I had you know you know talked down on you know because I don’t want to
Say that wasn’t me you know because that was obvious to me but I do want to apologize you know for saying anything that may have hurt them or anything like that like I deeply apologize for hurting you or anyone in the organization whether they you know was in an organization or those that
Did not make it into the organization you know I do apologize for anything or any hurt that I may have caused um and that’s really about it lastly Mercedes could you just pray for those who are watching right now and are receiving what you’re saying or realizing that this is not
Of God and they are wanting to renounce they’re wanting to lay it down because you just pray for them to receive that courage and whatever else they need to be able to take that step yes yes um is um heavenly father I want to say Lord thank you God for this opportunity
Um Laura I ask that you uh cover those that are watching this video God I started to open up their mind and understanding Lord I ask Lord that you make it clear to the Lord that they know that
Is you guys or that you just open up their heart started even when they seek you father Lord the Lord that they find you father Lord and they get the answers that need to be done in order
To denounce their letters father Lord in order to bring them to understand and father Lord and Lord ask Lord that you just coveted and fought the Lord even in the midst of their decision Lord I pray that no way perform against tomorrow shall prosper God I asked are you just not only cover
Them follow but cover their families father Lord and Lord they asked Lord the evening in the midst of everything that’s going to work all I pray just cover them Lord and let them know follow that you
Are God follow and let you we know that you are the beginning and the end and Lord we know that you will never leave us nor forsake us because you said in your word so I asked are you just
Covenant bless the ones that are watching father Lord and I ask Lord if they feel any confusion from Lord that they Spirit lead them to make the right decision for the Lord to flee from
The enemy follow the day be free Lord they Souls be free God In The Name of Jesus Christ amen
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