Stormie was raised by a mentally ill mother who was very abusive and kept her locked in a closet for much of my early childhood. Her dad was gone a lot, working long hard hours just to eke out a living. Stormie grew up with a lot of depression, fear, anxiety, anger, feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, futility, and rejection. By the time she was in her twenties, she was still locked in a closet emotionally.
Stormie tried everything: alcohol, dangerous amounts of drugs, eastern religions, the occult and unhealthy relationships but simply became more and more depressed, fearful, anxious, and hopeless. She even planned to kill myself with sleeping pills, as soon as she could get her hands on enough of them to do the job.
At the same time her friend, Terry, with whom she had been singing on television and doing recordings, said to her, "Why don't you come with me to meet my pastor?” Having no answer for that question, she agreed. Pastor Jack Hayford, talked to her about Jesus, gave her three books and told me to go home and read them and then return the following week to tell him what I thought.
The first book was about the workings of evil, the second was about the reality and power of the Holy Spirit, and the third was the gospel of John. Suddenly she could see my life from a completely new perspective. Stormie knew that she wanted the abundant life of God's love, peace, and joy promised in the gospel, and to experience God's kingdom both in this life and in eternity. Now she longed for a personal connection and close relationship with a loving God.
Gradually becoming free from her depression, anxiety, and fear, Stormie learned about the power of prayer and the great things that can happen when we pray. She learned about the importance of worshiping and praising God and the transformation that takes place when it becomes our priority. God changed her life so much that she hardly recognises the person she used to be. Now Stormie Omartian’s life goal is to help others find that same freedom, healing, restoration, fulfilment, and purpose in the wonderful life-transforming power of God's love.