Elder Wakefield and Elder Kerksiek were visiting one of their friends in a mobile home park. Vincent’s dog ran outside. He went to get the dog and the elders were standing there…and that is how Vincent met the missionaries. The Elders talked to him and then sent the referral to Sister Lund and Sister Biasi.
Vincent Leake lives alone and he bought a little puppy named Grizzly to keep him company. He was house training his new dog and he let Grizzly outside to go to the bathroom. Vincent said “Grizzly started to jump on the boys (the missionaries) and I noticed they had suits on. I didn’t want them to get dirty so I went and grabbed him.”
Vincent met two Elders that were in the area for the zone blitz, Elder Wakefield and Elder Kerksiek. They asked him if he had ever heard of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints before. Vincent remembered hearing about our church but never had the opportunity to meet any members or missionaries. They asked if it would be okay if they came back sometime and Vincent said of course. That was November 3, 2023.
A few days later, he got a knock on the door and was surprised to see that it was Sister missionaries, instead of the Elders he had met previously. He was excited to get to know Sister Lund and Sister Biasi regardless, and to hear the message they had to share about Jesus Christ. They stopped by his house often, inviting him to church and teaching him doctrine on the spot. At first, he wasn’t sure about keeping commitments. He tried multiple times to come to church but couldn’t drive all the way due to his poor eyesight. The sisters weren’t able to have a lesson with him until after transfers.
Sister Biasi and Sister Spencer came over with Sister Vangie Norton on January 18 and had our first sit-down lesson. We contacted him often and he always loved seeing the missionaries, especially when they would bring members. Sister Norton came to every lesson, and connected instantly with Vincent. She had the inspiration to have us ask the McGee family to bring him to church. That made all the difference! Vincent began coming every week and absolutely loved it. The McGee family took him under their wing and were such great fellowshippers to him.
Along the way, we lost contact with Vincent a couple of times. He was dealing with various health and family issues. We prayed fervently that he would be able to continue progressing. The adversary was strong, but God’s power helped Vincent through every trial.
On March 1, Sister Spencer and Sister Adams got in contact with him over the phone after the sisters hadn’t seen him for two weeks. As it turned out, he was missing our calls, visits, and texts because he took a nap every time he felt like breaking the Word of Wisdom. He had successfully overcome his Word of Wisdom concerns and we set up a time to come over later that day.
We had a lesson with him and Vangie, and re-invited him to be baptized in one week. We all just couldn’t contain our joy. It was truly a miracle from God. Previously we’d had to reschedule the baptism, and then take him off-date when we lost contact. He was back at church that Sunday and the members were so excited to see him.
Elder Symes and Elder Poll did his baptismal interview, and Vincent told us afterwards he could’ve talked with them forever about how much he loves prophets, the Book of Mormon, and how much he learned from the elders. They became great friends to him as well.
On March 9, 2024, Vincent Leake followed the example of our Savior and was baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The McGee’s 18-year old son Brady baptized him, and is now preparing to go on his mission. It was a joyous day.
The Spirit was always so strong when we would talk about Jesus Christ and his divine plan for us. Vincent came to love the Asheville Ward, and in his own words he said, “The Gospel changed my life for the better. It gave me hope and let me know God hadn’t forgotten about me.” He said that he was just starting to feel left out and left behind, but through learning about the Restoration and the Prophet Joseph Smith, he gained the confidence to take his questions and uncertainties to God. Vincent said, “The Book of Mormon has shown me what the truth is. Heavenly Father has not forgotten me and will never forget me.” Vincent has the strongest testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ and His restored gospel, and he continues today to be a strong and faithful member of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints.
He loves the Book of Mormon, and 2 Nephi 26:33 really helped him when he found misinformation online about church history. He looks up to Nephi and Joseph Smith, and loves connecting the Book of Mormon and the Bible. He is already a missionary and taught his neighbor about the Plan of Salvation when the neighbor inquired why we sisters always came to see Vincent. His testimony blesses our lives, and each of us are so grateful we met Vincent. None of this would have been possible without our loving Heavenly Father working in each of our lives and preparing Vincent’s heart to receive the glad tidings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Vincent was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood on April 21, and Sister Adams and Sister Foster are going with him and the McGee’s to perform baptisms at the temple for his ancestors in a few weeks!
For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for he doeth that which is good among the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile. – 2 Nephi 26:33
Barlows in TKM 