Cathy Bill

Have you ever been in an Escape Room that had no escape? That’s how I felt during my growing up years in New York which were filled with alcohol, drug abuse, sexual promiscuity, mental illness and occult practices through my two older brothers, my mom, her friends and relationships. We were on welfare and I, the youngest, had to be the responsible one. In reality, I was the parent. It was hugely dysfunctional, and I felt hopeless, trapped and desperate for freedom. Going to college to be a veterinarian became my hope for escape and opportunity to build a better life. I was used to being able to take care of myself, so I thought I just needed a change in environment. I was wrong. The problem was, I took myself to college, taking dysfunction along with me. I so wanted to have someone really love, affirm and accept me. But soon I landed in an unhealthy sexual relationship with a man. I felt powerless to change myself and needed help. Self-reliant and tough on the outside but weak on the inside, I couldn’t escape. Hopeless and defeated, I desperately needed to be saved from myself, my failed self-reliance, and my people pleasing behavior. Growing up, I had known a former rabbi and holocaust survivor who believed the Bible. I heard him talk about forgiveness and following Jesus who set him free from all his past pain and hurt. At the time, I didn’t appreciate the truths he revealed to me. But now, I knew I couldn’t fix myself. Was God real? I met some students who invited me to study the Bible. Slowly, God revealed Himself to me. I felt dirty, but God said he accepted me. If I came to Him for forgiveness, He would cleanse me from all my uncleanness. Jesus saw me as pure, and He gave me love, acceptance and hope. He rescued me from the empty way of life I was following. He gave me life full of joy. When I surrendered my will and my choices to His, I finally experienced freedom. Amazingly, despite my past, He allowed me to marry a wonderful godly man and gave us four wonderful children. John 8:36 says, “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed”.

My Life

Favorite Quote

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1,2

Friends describe me

being hard working.

Best advice I ever received

From Jesus: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

My undergrad alma mater

Brooklyn College, City University of New York

My worst subject in school

English and History

In college I drove

Plymouth Champ

If I weren't a professor, I would

practice Veterinary Medicine

Favorite books

The Shack

Favorite city

New York City

Favorite coffee

I don't like coffee - Iced tea is my favorite!

My latest accomplishment

Along with colleagues, published 6 iBooks on Anatomy and Physiology.