Sarah became a Christian at a young age. She has experienced trauma and sorrow as an adult through the sudden death of her mother and suicide of her father. Her child was also born very premature. Throughout these tough times, Sarah held on to God’s promises to her. God held her up and gave her the ability to cope.
This story was produced by Lakeside Fellowship, Polk City, Iowa, USA.
Tricia shares how she grew up in a Christian home but pushed spiritual things away as a young adult. She talks about having a successful life with a good career and marriage. However, her world got turned upside down when her dad died, and her grandpa died shortly afterwards. Tricia’s life started to spiral out of control because of her anxious thoughts and it heavily impacted her marriage. God used this crisis situation to draw her back to church. She heard the gospel and trusted in Jesus for the removal of her sins. Tricia shares how freeing it was to accept Jesus as her Lord and Savior. Now she turns to Jesus when she feels worried and He gives her rest.
This story was produced by Lakeside Fellowship, Polk City, Iowa, USA.
Matt didn’t grow up in a Christian home. He experienced trauma as a teenager when his father died in an accident. Matt had bouts of depression at college and turned to alcohol. After he met his wife, they both started attending church. Matt says it was simply box ticking. In time, he got more curious about Christianity and the Bible. With the help of a pastor, he finally understood what the gospel was and what Jesus’ death and righteousness meant for him. He now wants Christ’s light to shine through him.
This story was produced by Soteria Church, Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
Jodi describes growing up around the gospel without ever really understanding it. She encountered tragedy when her dad died, and her grandma’s health deteriorated to the point that she couldn’t recognise family. Jodi was struck by how close her grandma was to Jesus, and her certainty about heaven. God showed Jodi that she didn’t know how to get to heaven. After completing a Bible study Jody believed the gospel and placed her faith in Christ. Now she knows she has eternal life.
This story was produced by Soteria Church, Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
Terran formed a friendship in his childhood with another kid, Nathan, who was a Christian. Terran knew early on that there was something different about Nathan which appealed to him. Terran’s father died during his teenage years and he talks about how Nathan gave him support while his non-Christian friends backed away. As their friendship deepened, Nathan asked Terran spiritual questions. Terran came to an understanding that a Christian is someone who personally receives Jesus. Terran trusted in Christ and now he is involved in ministry life with his friend Nathan.
This story was produced by Common Ground Church, Capetown, South Africa.
Lance shares that he had a very unstable upbringing with an alcoholic father and lots of moving around. He felt very angry. Lance also describes the troubles in his marriage and the grief at his son’s suicide. Lance witnessed good change in his partner’s life as a result of her new relationship with God. God drew Lance to himself and now Lance’s personal relationship with Jesus means more to him than anything else.
This story was produced by Lakeside Fellowship, Polk City, Iowa, USA.
In Mark’s interview he talks about how he became a Christian and how his relationship with God has helped him in different areas of his life, including parenting and anxiety. Mark shares that he did not have a good relationship with his dad growing up. His dad suffered from bipolar disorder which made life very unstable for Mark. Mark didn’t learn how to have a personal relationship with Jesus until he was an adult during a time when his stepson was gravely ill. He describes being with his stepson in hospital and praying to God with a Bible in his hand. A stranger walked past Mark and showed him the verses in his Bible he needed to know to receive Christ. Mark has embraced God’s fatherly love for Him, which has healed the void left by his relationship with his earthly father.
This story was produced by MBM Rooty Hill, Sydney, Australia.
Meet Karen. Karen shares how she felt enormous anger and bitterness to her father for how he treated her mother as a child. She describes how God used people around her as a young woman (including her future husband) to bring her to the Bible, and show her how much He personally loves her. Karen describes the unburdened feeling she found inviting Jesus into her life as her Lord and Savior, and also the great relief she felt after she reconciled with her father. Karen describes the fulfillment she feels with the work that God has given her to write and encourage others in her church.
This story was produced by Saylorville Church , Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
Thaddeus shares how he grew up with a false understanding of God, and thought that being a good person would save him. He shares how he chose a party lifestyle at college and struggled with anxiety knowing that he was falling short of God’s standards. Thaddeus’ father passed away after a short struggle with liver cancer. Thaddeus felt anger towards God and severe emotional pain. To please family members he attended a Bible-preaching church, where he felt God’s presence and love for him. Thaddeus heard the gospel there and trusted in Jesus for the removal of his sins. Thaddeus is now experiencing a close and loving relationship with God and values the ability to turn to God in all of life’s circumstances.
This story was produced by Saylorville Church , Des Moines, Iowa, USA.
Lily describes a very traumatic childhood and her strained relationship with her alcoholic and abusive father. Lily talks about her deep emotional pain and years of hiding what occurred in her home growing up. She led a party lifestyle at college and took drugs. Lily also tried to commit suicide because of her unhappiness and hopelessness. Lily felt anger toward God. God did not let go of Lily, and through the influence of her Christian boyfriend and time spent studying the Bible – God brought Lily to an understanding of who He was, and of His love for her. Lily understood she was a sinner in need of Jesus’ saving work and she trusted in Him.
This story was produced by Saylorville Church , Des Moines, Iowa, USA.