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.
Roger shares that his father passed away while he was a boy. They both describe irregular church attendance as a young married couple. Roger knew the gospel but didn’t want to give his life to Christ. Sharon knew Jesus had died for her, but didn’t understand how to receive the gift of salvation. A pastor encouraged Roger and Sharon to place their faith in Christ. They responded and received Christ. Roger shares that his life priorities changed once Jesus became his Lord and Savior. He speaks of his happiness at knowing Jesus, and Sharon speaks of their happy marriage and the joy and comfort she has with the people God has placed in their lives.
This story was produced by Lakeside Fellowship, Polk City, Iowa, USA.
Paul explains how he did not grow up in a Christian home in the UK, and had no spiritual interests. He experienced a lot of emotional pain as a teenager because his brother got very sick and his father suffered from a terminal illness during Paul’s teenage years. Paul began a two-year hunt for God following a conversation with a Buddhist. He spent time comparing the different world religions, but in the end, concluded that Jesus was really God. In time, Paul understood he needed to receive Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Paul is now a pastor in Sydney, Australia. In this interview, he also shares some thoughts from pastoral life.
This story was produced by MBM Rooty Hill , Sydney, Australia.
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.
Marilyn shares how she attended church but didn’t know the Bible and how to have personal certainty of eternal life. Marilyn talks about tragic events in her younger life, including a fatal car accident involving her parents and grandmother, and the death of her first husband through illness. She shares how God took care of her during the toughest times, and blessed her with her with a second husband and blended family.
This story was produced by Saylorville Church , Des Moines, Iowa, USA.