Joe's Testimony

I grew up in Richmond and my family has gone to Christian Fellowship in Richmond since before I was born. My parents told me about Jesus and I went to Sunday-School but I never felt forced into ‘becoming a Christian’. When I was 8 my family went to a Christian conference called ‘Spring Harvest’ and there I decided that I needed to make a decision of my own. After some discussions with my father, who I respect very much, I made the choice to become a follower of Jesus. I was so excited about my decision that I wanted to tell everyone about it - so much so that when I went into school the next day I went straight to my Head Mistress’ office to tell her. My excitement about following Jesus has matured but has not lessened.

At Secondary School I was badly bullied. God really helped me through this time. I had an inner peace (I know this was the Holy Spirit comforting me) and He also provided great friendships from others in the church (especially the Youth Group at church). I felt challenged by the words of Jesus to ‘love your enemies’ and I prayed for the lead bully. After starting to pray for this guy, we ended up being sat next to each other in class, and eventually becoming friends. It was amazing in the final week of school when he came up to me and asked for forgiveness, telling me he too had become a Christian and that he was sorry for the way he had treated me. Jesus had transformed the situation completely and showed me his heart of compassion and mercy through it.

I have faced other challenges in my life, and my faith, but I have always known God was with me through those challenges, each time confirming my choice to follow Jesus as He has proved himself too me in those times. It’s a great journey as I grow and develop in my understanding and depth of relationship with Jesus Christ.

I believe in God and I want to live for Him. I believe this Jesus lived a perfect life, died on a Cross, suffering for my sin and has been raised to life and will return to the world to rule it as King.