Connect & Serve | Why I Became a Christian

In the beginning, when I knew very little about Christ, I became a Christian for one reason... Community. I remember searching for friends and meaningful relationships. I was young, but looked into various groups from a distance and saw relationships built on frivolous circumstances. People had formed their community around drinking, sports, the way they looked, what TV shows they watched. It was like the three little pigs. It seemed as senseless as building a house out of straw or sticks. When the Big Bad Wolf of deception, gossip, annoyance or anything else came, the relationships toppled over like the little pigs’ houses.

Then I saw something new. I saw a group of guys that had just as much fun. They had just as much adventure and truly looked just like the other groups... But they didn’t topple when a storm came. These guys loved one another dearly. They helped one another and stuck up for one another. I remember watching from a distance and thinking, “I want that.”

It took just a moment’s effort to enter the group. There was no test. There was no standard. There was no dirty look. I was immediately accepted. And it didn’t take long to see the light that was pouring out of them. What had appeared to be community with one another (which was what originally drew to me these guys) had been revealed as a centeredness around Christ. They didn’t shine because they had good friends. They were good friends because they had the light of Christ. I wanted that.

Derrick Purvis

I became a Christian and the wise age of nine at the church in Frankfort where I grew up. It was mainly because I saw some of my friends do it, and I wanted to take communion.

Later when I was about 14, I had a “come to Jesus” moment at a camp in NC called Ridgecrest. I was a teenager, having trouble at home, and I was awkward with everyone. During the camp it felt like every song and every speaker were talking to me. At times I almost felt pushed to walk forward.

For me, becoming saved was about overcoming my fear of publicly confessing my faith, as committing myself to Jesus. Having strong youth group role models, and supportive friends made it easier. It was probably at this time I truly accepted Christ and started my stumbly walk.

- Steve

I became a Christian at the young age of 7. I grew up in a Christian home and knew even then that I wanted to have a personal relationship with Jesus. I grew in Christ through elementary school, middle school, and the early part of high school, but drifted away from my faith and church towards the end of high school/beginning of college.

Towards the end of college I felt the need to get back into God's Word. A friend asked me to be in a Bible study, and since then my husband and I have been growing in Christ together.

-Carrie

We realize the decision to become a Christian is a life-changing event in your life, and hope you will be willing to share a bit of your life experience with others – so they can see the hope you have found in Christ.

Please send us your story! E-mail your story (no more than 250 words) to: jlewis@southlandchristian.org.

The stories may be used on the My Southland page (coming soon) or in other online messages to encourage those seeking to find out more about what living a life as a Christian means.

Blessings to you in your walk with Christ,

Jani Lewis
For more information, contact Jani at 859-224-1656 or jlewis@southlandchristian.org.

I have seen so much evidence of God, that it is hard to NOT be a Christian.

Although my parents stressed being moral, they did not stress being a Christian. They did not have the revelation of God’s word in their lives, just the morals of “right and wrong” which theyemphatically taught us with success.

Behind our house was a Seventh Day Adventist Church my sisters and I went to for vacation bible school. Another church we visited was a Baptist church with a church bus that would come to our house and pick us up. I visited churches of several denominations with my friends, went to vacation bible school every summer and when I was old enough to drive, began going where I wanted. I began seeing as a teenager how there were many doctrines, but only one God and I enjoyed all of the different churches.

When I was 17, I went to a concert with a friend of mine. The group played contemporary Christian music which really captured our attention. Of the girls that were with me, one of them claimed to be an atheist. However, during the alter call, every person in the room could sense the presence of God, including my atheist friend. When I asked her why she was crying, she said it was because we were crying -- not wanting to admit it was the presence of God, even though I think deep down she knew.

I recall having dinner with someone in college who said the Bible causes people to be weak. When he said that, I was really convicted for people to know the truth -- and the strength of God.

Looking back, I see how many seeds were being planted along the way and people were put in my path to challenge my faith. Those eperiences gave me the desire to want to have more of God in my life.

Sandy

I’ve always known God loves me and I will go to Heaven. Some question how I maintain my faith. I was born legally blind, hard of hearing, and with cerebral palsy. Maybe that sounds like a terrible life, but I’ve always considered myself lucky. I’m not totally blind, totally deaf, or confined to a wheelchair. Though nothing works exactly the way it is “supposed” to, everything works a little. I believe I was made this way for a reason. God has a plan to use me just the way I am.

Since I was born, my family has taught me that God will never give you any more than you can handle. I recently learned the truth of that statement. During a five-month period, I sprained my left ankle numerous times. A little over a year ago, I was put into a cast to immobilize the ankle. In March I had surgery to place a pump in my stomach that releases a muscle relaxant to release the muscle spasticity in my left foot. That surgery was a complete success; my ankle pain was gone.

Soon however, I began having increased joint pain, fatigue and severe sun sensitivity. Almost exactly one year after the first ankle sprain I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, accompanied by Fibromyalgia.

I know the Lord won’t give me more than I can handle and “someday we will all have perfect wings” (Don’t Laugh at Me by Mark Wills). My faith remains strong; there’s a plan for me and only my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Father the Living God know what that plan is. The rest of us will just have to wait and see.

Heavenly Gifts
Even though I cannot see, my vision is still clear.
My earthly eyes lie in the hands of the Lord.
To replace my earthly sight, He gave me a gift,
A gift that few may know.

He gave me a heart, so that I may see,
Into the souls of those around me.
A gift of love He has instilled in me.
So that I may give it as freely as can be.

Others’ pain I hate to see,
Because of God’s love that flows through me.
It is my wish that the world may see,
That earthly sight is not the way to see.
Open up their hearts so that they will know,
How the love of God can flow.

Keisha
March 30, 2002

Whispers
Whispers from others I cannot hear,
Whispers from God come in loud and clear.

Whispers from others are out of reach,
Whispers from God are here to teach.

Whispers from others I find taxing,
Whispers from God are so relaxing.

Whispers from others are far away,
Whispers from God are here to stay

Keisha July 6, 2006

I have seen so much evidence of God, that it is hard to NOT be a Christian.

Growing up, being a Christian was an “inborn” and accepted decision for me. Although my parents stressed being moral, they did not stress being a Christian. They did not have the revelation of God’s word in their lives, just the morals of “right and wrong” which the emphatically taught us with success.

Behind our house was a Seventh Day Advantest Church my sisters and I went to every summer for vacation bible school. Another church we visited was Gardenside Baptist since they had a church bus that would come to our house and pick us up. I visited churches of several denominations with my friends, went to vacation bible school every summer and when I was old enough to drive, began going where I wanted. I began seeing as a teenager how there were many doctrines, but only one God so I enjoyed all of the differences in the churches.

When I was 17, I went to a concert with a friend of mine who was a member of a Pentecostal church. The group played contemporary Christian music which really captured our attention. Of the girls that were with me, one of them claimed to be an atheist. However, during the alter call, every person in the room could sense the presence of God, including my atheist friend. When I asked her why she was crying, she said it was because we were crying not wanting to admit it was the presence of God even though I think deep down that she knew.

I recall having dinner with someone in college who said that the bible promotes for people to be weak. When he said this, it gave me such a conviction for people to know the truth. Looking back, I see how many seeds were being planted along the way and people were put before me to challenge my faith which gave me the desire to want to have more of God in my life.

Sandy Reynolds

I grew up in a nominally Christian home. We went to church occasionally, but never consistently, and it certainly wasn't anything that we talked about Monday-Saturday.

However, I had a children's illustrated Bible story book my grandmother gave me. I was fascinated with it. I didn't understand most of the stories, but I would sit and stare at the picture of Jesus welcoming the little children, and I knew there was more than what I had been exposed to in my brief times at church.

A friend invited me to her youth group and that's where I was exposed to the deeper meaning of the Christian faith. She then invited me to the church camp she went to every summer, and the summer before 8th grade I gave my life to Christ. It was truly one of those moments I will never forget. I began to get serious about my faith, and it grew from there. I began listening to Christian music: think Newsboys' early days, Audio Adrenaline, Petra, Carman, Geoff Moore and the Distance, and Point of Grace to name a few. I began going to Sunday School and discipleship classes to deepen my baby-faith. I joined FCA and other Christian groups in high school. I went to UK and had a burning passion to reach my sorority sisters with the love of Christ.

I learned, grew, and matured a lot in my walk during those 4 years, and that is also when I began attending Southland. My relationship with God has had its ups and downs since then, and I have certainly backslid and made mistakes over the years I wish I could take back. But God's perfect love for me has never faltered, and He has always been there to welcome me back with open arms...just like that picture I stared at for hours as a little girl.

- Sarah

I became a Christian when I was 12 years old. I compare the Christian life like a football game: you are in the championship game and it's 4th down and 1 yard to go to score. You are tired and exhausted and you need extra strength just to go 1 yard. You have to fight and struggle against 11 members of the opposing team in order to make it inside the end zone. This is true of the Christian life to today. Once we receive the ball and start towards the end zone, we get hit by problems such as stress over family members, financial problems, relationship problems, etc. But during these times Jesus is with us, He is the strength we need in order to overcome any situation. Jesus will not take away your problems; but He will definitely get you through them and you will be blessed. Now at 54 years old I look back and realize all the trials (both good and bad) I went through, Jesus was with me and He still is today.
--Paul

Why I Became a Christian
Chris Hahn

Quite honestly, my initial “coming to Christ” story is somewhat boring. For a long time, I felt guilty about that. I felt like I should have had some dramatic story where my life was out of control and I hit rock bottom and found Jesus who pulled me out of the pit of my life and rescued me. However, I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home with parents who built a fabulous spiritual foundation for me. I came to Christ as a kid mainly because it’s what you did and I didn’t want to go to Hell. I wanted to go to Heaven and be with Jesus when I died. Nothing to be ashamed of really, it’s a great reason to come to Christ – hope for a secured future.

As an adult, I discovered who Christ is in me now, which is why I stayed a Christian – hope for a free here and now. I gave up. I came not to a crisis in my life, but a crisis of belief. I surrendered to be voluntarily broken, to release entitlement in life and rely entirely on Jesus EVERY day. When I came to this crisis, Jesus freed me and made me realize that any life – no matter the age or upbringing, without Jesus – IS a life out of control and at rock bottom. I am Christian because Jesus sets me free daily, gives me hope and has restored my relationship with God to the way it was meant to be.

At an early age I loved Jesus. If you walked into my house I told you about Jesus. But things happen, divorce and parents leave, and one little girl’s heart grows harder with each passing year. I went from loving Jesus to down right hating him. But God. He is faithful.

I was tired of myself. I was bitter and angry. I was so unhappy with who I was.

One day I went to church and the pastor asked if anyone wanted prayer. I reluctantly raised my hand and at the risk of sounding cheesy, at that moment I felt this weight being lifted from my shoulders. The preacher asked those of us that raised our hands to come forward. I am not one to be in the center of attention. So I decided that I would not be going upfront. But he said “deny Me in front of others and I will deny you in front of My Father.”

I remember thinking, “why am I denying myself this love? Why am I punishing myself? I say all I want is love and here is God, who is love. He wants to love me, not from afar but in close proximity.” He chose me. I needed to be chosen at that moment. I wanted to be chosen. So I walked down the aisle, legs shaking and tears streaming down my face. I was walking home.

Here I am. Still standing. Walking, sometimes crawling, towards the God who chose me.

- Jenn

I went to a Catholic Charismatic prayer group with my sister in 1977. I saw the peace and joy they had, the love and caring there, and the changes in my sister. I knew they had something that I didn't have...a personal relationship with Jesus. In the Catholic church, I knew a lot about God, but didn't know Him. I decided then that I wanted what they had. I gave my heart to Jesus several days later, on my own while reading a Christian book...A life-changing decision for me! - Susan

I became a Christian because I was impressed with how much knowledge my best friend had about Christ and the Bible (this was in middle school, about 9 years ago). Then he and his little brother were baptized. I was amazed even more that someone younger than me, 6 years younger, had that kind of faith and trust in the Lord. I knew right there and then, I wanted what they had.

Chris Hurley

Why I Became a Christian

Quite honestly, my initial “coming to Christ” story is somewhat boring. For a long time, I felt guilty about that. I felt like I should have had some dramatic story where my life was out of control and I hit rock bottom and found Jesus who pulled me out of the pit of my life and rescued me. However, I was blessed to grow up in a Christian home with parents who built a fabulous spiritual foundation for me. I came to Christ as a kid mainly because it’s what you did and I didn’t want to go to Hell. I wanted to go to Heaven and be with Jesus when I died. Nothing to be ashamed of really, it’s a great reason to come to Christ – hope for a secured future.

As an adult, I discovered who Christ is in me now, which is why I stayed a Christian – hope for a free here and now. I gave up. I came not to a crisis in my life, but a crisis of belief. I surrendered to be voluntarily broken, to release entitlement in life and rely entirely on Jesus EVERY day. When I came to this crisis, Jesus freed me and made me realize that any life – no matter the age or upbringing, without Jesus – IS a life out of control and at rock bottom. I am Christian because Jesus sets me free daily, gives me hope and has restored my relationship with God to the way it was meant to be.

-Chris

Mother was 42 when I was born, weighing in at twelve pounds. I hear your groans. She almost died giving me life, but God was gracious. We had forty-one years together, time Mother spent building my character.
I accepted Christ one summer Sunday morning when I was18. Mother had not yet made that commitment, although she had breakfast with God every morning. She consumed toast, butter, coffee and especially the words from her Bible.
As we stood in our country kitchen after I returned from church that wondrous day, Mother spoke words that still lie in my mind like a cashmere shawl on my shoulders. “Carol, always remember: You can’t keep the birds from flying over your head, but you can keep them from building a nest in your hair.”
Mother has been with Jesus over twenty years now. But anytime bad thoughts or temptations fly through my mind, I don’t give them time to land. Rather I breathe a quiet prayer of repentance and of praise for the woman God entrusted with my healthy growth.

Some memories are like lamps in heaven’s windows, leading us home.

Carol Clark Ward

At an early age I became absolutely convinced that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and had suffered and died on a wooden cross to cleanse me of all my sins; past, present and future. And so, while sitting on my bed, I made the decision to ask for forgiveness and accept the indescribable and unmatched gift of grace that God offers everyone, through the sacrifice of His Son. Just as God promises, the Holy Spirit took up residence in my heart!

Then the school years came and they brought pressures of all sorts. I felt the trappings of the world all around me and often found myself snared by them. Popularity along with academic and athletic success became more important to me than my relationship with God.

High School ended and I headed off to the University of Kentucky to play football. I quickly discovered that I would not have instant “success” as a Wildcat. I felt the heavy pressure of being expected to start as a true freshman and as a result, I felt my excitement fading and my spirit breaking. It seemed to me that my very identity was slipping away. In my despair and brokenness I knew of only one person who could lift me up and fill the void I felt in my life. As I fell to my knees in surrender, the very same Jesus who had rescued my life and entered my heart as a small child now filled my heart again. He reminded me that my identity and value came from being His creation, one of his very own children, and not from whether or not I met everyone’s expectations on game day. I discovered that God did not want to just give me His Spirit; he wanted me to live a spirit-filled life. Jesus is not just my savior; he is my Lord as well. God is not just my creator; He is my father.

Four years later I had been a member of 3 bowl championship teams, had been named all-SEC, all-American, had set a school record, and even signed a professional football contract with the Indianapolis Colts. The world calls me successful because of these accolades. But the world fails to see that the success is in the surrender. Truly friend, these accomplishments and experiences mean absolutely nothing in comparison to the surpassing greatness of knowing the Lord.

In Christ with love,
Tim

On May 10, 2009, I was baptized at Southland Christian Church. I'm in Wyldlife (a senior high program similar to Young Life) and that experience is what led me close to God. My leaders were a big influence on my journey to getting baptized. They brought me to Southland’s 608 service. I’d been going to Southland on Sunday mornings, but something about 608 was different. March 22, 2009, was the first time I attended and it literally changed my life.

There was this feeling of complete happiness and satisfaction in my heart. I’d never had that feeling. I was so ready to change my life for God and only for God. I planned to get baptized on Easter in the pond, but I wanted the experience to be more personal. So I just kept doing what I was doing—living through God.

I didn't want to put a date on my baptism yet; I thought it wasn’t something to be planned. But Nick Vujicic’s sermon touched me and I cried—a good cry. I decided that I was ready. My friend was, too—we had been feeling the same thing. I'm glad we shared this experience together.

Dominique

The love of Jesus just swept me away. He promised me total, complete, and unconditional love forever, and He continually proves His promise to be true. I was baptized, loving Jesus, at 7 years of age. During high school and my 20s, I was dragged into the world. Jesus pursued me even when I thought I didn’t need Him.

After years of being consumed by lies, the Holy Spirit tugged at my heart—crumbling the dirt and filth around it. I stopped to listen to God. My Savior had been tirelessly pursuing me to come back home.

One day I got on my knees and asked to be forgiven and accepted back into the Family of God. I rededicated my life to Him, and this time it’s forever! We have such a personal relationship I can never be without His presence for a moment! Some moments are more powerful than others, of course, yet I have experienced the darkness of selfish love and never want that emptiness again. Whenever I call on Jesus, He is here!

God’s love has led me to ongoing study of Scripture for the past 30 years. The more I study God’s Holy Word, the more His imprint is on my life.

Daily, my LORD faithfully covers me in mercy and grace, while showing me what I can be for His glory and honor. With His help I am able to achieve His purpose in my life. I see His promise of complete and unconditional love fulfilled as He raises me daily when I fall, while I walk through the fire, into His eternal promise of life everlasting with Jesus.

Cheryl

Several folks have journaled a bit of their journey to Christ and we will be posting those stories on this site.

If you would like to share a little of your story, please email (250 words or so) to jlewis@southlandchristian.org.