Connect & Serve | Why I Became a Christian

The first eighteen years of my life are a blur of selfishness and indulgence. I ignored God -- because I thought if I didn't, he would make me change my life. My parents went to church, but none of us were really involved in anything other than attending. My teenage years were spent partying and running from the one person who truly loved me unconditionally - Jesus.

So, how did I find God while running in the opposite direction?

My girlfriend got pregnant at 18, and I found myself an instant "father." I was angry, scared and bewildered....I yelled at the God I denied, about how I was way too young to be a parent. But when I looked at my baby in the hospital -- wrapped up in that blanket, a helpless little being unable to move arms or legs...just tiny eyes staring back at me -- my life changed.

I wept. I felt a peace I'd never felt before. I knew this was bigger than me, bigger than my girlfriend -- this child came from God and God had a plan for all of us. God became real to me, and I gave my heart and trust to him right then and there.

http://christianity.about.com/od/newchristians/p/whychristianity.htm

Would you like your story to encourage others?

Tell us why you became a Christian...what was it that finally made you understand what God is all about? How did you make that decision, and what did God do in your life?

Send notes to: jlewis@southlandchristian.org

To say I’m a born rule-follower would be an understatement. I’ve always loved the order and fairness of rules and consequences. It just made sense to me. I was taught the stories of the Bible and Jesus and heaven from an early age. In my young mind it all made sense. You followed the rules in the Bible, loved Jesus and you went to heaven.

My world was rocked in third grade when my Sunday School teacher, Mrs. Montgomery, taught us the concept of grace. We couldn’t just follow the rules and be “good enough” to get into heaven. It was impossible to be perfect and obey every rule. We needed a Savior. She challenged us to consider accepting this gift of grace and be baptized.

I remember vividly the great separation she drew on the blackboard: the gap separating us from God. We couldn’t make it across that gap without Jesus. But I wanted to do it on my own. Surely I could follow all the rules! I became very aware of all my actions – how I treated my little brother and sister, when I talked back to my parents, the mean thoughts I had about people at school. Mrs. Montgomery was right! I couldn’t be perfect. I needed Jesus.

I was baptized in May of my third grade year. As I’ve gotten older, of course, my understanding of Jesus’ sacrifice and grace and love has obviously deepened. But, that seed of understanding about God’s amazing grace offered through Jesus took root in my heart all that way back in that little Sunday School class with Mrs. Montgomery!

Through the years of growing up and many trial and errors, I always knew God was watching over me. To this day I know God loves me and wants me to be with him one day! I became a Christian because I have always wanted to do the right thing for the good of other people. I wanted to love everyone because that’s what God is, Love! In my line of work, we often put our lives on the line for our fellow man. That’s what Jesus did! He laid down his life for us! Why would anyone not want to be a Christian?
- Chris

Blaise Pascal, born June 19, 1623, was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, writer and Catholic philosopher.

On the topic of "Why I am a Christian" -- Pascal wrote:

Now, what harm will befall you in taking this side? You will be faithful, honest, humble, grateful, generous, a sincere friend, truthful. Certainly you will not have those poisonous pleasures, glory and luxury; but will you not have others? I will tell you that you will thereby gain in this life, and that, at each step you take on this road, you will see so great certainty of gain, so much nothingness in what you risk, that you will at last recognise that you have wagered for something certain and infinite, for which you have given nothing.

"Ah! This discourse transports me, charms me," etc.

If this discourse pleases you and seems impressive, know that it is made by a man who has knelt, both before and after it, in prayer to that Being, infinite and without parts, before whom he lays all he has, for you also to lay before Him all you have for your own good and for His glory, that so strength may be given to lowliness.

My husband and I married very early in life. I really married him to keep him from leaving me. It wasn't a healthy reason and it wasn't a healthy marriage. For many years we separated, got back together, separated, and through the last few years both of us developed a serious drug addiction. One day, at my lowest point, I just begged for God to rescue me from everything -- the drugs, the marriage -- everything! I wasn't willing to change anything in my life. I wasn't ready to accept God -- I just wanted him to fix everything.

Nothing happened.

For years, my husband and I both got sicker and sicker. Our drug use escalated, we owed money to everyone and we fought all the time. And things just got worse and worse. I spent time in jail and my husband left me while I was locked up, and my children were taken away from me.

Now I am out. I have a great relationship with my children, and I am remarried to a wonderful man. I've been clean for a long time now. And through it all, God has taught me many lessons. I know now that God's love is enough -- when you lose everything (and I do mean EVERYTHING) in life, you can begin to understand that.

-G

http://www.onlylyrics.com/hits.php?grid=11&id=1040483

Amazing song lyrics From Jason Gray about "falling in love with Jesus" - read the lyrics at the bottom and then check out the video link at the top!

If you're a fan of C.S. Lewis (The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe), check out this website with the story of Lewis' conversion to Christianity. Interesting article!

http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/bios/b2lewiscs.htm

I was compelled. I was drawn. It wasn’t about anybody else. It wasn’t like I knew someone who was a Christian and wanted what they had, or whatever. I had been to churches, and I had known Christians – those experiences did not cause me to want to become a Christian.

It was a very personal experience. I just realized God had (and wanted!) so much for me -- even though I didn’t know what that really meant. God was very personal in his invitation for me to join him on this journey.
-Bethany

In my forties, I had a good life, and outwardly everything looked good. But I was running on empty. I was in a very dark place. Lying awake one night, completely unsure of my fate, I felt the presence of God in my room. I realized I had a choice to keep on doing things my way or to try his way. I decided to give God a chance. My life began to change. It was a difficult time but over time I met great people, and they showed me how to find the life God had meant for me to have from the beginning. I realize God isn't out to fix all my problems, and no one is promised an easy life. But when I gave up trying to control things, work and relationships all fell into place. There's no doubt God knows more about the way things should be than I do. I'm just glad I finally listened.

My parents insisted I attend church as a child. I participated in all the expected activities and studies. As a teenager, I rebelled and ran away from home. I was a "prodigal." I was gone for a very long time. Some times I was happy, other times I wasn't. I found out the hard way that the world is very cruel. I hardened myself, and tried to forget about God. The life that followed was broken -- marriage, relationships, and family. I was lost in drugs and full of pride. I spent everything I had.

When I couldn't take it anymore, I finally went home. To my complete surpirse, my dad accepted me with open arms. But I was still stubborn, and I wasn't completely broken. It took a bit of time to get to the end of my rope. When I realized I could easily lose what little I had left, I felt like a complete and total failure.

I began turning back to the Jesus I had known as a child. I learned how to pray again. I asked God for help. I asked God for direction. I just kept praying. And then I started reading the Bible again. One night went to a church service with my dad. I had been before...but this time was different. When the pastor spoke, it was like he was only speaking to me. I suddenly understood everything was going to be alright. I don't even know what the sermon was about. What I heard was that Jesus loved me, and I was accepted.

What a weight lifted off me that night. I felt God's grace and the Holy Spirit opened my heart. My life is now in God’s hands, to serve him through everything I do.

- G.

I always knew God, but had never accepted him. One summer, I realized something was missing. Before that, I had talked to God, gone to church, and most people saw me as a “Christian.” But just just going to church doesn't reserve a spot in Heaven! After I committed myself to God I knew changes in my life had to be made. I asked god to help me be more like Jesus -- that he would take away the anger, hatred, and jealousy. It's been a progressive effort, but it has gotten easier. God is amazzing. He works miracles. I have found him everywhere in my life and I am ready to follow him wherever he leads. I will fall but he will pick me up. No matter what happens from here on out, the one person i can always count on is him! - C.

Why did I become a Christian?

Because my best thinking didn’t get me very far!

- Max

I grew up in an “every Easter and every other Christmas” church-attending family. We prayed before bedtime and learned a few basic Bible stories, but that was about it. We were always just visitors, so as kids, we cried about going to Sunday school – it was hard for us to not know anyone and to walk into a Sunday school classroom without really understanding anything that was being taught. I knew lots of “religious” people growing up, but never considered my family to be religious.

Throughout my childhood, however, in difficult times I would often pray to God. I didn’t really know Him, but something in me wanted to know. I sensed my sinfulness and brokeness, but didn’t understand salvation or peace from the Lord.

In high school, I was invited by a friend to a youth group at her church. I really enjoyed it, invited friends to go with me, and was eager to learn. However, I soon realized that what I had believed about God was more about me than Him. I thought you could believe whatever you wanted and that God didn’t really care about the specifics. But once I understood the sacrifice Jesus made for me on the cross, I knew that being a Christian required a commitment to God’s truth and a personal relationship with Him. Reading the book of Romans during a high school retreat really opened my eyes to His love for me and helped me to learn what being a believer was all about.

My journey continued beyond high school, and into college, where I encountered an amazing group of believers who modeled a true commitment to living for the Lord and encouraged me to grow. I was baptized, and learned about peace and listening to His voice to guide me in making decisions for my life. After college, I married a godly man and we learned about following God together and committing to a life of ministry and serving others. Over the years, I’ve been challenged to trust God and to release fears and to make sacrifices, to step out in faith and to allow Him to mold me. Ephesians 2:10 says “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” I truly believe that we are God’s workmanship, His masterpiece, His work of art, and we become more beautiful as we serve Him!

- Karen

We celebrate with you on your decision to become a Christian! We realize this 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 an email of 250 words or so telling us "why you decided to become a Christian."

Emails can be directed to: jlewis@southlandchristian.org.

The stories may be used on the My Southland page 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 became a Christian when I realized I was trying to fill a void that only Jesus could fill. I realized God was not all about a book of rules, but about giving me life and life to the full. I wanted no more of the broken life the world offered me, and after tasting the sweetness of Christ I could never go back.

Jenny

I grew up going to church, calling myself a Christian. But my life never quite matched up with the Jesus I saw in scripture and heard about at church. The low point came when I would attend church after late Saturday nights drinking way too much. Among other things I recall getting up to throw up in the bathroom during a church service and realizing there was a vast difference between what I professed and how I lived. I had a growing desire to bridge the gap between my knowledge and actual experience. A girl named Sara, who would later be my wife, told me the night we met about the difference between calling myself a Christian and having an actual relationship with Christ. I was baptized two weeks later and began a long obedience in Christ’s direction…

Will Briggs

Why I became a Christian can’t be answered with one thought, but ultimately resulted from knowing and understanding that I’m God’s child. There were factors which influenced my decision to be a Christian, such as growing up in a home guided by Christian parents. I would say those and similar influences greatly determined the timing of choices such as baptism, but I'm uncertain those choices account for why I became a Christian. I consider my choice to become a Christian and the choice to dedicate my life to Christ as two separate decisions. The day I became a baptized believer I thought of myself dedicated to Christ, but it was more a public display that I believed in God. However the day I decided that I would go where He sent me, serve how He called me and strive to be more like Christ was when I truly became a Christian. Now the most important thing to me isn’t “Why I Became a Christian” but “How Do I Become a Better Christ follower.

Andy Newton

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