The following real-life stories were written by St. John's parishioners who have experienced the transforming love of Jesus Christ
and wish to share their faith stories with you.
** In my early twenties, I remember living a busy, fun life; I had many friends, a good job and was beginning a college degree. It was also an unfulfilling life that included alcohol and drugs. I clearly remember evaluating the direction I was choosing and did not want to continue along this road. I said a prayer and asked for God's help to turn my life around and for the courage to trust in his forgiveness (as well as my own), strength and grace. I went from being a Christian by-stander, to valuing a personal relationship with God.
** I went to church as a child but didn't have a relationship with God. It wasn't until I had brain surgery in 2000 that I truly developed my relationship and understanding of God's love. After my successful operation, I questioned why God didn't let me die since it was serious surgery. I talked with God for many months, asking what do you want me to do? I finally received my answer. I was to be the best person I could be because God loved me. There is no fear in living once you understand and accept His abundant love.
** I was raised in a Christian home and educated from k through college in Christian schools so Jesus was always a part of my life, although often on a superficial level. Turning my life over to Him did not happen in one moment but has been a gradual process, and because I have persevered, the love of God has come alive in my heart and I know that it continues to change my life in surprising ways.
**Before Christ - I was reading every self-help book on the market trying to find out why I couldn't find love. I had a spiritual void in my life that cut me like a knife. I sought to do good. I sought to please others. I believed I could find our living God through my deeds. But I focused on all the negatives, thinking I could dispel them. I isolated and my life became a living hell. After Christ - Jesus rescued me from my own self-destruction. He continues to teach me the strength of fellowship, that the love I seek lies within me and that truth is love.
**As a teenager I lived in a small town. Usually I was very lonely and scared. One Thanksgiving my brother, home from college, explained to me that God wanted me in His family. He told me that Jesus had made it possible for me to join God’s family. I didn’t do anything about it then, but a couple of weeks later when I was again by myself, lonely, scared and depressed, I decided to ask Jesus to help me join God’s family. Since then I have been part of God’s family and I’m rarely lonely or afraid.
**I was raised going to Church and never really rebelled but after hearing a friend tell about her experience learning to trust Jesus with her life and how He saved her troubled marriage, I realized my life was shallow. I invited Jesus to act in my marriage, parenting and friendships and found joy, excitement, grace, peace and real friendships.
**In my mid forties, I was unsatisfied with my life long Episcopal religion and began searching for something. I just felt there had to be more. I checked out the I Ching and Astrology, but still was not satisfied. Eventually I ran across a book called "Nine O'Clock in the Morning", by Dennis Bennett. There I learned of the power of the Holy Spirit, and about the Charismatic renewal. My life was changed and I was no longer searching. My relationship with God became alive, full of excitement and joy.
