My story...
Annabel: “Freedom In Christ”
Before the Freedom in Christ course I was absolutely fine; I was perfectly happy with my relationship with Jesus.
However, as the weeks progressed, I realised I was wearing a really tight corset that only Jesus could loosen the cords of. The Steps to Freedom away day was where I got rid of baggage from the past that I didn’t even know still had a hold of me.
I have now grown up and taken responsibility of some of the things I expected God to sort out for me. For example, since submitting to God and resisting the devil (James 4:4-7) I haven’t had a single nightmare. Before that I would wake up screaming in the middle of the night at least once a week. Fear no longer has a part in my life.
I now feel more in tune with God. I believe I am becoming the person He wants me to be. My prayer life is more focused and directed. I have been liberated and as a result of that I now have even more of a desire to work for God and give away his wonderful gift that I have received.
I would recommend Freedom in Christ to anyone who wants to feel more significant, accepted, secure and fulfilled in Christ, and therefore in life.
Christianity for me was growing up with a Catholic father a C of E mom and I did however attend a Catholic J&I school. When I was 16 I attended Christadelphian meetings but this was only for a short while. I started to read the bible but had very little understanding of it.
At the age of 18 I began to study paganism and the various paths within it, I had an initiation and later had further degree ceremonies and was part of a coven, I had also ran my own coven but something always seemed to be missing, which is why I looked at the various pagan paths to see if anything could fill the gap and give meaning to it all. I was more of an eco pagan than a ‘witch’ as jumping from one god/goddess to another to suit my needs just wasn’t for me.
When I was 29 I got together with my husband Chris. Chris had no religion in his life prior to our relationship except for RE classes at school. He began to attend our monthly coven meetings etc and was initiated into it.
In January 2010 our lives took a dramatic turn, for the best I hasten to add, because as of October 2009 I began to feel a stirring in my heart/soul and had the ‘urge’ to look at Christianity. Unfortunately the feeling was soon lost due to a family crisis arising, but in January 2010 when life was back on track I felt an even stronger ‘calling’ from God, so I made the decision to find a church to attend to allow me to learn more. A friend suggested that I do an Alpha course – I “Googled” Alpha and St Matthew’s came up as a church running the course, I sent them an email asking for more information and decided to visit.
Chris came with me to offer support but thought I was having a mental breakdown or something as no one would believe that I could ever be interested in Christianity let alone actually find God.
On walking through the doors of St Matthew’s I had an overwhelming feeling of ‘this is home’. The genuine welcome, lively band, beautiful songs, variety of ages and ethnicity took me aback. It was (is) so diverse and is what a church/congregation should be.
After attending Church and a Freedom in Christ course (which I highly recommend) I wanted to be baptised, so on Sunday 7th March I took the ‘plunge’ literally, as did my youngest son and much to my surprise my husband did to, even though initially Chris was sceptical he to found God, infact that first visit to St Matthew’s opened his eyes and heart to God.
This was followed by our confirmation on the 21st March we have never looked back.
Since becoming Christian, life has changed so much. It is not easy and some friendships have broken down. I truly feel that God has a purpose for us as a link between pagans/goths/alternative types and Christianity, as the majority of people into alternative cultures etc think that because the image is dark that they have to be a pagan or Satanist to fit in with the scene. This is so untrue! You can be Christian and still wear your black clothes/enjoy listening to your music etc. Jesus accepts us as we are.
Our aim is to encourage alternative types etc to find out about Christianity for themselves so that they can make an informed choice. That is why we have set up an “alternative” group at a local pub that runs weekly meetings and is open to anyone wanting to learn about Christianity in an informal setting.
I truly believe with all my heart that the Lord was what I was looking for all these years and I pray that others may see his light and feel his love also.
Steph: “My story”
Pat