Gabriel's Testimony

As a child growing up I was constantly surrounded by biblical doctrine and practices.  My mum’s desire for closeness with God led her to a catholic church where her appetite was met, but that only lasted for a short while and before long she began craving true spiritual fulfilment again.  Whilst we still attended the catholic church, after service we would go to an African Pentecostal church - this was the beginning of an unrestricted bombardment of random manipulated doctrine and it opened the door for television preachers who promoted various promises that they claimed were biblical.  These doctrines were mainly on prosperity which went unfulfilled in our lives.  Watching the effect this was having on my family, and my mum’s unwavering determination to obey the supposed “will of God” regardless of the results, slowly broke something in me. 

We eventually left both churches thinking that the preaching on the TV was more biblical than what we had been exposed to before.  Everyone in my family was saved having gone through the sinners prayer one night while being emotionally moved by one of the many pastors we were now watching.

Living this lifestyle of constant un-fulfilment made me bitter and very frustrated.  Having to go to school and live a life that I couldn’t explain or share with anyone made me put aside any convictions that I had.  Each time I ignored my conscience it steadily got easier for me to get involved in ungodly things, except smoking.

The year I left school I entered a world I had never experienced before.  College was not an option for me due to financial circumstances so I was left with a year of almost no restrictions in my life - and I wasn’t accountable to anyone except the police.  I lived however I wanted which, as you can imagine, put a serious strain on my relationship with my mum.  It didn’t take long for me to adopt the gang culture which had appealed to me throughout my school life.

I had multiple relationships at any one time in an attempt to fill a void that my new lifestyle couldn’t satisfy.  This new life gave me nothing except temporary pleasure and more problems.  I thought that life would be like this forever and that money would quench another desire. 

One day whilst on my way to one of my girlfriend’s houses I was disturbed by a group of girls fired up and talking loudly about God.  This really annoyed me because I had built up a natural hatred to anyone who mentioned anything concerning God.  I tried to ignore the girls until my bus came, however, I didn’t know that they were getting the same bus a me!  I tolerated their never ending Jesus discussion until one of them got off the bus.  I then took it upon myself to interrogate the rest of them.  I was shocked because they didn’t talk nonsense.  They took my number and informed me that they would be giving it to a brother in their church by the name of Jonathan Beckford.  Jonathan later called me and shared his testimony with me.  I didn’t believe half of what he said because I no longer thought it was possible to live any other way than the one I was living.  I actually thought that everyone lived like me. 

Jonathan invited me to church and I went for the very next service.  When I got to church I was intimidated by the building and the people not knowing what to expect (having not been to church for any reason besides girls in the last three years).  I thank God I went to church that day because I gave my life to Christ on that day. 

These passing months have been a time of discovery and indescribably joy.  I’ve seen the effects of a real relationship with God and I’m looking forward to the coming years in God’s will.

Gabriel.