Testimony
Mandy Brownett (29.12.2019)
I am rededicating my life to following Jesus because I want to be closer to God. I want to be on the right path and be a good example to other new Christians. I want to be an encourager.
Life has been a roller coaster – with ups and downs, family fall outs and moving house. Sometimes, I have felt like I am not as close to God as I want to be.
I did enjoy a trip to Israel where I visited Jesus’ tomb and other places where Jesus once walked. This gave reading The Bible new meaning because now, when The Bible speaks about resurrection and the Sea of Galilee and baptism, I can say that I have been there and walked where Jesus walked.
I would like to have that close connection with god back again and so I am ready now to rededicate my life back to Him, to trust Him more to do things Jesus’ way.
Emma Dunne (29.12.2019)
Before I became a Christian, my life was okay. I did not have a bad upbringing. My parents loved me unconditionally. But there was one thing missing for my life to be better and that one thing was God.
I started coming to church in 2005 with some friends. At first, I did not think my life would change for the better. This was until I went on one of the ladies’ retreats to Bawtry Hall – where I felt God’s presence and where God said to me, “You are My child and I am your Father.” He also said, “You can move mountains in your faith.”
I realised that our Lord and Saviour died on the cross for my sins. All that God wanted me to do was come to the cross and hand all of my worries and my sins to Him. He will do the rest. So that is what I did and I didn’t look back.
Then, in 2010, I back-slid for personal reasons that I won’t go into.
I came back to the Lord six years afterwards because I felt further and further away from God. Although I knew God was still walking beside me, I still felt so alone because I would pray and read The Bible but I thought that my Lord and Saviour was not answering my prayers.
After being on both the August and October retreats, I have realised that God is right there next to me no matter what I am going through in life. I am going to stay focused on our Lord and Saviour for He will never leave me nor forsake me because He is my God, who protects me daily as I walk further in my faith and let God show me in His time what path He will direct me in.
I just want to say one last thing… our Lord and Saviour is wonderful and amazing and I am so glad that He lives within me forever!
Vera Dunne (29.12.19)
I was born in Clayton on 8th October 1950. I grew up in a loving home. I went to Sunday school, church and to Logos Bookstore, where I gave my life to Jesus and was baptised. Although I went away from church, I thank my Heavenly Father for never leaving me. He brought me back into His church family through Clayton Gospel Hall in 2005.
I mostly thank my Heavenly Father and my church family for being with me in the year when I was recovering from an operation and was bed bound for a long time. I missed being able to come up to church or do anything to help others but was glad that people came to visit me. We even had bible studies in my bedroom for a while. Church came to me because I couldn’t come to church.
I am especially thankful, now that I am back in church again, that I can re-dedicate my life to God in the church that I call my own and in front of my church family and others who mean a lot to me. My recovery has taken much longer than I wanted it to but I am so glad to be back and to be able to dedicate myself to God. Thank You for everything. In God’s love, Vera.
Jackie Holdsworth (29.12.2019)
God says in Revelation 3:8, ‘Behold I have set before you an open door, which no-one is able to shut.’ This is my journey and these have been my open doors.
Open Door 1: I got saved at the age of 24. The first door opened when I asked Jesus Christ into my life and heart. I had a great experience on that day, accepting Jesus as the lord and saviour of my life. What makes it even more special is that it was 14th February, Valentine’s Day.
Open Door 2: The second open door wan when I started looking after my mum. I had hurt my back at work and was finished from work for medical reasons and so I started looking after my mum as her full time carer. I waited upon God during this time, learning to be still and know that He is God.
Open Door 3: The third open door was when my mum suffered a stroke and became very ill. A new journey of life began through these changes. It was not easy at all but God had everything in hand. I had dedicated my life to being the best daughter and carer that I could be, trusting the Lord with all my heart.
Open Door 4: On 24th November 2019, my mum passes away and my new life began with just God, who is my heavenly Father, and me. My dog, Archie, also had to be put to sleep because he was in pain. I miss my mum and my dog dearly but I am dedicating the rest of my own life to the Lord. Although one door has closed, a new door has opened for me to serve God and Him alone.
Nicola Johnson (29.12.2019)
I have been coming to this church since I was a little girl. I gave my life to God in 2000 but He has had His hand on me since I was born. As you may know, the doctors told my mum that I would not live – but He made sure that I did.
Certain times in my life have been really hard for me. I have felt that God had left me because I didn’t feel His presence anymore. But then I got invited to the Scottish ladies’ retreat where I learnt that, no matter how far away from Him I feel, He is always there. He is my God/ I have learnt that I am stronger than I know and that we should love one another even though it is sometimes hard.
So, here I am. I am married. I have my three little monkeys and I am living my life for God.
Diane Speck (29.12.2019)
Since I was born, I have had two medical conditions – epilepsy, I have fits; this is controlled by tablets – and hemochromatosis – which just means that I absorb iron into my blood and the only way to take the iron out is to take a pint of blood out of me.
Later on in life, I have had diabetes and high blood pressure plus another seven illnesses. Although I have been coming to this church – both here and when we used to meet in Girlington – since I was very young, I had to be absent for many months because of my illnesses.
As I am now able to come back to church, I would like to dedicate myself back to the Lord so that I can do the things that He would like me to do. He is my God and I want to live my life for Him.
The late Helen Margaret Sinclair (June 2012)
When I was 13 years of age, I started to attend a Brethren church and, when I was 15, I asked Jesus into my heart. I was baptised at age 21.
Next October, I will be 80 years of age. As I look back over those many years, I see the hand of the Lord on my life. I had much to learn but the Lord is a faithful and gracious teacher.
Over the last two years or so, my hearing and eyesight has deteriorated. I have found these conditions very difficult and they have caused me much stress. A verse from Hebrews 13 gives me hope: 'The Lord is my helper.; I will not be afraid.' (vs6)
