How Jesus found an entire family

Hi, I’m Lola, pictured above with my nearest and dearest. 

A few years ago, my whole family was unchurched, agnostic and completely uninterested in faith.

But then the extraordinary happened and, one by one, seven of my relatives, beginning with my brother-in-law Josh, became curious about faith and, eventually, decided to follow Jesus. Christianity has spread like wildfire through my family. This is our story.

The brother-in-law: Josh’s story 

Christianity, to me, was a mythical story that meant nothing to my life. But then, on holiday in Venice in 2019, I stepped into a church, and everything changed. At first, I saw a sign that read: “No phones” and scoffed; I was definitely taking photos. But as I entered, I felt deep respect and a heaviness, as though I was being judged. My fiancee (now my wife), Sasha, felt nothing, but I was deep in thought, questioning everything. I had a sudden desire to read the Bible, even though I was annoyed at myself for wanting to do so. 

Over the next five years, I watched endless debates on Christianity, becoming obsessed with them. One night I thought: Why am I still watching these, trying to debunk something that I believe? So, I decided to learn instead. I am a terrible reader, so I listened to the Bible, literally the entire thing, starting at Genesis. I didn’t understand lots of it, but that made me research more, and I would talk to Sasha about it until she fell asleep. Then I spoke to Owen (my wife’s sister’s fiance). At first, he debated with me; we even had to stop talking about it because we argued so much! Then Owen started reading the Bible, and soon he believed, too. 

Everything escalated when a team from YWAM’s Circuit Riders came to work out at Onen, the CrossFit gym that Sasha and I own, in the summer of 2023. They were volunteering at Creation Fest, a Christian festival nearby, and invited us along. That was an eye-opener for me – an introduction to ‘normal’ Christians that I didn’t think existed. Then, one day at a cafe in our hometown, we met Sarah Yardley, the festival leader. On Easter Monday 2024, she baptised Sasha, Owen and me, and our lives changed from there.

I had a sudden desire to read the Bible, even though I was annoyed at myself for wanting to do so

I had been praying to learn more about the Bible when two missionaries from America joined our gym and invited us to a Bible study. I couldn’t believe it! They have encouraged me to speak openly about my faith. I now want people to look at me and think: There is something different about him. I want to represent Jesus and show His goodness through my life.

The oldest sister: Sasha’s story 

As a little girl, I heard my mum pray to Jehovah (she was raised a Jehovah’s Witness), so I knew I could speak to God about anything. I would always feel at peace after doing so, but when my fiance Josh began exploring Christianity, it didn’t stir up those feelings of peace I’d had as a child. Instead, it made me angry and I would try to shut him down. 

I had a sudden desire to read the Bible, even though I was annoyed at myself for wanting to do so

A couple of years later, my family and I had a huge conversation about the origins of the universe, and it got me thinking. At the time, our grandad was really poorly. My sister Lola was with him when he died on Boxing Day in 2023, and when she came home, I hugged her and felt what Josh had described – this wave of peace, comfort and joy. I held Lola, and it was like I was hugging God. That was the turning point for me. I began to talk to Josh about faith and bought a Bible. 

Around the same time, Christians started joining my CrossFit gym one after another! Although I didn’t feel brave enough at first, I eventually spoke with them about their faith. Their friendship has helped me so much.

Josh and I were engaged and saving for a massive wedding but, one night in early 2024, I felt the Holy Spirit speak to me about not waiting. We cancelled our plans and brought things forward, and I decided to commit fully to God. A week later, I was baptised, along with Josh and Owen. It was due to happen on Good Friday, but we all caught a vomiting bug. Somehow, we were better by Easter Monday and the baptism went ahead as planned. It was a miracle. Six weeks later, we were married.

I prayed that all of my family would come to faith. Now my parents, both my sisters and my brother-in-law know Jesus – as well as some of our close friends. It has been a rollercoaster and, at first, I struggled with scripture – mostly around the role of women – but this has strengthened my faith, taught me to put things into perspective and softened my heart. Now, I see how much God loves, respects and elevates women. 

I believe Jesus changes lives, transforms and protects those around you, and He wants everyone. Josh and I now have a son, Isaac, and I want him to know God. I feel inspired to become more Christ-like to be a role model for him. 

The youngest sister’s fiance: Owen’s story

From a young age, I viewed belief in a God as brainwashing and indoctrination. I had seen the evil things done in the name of religion and had zero interest in looking beyond that. Instead, I dived hard into the sciences. I marvelled at the blue planet we call home that sits in a galaxy among billions, or the fact that we had evolved from a single common ancestor over a vast period of time. 

But although those things excited me, they didn’t comfort me. The further I explored, the less I found meaning and purpose. I believed there was no consequence to our lives here on earth, which left me feeling existential and empty. As much as I loved science, it couldn’t answer my ‘whys’. I debated with my brother-in-law, Josh, on why science and God couldn’t coexist, but I was fighting on hollow ground. I decided if I was so certain there couldn’t be a God, I should at least explore the arguments for why there might be.

I saw the look on people’s faces when they talked about Christ, and I wanted it immediately

Josh encouraged me to pick up the Bible, and once I did, I quickly found my way into the Gospels. The teachings of Jesus left me with a peace and comfort I had never experienced before, and I began to pursue a relationship with Him. My truth now doesn’t only lie in objective facts, but in the life that Jesus has given me. I’m still full of questions, but I will always hold the peace that Jesus has given me closer than anything.

The middle sister: Tahlia’s story

I can be strong-willed and obstinate, and had misconceptions about Christianity, unsure if feminism and faith could coexist. So, as my sisters, Sasha and Lola, slipped into faith, I pushed against it. But because I knew they were open-minded and progressive like me, I started to question myself.

I watched Sasha’s baptism from afar, sat on the cliffs above the beach. I cried as she went under the water, feeling like I had lost part of my sister. She’d changed so much; I felt as if I didn’t know her anymore and I found that really hard. At the time, I was struggling with what I now know as ADHD and OCD. It was the most overwhelming and difficult period of my life. I was having panic attacks daily, and nothing was helping. 

My sisters persuaded me to go to Creation Fest in 2024 as our friend was singing. It was so warm and welcoming that I became emotional. The festival leader Sarah Yardley asked to pray over me, and I felt this insane warmth, like light coming out of my body and love like fire in my blood. For the first time in a really long time, I wasn’t shallow-breathing. Sarah brought me a Bible and listened to my troubles. That was the spark that lit the flame.

I struggled with scripture at first, and it wasn’t until I met Emma Fowle that things really fell into place for me. In her, I have found a real friend and role model. She showed me that you can and should question things and explained how to read the Bible in context. I also attended an Alpha course. I came with strong opinions and many questions, but the team at Connect Church Cornwall did such an incredible job of helping me. 

My faith brought me the light, happiness and comfort I needed so badly. My fiance Matt is not yet a Christian, but he’s been so supportive of my faith and even prays with me sometimes. I still have strong opinions but, at the same time, I am learning what a modern-day Christian looks like. 

The dad: Mike’s story

Witnessing our children and their partners journey towards faith, I could see new life radiating from them. Their Christian friends had something about them that was very different. Most of my time with friends was spent around pubs, drinking and nonsense conversations that meant nothing; theirs were sober, wholesome and gave me a different perspective on life. I started to become more inquisitive, reaching out to God, asking if He was there. 

Now that the Holy Spirit is in our house, a sense of peace and calm has entered 

I spent two years listening to their conversations, asking questions, even visiting Creation Fest and feeling in awe, but like an outsider. Then my children pointed me towards an Alpha course in the autumn of 2025 at a nearby church. I loved every bit of it. No question was viewed as silly, and that was when I welcomed God and the Holy Spirit into my life. I didn’t even know what I was asking for, I just knew whatever it was, I wanted to be filled with it straight away – I saw the look on people’s faces when they talked about the love they had for Christ, and I wanted it immediately. 

At first, when I was prayed over at Alpha to welcome the Holy Spirit, I felt nothing. But then I felt huge warmth, happiness and joy, which stayed with me right into the next day. These were feelings I hadn’t experienced before. There are joys in my life – my children, my wife and family – but God gave me something markedly different to anything I’d ever felt. 

I look back at my life and see all of the blessings and protection God has given me. I feel the infinite love and warmth that comes from my church community. I am excited for the journey ahead, with God by my side, wherever that takes me. And knowing I’m on this journey with all my family gives me so much joy.  

The mum: Lisa’s story

When I was four years old, I remember looking up at the clouds and thinking: What is behind them? Where does the universe end? I knew then that God created this amazing existence. When I was in my teens, my mum became a Jehovah’s Witness, and I would attend Kingdom Hall meetings and Bible studies with her. I loved seeing masses of people worshipping God together.

Throughout my life, I have talked to God, although I never knew if He was listening. Even now, I find it hard to believe we are worthy of everything the Bible says we are. And I have always been a fiery, independent character, fiercely protective of my family, so I find it hard to let go and give up control sometimes.

When my eldest daughter, Sasha, gave me a Bible in 2024 I read the Old Testament first, which I became engrossed in and loved. Then, I discovered my husband, Mike, had signed up for an Alpha course – without telling me! I didn’t want to miss out, so I signed up, too. That was the springboard to bringing us closer to Jesus. Since then, I know I am blessed, because I wake up happy every day. I can never keep a grump on and that is how God has made me.

Now that the Holy Spirit is in our house, a sense of peace and calm has entered our lives. I am blessed to live in a household where Christianity surrounds me, in the heart of all of my loved ones. I can tell my children – with conviction – that they do not need to worry, because God has got them; that He is listening, that we are worthy. And as time is passing, I am starting to believe that I am worthy, too. 

And finally…Lola’s story

As a teenager, I was nicknamed ‘Jalepeno’ for my fiery, righteous personality. I believed all of the negative misconceptions surrounding Christianity – that it was stupid, make-believe, homophobic and sexist. To me, Christianity represented everything I was against; a manosphere of anti-feminists who rejected science. 

When my sister Sasha and her then-fiance, Josh, first started to explore Christianity, I was horrified. We had huge debates. Then my grandfather died. When he took his final breath, I felt a surge of energy pass through me. I think witnessing how fragile life is softened my heart and humbled me. 

I was in awe of these kind, joyful and selfless Christians 

After that, I started to meet Christians through the CrossFit gym. One day, I was debating feminism with my siblings and our partners at a local cafe, and an extraordinary woman came over. I asked her to settle our debate and, instead, she invited us all over for dinner. We were so confused. Each of us thought she was a friend of the other, but none of us had actually met her before. That was Sarah Yardley, who led Creation Fest. As we met more amazing Christian friends, I was in awe of these people who were kind, joyful and selfless. I wanted what they had. 

When my fiance, Owen, decided to get baptised in 2024, I was still unsure about what I believed. But one day shortly after, in a moment of frustration, he announced he was no longer a Christian. I was devastated and suddenly became Jesus’ biggest defender. He said to me: “Why do you care? You’re not even a Christian!” That was when I knew Jesus was the only way and that I wanted us both to follow Him so badly. Owen’s doubts were short lived, but I believe the test was not for him at all, but for me. In that moment, I saw how much I wanted Jesus in my life, and what it would look like without God by our side. 

Anything is possible

Well, there’s the story! As you can see, my brother-in-law’s miraculous and unexpected encounter with God has now led to seven members of my family giving their lives to Jesus. Each of them is now fully alive and filled with the Holy Spirit, experiencing “life in all its fullness” (John 10:10, TLB) with God beside them. 

Our story is remarkable. And it gives this message: never give up hope. On the dark days, deep into hopeless moments, always remember that you are not alone. Miracles happen every day; “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).