‘I was a Jehovah’s Witness drowning in debt at Christmas. When CAP told me about Jesus everything changed’

I was brought up as a Jehovah’s Witness. The best way I can describe it is; for your whole life, everyone tells you that the sky is green, and to beware of people that tell you it is blue.

I never really put a foot wrong but when I was 14, I lost my virginity to another Jehovah’s Witness who was a similar age. It was announced from the platform at one of our congregation meetings that I had lost my privileges within the church. It didn’t go well from there. I rebelled. I couldn’t live up to the standard that was set, so I stopped trying. 

At 18, my partner and I moved to Devon and I fell pregnant. My friend took me to a Healthy Start Centre, where they risk-assessed me. I scored really high, so social services removed me from the flat I was sharing with my partner. I was told I had to go and live with my dad and stepmum. 

Sometime later, I fell into another abusive relationship. His money was his money, and my money was also his money. He’d say things like: “Don’t pay the council tax. I’ll pay it when I get paid. Then we’ll have more money for now.” I’d agree – but he wouldn’t pay it. If I tried to pay for it myself, it would cause an explosive argument. 

Crisis at Christmas

As Christmas approached, I finally managed to leave him, but I had bills coming in, threats of bailiffs and final demands. I started trying to set up small payment plans. The council tax office said: “Yes, we can sort that out, but as the debt’s quite high, we’ll need to take £100.” Then they mentioned another £100 from my previous address. I thought: That’s £200 already – and this is only the first person I’ve called. 

I was stressing, thinking: How am I going to afford Christmas? I got really emotional. The man on the phone said gently: “I’m really sorry, I can’t help – but we can signpost you to Christians Against Poverty [CAP]. They’re a debt relief charity.” He gave me their number. 

It wasn’t me who ‘healed’ Jacob. There’s no way that was the explanation

CAP began helping instantly. A guy called Ben came to see me. After every visit, Ben would pray. In the beginning it was awkward because I was still a Jehovah’s Witness in my head – and these were the Christians I’d been warned against. The first couple of times he prayed, I would pray to Jehovah because I felt guilty. 

On one visit, Ben and his colleague asked: “What can we pray for?” I explained that my son, Jacob, had been struggling with bowel and bladder issues for about two years. Going to the toilet caused him agony. I had tried everything. 

They prayed. The next day I told Jacob: “If you don’t go to the toilet, we’re going to have to go to the doctors.” He just got up and went to the toilet. I was like: I’ve done it! I’ve scared him into using the toilet. Brilliant! 

Eyes wide open

CAP kept visiting, and I’d share my opinion about God and argue against what they believed – almost trying to convert them. Eventually they said: “We have an Alpha course coming up. You’re more than welcome to come to that. You can ask us questions.”

I was like: Amazing! I can convert a whole team. I got to the Alpha course and I was really nervous. When we got to the healing session, we went around the room and people shared their experiences of receiving healing. I was sceptical, thinking: Really? I bet God didn’t heal you. 

As they continued going round, they asked: “Has anybody else experienced healing?” In that moment, I suddenly understood it wasn’t me who ‘healed’ Jacob. There’s no way that was the explanation. For two years, I tried everything to make him better – and all of a sudden, he was fine – straight after the Christians prayed for him! 

I went from being a doubter to getting baptised at Saunton Sands beach. Jehovah’s Witnesses teach about the God of war, the God of wrath – just so much destruction, really. But this was the love of Jesus.  

One Sunday after church, someone came to speak to me. She’d just come out of a difficult relationship and said people would bring me up in conversation. She said that she felt God say: “Just as I restored her life, I will restore your life.” 

To be used in that way is just incredible. I can’t explain it. He has fully restored my life. He has given back what the locusts took. 

Jade Stanley was speaking to AJ Gomez 

For more information about Christians Against Poverty visit capuk.org