‘I didn’t know how to become a Christian. Then God met me in a vision’

I grew up with a really lovely, caring family in the Peak District. Faith wasn’t really something we spoke about, although my mum explored Buddhism at one point. It wasn’t a Christian home, and church wasn’t part of our lives. 

The first time that I ever thought there might be a God, I was about 15 and sitting in my room on my own. I suddenly thought: I think God might be real. So, I said: “OK, God, if You’re real, show me a sign.” I waited and nothing happened. I went to bed, woke up and forgot that I even prayed that prayer. 

When I was 17, my dad, who is an ultra-cyclist, was doing an event where he was riding through the night. I woke up in the middle of the night and felt really worried for him. So, for the second time in my life, I prayed: “God, if You’re real, please protect my dad. If You do this, I’ll follow You.” I woke up the next morning, my dad was completely fine and, again, I completely forgot that I prayed.

I didn’t think about God again for another two years.

The funeral that brought faith

In February 2023, my grandad, who was the only Christian in our family, passed away. At his funeral, which was held in a chapel, they sang hymns and read from the Bible. The vicar read from John 14, where Jesus says: “I am the way and the truth and the life” (v6).

As he read those words, I experienced such clarity in my mind that God was real. Even though the funeral was incredibly sad, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace. That was the first time I encountered the Holy Spirit, but I didn’t know what it was.

I didn’t know you could just go to church. I thought you had to be invited

None of my friends were Christian. I was scared and didn’t tell anyone what I was experiencing. So, I started searching for God by myself. I didn’t know where to look so I would walk around in nature, trying to appreciate creation and be more grateful for life. 

Then I started going into Lincoln Cathedral. I didn’t actually know you could just go to church. I thought you had to be invited or become a member. But one day, I saw a sign that said students could attend Choral Evensong, so I went. I was trying to connect with God. But there wasn’t really a community. I’d attend the service and leave again.

The open door 

In February 2024, I reached a point where I thought: I want to know who Jesus is. I see people talking about this guy. I want to be a Christian, I believe in God, but I don’t know how.

I was sitting on my bed at university, praying: “I want to feel what I felt at the funeral. I want to be part of this, but I don’t know how. Please show me.”

I opened my eyes and saw a vision of a black door on the wall in front of me. I was blinking, trying to make it disappear, thinking: What’s going on?

Then I was filled with the same overwhelming peace I’d felt at my grandad’s funeral. That’s when I knew it was Jesus welcoming me home. I thought: Woah! Jesus is real. What the heck!

Afterwards, I started Googling what a door might mean because I didn’t really know the Bible. I came across Luke 11:9: “Ask and you shall receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

I couldn’t believe it. I thought: God literally just showed me that! That night, I gave my life to Jesus. I basically said: “OK, sure. I’ll do what You say.” I was so excited.

Even then, it took me a while to find a church. I kept attending services at Lincoln Cathedral and looking for somewhere I could belong. Then in September, I got properly plugged in with St Swithin’s Church in Lincoln. The people there were so helpful in discipling me and helping me grow in my faith.

Around that time, my twin sister was also exploring spirituality. She was into crystals, spirituality, meditation and journaling – but she heard what Jesus was doing in my life and started asking questions. I was constantly praying for her. Then she started university and, amazingly, there was a Christian guy in her flat! 

He invited her to church, and the word really resonated with her. That night she ordered a Bible and started reading, unable to stop. Eventually, she reached the point where she said: “OK, I believe in this guy.”

I had my vision of the door in February 2024. My twin sister gave her life to Jesus in October. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of helping at student Alpha courses on campus, leading youth groups and student nights, and helping to create space for people to encounter Jesus for themselves. Jesus has completely changed my life.  

Katie Ivings was speaking to AJ Gomez