'Drink, drugs, sex, career, travel - I’ve tried it all. Nothing satisfies like Jesus Christ'
From idol worship to Christian evangelist
How a far right extremist found God
TikTok Influencer: ‘I used to cry because I was depressed. Now I cry because I know the love of Jesus’
'I googled "Christian festivals" and discovered the love of Jesus'
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Testimonies
From suicidal star to servant of Christ
Marc Mero reached the pinnacle of professional wrestling, all while secretly battling a drug addiction that was tearing his life apart. When the facade crumbled, he lost his will to live. But just as he was ready to end it all, an encounter with God changed everything
From drug addiction to freedom in Christ
Carly Peek’s world fell apart when a close relative took her own life. Aged 13, she tumbled into addiction before finally finding healing and wholeness in Christ nearly two decades later
'When I asked God if he was Allah, I heard a voice reply "I am Jesus Christ"'
Ruqayyah Valencia-Dacosta struggled with anxiety and depression leading to a suicide attempt. But an encounter with the love of God took her from Islam to Christianity
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‘Debt nearly broke me. God got us through’
Having been a carer from a young age, Paul Helsby was used to relying on himself. But when a stroke almost took everything from him and the debt mounted up, he was forced to turn to God
'Drink, drugs, sex, career, travel - I’ve tried it all. Nothing satisfies like Jesus Christ'
Calum Mackenzie grew up in a Christian family, but walked away from faith while at university. During the next 22 years he tried everything the world could offer, but nothing seemed to satisfy him. Until one day, a desperate expletive-laden prayer changed everything
‘My once-atheist friends are turning to God’
When The Times run an article about Gen Z coming back to Christian faith, you know something must be going on. It is, says Premier’s Jess Stark. It’s the beautiful witness of a generation of young people living in radical holiness
‘I thought Christians were fooling themselves, until I came out of that baptismal water’
A whirlwind of loss and lament was set in motion the day Mike Wallbridge’s then-wife left him for his best friend. But it was also the day that God’s transformative work in his life began. Although Mike was initially resistant to God’s calls to come home, God’s persistence proved greater
The co-founder of Wikipedia has become a Christian. Here’s what convinced him
Decades of his own in-depth study combined with the testimony of “intelligent Christians” helped moved Larry Sanger from agnostic to Christian. In a lengthy blog post published this week, the Wikipedia co-founder revealed what changed his mind on God’s existence. Here’s what you need to know
The changing faith of The Weeknd
Canadian chart topper The Weeknd appeared to abandon the Christian faith of his childhood. But could his plea for “mercy” on his most recent record mark a return to God?
‘Christians told me I was going to hell’
As a young surfer Ernie Morrow was hounded by a preacher who told him he was destined for hell. Even as more of Ernie’s friends became Christians he brushed off their attempts at evangelism. But witnessing one of America’s worst fires coupled with an evangelistic message from Billy Graham turned his life around
From worldly success to fulfilment in God
Stood atop a VIP table in a New York nightclub, rapper Eugy Official had an out-of-body experience in which God asked him a single question. It would change the course of his musical career
10 inspiring stories from 2024
The news might not always be bright, but God is still on the move. From personal testimonies to real life stories, here are our favourite reads to inspire and encourage your Christian faith
'God saved me from drugs, prison and homelessness'
A tumultuous childhood marked by sexual abuse led Rob Wery to start abusing substances at the age of seven. After more drug use and gang involvement, he ended up in the same prison as two of his children. That’s when God broke into his life
From starvation to salvation
Born in Uganda, Ronnie Mulema grew up stealing food to survive. But sponsorship through Compassion gave his whole family hope, and changed his life forever
Jesus didn’t change my life once. He changes it every day
The Christian life is a series of conversions, says Michael Coren, as he shares his story of experiencing “the gentle but powerful touch of Jesus” over many years
‘I pretended to be a Christian, but God transformed my life for real’
Kia Hadaeghi falsely sought asylum in the UK as a persecuted Christian – even though he was a Muslim. But an encounter with God changed his life. Now he’s on a mission to reach Iranians all over the world with the hope of Jesus
How a far right extremist found God
Theo Wilmot is a former activist for the far right political group Patriotic Alternative. He explains how the unexpected welcome and love he experienced in multicultural churches helped him leave his old views behind
‘A scary dream changed my life’
Shi Ray Luo was an angry man before a supernatural dream convicted him. Knowing Christ has brought him a peace he never knew before
TikTok Influencer: ‘I used to cry because I was depressed. Now I cry because I know the love of Jesus’
Northern Irish influencer Ged Armstrong was enjoying a life of fame, success and partying before an invitation to church turned his life upside down
‘There’s nothing reassuring about Jesus. That’s why I stayed away from him for so long’
Mythologist Dr Martin Shaw came back to faith after a night vigil and a supernatural experience of Christ
‘Football was my god – until I found Jesus’
When Wycombe Wanderers’ Jason McCarthy became a Christian, his family, fiancée and teammates thought he’d lost the plot. But thanks to a miraculous goal and a crazy dream, things soon changed
'I googled "Christian festivals" and discovered the love of Jesus'
Sean O’Farrell stumbled across Creation Fest on the internet. By the end of the weekend, he’d found the truth he was searching for
‘More than 100 new local congregations have sprung up in the past five years’
The Church may be in decline in the UK, but the CofE’s latest report shows some signs of regrowth. In Blackburn, Joy Rushton says the growing numbers of children and young people attending church is down to a focus on creativity and innovation
‘I didn’t have a bed. Compassion provided for our family and told me about Jesus’
Faith Nalukwago shares her story
‘I heard the voice of God’
Joy Ogeh-Hutfield was an award-winning businesswoman when a cancer diagnosis turned her life upside down. Hearing the audible voice of God moments before her surgery reignited the faith that had grown dim
From poverty to hope
Noirine Khaitsa explains how she was lifted out of poverty and given an education through Compassion’s child sponsorship programme
From brutal legionario to lover of Christ
When Mark Gee went AWOL from the Spanish Foreign Legion, he was sent to their notorious penal work section as a punishment. There, a dramatic encounter with an effigy of Jesus turned his life around
‘Gladiators brought me fame and fortune, but the gospel set me free’
Warren Furman went from being homeless to overnight fame, starring as Ace in the hit 90’s TV series Gladiators. As the reality TV show returns to our screens, soon-to-be Rev Furman, who was once engaged to Katie Price, tells the story of how he found God and turned from bodybuilding to building the body of Christ
‘I went on a 30-day Jesus quest!’
Born into a Sikh family, Mindy Tagliente’s spiritual curiosity led her to experiment with new-age practices and eventually become a yoga instructor. But when her friend challenged her to pray, it led to an encounter with Jesus that changed everything
Taking my nan to church on Christmas Day was the start of my own journey to Jesus
A staunch atheist, Jake Scott was not interested in God. But when he attended a Christmas mass with his nan, it unlocked something in his heart
‘A near-death experience led me to Jesus’
After overdosing on cocaine, Michelle Steele’s heart stopped, and she experienced a terrifying vision of hell
'Evil spirits used to terrorise me. I know what Halloween is really all about'
Laura Maxwell shares her testimony and explains why Halloween is best avoided
‘I became a Christian after going to a light party’
Jesus wasn’t on Jodi Jackson’s radar until she was invited to a Christian alternative to Halloween. Two years later, she can’t stop praying
‘My art is a miracle - it’s inspired by the Holy Spirit’
Maxmillian Ciccone has been widely lauded for his unique style. But having had no formal training, the Italian artist insists his talent and anointing comes from the Holy Spirit. A new renaissance is coming, he says
From dead man walking to alive in Christ
Michael Corcoran was drinking himself to death, but an encounter with a Christian changed the trajectory of his life
'I was a staunch atheist but reading medieval theology led me to Christ'
Charlotte Gauthier wanted to save people from believing in God. Encountering the beauty of an ancient church building unexpectedly stopped her in her tracks
'I was a hopeless addict. But God never gave up on me'
Rikki Doolan spent years travelling the world, chasing meaning and fulfilment. Drugs and alcohol couldn't fill the void, and he found himself homeless on the streets of Manchester. That's when he stepped into a cathedral and everything began to change
‘My grandmother’s prayers saved me’
The divorce of her parents caused a deep pain in Imogen Hill. But the faithful prayers of her grandmother started her on a path to healing – and the miraculous salvation of many of her family members
From the worst slum to glorious salvation
Through the generosity of a teenager thousands of miles away, Dr Richmond Wandera was lifted out of extreme poverty. He’s now a church leader committed to leading his fellow Ugandans away from the prosperity gospel and toward biblical truth
From a life of crime to street evangelism
Nigel Williams was put into care as a child and has been in 18 different prisons. But meeting Christ set him free from his addictions and self-harm, and now he loves to share the good news with everyone he meets
I was indoctrinated to despise Christians. Then I became one
How did two children raised as atheist communists in 1960s America, become Christians – thousands of miles apart – and rekindle their friendship decades later? Sy Garte shares his remarkable story
'War made me an orphan and I tried to end my life. But God saved me'
Bernard Suwa grew up as a refugee during Sudan’s civil war. By his 16th birthday he was a homeless orphan contemplating suicide, but God had other plans. Today, Rev Suwa leads Grace Community Church in Juba supporting missionaries who are re-building his beloved country
‘After years of transitioning I finally found my identity in Jesus’
Oli London first transitioned from British to South Korean and then from male to female. But now he says the multiple surgeries were a mistake and discovering Christianity has pulled him back from a lifetime of unhappiness
‘I went to Mallorca to party. But then I met Jesus’
Jonas Ris was 17 years old when his life was radically changed through an encounter with the gospel in a very unexpected location
The power of the Christian camp
Lee Musson found God on a Christian holiday as a child. Little did he know that one day he’d work for Rock UK, the organisation that owned the campsite where he first said yes to Jesus
‘I was 8 years old when God gave me a prophetic vision. People tried to silence me, but God was faithful’
Although she grew up in a Christian home, it took a tragedy to drive Rita Vincent back into the arms of God. Through her early life in Ghana, via Nigeria to London, she’s learned that God has always been there, and his timing is perfect
‘I was dabbling in paganism and taking cocaine. But then God called my name and I’ve never been the same’
A series of miraculous interventions while at university saw Jo Hargreaves turn her back on paganism and drug taking. At the same time, hundreds of miles away, God was working in her family
From domestic abuse to new creation
Autumn Miles was trapped in an abusive relationship, until a powerful encounter with God during the depth of her despair set her on a path to freedom
‘God used donkeys to rescue me from addiction’
After leaving the army, Patrick Barrett turned to alcohol to cope with trauma, but God called him back to his childhood faith using the most unlikely means
From breakdown to born again
When a series of challenging situations led to a breakdown, it was a friend’s invitation to church that finally put Tom Stevens on the long road to recovery
From attempted suicide to saving souls
Jay Lowder was seconds away from ending his life when an unexpected interruption, followed by a dramatic revelation of Jesus’ love for him, changed everything
‘I saw Jesus while on ayahuasca’
Was I bathed in white sound or swimming in loud light? With a crystal bowl vibrating all my cells, I couldn’t tell the difference. And why were the words “child of God” in my head vibrating even louder?
‘I thought only stupid people believed in God’
Guillaume Bignon reveals how a series of improbable events, and an awakening of his conscience, helped move him from assured atheist to confident Christian
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