3 minute read
THE DIFFERENCE JESUS HAS MADE TO ME
Network Churches are finding ways to connect with those from all kinds of backgrounds and contexts. We meet some of them here.
Mark from Penny Lane, Liverpool
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I arrived in Liverpool 9 months ago, and I was feeling quite alone. And as an asylum seeker you don’t have a lot of support from the community, so I was feeling kind of lost in a way. I was looking for a church to visit. I just googled church and I saw Penny Lane. When I arrived at an evening service, I met a guy called Ben who was really friendly, and he seemed to care about what I was going through. As an asylum seeker, you don’t have much to give back when people love you and it’s a great way to know the kind of love that Jesus offers – unconditional without anything in return. And that’s the kind of love I felt at Penny Lane. They supported me if I needed anything physically, encouraged me by smiling, and looking out for me. They made me feel included which I needed and found in Penny Lane Church.
Sarita from St Mark’s, Grimsby
I have been in and out of churches for about 30 years because one of my friends is a Christian. I had been to about four Alpha courses before going to St Mark's. I had a lot of addiction – both with drugs, alcohol – and I had eating disorders. I was a very lost and broken person. I was searching for an answer that I could see other people had found – but I hadn't found it.
I met a guy called Ben at my gym, CrossFit Grimsby, where I work. And I was told he was a pastor at a church. And I said to him very clearly, ‘Don't invite me to your church. I've tried it. It does not work for me.’ But another day, I drove past the church and felt the need to go in, and everybody was lovely. The Alpha Course was starting, so I went to another session! I did Alpha again and things felt different because I really was honest about my feelings about God, about the Bible and about Jesus.
From that day, things in my life began to change. I had an encounter with Jesus, and he cured me of my eating disorder, which I have been suffering from for about 35 years. I decided that I wanted to be baptised. Since being baptised, God has met me in so many ways. Life is completely different, my job is completely different, and I work now for a charity, YMCA. Jesus has changed my job and my direction for me. I was in debt; I am no longer in debt and I have wonderful friends and my health has never been better.
Andy from Citizen Church, Cardiff
I’m a student and have had a few family tragedies due to COVID. I was in a bit of a dark place mentally. But I was very fortunate that my girlfriend, who goes to St Stephen's, Twickenham brought me to church with her.
After a few weeks they spoke about the Alpha course, so I thought, ‘Well, why not, might as well give this a go, see what it's like’. Enticed by some nice food, I started going and really enjoyed it. I met some lovely people. We got into the healing session. I've been suffering from quite bad sciatica for about a year and a half and I was prayed for. Luckily my sciatica was healed, thankfully, which is amazing. Lots of things have happened since. I've made some friends and I have a sense of purpose and a relationship with God. Citizen Church was completely different to anything I expected. My mum's a Catholic, so I've experienced a bit of the Catholic Church, which is very different. So, I walk into church and Ryan is up there with his cap and trainers, and almost immediately everyone was smiling and having a great time. Soon people came over and introduced themselves. I felt part of the family. It's just a lovely, lovely environment, you know? Where you can speak about whatever. You can sit and have a coffee, getting to know each other and getting to know God.
