Ihave had a very interesting life, with some unique experiences. I was born andraised in a middle-class, Jewish home. Though not very religious, we wentto the temple for most of the holidays, and kept many of the Jewish traditions.I was BarMitzvah'd at age 13, after years of Hebrew school and religioustraining. My religious training consisted of bouncing superballs, trading comicbooks, and flipping baseball cards. We read Bible stories in books about Jewishpeople, but I never owned nor even saw an Old Testament. I saw the Tenach,(torah), first 5 books of Old Testament and we had prayer books as well. Myreligious books were a joke. They made Bible stories sound as believable as AESOPs'fables, very liberal teaching.

Iwas a teen; I had no need for religion I figured anyway. I supposed if there wasa God, and a life hereafter I would go to the good place cause I was a good guy.If not, I figured my body would make good fertilizer when I died. The only timein my whole life unto adulthood, I heard the name of Christ as a curse word. Ialso was called a Christ killer in elementary school. I had no idea who Christreally was, only that I didn't kill him. I knew Catholics and some people fromother religions. But, I was taught if you were not a Jew, you were a Christian.I knew Christians hated and persecuted Jews all throughout their history. So allmy friends were people who kept their religious beliefs to themselves. I justgrew up doing my thing, being a bit of a troublemaker in school. I thought I waskind of slick, managing to get away with all my antics. I was a smart mouthed,trouble making punk.

Theonly time anybody ever tried to tell me about Jesus was my junior year in highschool. He was a Catholic that told me he had been born again, and was now aBaptist. I mocked him and wanted nothing to do with some crazy religiousfanatic.

Ihad a scam going with a buddy. We went into stores and changed price tags onitems to real cheap prices, purchased them and sold them as at a profit. I thoughtit was just getting a bargain, not stealing; the store could afford it. One daymy buddy said it was wrong, it was stealing. He said since he is a Christian, itmust stop. I was livid. He was messing up my money making scheme.

That... a very intense period in my life. I started challenging him on what hebelieved and why he believed it. He had few answers. This angered me even more,that he'd give up our scam for nothing. Although I'd never admit it to him, Ifelt empty inside. I had chucked Judaism and tried worshiping things but theydidn't satisfy. About this time he started going to college so I figured I'dcheck out college too. Why not? Maybe the answers I was seeking could be foundin knowledge.

I... some courses in Philosophy, Psychology and World Religions. I wasinterested in what was going on out there. I was surprised to see that therewere some differences in religions. I had thought they all believed the samething. I checked out some Korean religion where they prayed to this thing on thewall called a gonyo. But nobody could even tell me what they were saying exceptit was supposed to make you rich and all that good stuff. I also checked intosome other religions like Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons, but they didn't seemright to me. I was on a quest for "truth" and would leave no stoneunturned on my quest, except Christianity. I knew Jews don't become Christians.

... with my friend increased about Christianity. Thissearching process continued over a couple year period. I decided one day to seewhat was in this Bible that I had heard about. There was a Christian bookstoreat a local mall, and I decided to go in and buy this Bible. I remember beingvery cautious, as I went into the bookstore to be sure nobody I knew was around.I'd hate to been seen in that place, I was shocked that there were so manyBibles. This search sure wasn't getting any easier. The manager helped me pickout a Bible and I went out in the mall to start reading it. I had many questionsand few answers. I figured I could debunk this Christian stuff and move on tothe next step. I decided I'd start at the beginning of the New Testament, withMatthew. I challenged God before starting. And said, "If you are who yousay you are, then show me why the Jews don't believe in Jesus." Achallenge I assumed He couldn't answer. When I read Matthew 28:11-15, I wasshocked. God answered my question and I knew all those years I had been lied to.I then told God I believed in him, and Jesus.

Ihone... didn't know what I believed in but knew truth had just smacked me inthe face, and woke me up. My next concern was whatdo I do next?

Mybuddy was going to a Catholic Church and so I wound up there. My first mass feltvery strange. I knelt on the floor the whole time. I had no idea they hadkneelers. This was the first time I had been in any church in my lifetime. I wasbaptized, confirmed and had first communion after going to some religiousclasses. I really got into novenas, prayers to saints and Mary, and every otherritual I could find. I had no idea what I was doing but the church said it wasthe thing to do so I listened.

Ca... very much like Judaism, with a little of Jesus thrown in with many rituals,prayers and much tradition. I assumed all churches were the same anyway. Duringthis time, while going to school at Cleveland State, I became involved in theNewman Center. It is an on campus group of Catholics. They were people my agethat I could talk to and they even had guitar mass, which I really enjoyed

Inre... like my ancestors after being set free, I returned to slavery. I wastrying to earn my salvation, hoping I was good enough to get to heaven. I readmy Bible less and less. I had no concept of grace. Ignorance is not bliss.Religion is the opiate of the masses.

Ibegan to have discussions with other students and the Priests, and had morequestions than answers. I was confused, things just didn't seem to agree withthe Bible, at times. I saw the hypocrisy in the priests and others andespecially myself. One day I walked down the street to downtown Cleveland andmet a man that would change my life.

Itis amazing how God can change a person. It is also amazing how He puts people inour lives at just the right time, coincidence, nope Godincidence! If I had metthis man before I would have mocked him or at best ignored him. Yes, me, Mr.Cool, became a fool, a fool for Christ (1 Cor. 1:18-25). This middle-aged blackman was standing outside May Co. on Public Square in downtown Cleveland,preaching and singing with his guitar. I had never met anybody so bold in mylife, so I stopped to talk to him. His name was Orris Price and he ran aDowntown Bible club. I thank God for this man because I don't know what wouldhave happened to me, if I hadn't met him. This shows the importance and impactone person can have on another. The other thing I'll never forget is that Godcan use anybody, if they are willing. If God used a donkey to talk to Balaam, Hecan use me. (Numbers 22:23-25.)

M... took me under his wings and mentored me. I felt like a fish out of waterat first; I had never heard all these hymns before. I had many questions - Whythis? Why that? Is the Catholic Church teaching me the truth? The Lord equippedhim with wisdom. He'd say, "Read your bible, what does it say?"He forced me into the word. He challenged me, "don't just tell what youbelieve, tell me why you believe it." He taught me to street preachwearing a sandwich board on the streets, with Isaiah 53:5 on one side andanother scepter on the other side. I began to visit many of the Black BaptistChurches in the area wearing my Jesus made me kosher (kasrite), clean fit forservice.

... years as I grew in the Lord many doors have opened, many dealing with teens,which is my heart's burden. I was never told as a teen about Jesus and havededicated my life to giving teens at least the opportunity to hear the gospel. Ihave worked for inter-varsity, campus life and was even youth pastor for a fewyears at a Baptist church. Through the years the Lord has continued to work inmy life, and has taught me very much. I have had the privilege to be blessed bymany great friends on and off-line. I have traveled all over the USA, seeingthis awesome country. I am under construction, and unsure what is in store forme next. I have no bible degree, but attend the school of hard knocks. I am aGraduate in heaven. I have completed some series from Moody Bible correspondenceschool. And would enjoy taking more classes when able to. My life is an openbook, if anybody has any questions, ask me and I will answer. I am available tospeak to any group anytime and anyplace that the Lord leads.

Inmy years as a Christian, after not growing up in the church, I have a fewobservations. I am saddened by many who have never read the Old Testament. Ifyou want to understand the Church you need to understand Israel, and if you wantto understand the New Testament you need to understand the Old Testament. Also,the Church has lost its Jewish roots, I was shocked to find out that Jesus andthe disciples were Jewish. If the church has any intention of reaching theJews it needs to understand Jewish holidays and basic Judaism. My life versesare 1 Cor 9:19-23. If we want to win someone to Christ we need to understandthem, walk a mile in their shoes. We need not be so quick to judge each other.We need to be known for our love. It has been said that the Christian army isthe only army that shoots its wounded.

Als... lack of money spent on reaching the youth is shameful - they are our mostprecious resource, There is a great battle going on for the minds of our kidsand we are not winning. I call myself a completed Jew because, Jesus made mewhole before Christ; I knew part of the story but when I accepted Jesus into mylife He completed me. I read the New Testament and read as they say 'the rest ofthis story."

Shal... Jeff

Hello, my name is David Weaver. I am 38 years old. My wife's name is Debbie and I have three children:  Rachael, Melissa, and Joshua. I am a Born Again, Spirit filled Christian who is in Love with Jesus, who saved me and dramatically changed my life 18 years ago.

I want to take this time to tell you about myself and give my testimony of what Jesus has done for me.  I was born and raised in Bryn Athyn Pennsylvania. My wife Debbie also grew up there. Bryn Athyn is the headquarters for Swedenborgianism. Swedenborgianism is a religion based on the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg who lived in the 1700's. He claims to be the messenger of God and says that the second coming of Jesus Christ occurred through his books. To find out more about Swedenborgianism and how it differs substantially from the Bible, check out the X-Swedenborg Files.  Plus Cults and the occult.

I was born and raised in this religion. When I was about 12, my father walked out of our lives, never to be seen again, leaving my mother with five of us kids to raise by herself.  I dropped out of high school in my senior year. By the time I reached 20, I was already a alcoholic living on 18-20 beers a day. My life so far had been one of fear, depression, confusion and anger. I tried to escape through drugs and alcohol but to no avail. My family didn't know what to do with me and even suggested that I commit myself to an mental institution. By May of 1980, I had pretty much hit rock bottom. I was so depressed and I felt so all alone. Drunk and depressed I really felt like my life was about over and that the only way to end the misery was through death.

One day in a violent, drunken rage I destroyed my room. I then drove off in my car with a case of beer on the floor and a loaded 12 gauge shot gun beside me. I kept thinking this would bring about an end to my misery. (It was at this time that my family wanted me to "check in to the hospital"). The ministers of the Swedenborgian religion either couldn't or didn't want to help me. They didn't know what to do with me. Then one of them said he had a relative who had changed religions and left Swedenborgianism. He told them that this man also had many of the same kind of problems and when he changed to this other religion he seemed to be happy now. So he suggested that I talk with this guy.

One day shortly thereafter a man named Jim Davis called me. He told me that he had heard I was having problems and might be able to help. He had a private pilots license and asked if I'd like to go flying with him. I agreed and went to see him. After we went flying we went back to his office. He began to tell me many things I had never heard before. He told me how he was once a drunk and trouble maker. How he had many other problems like mine. Then one day he saw a show called the 700 club on T.V and had gotten "Born Again." After which his life was  dramatically changed. He said Jesus had delivered him from alcohol and depression. He showed me things in the Bible that I never knew were there. He told me that if I would give my life to Jesus that I too would also be delivered and set free. Now after spending my whole life in the Swedenborgian religion it was hard to just say I would give it all up to follow Jesus. Especially since Swedenborg's are supposed to have the best religion. I mean if they really have the second coming of Jesus Christ then any other religion would pale in comparison to it right? Yet here was a man who was living proof to the contrary. He testified to me about the power of God, that you can have a real and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. So why did I feel so empty inside? Why all the hurt, guilt and pain?

Jim then asked me if I would pray with him to received Jesus Christ into my heart. But again a life time of being a Swedenborgian and also being a bit embarrassed, I said no. He said he understood and asked me if he could pray for me? Now the only way I knew to pray and the only prayer I had ever heard any Swedenborgian pray is "The Lord's Prayer" you know the "Our Father who art in heaven...." So I said O.K. thinking that's what I'd hear. Jim then began to pray  out loud and from his heart. He talked to God in a powerful and personal way. I had never heard anyone pray like that before. Here was this man praying for me with such feeling and heart and as he prayed tears were streaming down his face as he wept for me. This man didn't even know me and yet he prayed like he really cared. He prayed that God would reveal himself to me in a personal way, that I too would come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. I then felt a little something break in my heart. This was the first time someone had shown real compassion and love for me. Though my heart was hardened by my life of sin, I felt it soften a bit then.

When he finished praying he wrote down a prayer and told me that if I would pray this prayer God would answer it! I put it in my pocket and left for home.   Later that night as I lay in bed thinking on the things he had said and how miserable I felt I decided to try and pray that prayer. I got out of bed, unfolded the little paper and read it out loud to myself. I still remember it to this day. "Dear God, I am a sinner, I confess this to You. Please come into my life and be the Lord of my life. In Jesus Name Amen." That was it I then went back to bed and cried myself to sleep.

The next day I went to work. Then suddenly at around 9:30 I stopped what I was doing. Something was different. Something had happened in me, I could feel it. I felt a real joy, peace and love I had never felt before. It was incredible! I felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Now tears of Joy filled my eyes instead of tears of pain. I walked around saying "I can't believe it. He really answered me" I remember calling Jim to tell him that I had prayed that prayer the night before and how wonderful I now felt. We then began to meet together and study the complete Bible. I suddenly found myself with a hunger for the Word of God and I poured through page after page, soaking up every Word. It was so alive! I was astonished at what I found in the bible. This was the beginning of a wonderful relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. I had been truly Born Again.

All that time I was thinking that death was the only way to end the suffering, and in a sense I was right. It wasn't physical death I needed though but a spiritual one. For the old me truly died the night I received the Lord Jesus into my life.  

I want to share an abbreviated testimony for what it is worth. Probably, people who are still out there involved in the "new age" movement will not be poking around these kinds of sites, but then again, you never can tell what the Lord will do!

I was raised a Christian in a mainstream Protestant denomination. I will not mention it, because I do not want to cast any aspersions on that denomination, but I never really found a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ in that church -- so maybe it was just me. But the Lord had a great and tortuous and rewarding journey planned for me.

I was saved, in heart and spirit, one night alone in my bedroom, when I was about 15. But it was like the seed cast upon rocky soil-- without nurturing, I immediately fell away. I went into drug experimentation, bad lifestyle, abuse of alcohol, and eventually at age 30, entered AA under the influence-- divine influence, I believe! God used that program as a last call for me to either get straight, or get taken home. By the grace of God, I am sober today, twelve years later, but through the program I got introduced to the New Age movement in a tremendous way-- sort of Satan's last big fling at my soul. Psychobabble, mumbo-jumbo, Science of Mind, Emmett Fox, Christian Science, energized crystals, spirit writing, channeling spirits (i.e., demons), opening chakras, attending Buddhist services, Bahai Faith— there was not much I did not try in my search for the "Truth."The last big belief system in which I became ensnared was A Course in Miracles, which could aptly be renamed, Lost Souls 101. I studied it intensely for four years. All the while, God was drawing me closer and closer to Jesus. See, deep down, I thought I was not good enough for

Jesus, that I had done too many bad things for Him to ever love me -- how could He? That is exactly where Satan wanted to keep me, uninformed, and in doubt. But things started happening in my life -- God led me to my husband in 1987-- we felt we had been put together by God, but we were both out of fellowship.

One night, once again, in my bed, as I was reading the "Course." I felt I was getting the very strong message from my reading that I should kill myself in order to be one with the "Jesus." Something inside me cried out against that self-destructive message -- I know now it was the Holy Spirit fighting for my life. That night, I suddenly realized I ought to go in search of the belief of my parents, back to my Christian roots. Maybe there was something to it! Maybe I had just not quite gotten it right...

I began to pray for God to lead me-- and lead me he did, right to a word-teaching, fundamental, bible-believing church, which I promptly embraced. I began actually READING my bible, almost every day -- I won't claim I did it right all the time. But God used the Word to draw me, and, after reading Romans, I became convicted to rededicate my life to Jesus, to Whom it had really belonged all along. And I went to our pastor, and asked to be baptized to show what the Lord was doing in my life. Praise the Lord -- that was nearly five years ago, and He has not stopped working in my life since. I even had the chance to teach English in a Christian school-- me, a worthless sinner, whom the Lord loves anyway! He continues to bless and reward us, and we have seen our five sons come to the Lord in faith, and are watching them attempt to continue in His ways -- some times are more rocky than others, but we have the gift of His faith that He is faithful to finish when He has begun a work in someone's life, and we are secure in the knowledge that He is always in control.

And I thank Him it is not me, because just look what I was able to accomplish without Him! All glory be to God!

Sincerely,

Tamara Roberson

For 33 years I was a Roman Catholic. I came from a family that were actually founding members of the Catholic Church in our community. My grandparents help start the church in our town in the early 1900's. Therefore it was inconceivable that I would be anything BUT catholic. Of course, I went to Catholic School, mass 6 days a week and was totally ingrained into the religion. My heart ALWAYS loved God. I couldn't get enough. Like most little girls I had at one time thought of becoming a nun. However, high school and the discovery of boys quickly changed that.

At 24 I was married in the Church and subsequently had both my children baptized as Catholics. By this time, my faith was ALIVE, but my worship practices were DEAD. No longer did I feel ANYTHING when I went to Mass and stopped going. When I got divorced 4 years later at 29, I was LONGING for something more. As I was going through the annulment procedures of my marriage, I suddenly realized something was terribly wrong with this procedure and the church in general.

Both of my sisters had left the church; one never to return to ANY religion and my twin had joined the Disciples of Christ church. God bless her, she never gave up on me, she kept asking, and asking for me to attend church with her. For a LONG time I refused. Instead, I turned to the NEW AGE movement -- NO ONE knew more about the movement or had more books than I did. I was convinced beyond ANY doubt, that God had bestowed psychic powers on me and I was constantly seeking new ways of "enlightenment&... from the new age movement. NEVER having studied the Bible in the Catholic church, I was LOST and confused when I tried to read the King James Version, and told myself that "new age" material was much better. I understood everything. Then my sister purchased for me "the Book" which is basically a simple every day language version of the Bible.

The year was 1989 and as I read The Book, God opened my mind and my heart. Once again, I was on fire, I couldn't get enough, study enough, read enough, only THIS TIME it was from God. In March, 1989 I visited for the first time in my ENTIRE life, a church other than a Catholic Church. That day was like a miracle for me. The scriptures came alive and I believe I was "reborn" by hearing the REAL truth. Not long after, I committed myself to Christ and joined the Disciples of Christ Church.

It has been a LONG process. Frequently I am tempted by the devil to question the differences between Catholics and Christians. I HAVE learned how to overcome these doubts. Unlike some people, I wasn't instantly "changed." It has taken me years of study, and practice to get to the place I am today. My heart ACHED when, as a child, people would ridicule my faith or try and "convert" me. I didn't understand why the world hated Catholics and why we were so misunderstood. Therefore, I am EXTREMELY careful about how I view my former faith. PEOPLE MUST REALIZE that most Catholics come from families where this faith has been passed from generation to generation. Because Catholics are instructed it is WRONG to go to another church even for one service, often times Catholics have never head the TRUE gospel. Therefore it is important to proceed GENTLY when explaining the gospel or witnessing to Catholics. They are NOT KNOWINGLY practicing the wrong way. They simply don't know any better. I thank God each day that he opened my heart. I also believe that many times we must go on a spiritual journey AWAY from God, so that we may know what is out there, and THEN return to our Lord. Praise be to God.

Jane

Hello, my name is Keith W. Peterson. I would like to tell you as best I can, (I am not a skilled author), how it is I came out of the LDS church. First let me tell you, I was born and raised in the LDS church. The first of my family to join the LDS church was one John August Warnick, he was baptized into the church in 1863. To my knowledge all members of my family on my fathers side have all been Mormons. I also believe that my father and I are the only ‘ex-Mormons’ in the family. Myself because I left the church, my father because he was excommunicated. Though there are many ‘jack-Mormons’ within the family.

I was as I’m sure you guessed, born and raised LDS. I had no clue that we were not Christians. Though I was taught by the church that none outside the church were true Christians. We, were the only real Christians. I look back, I go over Mormon teachings and I wonder, how is it my family members fell for such teaching? How is it I never noticed that what I believed as a Mormon, was anti-biblical?

I enjoyed church when I was young. Considered going on a mission, but never did. I wanted to be the perfect Mormon, for my family.

The years passed and I eventually stopped going to church. I was to busy working, having fun, etc. Eventually I married. Married a non-Mormon. We had two daughters, and having a family now, I began to think of God. And I wanted to begin taking my girls to church.

I told my wife of my plans that we all begin attending church, and that we would be attending the LDS church. To which she replied, (not recalling her exact words), something to the effect of, ‘over my dead body!’

I didn’t get it. I didn’t understand her protest. Her mother attended a Unity church when she was young, but her Grandmother saw to it that she herself attended a conservative Baptist church. So my wife’s back ground was Baptist.

While my wife could not really explain to me what her objection to the LDS church was, she explained enough that I became curious. And I began searching for information on the LDS church. I found that their true history was not that which we were taught in church. Joseph Smith did not die a LDS hero. He died a criminal. (When I was young, I knew more about the death of Smith then I did the death of Christ. Smith was given much more importance than was Christ).

I did not know that Smith was a dabbler into various forms of magic and the like.

I did not realize that no where in the Bible are we taught that Christ and Lucifer were brothers.

I did not realize that there exists no council of gods.

I did not realize that my attitude towards my wife was unbiblical. I was not to rule over her. I was to love her as Christ loves the church.

I just believed so much unbiblical junk, that it has taken me years to drop most of it.

All I can say, is that God lead me to various ministries that freely gave to me truthful information concerning the LDS church. Then He lead me to a wonderful church that has me now firmly footed in the Word of God.
I did not leave the Mormon church because I wanted to, I did not want to leave it. It was fine to live my life as a jack-Mormon, but to actually leave it was another story. To leave this cult, was likely one of the hardest things I have ever done. I had many doubts as to if I was doing the right thing or not.

I can not point to any defining moment when I knew I had to leave the church. But I can point to who brought me from the church. Jesus Christ. Jesus brought me out, I was to be His, and I could not be His and remain a Mormon. And this is when I knew, I was His, because no matter how hard I fought, and tried to rationalize my staying in the Mormon church. It simply could not be done.

Every time I turned around, I was understanding LDS doctrine as I never understood it before, and I was understanding, that the god of Mormonism and the God of the Bible were two different beings. The god of Mormonism was a fictional, non existent god. While the God of the Bible is the only God, there is no other.

Anyway, I’m babbling.

Jesus Christ is my Lord, my Savior. There is none other. I do not want the little god of Mormonism, I serve the God of creation, and I will be spending all of eternity worshipping Him. And I pray, I will be worshipping Him, with you. That is my prayer for you if you are in Mormonism. If you are a Jehovah’s Witness, a new ager, who ever you are. If you are outside of Christ, I pray you come to Him and ask Him for rest.

Keith W. Peterson

I know that the best place to take a firm stand on in this life is Jesus Christ. What He did, said, promised are the only things that we can rely on in this wind tossed world. My decision to leave the Mormon church is based on Christ alone. My understanding of the Bible and what it taught was in complete contradiction to the Mormon beliefs. What disturbed me the most was the role of the Savior in the Mormon church. The Bible portrays a God that came down and saved us all. Mormonism doesn't. It is that simple, yet such a profound statement! What God must feel about the Mormon church would break all of our hearts. Here are a group of dedicated people who are trying so earnestly to earn those things that He gave freely. It would be like refusing free money from someone but then telling them you would like to earn it instead. What a slap to the face of God. The humanizing of Christ in the Mormon church has led them to believe that they are on the same level as Him. That is simply false. Anyone who reads the Bible with an open mind will be aware of the error in this. I use to think, hey..if Christ did it...so can I! That to, I have found, is another false doctrine.

At the time when I was a Mormon, I tried to simplify Christ and put Him into a category that was well defined. He has a body just like me. He is my literal brother. He is separate and distinct from God. How wrong I was! He is much more than I ever imagined! How great He truly is! I have released Him from the spiritual prison in my mind to ascend into Heaven where He belongs. He needs this perspective to guide me and lead me along the paths of righteousness. How truly sad that some people don't do the same. Keeping the genie bottled up in the lap will not do us any good. He must be free! If He isn't, then He isn't God.

I decided in September 19, 1998, to allow Him to be the captain of my ship. This is a big step for me. There are a lot of people to thank for bringing me to this point, but it all comes down to Him, my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am not going away, this is just the start for me.

Watch out world cuz here I come.

John Sanders

I was born and raised Roman Catholic. I went to Catholic school from Kindergarten to 8th grade. I grew up in a good home with three older sisters, and my mother was a very devout Catholic and a loving woman. As typical of Catholics growing up in the 1960s, we never actually read the Bible. Our knowledge of Christ came from the Catholic Mass and from daily catechism study. Having never actually read the Word of God written by His own hand, I assumed that the Bible was a collection of parables. Despite my "religious" upbringing, I veered away from the Lord about 20 years ago and did not go to church any longer. I questioned the existence of God, and thought if He was out there, He probably really didn’t care too much about what went on in our lives. I concentrated on being a "good person". I thought I was a good person all my life; I didn’t steal, didn’t do anything illegal. I knew right from wrong. I thought being good was enough to get into Heaven, if there really was a such a place. Nevertheless, I hoped that God existed, and I prayed to him at times, at least when I wanted something. When I didn’t get what I prayed for I thought he wasn’t really listening and didn’t care.

Throughout those twenty years, I now know that the Lord called and tugged at me, but I was a hard nut to crack. I had gone on to college and earned a degree in biology. I was heavily influenced by the secular humanism of higher learning, and to me science was the answer to everything. If science didn’t have the answer, then it just wasn’t possible.

I guess a real division occurred between myself and Jesus in 1986 when my mother died. How could God take this wonderful woman who meant so much to me and my family? I became angry with God and it lasted for a long time, although I wouldn’t admit it.

Fortunately for me, the King of Glory had great blessings in mind for me. He had chosen me - yes, me! - to be one of His chosen sheep before the beginning of time. I didn’t know it then, but one dark morning in early December 1994, Jesus called me home as I was driving to work.

Every year for the past nine I have driven past Gorman Baptist Church in Durham on my way to work. At Christmas time, they erect a display in their parking lot. It is a giant Bible about 10 feet x 10 feet and it stands on end with its pages open. I have driven past this every year at Christmas time and I have read it, yet like most things in my life I never actually saw it. This one morning, however, the Holy Spirit had different plans for me. As I passed by the church for the umpteenth time, I looked at the Bible display and actually saw what it said. It simply said, "For unto you is born a Savior, and He is Christ the Lord. Instantly, I knew what it said. The Jesus I knew as a boy, the Jesus of manger scenes and early morning catechism studies revealed Himself to me as the Lord of the universe and Savior of the world. Savior of my soul. My soul!

It felt like a great bolt of lightning, an incredible surge of electricity, had passed through my body. Every fiber of my body was tingling, and I was swept away by emotion. So much so that I had to pull my vehicle over to the side of the road, and park. I couldn’t control this overwhelming feeling of warmth, of an inner fire. I now understand how the anointing of the Holy Spirit is described as fire lighting on men. I wept like a baby. And I prayed. Not for something I wanted, but for the salvation I needed. I prayed, "Jesus, forgive me, forgive me!" And a voice, whether inside me or out, I don’t know, said, "You know Who I am. Why have you been away for so long?" It was all I could do to get to work and get through the day. I called my wife and tried feebly to explain to her what had happened, but she didn’t really understand. (She had not yet become a Christian - but soon would, with an amazing testimony of her own!)

I was instantly changed. Not that I became Super Christian in that instant, (and I certainly am not one now!) but God had imprinted His law and His love on my heart. Suddenly, I could not learn enough about the Lord. Over the next few months I devoured the Bible and every Christian book I could get my hands on. Most importantly, I knew the Bible to be the incorruptible Word of God the Father. Not because other Christians said so or because of the apologetics writers I studied, but because God told me so by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Old habits and sins began to fall away, and worldly things began to disgust me rather than entice me. Thanks to the ongoing love and witness of a few Christian friends who had ministered to Roberta and me for several years, we began to come to Providence. Not that it was easy for me at first. Although Roberta had grown up going regularly to Protestant churches, to say it was different for me is an understatement! It was true culture shock! Although I trusted and believed in the Lord, it took.

I was born in Turkey, and was raised as a Muslim. Islam was my belief, culture and identity. I never had a doubt about Islam. I believed in the Koran and the last prophet with all my heart.

I wanted to be a Muslim, not because I was born in a Muslim family but because Islam is the truth. Therefore, I decided to learn about other religions. I was wondering why other people do not believe in Islam. I looked for people who believe in different religions.

I read the Koran, and I was stunned when I read that Christians will go to Hell directly because they make Jesus equal to God! (See, e.g., They surely disbelieve who say: Lo! Allah is the Messiah, son of Mary. The Messiah (himself) said: O Children of Israel, worship Allah, my Lord and your Lord. Lo! whoso ascribeth partners unto Allah, for him Allah hath forbidden Paradise. His abode is the Fire. For evil-doers there will be no helpers [Qur'an, The Table (5):72, Pickthall's translation]). I could not understand that. Isn't it God's religion? Didn't God send Jesus? Why did God send Jesus who seems like a useless prophet who could not teach?

Jesus could not complete his mission as a prophet, people misunderstood him by calling him God, and at the end God had to save him from crucifixion. So why did God send Jesus?

I felt sorry about my Christian friends. I thought I should learn about Christianity so that I could help my Christian friends.

I bought a New Testament, and started reading. My real purpose was to find the mistakes. I did not start from the beginning. I began reading some chapters in the letters. As I was reading, I really liked the idea that when you marry your body belongs to your spouse, and his/her body belongs to you. I saw that the New Testament gives great importance to the women (It is not making them second class people). And I realized that I might not find mistakes but become very interested in Christianity. Therefore, I stopped reading that book.

One day my friend told me that he had a Christian friend, who talks about Jesus. I asked his phone number and called him. He invited me to a Christian meeting at the church. When I went there I saw that there were Christian Turks at that meeting. I could not believe that because how could a Turk become a Christian in a country in which they could easily learn about Islam? I thought that these Christian Turks were socially weak and could not exist themselves, therefore they were involved in such an activity.

Ho... I enjoyed going to these meetings because I could ask questions and discuss about religions. The second week I also invited my best friend to this meeting.

One day, this Christian friend invited me and my best friend to his house to watch a movie called "Jesus". During the movie I expected that Jesus would say "A prophet will come after me and you shall believe in him". Surprisingly he did not say that.

I realized that the Christianity I discovered was different from the one I thought that I knew. This time, I started reading the New Testament again. When I read the New Testament, I realized that I have to believe either Jesus or Mohammed. Jesus said, He is the only way. But Mohammed said he is the last prophet.

<... answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

At this point I had clearly seen that Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. However I was afraid of making an eternal mistake. And I found a way ....

People believe in different religions and all these religions can not be true. Intelligence is not enough to find God. However, I thought if I pray to God and give this responsibility to God then I should not worry about it. Because I believe that people can make mistakes but God does not. My prayer was similar to this:

God, I want to know you, I want to serve you, I am not seeking the pleasure of paradise, or some religious respect among others, but I only want to know you. I do not want to make a mistake. Please show yourself so that I may know that you are God.

After this prayer, in those weeks, I had a different experience in my life. When I opened the Bible the answer of my questions were right in front of my eyes. I asked for several signs from God to show me that I should follow Jesus. And he always showed those signs.

In 1994, I decided to follow Jesus. Since then, God always increased my faith in Him.

Do you really want to know God? Open your heart for the truth, pray and watch!

I was born to a nominal Druze home in Lebanon. The Druze who prefer to be called El-Mowahideen, believers in one God, are an Islamic sect that began to spread during the Fatimid empire (988 AD) ruled by Imam Al-Hakim B'Amr-Allah. Al-Tawhid (Unitarianism) believes in Re-incarnation, the Ancientness of the world, and the incarnation of God in man's image. Reincarnation is believed to be God's provision for a soul to live many different lives in order to give that soul a fair chance before judgement day.

I personally did not experience reincarnation and I do not know anyone who may have. Although I was not raised in the Druze faith, I was taught the Druze morals and values that are very similar to the Judeo-Christian values. As an ordinary member (Jahill), I had simple knowledge of my religion's faith and practices. I was still very interested in learning about life, death, God, and spirituality. Despite my many attempts to understand God in the Tawhid faith, I came out empty handed. There was always emptiness inside of me. Unfortunately, my experience of the civil war pushed me away from religion and God. I was actually bitter toward God for "causing" such destruction and killing, so I decided to rely on my strength, intelligence, education, etc.

I moved to the United States to continue my education. Immediately, I got swept by the "rock-n-roll" wave and all the "fun" things that came with it. I eventually ended up doing what felt good including drinking alcohol, using drugs, and sex to fill the void. All those experiences gave me pleasure that was short lived. I became very interested in the self-help movement. I started on a quest to find the "God within". I attended seminars and was eager to hear any wise man that claimed to have the answers to life's questions. I heard many men, attended many seminars, and read many books, but I was still hungry for the truth.

One day I received an invitation in the mail to listen to an evangelist who was coming to town. When I mentioned that to one of my Christian friends, my friend encouraged me to go and offered to go with me. In the meeting this man of God asked several questions that got me thinking. "If you die today, do you know where you would go: heaven or hell?" He made many claims about Jesus that piqued my curiosity. "Jesus has removed the barrier between man and God." "If you want to end the separation between you and God's family, receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior." At the end of the meeting when the invitation was made to ask questions, I stepped forward. That was the beginning of my personal relationship with the God of the universe. Today I believe that I will live with God and His people for eternity because I have accepted God's sacrifice instead of my own. I could not have worked enough or given God enough for my salvation if I had lived hundreds of lives over. I have been forgiven through the life, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

My life has been completely transformed. My peace with God is established on His forgiveness of my sin. I have peace with others as a result of His empowering me to forgive. I have peace within me because God's Spirit abides. God has restored my hope in life when He gave me the gift of faith and the treasure of His scriptures. I no longer depend on other people's acceptance; God's love for me is unconditional and endures forever.

My friend - give your life over to Jesus and believe on Him. God's family is eagerly awaiting you.