My testimony begins in Reginald Street, Luton. I lived there for five years and was raised and loved by the most wonderful parents I could ever have asked for. They loved me so much that they taught me Bible stories, how to pray to God and how to obey the laws in the Bible. They took me along to church (Dunstable Baptist Church) and I sat there every week, and loved it. I loved it because I liked to learn. Church was where I could learn more about the Bible. I could also see my friends, and mess around with them. I went to the church youth club on Friday as well (see 'church activities' in the website). I attended Cubs and Scouts and had to take part in Church of England services, so sometimes I would go to church four times on one Sunday. I felt that I was a very good chap.

In many people’s eyes I was, but I wasn’t inside. I used to cause trouble at the Friday club, and make life difficult for the leaders. I started to make dubious friends at school, and was influenced by them. But what was worse was this: I hid from people all the bad things I did. I lived a good and reputable life on the outside, but on the inside I was riddled with badness. The Bible calls this sin. Sin is disobeying God, breaking His rules. And I was doing that all the time, and making it worse because I was a little hypocrite, living a double life, making sure the wrong things I did were hidden. But one person sees everything; and He is God. He does not just look at the outward appearance, but at the heart, that is, at the mind, the inside, the real you, covered and hidden by nothing.

One night I was lying in bed, reading a magazine called ‘Eagles Wings’, which a lady in the church had given me. I was reading about a boy, called James, who was my age (at that time, 12), and who went to 'Friday-nite club' in the US. He had the same interests and hobbies as me. One night, James went to bed, but he never woke up. He died in his sleep of carbon monoxide poisoning from a faulty gas fire in his room. After reading that, I lay in bed stunned. Stories in ‘Eagles Wings’ usually ended happily. The article had ended by saying that nobody knew if James was a Christian or not. He could be in heaven or hell.

There and then, lying in bed, I was forced to think about the future, the eternal future. I knew, I knew that if I died that night, I would end up in hell. I knew that my life was one of sin and hypocrisy. I knew that God hates all sin and must punish it. So then and there I said to God: "I am a sinner. I deserve to be punished. I am sorry, please forgive me, please let me go to heaven." And then I had a peace wash over me. I knew that Jesus Christ had died for me; that He had died to take the punishment I deserved. I knew this and BELIEVED it. I slept well that night, knowing that if I died, I would go to heaven to be with Jesus. So, I became a Christian. I was subsequently baptised and lived my life with no fear of death! But it wasn't all easy. There were many problems. One of the biggest problems was trying to stop doing the sins I had got into a habit of doing. How many times have I wished I kept God’s law! You reap what you sow; the sins died hard. And they still haven't all gone. But God gently showed me how much I was sinning and helped me to resist.

I have been through some tough times, tough mainly because of my stupidity and selfishness, but God has used these times to mould me and temper me, and has brought me through. God has been so merciful and kind to me I can sometimes hardly believe it. He has given me a good job and the most wonderful wife, who puts up with me and loves me unconditionally. God is so good to me, so very good, even though I don't deserve it. I love him and He loves me and I can’t wait to see Him face to face.