Stories

Here you’ll find lots of people’s stories, which will all be different in many ways apart from one. Each one of them has had their life changed by Jesus Christ.

Aaron’s Story

“I want to go deeper. I want to truly know and experience the plan He [Jesus] has for my life.”

  • I was raised in a Christian home and gave my life to Jesus when I was nine years old. But throughout my teenage years and into early adulthood, I often struggled to live fully for God. I was baptised around the age of nineteen, but even after that, I found it difficult to stay spiritually consistent, especially with worship, Bible reading, and prayer.

    Even during seasons of serving in ministry, I often felt like I was going through the motions, not really walking in the fullness of life God offers. It’s not that I stopped believing - I just wasn’t burning for Him the way I knew I could be. Over the years, I’ve watched so many people I grew up with drift away from the faith or go cold on Jesus, but I simply can’t. I’ve always been aware of God’s close presence in my life - He’s been with me through everything - and I don’t ever want to turn my back on Him. At the same time, I know I’ve often lived a shallow surface faith, leaning on my own understanding, and merely pretending to consult Him on the big decisions that have shaped my life to date. That approach hasn’t always worked out so well. I don’t want to keep living that way. I want to go deeper. I want to truly know and experience the plan He has for my life.

    Today isn’t about being saved again or repeating what Jesus has already done - I know that Scripture teaches one baptism (Ephesians 4:5), and I believe that when I was baptised, my sins were washed away and that was enough. There’s no theological need for me to be baptised again; however, this is a deeply personal step. After years of drifting, I want to mark this moment as a symbolic recommitment. It’s a line in the sand. A public step of renewed devotion. I want to walk more closely with Jesus, seek Him more fully, and trust Him with all that’s ahead.

aDAM’s Story

“I can see how God's grace and convictions have changed my life for the better. I'm being baptised to show I am dead to my old life and born again with Christ.”

Adrian’s Story

I started feeling convicted by the Holy Spirit about my lifestyle. I wanted a different way of living.”

  • I'm Adrian. I've always had a curiosity about the Christian faith, but I have lived a very colourful life and partied throughout my teenage years and my 20s. I had a long-term relationship with an atheist who I almost married, but when that fell apart, I found a Christian girlfriend online in 2016, and we fell in love. Neither of us really lived a Christian lifestyle until a few years later Rachel did the Alpha course, was baptised, and went off to Bible college. She told me I needed to figure out my own relationship with Christ, so I ended up doing the Alpha course at Millmead (Guildford Baptist Church) and loved it. I also watched Chris Sinkinson's dvds about Jesus and learnt so much! I felt something change in me, and I started feeling convicted by the Holy Spirit about my lifestyle. I wanted a different way of living. So I decided I also wanted to be baptised. I knew I wanted full submersion like Jesus had. Rachel got me in touch with Lansdowne, where she is placed for her Bible college course and is involved in ministry, and now I am so excited to be joining the beach baptism service and my new life serving the Lord.

ANDREA’S Story

I will give you a little brief of my life before and after Christ into my life.

I have always been an happy person and I believe since day one to God and Christ . I felt support in my journey and I always believed that someone was always and still is with me to protect me during my life and my path and I'm sure it's more to come and big blessings and things to be receiving in my life.

I'm feel ready to be baptised and is the next step I need to let more things to be achieved and accepted.

ANNIE’S Story

Hi, I am Annie. I am 13 years old and I’m getting baptised next week. I went through a stage where I didn’t really know Jesus. I believed he was real but I just didn’t consider it that much.

Last summer I went to a youth camp called satellites. I didn’t find out until I got home but I had covid on the trip and felt super emotional. But even though I was really tired and wanted to go home I still felt God telling me to stay and on the last morning of worship I felt his presence more than I had ever felt it before. I knew at once that I wanted to get baptised and have a fresh start.

Ever since satellites I have felt ten times better than ever before and I can really feel Jesus living through me wherever I am, if it is in school or playing football I try and spread His word and I am proud of my faith.

BELINDA’s Story

“I know the path of my life is up to Him. I believe He will put in front of me what He wants me to be. I trust in Him. I trust in Jesus… He’s in my heart and He’ll always be in my heart.”

Ellie’s Story

“I will forever be running back to the One who know’s me best. I am so grateful for everything God has done for me.”

EVANA’S Story

“Through this sacred act of Baptism, I want to publicly declare that I acknowledge JESUS as the Son of Almighty God, and I declare that He is my one and only Lord and Saviour.”

  • I want to give special thanks to God for helping and guiding me to take this important step in my life. For a long time, I had wanted to be baptised like my brother and my parents, but due to various circumstances, I was unable to do so.

    Throughout my life, I have always heard about Jesus and His sacrifice for me, accepting that I am not perfect, but that Jesus, through His sacrifice on the Cross, offers me forgiveness and a new beginning. I am convinced that my life has a far greater purpose than I had ever imagined.

    Through this sacred act of Baptism, I want to publicly declare that I acknowledge JESUS as the Son of Almighty God, and I declare that He is my one and only Lord and Saviour. I accept His Grace and His Forgiveness, and I commit myself to follow His teachings, guided by His love and the Holy Spirit.

    As I am immersed in the waters of baptism, I identify with His death and resurrection, and I renew my life, being born again in Christ.

    Thank you, God, for giving me a new life in You. Today, I begin a new chapter, placing my full trust in Your guidance and eternal love. My heart, now more than ever, is filled with hope, and I know that, with Your help, I can live a life that honours You.

    Amen and amen.

Frankie’s Story

“Today is a very special day for me. I stand here to declare my decision to follow Jesus Christ.”

HOPE’S Story

“My identity is solely in Him. The Lord has given me an unexplainable peace, and I can't wait to be baptised, leave my old life behind.”

  • I grew up in a Christian home with God-fearing, loving parents and a supportive church family. However, the world appeared more attractive to me. I wanted to blend in with my friends, go to parties, look and speak like everyone else—didn't want to be isolated and feared missing out on my teens and early 20s. I couldn't see why God's way was better.

    I was looking for my identity in the world, which led me to a life of fear, anxiety, seeking validation in romantic relationships, getting drunk at every social event, not dressing modestly, swearing, and gossiping. Following the world brought me nothing but disappointment.

    I knew what was right and over the years would ask God to forgive me, but I wouldn't take any action to make real changes in my life. Three years ago, my best friend invited me to a Zoom Bible study she was leading, and I would attend on and off throughout the year. I learnt more about who God is and started listening to worship music.

    We then took a girls' trip to Paris together, and I watched how she woke up early every morning to worship, study the Bible, and pray. I saw a new side of her—a peace and ease even while being unemployed and waiting to find out if she was going to study in New York. She continued to trust the Lord in the uncertainty.

    Over the span of a year, I was worshipping and praying to the Lord, asking Him to bring me closer to Him, to teach me how to pray, how to trust Him, how to build a relationship with Him, and let go of my identity in my job title. On November 5th, 2024, I was alone listening to worship music in my room with my Bible open and felt the Lord reaching me, calling me to repent, ask for forgiveness, surrender to Him and make it known to my family and friends.

    I am currently unemployed and have been for the past five months, but I know now that even when I am doing absolutely nothing, I am loved and chosen. My identity is solely in Him. The Lord has given me an unexplainable peace, and I can't wait to be baptised, leave my old life behind.

ISSI’s Story

“There is blessing, light and life where there once was only pain.

I am set free.”

  • My journey with God starts long before this moment…

    But right now I’m going to share the last five years.

    Five years ago, my Grandpa passed away. As we said goodbye in the hospital, I caught Covid — and everything changed. I was bed bound and my memory collapsed, at points resetting every twenty seconds. I lost myself. I lost friends. And I lost sight of God. After some time, I moved to Bournemouth for a fresh start. But not long after, I found myself in a relationship that quickly became toxic and very abusive. For a year, I punished myself, convinced I deserved it. Shame forced me to carrying everything in silence, I couldn’t see a way out.

    One day, in desperation, I cried out:

    “God… if You’re really there, show me where my home is.” A Christian song I hadn’t listened to in years came on my phone. It was called "Home". He had answered. He was my Home, and in that moment He broke me free.

    Not long after, I went to Big Church Festival and, in 30,000 people, I met someone from LoveChurch. God was using others to call me back to Him.

    That night, I stood next to my mum and promised myself, I would find my way back to Christ again. And things started to change. I started therapy, and I got a new job. But with unsteady footing in my faith, I let other things take my focus off God. I was distracted — but everything seemed okay.

    Then something happened that shook me to my core. I was assaulted. I blamed myself.

    Without God at my centre, my world broke. I had no strong foundation in Him.

    But in the middle of the guilt and shame,

    I cried out to God. Again.

    I repented with everything within me, and He caught me. Saved me.

    He didn’t turn away or condemn me, and neither did His people. God showed me there was no blame on me; the guilt and shame I carried weren’t mine to hold.

    He gave me peace.

    He held me.

    And He led me back into a journey of healing,

    Of wholehearted serving,

    And back to myself.

    Now, a few years on, my life is completely unrecognisable. Things still happen that shake the ground, but I am so much stronger in Him. In serving, spending time with, and seeking God each day, I know I have a place on this earth walking with the Lord. There is blessing, light and life where there once was only pain.

    I am set free.

    I know that I am the best version of myself with the Lord by my side. He is my guiding light. My strong foundation.

    As I'm reaffirmed, I know this truth in my bones:

    The joy of the Lord is my strength.

    In Him, I am truly free.

    I am not damaged - I am made stronger in Him. A new creation. A fresh start. And my faith, is a firm foundation, a house built on the Lord's promise and love.

    I am home with Him.

JACK’s Story

“It was undeniable to me: Jesus is who He said He is. I had become a Christian and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. My life has never been the same since.”

  • My name is Jack. I was an atheist for many years and believed Christianity was a bunch of nonsensical fairy tales combined into one large book to make people feel better about life.

    A few months ago, I was near rock bottom. I had just left my job because I did not agree with their agenda or the morals they stood for. One day, I had enough—it felt like someone slapped me in the face. At the time, I didn’t understand it, but on that day, I gained the strength to get rid of all my vices, seemingly out of nowhere.

    I began to reconnect with old friends, exercise, and live a more meaningful and fruitful life. One of those friends is a very intelligent man, and we have a lot in common. One night, he mentioned he was a Christian. I immediately mocked him and called it a fairy tale, which I have since apologized for. However, after our conversation, I began to think: "We have so much in common and are on the same wavelength about most things—maybe he's onto something."

    The following night, he told me he was watching The Passion of the Christ. Out of boredom, I decided to watch it too, just to see what was "so special" about Jesus Christ—a man I previously thought probably didn’t even exist.

    The movie affected me deeply. I was unaware of the torment and torture Jesus of Nazareth endured simply for preaching about the Lord. He was flogged, mocked, and tortured in some of the most brutal ways—something I had never truly considered before.

    By the end of the film, I had a newfound respect for Jesus and began to seriously research Christianity. Over the following weeks, it was all I could think about. I learned there is undeniable historical evidence for Jesus’ existence. In fact, the data shows He is one of the most written-about figures from that time period. We have ten times more historical documents about Jesus Christ than we do about Tiberius, the Roman emperor at the time.

    As I dug deeper, I not only discovered compelling historical evidence but also encountered the profound truth of who Jesus is. Jesus is God in the flesh. He died once for all to pay the penalty for sin—but only for those who repent and believe. He rose again from the dead, and He’s alive today, ruling and reigning over all creation. He is coming again to judge the living and the dead.

    By the end of my research, it was undeniable to me: Jesus is who He said He is. I had become a Christian and accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. My life has never been the same since.

    Following that, life has been fantastic. I don’t drink alcohol anymore. I’m extremely disciplined in my pursuit of a healthy lifestyle and no longer tempted by the addictions that once ruled my life. Despite years of mockery, Jesus has saved me and changed my life.

    Thank you, Lord.

JAKE’s Story

“I want to be baptised because God has shown me that, no matter what I have done or what’s happened, I am forgiven.”

James’ Story

Some years ago I got into trouble, and for the first time I heard the Lord’s voice. I knew it was God, but I didn’t obey Him. Regardless, He kept making Himself known and eventually I couldn’t resist Him anymore. And now He is the most important thing in my life, and I have to belong to Him.

Jonah’S Story

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

KIT’s Story

“I would like to show God that I want to serve under his name, worship and live with Him eternally...”

  • Hi, my name is Kit. Recently my relationship with God has started to build, with people helping me throughout, whether its on social media, to friends at school, to my family, and I thought, “Baptism would be a LARGE step to my journey to heaven, and since they are hosting some, I’ll do it!”.

    However it isn’t just me who I want to find God, its the people around me, especially my brother, we all go through hard times, and even times we wonder if God is even the right choice, be keeping faith in Him is not giving up on Him, prayer and patience is key for faith, and sometimes I try my best to help people with that.

    I would like to show God that I want to serve under his name, worship and live with Him eternally, including the people I currently know.

    So I am VERY happy for the opportunity to get baptised before the public, thank you.

LIAM’s Story

“My wants & desires have changed, no longer focused on Earthly things, but to a life in Christ. I feel a peace that I hadn’t ever experienced before and now understand the difference between fleeting happiness and joy.”

  • Here’s my testimony:

    Before I came to know Jesus, although relatively happy, at times my life felt aimless and without clear direction. I was regularly seeking approval and acceptance in the wrong places, and found myself caught in unhealthy habits. I thought I could only depend on myself and that any sense of achievement was down to me. I carried shame for some of my choices and behaviours, but I didn’t know there was an alternative approach to life.

    Things slowly began changing when I met my now-wife at work. She invited me to Church, and although I went with an agnostic mindset, I was keen to understand more about this thing that was deeply important to her. After a few months of attending Lovechurch, I joined an Alpha Course which ramped things up for me. Particularly the testimonies of others, the fact-finding content, and the open space to ask questions and explore topics I had never considered before.

    I became part of a Connect Group, and through regular community and learning, I began to understand that Jesus didn’t just die for my sin—He paid a debt I could never repay on my own. In that, I realised am deeply loved by God.

    Since coming to Christ, my life has been transformed. My thoughts, habits, and behaviours have begun to align more with who God says I am, and I’ve been making healthier choices; spiritually, physically, and emotionally, ever since.

    My wants & desires have changed, no longer focused on Earthly things, but to a life in Christ. I feel a peace that I hadn’t ever experienced before and now understand the difference between fleeting happiness and joy. I’m now grateful for everything in my life and take joy in praising God for them.

    I know that although I’m still broken, I also know I’m not forsaken, and that walking with Jesus brings my life purpose and hope. I want to affirm my decision to follow Christ by being baptised - to wash away the old and start anew.

LISA’s Story

“I’m just so thankful to God for this journey and I just really want to fall deep into His arms and surrender myself to Him.”

Luke’s Story

“I feel like getting baptised is the next step to my journey, and this is what God has planned for me…”

Michael’s Story

I just want to give my life to Jesus Christ my saviour and wash away my sins and become better.

  • I gave my life to Jesus at a very young age, he's always been with me.   Somewhere along the road I lost track and forgot who I was and was instead led by sin addiction and the lusting of the fleshly desires of the world. I lost God's presence and there was times I felt so lost and alone. When I got sober it was only through prayer that God gave me strength, he gave me purpose and made me happy again. Since I stopped sinning God has made so much happen in my life and give me strength I never had before.  He took away my fear and anxiety and gave me strength to fight addiction, I owe it all to him . I just want to give my life to Jesus Christ my saviour and wash away my sins and become better.   For me baptism is a declaration of stronger faith in the Lord and renewed self in Him.

RACHEL’s Story

“Hi my name is Rachel and this is my baptism testimony.”

  • Before finding and opening my heart to Christ I was suffering and felt alone and isolated with a very sparse support system here in England. My family live in Scotland and I was missing a father figure due to a relationship breakdown with him. However, now I know I am truly never alone or without support at any second of the day at any location. God is my father, christ my brother and redeemer. My family in any location.

    Unfortunately I suffer with several invisible chronic illnesses and constantly struggle to find the strength to do the most basic of tasks but God, Christ and the Holy Spirit never fail me with their unlimited unconditional divine power source. As a trinity these divine powers are a constant source of strength for me and help me understand that much of the suffering in our lives is there to teach us physical and spiritual strength and there for our soul’s higher learning purposes. Life here on earth, no matter how painful or exhausting is a learning opportunity for the soul.

    I initially came to Christ after my granny (a very devout Christian) passed away and left me her bible. I felt such peace reading the words and stories of Christ. I had considered myself a non-believer in my childhood but I can now feel the presence of God, Christ and the Holy Spirit in every molecule and moment. Coming back to church I have enjoyed reconnecting with Christ and his wisdom and love. First service I cried so many tears as I had missed my connection with our saviour and really felt his presence at St Swithun’s church. I am looking forward to continuing this journey and connection back to Christ through enrolling in a local alpha course in the Autumn, and keeping this up beyond that by reading my bible, having my own continuous spiritual conversation with God or attending church services where possible.

Rosanna’s Story

I am from a family of atheists and have grown up and lived most of my adult life with the same ideology. However after having my first son, I felt the overwhelming need to seek the purpose of life and question my beliefs.

I believed in a God and a creator for the first time in my life, however in 2024 I felt compelled to read the Bible and begun to explore the gospels alone. I then stumbled upon an Alpha course by complete coincidence and joined on week two. I felt that my fundamental questions about life and my existence were answered in the first video that I watched 'Who is Jesus' in week two of Alpha, and I knew that I had been guided to this very moment by Jesus, to welcome me back to Him.

I am very much looking forward to my new life with Christ by my side.

Russel’s Story

“There is no doubt in my mind that I want the Lord in my life. I am getting baptised to proclaim that I have committed my life to Jesus and all my sins have been washed clean”

  • Hi, I'm Russel. I'm originally from Grimsby in Lincolnshire. As a small boy I was sent to Sunday School, but having older siblings, this was not on their agenda. Very soon I was messing around in fields and playgrounds instead of Sunday School. I do wonder how different my life would have been if I'd had the opportunity to keep going.

    When I was very young, about 6 or 7, my father died in a car accident abroad, just before leaving the RAF. This ultimately left my older brothers to give me guidance and Paul was the one who showed lots of interest in both me and my brother Mathew. Paul was also tragically killed at just 21 years of age in a car accident 2 years later. This had a massive impact on all the family and we all dealt with it in our own ways. So I guess I went a little bit off the rails. I didn't even consider God or Jesus. I knew people did but I didn't understand why and I lived my life without them in it. My life had an emptiness, I never felt fulfilled.

    Until one day I met and fell in love with a very special lady who introduced me to Lansdowne church, my now fiance Sharon. I honestly think that the Lord put Sharon into my life so that my eyes could be opened to see him and feel Jesus' love for everyone, including me.

    One evening I was visiting Sharon. She had work to do upstairs, so I started to read about the crucifixion of Christ and what it meant to us. I can't really explain what happened. I am a sensitive person by nature, but what I felt was a powerful, overwhelming grief for the crucifixion of Christ and the torment and suffering he endured for us to be saved.

    I went to Sharon and broke down in tears and she tried to explain to me what had happened and that I was feeling the power of the Holy Spirit convicting me.

    I took this as a sign and started to read the Bible and try to be a better person, as Jesus has asked us to be. This, however, is not easy with the world and our temptations, and I soon felt turmoil and the initial euphoric feeling dissipated and I was left feeling confused. On top of this, I was having doubts about my job, which was impacting our relationship.

    Once again, Sharon told me I should give my worries to Jesus and pray, so we did. It was quite clear on my very last day of work that something was happening. My boss asked me to stay with the company and agreed that they would significantly change my role to suit both our needs.

    I left the office and walked back towards my truck. At that very moment I felt an arm around my shoulder and it gives me goosebumps to this day. I know Jesus was there with me and I heard him say "I told you it was all going to be alright". My whole body tingled and I became light as a feather. That's how I know God loves me and has a purpose for me. I believe he is guiding me and is definitely putting Sharon and I together for greater things.

    So that said, there is no doubt in my mind that I want the Lord in my life. I am getting baptised to proclaim that I have committed my life to Jesus and all my sins have been washed clean. A new beginning has started of a faithful life learning to live as God had intended and being constantly transformed through His love and grace.

Sarah’s Story

“I know that life won’t always be easy, and God doesn’t promise a life of no trouble, but He promises to be with us through every step. He gives me a joy and a peace that I cannot find elsewhere, and I never want to be without Him.”

  • I was brought up in a Christian home and I can’t remember a time when I didn’t believe in God. When I was younger I would always ‘pray the prayer’ whenever they said it in the service and for some reason I just wasn’t sure if ‘it had worked’ or if I was truly a Christian but I really wanted to be. Over time, I’ve come to realise that is what faith is for – it is believing in God’s promise that ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ and gradually He has taught me that I just need to trust him.

    As I grew through my late teenage years, I got distracted from my faith, and became interested in boys, parties and having fun. This increased when I went to uni and I didn’t go to church much or make time for God. This only made me unhappy as I felt a hole where God should have been. I never stopped believing but wasn’t living by faith.

    The years after uni, I gradually came back to Jesus, despite ups and downs. I know God has helped me through difficult times in my life. One example was after I went through a very toxic relationship. After I had got out of that situation, I felt a lot of hatred toward the person who had treated me badly, and was generally getting very angry at very small things in my life. One day at work, I went into the toilet, and I prayed that God would take the hate from me. And I felt the hatred instantly melt away and it never returned, I know God took that from me.

    He has also helped me with temptations where I felt I didn’t have much self-control, areas I could not resist before, I started being able to resist, and it was only with His help, and now the things I want to do are very different. Even in the last few months, He has helped me through a difficult bout of insomnia and accompanying mental health struggles, giving me joy on the least likely days and showing me that His grace is sufficient for me, and that He has plans to prosper me and not to harm me.

    I know that life won’t always be easy, and God doesn’t promise a life of no trouble, but He promises to be with us through every step. He gives me a joy and a peace that I cannot find elsewhere, and I never want to be without Him.

    I want to get baptised to take that next step in my faith and obey God, to confirm my commitment to following Jesus for the rest of my life and to show that I love Him.

SOPHIE’s Story

“I’d like to reaffirm my baptism, as I’d like to fully give my life to the Lord…”

TIA’s Story

“I recently had my own experience with the Holy Spirit, whilst at Church, where I felt warmth, embraced, empowered and loved like I’ve never felt before - it left me wanting more…”

VAL’s Story

“I finally felt that God was back in my life, although realistically He’d never left…”

  • I recently discovered I had never been Baptised as a baby, as I had presumed.
    My Mum died when I was 6 weeks old, and having been passed around various family members my Dad remarried when I was two.
    My upbringing was then in the hands of my Stepmother, who was both physically and emotionally abusive to myself and my Sisters.
    I grew up wanting to become a Nurse, maybe subconsciously to give the care to others that I didn’t have – I fully believe this has been my gift from God – especially as I had no real perception of what ‘caring’ looked like.

    When I was 16, I was drawn to a poster for ‘An Evening of Worship’ advertised at the Community centre near my school.
    The singer/songwriters were Ismael & Andy (I’ve always remembered their names & latterly discovered Ismael Smale was ordained in 2007 and Andy Piercy became part of the worship and ALPHA team at HTB).
    They prayed for me that evening, this was to be my first experience of the Holy Spirit.
    I vividly recall feeling completely overcome with the release of pent-up emotion. Yet I felt peace.
    I left with a new sense of purpose, determination and feeling of belonging.

    My life didn’t suddenly become perfect, but I did qualify as a Nurse!
    I’ve experienced difficult events – family disputes and illnesses.
    In 2013 I suffered a brain haemorrhage and came far too close to the live or die scenario.
    I survived, and my trust and belief in God was reinforced that He had more plans for me.

    In 2020 I experienced two bereavements in 3 months, my Husband and my Dad.
    With the covid isolation, unfortunately even from my church, I felt God had thrown me out in the wilderness.
    After a truly awful couple of years I spent some time at Lee Abbey and was supported by the Christian Community there.
    I finally felt that God was back in my life, although realistically He’d never left, just I couldn’t see through my grief.

    I want to say it's been my life experiences – good and bad – that has given me my identity and without them I wouldn’t be the person I am….
    but I have learnt that no matter what chapter of life I’m in, God will help me to know what to do, he will be by my side, and he will give me the strength and confidence to move forward.

Zara’s Story

“I want to get baptised, because I want to show my full love and appreciation towards Jesus Christ, walk on the path He has planned for me and grow my knowledge as a Christian.”