Even though I had been going to church all my life I was never really a Christian. Going to church, doing good things, or even believing that God exists do not make you a Christian. It is believeing that Jesus, God's Son, died as a punishment for the wrong things I do and because of this I can be forgiven and have a personal relationship with God.

I became a Christian on 9th November 1999 at an Exalt concert, which was a Christian multi-media event. I talked with Ruth, one of the Exalt team and asked God into my life.

Some people think that when you become a Christian everything in life is easy and you never do anything wrong. Of course I still do make mistakes but I can ask God to forgive me. What He does require is that I try to stop doing the same things wrong and become more like His character.

To be honest I do get stressed about life quite easily but I know God is with me. My friends such as Hannah V., Sarah C., Naomi, Debs and Paul have also supported me in hard times. We don't always know why hard times happen but it does build your character.

On the 11th December 2000 I decided that I wanted to be baptised to let people know about my faith, and I know it is the right thing to do. I have found meaning and purpose in life. I hope you have as well.

Katherine Gibb

I've grown up with a Christian background all of my life and there has rarely been a Sunday when I haven't been to church, but until recently I'd never understood how much Jesus loves me, and it really hit me that he's died for me, for my sins.

There wasn't a particular date and time when I became a Christian. I asked Jesus into my life quite a while back but recently I've realised how much he loves me and cares for me. There were times when I'd had fall outs with close friends and I felt that I really needed someone there for me who I could talk to, so I'd spend a lot of time praying to God and thanking him for being in my life and being my friend. Before I came to Quorn our family were members at Holywell Church in Loughborough. There were a lot of people there who encouraged me and helped me to understand God's teachings. This helped a lot.

I think that coming to Quorn Baptist Church last May was like a big step forward in my faith. I was around a lot more young people that were in the same position as I was. I found it easy to talk to them generally about things my school friends wouldn't really know a lot about.

A verse that really made me think about being baptised is Matthew 5 v16- 'In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and will praise your Father in heaven.'

I believe that God died for my sins. It's a great feeling, knowing that He's always there for me and I can talk to him whenever and where ever I want.

Sam Vanlint

I've always been brought up in a Christian Family and most of my friends are in fact Christians. So I've always been supported by them, which is a real blessing. As a child I'd always been taught to believe that Jesus died for me, and I believed it. But I didn't understand what it meant then. I do now and I'm willing to live the way God wants me to.

I've thought of going up for Baptism at other people's Baptisms, but I'm glad I postponed it until now. It has given all my family the chance to be here.

My faith has been driven by many preachers on TV, such as Joyce Meyer and Charles Stanley, and regular attendance at the morning services on Sundays and N:Courage in the evening. I also read bible notes often, from a book by Scripture Union, called "Closer To God". These have brought lots of support and encouragement from youth leaders and my friends.

Recently Lucy decided she wanted to be Baptised so Howard arranged some meetings for her. Me and my sister, Hannah, went along to these meetings to support Lucy and because we too had been thinking of Baptism. During these meetings I discovered more about what it meant to be Baptised and I felt more happy about getting Baptised myself. With support from my family and friends I began looking forward to it.

Sarah Vanlint

I have been going to church ever since I was a little girl. But it wasn't until about one year ago that I seriously acknowledged Jesus as my saviour and my friend. It wasn't until then that I asked Jesus into my heart and life. I also realised the great price that Jesus paid for our sins on the cross. He was tortured, utterly humiliated, disgraced, rejected and punished for our sins. But even though this act of love was carried out for us we still sin. This grieved me and I went through a period where every time I sinned, even if it was just a horrible thought about something, I would be deeply upset and often be reduced into tears, pleading for God's forgiveness. I wanted to be perfect, so that God will be proud of me, so I got increasingly angry and frustrated with myself. But one time in church Carol Brown said something that really helped me. She said that you should not be so hard on yourself, and if you fall down just get up and try again, for God has love that is unconditional and he'll always welcome you back with wide open arms.

Sometimes I can feel God's presence and the feeling of his power and overwhelming love that comes with it. That feeling of joy where you can't help but cry and get down on your knees to thank your father for loving you so much, and praising him for who he is.

There was one time where I was feeling a bit battered and bruised and I asked God to take me under his wing. As soon as I had prayed this a strong feeling of warmth and belonging came over me. Then I heard God's voice. I had expected it to be really loud and deep, but it was the opposite, it was so soft, calm and gentle but it carried authority. It was full of love and so comforting. He told me that myself and Brendan are together at such an early age to develop our characters for he has great plans for us.

My journey of faith has been helped by the youth church leaders, Howard's sermons and my parents. But the one person who has helped me the most is my best friend Brendan. We always discuss things together, encourage each other and pray together. We are both young and often struggle in our faith, but if one of us goes off the track a bit then the other one brings us back. We are stronger in our faith together.

I've seen God at work in my life and in Brendan's life and I've seen the devil try to intervene in it especially in this last week.

When I get worried about the future and what choices to make, or when I get stressed out over exams, Brendan always reminds me of Proverbs 3 v 5,6 "Trust the Lord with all your heart and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the Lord in all you do and he will give you success." This always comes as a comfort and security to me, and I've never been let down.

So I'm standing here today, publicly confessing my faith and giving my life to Jesus Christ. I cannot wait until that day when I will see him face to face in all his glory, welcoming me into his kingdom of everlasting life and love.

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