Your faith stories 

Across Northern Ireland, Churches and communities have rallied in support and enthusiasm for The Celebration Of Hope. Here are the faith stories from some of these people - sharing their own journey of hope and their personal encounter with Christ.

If you want to add your story, please tell us here.

thank you for a great celebration the whole concert was wonderful.God bless you all .
wendy, Lisbellaw

I grew up in non christian home well my mum told me my nanny was a good christian lady. mum made us all go to church every week but we hate going did not know what they were talking about.I alway had a feeling of something was missing , got married when i was 22 not really understanding marriage what it ment really , 2 years later i had my first child she was great, i still had the feeling something was missing, i was living near my aunt,uncle and cousin , my cousin was a christian and i would alway ask her how she became one and she would tell me, we had only move to the area when i was pregant with my daughter.we start going to church and we felt so welcome everyone was a christian well most of them i felt great the people were lovely, then my cousin said that the rectory wife was doing a tracks course so heather and i went too.over the next few weeks i found that i could not sleep i just did not feel right ,i told my cousin this and she give me a wee book called why jesus, that night i read the book and ask God into my life. That was the last week of the course,The next day i ask my cousin to come over and i told her what i done she was delighted, at that minute i told her i felt the holy spirit come into me what a feeling i could not stop smiling ,everyone noticed a change in me when i went to are last meeting i told them, they were all so happy.I never had a father going up my father and mother separted when i was young i missed have one all my friends had one but now i have one and i have never felt alonely . GOD is wonderful he will never leave you he is always by your side THANK YOU FATHER. ASK HIM INTO YOUR HEART TODAY YOU WILL NEVER BE ALONELY AGAIN.X
wendy, lisbellaw

My mom grew up in Belfast on the Shankill road and came to know Christ as a young girl. Mom passed away several years ago and was still praying for her Belfast. She would be so happy to know that Jesus Christ is still being proclaimed in Belfast and that many are coming to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Eileen, USA

I HAVE BEEN A BORN AGAIN CHRISTIAN FOR 1 YEAR THIS EASTER... I LEAD A PRETTY EMPTY LIFE FOR 10 YEARS OR SO "FILLING THE VOID" IN THAT TIME BY DRINKING, SNIFFING SOLVENTS, DRUGS, EATING DISORDER(S), SELF-HARM ETC... GOD HAS "FILLED THAT VOID" AND I HAVE GREAT PEACE NOW... FAITH FOR ME CAME THROUGH HEARING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE... GOD IS TRUELY AMAZING...
CAT, CO'DOWN

I had always been brought up in a christian family. i was always in church every week. But i never fully made a commitment to Jesus that lasted, never stood up for him or let him fully become a part of my life and do his will. Even though I had been brought up in a christian family I never felt filled with the holy spirit and it sometimes felt as if Jesus was too far too reach him.

Over the years I did count myself as a christian, but it wasn't until recently I made a commitment to Christ after my 1st gravity course and I knew all the things I done wrong and knew what Jesus had done for me. Only Jesus could give me salvation and forgive my sins to make me clean.I've tried to walk with him everyday since! I love jesus! It's difficult sometimes but I can do all things through Christ which give me strength! xoxox
Sarah, Ballynahinch

It was in church that I heard the story of how Jesus died on the cross to pay the price for all the wrong things I had done. Even though I was only 8 years old I realised that i needed to say sorry for all the bad things I had done and to ask Him to come and live in my life. I continue to walk with him everyday.
Nadine, Belfast

From a young age I always wanted to be 'good' and I worried about doing things wrong and facing punishment. I tried really hard but would still fall down, unable to live this 'perfect' life that I felt was needed! I had been taught about how Jesus had died for me to take away my sins and so I knew that I needed to ask Him to forgive me and help me. I found someone who wanted to carry my mistakes and to give me the power and strength I needed for life. Instead of following a set of rules, I could follow Jesus. I have found in Him someone worth living for and the more I give of my life to Him the more love, joy and peace I know! Glory to Him!
Rosalind, Temple

Well for a while i really felt the Holy Spirit speaking into my life. I went to a 'Campaigners' camp and the Holy Spirit spoke to me sooooo much and i gave my life to the Lord!
Samantha, Ballymena

Born into a christian family, attending church regularly and sunday school every week without fail. Went to a youth club in Dromore and when I was eight years old one of the leaders was talking about the need for salvation and told us what we had to do to become followers of christ. That night i went home and prayed the prayer for salvation and i have been a follower of Christ ever since. I started to really dislike going to church because there was no one my own age went and it was very formal so i recently moved to Dromore Elim and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I now play the flute in the worship team and help out in kids church, and i love every minute of it.
Ruth, Banbridge

In 1996 I started going out with my husband. I knew he smoked Cannabis and took ecstasy tabs so it wasn't long until we started smoking cannabis most nights. My parents were getting divorced and I was always drinking as a way of escaping from my problems, but I was getting fed up with drinking. When I took my first ecstasy, I danced all night and didn't get tired. I felt great.
The next morning I felt awful.
I started taking ecstasy most weekends. During the week after taking it, I felt awful, I didn't care about anything.

Over time, I became really scared of dying, and the world ending. I believed in God and became more aware of his existence, but I blocked it out.

Just before Christmas in 1999, I spent one Friday night with my husband's family, who are Christians and we had such a laugh.

When I went home, I started getting pains in my chest and left arm and I thought, I was going to have a heart attack.
The next morning I went to casualty, they ran some tests and couldn't find anything wrong. That night, my husband and I went out with friends and we weren't going to get any drugs, but somehow ended up getting some speed (amphetamine).

On our way home, I bumped into a friend I hadn't seen in years and we went to her house where she was living with her boyfriend and children. We sat up all night chatting and we took some ecstasy.

My friend and her boyfriend didn't seem very happy and at that time I longed for my husband's family, I realised that the difference was Gods love.

In the morning as my husband was driving us up to his house to go for a sleep, there was a voice in my head saying, there is more to life than this, I can give you the love you crave. I said to my husband "I want to be a Christian."

We arrived at his house, my husband ran inside and phoned his brother. His brother told me what to pray. I told Jesus I was sorry for the wrong things I had done and asked him to come into my life and make me a new person.

I felt like there was a huge weight on my shoulders, which suddenly disappeared. I knew life was going to get better. I quit smoking and taking drugs straight away.

I struggled with it, but I knew it was worth it and God helped me change. I started going to church and I felt at home there.
Natasha, Bangor

Id always believed in God to some degree and had attended GB and sunday school since I was very young. When I was about 15 my friend started taking me to a monthly christian youth event. Id been going for a while when one particualr speaker was speaking and in part of his talk he told a story about a girl who had fallen from faith and walked past a church he was preaching in and she went in. He said he felt God telling him to say "welcome home" so he stared saying it over and over again and I felt that he was saying it to me. It was then that I commited my life to God. Since then I have tried to serve God in all ways I can and my life has been so much better.
michelle, lisburn

I was brought up in a family that took me to Sunday school and Church, so I always had contact with Christian people. Through school I had a strong desire to follow Jesus, as if there was something missing from my life. I noticed I only felt completely happy with myself when in church or related events, this developed from attending youth groups, through watching my Christian friends and how they were content in their faith. I asked Jesus into my life at 14 years old and since then I have had my ups and downs, realising some things in life aren't easy, 'stumbling' in my faith along the way. However through all of these experiences I have endured, I depended on Jesus, mainly through prayer and my Bible, without my Bible for guidance through some of my toughest times I don't know what I would've done. My life just doesn't seem to have a purpose without Jesus as my focus point!
Laura, Belfast

I grew up in a Christian home and was brought to Sunday school etc and I always knew that God loves me. At night when i was alot younger Mum always said the Lord's prayer with me and my sister. And when we got a wee bit older Mum always knew that we would said our own prayers. One night I was praying and i felt so empty when I was talking to God. I could understand it. Then a few days later I heard that we all have a space inside of us that only God can fill. So that night I ask God to come into my life and be my best friend!! And I've never looked back since!!
Jennifer, Portadown

I became a Christian on my 4th birthday. Though as I look back I don't know if i fully understand what being a christian was. I went through a big rough patch were I wanted nothing to do with Christ or nearly anything to do with the Church. Though I found as I experienced and searched in everything which this world had to offer that I was not happy. Recently I accepted Christ back into my life. So for anyone who thinks that hey are so far away from God they will never come back to him well He will never give up on you.
Keith, Belfast

I became a christian 1week ago.
i had faith in God for about 3years but last week I decided to get on my knees and pray.i first of all texted my youth worker to find out how it was done and I did it. It felt AMAZING! I now know that am goin to a place called heaven.
cherith, belfast

I grew up in a Christian family & went to all the church organisations. I became a Christian aged 10. My faith became more real to me when I was aged 21 and my boyfriend was diagnosed with leukaemia. Both of us grew together in our faith throughout his illness. Michael died 3 years later despite our prayers for healing. However I did not turn bitter, in time my faith became deeper and even more important to me as the reality of mortality came to me and the importance of not taking God for granted. Facing the death of a loved one and coming through the other side has strengthened my faith and made me not ashamed of it, as I was sometimes as a teenager. God saw me through the lowest and toughest times of my life, often providing comfort and an encouraging Bible reading at just the right time. He is my God and I cannot wait to be reunited with Him and with lost friends, in heaven, but while here on earth, I will glorify Him.
Charlotte, Belfast

When I first met my partner he was a backslider and i didn't believe in God. Last year he decided to come back to Christ and I read the Bible with him, but I was trying to find faults. After a couple of weeks I had a dream about a house, I was with my sister and we went inside and up some stairs and opened a door and inside there was a big monster with loads of teeth we ran out to go back downstairs but something else was coming up, my sister said we're going to die but a voice inside said trust in the Lord. So I said it's
o.k the Lord will save us. The thing disappeared and we got out o.k. I thought it was strange but never said anything to my partner. The next night I had another dream, I was in a library and satan was chasing me and again I heard a voice saying trust in the Lord, so again i knew the Lord would save me. The next day I couldn't get the dreams out of my head and then I just knew the Lord was giving me a message. I gave my heart to Christ and now I'm a born again Christian and don't know what I ever done without God in my life.
Michelle, dunmurry

At yf on a friday night I just gave myself to God because I knew I had to do it. I didnt really do that much for God apart from pray and read my bible but when Karl the Viking came to Belfast my life was changed once again. I fully experienced the Holy Spirit, now no-one could say Jesus wasnt real to me,i knew otherwise!
Rory, Belfast

I was brought up in a christian home and went to church with my family every week. I knew that I loved God but there was something missing even though I went to church and believed Him. I decided when i was about 7/8 that i needed to ask God to be the leader of my life and to take away my sin. I prayed at about 10 oclock and then fell asleep. Waking up the next day there was not very much that felt different excpet i knew that i didnt have to worry about my past sins any more and i could have strengh to live my life God's way!
Naimh, Newtownards

I have known God all my life, i grew up in a Christian family and have attended church all my life. Although I could not really understand God until i was about 11, and didn't really know what it meant to be a Christian, and what it is like to have a relationship with him. It wasn't until I was older that I became a Christian, and I cannot give a date, as it wasn't one of these 'experiences' you hear people talk about, I just decided to change my life for God a to follow him and his word. From there my faith has just continued growing as I read the Bible more, and i now understand the meaning of being a Christian.
christopher , Banbridge

I was always brought up in a Christian family. But this time last year, everything seemed to be going wrong for me. Lot's of stuff happening at home sickness, job pressures and relationships strained. For a while, I was like "thanks God for testing me", but soon I realised that I wasn't thankful. I was angry. So i broke down one evening - Monday, the 19th March - and basically shouted at God, asking where He was in all this. Then He showed up. I heard a voice which said "I'm right here". A few weeks later, I discovered so many of the issues were getting sorted, healing, restoration and new hope and everyone is helping each other again. I have so much to thank the Lord for! So much!
M, Ballymena

My sister went into hospital with an unknown illness, she lost her memory and didn't know who her own family were. It really struck me hard and I decided that I needed something to pull me through the next three weeks while she was in hospital. Something that no friend or family member could even give me. I needed that strength and assurance that God gives people. So I decided to ask him into my life and after that life had a whole new meaning and I felt that life actually did have a purpose. My sister has made a full recovery and a year on we are still both living for Christ! :)
Hannah, Millisle

I grew up in a Christian home surrounded with many Christians. I became a Christian when i was about eight but didn't really change the way I acted before becoming a Christian. In recent years I have become more open with my faith due to the influence of many great Christain friends. I would like to be a lot more open about my faith with my family. I really feel God wants to use me and I want Him to show me where He needs me and where I should go and what I should do for Him. A while ago I was yearning to be closer to God and feel He really allowed this to happen but i feel like i am drifting away a but now and just want to move closer to Him and stay in a close and personal re;ationship with Him.
Anna, Belfast

I became a "Christian" when I was 4, mostly because both my parents were Christians. I didn't really take it very seriously though until I was 14. During that year, a lot of stuff happened for me that wasn't brilliant, but God stuck by me throughout all of it. I began to understand that this God I "followed" was actually real and actually wanted to do something in my life. So I decided to spend the rest of my life going for God, as a way of saying "Thank you for sticking by me and helping me out."
Cat, Belfast

summer madness 2007..what can i say?..i hadnt been a very strong believer, but attended church..but during summer madness people who wanted to become part of gods family wer invited to the front..i felt god calling to me and i went up, and since then my faith has been transformed and i attend church and the gravity meetings...best thing that has ever happened to me
simon, holywood

I went to church as a child but then stopped going as I got a bit older. Then in February 2006 a friend asked me to go along to a youth club with her and I began to go to more and more in the church. Then on 28th May 2006 there was a missionary talking in the church about how hard it was for people to be Christians in other countries. I had been thinking about Christianity for a while and realised that I needed to put my faith in Christ while I had the chance. That night I went home and prayed for God to forgive me from my sins. Immediately I felt so much happier in my heart and knew that I had been forgiven. Since I became a Christian I have felt Christ has always been with me and given me lots of chances to witness to others and even opened up a chance for me to travel on a missionary trip although I didn't go on it. I thank God for saving me and always being with me and allowing me to work for Him. I just pray that He will save others including friends and family too!
Carly, Belfast

I grew up in a non-christian home and my dad, though an alcoholic until I was 17, was the most important person in my life. In his 50's he developed cancer and was terminally ill. I would have given everything to make him well but that was not to be. I cared for him alongside my family but our unique bond had me promise I would be with him at the end. God gave me a vision the night my dad died that now was the time and as he took his final breath on 12th January 1995, because God granted my promise and knew the person to reach me through was my dad, I gave my life to him that day. Today my dad is in heaven healed and I strive to reach out to hurting people in the world including alcoholics.
Alison, Dromore

I became a Christian when I was quite young but I knew it was the right thing to do. There was a big thing happened in my family about 2 years after and from then on I didn't really stick to Christian life very well but over the past year, through the help of some amazing friends I have really learned to love and trust God and that he is always there. God will never bring you to anything that he won't bring you through :]
Amy, Co.Down

I grew up with my mum dragging me to chruch. I hated it more than you could imagine, I used 2 sing disney songs over the hymns and read books during the sermon but was still dragged along every week even though now i think about it i must have embarrased mum alot. anyway one week i went to a friends church when i was about 13 i kept going back and the people were great we had so much fun and they made the bible relevant to my life it was no longer something boring and illrelevant. so one night i just said sorry to god for messing up my whole like asked god into my life. and i didnt become perfect or know everything all of a sudden but i did get this peace and a want to learn more now i am a leader in my youth club and a sunday school teacher i am realy enjoying life there is nothing that would make me want to go back gods filled my empty void and i never feel alone. he has answered prayers in miracolous ways.and i am more comfortable in myself and situations cuz i no im not alone.
sarah, bangor

I was in a marriage where my husband physically and mentally abused me and we were heavily into drugs and alcohol. My mum used to take my daughter to church and so we used to go to see her doing things like dancing and singing. Then there was a night I was on a particular low and God spoke to me and told me if I continued on I wouldn't be going to heaven to join Him. I continued on but it really played on my mind. Three/four weeks later we were in church again but this time there was an alter call. That day both me and my husband came to Christ. My relationship fell apart after this and walking hasn't been easy but now God has rebuilt me from the inside out and I wouldn't have it any other way. My relationship with my husband is in process of restoration to what extent only God knows. God is awesome and highly recommendable!!
claire, belfast

I grew up in a Christian family but it wasn't until my teens that I really started to approach GOD. I know GOD was real and always have done but as I went trough my rebellious teens I knew there was more to life!

It started a while back when I was asking my mum about my gran, she had died before I was born. I had no pictures and was asking what she looked like.

That night, I fell asleep and had an outer body experience. I went to heaven, saw the gold streets leading up to the gate. To the immediately through the gates to the left I saw a wooden shack with a wooden chair, table, showbread, silver plate and goblet and a bible on a stand. I looked on ahead and saw rolling hills, a lion and a lamb lying together, I noticed numerous fruit trees, I saw a women strectching up to garb a pear, looking directly at me, she appeared to be in her human appearnece. She looked at me and smiled. I woke up, next morning and told my mum, it was my gran. My mum later found a photo of my gran and it was her I had seen, this really opened my eyes, this was not by chance.
Leah , Belfast

Well I came to faith broken, hurt and lead by nothing but just getting by with self harm and drugs. I started self harming when I was 12 and started taking drugs at around 13, my life just revolved around by wanting to escape from reality. The first encounter with God I was heavyly using and drinking I was in a state of depression and really didn't want to continue living this life I needed something but what? After 5 years of hurt, pain and really not wanting to continue! Then its hard to explain but God started coming up in conversations, my thoughts, I had a general knowledge about God at stuff but never truely knew. So the night I gave my life to God I was in total distress so I started talking to someone about God, and I how I wanted to gave my life to God. I don't remember much about the night except for crying. Starting my walk was rocky. I knew I had to give up so many friends, my life, my image everything... I didn't have many christian friends so I knew I needed a church or accountablity. I found a local church that I felt God had placed me in, I got involved, and really started having a relationship with God after all those years of searching God has fulfilled. About 14 months into my walk I started to fall. I did start using again then my self harming got worst. I got admitted into hospital was in and out for around 8 weeks, my last admission I had tried to commit sucide I ended up in conary care, I had such scare my life needed to change once again. I called out apon Jesus name I asked for direction and help.By this time I had been kicked out my home so my youth leader took me in and we dicussed about going to rehab so a week after getting out of hospital I went to rehab in Birmigham. Although I had alot of struggles there, God was awesome I finally actually had a relationship with God, I knew love and had great friends. Life was good and today I have a good relationship with God now even if I have struggles today God, has given me hope, love, forgiveness, and much much much more! Praise God!!!
Jessica, Porstewart

My husband was a Christian and I was not. He read the Bible, I couldnt even tell you one Book that was in the Bible. He invited me to his church because they were having a guest speaker and very very reluctantly, I went. I knew there was a higher power than me, but I would not accept that it was Christ. At the service, I was uncomfortable and wanted to get out. This was no place for me! I didnt want to be here with these people! What I did know though, was that I desperately wanted the peace, joy and love, my husband had. I was searching for that, searching for something. So when, at the end of the service, the speaker prayed and asked if anyone wanted to experience these things through Jesus Christ , I raised my hand. I didn't want to raise my hand, but I knew I couldn't sit in a church and lie by not admitting I did want those feelings. The speaker prayed for me, even though no-one else in the church knew it was me who had put my hand up. I didnt feel different at first, but within 12 hours, I was different. I felt awakened, alive and the huge emptiness inside of me, that I didnt even realise was so vast, was filled with Jesus Christ. He has changed my life since then, a year ago. He has blessed me more than I could ever had imagined and He has helped me through some very low times. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me and He strengthens and keeps me every single day. Bless the Lord and praise the Lord for He is worthy!
emma, newtownabbey

I was brought up in a Christian home going to church and sunday school each week but it never really meant anything to me. Then I remember one day in church a man was taking the chrildrens address and was talking about a place called heaven and how we could become a christain. Because I was so young I decided to ask God into my heart not knowing what it realy ment. I continued going to church and sunday school the same as usual but nothing seemed different. As I got older I became friends with the wrong people and became less and less close to God. then in the summer I heard about 'deep fish in the wash basin' and went along with a few of my friends. We had loads of fun and there was a guy my age talking and said that if we went out of this place with out God and got knocked down were would we be? I started thinking and then decide to become a christain again. Ever since it hasn't been easy but it feel alot better knowing God will always be there by my side.
deborah , glarryford

Couple of years ago at 'Autumn Soul' we were asked to bow down on our knees and if you wanted to give your life to Jesus then to do it here and that is when I decided that I would give my life to Him. I got a sense of peace and happiness when this happened and would strongly reccomend you give your life to Him.
Jordan , Belfast

I had been brought up in a Christian family. I always went to church and Sunday school. I became a Christian quite young. The first time it really hit me about eternal life in heaven was when a close friend died. The first time I really felt God's presence was when I was on a SU camp as a leader, there was a complete buzz about the whole weekend. It really strengethen my faith!
Keith, Bangor