Changed Lives: Real Life Stories

Sean's Story

The church we went to told me I was going to hell in very “fire and brimstone” language!

Sean is a Technical Author who lives in Tooting. He first visited Queens Road Church 5 years ago, and was surprised by what he found …

‘As a child, my mother used to take us to church on Easter Sunday and Christmas Day. The church we went to told me I was going to hell in very “fire and brimstone” language. I hated it. I suppose when pressed, I would have admitted there was a God of some sort out there - I just didn't know what He was all about.

When I met Bec (who was later to become my wife), she told me she was a Christian, and I decided to go along with her to Queens Road Church in Wimbledon. There I found a band playing funky songs, not an old lady playing an organ, and instead of being told I was going to hell, I heard a kind man preach a message I could understand. This wasn't the fire and brimstone place of my childhood!

Alone, I decided to put God to the test. I said: "Right, God. I don't know if you are really out there or not, but in case you are, I'm going to talk to you now and see if you say anything back". Within minutes I had tears streaming down my face, admitting things to this God that I hadn't admitted to anyone before and didn’t even know were there. God responded to me, and I couldn't believe I could experience something so powerful that I couldn't see. I needed to know more.

I went to a “Just Looking” course at church and the turning point came when we looked at what Jesus' life and death meant for us. "Does that mean that God forgives us for everything because of what Jesus did?" I asked. "But then that means..."; I trailed off, and things finally clicked into place. I remember stammering: “I think I've just become a Christian!" In my heart I had acknowledged that I had gone away from the life God wanted for me. But because of what Jesus did, I wouldn't cop the blame for my behaviour, but instead would be welcomed back by God, with open arms.

Since then, like everyone else I still mess things up. Being a Christian doesn't suddenly make you a good person. But it does give you a sense of perspective on life. At the end of the day I know that I am accepted and loved unconditionally by God, and it's an amazing feeling. It equips so me much better to deal with whatever life throws at me.’
 

"I decided to put God to the test..." 

"In my heart I had acknowledged that I had gone away from the life God wanted for me. But because of what Jesus did, I wouldn't cop the blame for my behaviour"