Jo's Story

I've been a Christian since I was about 18, but I never led a Christian lifestyle. If anyone asked me if I was a Christian I would always say yes, but I would never bring up the subject myself and I would always be too embarrassed to talk about it. My family aren't Christians, and I knew they wouldn't approve, so it was always a very private thing for me and I kept it hidden. I went to church on and off at home with the only other Christian I knew, but it was anything but regular and I was far from dedicating my life to God.

At the start of this year, my 3rd year in Lufbra, I decided to find a church. After a lot of searching the internet I found the Open Heaven website, I sent them an email and went along to the first gathering. I got really mixed feelings as it was so different to the stereotypical church I’d been to, and it actually scared me quite a lot! After a couple of weeks I was really having doubts about whether I wanted to be a Christian or not. However, I started going to Alpha and one of the talks really made me think - I was either a Christian or I wasn’t, there was no room to waver in the middle.

After a lot of thinking and talking to some really inspirational people, I knew I couldn’t turn my back on God and I knew in my heart I was a Christian. I started to pray to God to really encourage me with my faith and to change my heart and help me to make some really important decisions about what I wanted from my life. I either had to dedicate myself fully to God or not at all. I prayed for weeks and I didn’t feel any different, and I started to doubt whether I would. 

God was obviously working in me though and I signed up to go on the Fusion weekend without knowing anyone - very unlike me! I remember being so scared that I was ringing my housemates on the way down saying I wanted to come home. But, once I was there I had the best time ever. Worshipping God and listening to the speakers finally made something click, and I realised that everything I believed wasn’t just a choice but, the truth. The knowledge that God loves me (and you!) is something too amazing not to accept. A couple of people prayed with me, and I really met with God. It was so amazing to see how dedicated and faithful everyone else was. Something inside me that weekend changed and finally I realised God had answered my prayers. I came home literally a different person. I had confidence in God and in my faith.

Since then, I've been happily telling people I’m a Christian, somethingI would never have done before. It’s really given me the confidence to live my life for God and to serve Him in as many ways I can. God has really answered my prayers and been patient with me. 

Off the back of that, I’m now getting involved in loads of things: I’m being discipled, I’ve signed up for every Christian weekend away going, I recently did a Network course, I’m part of the missions team, and the most exciting thing is that I’m doing a short term mission this summer in India. I’m really excited about the direction God is taking me and I can’t wait to get to know Him more. God is great!

Finally, I’d just like to thank my cell group for being really encouraging and challenging me, and a massive thanks to Hayden for all his help and support, and of course God!! Thanks guys, love you loads!

Love Jo Kenny

Posted by: Naomi Light on Wednesday Jan 4th, 2006

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