Testimony of Ben Bignall, baptised at Surbiton New Life Church in April

My journey began really as I reached my lowest point. I was unemployed after just leaving a job that I did not enjoy in a field of work I did not enjoy, with the prospect of another job that I did not enjoy in the same field.

I felt lost in life without any faith, or any inner strength to draw upon. My confidence was very low, even though I knew I was capable deep down somewhere of achieving anything in this life I felt lacking and isolated deep down. I searched for the faith and inner strength that I lacked to fulfil me and guide me by reading certain books on personal motivation and spirituality.

I started praying to God, and my career started to improve with a new job in a field I greatly enjoyed. I felt a fresh renewed sense of purpose and an inner strength to draw upon that I had been searching for all along. God become someone I could talk to and guide me to make the right decisions in tough times, and be there for me always even when I let myself down and made the wrong decisions. I knew that if I closed my eyes and searched for God I would find him when I needed him, and I could draw amazing strength even when I felt weak.

Even though I was now talking with God I still felt incomplete.

Then I found the inspiration when I when I went to holiday in Mexico, after being invited by a colleague working at The British Council. Amongst the wonderful churches and Museo National De Anthropologia I thought about what really mattered more than anything on this earth and made a special prayer.  On 2 July, 2010 I made the prayer that I would meet the one and my soul mate and forever love on or before 1 July, 2011.

As the next year went by I was disappointed as nothing had changed. I realised something was missing from my prayer, and this was the reason for it not being manifested in the reality of my life, and decided to change it on June 16th after meeting a friend.

I changed the prayer to also be someone who could introduce me to God and my future children to God, so we could live in the right way, and bring them up within the church.
And if this was to come true then I will dedicate my life to God and following Christ.

Then I met Gabi on July 1st 2011, exactly on the final possible day from my prayer and at St Paul's Cathedral.

We are due to be married on 1 July this year, exactly a year after we met.

Keep your discipline and Keep your faith strong. You are being prepared.

In Christ we trust.

Len Radley, 13, was baptised at Hertford Baptist Church on Easter Sunday. This is his testimony

Before I became a Christian I was unhappy about being bullied at school and did not stand up for myself.

I did not bother about God and I didn’t know God’s love so I was less happy with myself as I didn’t think of myself as one of God’s creations.

I was always looking for more in my life by trying to get as many material things as I could. I always wanted the next new thing.

I didn’t think as much about ways to help others as I could have. If I got into trouble I would make up a silly lie to try and get myself out of it instead of admitting the truth and facing up to the consequences.

My life changed last summer when I went to BASH. I had an awesome week taking part in crazy games, paintballing, high ropes, climbing, shooting and loads of different activities but the best part was that God spoke to me through the teaching of the leaders.

I knew that I wanted to try to live God’s way and I made a personal commitment to God with the help of the leaders. I saw and felt the power of God’s love for me and everyone around me.

After BASH I carried on attending Third Space, Wyldlife and the core to learn more and I would like to say thanks to Andy, Duane and Will for guiding me, supporting me and putting up with me.

I hope that as I learn more I can show God’s love to other people in the way that they have to me. Knowing God through reading the Bible and praying and feeling his love and acceptance from the people around me have given me the strength to try new things and to stand up for myself.

I know that God’s love will protect me from bullies and he will give me the strength to make choices. I want to share His love with others and have enjoyed helping out at holiday club this year and definitely want to do more.

I want to thank God for what he has done for me and ask Him to accept my commitment to Him as I come to be baptised here.