Testimony of Karen Cullen

I wanted to write a few words of testimony to tell people what Jesus has done in my life since I was saved. I was 17 years old when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I used to be Catholic but I didn’t have any interest in my religion.

The priests never preached the free gift of eternal life. Before I was saved I had heard the message of salvation but I never really understood it. My father was a great testimony to me because I had always watched him read his bible every day and that always made me think – there must be something special about that book if my dad keeps reading it. Then when my dad died I just kept thinking –where is he? Will I see him again? What if there is no life after death? These thoughts stayed with me for a few years until one day Pastor Fox, my uncle and my cousin came to my mum’s house and started talking to my husband about salvation.

I just listened to what they were saying and it was making sense. Not long after that I went to Bethel Baptist Church and heard how much Jesus loves me and that I could go to heaven if I repented of my sins and accepted Christ as my Saviour. So I came to realize that I was a sinner and that I needed Christ to pay for my sins. I was so happy when Jesus came into my heart because I now have a purpose in life. I now know the answers to my questions about my dad – I know he is in heaven and I know I will see him again because I am saved and he was too. I would never want my old life back now. I am 22 years old now and people might think I am missing out on things of the world because I don’t drink or go out to clubs etc, but I have realized that Jesus is all I need. I don’t feel the need to do the stuff I used to before I was saved.

When I got saved I lost interest in the worldly things. The trials still come now in my life as they did when I was lost but there is a difference now-I can cope a lot better because I have God to help and comfort me through hard times. He gives me the victory through trials that I bear. I love that bible verse in Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. I also think on the words of a song – May I grow to be like thee, May my friends see Christ in me………I pray that my friends do see Christ in me. To anyone that is not saved and reading this – the best thing I could tell you is to accept Christ as Saviour. It’s the best decision I have made and it is the best decision anyone could make.

By Karen Cullen

My Name is Mark Bradfield.

I am now the Pastor at Bethel Baptist Church. But I wasn't always a Christian - yes I had a mom and dad that went to church but it wasn't until I heard the Gospel preached - A Hell hot and to be avoided & a Heaven free and to be accepted but only by sinners that put their trust in Christ Jesus and Him alone as their own personal saviour - that I realised that I wsn't going to get to heaven by doing the best that I could do. In fact the Bible says that I couldn't do enough to pay for all the sins (BIG and small) that I had committed. And anyway I was too late - Jesus paid the price on the cross two thousand years ago for each and every person in the world.

I used to hate Christians - all denominations - anyone who went to church - to me- was a hypocrite. This probably came from attending a Church where one thing was spoken of on a Sunday and another was carried out every day of the week.

Fourteen years ago whilst working in my uncles hotel - a lady came - by chance - to stay for a few days. She had only just accepted Christ as her own saviour and been born again herself and so was intent on telling me how God had been working in her life - how He had forgiven her of her sins and the changes He had made. Assurance of going to heaven, promises of eternal life, a friend that sticks closer than a brother and the difference it made to her inside. Cleansed from sin - a new beginning - a new start - a new reason for living - a new boss - you could say under new management!. This sounded good to me and she invited me along to some of their church services.

I duly went and over a period of about 2 years heard enough of the Bible preached to know that I was in deep trouble with God. All my sins were not paid for. All the things that I had done were coming to my attention - I was being convicted of my need for a saviour - I was seeing myself as God saw me. When this started I was in a quandry - I knew I needed to be saved, born again, but I couldn't see how or why God would want me. In the end I surrendered and went down on my hands and knees one Sunday afternoon and said to God "God, you know I'm a sinner. God I know I'm a sinner. These people don't know a thing about me. Please save me!" Adn you know what - HE DID! It felt like the burden I had been carrying had been lifted away - I had another start, another chance at life this time as a Christian. I had become through God's grace and my faith in His Son's finished work on the cross, one of the people I hated most in the world and realised that it was me who was wrong and not those bornagain Christians.

Since then - He found me a church, a family, a reason to go on, a job to do, a house, friends but most of all He found me!
I have never regretted getting saved - in eternity it will be all that matters.
If I could say one thing to everybody - It would be - seriously think and make sure you know that your soul is saved. Check for yourself all the things anybody has ever told you regarding your eternity - It IS the most important decision you will ever make. I wouldn't change my mind for all the gold in Fort Knox.

Amen & Amen