Kana, a student from Sussex university shares her story of coming to faith.
“Since I was a child, I believed in God, although I didn’t know then that it was Jesus I was praying to. My childhood was quite difficult—both my family and school life were chaotic”
“When I was six, my parents divorced….Yet, even in such a painful situation, my mum protected me and my brothers and carried all the burdens on her own… I began struggling severely with my mental health…I began hurting myself and was constantly thinking about suicide.
For nearly six years, I suffered with these feelings. Deep down, I wanted to become a better person. But that desire gradually turned into a pursuit of status and material success...That desire continued until I was baptised.“
While at university, Kana’s boyfriend shared some of his faith with her, and as a result, she began to explore what faith looked like for her. At first, she explored Catholicism, but it didn’t feel quite right to her, so when her friend invited her to the Christian Union, she hesitated. But when she was invited to the Events Week she “was welcomed into the room and sat down and had a great conversation with my now friends”.
She speaks of the vulnerability and honesty that her now friends offered her; one even shared her testimony, and it really left a mark on her heart. As the week came to an end, Kana left with a better understanding of how relationship with God is at the heart of the Christian faith, and how much God loves her. Exploring faith further, she tried CU meetings, Impact Groups, and Alpha; each one bringing her a little closer to God. She saw her faith grow even more when she began to read the Bible with a friend where she was struck by these words.
“It doesn’t matter who you are or where you are coming from, you can find your identity in Christ.”
Over her time at university, Kana grew more in faith, even telling a friend that she “would probably become a Christian in the next year”- and she was right!
“I went to church for the first time the Sunday after the Alpha weekend. At this service everything felt so natural and easy, and by the end I was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then [The Pastor] prayed in front of the group and I prayed with him and accepted Jesus into my heart. [They] talked to me after about how I had just become a Christian, and I just felt so at peace with everything.”
“Although I’ve known moments of happiness and fun, I had never felt true joy in my life until I met Jesus. There were times when I felt an incredible sense of peace, but I didn’t realise then that it was joy coming from God”
Kana’s story of coming to faith is such an encouragement to us to be generous with our invitations. The way that her friends each walked with her, one reading the Bible with her, another inviting her to Alpha or CU, and eventually Church, is a reminder of the importance of Discipling others. Her friends made time for her, exploring the scriptures together; just doing life together, as they walked with Jesus - this is the heart of discipleship!
It was through these friends that Kana was able to meet with Jesus, and find the peace and joy that he has for her, as well as the healing which he extended.
Is there someone in your life where God might be asking you to invite them to Church, to experience the Lord Jesus for themselves?
How can you be more intentional in the way you spend time with those who are searching? Maybe try How To Make Disciples That Make Disciples!
