I am on a mission to discover the stories of each one of us in this church. I am asking 5 simple questions :-

Emma's Story

Was there a time when you didn’t believe in God?

Not really. I grew up in a high Anglican church but didn’t really understand why Jesus had to die. No one explained it to me.

When did that change and how did it happen?

I started university and went along to the Christian Union because I thought I was a Christian. I was struck by the people there – they were different! I went to the first meeting and one of the songs they were singing was “When I survey the wondrous cross”. Someone said that when we got to the last verse we should only sing it if we really meant it. I had a revelation of the truth of Jesus and what He had done. All through that year I came to fully understand what it was all about i.e. when going to a prayer meeting I was panicking about praying out loud but did it and then I helped at a Scripture Union camp and was privileged to pray for a child to receive Christ.

What difference did it make and how has it affected your choices and decisions since?

The unconditional love and acceptance of Jesus was important to me as my secondary school experience had been difficult and I was now free to be myself. I also made a decision to only have a relationship which would lead to marriage, Also, I felt God asking me to do youth work and I gave up my teaching job to be able to have time to do it. I worked as a supply teacher and thus “ruined” my career!

Do you have a story of healing or an answer to prayer for a difficult situation?

Praying for my baby, Esther, has been really answered in a time of stress with Jon’s exams etc. I’m learning to have authority as a parent and God is helping me to see that He has equipped us for doing the job of bringing her up.

What has God gifted you in?

Apostle/Pastor. I enjoy initiating things and helping people.