The following "testimony" was is copied verbatim from a baptism ceremony at Family Community Church, a seeker friendly church in San Jose, California. Only personal names have been altered. You should compare it to the Biblical standards of one's testimony, and grade it on its effectiveness in helping others to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
If you are in a small group, you should also attempt to draw some reasonable inferences on the level of discipleship, and the quality of gospel preaching that was taking place in the church that was baptizing this individual.
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About a year and a half ago, a great friend gave me a book to read that changed my life. The book was called "So That's Why Bible" . It's a 1700 page book that was the whole Bible in chronological order along with historical facts and events.
Every morning I read this book and it wasn't until for Samuel that I finally had a scripture touch me so deeply that I started to cry, it said "for the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7. I thought God was trying to tell me something, not realizing that this was just the start of an incredible relationship with our Lord.
With the help of three very special friends: Godfrey Goodwin, Howard Hunter and Ingrid Isaacs, my life started to change. I started listening to K-Love on the radio and the song came on the truly touched me, not knowing Christian music, I was able to find out the name of the group that did this song: Casting Crowns was the name.
During this time I was going through an incredible pain and sorrow, yet my relationship with God started to grow; Little by little I started hearing his voice, giving the Scriptures to read and later learning the reason he had me read them, including Psalm 3518. I found out that Casting Crowns was going to be playing in Visalia in October and asked Godfrey if he wanted to go with me. I had never been to a Christian concert before and was looking forward to seeing the span whose music reached out to me. October 2, 2005, while at the casting crowns concert, I accepted Jesus Christ and to my heart as my Lord and Savior.
The piece that I felt inside was beyond description and love of the Holy Spirit overflows from within. The Lord has taken past pains and healed them, has taken the emptiness inside and has filled me with love, has given me a purpose for living in this world and looking forward to the next. I'll never be the same and all I can say is "thank you Jesus!"
By the way, I did finish reading the book, it took me 16 months to do so, and then I passed it to someone else. I only pray that it will do for them what it did for me!
I've always believed that there is a God. The problem was I completely believed he hated me and could not trust him. Most of my life has been very difficult. I pray daily for things to get better or to let me die. I felt as if my prayers were never answered. In October of 2005 I took a class on stress management. On the first day we had to tell the class our goal and who our support person was. I was embarrassed to tell everyone that I do not have a support person. The end of the class my prayer was finally answered. We came to me and asked to be my support person. I was afraid to say "yes." People never helped me. I have always helped others. Something made me say "yes."
Later she invited me to join FCC's singles Bible study. After a lot of thought I decided to go. I suffer from severe anxiety/panic attacks. Every time I went to Bible study I have one and they just got worse. I was so embarrassed by them that I decided not to go anymore. I didn't have the courage to tell million persons, so I started writing a letter of explanation. The next day I still wasn't finished with the letter. I went to a bookstore select the right without any distractions. It was after 9 p.m. and I still wasn't finished, but felt it was time to go home. Once outside I spotted something shining in a very dark corner. It was so odd that I had to investigate. As I got to directly in front of it I completely blocked out any and all light from reaching the objects but it continued to shine. Looking closer I discovered that it was a face up penny. I went to pick it up but remembered that on the face of all pennies it says in "God we trust." I told myself that I could not have that many of us I can honestly say "in God I trust" and truly meant it. I tried to walk away but I was continually drawn back to the penny. I finally picked it up and said out loud in God I trust and I meant it with all my heart. Although I continued to have a lot of difficulty, I knew I was not alone. I had God and new friends that were there for me.
On January 15 of this year I was unexpectedly admitted to the hospital for surgery on my neck. My first thought was "call Juliet Johnson." And she and Karen Kildare immediately came to the hospital and stayed with me to the admitting process. Slightly after midnight I felt it was time to as got into my heart and life, so we prayed. I instantly felt this incredible piece. I knew everything would be fine. I continue to have many struggles, but because data of God and my amazing friends I've not only been able to make it through those times, but have grown closer to God. I know I'll always have many difficult challenges. I also love God is walking with me and I am no longer alone.
Today by being baptized I may get even closer step toward God. I thank God for all the amazing people and things he is given to me. I have great things happened to me in my life because of God. He is truly an awesome God.
