Jo's Testimony

My Testimony by Jo

I was 14 years old and I was a bit of a rebel. I liked to drink, had a cigarette here and there, and didn't know that God existed. I thought Christianity was for weak people. But my sister, who is 18 months older, attended (which i now attend) a Christian youth group, and they were going to a camp called 'soul survivor' (it is a Christian camp, amazing place, going in the summer of it's 3rd year now) and she invited me along. My parents thought it would be a great idea and forced me to go. I tried everything to get out of it, but in the end I went. Whilst i was there I saw how happy everyone was, the atmosphere was just incredible and I couldn't put my finger on it but something about these people were different. So I listened to all the preachers, sang the songs and even prayed to God with everyone else, even though I didn't think He was real. By the end of the week I couldn't stop thinking about God, could He be real? Is this possible? Then on the 4th day of the camp, I went up to receive the 'Holy Spirit' even though I had no idea what that was exactly, but I stood there, hands out ready to receive it, and I cant describe what I felt. All I can say is that it was an overwhelming peace that actually physically knocked me down and I just knew it was God. I couldnt believe that everything I had heard about Jesus dying for us and loving us was actually true! I had never felt such love. And on the last day of camp the speaker said "If you would like to give your life to Jesus, please come to the front" so I raced to the front, so excited that I was going to be a Christian and have God in my life. I said the prayer and couldn't stop crying, it was the best day of my life! I was really sad to be going home but i knew that it wasn't just me going home, but that it was God coming with me. It was fantastic! So I rest in the knowing that God loves me, and He loves you too. Jo--May 8, 2011