This page tells some of the stories of how people in our churches were first met by God or how he has worked in their lives at different times. Some will be anonymous, for various reasons, and some will simply have a first name. Enjoy our stories!

A testimony from a recently baptised new Christian in our benefice...

Firstly, I want to thank each of you for being here today. It means a lot to stand before you, newly baptized, and share a little of my journey — even though it’s only just beginning.

As some of you know, I’ve only been following God for about two months. That might not seem very long, and in the grand story of faith, it’s just the very first chapter. But already, it’s been life-changing. I came to God at a time when I felt lost — I wasn’t sure who I was, or where I was going. I had questions, confusion, and a deep sense that something was missing.

One day, not long after I started thinking seriously about faith, I decided to pray — really pray, for the first time. I remember it so clearly. I said to God, “If you’re real, if you’re really there, can you make it rain?” And not long after, it did. Out of nowhere, the rain came. And I stood there stunned, and a bit shocked, but also completely sure that I’d just had an encounter with the living God.

Now, I know some people might hear that and say, “Well, maybe it was just coincidence.” But in that moment, I knew it wasn’t. It wasn’t about the weather — it was about the fact that I had reached out to God, and He had reached back. He met me in a way that I could understand, in a way I needed.

Since that day, things have started to shift in my life. I’ve been learning, slowly, what it means to follow Jesus. I’ve started reading the Bible, talking with other believers, praying — and sometimes just sitting quietly, knowing God is with me. There’s still so much I don’t know, but what I do know is this: I’m not walking alone anymore.

Being baptized today is my way of saying publicly what has already happened inside — that I have turned toward God. I’ve accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. I believe He died for me and rose again so I could be forgiven, loved, and free. That’s a gift I’ll never fully deserve, but it’s one I’ll never stop being grateful for.

I want to thank this church — the vicar, the congregation, and everyone who has welcomed me with kindness and without judgment. You’ve shown me what the love of God looks like in real life — through your warmth, your encouragement, and your patience with my many questions.

Thank you all, and may God bless you.

Rita’s story...

At school aged 8 I read a story which contained a short prayer, it was the only one that I knew then and it sustained me for many years. I attended church in my teens, there I heard that I should open my heart to Jesus and invite Him in, but I didn't know how. The years passed and I attended church intermittently, depending on the demands of a growing family. Always at the back of my mind were those words and I knew that there was something missing in my life. At 14 my daughter decided to be confirmed, which made me think that confirmation could possibly help me, so I went for it the next year, as the service was approaching I became desperate, what if I didn't find the answer that I was seeking, I even thought that it would be better to pull out rather than face the prospect of still being lost, but I had gone too far to back out. I shook as I stood in church and made the responses, then the Bishop laid his hand on me and said " I confirm your servant with thy Holy Spirit" and HE DID. The service ended and we went for refreshments but now I felt totally different, a weight had been lifted, I was so elated that I felt as if I was floating on air. The Lord had lifted me out of the depths and filled me to the brim with His Holy Spirit, that was 45 years ago and I can testify that God continues to lift me up whenever problems arise. A born again Christian isn't exempt from problems, however, I know that He is always with me and I never need to feel alone again.

Rita Bowell 5th May 1940-3rd August 2024