Charles Machin
I became a Christian when I was 19. It was in February 1970, over thirty-eight years ago. I was at University studying law (I am now a lawyer), and on Sunday night I went to a Church service near where I was living. I was actualy on my way to a pub to meet my friends and then go on to a disco at the studants union, but as i passed by the Church I heard the singing and went in. I knew there was a crusade that week as a Christian studant had invited me along. I don't know what made me decide to go into the hcruch that night, but what I heard changed my life.
That night I heard for the frst time that I needed Jesus in my life, because I needed to be saved, and no-one else but Jesus could save me because only He had died for my sins on the cross of Calvary. This speaks said that without Jesus we are lost for ever because we would spend eternity in Hell unless we were forgiven for our sins, and only Jesus could do that.
So that night I gave my heart to Jesus. I have never once doubted that it was the right decision. Accepting Jesus was the best thing I ever did. I've been a Christian for 38 years now, life hasn't always been easy, but Jesus has helped me through every situation. He has never let me down. The power of prayer is real. I know it because I've found it to be true in my life.
I have been married for thirty years (I am 57 now) and my wife Julie and I have two grown up children. We live at Mow Cop, near Stoke-On-Trent and I work in Manchester as a barrister. Recently I've started attnding Conerstone Church in the High Street. I go there because they preach the full Gospel message - that Jesus not only saves us from sin and death and hell, but also He heals us and sets us free from everything that shackles us down. I have known His healing power on many occasions.
I like to tell people that Jesus has saved me in every way it is possible for anyone to be saved - spiritually, physically, menally, emotionaly, financially, personally. You name it and Jesus has done it. I know for sure that He's alive. He did not just die on the cross of Calvary. He rose again to life. And because He lives, I live also - for ever. How do I know. Because He's chaged my life and I have had countless proofs of how real His live is for me and my family. I have had countless proofs of the reality of the living Jesus and the living God whose Son He is.
lastely, I would like to say that I was baptised in the Holy Spirit in 1977 (31 years ago). This is one of the most wonderful experiances a Christian can have. it is a real experiance of the power of the living God. The Scripture says that "the earth is filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea". That's just how it felt. I knew not only the marvellous love of God for me, but also that all my sins had been forgiven. The sense of being set free by Jesus was indescriable! Ever since then I have no doubt about God's love for me or the fact that Jesus has saved me and set me free.
