Jamie's story

If someone had told me two years ago that I would be here telling my story I would've thought them mad. I was raised in the church but as a teenager I turned away. I felt I couldn't relate to the God of the Bible and got caught up living a rather selfish and reckless existence. I was in a pretty dark place and had been since my teenage years, I felt alone in a group of people and generally angry at the world, myself included but I didn't know why. I tried to fill the empty void inside me with every sort of sin possible and although they provided short-term relief the highs always wore off and left the hole even bigger and darker.

While working out in the bush in Tanzania in 2006 problems with the company left me stranded with 24 staff to feed and no money. No mobile phone service. No transport. No ATM. No one.

In a situation like that there is only one person you can turn to and I found myself praying fervently to Jesus every day. And every day He provided. I had spent most of my life running from God until I could run no more. I was on my knees with my back against the wall when He saved me. After three weeks I went out into the bush at night and gave my life over to Him. Not long after that I hitched a lift on a bus to Dar Es Salaam, determined to find a church. I saw an advert for a Vineyard church, I had never heard of it before but it was in a Chinese restaurant I knew of. The second I walked in there I felt like I was home, like I was in God's home.

I knew once I had given my life to Him, that that was it; it was all or nothing and so I quit my job and came back to the UK to learn more about God, the creator of heaven and earth. Looking back I can see His presence at all the critical times of my life - He has saved my life so many times in the past and I just couldn't see it. It has not been easy turning my back on all I knew before, but with every little I give, He gives back so much more. His light shines into every dark corner within me and radiates joy. I wouldn't be here today without Him and am determined to give my all to Him.