Ian from Newtownabbey

After the loss of his mum, Ian never expected that the support of a local church would lead him to finding faith in Jesus. What began as a simple step to say thank you became the start of a life-changing journey of faith.

1. What first sparked your curiosity about Jesus or the Christian faith?

I came to faith rather unexpectantly following mum’s death. Seeing the support we, as a family, received from the church during Mum’s illness, death and funeral really stayed with me. I remember saying, “I really must call up and see Stuart (the minister) to say thanks for everything. One Sunday morning isn’t going to kill me, right?” God, however, had different plans.

On the Sunday I decided to head up to Carnmoney Church, something really bizarre happened. As I turned in, this sense of fear gripped me and I remember voices in my head saying, “Where are you going?” and “What if someone sees you?” But I went in and plonked myself at the back of the church. Stuart came out to see me before and after the service, and I said I would be back.

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"Stuart came out to see me before and after the service, and I said I would be back."

2. Describe the moment when you decided to follow Jesus.

As the weeks progressed, I kept going to church and honestly struggled to control my emotions during worship. Then one Sunday everything came to a head. Stuart said something along the lines of, “God is the architect of the universe and gives everything purpose and reason,” and in an instant I was back in Ward 7A of the Royal Victoria Hospital, just me, Mum and Stuart.

I remembered Stuart reading the Bible, and Mum, who had been unresponsive for a few days, suddenly called out. Back in my back-row seat in church, with my heart thumping in my chest, I said, “I can’t deny this any longer, Jesus Christ is real.” Shortly after that, I prayed the prayer of salvation and gave my life to Christ on 3 May 2023.

3. Who or what helped you as you explored faith?

Two stand-out individuals who have helped me in my faith journey are my friends Dan and Tim. Both have been so patient with me. There’s never been a question too silly or a text message left unanswered. But I must say, within my church family there are literally too many to mention.

"...with my heart thumping in my chest, I said, “I can’t deny this any longer, Jesus Christ is real."

4. What difference has following Jesus made in your life so far?

Life following Jesus has changed my priorities. Now when I wake up, I’m not worrying about what problems the day is going to bring. I wake up and the first thing I think is, who or what will I pray for? Life’s worries can wait.

5. What would you say to someone who is curious about Christianity today?

To anyone curious about Christianity, I’d simply say: why not? It’s a simple, small step that’ll start you on the most amazing journey!