I have attended Bridge Street for most of my life and first made a commitment when I was about 4, although I did not fully know or understand what this really meant.

Through my childhood I always believed in Jesus, however I did not know about a full relationship with God and that meant repenting of your sins and involving him in every aspect of your life. I thought that God was only at work in Bible times and could not be expected to do anything today.

In Summer 2002 God challenged my belief. Fraisthorpe Camp was a special time, where I witnessed Jesus in the lives of other young people and experienced Jesus for myself. This was when I first began to get in touch with a God who felt real to me. During the Camp I decided to fully commit my life to Jesus, confessing Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour.

A year later I was baptised in the Holy Spirit which was great!

However, there were times when I knew I was not living a life that was pleasing to God. I was still interested in church and God, but was very much a ‘Sunday Christian’ Too often I would give in to peer pressure at school even though I knew this was wrong.

At Fraisthorpe Camp 2005 God challenged me about sharing my faith and reaching out to this generation for Him. I knew in my heart of hearts that in order for me to do this successfully it would a change of heart and behaviour. I asked God for his forgiveness and God filled me again with the Holy Spirit. Acts 1 v 8 says “and you shall receive power after the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”

After the summer holidays I returned to school. My first few days were hard, I was made fun of and mocked for my faith, but I stood strong.

I have found the last couple of years very hard but God has truly saved me. Despite the Christian life not being an easy one to live, great things have happened in my life and I would not live any other way. God has allowed me to be actively involved in His ministry including helping on a mission, helping run a prayer group for young people and I am currently helping lead a Christian Union for 14—16 year olds at school, which is very exciting.