church made the difference

Graeme Brown

Leading up to mid November 2007, my life was going nowhere. Within myself I was run down.  Spiritually I was bankrupt.  Physically I was drinking alcoholically again.  I became homeless again.  I was running on empty.  A combination of drinking, sleeping rough and no one to turn to; especially no God in my life, I had no desire to carry on.

A friend found me and took me to a shelter – a place of safety.  Warm food, friendly staff, a bed for the night off the streets.  It was run by a Christian centre, where I met a guy called Gareth who I felt I connected with. We chatted and he mentioned coming along to the church he attends, telling me I would like it and enjoy the speaker. I agreed to go purely because I had nowhere else to go, and it was out of the cold and wet.  He failed to tell me exactly where it was.

Heading towards Leith, early that Sunday morning I was going there with an open mind.  The thing was, I had no idea where Destiny was.  I asked many people, but no one could help.  I saw an African girl walking on the other side of the road.  I never spoke to her, but followed her and she led me straight to destiny.  ( My first God-incidence)

I spent the whole day there, firstly I had nowhere else to go, but mainly because I enjoyed it.  I loved the rock band.  The guy that spoke was great.  Everyone looked happy, healthy, and was nice to me.  I saw Gareth.  He seemed surprised I had come. I felt so good inside.  Warm, safe and wanted.  Loved by people I had never met before.  Especially cos in life I had never felt like that before. 

I heard a lot that day.  So much so that I returned in the evening, where I truly felt I was home.  I heard the appeal and really felt God drawing me in, not really knowing what was going on. I felt something change inside. 

Looking back now with a far better understanding from great teaching, I firmly believe that God showed this girl to me to make sure I got to church on time.  Also now I firmly believe God spoke to me through Gareth.  Bringing me back to my painful ways and lonely times God led me to Gareth, who led me to church.

In the six months I have been in Destiny, I’ve become more involved.  Destiny has become a part of me.  I followed up the appeal prayer with a course called Roots which is designed for people new to faith.  Following this God brought me to the place of choosing to be baptised.  Continuing in God’s work I joined the stewarding team, became a part time cleaner in the church, and joined a cell group.

I am no longer this lonely, depressed, unhappy person.  I’ve found God in my life through attending church regularly every Sunday. Not only am I no longer homeless, I’m no longer drinking, and I’m working towards a better future.  A future in which God has great plans for me.  Through marriage, friendship, and most of all Destiny.