My name is David Nicholson.  I am a 46 year old married man with one adult son
and a 16 year old daughter.  I am the Secretary of my local Independent
Methodist Church and have recently led an Alpha course, with a follow up bible
study course under preparation.  You may well think that, bearing in mind my
service to the Lord within my local fellowship, I am a mature Christian.  This
could not be further from the truth.  If, three and a half years ago, someone
had told me that I would be going into a church on a regular basis, let alone
doing what I am now doing, I would have probably called them stupid, or words to
that effect.  You see I was one of those people who only went into a Church when
I had to, which was as little as possible - I liked all the things that an
unsaved person likes.
It was about three and a bit years ago when my son came home one evening and
told both my wife and myself that he had become a Christian, that he was going
to be baptised, and that he wanted us both to be there.  My response to this was
to completely avoid the issue by going to bed.  I thought that it was a fad, and
it would soon pass over.
That was the last I thought about it for some months.  I came home from work one
Friday evening and my wife reminded me that the baptism thing was that night.  I
was expected to be there!  Well, I tried everything to get out of this, as it
was going to interfere with my usual Friday night out with the lads, but to no
avail.  I capitulated and went along with it, thinking that it wouldn't take
long, and I could meet my pals later on that evening.
So I went to this baptism.  I remember one of my neighbours saying that it was
nice to see me in Church, to which I replied "Well you better make the most of
it, 'cause it's the last time you will".
Well, the service started and I was immediately hit by several things which I
didn't expect. The congregation seemed to be singing what appeared to be quite
modern songs, and everyone seemed to be enjoying it!  After a couple of songs a
chap got up and started speaking about what baptism meant.  I'm sure that he was
talking directly to me, any thoughts of going to the pub with my mates had now
gone.  I was totally engrossed in what was going on.  Then the people who were
being baptised, about 12 in all, stood up and gave their testimonies.  Some of
the things that these people were saying were really hitting a spot with me.
After the service, refreshments were available to those who wanted them and this
seemed a good opportunity for me to find out more about this Christianity thing.
I found that the people were all too willing to answer my questions. One person
said, "Why don't you come to Church on Sunday and maybe we can answer some more
of your questions after the service".  I wasn't sure at this stage, so I thought
that I would be better off sitting down and thinking about the whole thing
first.  I decided to consider the options available to me.  Should I stay as I
was?  Or, should I take Jesus into my life, as my son and the other people at
the baptism had done?  I say that, as if there was some massive decision to be
made, but there wasn't.  It was probably the easiest decision I have ever made
in my life.  Yes, I did attend Church on that Sunday, and Jesus answered all my
questions for me, and continues to do so.
Well, how has knowing Jesus changed my life?  I am more confident in all things
now.  I have learned not to jump into things without consulting the Lord in
prayer beforehand.  Usually things then work out okay.  I feel I am much more
easy going and laid back, in fact some people have said that if I get anymore
laid back I'll fall over.  I find that I tend to trust people more than before.
I have now got a new circle of friends, friends that I can rely on at all times.
I wish I had been found by the Lord a lot earlier, as I would have liked more
time to tell other people about what has happened to me.  I am so honoured to
have been chosen to become a Child of God.