republished from The Mission & Vision

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The “Changed by Jesus” series features stories about how Jesus is working through the ministry of Mars Hill Church to change lives. If God has used Mars Hill to transform your life, please consider emailing your account to testimony[at]marshillchurch.org.

In May, a man named David sent us the following note:

I was saved on Sunday at the 5pm service. My life began to change 4 weeks ago when I was basically challanged to attend a service. I went and was moved. I made it to 3 services in 4 weeks. When called to come up and be saved I rose out of my seat and was stunned to find myself walking into the arms of Jesus. I truly believe I would still be lost in my comfortable life if I had not accepted the challenge to go to your church. I appreciate the straightforward and sometimes brutally honest education I recieve when I attend Mars Hill. Thank you for bringing me home to God. I have really missed him.

This Thursday, David and many others will be baptized at the Ballard Beach Baptism. Here is the rest of his story…

I was raised a Catholic in a Franciscan and then Benedictian Monastery where I attended boarding school. I tried to be a good Christian, praying every night and going to mass every day as an altar boy for the Monks and Brothers. I loved the pious Monks and wanted to be like them. Sometime during college I got lost in the ritual. After countless repetitions I simply could not hear the words I was saying. My sins grew but I justified them as I twisted God’s words to fit my lifestyle. I plucked the messages I wanted, leaving my belief in Jesus fragmented as I worshiped my idols.

Still, Jesus pursued me. He sent many messengers to intervene. Each one I rejected. Each one I persecuted. I judged true Christians and sentenced them in my mind. I slandered them behind their backs. I did many evil deeds of commission and omission to hurt the Christians that were sent to bring me back to Christ.

The final messenger came into my life at work. He attends Mars Hill Church. He boldly rebuked anything except the true message. I intended to go to his church so I could mockingly watch the show. I entered and sat, waiting to pull apart the message based on my patched together ideas of God. During that service I was moved to tears. I silently begged for forgiveness. I praised Jesus in song and in prayer that very day. I needed to be there…

Four weeks into regular attendance at Mars Hill, Pastor Mark invited anyone who wanted to be saved to come to the stage. I had absolutely no intention of accepting that challenge. Believe my testimony: The Holy Spirit raised my body from my seat and sent me to the stage…I began a new life. Before that day my life was comfortable, but my heart was heavy. My heart has swollen with tremendous joy these last 14 weeks.

Jesus took me and I will never again look away. My eyes see the same things. My ears hear the same. I, however, am different. Everything has taken on a rich taste and a smooth texture that I struggle to describe. I was born again and freed from the bondage of my sins. I do not deny Jesus at work, with friends, or non-Christians. My water cooler talk is often about Jesus. I tell you I was saved by the intentional discipleship of a coworker. I am now that intentional disciple as others have followed me to Mars Hill and to Jesus.