Testimonies

Testimonies

Testimonies of God's faithfulness to give us hope and encouragement.

 Zoe
"swore I would never go to church again" 

“I am no longer a slave to sin but a slave to righteousness”

“I grew up in a Christian home and accepted Jesus into my heart at quite a young age. Somewhere along the line, however, I backslid from church, which for many years had become something I merely did because that’s what I had always done, with mum taking us to church.

In my early teens I knew I was ‘different’, and I hated it. I wanted to fit in, wanted to be accepted, and wanted to be involved in the world’s way of living. At about the age of 16, I began lying and looking for ways to avoid going to church, and wanted to go out and do everything I had never been allowed to do. For a short while I was living a double life: going to church, doing what I had to do, but lying and living quite a different life away from it. It was just a religion that I wanted to escape from. Not long after turning 18, I swore I would never go to church again. I was glad to be out of it, and free from feeling like I had to ‘act’ a certain way. I turned my back on God.

For many years, I went through the most miserable, often unbearable years of my life. I went to anything and everything I could - whatever would give me some kind of relief from the mess and destruction I had got myself into. I went from one addiction to the next to the next; some lasted for months, and some for years.

There was a continual, strong force of oppression and depression coming upon me from every angle - from above and all around - like I’d been forced into a cage that was too small and I couldn’t move. I was rigid; I couldn’t function properly; I couldn’t see any way out, and there was no way I was ever going to be able to get myself out, no matter how hard I tried. I attempted suicide in hospital one night, and then, once back at home, the oppression continued. Suicide was on my mind daily; I just wanted everything to end. For a long time, eating disorders, alcohol, and any drug I could get my hands on ruled and controlled my life. I was regularly ‘clasping’ and ending up in hospital. I found other ways of self-harming (another attempt at some relief), and although a part of me wanted to die, there was a part of me that wanted so badly to be able to live freely. I used to fantasise about feeling free, but never knew if I would ever be able to live like that.

At this time, there were people who had never stopped praying for me, that I would be kept and restored. My mum would cry out to God in complete despair. God spoke to her and said that all she had to do was to love me and trust that He was going to do the rest. It was the hardest thing she’s had to do, but she decided to let go of control and continually trust every day that God was working and turning things around. So she prayed, read Scripture, and spoke God’s Word over us (my sister and I) daily, for she knew there was great power and authority in the Word of God.

At the age of 22, I eventually picked up a book she had. It’s a book by Joyce Meyer and is called ‘Beauty for Ashes’. Not long after reading this book, I woke up one Sunday morning, and out of nowhere seemed to be this overwhelming desire to go to church. I went to church on my own and I met with God there; I knew He was real and that He had always been there. My heart was softened; I was washed and overwhelmed by God’s love, the love that surpasses all understanding.   After giving my life back to Him, God did amazing changes within me.

Within a year, I went off travelling and began to drift back into old habits, which again brought much trouble, pain, hurt and heartache. I became trapped in many situations and in the ways I had chosen to live. I did not care about having a roof over my head, so long as I had the money for alcohol and drugs.

This time, though, was different to the last time I was away from God. Even in my mess, God was continually trying to draw me to Himself.   As soon as I gave my life back to Him, I was overwhelmed by His love that He poured out upon me. I was so hurt and had hardened my heart, but His love is limitless and enough to heal any hurt. I asked God and again and He did amazing changes within me because I couldn’t do it on my own. Praise God! He is Healer and Restorer!

God gave me so much peace during this time. He showed me that I had to build up the faith He had given me if I wanted to be strong and victorious. God is so faithful, and His words are true! If we take a small step of faith, He will show us what to do next - apart from Him we can do nothing!

Satan mocks and says many lies, “When will you ever be free? You know it’s just a matter of time before you go back to the way you used to be!”

But God has given me so much freedom as I have decided to be obedient to Him. I am no longer a slave to sin, but a slave to righteousness. I have been made holy and blameless before Him through Jesus. Satan works hard to keep us in bondage and to get us to believe his lies, but we have authority over him through Jesus Christ, and can trust God that His words are true.

I am overwhelmed that His desire is for me and that He delights in me. I love that He knows how to draw me to Himself and that He never gives up on me.”

Diane

"Cyst on sciatica nerve disappears"

Diane had been suffering from intense pain in her back due to a cyst that was resting on her sciatic nerve. She had a scan in January 2010, which showed the cyst. She was then sent to Charing Cross Hospital, and she saw a surgeon who was prepared to operate on her back to remove the cyst. She had a second scan in March 2011 in preparation for the back operation. She had been receiving prayer about this, and Diane went to see the surgeon once more when it was noticed that the cyst had completely gone. The pain had also gone. Diane gives Jesus the glory and praise, and says that this has been due to answered prayer, since ECC prayed for her. She is overwhelmed with joy.

Gifty

"Amazing that all pain was gone"

Gifty had been having pains in her back, arms and neck. The Ministry Team lovingly prayed with her, and at the end of prayer she was amazed that all pain was gone. She was overjoyed as she shared her testimony.

Shobna

"Healed of knee problem" 

“I was suffering with pain from a knee problem. The doctor told me that my last option would be a knee replacement. After the Ministry Team prayed with me, I am healed of the knee problem.”

Martin

"The pain has gone"

“I have had a very bad back for 10 weeks due to my work. I have to do heavy lifting but tonight the pain has gone. I thank Jesus for healing me.”

Antoinette

"Free of all discomfort" 

“I have been feeling feverish for over two weeks. I usually go to bed taking paracetamol, hoping that I will feel better. The Team prayed for me, and the pain at the back of my neck just went. I am now free of all discomfort. I thank Jesus for healing me.”

Caroline

"The pain left my hip"

“I had been having pain in my left hip. As I was sitting down and two ladies from the Ministry Team started to pray, I could feel pins and needles in my leg, which I believe was the start of my healing. Then after some time the pain in my hip just left.”

God answers a family prayer 

“It all happened on 3rd January 2010. A man had been having an argument with my husband for two days about work. My husband had difficulty explaining the matter in English, so he phoned my son to come and translate for him. When my son arrived, the man started to shout and argue. My son and husband tried to calm him down. However, he got violent and punched both my son and husband. Both of them were in shock and tried to defend themselves. In the process of defending themselves, the man fell on the floor and hurt himself. He then pressed charges against my husband and my son, accusing my son of stabbing him in the head several times with a knife.

This lie of the devil led my son and husband to appear at the Old Bailey, and being allegedly charged with GBH (grievous bodily harm), a charge just below attempted murder. The whole incident, which had been based on lies, continued for roughly a year. At the hearing, this man continued to lie and accuse my son. 

All this time, I prayed and believed in my Lord Jesus Christ. My faith was strong, and was not going to accept this lie over truth. I would often sit outside the Court and inside and pray to Almighty God. Eventually, the judges and jury saw the truth, and my family was free - without any allegations. 

I am so happy and proud to be a born-again Christian. I have also realised in several situations that God is in our lives and hearts. He has His hand on our heads, protecting us and saving us from the devil. My husband follows Jesus, and has forgiven the man in the same way Jesus would have done, and because of this I can also forgive him. 

I thank God for this miracle - justice and happiness prevailed in Jesus’ Name!”