Authentic Stories
These testimonies: upbeat, positive human-interest stories have been published in local newspapers as a community service. They are mostly from ordinary local folk, happy to share their experiences as an encouragement and enjoyable read for others.
As supernatural encounters, they can cover the full range from ‘maybe’ to 'yeah' and ’wow’ but are all verified in writing as being true and accurate to the best of the person’s knowledge. They all point to something special, and there’s no shortage of them.
We believe that every Christian should have a story—some many—as first-hand evidence for their faith.
- YOUNG JAKE - Would God say that to a surfer?
GOD SPEAKS TO SURFER
Get baptised!
How appropriate is that!
Our ‘dry’ 20-year-old Jake was at work at the time: on a 'zombie' shift – just watching this 3-metre cylindrical grinder do what 3-metre cylindrical grinders do (hence the name of the shift).
He said he had been pestering God for months, if not years; and was at it again – 'God, how, just how am I supposed to live this Christian life?' And this time he was fasting.
God interrupted him with a very clear audible voice, 'Jake – get baptised!' Jake declares, 'If anyone had been standing near me they would definitely have heard it' (and of course been startled as he was).
Sent to church as a child so his dad could mow the lawn, his first touch of the reality of it all came at age 11 when he saw, 'The Jesus Movie' at the Christies Beach Drop-in Centre.
Way back then he found himself weeping to discover that there was, in fact, a real Jesus in a specific time in history, in a definite geographical place, who was tortured to death on a real wooden cross for Jake’s sins. It was no longer just a story!
But however useful this might have been it was not until age 17 when a question by a youth worker, 'How is your walk with the Lord going?' got him to realise there was such a thing as a ‘walk’.
Then, at age 20 he was so bothered by the still unresolved question that he began to 'demand' answers: 'Just exactly how do you follow God?' And of course, the best one to ask was God.
Some time after being dutifully baptised (and who wouldn’t!) Jake became the Regional Coordinator for Christian Surfers in South Australia and went about ‘doing good’ throughout Australia and overseas.
As a Christian Surfer, he was in Sumatra Indonesia, helping the earthquake victims in cooperation with the equally well-respected LEAP which provides practical assistance towards self-reliance; rather than short-lasting ‘handouts’.
This young man completed 5 years in his leadership role and now enjoys his engineering career. And, as it happens, Christian Surfers Int’l is promoting the movie 'Unstoppable' - being shown in Victor Harbour cinema 14th, 15th March.
Jake, since his own moving movie experience, has seen the fruit of obedience to the Heavenly voice. He followed Jesus who heard His Father’s confirming words as He arose from the baptism waters, 'This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased' (Matt 3.17).
- Pearl - from wanting to end it, to not wanting it to end!
WHY ME?
Our South Australian Pearl (name changed to protect the innocent) really went through it as a child: mental and physical abuse and sexual abuse from outside the home.
Feeling she didn't amount to anything at all and following the normal pattern for this kind of a start, Pearl went on to later marry an alcoholic who - yes - abused her.
After putting up with this ‘normal’ behaviour for far too long she eventually called it quits and escaped to a womans’ shelter with her three sons. But she soon lost two of them to the husband who relentlessly stalked her and won over the two older boys.
Distressed, brokenhearted and emotionally drained, Pearl moved into another town; but felt even more alone and empty. She decided to kill herself. The pain in her heart was so bad she thought crashing her car into a tree would solve the problem: and was desperate to make it happen.
But under the influence of alcohol Pearl managed to lose her car keys - then finding them locked inside the car tried to smash the windscreen with a rock; but not a scratch!
Even overdosing on pills with a whisky wash-down backfired on her when she spewed it all out.
Then after meeting a lady from the kindergarten, Pearl did her best to resist her new friend's Sunday morning phone-call invitations to attend church. But the love and concern won her over and she went along.
That decision changed everything. At church she felt welcomed; and says, 'I began to believe God was love, as I felt Him breaking down my protective walls. What inexpressible joy I had never felt before.'
Looking back Pearl recalls…
'I was saved by divine intervention that night when I tried taking my life. This was the beginning of a true healing journey for me.
It hasn’t been easy, I have still undergone difficulties. But through it all the knowledge of God’s love has sustained me.
I enjoy being part of a real church family, where I am encouraged and accepted through life's challenges and changes. God has given me a song, a hope and a future. My broken heart has been healed.'
Pearl said she would love to shout from the roof tops that the name of her divine rescuer is Jesus Christ (who incidentally is also known in the Bible as the Pearl of Great Price).
- CAR DIES AT FUNERAL PARLOR...
The RAA mechanic who came years before to get the Camry going must have been a prophet. With his hand on the open bonnet he shook his head and said, "This car is not just on its last legs, it's on its last tow!"
But amazingly, this intreped little vehicle limped on - and on - and on. The couple were continually on the lookout for a replacement car; in faith believing and hoping for some divine assistance - but nothing eventuated to match the very limited finances. They just hoped the Camry wouldn't break down somewhere or sometime really awkward before another one 'happened.'
Then on the 26th March 2016 on the way to pick up some people for church, Peter said to his wife, 'we must take extra care, I think things are really getting serious.' Within the hour the car had broken down - at the Beach/ South Rds traffic lights, and with the help of others it was pushed into the parking lot of the nearby funeral parlor. The RAA guy (not the same one) checked the timing belt and reluctantly pronounced the vehicle dead.
With the help of a friend from their church [280 Beach Rd Hackham - visitor's welcome!] who volunteered to help see what could be done, the old Camry was towed to his place before going to the car grave yard. Then, taking the couple home, Wayne their helper, stopped off in Morphett Vale where cars were for sale. Peter took a liking to one, bought it the next day and along with the car's long registration, salvage payment and a surprise gift from another church member, the cost of $1,000.00 for the well-looked-after car worked out to be zero.
A favourite Scripture of theirs: 'Be anxious for nothing.'
- DEFIES BANK ROBBERS - and lives!
Leaving behind the streets full of soldiers in his home town Kampala - there for the 2016 elections - Richard visited Adelaide; and when pressed, told us this story. It happened in 1998, and there are living witnesses to it.
Standing at the bank counter with the money in his hand for some church purchases, the sounds of shouting and gun fire got his attention. A bunch of thugs with hand and machine guns burst into the bank, barking out orders for everyone to get down, and began their robbing spree.
Richard was obediently heading for the floor, when he heard another voice say clearly "What are you doing?" Arguing with this counter-instruction to not lie down and no time to do it in, he again heard, "How dare you take me, the Creator of the universe who is inside you, and lay me down on the floor with everyone else!"
He was the only one standing. The voice said, "Pray!" Richard prayed silently. The voice: "I can't hear you!"
Having nothing to lose - apart from his life - he threw his hands in the air and shouted his prayer. One of the thugs moved towards him, shooting with an AK47. At that moment he heard the Lord say, "You won't die here today!"; and in a vision showed Richard his future.
The vision disappeared, the thug reappeared - in shock and awe - no more bullets; and ran from the bank. His gang followed, leaving Richard still holding his money.
As the customers and staff stared up at him from the floor he preached his shortest-ever sermon: "God is able to save you all. Trust in Jesus and you will have eternal life". And he too stormed out of the bank.
This true story is in the introduction to Bishop Richard Lutwama's forthcoming book, "Arise O man of God".
- A SCIENTIST FINDS GOD - unscientifically!
Born and raised in Georgia (next to Russia), Kaha became a Bio-physisist and worked in a Georgian nuclear reactor. In Adelaide he did post graduate studies in computer programming, earned a Phd. in Oceanography and then fully qualified as a solicitor specialising in Migration Law.
Now all that is to put the lie to the idea that science and faith don't mix, and that belief in a Creator is too impractical for an intelligent person.
But Kaha wants to go further than that: and say that although he had long wanted to write a book about how science demonstrates/confirms creation, that wasn't the issue. The Bible says even the demons believe God exists; but they tremble! Plain belief and even church life don't qualify. We have to know God personally (that's what a Christian is - someone who has had an encounter with Christ's reality, and is forever changed).
Despite a Georgian Orthodox background, his search for God took him into studies of many paths and religions. Then, in 2003 as he was simply walking between rooms, 'in one second of time' he realised he was separated from God and he suddenly, 'deeply regretted his life'.
Circumstances changed and lead him into church life in Adelaide where his lights were turned fully on. Eureka! Science discovers God!
Kaha says that although this might sound incompatible with a scientific mind, there are many physicists who are true believers in Christ (and not just church goers).
His busy Adelaide legal practice is motivated by a deep desire to be of help to people who might really suffer without it. Mercy in Justice.
Try this prayer:
I don't believe in you Jesus but I need your help!
- CHEESED-OFF GARY - finds something to grin about ...
Gary has pretty much been in S.A. all his life, his earlier days being in the bush. As a cheesed-off fourteen year- old he left home to conquer the brave new world - or to at least survive in it.
He had heaps of jobs till he landed in the one that's given him the fulfillment he sought. He's been in real estate since the mid 80's and hasn't looked back - but before that he very nearly didn't even have a life to look forward to. That is, he was given just a 5% chance of lasting another two years.
But the doctors at Flinders Medical had to re-examine their x-rays a number of times when his condition abruptly and inexplicably reversed; contradicting their earlier diagnoces and records.
There was the time he went for a full scan - laid out on a metal table with a sheet over him and strict instructions not to move - no, not to even blink or swallow - for forty five minutes.
This was after a spiritual experience in the middle of a spirited argument with some church leaders he didn't agree with. The pastor, Jim Kennedy, had had enough after three hours and said - 'what really is it you want?' Without thinking Gary blurted out, 'peace!' Jim asked him to pray. He didn't know how, so Jim prayed and then, looking at Gary's changed countenance said, 'Did God answer your prayer?'
Yes. Gary described it as being in the middle of the deafening roar at a footy grand-final one moment and then finding himself in the middle of the desert with absolutely no sound. He could not even hear the men around him breathing. He got his peace, lost his irrational anger and just as suddenly, realised God was real.
So, he was wondering why this had happened only to find himself with a medical problem that took no prisoners. Stressing out on the metal table he felt he was being impressed to pray. He did, and was instantly moved to Scotland where he had discussion with one he knew was Christ.
The forty five minutes disappeared like no time at all and he was asked to flip over on his back for the second half of the scan. Once again back to Scotland and again the time just went and as far as he knows he didn't blink or swallow. He was embarrassed that he must have gone to sleep because the time just disappeared.
Subsequent to all that Gary's perspective on life changed radically - not the least by the fact that there was absolutely no record at all from all the x-rays and tests of the advanced medical problem that had threatened to finish his life too early - and he got into real estate.
As a counciller for Onkaparinga he works hard to improve things for the community and in particular for small businesses - to expand so they can employ more staff.
His believes that Christ wants to everyone to know that He cares for them and just wants them to reach out to Him to discover that He's real, and really can help.
Maybe that's why Gary Hennessy got into real estate.
- BORN BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES ...
The bridge was the Four Far and his mother didn't make the full distance from Scotland to England. Dave says he doesn't remember which side he was closest to; which is quite reasonable, given his tender age at the time.
Much later there was a time Dave had a strong curiosity and he made a plunge. But prior to that he did have his share of set backs. He lost his mother at age 7, his father at 10; then lost the trust of the constabulary, and was in a foster home until 16. He lost contact with his brothers - the only family he had left and he carried his scars. As a mid-twenty-year-old Dave decided to cross over with his wife and young family from England to Australia.
Family responsibilities helped to settle him and answer some of life's questions - but he didn’t want to follow his wife across the bridge she had traversed. Carol had "left her old life behind" as they say, and was born into a new eternal world of Christ. But not for Dave, though! The happier Carol got the grumpier he got. He niggled her.
Then, as he reluctantly watched her baptism: "I saw her speaking underwater!" (sounds like an exaggeration - although other brave men have said that about their spouse's verbal abilities). He was observing a spiritual prayer language that Christians know about - called tongues, or glossolalia (Greek). "I wanted to dive fully in myself, both feet. It blew me away it did. How did she do that? I wanted what she'd got.”
Dave did later make the required leap of faith, had a soft landing, was healed of memories, hurts, and found the fulfillment, peace and security he had been seeking.
Curiosity safely settled, he now knows which side of the bridge he was born on, this second time.
- WITCH WAY TO RUN? ...
What would you think if you saw a young lady run terrified from a church meeting – in full witch’s gear - eyes and everything else black, except the red lips?
It was just a normal service. But Julie freaked out. Probably, she just wasn’t used to love and acceptance.
She had been a street kid in Hindley Street with skin heads, rockers; then warlocks and witches for friends. Her coven life (with all the crystal balls, runes and tarot cards etc.,) led her to even heavier drinking and more serious drug abuse. She would awake some mornings with visible evidence of bites and scratches on her body. Demons are very real she says.
Julie had missed the normal bonding with her army parents, in Singapore during the Vietnam War. And later in Australia, the disruption to her schooling, due to the continual army re-postings plus various personal dramas and foster parents, gave her an acute sense of disorientation, rejection and isolation. She decided not to try to make school friends because she knew she would have to leave them behind.
Years later, the popular Left Behind series became the catalyst for her change. It’s about the Rapture, when Jesus comes back for his believers, and everyone else is left behind to face the great tribulation. After watching the video, Julie did what she knew she had to do – and long story short – is now the receptionist for the church she ran away from, relocated in Hackham (280 Beach Road, Hackham, with a new op shop).
- TONY AND HEATHER - There's pain; and then there's 'pain' ...
Heather's pain was trying to shut out her over- enthusiastic husband who had found something so amazing that he couldn't understand why everyone wouldn't want to hear about it. This went on for some years until there was an obvious ultimatum: "I either give it a go or we split!"
At that time Heather did not want anything to do with God: "If there was a God why would he take our children?"
The matrix for the problem was tragedy - in fact multiple tragedies. Two of their children deceased in infancy (Jessie at 2½ years; Zoe at 7½; and their 2½ year old Mitchell was threatened with the same possibility of encephalitis.
This anxiety over Mitchell brought Tony, at the time with much the same thoughts as Heather and the same emotional mess, nevertheless found himself crying out into space: "Is there a God - somebody or something out there - that has control over situations?"
From the following day Tony's life gradually changed, through a series of Supernatural experiences; but not without struggles. Where was this help he was supposed to get? A light burden and an easy yoke? A Comforter?
At one stage, unable to bear the pain any longer he fell to his knees and blurted out from his heart: "I can't take this anymore!" Astonished, Tony felt the killer pain of losing Zoe (especially acute) leave him. He felt like he was floating in air and he heard a voice saying: "Don't worry about Mitchell. I'll take care of him!"
Not surprisingly, it was this change to "Wow! Unbelievable! Amazing!" that Heather found difficult to process in her husband. The facts were the same, the losses real, the memories, grief and numerous associated pressures never far away.
But, in time - with the pain of the ever-present realities and Tony who didn't think he was unbearable because he'd found something so priceless - Heather faced it.
As an agnostic with an aversion to any organised religion, her thoughts varied between: "How can you prove any one is right?" and, a little later, "What does it really matter what you believe in?" Then, in the process of her learning curve towards committing her life to Christ she came up with, "Yeh, that sounds OK" and finally, "I know now that God's got my back."
So, one less pain from Tony's enthusiasm and the other blunted somewhat. But even with heavenly realities we don't stop being human with human emotions. And even though Jesus said: "Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden. Take my yoke upon you and I will give you rest" it still has to be applied and appropriated. The realities have to be believed, accepted and lived out in faith, daily. But our couple agree that this small price to pay is more than worth it.
It's nice to have comfort amidst the difficulties and hope for the future; not the least is the assurance of the after-life - and the expectation of meeting up with their children again.
Tony and Heather attend the Clear Vision church in Bellevue Heights, Adelaide.
And Mitchell, despite a couple of early scares - which were decisively dealt with by prayer - is now 26 years old and doing fine.
- CHERIE - can look at the funny side (now) ...
They say if you haven't lost your sense of humour you haven't lost anything.
Take the normal dysfunctional family life, throw in family divorces, numerous early deaths, serious abuse, a family suicide and poor parental role modelling (to say the least) - and you can end up with trauma, complex grief, depression, and eventually, chronic fatgue. Then add to that a physical misdiagnosis (flu) that turned out to be a critical case of abdominal abscess-peritonitis - from an appendix the size of a golf ball - and you would wonder, where's the hope?
On her hospital bed, at the end of her tether, Cherie had some very weird experiences (not associated with any medication) and blind panic froze her. A male nurse came to her aid. He suggested she might be under a spiritual attack and he proceeded to share from his heart.
Cherie had longed for a sense of purpose - to be a part of it - not to feel so isolated, vulnerable and alone. Life had to mean something. "Surely we are put here to do something", she reasoned. And the troubles had to stop!
"The nurse began to talk about the love of God, how much He loved me and how Christ died for me."
'Do you want to ask Him into your life?'
"I did, and felt so different. My life was turned totally around."
The very deep pain and hurts from her past were gradually dealt with, and a new light dawned which has led to fulfillment and satisfaction in helping others.
Eight years as a primary school chaplain has been a welcome outlet, for the great love in her heart for people and her desire to help others, in their personal struggles
- YOUNG SCIENTIST FINDS GOD - in science ...
Although Samuel from his earliest school years was always a pretty straight shooter - well behaved and studious - it didn't count for that much as far as his spiritual life was concerned.
Brought up in a Christian family he had a general intellectual agreement with the Bible's basic teachings but had no personal revelation as to its reality. For his faith to be activated he needed evidence.
A chance invitation to a teaching on the science of creation left him gob-smacked. He could see it! Creation, the Great Flood, and many more events became a stark reality, based as they were on science. And because of that, for Samuel, the rest of the Bible was therefore also authentic. He could trust it.
Despite being confronted with the ubiquitous teachings on the theory of evolution; even at one stage as a student in a Christian school (!) - he had the evidence he needed. This marinated whilst he pondered more seriously on what it meant for him as a believer; and the eventual result was a total commitment of his life to Jesus Christ.
Not having just a passing interest in science Samuel went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Evolutionary Biology majoring in palaeontology, and included studies in geology and molecular evolution.
His quest for evidence, for facts, has continually affirmed his faith over time and he now supports an organisation that specialises in an objective approach to Bible truths. It is called Creation Ministries International: www.creation.com.