An Encounter with God

Lou worships at Emmanuel Church in Bridlington and completed Stepping Up in January 2023.

In April 2019 I went to Spring Harvest in Minehead for the very first time. It was a really important time for me and my journey of faith. On one particular Tuesday morning during the service we sang In Christ Alone and I felt something I had never felt before. It was as though everything had changed and this huge weight had been lifted. I had this kind of overwhelming warm feeling and a sense of peace. 

At the time I didn’t quite understand, but knew it had to have been God’s Holy Spirit filling me for the very first time. I went back to the chalet and turned on the heating, and it was like a lightbulb had just been switched on in my head, and I realised what had just happened. I was able to talk about and pray through lots of the hard things that I had been through in life. And hand them over to God. I wondered why something so special had happened to me when I thought I’m not special. But it turns out I am special to God, and God keeps reminding me that I am his child. We all are. 

Back home I was afraid of telling people about this as I’d been mocked and ridiculed for my faith in the past, but as time has gone on, God, my friends, family and church family have shown me the way and guided me through this.  

Now, I’m not afraid to take a stand for Jesus. Just as it says in the Bible, “Do not be afraid for I am always with you wherever you go” and “If God is for us, who can be against us.” Since that time, I have spoken to people about my faith and they have actually responded really well. Now I live out my faith every day in different ways. All that is left is for me is to make a stand, as I truly believe and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. 

Stepping Up in Mission 

When I moved to Bridlington, my journey led me to doing Stepping Up, and I completed the year in 2023. It has taken me a while to discover what God is calling me into. I have always been involved with music at my church and organised a Praise and Worship evening there. Since then, I have become involved in helping with a variety of groups at my own church of Emmanuel, such as our ABC toddler group, and the Re-Store hub at Christ Church which supports people needing food and clothes and offers prayer and an opportunity to join in worship.  

“I feel I have found a place where I can flourish in my life and faith, and in service to Jesus, my Saviour, alongside some amazing people on our shared journey.”