MY CONVERSION AND THE PATH TO DISCIPLESHIP

A Paper Presented to Celucien L. Joseph, Ph.D. of the The New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

In Partial fulfillment Of the Requirements for the course CMCM2380-34 Practice of Evangelism In Leavell College

By Willy Lafleur September 12,2013

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Born and raised in a Christian home, I was told that I needed to accept the Lord for myself, be repented and have my sins forgiven. I should also say that I have attended a catholic school during the early years of my adolescence and during my preschool years. Little did I know what it meant to accept the Lord. I was confused between the teachings of my parents and the teaching I received in school about Holy Communion, confirmation and so on. At the age of 12, during the summer break, I went to church service alone not too far from where I used to live. I never forget it to this very day. The preacher whom was a woman preached at least for half an hour on how God will never leave or forsake his children. She went even further to say even if your mom or dad will forsake you, God never will. I know the love my parents had for me and could never imagine somebody loving me more than they do. I wanted to know that person. At the end of the service, she gave an altar call. I was too afraid and too shy to go. She insisted on saying that she will not close the service because telling her that someone needs to dedicate his life to HIM. That person was me. Trembling, afraid and scared, I went and accepted the Lord as my personal savior. It took me a couple months to tell my parents about my decision. I was not sure if they were going to take me serious or not. I did not have the courage to tell my friends either. I was afraid to be ridicule by them until one day I told them all about my decision. They were shocked and surprisedbut I know that I was for real and wanted to know that Person who can love me more than my parents. I did not feel saved right away, because I did not know what it meant to be saved. I felt joy and peace. It was the beginning of a long journey..I usually go to church regularly with my parents. I know that I needed to make some changes because I used to talk a lot during the services. I sometimes went in the back of the church to have conversation with them. I decided now to seat so I can listen to my Sunday school teacher and the preacher. It sure was not easy. I
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was labeled as weird and different by my friends. Peer pressure during this period was very intense and overwhelming. Somehow, God had sent true friends and mentors my way. They taught me on how to be a true Christian and be a disciple of Christ. Needless to say that my prayer life was changed. Before, prayer was very boring and long. I have developed a thirst for prayer and fellowship with God. I remembered that at night after doing my homework, I would set some time apart to pray and read my bible. God had blessed me tremendously during this period. A couple years later, along with my other siblings, every summer ,we started touring the neighborhood preaching the gospel, laying hands on the sick, praying for those who are in difficulty or in needs. We were doing this for at least for four years. At the age of 19 years old, I got baptized. God was and has been faithful. I thanked HIM that even to this day He has kept, strengthen my soul and drew me closer to HIM.