TESTIMONY A fan. This is how I would define my life before I had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.

Hi, my name is Joseph Ferrer. Being a young Christian who grew up in Church I was bombarded with the stories of the Bible. I attended the Sunday Schools in Church, the Vacation Bible Schools, and I even attended a Christian school. As a kid, I was led to the Sinners Prayer by God knows how many times. I accepted Him as my Personal Saviour for the fact that I was afraid to go to Hell. After that, I was so enthusiastic to hear about Jesus and to know of ways on how I could go to Heaven. On the way, I read and learned about the powerful and marvellous things He has done. Many Christians say its a great privilege to have, well in fact, it is. But as for me, it turned out the other way around. Why, you say? As we went to Church and listened to the sermons every Sunday morning, as far as I can remember, we were oftentimes reminded that as Christians, we should act like Christ. As the church service ended, it was a family tradition for us to go out, bond, and eat. There, my older sister and my parents would talk about the message and how they could apply it practically. Usually, everyones happy on the aftermath of the Church service. Well, thats what usually happens every Sunday. During the rest of the week, it was very different. My dad always went home late even sometimes early in the morning, often drunk. My mom, who was a workaholic stayed at her work during the rest of the day. My older sister always shouted at us and most of the time, and we siblings often quarrelled. We barely even eat together at the same table throughout the week. This atmosphere developed a rebellious spirit in me and even made me question Christianity. My father, disciplined as a soldier, didnt tolerate my stubbornness and my rebellious spirit. Whenever I did something wrong, He immediately pinched me on the side or spank me with a leather belt. He sometimes explains why he does what he does. This only worsened things because although I see his intentions in disciplining me, I didnt see it in his life. This confusion caused me to rebel against my parents. I did things behind my parents back. I was always out and did whatever I wanted to do. I went home late, played computer, went to parties, drank beer, and even smoked cigars and marijuana. But everything changes when Sunday arrives. I was simply living a double life. People oftentimes ask me what my religion was and where I go to church. I was very proud to be a Christian. I prayed, read the Bible, sang worship songs, and talked about God. I was very enthusiastic about God, but my life didnt display who Christ is. I still continued in my sinful ways. I was missing out Luke 9:23 which says, Then He said to them all, If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow

Me. I was very enthusiastic to learn and to hear about Him. But when it came to the part where it required sacrifice, I backed out. I was a fan. The pivotal point in my life came when I transferred to another Christian school, Jesus Flock Academy. Here, I was often corrected of my ways, and I kept on telling myself, Who are these people to correct me? But then again, God proved faithful. Little by little, I was drawing near and nearer to Him. The people I met did not talk the talk, but instead they walked the talk. Here, I had a personal encounter with Jesus Christ. This time, I didnt just know about Him, I knew Him. In the beginning it was a bit hard, but God enabled me to overcome the struggles I was facing in the past. He flooded my vessel with His love and filled my spirit with unexplainable and uncontainable joy. Because of this, I finally decided to commit my life to Jesus Christ. Because of His evidence in my life and because of the people He used to manifest His love and Fatherhood to me I was willing to die to myself and give my life to the One who gave it all. I have become a follower. Being a Christian, God doesnt tell us that its going to be easy. But He promises that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He proved this to me when I was about to fall into despair once again. I was starting to go back to my old ways. But then, God proved faithful. He brought my family to CCF and here I saw God move not only in my life once again but also in the lives of my family. I have seen my parents urge to change for the better glory of God. Here, I attended and learned about J-Zone, CCFs Youth Ministry. This re-kindled and fuelled more my passion for God more than ever. In the past, I really didnt want to get baptized because I thought that I had to surrender a lot of fun things if I did that but just recently I was baptized for the first time in 16 years of attending a Bible Believing Church in WIRED a J-Zone College Retreat. Though my life has had its ups and downs, still God proved faithful and just to forgive and to keep His promises. Through this, I have learned to trust in Him no matter what the circumstances are. Before I end, I would love to cite a quote from Adam Young. It says, I cant brag about my love for God because I fail Him daily, but I can brag about His love for me because it never fails. I know I am still young and I still have a lot to go through, but I thank God that He has turned my heart into a heart of flesh and that He has manifested His love, goodness, glory, and His mercy not only in my life but also in my family. Please pray with me as I continue through the several chapters of my life. I know thats gonna be a bumpy ride, but I also know that God will give me the strength to do things beyond my means. Again, my name is Joseph Ferrer Im 16 years old; a Jesus Zone; a fan turned into a Completely Committed Follower; and a sinner saved by grace. To God be all the glory, honor, and praise!