*Name changed for security reasons.

What was your life like before you were a Christian?

Actually my life had a lot of ups and downs, but any happiness was very short lived. I always believed in God.

Looking back, I can see that I was a sinner – and still am.

One summer, I was very happy because I had managed to obtain an Iranian passport. I travelled to the UK and really enjoyed my time. But soon afterwards my sister died. Two years later, my mother died and, two years after that, my father died. I wasn’t the same after that; I began to realise that everything is temporary in this life. I would always be thinking about what might come after death.

I had a good job, but after several years I got into difficulties and so I immigrated here to the UK.

How did you become a Christian?

I was interested to see how Christians worship and pray because I was suffering from depression. So, one Sunday, I decided to go to church even though I didn’t want to become a Christian. I said to myself, “At first you can make some friends.”

I visited two churches, one of which was Castlefields. I swapped contact details – including phone numbers – with some of the people there. This worried me, as I said to myself, “Now I’m trapped!”

I kept coming on Sundays, but not regularly. I got to know this friend there who spoke to me about Jesus. He even invited me to live with him! And so I did as I had been living with some cousins and was struggling.

Back in Iran, people viewed Jesus as a prophet, but in Christianity He is much more than a prophet. He is the Saviour. I learnt that I was a sinner and He could save me. Slowly I was learning more about what the Bible says. Eventually I came to trust in Jesus.

Since then, many times when I have not been sure what to do about a problem, I have prayed and found a solution. I found at church that they pray about other nations too – this was very interesting for me.

What has changed in your life since then?

I still have problems, but I have comfort even though I struggle.

I still struggle with sin too, although I’m trying to be better. Even though now I try to avoid sin, I still fall sometimes. But I know I am forgiven and have eternal life because of Jesus my Saviour.

What does Jesus mean to you?

I once just knew of Him as a prophet; now I know Him as Saviour. Because of Him, I can now pray to God and I know He hears me.