I grew up
attending
weekly church services and Sunday school in a traditional mainline
Protestant congregation (Presbyterian), and so was very familiar
with all the well-known Bible stories and Christian celebrations. Bible verses and catechism were
dutifully memorized, and attendance stickers and seals added to my
yearly attendance chart. As a child and young teenager I did
not question my faith or the teachings of my church. If I had
been asked if I was a Christian, or if I believed that Jesus was the
Son of God who died on the cross for my sins, or if I believed the
Bible was true, I would have responded 'yes', for that was all I
knew.
I am extremely grateful for this foundation, but I had yet to understand and experience the difference between knowing about God, and having a personal relationship with Him. It was through the ministries of two different evangelical Christian organizations in the United States that I was made aware of the need to ask Jesus Christ to forgive my sins and invite Him to be Lord of my life. The night I prayed that prayer I knew 'something' different had happened to me. I remember saying "Oh, You're really real God". Both ministries made solid teaching and devotional materials available to me that enabled my growth as a Christian.
My desire to learn more about Scripture and my faith led me to Campus Crusade for Christ (now known as Cru) during my first year at university. Their focus on discipleship and studying the Word of God was invaluable in setting me on a life-long journey of knowing, glorifying and enjoying God.