Testimonies

Believers' testimonies are personal accounts shared by Christians to describe how they came to faith in God and how God has worked in their lives. Often focusing on their journey to faith (salvation). It may have specific instances of divine intervention, or emotion, and spiritual healing or those seeking truth. Believers' testimonies glorify God, encourage fellow believers, and serve as eyewitness accounts for those seeking spiritual answers. A Believer's testimony may be just a small, simple step of faith in Jesus Christ. Other Believers' testimonies are major changes that may or may not have miracles or just major non-miracle changes in one's life. Since billions of individuals from every nation on earth have come to personal faith in the Grace and Forgiveness offered by The Lord Jesus Christ, there are billions of personal Believers' testimonies. Here are just a few publicly known Believers' testimonies.

1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect"

The first miracle Believers' testimony is that of Paul’s testimony, found in Acts 22 and 26, Paul dramatic transformation is from a zealous persecutor of Christians to an apostle for Jesus Christ. He details his strict Jewish upbringing and his role in arresting believers. Then, due to his blinding on the Damascus Road, where he had an encounter with the risen Jesus, and his calling to reach the Gentiles for Christ. Paul was key to the Roman Empire's conversion to Christianity. In 33 AD, there were only a handful of Roman Christians. By 300 AD (CE), the Roman Empire was 10% Christian. In 312 CE, due to the Christian slaves working in the Emperor's household, the Emperor Constantine's conversion changed the Roman Empire at the top.

Early Christians were frequently persecuted and killed by the Roman Empire (starting with Nero in 64 AD) for refusing to worship Roman gods or the Emperor, often being burned, crucified, or fed to lions. Key martyrs included Stephen (c. 35 AD), Ignatius of Antioch (110 AD), Polycarp (155 AD), and Perpetua (203 AD). The phrase "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church" was made by Tertullian in 197 AD, because these deaths often strengthened the early Christian movement. Few would die for a Roman god or a Greek god. But Christians had a real faith that they would not give up, even in the face of death. That same faith is seen in those who would rather die than convert under duress to Islam today.

Personal Testimonies:

1) I grew up in a small muslim village in Africa. My dad had four wives, thus only visited my house one to two times a week. The jungle near my house has many wild plantain bananas; this was our main food supply. When I was about 27, I had a dream: Jesus came to me and told me that when I awoke, I was to go to the local town nearby and stand at an intersection He had told me. I was very puzzled in the morning. I knew of Islam's Prophet Muhammad and the holy book of Islam is the Quran, but I had never heard of the name of Jesus. I decided to follow the dream and go to town. I waited at the intersection for some 20 to 30 minutes, then two men came up to me and asked if I had ever heard of Jesus Christ. I told them of my dream, and they told me of the Love and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. I went home and told of this love and forgiveness. My mom and friends told me never to talk about Jesus again. But this newfound faith gave me joy and peace I had never had before. My village soon knew of my change, two of my close friends told me I needed to hide, if I did not want to be killed, they hide me (I changed my name to James). They came up with a plan to get me not only out of my village, but out of the county. They raised enough funds to get me a one-way ticket to Los Angeles and got me student visa paperwork. After a few visits to the US embassy, I had my paperwork approved. I took business classes in Los Angeles. I dated and married an American girl and got a permanent visa. I had planned to use my business degree in Africa, as a door to share Jesus, but with a wife and two small children, this did not happen. Friend of this website.

2) I was engaged to be married to my girlfriend of a year and a half. I had given up all my friends and built my life around her because I loved her. I was at a happy point in my life. Just after our engagement, I found out that she had been hiding much of her secret life from me. Now that we were engaged, she shared her secret beliefs with me. The secret belief that I could not live with was that she sometimes talked with her dead grandfather, and he would give her instructions. I asked her friends for help, and they told me this was a blessing from God. I at last realized that they were in a cult (Love makes one blind, this was me) (see Cult page) . We agreed to break up due to irreconcilable differences, like contacting the dead, following many rules that made no sense, and other strange things. I found myself alone, depressed, in a very dark place, from both the loss of all my friends and my ex-girlfriend's deception (lying to me for so long). Looking for hope, I read the New Testament, the four accounts of Jesus ' life (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), then the history of the early Church (Acts). This all made sense when I read the next Book, Romans. In Romans, I found God's love in the Lord Jesus Christ. I found that I could not earn this Love and forgiveness (Mercy and Grace); it is given freely to those humble enough to ask and receive it. I asked for forgiveness from both my pride (thinking I could work my way to heaven, New Creation) and my sins (things I have done against God's nature). After this prayer, my depression, darkness, and loneliness were gone. I forgave my ex-girlfriend and her friends, just as God had forgiven me. Friend of this website.

3) I was a rice paddy girl in South Korea; my family has always lived on a small rice farm not far from a town. Our rice field was partially flooded with water to grow rice. I would transplant rice seedlings into the mud. I did this from a very young age. One night when I was about 17, in a dream, Jesus came to me and told me to ask my parents if I could go to town next weekend to shop. They said yes, I could. I was in town for only a few minutes when an earthquake struck. I was very afraid. Just as the earthquake was ending, the same Jesus in my dream appeared standing in front of me. He told me to go down the street and go inside the building with a cross on top. I was still very afraid and crying, but I went. In the church were two men, who said they were Christian missionaries from America. I told them why I was crying, and they told me about Jesus. Over the next two years, I visited the Church as often as I could, and one of the missionaries and we fell in love and married. We moved to America, and we have two boys (I changed my name to Easter). Friend of this website.

4) I was born into a Buddhist home in America; my parents were born in China and came to the USA on work visas. At age 5, my parents sent me to Christian's preschool near my home. The teacher told us that Jesus loves us, and we prayed before our snack. I asked where Jesus lives. I was told in our hearts. I prayed that Jesus would live in my heart. I found love, joy, and peace that I had never had. I told everyone about my Jesus. I asked everyone if they had Jesus in their heart and asked them to pray to him with me. My parents were confused and asked this website about what I had found. My family has a meeting and now has a better understanding of Jesus and how he lives in my heart. I am very happy that some have asked Jesus into their heart and prayed with me. A friend on this website.

5) At first, I did not think my testimony was one anyone would want to read about. But it is my testimony, and it is important to me, so maybe someone else would like to read it. I grew up in a Christian household, so I had heard about Jesus Christ from a young age. At age 5, it became a personal faith for me, though some time ago, I still remember the moment I became a believer. I went to a VBS (Vacation Bible School), it was a fun time, happy songs, games, crafts, and snacks. On one of the days, the teacher held up a large black card. The teacher said, "This is what our hearts look like to God. God is holy and has never done anything wrong; we have all done wrong things to hurt others and God. " I could relate to that. Next, the teacher held up a red card, and he said, "The only thing that can wash away that dark heart of ours is the Blood of Jesus Christ, as He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins (wrong deeds) of the world. He loves you and can clean our hearts if we accept Him". Next, the teacher held up a white card and said, "If we love God and take him up on His offer of free forgiveness and love Him, He will see your heart as white, cleaned of the darkness". Next, the teacher held up a green card and said. "Once our heart is washed clean, we want to return the Love God has given us by growing in love towards God and others. Next, the teacher held up a yellow card and said: "The good news is that with a white heart, we have no need to fear death, as Jesus is preparing a new place where there will be no pain, evil, or death. " I thank Him for the good times in my life. I thank Him for the blessings He has given me. In troubled times, I have asked Him for help, and He has helped me through them. A friend on this website.

From atheism:

C.S. Lewis (1898–1963) was a British author, Oxford/Cambridge scholar, and leading 20th-century Christian apologist known for his conversion from atheism. He wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters, blending faith with fantasy and literature to explore complex theological ideas. C.S. Lewis’s conversion was a 15-year journey from atheism to Christianity, culminating in September 1931 when he accepted Jesus Christ as the Son of God while riding in a motorcycle sidecar to a zoo. Influenced by friends like J.R.R. Tolkien, who argued that Christianity was the true, and his own intellectual struggle with objective morality, the formerly staunch atheist became a leading Christian apologist.

Dr. James Tour. He is a scientist at Rice University in chemistry and Nanotechnology. He was born Jewish and was an atheist in his early years. Through personal study and prayer, he became convinced of Jesus' deity. He is now a prolific Christian speaker on science and faith. See https://www.youtube.com/@DrJamesTour

Lee Strobel Well-known conversions from atheism: now a Christian Author (1952-)

Francis Collins (1950-), a scientist, became a Christian after reading C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity.

Guillaume Bignon, a french software engineer and former atheist. He set out to disprove Christianity to invalidate his Christian girlfriend's beliefs but converted after finding the New Testament intellectually compelling and Jesus’s character impressive. His intellectual, scientific, and theological investigation led him to embrace Christianity.

Alister McGrath is a distinguished molecular biophysicist, theologian, and Anglican priest known for his intellectual journey from atheism to Christianity and his extensive work on the harmony of science and faith. He holds multiple doctorates from Oxford University; he is a leading Christian apologist and critic of "new atheism," arguing that Christianity offers a more comprehensive, rational, and meaningful worldview than scientific materialism.

Leah Libresco a Yale-educated data journalist, famously became a beliver after moral arguments from friends challenged her worldview. She found that her secular, consequentialist framework could not adequately explain objective moral obligations, leading her to accept Christianity as a more coherent moral framework.

Malcolm Muggeridge was a prominent British journalist and social critic. He spent much of his life as an agnostic and critic of religion. His spiritual questions and encounter with Mother Teresa eventually led him to Christianity. His conversion was marked by a profound change in his life, manifesting in a renewed sense of purpose and perspective, which he shared candidly in his writings and broadcasts.

Andrew Klavan, an award-winning novelist and screenwriter, was raised Jewish but became an atheist. He came to believe that Jesus was real and the divine Son of God through reading the Gospels. After his conversion, he became a powerful Christian apologist and commentator. See the Book: The Great Good Thing: A Secular Jew Comes to Faith in Christ.)

Peter Hitchens, author and journalist, is the brother of the late Christopher Hitchens, atheist and debater. Peter was a former Marxist and atheist. He converted to Christianity because of his exposure to Christian art and Scripture. See his book: The Rage Against God.

Dr. Sy Garte is a biochemist and professor. He was raised in a militant atheist family. He saw evidence of design while studying biology and the complexity of life. He converted to Christianity by studying science and reading the Bible. See his book: The Works of His Hands: A Scientist’s Journey from Atheism to Faith.

Kirk Cameron, star of the TV series Growing Pains, he was an atheist. He became a Christianity as a teenager and is now a famous apologist and author. He’s well known for his role as journalist Buck Williams in the Left Behind series and co-author of the book The Way of the Master with Ray Comfort. He also has his own show, The Kirk Cameron Show, on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@KirkCameronOfficial

James E. Rogan (former prosecutor and congressman) was challenged by his girlfriend at the time to use his prosecutorial evidence skills to check out if Jesus is the Son of God, and the God of the Bible is the Creator of the universe. He read the Bible, books by Hugh Ross and others. After looking at the evidence, he found the evidence was firm enough to place his faith in Jesus Christ. He wrote: "Rough Edges: My Unlikely Road from Welfare to Washington".

John Newton (1725–1807) was a slave ship captain, a pastor, and a prominent abolitionist. He wrote the song "Amazing Grace". John Newton on March 10, 1748, during a violent storm in the Atlantic Ocean, facing death, he cried out for divine mercy, leading to a slow, long-term transformation to faith.

Jew to Christian (Jew to Yeshua Messianic Jew):

Author Jonathan Cahn, musician Marty Goetz, and ministry leaders like Moishe Rosen: Jews for Jesus, Bob Mendelsohn: A well-known director and speaker within Jews for Jesus, Rabbi Schneider. Notable Bob Dylan, historical scholar Isaac da Costa, Richard Wurmbrand (1909-2001), Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881) Served as the 19th-century Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847): A renowned classical composer and musician, and grandson of the famous Jewish philosopher Moses Mendelssohn, Immanuel Tremellius (1510–1580): An Italian-born Hebrew scholar who later served as a professor of Hebrew at Cambridge University, William Herschel (1738–1822): A distinguished astronomer and scientist who discovered the planet Uranus, August Neander (1789–1850): Born David Mendel, he became a prominent Christian theologian and professor of church history at the University of Berlin, Israel Zolli (1881–1956): The former Chief Rabbi of Rome who converted and wrote about his faith in Jesus., Jay Sekulow (born 1956): An American attorney and chief counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) 13 cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, and many more. (1798-1860). See https://www.youtube.com/@jonathancahn.official https://www.youtube.com/@martygoetz https://www.youtube.com/@jewsforjesus https://www.youtube.com/@RabbiSchneider https://mjaa.org/

Buddhism to Christianity:

Athet Pyan Shinthaw Paulu from Myanmar: A former monk who NE leading to his conversion and ministry. see https://navigatingbyfaith.com/journies-of-faith/spiritual-seekers/buddhist/

Sonam (Bhutan): A former Buddhist monk who converted after reading a Bible, later becoming a missionary.

Chiang Kai-shek: Former leader of the Republic of China who converted to Methodism upon his marriage to Soong May-ling.

Sam Em: A former Buddhist monk in Cambodia who converted to Christianity and became a pastor, now sharing the Gospel in his community.

Mitsuo Fuchida: Former Imperial Japanese Navy captain who led the air attack on Pearl Harbor and later became a Christian evangelist

David Yonggi Cho: Korean Christian leader and founder of the world's largest mega-church, the Yoido Full Gospel Church.

Kari Lake: American political figure and former television news anchor raised in a mixed environment who became a Christian.

Talduwe Somarama: A Sri Lankan Buddhist monk who later converted and was baptized before his execution for the assassination of Prime Minister S. W. R. D. Bandaranaike

Hinduism to Christianity

Former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt, and author/missionary Rabi Maharaj. Also educator Krishna Mohan Banerjee, poet Narayan Waman Tilak, and actor/model Christina Mohini.

Krishna Mohan Banerjee (1813–1885): Indian educator, linguist, and Christian missionary in Bengal.

Michael Madhusudan Dutt (1824–1873): Celebrated Bengali poet and playwright.

Pandita Ramabai Sarasvati (1858–1922): Social reformer, champion for women's education, and Christian writer.

Devasahayam Pillai (1712–1752): Indian layman from an upper-caste Hindu family who converted and was later canonized as a saint in the Catholic Church.

Mathangi Arulpragasam (born 1975): British-Sri Lankan singer, songwriter, and rapper.

Nehemiah Goreh (born Nilakantha Gore; 1825—1895) was a Hindu convert to Christianity in British India

Islam to Christianity

Nabeel Qureshi, Mosab Hassan Yousef, Brother Rachid, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and Magdi Allam. Taysir Abu Saada, a former PLO member and Yasir Arafat's personal driver who converted to Christianity and founded the ministry "Hope For Ishmael". Historical figure: Ubayd Allah ibn Jahsh, cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, who converted to Christianity in the early days of Islam, and many more.

Youcef Nadarkhani: Iranian Christian pastor who faced imprisonment and international attention over charges related to his conversion and faith

Imad ud-Din Lahiz: 19th-century South Asian Islamic scholar, prolific writer, and Quran translator who converted to Christianity in 1866.

Muhsin Muhammad: Former American football wide receiver who played in the NFL for the Carolina Panthers

New Agers to Christianity

Doreen Virtue, new-age top-selling author. Steven Bancarz, a former New Ager saved by Jesus. Jenn Nizza: a former psychic now warns others against occult practices. George Janko, Assyrian to new ager to Jesus. See https://www.youtube.com/@Doreen_Virtue https://www.youtube.com/@StevenBancarz https://www.youtube.com/@Expsychicsaved https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgeJanko

Japan to Christianity

Yoichi Fujiyabu is known for his 30-year ministry at a "suicide cliff," providing pastoral care and counseling to prevent suicides.

Makito Miyashita is a key leader with Japan Christian Link serving as the Director of Samurai Projects in Tokyo, a ministry training initiative focused on equipping pastors and trainees. He plays a vital role in strengthening the church in Japan.

Reiji Oyama (1927–2023) was founder of the Biblical Church and the Tokyo Graduate School of Theology, known for translating the Bible and writing over 160 books.

Ex-Mormon (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) to faith in Jesus' Grace Alone.

Lynn Wilder and her son Micah Wilder, are former members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) who embraced faith in Jesus' grace, departing from a works-based theology. Micah, a former missionary, and Lynn, a former BYU professor, now share their stories of finding salvation through grace alone. see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQh-H3h4i9A

Haleigh Markar, BYU graduate https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCci0BhypdqVg1rfbDs6ZYoA

Ed Decker (1935-2025), ex-Mormon made the 1982 book and documentary film "The God Makers" co-authored with Dave Hunt.

Chuck Sackett, a former "Veil Worker" in the Los Angeles Temple, wrote "What's Going On In There?" (often subtitled The Verbatim Text of the Mormon Temple Rituals Annotated and Explained by a Former Temple Worker) about temple "Endowment" ceremony and other LDS rites.

Ex-Jehovah's Witnesses to faith in Jesus' grace

Paul Blizard: Ex Jehovah's WitnessTestimony: A 3rd Generation JW https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zq2mbVv4I5A

Tony Brown: Now an evangelist. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jX7TAtlIxvs

Michael J. Felker: Now evangelist https://www.youtube.com/@michaeljfelkerapologetics

James Spencer, a former Mormon Elder, wrote book: “Beyond Mormonism,” an account of his journey to Christ.

Carma Naylor wrote A Mormon's Unexpected Journey: Finding the Grace I Never Knew.

Thelma "Granny" Geer wrote Mormonism, Mama & Me is the intensely personal view

Judy Robertson wrote: OUT OF MORMONISM

Brandi Bronson wrote The Journey to Jesus: Finding Christ after Leaving Mormonism

Also see

Ex-Mormons for Jesus (EMFJ) https://exmormonsforjesus.org/

Utah Lighthouse Ministry https://utlm.org/

Concerned Christians: A ministry providing educational resources, pastoral care, and fellowship for former LDS members. https://concernedchristians.com/

Astronauts:

Buzz Aldrin Took Communion on the Moon. On July 20, 1969, shortly after landing the Apollo 11 Lunar Module Eagle on the Moon, astronaut Buzz Aldrin performed the first Christian communion on another world. A Presbyterian elder, Aldrin privately shared a consecrated wafer and wine, reading scripture (John 15:5), which he later noted made the first liquid poured and food eaten on the moon sacred elements. (Apollo 8 crew's reading from Genesis on Christmas Eve, December 24, 1968, the first humans to orbit the Moon).

James Benson Irwin (Colonel, United States Air Force) - Apollo 15, July, 1971. Apollo 15 astronaut (1930–1991) became a devout born-again Christian and evangelist after experiencing a profound spiritual reawakening on the moon in 1971. Following his lunar mission, he left NASA to found the High Flight Foundation in 1972, dedicating his life to sharing his faith and declaring that "Jesus walking on the earth is more important than man walking on the moon" He was the founding president of the High Flight Foundation, a Christian inter-denominational evangelical ministry based in Colorado Springs. Died in 1991.

Charles Moss Duke, Jr. (Brigadier General, USAF, Ret.) - Lunar module pilot of Apollo 16, April 16-27, 1972. He is an active speaker, a Christian lay witness, and the President of Duke Ministry for Christ.

Space Shuttle Columbia Astronauts: Rick Husband and Michael Anderson were committed Christians, who attended the same church, Grace Community Church.

Scientists :

Ben Clausen, Ph.D., is a scientist at the Geoscience Research Institute https://www.ministrymagazine.org/authors/clausen-ben.html

Science and Faith Associations:

Access Research Network https://www.arn.org/

American Scientific Affiliation https://network.asa3.org/

Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences https://acmsonline.org/

Canadian Science and Christian Affiliation https://csca.ca/

Christian Association for Psychological Studies https://caps.net/

Christian Medical & Dental Associations https://cmda.org/

Christians in Science https://cis.org.uk/

Pascal Centre https://www.redeemer.ca/academics/research/wolters-centre/pascal-centre/

Presbyterian Association on Science, https://pastcf.org/scitech/