It was probably about six months after I stopped attending meetings at the Kingdom Hall and three years of research into the WT. In my mind had left a man-made religion, not God. A Christian who had helped me in those previous months took me to two or three small Christian groups who met in hired school halls. They were simple meetings of songs and prayers, and a sermon. It was at one of these I accpeted Christ into my life. But I felt the need for something else. I remember a Pentecostal church that had always interested me when I was a JW. Because they held "missions" in local parks in the area. They would put up a large tent and hold meetings through the week. I had always wondered what they were like, but being a JW at the time I wouldn't go.
Anyway this church was about a 15 minute walk from were I was so one Sunday evening I thought I would go and have a look. But you know what its like going somewhere new and different on your own, I didn't go in. Next morning I get a phone call from the assistant Pastor of the church, saying someone had given them my name and number, could he come and see me. He came thatafternoon and we had a good chat. I told him about going but was nervous about going in. So he said he would pick me up next Sunday, which he did.
Funnily the place was like a large Kingdom Hall, same type of chairs, same type of carpet. There was no cross, or anything else like that, anywhere. But the people were so different, the place was full of life, and joy. People were dressed in anything from a suit to T-shirts and shorts. Short hair long hair, coloured hair, one guy had bright red punk style hair (which he changed nearly every week) and he played in the worship band.
We started off singing songs, and singing songs and singing songs, I thought when are they going to end! Then there was announcements, of what was on during week, kids, and youth clubs, Bible classes etc. The young children went out to Sunday School. Then we had a sermon the Pastor was great , dynamic, just about the Bible and Christ. I thought this is how talks should be if you have a faith in God. So different from the sitting in silence, listening to some speaker drone on. Couple more songs, then communion. My first communion, what should I do, but I had accepted Christ. They passed bread around , ordinary bread, you took a bit and passed it along. The wine came in little glasses which we held on to and the Pastor asked a prayer and we drank together. The we finished with another.
Then tea and coffee were available at the end of the meeting. People were coming up and introducing themselves. Kids were running around, people laughing, joking. The Pastor came and said hello, and said if I wanted to talk at anytime just come and see him. I asked if there were any books I should read, he said only one, the Bible.
I have now been attending that church for 9 years this month. We have just recently moved into a bigger church building as we are growing. There has never been any pressure from anyone. As one person said "You come to worship God, not the church." or as the Pastor has often said "The biggest problem the Christian faith has, is religion."
