My name is Christopher and this is my testimony of how God changed my life:
I grew up in Iqaluit, Nunavut. It was a different place to grow up. It holds the highest suicide rate in Canada (eight times national avg. [maybe more]), highest drug and alcohol abuse rate, teenage pregnancy, etc. I’ve had friends kill themselves and even contemplated suicide myself.
I went to school and graduated at the age of 17. I have a loving family, no financial difficulties and many awesome friends. I guess you could say I’m the type of person who gets alone with everyone. I knew of Jesus my whole life but never accepted Him as my Saviour. I eventually got into drugs, alcohol, stealing, lying, cheating - you name it - which proves I really didn’t have Jesus in my life. I was lying to myself.
I was raised in the Catholic faith where I was baptized as an infant, had my first communion and was confirmed. I’ve always had a passion for the Lord and was often told I was going to be a priest. I would often laugh at those remarks now because I eventually found out that they were right because the Scriptures says that I am a holy priest. (1 Peter 2:9)
A friend of mine (Steve) was a born again Christian. When he would share the Lord with me, I was reluctant to listen to him. I already knew who Jesus was and would simply replying saying something like “Whatever Church boy”, in an attempt to be cool. God however had other plans and kept on using Steve to get to me. It worked. The summer I graduated, we had a long conversation on God and creation. I was simply overwhelmed that the God who spoke everything into creation personally died for me. I came to the realization that we have all came short of the glory of God and need a Saviour in our life (Romans 3:23). When Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) I realized that our works and the church didn’t save us, but Jesus’ finished work on the cross (John 19:30). So this is where I accepted Jesus as my saviour was now a born again Christian gaining eternal life (John 3:3; 7 - John 11:25-26). However, the road was just starting for me. I had submitted nothing over to the Lord in repentance to show my love and gratitude.
I moved to Margaree, Nova Scotia the end of that summer and decided to take a year off and upgrade my high school marks. I was hoping to have a new start to life somewhere else, but moving to Margaree only meant cheaper drugs and no more bootleggers to deal with. I also had no fellowship and stopped going to church because I wanted nothing to do with the Catholic Church (I had become non-denominational) and knew of no other Churches in the area. I was surrounded by non-Christians and was seen as “the” Christian the way my friend Steve was. I was convicted early in the year by the Holy Spirit for being a bad witness and quit drugs right there and then. I didn’t give up drinking however. I also ended up hosting parties seeing I was living alone and was only 18 years old. It wasn’t a good start for a new born again Christian or in setting an example to others.
It was like this for nearly two years. It was as if the devil was trying to prove a point to God that I was the same old Chris and that he had control over me. Again, God had other plans. By His grace and mercy and prayers by people I had no idea were praying for me, I found fellowship. This was my break through . I was finally consumed by light, not darkness and found a new home church (Margaree Valley Baptist Church). It was through a car accident (a blessing in disguise) prom night which brought me to my new home church. Because I didn’t have my vehicle, I had no way of getting to church that Sunday so I called up a pastor (Pierre Chaisson) who lived two minutes away to see if I could get a ride. I honestly don’t think I would have gone that Sunday, but the good Lord was in control and Pierre said he would drive me. What a blessing it was.
That fall I went to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia to study Political Science. I was going to eventually get a degree in Political Science, go to law school and then become a politician. Growing up with my dad being involved in politics, I’ve always had an interest in it. Early in the school year I knew the Lord didn’t want me there. I was convicted about not going to a Bible school when I first graduated from High School. Steve told me I should at least go for a year to get grounded in the Word and that always stuck in the back of my mind. I found a good Church to go to (First Congregational Church and Northbrook Bible Chapel) and an awesome youth ministry called Sunday Night Live where university students and anyone else came together for praise, worship, prayer and God’s word. It was a blessing. During the school year I was also baptized. I went home on a long weekend and on November 16th, 2003 was baptized at my home Church.
But about me being convicted about Bible school, I knew I had to do something about it and was talking to a mentor of mine, Ian McCulloch, who I meet at a retreat in Cape Breton. He was thinking about enrolling in a distance ed. course through Liberty University and told me that would be a good school for me to go to because I could just transfer my university credits over. I was really excited about this new possibility and even started to look at other Christian Universities like Trinity Western and Bible schools like Prairie Bible Institute.
Ian later on asked me if I wanted to be a youth leader at an up coming retreat at the New Brunswick Bible Institute (NBBI) and I said I would. I came up with Sarah, Leigh-Anne and a few other people and it was an awesome weekend. The last day of the retreat Ian and I were walking around and I believe we were talking to Mr. Doherty. I was telling him I went to university but was looking for a Bible school of some sort to go to and he said “Maybe you’ll be here next year.” I tried to picture myself here but that wasn’t happening.
I spent a lot of time in prayer after the retreat asking the Lord to direct my path and I couldn’t stop thinking about NBBI. I finally narrowed my choices down to PBI and NBBI and decided to go to NBBI. I told my mom about what I was planning on doing but she wasn’t too pleased (over the phone - I was away at school). But after many prayers from myself and others, God softened her heart and accepted the fact that I was going to go. My dad on the other hand wasn’t ready to admit the fact that I was leaving University for a Bible school (he found out a few months later when I came back home from university). He said that he would pay for my tuition and let me my vehicle if I went back to university, but if I went to Bible school I had to pay for everything and I wasn’t allowed to take my vehicle. But after a lot of prayer for him, he eventually softened up and told me that he hoped that I had a good school year.
This year was such a blessing. Being surrounded by godly teachers and faculty; Being challenged daily by the Word of God and through various chapel speakers; Living and having fellowship with so many Christian. Something that has really touched my heart this year was being blessed with so many Christian friends. All my life I’ve grown up with non-Christian friends, and I honestly feel closer to the friends I’ve made over these last few months then I have with friends I’ve had all my life. So I want to say thank you to you guys for being such great friends, and most importantly thank you God for being so faithful and gracious to me.
I even had the opportunity of going on my first missions trip this past spring. A group of student from school on a trip to New York City and worked with Camp Joy and Camp Hope in Carmel, N.Y. reaching NYC’s forgotten field. It was such a blessing and learning experience. People were lead to Christ and I had the privilege of leading someone to Christ too.
I was also blessed this year to lead a youth group as my practical Christian service. This was such a blessing, and I realize it more and more everyday. The kids the Lord blessed me with was just amazing. I sometimes felt that they weren’t listening to me but I now believe they did. At the end of the year, the pastor of the church (Florenceville Baptist Church) came up to me and asked if I was going back to NBBI. I was only enrolled in a one year program but have decided to go back for another two years, maybe even three. I told him my plans and he mentioned that the church was opening new doors and that they would have a new staff position open there and asked me to pray about it and wanted me to come back the following year to the same youth group. I said I would enjoy that and that I would pray for the staff position. It sounded like a youth pastors position but I wasn’t too sure. The following week was my last youth group and I got a little card from the pastor who couldn’t be there that evening because he was preaching at another church, but the card said,
“That’s for the leadership this year. It is the best we have ever had. The kids love you and have learned from you. Hope to see you again soon. God bless. Charlie Thompson.”
When I read that I had no idea what to say. I couldn’t believe it and knew I didn’t deserve it. It was God’s pure grace alone. The following week I went to a youth rally held every month at that Church and thanked the pastor for his kind words and it was there he confirmed the youth pastors position for me. It happened again, I had no idea what to think. I could only think about how much God has changed and moulded me into His child in less than four short years. To be twenty-one and be asked to be a youth pastor in two years is something I would have never dreamed of. I didn’t think I could be a good teacher, so the thought never entered my mind. But maybe God does want me to be one. The Bible says that when we are weak, we are strong (2 Corinthians 13:9). So maybe this is where God wants to help me.
I’m back up north right now trying to shed some of Jesus’ light into a spiritually darkened place. I’ve done so every year since I left after I was saved, and the Lord has used me. So far this summer seeds have been planted and I again had the awesome privilege of leading two people to Christ. I don't drink anymore, I havn't done drugs since I told you earlier in my testimony (almost four years) and have no desire for any of it. God just has so much more to offer us.
If you could pray for me because there are no Christians up here my age or close to it and having no close fellowship is hard. But I know with the fellowship I do have with the Church here, God will keep me strong. Pray that I might also be a light to the Church here as I believe they go against some doctrines in Scripture I believe in. Also, pray that my parents once again accept the fact I’m going to Bible school as they want me to go back to university as they most likely arn't saved. Pray for my brother too please.
I just want to say thank you to to everyone here at Talk Jesus who have encouraged me so far. Your talks, discussions, posts and prayers have been such a blessing to me. Thanks a lot and you know who you are.
One love in the Most High!,
Chris"topher"
I grew up in Iqaluit, Nunavut. It was a different place to grow up. It holds the highest suicide rate in Canada (eight times national avg. [maybe more]), highest drug and alcohol abuse rate, teenage pregnancy, etc. I’ve had friends kill themselves and even contemplated suicide myself.
I went to school and graduated at the age of 17. I have a loving family, no financial difficulties and many awesome friends. I guess you could say I’m the type of person who gets alone with everyone. I knew of Jesus my whole life but never accepted Him as my Saviour. I eventually got into drugs, alcohol, stealing, lying, cheating - you name it - which proves I really didn’t have Jesus in my life. I was lying to myself.
I was raised in the Catholic faith where I was baptized as an infant, had my first communion and was confirmed. I’ve always had a passion for the Lord and was often told I was going to be a priest. I would often laugh at those remarks now because I eventually found out that they were right because the Scriptures says that I am a holy priest. (1 Peter 2:9)
A friend of mine (Steve) was a born again Christian. When he would share the Lord with me, I was reluctant to listen to him. I already knew who Jesus was and would simply replying saying something like “Whatever Church boy”, in an attempt to be cool. God however had other plans and kept on using Steve to get to me. It worked. The summer I graduated, we had a long conversation on God and creation. I was simply overwhelmed that the God who spoke everything into creation personally died for me. I came to the realization that we have all came short of the glory of God and need a Saviour in our life (Romans 3:23). When Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) I realized that our works and the church didn’t save us, but Jesus’ finished work on the cross (John 19:30). So this is where I accepted Jesus as my saviour was now a born again Christian gaining eternal life (John 3:3; 7 - John 11:25-26). However, the road was just starting for me. I had submitted nothing over to the Lord in repentance to show my love and gratitude.
I moved to Margaree, Nova Scotia the end of that summer and decided to take a year off and upgrade my high school marks. I was hoping to have a new start to life somewhere else, but moving to Margaree only meant cheaper drugs and no more bootleggers to deal with. I also had no fellowship and stopped going to church because I wanted nothing to do with the Catholic Church (I had become non-denominational) and knew of no other Churches in the area. I was surrounded by non-Christians and was seen as “the” Christian the way my friend Steve was. I was convicted early in the year by the Holy Spirit for being a bad witness and quit drugs right there and then. I didn’t give up drinking however. I also ended up hosting parties seeing I was living alone and was only 18 years old. It wasn’t a good start for a new born again Christian or in setting an example to others.
It was like this for nearly two years. It was as if the devil was trying to prove a point to God that I was the same old Chris and that he had control over me. Again, God had other plans. By His grace and mercy and prayers by people I had no idea were praying for me, I found fellowship. This was my break through . I was finally consumed by light, not darkness and found a new home church (Margaree Valley Baptist Church). It was through a car accident (a blessing in disguise) prom night which brought me to my new home church. Because I didn’t have my vehicle, I had no way of getting to church that Sunday so I called up a pastor (Pierre Chaisson) who lived two minutes away to see if I could get a ride. I honestly don’t think I would have gone that Sunday, but the good Lord was in control and Pierre said he would drive me. What a blessing it was.
That fall I went to Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia to study Political Science. I was going to eventually get a degree in Political Science, go to law school and then become a politician. Growing up with my dad being involved in politics, I’ve always had an interest in it. Early in the school year I knew the Lord didn’t want me there. I was convicted about not going to a Bible school when I first graduated from High School. Steve told me I should at least go for a year to get grounded in the Word and that always stuck in the back of my mind. I found a good Church to go to (First Congregational Church and Northbrook Bible Chapel) and an awesome youth ministry called Sunday Night Live where university students and anyone else came together for praise, worship, prayer and God’s word. It was a blessing. During the school year I was also baptized. I went home on a long weekend and on November 16th, 2003 was baptized at my home Church.
But about me being convicted about Bible school, I knew I had to do something about it and was talking to a mentor of mine, Ian McCulloch, who I meet at a retreat in Cape Breton. He was thinking about enrolling in a distance ed. course through Liberty University and told me that would be a good school for me to go to because I could just transfer my university credits over. I was really excited about this new possibility and even started to look at other Christian Universities like Trinity Western and Bible schools like Prairie Bible Institute.
Ian later on asked me if I wanted to be a youth leader at an up coming retreat at the New Brunswick Bible Institute (NBBI) and I said I would. I came up with Sarah, Leigh-Anne and a few other people and it was an awesome weekend. The last day of the retreat Ian and I were walking around and I believe we were talking to Mr. Doherty. I was telling him I went to university but was looking for a Bible school of some sort to go to and he said “Maybe you’ll be here next year.” I tried to picture myself here but that wasn’t happening.
I spent a lot of time in prayer after the retreat asking the Lord to direct my path and I couldn’t stop thinking about NBBI. I finally narrowed my choices down to PBI and NBBI and decided to go to NBBI. I told my mom about what I was planning on doing but she wasn’t too pleased (over the phone - I was away at school). But after many prayers from myself and others, God softened her heart and accepted the fact that I was going to go. My dad on the other hand wasn’t ready to admit the fact that I was leaving University for a Bible school (he found out a few months later when I came back home from university). He said that he would pay for my tuition and let me my vehicle if I went back to university, but if I went to Bible school I had to pay for everything and I wasn’t allowed to take my vehicle. But after a lot of prayer for him, he eventually softened up and told me that he hoped that I had a good school year.
This year was such a blessing. Being surrounded by godly teachers and faculty; Being challenged daily by the Word of God and through various chapel speakers; Living and having fellowship with so many Christian. Something that has really touched my heart this year was being blessed with so many Christian friends. All my life I’ve grown up with non-Christian friends, and I honestly feel closer to the friends I’ve made over these last few months then I have with friends I’ve had all my life. So I want to say thank you to you guys for being such great friends, and most importantly thank you God for being so faithful and gracious to me.
I even had the opportunity of going on my first missions trip this past spring. A group of student from school on a trip to New York City and worked with Camp Joy and Camp Hope in Carmel, N.Y. reaching NYC’s forgotten field. It was such a blessing and learning experience. People were lead to Christ and I had the privilege of leading someone to Christ too.
I was also blessed this year to lead a youth group as my practical Christian service. This was such a blessing, and I realize it more and more everyday. The kids the Lord blessed me with was just amazing. I sometimes felt that they weren’t listening to me but I now believe they did. At the end of the year, the pastor of the church (Florenceville Baptist Church) came up to me and asked if I was going back to NBBI. I was only enrolled in a one year program but have decided to go back for another two years, maybe even three. I told him my plans and he mentioned that the church was opening new doors and that they would have a new staff position open there and asked me to pray about it and wanted me to come back the following year to the same youth group. I said I would enjoy that and that I would pray for the staff position. It sounded like a youth pastors position but I wasn’t too sure. The following week was my last youth group and I got a little card from the pastor who couldn’t be there that evening because he was preaching at another church, but the card said,
“That’s for the leadership this year. It is the best we have ever had. The kids love you and have learned from you. Hope to see you again soon. God bless. Charlie Thompson.”
When I read that I had no idea what to say. I couldn’t believe it and knew I didn’t deserve it. It was God’s pure grace alone. The following week I went to a youth rally held every month at that Church and thanked the pastor for his kind words and it was there he confirmed the youth pastors position for me. It happened again, I had no idea what to think. I could only think about how much God has changed and moulded me into His child in less than four short years. To be twenty-one and be asked to be a youth pastor in two years is something I would have never dreamed of. I didn’t think I could be a good teacher, so the thought never entered my mind. But maybe God does want me to be one. The Bible says that when we are weak, we are strong (2 Corinthians 13:9). So maybe this is where God wants to help me.
I’m back up north right now trying to shed some of Jesus’ light into a spiritually darkened place. I’ve done so every year since I left after I was saved, and the Lord has used me. So far this summer seeds have been planted and I again had the awesome privilege of leading two people to Christ. I don't drink anymore, I havn't done drugs since I told you earlier in my testimony (almost four years) and have no desire for any of it. God just has so much more to offer us.
If you could pray for me because there are no Christians up here my age or close to it and having no close fellowship is hard. But I know with the fellowship I do have with the Church here, God will keep me strong. Pray that I might also be a light to the Church here as I believe they go against some doctrines in Scripture I believe in. Also, pray that my parents once again accept the fact I’m going to Bible school as they want me to go back to university as they most likely arn't saved. Pray for my brother too please.
I just want to say thank you to to everyone here at Talk Jesus who have encouraged me so far. Your talks, discussions, posts and prayers have been such a blessing to me. Thanks a lot and you know who you are.
One love in the Most High!,
Chris"topher"
Last edited:
