Andrew came to England from Iran. This is his story....
I was born into a very strict Muslim family 21 years ago. My parents used to pray five times a day in Ramadan, which is a holy month for Muslims. I used to pray like them, but only in Ramadan, because I was a bit lazy and had to pray in Arabic and at set times of the day. I did not like this because there was no reality in it.
My parents, and particularly my father were very strict with us and especially with my sisters. If I did not pray in Ramadan my parents would punish me because it was a very big sin for Muslims not to pray. I did not know anything about Jesus.
Arrival in England
In March 2002 I decided to come to England, arriving here after a long journey. For the first three weeks I was in England I lived in a London hostel. Each Sunday a man called John came to the hostel offering to take people to church. I only went to the church once with John as I preferred to stay in the hostel with my friends. Eventually Davoud and I came to Coventry. One day Pastor Paul knocked on our door and told us that John had been in touch with him and spoken about them.
Coming to church
A few days later, Pastor Paul called again and took us to church. From that time we started to come to church every Sunday morning. After a few weeks Pastor invited me to come to both Sunday services. Two or three weeks later I asked Paul about baptism. Paul's response was that we must meet for prayer and Bible study and it would depend on how God worked as to whether and when I could be baptised.
One day when I was at Paul's house, Paul said to me "I think it would be hard for a person with a Muslim background to now convert and change his religion". I told Paul that as I had been born into a Muslim family, I knew everything about Islam and what it would mean to me to change. I said it was by the grace of God that I came to Coventry and was led to this church.
The Bible studies continued to take place every week.
Real prayer
When I pray now I really enjoy it; I can pray any time I like in my own language, I find myself very full of God, and I know that God hears my prayers and is helping me.
In my native land I thought of Jesus only as a prophet, but now I believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour.
Jesus my Saviour
I now enjoy praying because of my relationship with Jesus Christ, who is the only way in which sinners can approach God. I believe that Jesus Christ is the only Saviour of the lost, and that Christians are all sinful people who have come to depend on Jesus Christ - both His death and resurrection.
I want to thank the people in the Church who have advised and helped me during the months I have been coming to the services. I especially thank Pastor Paul who has been like a father to me.
