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The Christian Gospel |
When I was a young child, our family lived in Cambridge and we rarely went to church, usually when we were visiting grandparents. At the age of 5, we moved to Histon, and lived down the road from St Andrew's. However, we still rarely went, at Christmas or Easter we would usually turn up, but we were by no means regular.
It was on Christmas Day 1994, shortly after I turned 7, that my life really started to change. As part of the service, all of the children were invited up to the front to sing the first verse of Away in a Manger. I was thrilled, especially when I got to sing a few words into the microphone. A few days later our next door neighbour came round and invited me to join the Junior choir at the church. I was very excited at the prospect, and could hardly wait for Tuesday. That Tuesday was one of the key turning points in my life.
Before then I had had little contact with God, but as a choir member I had to go most weeks, so both my Mum and I began to go regularly. Once I wore my robes for the first time my decision was sealed, and since then I have seldom missed a week. I found that St Andrew's church was interesting for all age groups, and was very youth orientated. The services have never been dull, and there is a wide range of activities for everyone to take part in. Now, 7 years on, I am still equally keen, and I have been Head Chorister for the past 3 years.
Through going to church regularly and attending Sunday school, I began to learn about the love of God, and in May 2001 I was finally baptised. It was a very special experience, and lots of my friends, many non-Christian, turned up at the church to support me. Although many people are quite surprised to find I was only recently baptised, I am pleased that I was able to make my own decision, and that I can keep the memory with me. I feel that, even though a little unconventional, it is a privilege.
Being a member of the choir and the church has had an impact on many aspects of my life. The choir has proved the springboard for what is now a huge part of my life, music. I play the flute, piano and violin. I also play the flute and sing in Tensing, a YMCA organised youth choir, which is a really fantastic thing to be part of, it reaches out to so many teenagers in the area, Christian or not, and it's great fun and provides lots of opportunities and experiences. I think it's great that I can share music and praise God, and it's one of the most important aspects of worship for me.
As a Christian I know that I will always have help through the tough times that teenagers have to face, and it is comforting to know that he'll always love me, even if I do fail in an exam, even when I'm moody. I'm by no means perfect, and sometimes I do have doubts, but even through them I know deep down that God really is there, and that he loves me so much. My favourite hymn has always been 'Faithful One'. It's great to know that while my friends and I are growing up and changing so fast, God is always there, the same, and will be forever.
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