Today's story is from Amy, a woman whose life was changed by an encounter with the truth of God's word at Mars Hill Church.

The Truth — Changed by Jesus #13

I grew up with a Christian father but never really took his beliefs seriously. I dabbled in Christianity when I was younger but walked away from my faith when I was still quite young. I got involved with drugs and alcohol when I was fourteen and basically functioned as an alcoholic up until the age of thirty. My life became completely unmanageable, so I joined AA and sobered up. In the program you are encouraged to find your version of a higher power and again I turned to Jesus. I went to church a few times and started reading the Bible. Although I was sober my life was still unmanageable and I began seeing a counselor who specializes in recovery. She challenged me on many of my Christian beliefs and encouraged me to be open to all faiths. I began attending the Center for Spiritual Living, a New Age church that blends all religions and follows Religious Science, founded by Ernest Holmes. I attended every Sunday for two years and loved it at the time. They teach people to take control and think their way into a better life. They reject the idea of the devil, like all New Age religions, and call evil fear the opposite of love. I don't know what changed in me, but after awhile I started getting a weird feeling when I would attend services. It all seemed so self serving and I remember thinking, You guys are making this up as you go along. I had read some reviews about Mars Hill on Yelp and got angry and wanted to check it out for myself. I went expecting to get pissed off but instead I was blown away! It was so refreshing to hear a sermon from the Bible without man's spin on it. I have not been back to my old "church" and have attended Mars Hill ever since. I read my Bible and have a personal relationship with Jesus. I have never felt better. I truly believe that, though I walked away from him, he stayed by me and brought me back home. I am so blessed I am just amazed at times. I am the LAST person I ever thought would become a Christian, but the Lord has changed my heart and made me a new person.