‘I got saved at the Christmas concert’
Mim Hemp shares her testimony on how she came to know Jesus at the Christmas concert in 2008. Here she encourages us to invite our friends and families to the upcoming Alive! Easter concert at The Bridgewater Hall.
I grew up in a Christian family and being the ‘minister’s daughter’ meant that the Christian lifestyle was the norm for me. I didn’t have a personal relationship with God and it all seemed like a lot of rules for how to live my life. As I grew up, I questioned my faith and rebelled against these rules. I felt they were constraining me and I inevitably turned away from God.
I moved to Manchester in September 2007 to start university. I met people from King’s Church through my sister Naomi and really noticed the kindness and love they showed each other. I was glad Naomi invited me to the Christmas concert in December 2008 as I was excited to go to the Palace Theatre. The music and singing at the concert were captivating and I could feel a presence in the room I never felt before.
Andrew Hughes spoke of how Jesus gives you life and religious rules are not a part of the personal relationship you have with God. This really hit me and I realised I needed a bit of this ‘life’!
I asked Jesus to come into my life but didn’t stand up when everyone was asked to, as I was really nervous and shy at the time. But as we sang “Trading my sorrows” I stood up, sang and danced along. I was filled with a joy I had never experienced before and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face! I love Jesus and thank him so much for what he has done in my life and continues to do.
I would really encourage us as the Church to invite anyone we can to the Alive! Easter Concert – whether that be friends, family or other people we meet. It is such a great event to invite people to as Church in the Home or Sunday meetings may seem daunting to some.
Jesus is alive and will be there with us at the concert, so people who are not yet saved will feel his presence there just as I did. Even if they don’t ask God into their lives at the concert, the love and kindness of the Church will impact them and a seed will be planted. If we truly believe this in our hearts we will see it with our eyes!
Mim Hemp
Flyers are available for the Easter Concert at the reception and on the Help Desk at King’s House. Tickets can be purchased via the Bridgewater Hall Box Office at www.bridgewater-hall.co.uk or by ringing 0161 907 9000.
