Faith Re-ignited

Kate Jefferies

The beginning katjeffweb

I was brought up in Cheam, Surrey where, at the age of 5 or 6, I was taken to Sunday School at a newly formed church, St Paul’s, Howell Hill. I suspect I was first taken there out of tradition and to get me out from under my parent’s feet! But, irrespective of my earthly parents’ intentions, my heavenly Father had a plan for me and, with the guidance of a gentle, wise and godly couple I learned about God and, at the age of 12 I gave my heart to Him. I continued to learn about His love, power and grace until, in my late teens, a couple of things happened that, frankly, put my nose out of joint and I turned away from St Paul’s and from God.

A time in the wilderness
I can’t say that I began to live a life of debauchery and depravity, but I was definitely lost and cold and not making wise choices. I moved out of home a couple of times but would always end up back on my parents’ doorstep after a few months, having left a job or simply spent beyond my means.

It was during one of these spells at home a prescribed medicine left me with a side effect – a fear of dying so intense I would double up in almost physical pain, sobbing. Four months after this terror first manifested itself, my mother died without any warning. The shock of her death sent my father’s mild Alzheimer’s into free-fall and, 18 months later, he too was dead. I was 25, had no parents, no partner and two brothers I barely knew. With no-one to help me I set about building a life of material security and self-reliance.

A second chance
I remained haunted by an almost daily terror of death until, in my late 30s, the Lord took a distinctly

un-godly situation and used it to gently bring me back to His side.

I was becoming attracted to a married man and, because he occasionally went to prayer meetings that a group of Christians had organised at work, I started going too. Soon, however, I was not going to the meetings because of that man, but because I was communicating with God in a way that I hadn’t for a long time. I started to attend Cheam Baptist Church with one of my friends from the prayer group, picking up the threads of my relationship with God.

After a while, however, I was niggled by a sense that I was meant to return to St Paul’s. I was very nervous returning after so long, but the very first evening I returned to St Paul’s God started the process which brought me back to a full relationship with Him. An old friend came over to welcome me back and asked if I’d be interested in joining a worship band. Through that worship, the fellowship of my fellow band-members and my cell group, my love for God was truly re-ignited and my walk with Him took off again in earnest.

I stayed at St Paul’s until, in 2007, God set in motion a series of events that led to my move to Horsham in July 2008. Googling for a church, I was drawn to the description of Kings Church Horsham and decided to see what it was like. By the end of the first service I knew I’d found the church God wanted me to join. A wonderful welcome, authenticity of prayer and praise, complete reliance on biblical principles and the guidance of the Holy Spirit – what a feast!

I’d been baptised as a baby, but had been wanting to be re-baptised for a while – a baptism as a committed Christian rather than as an unknowing infant, one that would wash away the dust of my years outside God’s plan for me. On 30th November 2008, as part of a wonderful service and in preparation for becoming a full Member of Kings Church, God answered that “un-prayed prayer”.

I believe that baptism was all part of a second chance that has brought me into a deeper knowledge and closer relationship with God. It thrills me to see His Spirit moving in Kings Church; the prophesies he brings to pass and, especially, the healings He gives – he even healed a dislocated bone in my foot. And my fear of death? Gone. Completely gone. In fact, sometimes, when I’m worshipping, I think I get an inkling of what it’ll be like to be in the courts of The King – and it’s going to be amazing! I am more thankful than I can express that God has brought me out of the wilderness and back into His loving presence. I know He has a plan and I’m waiting with baited breath to find out what it is.