Personal Testimony

I came to England as a teenager having been sent by my father to learn the English language. Soon I was placed in a boarding school in a coastal town in the south of England. I continued with my studies until I eventually became qualified as an Engineer.

Then I departed from England after an 8-year stay, to go back to live in Iran. I was looking forward to settling in Iran, and soon I had found a job with a manufacturing company. To everyone's surprise a revolution was on the way which brought about unimaginable changes to the core of the society.

Within one year of my return to Iran, the country went under martial law in every major town and city. An Islamic Revolution on the way, intending to establish a “godly” government and a just society, overwhelmed the majority of the population. It was not long, before I was seeing things, which were greatly disturbing. I was becoming very disappointed to see extreme brutality taking place in the name of God in post revolution Iran. I was frightened by all the vengeance. There was not any forgiveness, and hatred and revenge had taken over the minds and the hearts of most Iranians.

By this time I was very disillusioned, at the first opportune moment, I decided to leave the country for England. Soon I was back in England and trying to start a new life here. Even though I was following news on Iran very closely.

Years later I was leading a liberal lifestyle, and looking to the world to fulfil my needs. However from time to time I used to question the purpose of life and I had no answer.

After 13 years absence, I went back to Iran and stayed there for 2 years. During this period, I had plenty of time and started to investigate about Islam. I read the Koran. Also I read the biography of a Muslem martyr(who died in the eight year war), seeking the motive for his selfless action. I was searching for the truth. And I did not want just part of the truth. But I was hungry to know the whole truth.

After two years I departed again for England. I was still searching for the truth, and many questions remained unanswered. I was thinking about my past frequently, and the wrongs I had done.

Very soon afterwards, I met a Christian. We became good friends and met regularly. We shared many social issues. Then I was invited to go to church. One Sunday morning I was up very early, and I had this unusual urge to go to church.

	“Therefore, if any one is in Christ he is a new Creation, old things have passed away. Behold all things have become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17

When in church I listened to the preaching ‘about Jesus’, the Son of God who was crucified and died for the sin of the world, and how Jesus is calling to every sinner to repent and believe in Him as lord, and God will forgive all their sins. The message touched me so intensely, I realised God loves us so much, that he died for our transgressions, and we are so precious in his sight. God is so forgiving if we were to repent of the wrongs we have done and turn to him.
That day I repented, asked for his forgiveness and invited Jesus Christ into my life. I knew something major had taken place within me.
I experienced such peace and joy. For the first time, I became conscious of his love, and the relationship God seeks to have with me.

God had given me a new life and destiny. In the truest sense I was born again.