Changed lives. Real stories.

Praise the Lord! Here is my testimony.

When I prayed about moving to Georgia, I made a commitment to serve Christ. But after coming here, I became distracted by worldly freedom and slowly forgot God's purpose for my life. I became distant from God and lost sight of my true identity — who I am in Christ.

I still remember the day I came to Bethesda Hope Church. I was tired of life. I saw myself as a failure. I felt condemned, unworthy, unloved, and alone.

But when I joined Bethesda Hope Church, I was reminded of my identity again. Through the sermons, the community, and the work of the Holy Spirit, I began to recover, heal, and experience true transformation.

The way I saw God completely changed. Before, I saw God from a distance and approached Him with fear. But through the sermons, I was reminded that God's love is enough — more than enough — for me. This changed the way I saw myself and helped me understand how deeply valuable I am to Christ. This truth strongly established my identity in Him.

One message that deeply impacted me was “God needs me for His work.” This completely shifted my perspective. I thought, God has everything, yet He still chooses me and wants to work through me. There, I began to understand more deeply the greatness of His love for me and the value He has placed on my life.

I have weaknesses. I stammer, I have a low voice, and I struggle with stage fear. But my pastor and pastor's wife allowed me room to make mistakes and always reminded me, “It's okay.” Through them, I saw a reflection of God's heart. I began to understand that God also gives me room to grow. Their example helped me experience His love in a deeper way. My love for Jesus increased, and I began to understand what transformation without condemnation truly looks like. As I learned this and began encouraging others in the same way, I also started seeing transformation in their lives.

Now I remember my identity, and I truly desire to live for the purpose God has given me. At Bethesda Hope Church, I also learned how to see people through the lens of Jesus. This has helped me see community through the love of Christ. One of the fruits I now see in my life is the ability to show love even when I know someone may hurt me. I have also learned that it is okay to trust people again.

I am learning to serve with a humble heart, to build others up, and to help others grow. The church has also helped me discover capabilities within myself that I never knew I had.

The church helped me see the heart of Jesus more closely by removing the layers I had built around myself. Now, I want to share His heart with others and desire what He desires for my life. I want to surrender myself completely to God's work. I can see what He is changing in me, and I know there is still so much more He wants to do in and through my life.

I want to continue growing into the maturity of Christ and become an example to others — a strong and faithful leader who can stand firm, serve humbly, build others up, and lead many people closer to Jesus.

Praise the Lord. My name is Michael. I would like to share how God has changed my life through Bethesda Hope Church.

When I first came to church, I was spiritually very weak. I believed in God, but my faith was still immature and I did not know how to live as a Christian. I did not even know there was a church in this area. One of my friends invited me to Bethesda Hope Church, and that is how I came here. Looking back now, I believe it was not by chance. It was God who brought me here according to His perfect plan.

After I started coming to Bethesda Hope Church, one of the biggest struggles I faced was comparing myself with others. When I looked at the brothers and sisters in the church, I felt that many of them had stronger faith, more talents, and more experience than I did. Because of that, I often felt that I was not good enough. Sometimes I even questioned whether God could really use someone like me. Whenever there was conflict, I usually avoided it or kept everything inside my heart instead of talking about it.

But through Bethesda Hope Church, God slowly started changing my heart. Instead of comparing myself with others, He taught me to focus on the work He is doing in my own life. Rather than feeling discouraged because of my weaknesses, He gave me a desire to grow spiritually. God has given me the ability to know what is right and what is wrong, and I believe He has also given me the desire to guide people toward Christ. Through this community, I have also learned that it is better to speak honestly and build understanding instead of avoiding difficult situations.

My life has truly changed through Bethesda Hope Church. Before, I lived with comparison and feelings of inferiority. Now, I live with hope, believing that God has a purpose for my life. Before, I only saw my weaknesses, but now I believe God has given me gifts and a calling. I believe God is preparing me to become a leader in His kingdom.

One of the greatest fruits in my life is that I trust God more than before. I have also developed a greater love for people and a stronger desire to serve the church. My heart is to bring people together, build trust among them, and help create a loving environment where everyone can grow in Christ without fear or doubt. I want to help others walk closer with Christ just as God has patiently led me.

From now on, I want to continue growing spiritually with humility and keep learning from God. I want to use the wisdom and discernment He has given me to lead people closer to Christ and to help build unity in the body of Christ. I believe the God who has changed my life will continue to use me to encourage, strengthen, and bless many others.

All glory belongs to God alone. Thank you.

Praise to the Lord and greetings to all the people of Christ. I am Eliana Sweetlin Senthilkumar, a girl from India. I am from a Christian background family. My spiritual life was simply to satisfy my family so they wouldn't pressurize me further to pray and impose their faith on me.

When I came to Georgia, the very first Sunday, I came to Bethesda Hope Church — that was 4 years ago from now. Back in India, I was from a church where I was not allowed to sing aloud or pray aloud. When I saw people praising and singing aloud, that day tears rolled down my cheeks. Not intentionally, but I started praying. I cried, and I knew from that day I found my place — a place where I belonged.

In my junior year of university, I would join only on Sundays, but later I got to know there were Friday services. I still remember during my 3rd semester, I came and prayed for Madam Yujin — the doctor had found a tumor in her body, and for 3 days we gathered and prayed about it. After 3 days, the results came out: no tumor was found. That miracle brought me hope. From that day, I saw how God's people as a community grow together and pray together — each one fighting the battle in prayer for Madam Yujin. From that day, to serve Him became the deepest desire of my heart.

Yet I had never opened my heart to anyone — I always thought I was not called to serve. I attended all the small group gatherings, the morning prayers, the Friday prayers. I was like a racing horse just to learn more about Jesus. I carefully listened to all of Pastor John's sermons. More than just a pastor, he has always been a spiritual father to each of us in the community. I learned what faith is through our pastor.

In India, I heard sermons that only condemned us — that we would go to hell — so the image I had of Jesus was very different. I would tremble thinking I was a sinner. But when I listened to Pastor's sermons, I never heard him call me a sinner — only speak of love and compassion. That totally changed my view of Christ. I got baptized at Bethesda Hope Church. I really started to have conversations with Jesus, and I started to understand His heart.

I was someone who thought I didn't deserve to be loved. But through the church family, I felt loved and seen. Slowly, being with the community and helping one another, I learned what a serving heart is. Each of our brothers and sisters cared for each other — in one's weakness, they never tried to expose it, but covered it with compassion and loved them more. Now we are around 15 people living together. It has never been easy, but it never felt hard — only because of the love of Christ in each one's heart.

I thought only a few were called to serve, and I always thought I was never good enough for it. But through our pastor's sermons, I learned it was never about me but about Christ. It was His grace that called us — not according to what we know or how talented we are. From someone who thought she deserved nothing, to someone whose heart burns to serve the Lord — Bethesda Hope Church has helped me grow.

I went on a mission trip to Korea where I had no money even for flight tickets or any expenses. The Lord's people, who carry the heart of Christ, paid it all for me. As I saw everyone's passion to serve the Lord — a community with fire will only ignite us in fire — it spread to my heart, and from mine to my juniors. That is my prayer request to the Lord.

As I came closer to Christ, my parents started opposing it and told me to always stay within my boundaries with everyone. So most of the time, I would lie that I was at university and go to church instead. Every time I said I was at church, my mother would scold me so much. But when I was in Korea, my mother called me and said, “We see how Christ works in your life — you are someone who really knows the heart of Christ and was set apart to serve Him.” I still remember the days I cried to the Lord to touch my parents' hearts.

My grandmother, who used to condemn me, now tells me every time we call that I should serve the Lord and always stand as a testimony to the people around me. My father used to say I would never be allowed to go closer to church or serving departments at any cost — now every month he sends me extra money to give as an offering for the church.

When I think of all this, I remember two things my pastor says. First: the blessing of you never stops with you — it always flows to your family, so have faith. And second: miracles in a believer's life should be a normal thing. All my family is now waiting for me to finish my education and serve the Lord as a missionary.

If I would stand for a second and think of all that has shifted in my life — from who I was in India to what Jesus has made me — I have no words, just a heart full of gratitude. For my church, where I learned my purpose. For my pastor, who always directs me right and guides me in the path of the Lord. For Madam Yujin, who always covers our weaknesses in love and carries us. For each of my brothers and sisters who help me grow more — I stand in gratitude for all of them in Christ.

Today I am standing in an unshakable faith that nothing can ever pluck me from my Master's hand, and I am made in His own image — so loved. All of my future will be to serve Him. I am His beloved Child — that is my Identity. Eliana — the name means someone whose prayer has been answered. Like my name, I live the life. Amen.