Rick Bringhurst’s Testimony

My testimony begins when I was approximately ten years old. It was during that time that I remember our family attending church on a regular basis. I went to church because it was expected of me and also because I had developed some friendships. Fortunately, the church was a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church, so I was being exposed to Truth, even though I was not aware of it.

For 3 or 4 summers, I attended a ten-day summer church camp for kids. This camp was designed to teach and encourage children and teens and to help them understand the importance of following God. Each evening there was a service with nice music and speakers who stressed taking God seriously and committing our lives to Him. They taught us about becoming “Born Again.” An altar call would follow and many young people, including myself, would go forward. I would get emotional, feel really good for awhile, but within a short time my life would go back to normal with no real change in my heart and character. I would do this every summer that I attended this camp!

Even at the church we were still attending, I would periodically feel bad about the way I was living (even though I was a pretty straight-laced kid) and the way I was treating my relationship with God. I would go forward when the Pastor’s message was especially convicting to me and I would recommit my life to God. I was becoming weary.

When I was eighteen years old, I was laying in bed one night thinking about where my relationship with God was. I knew I was saved but wanted to finally get serious about my Christian life. I prayed and told God that I was ready to turn it all over to Him and that I was tired of playing games. I determined to go out the next day and buy a Bible. This time I knew that I meant business, and it was the turning point of my life!

The next day I did purchase a Bible and I read it every day! God was faithful to bring people into my life to minister to me and help me grow in faith.

Some of you reading this may be able to relate to my story. Perhaps like me, you’ve never taken the step to get serious about God. I want to encourage you to do so right now without further delay!

There is no special place or time of day to pray to God. He is always available to hear you! You don’t need to speak special words to Him either. He just wants you, just as you are.

The simple truth is this: He died to pay for your sins. We simply need to believe that. If you’ve taken this step in the past or just now, the next thing you must do is grow spiritually. God has provided the things you need to do that. He has given you his Holy Spirit who resides within you at the moment of salvation! Get a Bible and read it like I did. Find a good church that is committed to teaching the Word of God. All Christians need to be part of a healthy local church. It is here that you find the support you need to move forward in your relationship with God. If you are in need of a church family, I invite you to visit us at Living Hope Christian Church. I can assure you from my own personal experience, that Living Hope is a sound, balanced, healthy church.

Only you can determine to have a right relationship with God. I made that decision and I have never regretted it! I hope you, too, will decide to believe on Jesus Christ.