Simon Wallis - Toronto, Ontario

My name is Simon Wallis and I was born on December 6, 1974 in Toronto, Canada. This is the story of how I came to know Jesus Christ as my own personal Saviour. Because He has saved me and forgiven my sins, I know that I will be in heaven when I die. It is not because of any good in me or anything that I have done, but only because His love and grace lead Him to die and suffer for me on the cross.

The Bible declares that each one of us is going to meet God when we die, so after reading this ask yourself the question that I did: Am I ready?

About two hundred years ago, my family on my mother's side had founded an Anglican church in England, so we were always brought up with somewhat of a religious background. My parents came to Canada in 1972, and as children, my brother and I were required to go to church almost every week with my mom.

When I grew older, I went through Confirmation classes to "confirm my faith in God" and become a member of the church. I don't remember the Bible being opened during these classes to have God's way of salvation explained. I had been baptised as a child and after these sessions was now a member of the church, and yet I remained ignorant as to the very reason for which Christ came into the world: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," (1Tim 1:15). I was ignorant of the fact that I was a sinner, and that I needed saving from the consequences of my sins (Acts 4:12).

Like most young people it wasn't long before I lost interest in attending church, and eventually I stopped going. It was not until grade 11 in 1990 that I heard the Gospel preached, and discovered the truth about what the Bible says. A friend from school asked me to go to Gospel meetings being held at Seneca college by preachers named David Oliver and Eugene Higgins. When my friend handed me the invitation, going back to a "church" was just about the last thing that I wanted to do. I wanted to enjoy life, and I really wondered why on earth someone would be interested in such meetings. I said maybe I'd come but knew I had no intentions of going.

Each night my friend asked me to come and each night I made an excuse. But eventually I ran out of excuses and agreed to go. The meeting was pretty different from the church sermons I'd sat under. Although I don't remember exactly what they talked about, the preachers spoke as if they really were urgent about their message and that they meant what they were saying.

While reading the Bible with my friend, I gained a head knowledge of the facts: each one of us has sinned (Rom 3:23); our sins cannot enter into heaven (Rom 6:23, John 8:21); God will punish sins (Heb 9:27), but the Lord Jesus died in our place upon the cross of Calvary(1Pet 2:24, 3:18), and through faith in that work our sins can be forgiven (John 3:16). I knew all these things in my head, but not in my heart.

It wasn't until a few months later that I truly accepted Christ as my Saviour. I knew for sure that I was going to hell for my sins and if I died or the Lord returned before I got the matter settled, I would be lost forever. I opened up my Bible in earnest and read Romans chapter five. Verse eight says this, "God shows His love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." I knew I was a sinner deserving to be in hell, but I felt such relief to see right there in the Word of God that that was the very reason for which Christ died! He died for sinners and took the penalty for their sins so that they wouldn't have to be in hell, and because I was a sinner, I knew that included me!

Many times I have thought that I'm like the Samaritan woman by the well in John 8 because I can honestly say that there was no desire in me to know God or to seek after Him, but by His grace He sought out me. Whether you realize it or not, friend, He is seeking you too. "For the Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

The Bible says that each one of us has sinned and that our sins have made a great separation between us and God. Because God is holy, we can never enter heaven with our sins. Because God is just, we must be punished for our sins eternally. But because God is love, He sent His Son the Lord Jesus to die instead of us and take the punishment for our sins, providing a way of escape from His wrath.

Salvation is a free gift from God, not something you gain by doing good works, getting baptized, being a good neighbour or becoming religious. God offers you the forgiveness of sins today, and you are not guaranteed to be here tomorrow. Tell me, could there be anything better than knowing you're going to heaven? Are you ready to meet God?

Lawrence Sinnaeve - Kapuskasing, Ontario

Life Assurance
I am the youngest in a family of six children, nine years removed from the last sibling. This being the situation, one could say that I was a little spoiled by my family. However, there was one thing that my parents were strict about with me: they insisted that I go to church every Sunday without fail. I obeyed my parents and went to these services for them, but in those younger years it had little meaning to me. When I was about 10 years old, my oldest sister and her husband left the religious denomination we belonged to. They had accepted the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour and decided that our religion would not help them grow spiritually any more. This is the first time that I heard about the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a manner different than what was lectured to me every Sunday.

My sister and her husband have a great concern about the spiritual well-being of my entire family, and at that time they tried to share with my parents the truth they discovered in Scripture. Unfortunately, my parents were not open to the Gospel. Any attempts made of sharing the Gospel with them usually led to disagreements where my mother ended up crying and my father ended up threatening.

However, as time went by, my family slowly began to tolerate my sister’s "new found" religion. As a result, my mother allowed me to attend a Bible camp with them one summer. While I was at camp, I had the opportunity to hear the Gospel in a more relaxed environment. One of the councillors spent an entire evening with me talking about salvation through Jesus Christ. Nonetheless, this conversation left me confused because I learnt that evening that there was nothing I could do to get to heaven, the work was done already for me. All I had to do was to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved. This message contradicted what I was taught all of my life: I was led to believe that if I was good enough, God would let me into heaven.

Shortly after that summer, my brother-in-law gave me a Bible in hope that I might read it. When I first got the Bible, I read a few chapters of it, but shortly thereafter, I set it aside.

A few years later, I went off to university where I met my wife. While at university, my wife and I participated in the on-campus religious community and attended services there regularly. After two years of active involvement within this community, the religious leader fell ill and retired. To our dismay, his replacement quickly began to make changes to the way the services were performed. Believing that the order and manner in which religious ordinances are to be conducted must be respected, we decided to attend the services of other religious gatherings within the city in hope to find this order adhered to. To our disappointment, our search led to more unanswered questions about the religious practices within our faith. Disillusioned with "religion" all together, we continued attending church services simply out of obligation. Consequently, it did not take long for us to lose interest in the system. In no time, we abandoned Sunday morning services almost completely.

In early September, 1990, my niece, the daughter of my sister who is saved, got married in Thunder Bay. While we were there for the wedding, we had an opportunity to mention to my sister our disillusionment with the religious practices we have observed. Unfortunately, we could not continue our discussion with her for long, for we were quickly interrupted.

After the wedding, my wife went off to teacher’s college for four months, and I moved in with her parents in northern Ontario: I was starting a new job in that area. Since I was living with my wife’s parents, I accompanied them to their local church services. I felt obligated to do so, for I belonged to the same religious denomination. However, I understood very little during these services because they were conducted in French, and at the time, I did not speak a word of French.

At Christmas that year, we visited my family. My sister and her husband from Thunder Bay were also there. During our visit, my wife took the opportunity to speak with my sister again but to no avail. As before, the conversation was cut short and our questions left unanswered. Frustration was setting in, and our hope of knowing the truth seemed dim.

It was not until three months later, in March 1991, when we had the opportunity to get our questions finally answered. My brother-in-law, a Shantyman, gave us a call one night and asked us if we wanted to buy some insurance. Little did we know at the time that he was talking about life assurance. Having answered him that we had sufficient coverage, he informed us that he intended on visiting with us the next day.

The next day, he showed up and spent a couple of hours talking to my wife before I got home from work. During those two hours, he presented the Gospel to her. When I got home, she jumped up with much excitement in her voice, for she was finally hearing the truth of God’s word concerning the way to know our sins forgiven and to have peace with God forever: "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) The religious ordinances were not what mattered, it was the relationship a person established with the Saviour through faith that counted. I also learnt that no other person but the Lord Jesus Christ could establish the union of peace between myself and God: "For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 2:5).

After 17 years of hearing the Gospel, these truths finally became reality to me. That night, both my wife and I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour. I now can say that I am sufficiently covered, for I have the assurance of life eternal.

Carol Sinnaeve - Kapuskasing, Ontario

My Personal Discovery of the Truth
I was leading a good life: I didn't smoke; I didn't drink; I didn't swear; and I went to church every Sunday. As well, I never committed any big sin like murder or theft. In my opinion, I could not see any reason why the Lord would not accept me into heaven... some day. Certainly, he would have no reason to send me to hell: this place is only reserved for people who commit big crimes. At least, this is what I believed. Apparently, God’s word says otherwise: "But we are ALL as an unclean thing, and ALL our righteousnesses are as filthy rags." (Isaiah 64:6) "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 16:25) "For the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23) "For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not." (Ecclesiastes 7:20)

However, for many years, I did not know God's word, at least not these words. I was taught that if I did my best to do good in this world, I had nothing to worry about. The Lord could surely not ignore my good works, especially if they outnumbered my sins. Besides, the Lord is full of grace, and he is always ready to forgive.

True, but God is a just God, and he cannot ignore my sins. They will have to be dealt with some day. "Fear before him, ALL the earth." (Psalm 96:9) "Prepare to meet thy God." (Amos 4:12)

How can I escape this? I could ask for forgiveness by a priest for my sins. This may give me some peace of mind. However, no matter how often I asked for forgiveness for my sins in the past, I felt that I needed something more because I knew that in no time I would sin again. Therefore, in order to appease God's wrath, I decided to do what I could to please him. Not only was I going to live a righteous life and do good in this world like I was taught to do, I was going to become more involved with my church. By participating in all of the church rituals, and by becoming an active member of the church choir, I truly felt that God would be pleased with me. However, no matter how much I tried to please the Lord, I felt empty, and I knew I was NOT any closer to God than before. I was only living a lie, a life of hypocrisy. Often I would go to church unwillingly. However, I would not dare do otherwise: I would not do anything to displease the Lord if this is what he required of me.

But I was wrong. The Lord tells us clearly in His Word that "a man is not justified by the works of the law,... for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified." (Galatians 2:16) Unfortunately, I did not know this. Instead, I was doing my best to obey all ordinances I was instructed to follow. What I DID know, however, was that this obedience did not bring me any more peace within because I could never be sure if my righteous acts were sufficient, if they outnumbered my sins.

A few years ago, the clergy of our church decided to make some changes in the Sunday celebration, changes which troubled me greatly because I did not believe that the order of the celebration could be changed. If the Lord instituted a certain order to be followed, should it not be respected? God's word tells us that "Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you." (Deuteronomy 4:2) Feeling terribly disillusioned by these changes, I decided to abandon the rituals and the life of hypocrisy I was leading. I was no longer interested in living a lie; only "the truth" interested me.

For two years I searched. During my search, I approached several members of the clergy to better understand the origin and basis of my religion and of the rituals we practiced. To my surprise, each person I spoke with had differing views concerning the rituals and the things of God, and each person only practiced what he or she believed was important. Needless to say, these differences of opinion simply caused me to question further the origin of these religious rituals practiced. If the Lord instituted them, why does man allow himself to change them? However, if these rituals were originally established by man, by what authority did he institute them?

Personally, I was only interested in what came from God. But how could I know what came from God and what did not? Where do I look? It is at this point that I decided to seek out the answers for myself. Luckily, the people of the clergy had an abundance of books at my disposal. I chose a few and began to read. What confusion! The language used was so complicated and the messages so ambiguous that I was reading in vain. Nothing seemed clear to me. I ended up being more confused after my reading than beforehand, and I was beginning to feel rather frustrated with the whole situation.

Finally, feeling like I had nowhere else to turn, I began to pray for help from God. I wanted to get closer to God, but I did not know how. Every day I prayed, and I hoped that the Lord would reveal this "truth" that seemed to be kept well hidden from me.

A few months later, my prayers were answered. My brother-in-law, a Christian, presented to me the good news of salvation by faith in our Lord Jesus-Christ, the ONLY way to God: "Jesus said..., 'I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.'" (John 14:6) I quickly learned that any observances to religious rites would not get me any closer to God. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) The price of my redemption was already paid in full by Jesus Christ on the cross. "It is finished." (John 19:30) On my part, there was nothing more to do than to believe on the son of God "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness." (1 Peter 2:24) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) That same evening, finally understanding that Jesus was the ONLY way to God, I accepted him as my personal Saviour. Now, I have an internal and eternal peace, for I know that my sins are all forgiven. "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:43) As well, I also know that, one day, I will be with the Lord forever. "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God: that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life." (1 John 5:13)

  "Repent ye therefore, and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out." (Acts 3:19)
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." (Acts 16:31)

Mark Saumure - Port Colbourne, Ontario

The following is 'My Story'! It is dear to my heart since this is how I came to find Christ as MY SAVIOUR! My intention is simple - to let you know that God loves you SO much that He has given His only Son to die so that you might LIVE!

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

I thank God that I was raised in a Christian home where the Bible was and is read, and where God is feared. Ever since I can remember, I have gone to the Welland Gospel Hail every Sunday and Wednesday to hear God's Word preached and ministered. At age seven and then again at age ten, I told people that I had gotten saved. To this day, I am still not sure why I said I was saved when I knew I really was not. Whether it was because I wanted my parents and the preachers to leave me alone, I do not know; but I do know that I kept telling all the Christians that I was saved although I'm sure that many of them questioned it when they looked at my life.

I must admit that going to 'church' as I called it was more a chore than anything else. My parents made me go to every meeting, particularly the Gospel meeting. A Gospel meeting, if you aren't familiar with the term, is a meeting for the preaching of the Gospel which is God's plan of salvation.

When I entered high school, I became ashamed of my parent's beliefs and rejected God's Word. I did whatever I could to show my school friends that I was not a Christian. I got mixed up with the wrong crowd and did many dumb and 'stupid' things. It is quite interesting to note that when times were good my friends stood by me; when times became tough and I needed a friend, they all deserted me!

As some of you know, last March was quite a traumatic time in my life. I was diagnosed with a malignant form of cancer. This news really shook me up! It really made me decide what was important and what was not. However, I continued on in my ungodly ways for the next few months thinking, like most teenagers I know, that I was totally indestructible. The real turning point came when my doctor looked at me earnestly and said, "Mark, your time is limited. My guess is that you have from one to two years left." His words stabbed me. This was the first time I ever really realized that I was going to die. After all, I was young, strong and healthy. "I have many, many years left." I used to think. But how gullible I was to have believed that. The months of May, June and July were spent in the Princess Margaret Hospital. During that time I began searching my Bible. It was then that I had to face the fact that in spite of what I had said to others years earlier, I did not have eternal life. I was afraid, but my pride kept me from telling my parents of my need of SALVATION. I stayed up many nights 'til the wee hours of the morning and prayed to God saying "Lord, please save my soul!! I know I am a sinner. I need Your salvation! Please save me!" I could not understand why I could not get saved. I knew many verses by heart such as "He that BELIEVETH on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath: of God abideth on him" John 3:36. But I kept asking myself, "How do you believe?"

Then on August 3rd, alone in my parent's bedroom, I began to pray earnestly to God for salvation. Finally, I said to myself "I guess I'll just have to go to HELL! I just can't get saved. I really don't understand what more I have to do to get saved." It was then that I understood. There is nothing for me to do! IT HAS ALL BEEN DONE! Christ died on the cross for me! That is enough! At that very moment, Christ became MY SAVIOUR! What joy it brought me and has brought me ever since! I used to think "What boring lives Christians lead; all they ever do is read the Bible and go to church. I don't want that!" How ignorant I was. What a GREAT LIFE a Christian has and what a GREAT FUTURE a Christian has! To be with Him for eternity - what could be better?!

On August 3rd, I accepted Christ as my own personal Saviour. Christ has done it all! He simply wants you to believe on Him! Nothing more! What could be simpler? "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved" Acts 16:31. It still baffles me why I did not see this before. I was only interested in the cares and pleasures of this world. To an unbeliever, this world seems so bright and so inviting! But beware, my friend! Satan will try to blind and deceive you! He is very crafty and will use anything he can to keep you from Christ. The truth is, there is no real satisfaction in this world. The only satisfaction comes from Jesus!!!

If you are unsaved, what is keeping you from Christ? Could it be your pride? My pride almost brought me to HELL! Don't let this happen to you. Could it be your friends? Someone once told me "Your friends will laugh you to hell, but they will never laugh you out!" Think of it, friend! It's either HEAVEN OR HELL! The choice is yours!

Mark when home to be with his Saviour
at 5:00am, Tuesday, September 17, 1996