I grew up in a Christian family. Both my parents were (and still are) devout Christians, and I grew up knowing about God. My parents read me the Bible from an early age, and I received my first Bible when I was six years old. For ten years, my parents were missionaries in West Africa, so I grew up there. I always believed in God, I did not doubt that, and I believed that Jesus died for our sins. But, for a long time, I didn't go as far as to accept Jesus as lord of my life.

Two events led to my encounter with Jesus.

First of all, in May 2022, I went to Christival, a German Christian festival for youth. Thirteen thousand young Christians met together during four days. These were four days of praise, prayer, testimonies, and biblical conferences. It was amazing to see so many Christians gathered around the same idea: a party for God. One specific evening really made an impression on me. After a time of praise, the guy who was leading the event told us to put out our hands, and pray to God, that he may send the Holy Spirit among us. And many people felt God's presence around us. A man with leg pain was healed, a girl suffering from depression felt better. I didn't feel anything, but I was amazed and encouraged to see that God is still working in today's world.

The second event was a Christian sports camp I went to last summer. Of course, there were the usual camp activities: sport competitions, nighttime games, etc... but there were also Bible studies. We studied the first two chapters of Ephesians. The passages that spoke about God's grace, and the fact that we are saved by faith and not by deeds, really touched my heart. The camp organisers also invited us to think about accepting Jesus in our lives. On the last day, before leaving the camp, I went to speak to the camp director, whom I know quite well. The words he told me left an impression. He told me to keep my heart where it is, and to stay on the right path with Jesus. I started thinking about that.

That evening, I went out alone to a park near home. I prayed and thought for a while, then finally accepted Jesus into my life. That was my personal encounter with God. And I know that my life has changed now. Indeed, "if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here", as 2 Corinthians 5 verse 17 says. And, quoting Romans 8 verse 1, I know that "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus". The blood of Jesus-Christ my Saviour has washed me of my sins, and despite my sins and my flaws, I will always be forgiven, and I have the assurance of eternal life in the presence of God.