New Believer # 4 Interview

This interview was with Phil.

1) Tell me about your journey to faith in Christ?

I always had faith in Christ. I was brought up in church. God always showed me He loved me. I've been shot, stabbed, and was in a bad car accident. God has a plan for me.

2) What helped you the most to step over the line and make the commitment?

I was sitting in jail...a couple of the guys got drugs in. I asked myself if this was it? Should I do something to change? The mother of my youngest son wrote a letter and we got back together. God gave me a reason and a purpose to change.

3) What has been the best part of becoming a Christ follower for you?

I'm free of all the devil's bondage.

4) What has been the most challenging part of following Christ?

Living by His words when I still want to do my will. Every moment. Every day. I pray and pray and pray.

5) What do you think is helping you grow the most in your faith?

The guys in the House help me a lot. showing me how much people DO care. How God works in their lives. I can have that happiness, too. When I don't feel like going out and doing something, they make sure I do.

He also voiced that there is accountability with the guys at Freedom House.

6) What advice do you have for me in helping others like you to grow in their faith?

Talk to them. Talk to newcomers. Be welcoming.


This interview was short and interupted several times because Phil was trying to watch two of his sons, but I believe that I learned some valuable things. One of the things that I learned was about myself. I had made the assumption that Phil didn't know God because he was at Freedom House. That was hugely wrong on my part. I shouldn't have assumed anything of the sort. You can have knowledge of God and still make wrong choices; which, when I think about that, realize we all do that everyday to some extent. I think it comes down to how serious a person is in wanting to make a true commitment to that relationship with Christ. It was also a reminder to me not to judge. Or at least not to have pre-conceived ideas about people, which maybe I do more than I was aware. Sorry God.

The second thing I got, was Phil's sincerity in wanting to do what was right in God's eyes, even when it was opposite of what he wanted. I was impressed by his desire to put God's will above his own. Every moment of every day. Wow. I try and do that, too, but I don't know that I'm as focused on the moment-by-moment submission to God as Phil seems to be. I don't know why, but that seems like a really big thing I need to think about. Maybe I need to be asking God to help me with that.

The third thing that struck me was what Phil said at the end about what I could do for helping others to grow in their faith. Talking to newcomers and welcoming them. That seems like such a simple thing to do, but he's right. There are an awful lot of people walking around, oppressed by the enemy, feeling depressed, dejected, angry, biter, rejected, etc.. All they need to get them started on the road to Christ is to have someone show that they genuinely care and maybe walk that road with them. Showing interest in someone is an easy thing to do. It's something I can do.