Next steps in my Journey with God

Hello my name is Lucas, I am a nineteen year old who currently lives in Cornwall. In this short summary of my life and the direction it is going I hope to firstly show you how God radically brought me out of darkness into his marvelous light, and secondly what God in his incredible grace has lead me through and now is leading me into.

I have now been a follower of Christ for a year, and I use those words follower of Christ intentionally; because all of my life I had claimed to be a Christian, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof. A lukewarm christian somebody who knew of God but throughout their life and actions reflected the opposite of this knowledge.

I have done all things a young person does nowadays. The flesh truly was the forerunner of my life, denying it no opportunity to gratify its desires. How I wish you could gain an insight into the person I used to be, in the hope that it may glorify Gods work of salvation. I was not literate, frankly uneducated, I wouldn't have dreamt of reading a book, let alone writing this or even doing public speaking.

After endlessly swimming in circles in the seas of the pleasures of this world. Clutching at anything that would in hope satisfy the longing of my soul. I had come to the end of myself, and to the end of the deceitfulness of these momentary pleasures that the world offered. I could be happy for a season but that true peace, that inner joy was something I never knew.

Twelve months ago something incredible happened. The call that had been there all of my life, not just to be a christian but to take up my cross and follow Jesus remained and was stronger than ever. Little did I know this was God reaching into the depths of the sea where i lay in the wages of my sin, but there I was answering this call. I remember bending my knee in a prayer of repentance, offering all I had to offer, which was my sin and life service to him. While pleading for Jesus to come into my life. From that day forward my heart was dramatically regenerated by the holy spirit.

Whether it be family members, friends or work colleagues they would say things in almost astonishment. Such as I cannot believe how much you have changed. I can recall one colleague saying if this is what happens to people when they become Christians we should all become Christians.

I mentioned earlier, public speaking since conversion, I have had a radical love for Gods word and a passion for talking about it. I was baptised just three weeks after this prayer, and When I was given the opportunity to share my testimony at my local church, a word was spoken over me that I was to teach Gods word and wait for the door to open, and this has truly been unfolding ever since. I have shared my testimony now in three separate churches across Cornwall. I even had the honor of speaking on the Armour of God at an evening event with sixty plus people in attendance.

I was still waiting for the open door, waiting for the next step that aligned with Gods will and glory. Countless people persistently said that I should most certainly go to bible college, but I still did not feel a prompting to go, so I remained waiting. I began seeking God in prayer, his word and listening to wise counsel, and almost immediately doors began to open that I never imagined would. I knew with almost certainty this was the next step for me.

So after much consideration God truly guided me in tremendous ways to Moorlands school of theology in Bournemouth. I submitted a long and extensive application and arranged to visit, in which the visit required me to complete a long and extensive interview. They then told me I would know in the next 5 days I would either be offered a place or not offered a place. By this time I truly had laid the situation before God and said Lord if it is your will make it so. Once two days had passed I received an email that I had been offered a place to do a 4 year degree course in applied Christian theology. For me to be completely transparent it has never been about the degree or qualification. This opportunity is about wholeheartedly following Gods leading, growing in my theological knowledge of him and day by day putting into practice the gifts that God has so graciously bestowed upon me. Truly this is what Moorlands offer as i am going to be placed in a local church in Bournemouth where four days of the week I will be given ministry opportunities such as speaking and teaching Gods word.

God throughout this time has made it very clear that this was going to require a step of faith, part of it being a financial step of faith. As I am going to have to support my self for four years with subsistence, clothing, travel from Bournemouth to Cornwall and accommodation. You may be thinking I could get a part time job while in Bournemouth but Moorlands firmly suggested it will interfere with not only my studies but also my ministry. So this is the reason for the go fund me page, as I embark on this next step on my journey if you feel in any way lead to support me and my ministry any donations would be so greatly appreciated. Most of all if you have read this I ask you to consider me in your prayers.

Blessings

Lucas