In the last few months, (Since April, 2005) I have been attending a local church in Canterbury, and have developed great relationships with new friends, and have found a whole new meaning to living. My church follows the New Testament, through worship.  People sing, dance and talk in tongues. It is charismatic and is widely attended, mostly by university students. This may sound totally surreal and scary to some people, and I was completely new to this too before entering the church doors.  But there was such a warmth and friendliness there, it was almost like I had been exposed to it all before. Until recently my previous life found me, entering pubs with friends each weekend, staying out after closures and buying lots to drink. Each Saturday me and a few friends would walk back to my house through the night and stay awake until the early hours. One evening, Britt came out with us, and unusually the next morning, she announced that she was leaving for church. I felt so much admiration for her, the rest of us would stay awake, get ready and eventually leave, whilst Britt took a 25 minute walk to church. I knew that this must be a great place of  strength and devotion. During the next week, Britt handed me an invitation card, to an evening called an 'Alpha introduction', she'd explained the content of it to me, but I never then, knew how far this one card could lead me! I enjoyed the introduction so much, I knew that for the following 10 weeks, each Tuesday; I would be there! I had been attending Youthness, for just over a month before Alpha had begun. And I was so pleased to see that Youthness and a whole new group of students attended it too! It was on the weekend away of the Alpha course when I became a Christian. We had a group discussion on the Holy Spirit, and were later offered prayer for those who wanted to receive, and allow it to reveal itself to us. Britt came towards me and offered me prayer, I was so happy it was her who had said these words, as she had originally encouraged me this far. The atmosphere of the room, at this point was just filled, spiritually. But I asked if we could go somewhere a bit more private; so we entered the kitchen of the barn where  we  were located, and she asked me if I could just hold out my hands and close my eyes.  Britt began to pray with me, and the clearest words I remember her saying were: 'Lord I lift Beth to you now'.  I felt a strange sensation, I remember just smiling and feeling light, but began to cry. It felt like I had been re-united... Afterwards me and Britt walked upstairs and sat and had a girly chat about everything! When we arrived downstairs again, I found that so many others had experienced the same feelings! Friends who had arrived at the weekend originally, seemed closer.  Everybody could recognise what was missing from before.  After returning from the weekend, I decided that I too, wanted to attend church, to experience what it was like. Olly picked me up on the Sunday morning and we entered the church.  The room just seemed to smile! I first remember being introduced to Barry, our church pastor, and he said he thought I had a cool hat, so I knew he had to be cool! He He! Naomi walked over to me and introduced me to many of her friends. We all sat down together and I recognised lots of others from youthness there. As the service began, people were dancing and singing with such enthusiasm! The opening song was 'An audience of one'. I remember looking around me, and there was no single hand that wasn't raised in the air.  People were singing out in tongues; I felt completely new, but comfortable. I remember after the service, meeting loads of new people, and just feeling really smiley! Since that first service, I've attended every Sunday morning! I've made great new friendships, and a closer relationship with God. After a couple of months there, I was invited to join a cell group, and now attend Hugh's cell. As we have cells in our body keeping us healthy, so the church believes in forming cell groups of people, keeping the spirit of church alive throughout the week. Each Tuesday or Thursday different cells meet in different homes, to socialise, support one another and to worship God. It is a great opportunity to discuss the objective of the previous service's sermon. We can each individually volunteer to lead the word, or worship, choosing our own music or subject. I am hoping to begin work with the elderly from our church, which both me and friends feel I have been lead to do. Some of our recent church events have included holding a huge church congregation in a park in the city of Canterbury, weekends away, a sermon for youth, held in London and so much more! The next huge event is going to be NewDay!! This is a widely attended event, where thousands of New Frontier churches meet together, camping in Nottingham. There is going to be live music and sermons from worship singers including Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin.  We're going to be serving throughout the streets, helping communities, clearing local gardens, and listening to many voices throughout the city. There's also going to be talent contests and discos for youth!  Hundreds of coach loads will arrive, hoping for a New generation to emerge. Recently I decided to get baptised! The first baptism I witnessed in our church was of a friend, Martin. I was so proud of the courage and declaration this man had given in his testimony to the church congregation.  He was emotional and completely fulfilled! I witnessed this man put his life fully into God's hands. I had never seen anyone being immersed backwards into water before. I had never seen anyone make such a huge commitment before! As a few months passed, I contacted a friend, Maz and asked her if we could meet up to discuss what it fully means to become baptised. At this point I had been thinking a great deal about deciding to make this commitment, but was discouraged by my fear of water and shyness when it came to public speaking. Together me and friends prayed for this fear to be taken away; and gradually over time this 'thinking' led to me calling Barry and asking him if I could be baptised at the next Sunday's service. Barry both encouraged and reassured me, as did my closest friends. Karen and Britt and 5 others from a London church had planned previously to be baptised this day. Britt had made the decision not to follow her original intention, as she felt the time wasn't yet ready. On the 19th of June this year, I arrived at church with friends and family, prepared with my testimony to be baptised! We all stood at the front of the church, waiting to read out our testimony: proclaiming our faith to God. I was feeling a little nervous, I had never spoken through a microphone or to an audience of over 150 people! But I did it, and felt a confidence building.  There were so many smiling faces! After each voice had spoken, we were ready to attend the pool, but then beautifully the 6 became 7! Karen's mum joined our line! And, spirit-filled, spoke out to the audience! Then 7 became 8!! Britt stood up in front of the crowd, and emotionally and with pride, reached to the audience her change of heart. "Sometimes", she said "We have to be obedient, and not scared, I want now just to be obedient".  Me and Karen both went all girly and gave her the biggest hug! When we all got into the pool, we were singly baptised. We had our friends by our side, and were just so excited to come forward and be lowered into the water, rising again as a new person, obeying and committing our lives to God. My fear of water had faded, and with Keith and Olly by my side, I was pushed backwards into the pool, the greatest stage in my life!

I hope you enjoy viewing the photos, that captured the moment me and friends, were re-born!