Listening to Mark share his story, we hear about his early life without much faith, even after being baptized as a child. He later attended a different church but still felt something was missing. A direct question about eternity made him seek God more intentionally, leading to another baptism that still left him feeling empty, much like the people Paul encountered in the Bible. Life was tough, filled with anger and bitterness, until a changed coworker sparked his curiosity about Jesus.
As Mark started reading the Bible, he realized faith required action. He struggled but felt God drawing him closer. One day in the mountains, he had a powerful experience of God’s love, shifting his understanding of church from just religion to a personal relationship with Jesus. He began sharing his faith gently and reflected on challenging truths in the Bible. He also touched on his introduction to the Anabaptist culture and the concept of non-resistance.
Mark then shares his journey of personal transformation, letting go of unhelpful things and emphasizing the brevity of life before eternity. He recounts a severe illness that led to fasting and prayer, during which he felt God addressed a long-standing struggle with purity, resulting in deep repentance and a sense of freedom. He concludes by stressing that true freedom comes from Jesus and requires relying on God’s power, not just our own efforts.