Sheila Vogeli

Sheila

Vogeli

“

Then one of the students prayed for me and I asked Jesus into my life.

I grew up in a Christian home, and I loved to go to church where my father was the minister, twice on Sundays. When I was seventeen, we had a mission from Cliff College, which was run by students. At that time, I classed myself a Christian. The students stayed for about a week and I enjoyed having them around. There were coffee mornings etc., and a big meeting in the evenings. I knew the students had something that I didn’t have but I wasn’t sure what that was.

One morning one of the students asked me how long I had been a Christian. I realised I couldn’t answer. I had presumed that growing up in a Christian home made me a Christian. Suddenly I was confronted with someone whose love for God was very real. I muttered something and got away as soon as possible. I don’t remember what I said, but I know he went away thinking I was a Christian.

I couldn’t get it out of my head all day and I realised that I wanted to give my life to God. We had the usual evangelistic meeting that evening, and I was so excited. As soon as the invitation was given, I was out of my seat and at the front in a flash. Then one of the students prayed for me and I asked Jesus into my life. I didn’t see a great flash of light, but I had a peace and knew that He had answered. The student told me that there would be times when I wouldn’t feel any different, but I wasn’t to rely on feelings but on God’s Word. I started to read the Bible regularly and pray.

Later in life, I married Nigel, who had gone to Sunday School at a Baptist church.  His parents had no interest in God, but Nigel had continued to go as an adult. One weekend soon after my conversion, he came to stay with us, because we had just started going out together. My dad was preaching on the Sunday, and afterwards Nigel told me he realised he wasn’t a Christian but wanted to give his life to God. I shared my testimony with him, and we prayed together. From that time our love for God grew and it was lovely to experience it together.