Sermons on Teens and Twenties
I Ripped the Door of the Meeting House Off Its Hinges! (25 min)
Wallace Buckle was born in Forteau, Labrador, Canada, into a poor fishing family. He left home at 16 and got a job in Seven Islands (Sept-Îles), Quebec, at 80 cents an hour. That’s where this recording, made in New Jersey, USA, in 1984, begins. He began gambling and drinking and living it up in the world. However, a near scrape with death, and the tragic loss of a friend and a work colleague led Wallace to return home. At that…
I’ve Always Believed, Yet I Cannot Say I’m Saved (23 min)
Thomas Francey grew up on a farm on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. He heard the way of salvation from childhood. As a youth, the premature deaths of a number of acquaintances spoke to him loudly about the fact of eternity. He wanted to be right with God, but though he “always believed” he could not say “I am saved”. Is that you? Readings: John 3:16, 36, Acts 16:30-31. (Testimony given in Ballykeel Gospel Hall,…
I Kept Putting Salvation Off (19 min)
Brody Thibodeau had opportunity after opportunity to be saved, but at each point he always found a reason to put it off. Whether as a sports following teen, or a partying University student, or a busy married man, there was always something made him kick the issue of salvation down the road. But God in grace pursued him and Brody was eventually saved at 23 years of age through reading the book Safety Certainty and Enjoyment (Testimony given in Canada…
I Wanted to Have a Very Exciting Testimony (15 min)
Ross Swan grew up in a large family. Being the last child, by the time he grew up all of his family had been saved except him. In 1977 his father had a heart attack and went home to heaven, which was a powerful voice to Ross. Then John McCracken and Bill Bingham came with a Tent and held gospel meetings. Ross had always wanted to have an exciting testimony to be able to tell, but in the end he…
Three Brothers Saved in One Night (22 min)
In a much-blessed month of gospel meetings in an old Schoolhouse in Millbrook, Nova Scotia, Canada, in the 1960’s, the Lord saved three brothers in one night. A few days later their mother and sister got saved. David Swan relates the fascinating story, which began when a preacher called Fred Holder sent a telegram to another preacher called Doug Howard, saying “I am free for the month of August. How about some gospel meetings?” Readings: John 3:16, 16:7-8, Luke 19:9-10.…
From Rags to Riches (32 min)
Bob Stairs grew up in difficult circumstances in New Brunswick, Canada. No modern conveniences, and all the kids in the large family sleeping in one bed. His family broke up when he was a small boy, and he ended up in a “poor farm”, a home for children and adults in need. He was moved around quite a bit but, by the grace of God, one foster home in which he stayed was run by a couple who knew the…
Never to Come Back Anymore (38 min)
Steve Howard was a preacher’s son. But that didn’t make him a Christian. Born in 1949, he grew up on the East coast of Canada during the days when men like Herb Harris, Fred Holder, John McCracken and his own father Doug Howard, were pioneering gospel work in Newfoundland and the Maritimes. The prayers and tears of Herb Harris made a deep impression on young Steve, as did the “Two Roads Chart”. Another voice to Steve was the phrase John…
Football Got a Tremendous Grip on Me (40 min)
Born in Belfast, Sammy Maze was good with his feet as a young lad. He progressed well and knew the thrill of playing in front of 60,000 people at Old Trafford in Manchester. But the Lord worked in his life to bring the reality of eternity before his mind through early influences in Sunday School, and through a cousin who prayed for him and took him to gospel meetings. By the grace of God, Sammy was saved at an open…
All Hope Seemed to Have Gone (19 min)
Albert McShane (1914-2002) grew up in Kilmore, Co Armagh, Northern Ireland. Deep impressions of eternal matters were made on his mind in Sunday School. As a child he lost a brother, and event which, with other family bereavements, weighed heavily on his heart. As a youngster he heard both Hawthorne Baillie and Frank Knox in series of gospel meetings. Troubled over many months, he was finally awakened to his urgent need of salvation in a prayer meeting in 3rd January…
I Heard the Gospel Nearly Every Day for 5 Years (21 min)
William Gribben relates the story of his conversion in Northern Ireland in 1968. William was privileged to hear many experienced preachers in his youth: Harold Paisley, Frank Knox, Thomas Campbell, Joe Milne, and Thomas Wallace among them. He went 5 years hearing the gospel almost daily. Listen to hear how he finally got his eyes opened to salvation. Readings: Psa 66:16, Matt 11:28, John 3:7, 6:37, 2 Tim 3:14-15. (Testimony given in Ballykeel Gospel Hall, 20th Nov 2022) (Photo: Belfast)
“My mother came running with a broken foot!” (27 min)
Brandon Doll (Wisconsin, USA) tells how he came to Christ for salvation in his late teens after quite a struggle with how to know for sure he was saved. The reaction of his overjoyed parents reflects the priority they put on his salvation. Readings: 1 John 5:9-13, Titus 3:4-5a. (Testimony given in Ballymena 27th Jan 2023)
“Oh my, I’m going to hell” (10 min)
Laverne Weber grew up hearing the gospel, but he rebelled and went off to enjoy the pleasures of the world. Married and now with children, he attended a series of gospel meetings with Albert Hull and Gaius Goff and discovered for the first time in his life, “Oh my, I’m going to hell.” Photo: Stout Gospel Hall. (Testimony given in Stout, Iowa, USA, 2013)
“I just stared at the ceiling. There was nothing I could do.” (4 min)
John Novak grew up hearing the gospel, but it went in one ear and out the other…until one night in a gospel meeting he woke up to his need and danger. Listen to hear how John found peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ, and assurance through His Word. (Testimony given in Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA, 2019)
“Don’t read verses to me; just tell me how to get saved.” (15 min)
The gospel intersected John Fleming’s life in 1960 when a friend of his got saved in Oil Springs, Ontario, Canada. His friend started working on John and insisting he take an interest in his soul and come to gospel meetings. It took a while, but John eventually came to know Christ for himself. Readings: John 3:16, 18, 36. (Testimony given in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA, 2012)
“It’s like at Christmas…but you don’t take the gift” (5 min)
James Hubbord grew up on the East coast of Canada without a knowledge of the gospel. But one day he was presented with the truth of “salvation as a gift” from the Bible’s most famous verse, John 3:16. Are you saved? Have you taken God’s free gift of eternal life? (Message preached in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, USA, 2009).
A Husband and Wife Saved Inside a Month and a Day (7 min)
Gary Southerd’s childhood home was transformed when his mother got saved, but Gary didn’t get saved until after he was married. Then his wife got saved a month and a day later! The photo above is the car Gary refers to in his story: evangelist Oliver Smith’s “gospel car” (Testimony given in Stout, Iowa, USA, 2013)
“Nobody gets saved in a casual way” (23 min)
Michael Verner relates how he trusted the Lord Jesus for salvation in his early 20’s. Attending Greenmount College in Northern Ireland, Michael met a fellow student who was a believer in Christ and who influenced him with the gospel. Then in 1992 he attended a series of gospel meetings where he was awakened and saved. Readings: John 19:30, Rom 6:23, Eph 2:8-9 (Testimony given at a gospel drive-in meeting, Riverside Farm, Nr. Ballykeel, 31st July 2022)
“I made up my mind; I want to get saved” (19 min)
Jonathan Bingham tells how he was saved as a young lad in Ballykeel, in the Mourne Mountains district of Northern Ireland. Jonathan always knew the gospel, but didn’t get saved until he was awakened to his need of Christ in gospel meetings and made up his mind to go in for salvation. Readings: John 19:30-31, Acts 16:30-31. (Testimony given at the Riverside Farm drive-in meetings, 29th May 2022)
The Greatest Thoughts that Ever Entered my Mind (37 min)
Michael Penfold relates the story of his conversion to Christ. He highlights a series of 4 life-changing thoughts that entered his mind as he heard the truth of the Bible preached in his youth, which led to his salvation. (Message preached in Chalfont St Peter, 30th Oct 2022)
“I wanted to be saved more than anything else in the world” (10 min)
Alexander H. Joyce (1926-2006) grew up in a preacher’s home. His father was the evangelist Albert Joyce (1897-1982). As a boy, young Alec attended many many gospel meetings, and developed a great longing to be saved. After a lengthy period of soul trouble, Alec’s mother was used of the Lord to direct her 13 year old son to read and be blessed through the words of John 5:24, the same year that World War 2 started in 1939. (Message preached…
“I was trying to get saved, but I could not believe.” (6 min)
Elton W. Decker (1933-2021) from Michigan, USA, was born again as a 15 year old young man on 29th July 1949 at the close of a series of gospel meetings taken by Norman Crawford and Lorn McBain. His difficulty in getting saved was a common one: “I was trying to get saved, but I couldn’t believe.” Listen to how Mr Decker found deliverance from the Word of God. (Message preached in Stark Road Gospel Hall, Livonia, Michigan, USA).
“Maybe I’m beyond help from God. It was a dark moment” (20 min)
Jim McCandless tells how he was born again on Aug 9th 1977. Raised in a Christian family, Jim rebelled and left home seeking pleasure in the world. The prayers of his family followed him until, by a series of providential events, first his girlfriend got saved and then Jim himself. (Testimony given in the Gospel Hall, Tampa, Florida, USA, 2021).
“Kim, I’m going to drown” (49 min)
“You were extremely close to death.” These were the words Scott Hayes heard after waking up from a 10-hour coma, after nearly drowning in the Pacific ocean in 2015. But Scott was ready to die – he had been saved as a young man through the preaching of the gospel. Here Scott tells both salvation stories in one message. (Message given in Stout, Iowa, USA, 2015)
“If you want to see grandad again you’ll need to be saved” (11 min)
Glenn Moore grew up hearing the gospel in Bracondale Gospel Hall in Toronto, Canada (above), knowing he was a sinner and fearing being left behind when the Lord comes. In April 1966 at the Toronto Easter Conference, he spoke to Harold Paisley about his desire to be saved. Listen to hear how the Lord used 1 John 1:7 to bring light to Glenn’s soul. (Testimony given at Blue River Gospel Hall Conference, Wisconsin, 2008)
“It was for me, yes all for me” (7 min)
The gospel came to Blue River, Wisconsin, in the autumn of 1932 and souls were saved. In 2008 Brent Studnicka gave his testimony of salvation at the Blue River conference and reflected on where he might have been had the gospel never come to his home. Listen to hear how Brent was saved as a teenager partly through the verse of a well know hymn “Was it for me for me alone?”.
“I know how to do this. I can get saved whenever I feel like it” (6 min)
Jonathan Ward was a “preacher’s kid”. He knew the gospel well, so he thought. “I know how to do this. I can get saved whenever I feel like it.” But when it came to it, he found what the Bible says about the human heart is true – we are all in the dark by nature, and it needs the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit to bring about salvation. Reading: Isa 53:5-6. (Message preached in La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA,…
“My problem was with the word ‘believe’.” (12 min)
Matthew Kundert relates how he was saved as a teenager after a struggle with “how to believe”. He grew up knowing all about the Bible and salvation. He had no problem accepting it all. How then could he “believe” what he already knew, in order to be saved? (Testimony told at the Blue River Gospel Hall conference, Wisconsin, USA, 2009)
“A time when, a place where and a manner how” (21 min)
Ashley Milne relates his story of conversion as a young man growing up, the son of missionaries in Venezuela, South America. “Everyone who is saved has a time when, a place where and a manner how they were saved”. Do you? (Message given in Fleetwood, Vancouver, 2022)
“No wise man will sleep until he knows his sins are forgiven” (28 min)
David Ambrose recounts the story of his conversion to Christ. Born in the fishing village of Portavogie, Co Down, Northern Ireland, David knew the gospel from his childhood. God spoke to him through a number of life’s experiences, but it was eventually in a series of gospel meetings in early 1975 that God saved him at the age of 16. (Testimony given in Portavogie Harbour Drive-in gospel meeting, 29th May 2022)
“I could no longer bear the guilt of my sin” (6 min)
Wesley Pickett heard the gospel often in his youth, but he got so used to it that any concern for his soul seemed to have left him. However, God worked through the preaching of the gospel to bring him to the place where he could no longer live with the burden and guilt of his sin…and then God saved him. (Testimony given in Blue River, Wisconsin, 2021)
“For the first time in my life I couldn’t argue with God” (4 min)
Jon Novak grew up on a farm and knew the gospel from his earliest days. He resisted the gospel until his mid teen when under the preaching of the gospel he reached the place where he “couldn’t argue with God” any more. Listen to hear how he found peace with God. (Preached in Blue River, Wisconsin, 2019)
“Salvation is more valuable than anything in the world” (10 min)
John Fitzpatrick grew up in Yonkers, New York. He had a traditional upbringing, was christened as a child and went to church. In 1959, a neighbour brought him to children’s meetings where John learned the truth of the gospel and his need to be saved. (Testimony given in Blue River, Wisconsin, 2021)
“I tried all the world had to offer” (30 min)
James Logan grew up in a Christian family and knew the gospel from his earliest days, but he decided to try all the world had to offer him. Through the tragic death of a friend James was awakened to his need of salvation and went to hear Willie Fenton and Matthew McKillen preaching the gospel. Through “verse 3 of number 36” (“Adore Him, the glorious work is done”) James was saved by the grace of God at the age of…
Samuel Ussher – Salvation and call to the work (49 min)
Samuel Ussher tells of his conversion to Christ, and his call to the work of the Lord (in Venezuela). He gives some history of the work in Venezuela and some helpful insights into how the Lord has blessed the gospel in that land, and how the assemblies there are very active in gospel work. He brings the challenge of the words in the Gospel of Matthew, “Son, go work today in my vineyard”. Readings: Matthew 21:28-31, Job 23:13-14, Gen 41:46…
“God speaketh once, yea twice” (21 min)
Robert Eadie tells the story of his conversion to Christ as a 15-year-old lad in East Belfast. During a series of gospel meetings by the evangelist Harold German, young Bobbie had two near fatal accidents in one day. He was reminded of the verse “God speaketh once, yea twice” and it concentrated his mind on his need to be saved. Listen as Bobbie tells of his deliverance through the words of John 3:36 (This testimony is part of a message…
“I wanted to get rid of all the preaching, praying and singing” (12 min)
Tom McNeill (1934-2016) grew up hearing the gospel preached. One particular evangelist, Joe Stewart (1877-1946), spoke personally to Tom around 20 times about his soul, so much so that when Mr Stewart died Tom was relieved he was gone! As a lad, just into his teens, Tom was beginning to look forward to the day when he could “get rid of all the preaching, praying and singing” and go and enjoy the world. But God saved him on 14th December…
“The same message all these years, but I only saw it now” (34 min)
Ronnie Johnston (1929-2007) tells the remarkable and touching story of his father’s and his own salvation. Ronnie’s Dad was saved through the hymn “Trust and obey”, a hymn he learnt from his children as they sang it on Sunday afternoon walks. But Ronnie didn’t get saved until he was 27. While his Dad used to break bread in Cregagh Street Gospel Hall, Ronnie was 6 streets away playing cards. Ronnie would ‘borrow’ money off his godly father but confessed, “I…
“I tried, for a whole year, to keep the Sermon on the Mount!” (48 min)
Sam Jennings (1928- ) relates the story of his conversion to Christ on 29th November 1944. Sam’s father was a brilliant violinist, but sadly also a violent alcoholic. In his youth, Sam tried to live by the Sermon on the Mount, but failed miserably. As a teenager he developed a foul mouth and was considered “the vilest person” in the bakery where he worked. But God saved his brother Rowan, and Sam ended up hearing the gospel preached by none…
“I cannot go for that operation until I’m saved” (49 min)
Mr Sam McBride grew up in rural Co Armagh hearing the gospel from a young age. He always knew he needed salvation, but let himself drift into adulthood without it. A serious spinal injury in the summer of 1949 left him needing a major operation. Fearing complications, Sam McBride resolved “I cannot go for that operation until I have the matter of my salvation settled.” Listen to hear how he was finally saved on 17th Feb 1952. Mr McBride preached…
“I can’t go on like this: I’ve got to get saved tonight” (26 min)
David Hutchinson grew up in a Christian family and knew the Scriptures from young age. When he reached the 6th form at School he felt drawn to the world…but God overruled David’s choice to neglect the gospel and brought him back to reality. At 16 he faced up to his need of salvation. Listen to hear how he found deliverance. (Testimony given in Bicester 29th Oct 2017)
“It wasn’t about me and what I did” (22 min)
Tim Cawte tells of his conversion one Canadian winter at the age of 13. Knowing he was a sinner who needed to be saved, his main problem was, “How can I ever know for sure that I am saved?” He made a number of attempts at being saved, but every time the doubts kept coming back as strong as ever. He was finally saved when he came to an end of himself and rested alone on the person and finished…
“A basketball game or a gospel meeting?” (22 min)
Scott Hayes from Iowa, USA, relates how as a proud 17-year-old basketball and motorcross enthusiast he was first awakened to his need of a Saviour through the tragic death of an uncle. Scott was brought to Christ during a series of gospel meetings in which around 40 others were also saved in Stout, Iowa, under the preaching of Albert Hull and Gaius Goff in the 1970’s (Testimony given in Bicester on 17th March 2013)
“I fell 20 feet onto a concrete floor” (25 min)
Joe Potter, from Canada, relates the story of his conversion to Christ. Joe nearly died from a fall at 6 years old that broke his femur. But that didn’t stop Joe’s parents taking him to gospel meetings, in a full body cast! At various times in his childhood, God spoke to Joe, but he didn’t get saved until in his early teens. A helpful testimony for children brought up in Christian families. Readings: Luke 15:3-7, Rom 5:6 (Testimony given 14th…
Jim Walmsley – “Tell him I’m not in” (9 min)
The fascinating story of how a Christian woman in an office refused to tell a lie for her boss, and how God used that incident to speak to her colleague, a Mr. Jim Walmsley (1931-2022). That same lady afterwards asked Jim to come to a gospel meeting. God spoke to the 16-year-old Jim, and he found salvation on 16th May 1947 under the preaching of Harold Paisley. Mr Walmsley was baptised and then received into the Cregagh Street assembly, Belfast,…
“So, you’ve chosen the world” (15 min)
Tommy Wright relates the story of his conversion to Christ in 1952. As is common with young people, on entering his teens, Tommy began to drift away from interest in the gospel and tried to get out of “going to meetings”. But the godly influence of his mother prevailed. With tears in her eyes one day she said to Tommy “So, you’ve chosen the world”. Listen to hear how God used this in Tommy’s awakening and salvation. (Testimony in Bicester…
“I rebelled against my Christian upbringing” (21 min)
Aaron Colgan relates the story of how God saved him as a teenager back in the 1980’s. Though brought up hearing the Word of God, Aaron rebelled against the gospel and took up with the pleasures of the world, living for a number of years with no thought about his soul’s salvation. But God spoke to him once more and brought him to faith in His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Readings: Eph 2:8-9, Rev 21:7 (Testimony given 30th Aug…
“If you are not saved, what is all this worth?” (19 min)
Sandy Higgins’s ancestors came to the USA from Italy and Ireland. There, for the first time, they heard the gospel, and some were converted. That meant that Sandy was brought up in a godly home, where the gospel was preached. But hearing the gospel all of his life seemed to make salvation difficult for Sandy. While in medical training one day, the thought struck him “If you are not saved, what is all this worth?” Sandy went through 6 weeks…
“You’ll either end in jail or on the gallows” (41 min)
Jeffrey Harrison (1909-1990) grew up in a strict home in a slum area of north west England. Shoplifting, fighting, gambling and mischief of all kinds marked the teenage years of young Harrison. Said his mother, “You’ll either end up in jail or on the gallows.” But the Holy Spirit worked in his life, convicting him of his sin and of his danger of perishing in hell. When he got a job on the railways, a godly Christian colleague took him…
“I refused 6 invitations to a gospel meeting” (6 mins)
Do you give up easily when someone refuses to come to a gospel meeting? Marco Gebara was asked 6 times, and refused each time! But God was at work, and even when his Christian friend gave up, Marco volunteered to go without being asked a 7th time! He intended to go once and never return…but the Lord had other plans. At the Lurgan conference in 2016, interpreted from Portuguese by Tom Meekin, Marco told his testimony. Marco and Janice Gebara…
Robert Love – “Mother, I’ve something to tell you” (15 min)
Robert Love (1885-1979) was saved at the age of 19 in 1904. This is a recording of Mr Love telling the story of his conversion after 60 years had passed. 10 years after being saved, Mr Love went out full time in gospel work. Robert Love was “a character”, unique in his delivery and original in his style, and known for his plain speaking. A tireless labourer, Mr Love was used of the Lord to see a work done in…
“You couldn’t have got me to a gospel meeting” (29 min)
Norman Coulter (1941-2012) tells how God saved him in February 1962. Brought up in a godly home, Norman chose to seek out the pleasures of the world and broke his parents’ hearts. However, God convicted Norman of his sin and he was saved in Omagh one night during a move of the Holy Spirit in the town. In 1994, after 30 or so years as an architect, Norman left his business and gave all his time to preach the gospel.…
Leonard Mullan – Saved in Carnlough by the Sea (21 min)
Leonard Mullan (1918-2004) was born the year WW1 ended, and the Spanish Flu pandemic began. He grew up in “Carnlough by the sea”, from whence he would eventually go to Japan to serve the Lord. He was saved in meetings held in his parents’ home, taken by Messrs Joseph Stewart and David Craig. This is a recording made when Mr Mullan was 85 years old, saved for 73 years! The record of his and his wife Agnes’s 37 years in…
George Alexander – How God Saved Me (20 min)
George Alexander (1894-1973) was born in Co Tyrone, Ireland, back in the 19th century. (His distinct localised accent may be a struggle for some listeners!). One day, as a mischievous and worldly young man, George made a plan with half a dozen other young lads to interrupt and disturb a series of gospel meetings being held in a barn near his home by evangelists J. McCullough and T. Braidner. But God intervened in George’s scheme. His companions never showed up,…
“I Didn’t Even Know I Had a Soul” (24 min)
Chris Beresford grew up in the North-East of England in a home where the truth of the saving gospel of Christ was unknown. “I didn’t even know I had a soul,” is how Chris powerfully sums up the darkness he was in. But God intervened in Chris’s life. How? Through a Thursday night “children’s meeting” in a Gospel Hall. Listen to the wonderful story of Chris’s salvation and how God preserved him when his family subsequently made life very difficult…
“I wanted to know I was saved before I was saved”! (8 min)
Dave Bagnall grew up in Winnipeg, Canada, attending the West End Gospel Hall and knowing the gospel from a child. Moving to Vancouver at age 10, he lost his mother at 14. Attending gospel meetings by Albert Joyce and David Adams, one of Dave’s friends got saved. That shook him and he began seeking salvation himself, but he struggled as to how he could know for sure that he was saved. Listen to hear how Dave was saved and knew…
“One day I intended to be saved…” (12 min)
Redmond Blair from Vancouver, Canada, tells his story of conversion. Brought up hearing the gospel and memorizing Scripture, as “Reddie” grew older he became careless and lived for the enjoyments of the world. Awakened by the salvation of a friend, Reddie spend months searching for salvation, even daily reading his Bible alone at work in the lunch break, but he found he was much darker than ever he had realised and couldn’t find salvation. Then a cousin got saved; but…
“I never thought I’d be an adult and not saved” (24 min)
Seth McKinley, from Vancouver, Canada, grew up in a Christian family, knowing the gospel and memorizing Scripture. He was soft towards the gospel as a child, and at one point thought he was saved, but as the teenage years came he rebelled against the gospel and decided he would just “do his own thing”. University took him further away, but the prayers of his parents followed him and the Holy Spirit began to work in his heart. Listen to the…
“The Lord Jesus said it: I have it!” (11 min)
Jeremiah Collins grew up “going to meetings”. He knew the gospel from childhood, but that was the problem: the gospel was so familiar to him that he stumbled over it and made very heavy weather of receiving it. When God convicted him of his sin and danger, he earnestly sought salvation, but still could not find deliverance. Listen to how Jeremiah finally found peace and rest in Christ (Testimony given at La Crosse Conference, Wisconsin, USA, 2015)
I Didn’t Really Care if I Lived or Died (24 min)
Theodore Chiasson, born and raised in a Roman Catholic home in Cape Breton Island, Canada, relates his story of conversion as a 24 year old young man back in the 1970’s, after hearing the gospel for the very first time. Theodore had a wholesome God-fearing childhood, but at college he went into drugs and ended up disillusioned and empty. Then a Christian witnessed to him and gave him a Bible…and the Lord saved him that same day! (Testimony recorded 7th…
“Man Overboard!” – Stories of the Sea (51 min)
Deep sea fisherman Alex McLean (1932-2019) recounts how he was saved in Stornoway, Scotland, in 1954 in his early 20’s. He had tried boxing, dancing, smoking and drinking, but discovered that life is empty without Christ. John Noble Steven showed kindness to Alex and shared the gospel with him. Taken to a gospel meeting the Lord saved Alex the very first time he heard the gospel preached. There follows an incredible account of Alex’s life at sea, which includes the…
The Bergsma family – Reached through a Rice Pudding! (32 min)
Andrew Bergsma (1930-2013) grew up in a “Dutch Reformed” home in Canada. His family endured poverty during the Great Depression. All 9 children were raised in the old fashioned way and walked 5 miles to church and back twice on the Lord’s Day. A lady from a nearby Gospel Hall saw the large family of children and visited with a rice pudding and an invitation to Sunday School. That was the opening for the gospel in the Bergsma home that…
“Twice Rescued” – Rob Oliver’s story (18 min)
Rob Oliver loved to surf. Catching big waves on the east coast of the USA was a favourite summer activity for Rob and his friends…until one day, when a perfect ‘wave ride’ went inexplicably and terribly wrong, and in Rob’s own words, “I heard a crunch…and suddenly I couldn’t move at all”. Paralysed and submerged in water, Rob realised, “If someone doesn’t come and get me out of this water, I’m going to die”. But this wasn’t the only time…
Jim Smyth – Saved at “Cooper’s Corner” (33 min)
Born in New Bliss, Co Monaghan, Ireland, Jim Smyth (1919-2012) grew up without a knowledge of the gospel. His father drank a lot, leaving the family dirt poor. Jim was a hard working young man who enjoyed the pleasures of the world in the local badminton team and as the drummer in a dance band. He heard the gospel once from two “Faith Mission pilgrims” in a meeting in New Bliss, but he didn’t like it and left the meeting…
“I Chose Never To Attend Another Gospel meeting” (38 min)
Albert Hull (1936-2015) tells the thrilling and heart-warming story of how God saved him “on the roadside” in 1957 listening to the gospel through the open window of a gospel meeting. As a preacher’s son, Albert knew the gospel well, but a point came in his teens when he made a choice never to attend another gospel meeting. Off he went to enjoy the pleasures of the world. Yet, even when he was drunk, he was still able to preach…
“I Was Determined Not to Cry at My Father’s Funeral” (31 min)
Larry Steers stopped going to meetings at the age of 13 out of frustration with the gospel. Then at 18 he set his face to leave home and enjoy the world. Heading to Toronto, he ended up in a prayer meeting and a gospel meeting where he was impressed by the evident care Albert Joyce (one of the preachers) had for his soul. Then word came through that Larry’s father was dying. Heading home he made it to the bedside…
“I thought the gospel was a big joke” (37 min)
Born in Canada in 1933, Max McLean grew up on a small farm in a house with no electricity. He moved to the “big town” of Oil Springs in Dec 1945 where his shrewd father bought a business. Sadly Max’s father had a fondness for drinking and gambling, ruinous habits he passed to his son. At age 18, Max moved to Sarnia to work in the Polysar rubber plant. There he met a man called Dave Kember. Dave was known…
“I couldn’t wait to leave home” (13 min)
Aubrey Butler couldn’t wait to leave home. He resented his meeting-going upbringing and rebelled against the gospel. “I don’t want to be anything like you and Dad”, he told his mum. Moving out, Aubrey got involved in sports and much else to try and satisfy himself and fill his life. Then God intervened with a riding accident. Brought to see his need of salvation he spoke to the evangelist Art Ward who gave him a copy of God’s Way of…
“I’m gonna lose my sole” (7 min)
It’s amazing what God uses sometimes to wake people up to their need of salvation. Robert Orr, from Iowa, USA, grew up hearing the gospel, even being privileged to sit under the preaching of giants like Oliver Smith and Louis Brandt. However, he remained careless about his soul…until one day, in August 1950, in the middle of a casual conversation, a neighbouring farmer looked down at his old work shoes and said “I’m gonna lose my sole.” Immediately Robert’s mind…
“I went to 4 meetings every Sunday” (10 min)
Alec Dryburgh (1936-2022) relates how he was converted to Christ in 1949. Raised in a Christian family in Scotland and taken to meetings 4 times every Sunday, not to mention mid-week meetings, Alec was a spiritually privileged, but spiritually dead in sins – something he had to learn before being saved. Awakened in gospel meetings in his local Gospel Hall, Alec was saved through Isaiah 53:5. Mr Dryburgh has served the Lord as an evangelist and Bible teacher in Canada…
Beaten, bitter and bruised…then Jesus came” (19 min)
Norman Mellish grew up in the slums of Moss Side, in Manchester, England, during the 1930’s and 40’s. His description of those nightmarish childhood days is heart-breaking; but, by the grace of God, Norman was sent to Sunday School at the local Gospel Hall, where he heard the way of salvation. The bitterness of life turned him towards atheism as he grew into adulthood and moved into employment, but a Christian gentleman at his place of work was used by…
Fleeing to Toronto – Finding Christ (45 min)
Born in Germany, Fred Krauss attending a Protestant Sunday School and learned the 10 commandments, but not the way of salvation. As a young boy he witnessed the horrors of World War 2 under the Nazis, only to find himself under Communist rule in “East Germany” once the war ended. He fled to West Germany in 1948 and then emigrated to Canada at the age of 19. He tried philosophy, culture, religion and pleasure, but found nothing to answer the…
“What has God ever done for me?” (54 min)
Robert Surgenor (1928- ) tells the amazing story of God’s grace and mercy to him during the first 24 years of his life when, first as a mischievous child and then as a reckless youth, he had repeated brushes with death but was spared every time. He was later saved through the witness of his wife and the preaching of the gospel, all in answer to his mother’s heartfelt prayer when Robert had pneumonia as a child. Robert’s wife was…
Bill Black’s Testimony of Salvation (40 min)
Bill Black grew up in a religious home in Northern Ireland but knew nothing about God’s way of salvation. Moving to Perth, Scotland (photo above), to work in the Health Service, he met a young lady called Anna who was later to become his wife (whose godly mother was praying daily for the salvation of both of them). The Lord answered those prayers when Bill met a young man called Jim Legge who preached the gospel to him (Jim would…
Sydney Maxwell – My Salvation and Call (27 min)
[Photos below] One memorable day in September 1983, Mr Sydney Maxwell (1919-1993) stood to his feet in the Larne Conference and related the thrilling story of his salvation and how he saw the truth of baptism and gathering to the Lord’s name. Sydney was willing to go where the Word of God led him, no matter the cost, so when he learnt the truth of the local assembly (under the wing of a “Sunderland” in the Shorts aircraft factory in…
Frank Knox’s Testimony – H.A.T.H. spells “Hath”! (70 min)
The evangelist Frank Knox (1884-1975) preached annually for many years in a large Tent in Belfast to thousands of people. His labours were blessed with many souls being awakened and delivered, even when World War 2 raged on. His own story of conversion, recounted by Mr Knox in this old recording in the 18th year of the Tent, is full of interest and power. Awakened to see he was “condemned already” – under the preaching of David Rea and Alex…
Unforgettable Stories (46 min)
In 1985 Mr Albert Ramsay (1913-1993) came from Canada to preach in various parts of the UK. While there he recounted the unforgettable story of his conversion to Christ back in June 1934 at “Gambles Corner” in Prince Edward Island under the preaching of Albert Joyce and the Harris brothers (Herb and Russell). Around 30 souls were saved during that series of Tent meetings and a New Testament assembly was formed on the island. From the start Albert became a…
Eddie Fairfield’s Testimony and Call to the Work (81 min)
Mr Eddie Fairfield (1902-1994) tells the remarkable story of his conversion to Christ and his subsequent call to the Lord’s work in Venezuela (back in the 1930’s). It is an unforgettable message, full of interest and power. Listen as Mr Fairfield giving eloquent testimony to the reality of the work of God in a life surrendered to Him (Recorded in 1983). In the photograph below, taken in Venezuela in 1957, Mr Fairfield is 4th from the left on the row…
“I hadn’t a clue how I could be saved” (24 min)
Aaron Callaghan tells his story of conversion to Christ while at University in 2013. Growing up in a Christian family and taken to gospel meetings from childhood, Aaron’s story demonstrates conclusively that “knowing the facts” of the gospel is not enough. Aaron wanted to go to University far from home in order to get away from the influence of the gospel – but God overruled his circumstances and Aaron was graciously brought to salvation (Testimony given in Bicester 22nd July…
From Bulgaria to Britain…to Christ (24 min)
George Rassovsky relates his story of conversion at the age of 19. Growing up in a godly home in Bulgaria, George rebelled and became involved in drugs and crime. Yet he could never shake off the conviction of the truth he had heard in his childhood. Moving from Bulgaria to the UK to study, George came in contact with the gospel again and was converted to Christ in 2010. This is a joyful story of the grace of God in…
David Montgomery’s Testimony of Salvation (33 min)
David Montgomery relates the story of how he was saved while studying at Warwick University in the UK. David was brought up in ceremonial Christianity (christening, confirmation, communion etc.), but was ignorant of the gospel of the grace of God. However, he did know he was a guilty sinner, and the first time he heard the gospel message at University he “asked Christ into his life”, thereafter coming to an understanding that his confidence is in Christ alone for salvation,…
“That’ll do for me!” (10 min)
Jim Wishart relates his story of conversion on July 1st 1950, 65 years ago. Awakened through the words of a solemn gospel hymn, Mr Wishart knew he needed a firm foundation for eternity. This he found through the words of Isaiah 53:6 – “All we, like sheep have gone astray, we have turned – every one [of us] to his own way – and the LORD hath laid on Him [Jesus Christ] the iniquity of us all” (Testimony given 7th…
A Changed Life (45 min)
Robert Plant relates his life story and his conversion to Christ. Raised without religion, Robert’s main interests were Cricket (he is a Yorkshireman) and Country & Western Music. A friend at School, who was mocked and ridiculed for his Christian beliefs, spoke to Robert about salvation and gave him gospel booklets to read. Listen to the wonderful story of the grace of God to Robert as the Holy Spirit moved to open his understanding to see that Christ is the…
“It’s time you were saved” (17 min)
David West tells of his conversion to Christ in 1959 in Essex, England. Though greatly influenced by Sunday School teachers in his childhood, it wasn’t until his late teens that David was saved, by which time sport had become “an idol in my life”. Challenged one evening by the words, “Young man, it’s about time you were saved” David trusted Christ shortly thereafter (Testimony given 21st July 2013)
Derek Lam’s Testimony of Salvation (22 min)
Derek Lam relates how he was converted to Christ soon after emigrating to Canada as a teenager with his family. Derek has an interesting background involving Malaysia, Switzerland and the UK, but he didn’t hear the gospel until he landed in Vancouver and was invited to the Gospel Hall by a neighbour. He was saved the first week he ever heard the gospel message. (Testimony given 7th July 2013) (Photo: Vancouver)
James Armstrong’s Testimony of Salvation (40 min)
James Armstrong relates the story of his conversion to Christ as a teenager in Northern Ireland. He tells of the different ways in which God spoke to him over a period of time, convicting him of his need of salvation, and how He trusted Christ through the words of Isaiah 53:5 (Testimony given 13th Jan 2013). (Photo: Northern Ireland).
Mervyn Hall’s Testimony of Salvation (47 min)
Mervyn Hall relates his testimony of salvation. The story will impact any listener who is a sports fan. Only after nearly dying on two occasions did Mervyn finally come to an end of himself and find rest in Christ (Message preached Sunday 5th Sept 2010)
John Dennison – My Conversion and Call (42 min)
John Dennison (Phoenix, USA), relates the story of his conversion to Christ. As a child he attended the Stark Road Gospel Hall in Livonia, Michigan (pictured above) where he heard the gospel and was born again. Baptised there and received into fellowship, the way opened up for service in the gospel as a young man and John was eventually called by the Lord into full-time service for the Lord, a call that took him and his family to Mexico to…
Robin Steele’s Testimony of Salvation (21 min)
Robin Steele recounts the story of how he came to Christ in 1975 at the age of 17. He had known the gospel from a child but certain events were used of God to awaken him as a worldly teenager to think of eternity (Message preached 26th October 2008)
“The person who puts off God’s salvation never gets it” (15 min)
Mr. Wade Jollymore from Nova Scotia, Canada, tells how the Lord saved him at the age of 23 after he had procrastinated for a good number of years, knowing all the time that he needed to be saved (Message preached Oct 5th 2008) (Photo: Nova Scotia)
Saved at University (37 min)
Evangelist Dan Gillies recounts the story of his conversion while at University in Scotland and his subsequent “call to the Lord’s work”. Don’t miss his recollections of the ‘lantern slide nights’! (Message preached at Bicester, Easter 27th March 2005)
Mr. Brian Chapman’s Testimony of Salvation (45 min)
Businessman Brian Chapman, from Northern Ireland, tells how he became a Christian as a young man in 1979 through attending meetings where the gospel was preached by evangelist Mr Sam McBride. In the second half of this audio, Dr Sandy Higgins from the USA explains the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ (Messages preached Nov 2002) (Photo: River Blackwater, Co Armagh)
