One Invite Changed My Life

Shawn Peterson was a professed agnostic (an atheist believes there is no God, while an agnostic doesn’t think we can know) and vocal about his negative opinions toward Christianity. In 2017 he found himself needing a miracle. Medical problems and other personal challenges left him feeling hopeless and he even contemplated taking his own life. But it was a simple invitation to come to church from his sister that changed the course of his life forever.

“I was dealing with terrible exhaustion and anxiety in October of 2017. After running a series of medical tests and getting results back that crushed me, I was feeling worse than ever. I fell into a depression and contemplated whether I even wanted to live this life anymore.

I felt purposeless and everyone around me knew it.

My sister, who was my closest confidant, knew I was agnostic. I would often speak out against religion to her, specifically Christianity. While my sister was praying for me, God told her to invite me to the Christmas Candlelight service. He told her to ask me and that He would do the rest. I was so exhausted and had given up on life, so when she asked me I actually said yes immediately. I thought, ‘if it will make her feel better, I guess I will go.’

As I listened to the message I felt like what was said was meant for me, though I was still skeptical. I hadn’t given my life to Jesus, but I wanted to go back to church. I kept going as we started the Who Am I? series and was attending regularly.

The next month I had some more personal challenges and felt like I had hit an all-time low. I pulled myself together and went to church. This was the first time I ever went to church by myself.

When I showed up I realized it was the Who Am I When I Feel Alone? service. I listened, prayed, and cried myself through that service. I was in shock. When I got to my car, I knew that I needed to accept Jesus into my heart as my Lord and Savior.

Right then and there, I gave my life to Christ. I felt Jesus. He answered my call.

Since then I’ve gotten married and we are now expecting our first child. We were baptized together last June and are continuing to take steps in our walk with Christ. This journey has been a great reminder that God’s plans are so much better than mine.”

—Shawn