Testimony – Gideon

Hello everyone, I’m Gideon.

I’m originally from South Africa, and I’ve been living in New Zealand for over 20 years. I spent most of my life in the Bay of Plenty, up in the North Island, and moved down to Christchurch two years ago.

I was born into a Christian family, probably baptised as an infant. And I remember going to church every Sunday with my parents. We were part of a Baptist church, and from a young age, I had a strong faith in Jesus Christ. That faith has stayed with me through everything. No matter what I’ve gone through, I’ve always tried to hold onto Him. I believe in His teaching and what He asks of us, and I try my best to follow His will, even when the enemy tries to throw me off course.

When we first came to New Zealand, I went to intermediate school and then to Trident High. At that time, our family attended a Baptist church in Whakatāne, but over time, we drifted away from church life.

Later, I moved to Rotorua to study fitting and turning. It was a one-year course, and after that I started working for a company called Industrial Fittings. I stayed there for six or seven years. That season of my life was extremely tough. I faced a lot of bullying, harassment, mocking, and even physical abuse, mainly from some of the Kiwi colleagues I worked with. It was constant. I already had some struggles with mild depression, but during that time it got much worse. I sank into deep depression, and at my lowest point, I tried to end my life multiple times. One time, I nearly drowned.

All of that left me with a lot of bitterness. I developed a deep mistrust and even hatred toward local people. I felt like they spoke badly about foreigners behind their backs, tried to get them fired, or made them look bad in front of others—pushing them out of relationships and community.

But looking back now, I can see how the enemy—the devil—uses lies, hurt, and bitterness to destroy relationships. He builds walls between us and other people, and between us and God. That’s not the life Jesus calls us to live.

Even in those dark times, God never left me. He showed me again and again, through people, through signs, and through His Word that He was still with me. I was reminded that God sent His Son, Jesus, to live the perfect life we never could, and to die on the cross for our sins so we could be reconciled with God again.

As I’ve come to understand that truth more deeply, I’ve also realised that Jesus calls me to forgive. It hasn’t been easy, and I’m still on that journey, but I’ve started letting go of the bitterness, and I’ve experienced God’s peace in my heart. He’s healing me, and I want to keep growing, rooted in His Word, His love, and His truth. I thank God so much for bringing me this far.

Today, I want to thank Pastor Jane and everyone at OTBC for praying for me and walking with me. Since I started coming to the 2pm service, I’ve really felt God’s love through the people here. I can see that many of you walk closely with Jesus, and that has encouraged me so much. It’s helped restore my faith in people and reminded me that I’m not alone.

Romans 5:10, For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Praise the Lord! I’m getting baptised into God’s Kingdom and His family.

Thank you all, and all glory to God.