How Mark and Cindy came to salvation through Jesus Christ

Many of my friends had become Christians during the youth revival of the 70's. I wanted NO part of that. I’m not sure why, because I was not a God-hater of any sort, but the selfishness inside me wanted things to stay the same. I didn’t need to be a Jesus freak or one of those church goers. I played football for my high school team. We had some incredible coaches, some of whom were Christian. One of my friends had given his life to Christ and would tell me, “hey, I love you man”. Weird, I thought. He would say that a lot as a matter of fact. One of the drills we had in football was called Oklahoma with 2 tackling dummies about 4-5 feet apart and 1 ball carrier against 1 guy trying to stop you. The coach running this drill was one of those Christians I told you about. As I was lined up to carry the ball, he said, “boys, if you love em’ you’ll hit em.” Another weird thing, I thought. Then I looked across who

was going to be hitting me and it was my friend who always told me he loved me. And I shook in my cleats. He had this huge grin on his face.

Coach blew the whistle and I headed for my friend who headed right for me. I have never been hit so hard in my life! I looked up at him through our face masks and he was still grinning. I was in pain. I said to him, “I believe you!” We talked after practice and he led me to the Lord. It was not a particularly emotional time but I was ready. This was in my junior year.

I have been a Christ follower since. I was ready for that moment. God had used several touch points and many different people to lead me to that crazy, unusual, God-appointed moment to get through to this hard headed, selfish teenager and make me one of His disciples. I am forever grateful what He did for me and my friends.

This was just the beginning, however. Learn more >>

(Cindy's Story)

I grew up in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood. As a kid, I figured that since I wasn't Jewish, I must be Christian. Actually I was neither. We didn't get to church very often. One time, though, when I was 7 or 8 years old, the Sunday School teacher told a story about a snake, a kitten and a child (the story is shown below). For the first time, I understood that Jesus sacrificed his life to save me from my sins and I gratefully gave my life to Him. Even though I didn't have a lot of follow up, a genuine change had taken place and I began to read my Bible, had a little prayer journal and told others about Jesus as well.

When I was 12, my Grandpa Lev, who I loved very much, died in a drowning accident. I didn’t share my pain with anyone and tried to handle it on my own. Between that and encountering hypocrites, my heart grew hard towards God. By the time I was 14, I hated God, people and even myself. I was so empty, depressed, suicidal, dabbling with evil practices, etc.

However…my mom loved Jesus and fervently prayed for me. She trusted God to protect me and bring me back to Him. God answered her prayers and blocked many of my attempts to get into trouble. It was uncanny how often this happened and was so frustrating to me!

I turned 15 years old in April of 1977 and July 2, 1977 is when everything changed! Not long before that I’d read most of a book an acquaintance named Jill gave me called “Run Baby Run”. It was about a teenage gang leader in New York City named Nicky Cruz. His gang was very violent and evil.

I had enjoyed the violence, gore and “excitement” of the book UNTIL the part about Nicky becoming a Christian towards the end of the book. There’s no way that could happen I thought to myself! I became furious, believing him to be a liar and a hypocrite. I was done with the book!

One day though, I was sitting with my parents at our small breakfast table and my dad was holding his newspaper up in the air so he could read it. I glanced up and saw a huge headline on the back side that said, “Nicky Cruz coming to Rehoboth Baptist Church”. It took a few seconds for me to remember where I’d seen that name – the book that Jill had given me. I told my mom we were going to church on Saturday night (July 2). She was surprised and agreed to take me. (I can only imagine how she must have secretly rejoiced and prayed!)

July 2nd rolled around. I sat in the church with a stiff body and arms crossed. I planned to stand up in the middle of his talk and yell out that he was a liar and a hypocrite to embarrass and discredit him. (Sin makes you stupid like this!)

Nicky began to speak, but because he had such a heavy Spanish accent I literally could not understand him at all. It didn’t matter however - God’s presence was very strong in that place! At some point, I got it! I finally understood deep inside, through and through that God was “real” and not just some religious stuff to do for show. I realized God wanted a relationship with me. I didn’t stand up and yell like I’d planned and I also didn’t catch on that there was a “sinner’s prayer” to pray if you wanted to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. I just told God that if He wanted my life, He could have it because I didn’t want it anymore. It was a very matter-of-fact moment. God accepted my “offer” and things changed!!!!!

I began to attend that church and for the first time really got connected with other Christians serious about living for God and growing in faith. I've never turned back since.

Mark & Cindy's Salvation Experience