Frank

My path into the church was pretty unspectacular. There was no bang in my life with which God kicked down the door of my heart (I know: He doesn't do that anyway). There were no fireworks that blinded me like Paul. Nor did the river of my life become the lguacu waterfalls. In other words, I didn't crash socially or health-wise. My life was actually quite normal - I was a normal unbeliever.

God drew my attention slowly and step by step. He persistently sowed the seed and nurtured the little plant of growing faith with a lot of patience and love. It was years before I made the decision to be baptised.

I studied energy technology in Leipzig and wrote my thesis in Munich. I actually wanted to stay there afterwards. So I applied to three aeronautical engineering companies in the Munich area, but I didn't get any replies. A friend then drew my attention to a company in the Allgäu region. So I sent an application there too. Within just one and a half weeks, I had an employment contract. After I had accepted, I also received offers from the companies in Munich that I had originally applied to. But my decision was made. My current colleagues are amazed at how quickly I got a contract. I hear that's very unusual for my current employer.

Back then, in spring 2001, I didn't think anything of it. But today I realise that God had prepared the way for me to meet him. He probably wanted me to come to the seclusion of the Allgäu so that I would have peace and quiet to reflect.

I took my first step into the Adventist Church premises because of a flyer announcing a lecture on the Bible. The Adventist Church, which was just being founded at the time, did not yet have a floor covering. The organisers were therefore considering cancelling the lecture. However, when I arrived at the church that Friday evening with my two friends Markus and Lukas - both Catholic - I didn't notice the state of the rooms at all. I was only interested in what the speaker was saying. And what he said was also correct from my friends' point of view. So I started attending Bible studies. I scrutinised everything very carefully. What excited me the most was justification by faith through Jesus Christ. But then it took another two years before I got into the water to consciously start my walk with God.

Since then, I have been able to get to know God more and more through his word, experiences and insights. I am excited to see where the journey will take me. Most of it is still hidden behind a veil. But at the end of my life, I will certainly look back on the sometimes rocky path. And I will then certainly realise that I could not have wished for a different path. Because God will have accompanied me along the way.