Personal Testimony of Ken Maggs

Before God opened up my eyes, I rejected the notion of God as well as could not see myself as a sinner. I was , in my mind, a good guy, knew I wasn't perfect, but not bad!

I would sit in Church and get angry with Des Inglesby, for calling me a sinner, deserving death. I got the message but it did not impact me. I could not see my sin. I carried on my life without God and Christ - I did not get it. I would get drunk, I swore a lot, had no issue lying, cheating the taxman, taking every advantage I could get to get ahead in life.

Quite honestly being a Christian was not for me, as it was too limiting. Then one day I met a Dominee whilst running on holiday. We had a braai together as family, and he drank a beer with me. This was a major step for me that a Christian Pasor could drink a beer. Then later I met Geoff and Zandra Carrol at Peddlars, by coincidence, and Geoff challenged me to start counting money in church with him. Another milestone. Then my 40th Birthday - I got completely drunk, embarrassed myself and Dianne badly. She told me afterwards that she was considering divorce. But before that I made a commitment to her to never ever get drunk again, and to change my life. I had no idea what that meant at that stage. But simultaneously to this Geoff Carrol was starting a new Bible Study Group at his house, led by John Child. This is when the Holy Spirit took over. I have absolutely no idea why I phoned Geoff and asked if I could join. On day one John asked all present to give a short testimony. I was amongst people with 50 years as Christians. I had to say that this was Day 1. I still did not get it fully but that Group showed me that I am a sinner, falling short of God's expectations of me and that I need a Saviour and that is Jesus Christ on the Cross, dying in my place, so that I can receive Eternal Life. I now know that I have received Eternal Life.

I am extremely grateful that John became my mentor investing time in my growth. He was always available for my questions and ultimately through him and two other mentors, Tom Austin (principal of the Bible Institute) and a Missionary John Shane, Tom's brother-in-law, these guys taught me and challenged me to become a Bible Study Teacher. I am hugely grateful that God gave me the gift of wanting to explore the Bible. My preparation for Bible Study forces me to dig deep into the Scriptures surrounded by Commentaries, so that I may be on top of my game when I must teach. God further gave me a gift of service. I love serving the people of God. This is quite a radical transformation from the guy I was before.

When I was 57 I was forced to close my Company that I had run for 20 years. I did not have a plan of how I would cope. I was in trouble. God opened the way for me to get a job. I am an Accountant. But God made me a Salesman of Breweries. How ironic is that. And I was successful, it was all in God's timing. This opened up doors for me. This industry growth was short lived and I was transferred into our Mother Company to keep selling filling lines plus the hope I could still sell breweries. This was the worst 2 years of my life. But I trusted God. In his timing we did a course of reaching out in our Bible Study. One of the guys I was challenged to reach out to was a long term mate, who I had lost contact with. I started meeting him and after a while, after I had shared my unhappiness, Rob offered me a job. This is my current job. But he had to first buy into the company, then retrench the CEO. This process took a year. I was extremely unhappy in my job but had to be patient for God's planning to come together. Another lesson in trusting Him, in all things.

God has been amazing in my life. Jesus Christ died on the Cross for me - I know that for certain, as I have been empowered by the Holy Spirit to fully grasp God's grace, His mercy and His love for me, a broken sinner. I know that I have been given salvation and life eternal with God, in heaven.