I know Hillsong has this exterior of being a money-grubbing superficial church led by a flashy preacher who owns two Harley-Davidson motorbikes. When I joined Hillsong I looked beyond the superficial media-driven myth and found real depth and real heart.

At Easter 2007 I took an overdose of pain killers - I wanted my life to change - change it did for the worse. I went downhill mentally and what I had spiritually went as well, as I was asking God for help, but understandably as I was sinning to excess, God did not help me. It took a year after my overdose to realise I just couldn't take it anymore and ran away and was homeless, as I mentioned previously. I had no intention of ever taking another overdose or trying to commit suicide, but I do not know what would have happened if I had not truly found God.

While I was homeless the Coptic Orthodox group gave me a NKJV Bible. In some of the spare hours I had I read the Bible, went to the Catholic church and prayed, and went to mass and other Christian services at Hillsong, Dr Kwans, and the Uniting and Baptist churches. I believe God could see that I was now trying to have a relationship with Jesus rather than sinning.

I started a Bible study at Hillsong and it was through that study that I had a revelation - and I was born again. After my overdose I believed I was going to Hell, if indeed Heaven and Hell existed. I now know because I have repented and that the Lord has forgiven my sins I will now go to Heaven.

I did not agree with everything the priests said in the pulpit at mass, and I don't agree with everything Dr Kwan says and with everything i hear at Hillsong. But one part of Christianity is being part of a community - like you Polycarp are part of I assume the loving caring community at your church. Dr Kwan's HSW are a loving and caring Christian community. And I am very happy to be part of Hillsong - a caring Christian community that is guiding me in my study of the bible and looking out for me. I really believe that God led me to Hillsong. I'm not going to leave and pray and read in isolation for the rest of my life.

Reading the rules of your Blog you say that you don't want personal testimonies. I didn't want to write one, let alone two, but I just felt I had to. So sorry if this doesn't really fit in.

I only came across your Blog last week, and I believe you have good intentions to spread the Gospel, want to have reasoned debate, and that you are a good and decent man. One thing I've learnt over the past year is to try not to judge others.

Originally posted in the comments of:
The Church of Jesus Christ | False Prophet: Edmond Kwan's False Doctrine of Disobedience