Everyone has a story, here are a few of ours!

Joanne Boissonnault (37) Mother of six. Here is her story:

Hi! My name is Joanne Boissonnault and I'm a 37 year old mother of six children ranging in age from 5 to 14. Five years ago I was diagnosed with progressive MS that led to many changes in our lives. That meant a new house, accessible to my wheelchair if need be,  many hospitalizations for steroid treatments, new priorities in life and all that while trying to maintain a normal life for our children.

The thing is though, that it is not this chronic illness that really brought me down, that took away my will to live , it's my lack of independence while I was growing up that constantly made me doubt my actions or gave me a rough time trying to find myself. You see, I was mentally abused all my life by my mom and until last fall, when I finally decided to put a restraining order against her, the abuse continued. It is only now that I feel that I am not alone in my personal discovery. I know that God will never leave my side. I am not saying that life is smooth sailing now that I no longer feel alone. I still have bad days where if it wasn't for my children, I would end it all but I know I can't so I persist.

So it is with God's help, my family and the wonderful church the Moncton Wesleyan, that I can get up in the morning and realize that the sun will eventually shine again for me. God Bless!

Allison Taylor (23) was in a dark place a few years ago. Here is her story:

I became a different person than what God wanted for me in High School. Struggles of every kind, and somehow being able to hide my pain even from my family. As my world was falling apart so was my family, I was the victim of physical abuse and eventually my parents separated. I was so angry and hurting that I no longer cared about God or wanted anything to do with His plan.

Due to a very destructive boyfriend relationship, my last year of High School, when it ended I was so depressed and so deep into cutting and not eating that I really felt like life wasn't worth living anymore and one night decided that I was going to kill myself. I took a handful of Advil and swallowed them. I was determined that I wasn't going to live past that night. Almost immediately after I did it I regretted it. It was the most terrifying night I'd ever had. I couldn't sleep, because I was terrified that I would die in my sleep.

I was taken to the hospital where my mom was called and rushed up to see me. I remember the look of concern on her face, and I remember never ever noticing that before. It was then that I finally realized I was actually loved. I had just been too wrapped up in my own little world that I didn't notice. That was a huge turning point for me. My heart was softened towards my mom, dad & even my brother. Most importantly my heart was softened for God and I stopped the self-destructive behaviors with the help of a mentor, counseling and close friends that God brought into my life just when I needed them.

Since then, I've been putting positive influences in my life and daily spending time in his word. A HUGE part of my journey with Christ has been Moncton Wesleyan. My husband Bobby and I moved to Moncton last summer. We had heard so much positive about it from others. Moncton Wesleyan isn't small by any means and the first Sunday we came, it was a bit overwhelming. However, deciding to get involved was key! We started going to young adults where we met so many amazing people. We have volunteered with "I love my city" events. We are so confident now as a couple that this is our church, and this was where God wanted us to be. It's perfect for us. We are squad leaders for middle school and loving that as we serve together. God is doing wonderful things in our lives.

In closing, I want to encourage anyone who has thought about Moncton Wesleyan and been skeptical for whatever reason that you don't need to be perfect to come to church, there is a wonderful climate of encouragement, love and acceptance. Give the church a chance and GET INVOLVED!

Erika Murray Grade 12 Riverview High School

When I arrived at Bethany I was placed in a townhouse with five girls who I had never met before. Over the four days of rehearsal we all got really close, we took time every day to get together and pray as a group. The first night had the biggest impact on me. Once the team had arrived there was a felling of calm that came over me and I knew that I had made the right decision. The first time that we prayed together as a group we all joined hands and when the prayer was done there was complete silence in the room. All of a sudden, someone started to sing. Before long we were all singing: nothing rehearsed, our first time singing together, and everything was in perfect harmony. From that moment on, we were no longer a group of strangers, but a close knit family. Even to this day I know that I could call any one of them in the middle of the night and they wouldn't be upset. Since we were all so close, we were able to encourage each other to grow spiritually during our time together.

I learned so much from all the other students and all the families that we stayed with on the tour. I felt so much stronger spiritually by the end of the two weeks. I had developed some good habits and met so many new Christian friends. The entire time that I was away I was stretched spiritually. Praying with the choir, doing individual devotions or talking to people after our performances, I always discovered something new about myself or someone else. It was truly an experience of a lifetime and if any of you are at all interested in music, I would strongly suggest that you audition for Exalt because it could change your life, like it did mine.

Carol Chandler first attended Moncton Wesleyan in February 2010. Here she shares her story:

A friend of mine talked me into attending a sermon. I had been away from church for more years than I care to mention. I thought that because I believed in God and said my prayers most evenings that I was a Christian.

When I first came through the doors, I was greeted by people I had never seen before; and upon learning that I was new, they quickly introduced me to other people. I had a sense of peace come over me right away. I was going through a very hard time in my life and thought I had no friends. Little did I know that the most important friend I had was the Lord who never turned his back on me, even though I had turned my back on him. I knew that I would return the next weekend!

Again, I received the same greeting. More and more people were introduced to me. The sign outside that says, "You Belong," is so true. I have not missed many services other than when I had my knee operated on. I have joined whatever classes I could, the most important one being Alpha. Wonderful! The other participants have become like family. They are my brothers and sisters of the church. I have also joined the 55+ Group; they have made me feel like one of the crew. My most significant experience to date was being baptized on November 7, 2010. I am still floating!

I would recommend to anyone to come and see for yourself. I know you will not be disappointed. In truth, it has saved my life.

Angie LeGresley, asked Jesus to come into her life 5 years ago. Here is her story:

My life appeared to be very good. I had obtained a medical degree, married a great guy and become a mother to 2 sweet children.

As a child , I have vivid memories of lying awake at night with a deep longing and homesick feeling for something I couldn't identify. I would think and think about everything I could from chocolate and Disney World to loving family and friends and I knew that those things were not the answer to my longing. I attended church and Sunday school, but that didn't seem to be the answer either. I continued to attend until I left home for university.

I spent most of my twenties in university. I occasionally attended church and prayed but liked to think of myself as spiritual and open minded. Although I read about about different religions, it was usually confusing and unsettling because ultimately, they don't teach the same things and they can't all be right. The more I learned in my science and medical degrees, the more convinced I was that we have a divine creator. It seemed obvious that humans, in particular, were a miracle in many ways and could not have happened by chance. It's impossible.
As I moved into my thirties, a belief in God was not going to be enough. Every week in the emergency department, I was faced with the fragility of life and the fact that death is inevitable and may come when you least expect it. I also knew that I could not look my children in the eye and answer their questions honestly about heaven, hell, eternity etc. unless I was certain of what I believed. As parents, we think about our kids health and safety, their academic success and their extracurricular activities and that's good...but what about their souls? So I began an intense search which caused my patient husband to complain that if I could have spent as much time learning French, I'd be completely bilingual by now!

Eventually , as a result of going to a children's event at the Moncton Wesleyan church, I started attending some of their services. It seemed that every Sunday, Pastor Buckingham would talk about Jesus dying for our sins and how we could ask God to forgive us... and I would think "Yeah, yeah, whatever, I know that..."

One day, it finally just hit me like a ton of bricks...I'm a sinner, and I'm no better in God's eyes than those "bad" people on the news or in prison etc. I needed forgiveness...I needed a Savior too, so I prayed with all my heart.

Little did I know that a few minutes of sincere and humble repentance would accomplish something that years of intellectual angst could not. As of that day, Nov 22, 2005, I felt a new joy and peace and I knew for sure that Jesus Christ is the son of God and the way and the truth and I can look my children (and you) in the eye about that without any doubt.

Also , I finally knew what that childhood longing was for...to have a real relationship with God through Jesus Christ. That is the only thing in this life and beyond that ultimately matters and that can't be taken away from you.

Lisa & Patrick Bourbonnais, with their 2 young boys attend Moncton Wesleyan. Here is their story:

Not long after my family moved to the Moncton area 4 years ago, I felt called to serve at Moncton Wesleyan. I am now in my 4th year with the children's ministry at Moncton Wesleyan, and I get much satisfaction spending time with the boys on Sunday mornings in Jesus' presence. I hope and pray that I can help them develop a relationship with Jesus that will become stronger as they grow.

I grew up in a Christian household. My parents were devout Christians who made it their duty to teach my 2 sisters and I about God. I knew about Jesus and what he did, but it wasn't until one December night in 2005, in my laundry room, that I got the wake-up call. It was time for more.

Since then, I've been desiring a relationship with Jesus Christ. It's not enough anymore to be knowledgeable about God. I want to live my life for Him... with Him.

Kim Mitchell shares part of her story in an interesting email recently received...

Hi there, Just wanted to follow up with you about the crazy pressure that I am under now, thanks to you. Thanks to you, I no longer get to sit home on Wednesday evenings. Thanks you, I have to drive my 11-year old daughter to Xplosion every Wednesday. Thanks to you, I don't get to just jump in the car and run her over to the church though. Thanks to you, I have to leave the house at 5:55 to start what I call the "bus run". Thanks to you, my 7-passenger minivan is full. Thanks to you, we are faced with having to use both vehicles now to bring all my daughter's unchurched friends to Xplosion. Thanks to you, not only are we picking them up, but they are now inviting others and their parents have a big enough buy-in to what you're doing, they're willing to drive their own kids AND pick up others. At this point, thanks to you, there are approximately 10 unchurched middle school students willingly and enthusiastically walking into a church, on a Wednesday evening, to hang out with church kids and adults and hear that Jesus loves them and wants to be in their lives. Thanks to you, I get to have a part in this. My sincere thanks to you for giving my daughter a venue to not only grow in her own spiritual life, but to extend that opportunity to the kids she spends all day with at school - those that will have the greatest opportunity to influence her daily choices. Thanks to you.

How has God changed your life? Has our ministry impacted your life and led you in a closer relationship with Jesus Christ? We would like to hear from you! Share your story 300 words or less and help us let others know how God is changing lives. If you are willing to allow us to publish your story on our website, click here to email our Executive Assistant, Joyce Gildart, or drop hard copy off to Kim our Receptionist.