Testimonies

Ethan Connolly

July 2026

Testimony by Ethan

I suffered with social anxiety for as long as I can remember. It was a constant battle I faced. I constantly overthought every conversation and at certain times, I thought people hated me because I might have said something wrong. Because of this, I hated interacting with people and didn’t want to be put in situations where large crowds were present. I was home-schooled where my parents and my Granddad taught me a variety of different subjects, alongside life skills. I was also raised in a Christian household, so I knew about God my entire life.  

I was diagnosed with a condition called Dyspraxia at the age of thirteen. Dyspraxia is a condition that affects my coordination and how I plan and process tasks. I was evaluated as being on the lower end of the spectrum, which means some things like communication, learning, or social situations can be extra hard for me. Once I did my GCSEs and passed, I found it hard to decide how to proceed for the future and then we found this College in Wisbech called, ‘The College of West Anglia.’ We saw this course called, ‘Fresh Start.’ The description sounded like it was the right choice, and it would help me gain confidence and learn life skills. However, it was for people who dropped out of school or were badly behaved, and it became evident that this was a bad setting for me. I did two years going through that course and then I chose to do an IT course in the same College.

Being in College wasn’t the best experience in my life but it allowed opportunities for me to share my faith. Some people were generally interested about my faith and approached me with difficult questions regarding topics like homosexuality. Others mocked my faith and even encouraged me to swear, which I forcefully resisted. I believe that God led me through those particularly hard years, and it was something I needed to complete because it taught me confidence and how to interact with others. I believe God guided me through the years and gave courage and opportunities for me to share my faith with others.  

When I got older, I could fake being confident. I seemed confident in front of people but inside, I was shaking like a leaf. I would hide my Dyspraxia and only bring it up If it was necessary. As I got older, there were new experiences I had to overcome. One of the challenges were going on public transport by myself. Something that might have been easier for other people, seemed to be a real challenge for me. I asked for people to pray, and God heard it. I was on the bus and suddenly, out of nowhere, my fear was overtaken by a sense of peace. This peace I felt inside me was something I cannot describe. It was a peace I knew came from The Holy Spirit.

Since coming to Fenland Church, I have found a sense of community that I needed. I believe God was guiding me to this Church and gave me this fellowship of people. He knew exactly what I needed and since coming, I have been encouraged in my faith and learned more about Jesus. I know I am a sinner but there is no condemnation for those who live in Christ.

Romans 8:1-2  “..and I want more people to know who he is, follow him and how they can find peace and salvation.”

Matthew 6:34: “Therefore, do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

John 14:6: “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

Romans 5:8: “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Jenny Chapman

March 2026

My parents were Christians. They lived their lives around serving God. My father was an elder in our local church. At that church I heard about the good things Jesus said and did. However, at school, I had a 'best friend' who was a few different than me. We were 10 years old. This friend did lots of things that I knew were wrong but I went along with what she did (she was my friend). One thing she liked to do was steal things. She took stuff that did not belong to her, or me, and I was in on it. I had to help her and not tell anyone. Eventually, the class teacher challenged the thief to own up. We didn't own up and I felt bad for weeks knowing we had done wrong. I believed that the Bible is God's Word for everyone and that He will forgive our sins through Jesus. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 I knew that I needed to say sorry for what I had done. So, I knelt by my bed and asked God for forgiveness and trusted that He would because of what Jesus has done for us. I began to learn more about God's ways and, in my teens, I was baptised. My text was: 5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV) We used the King James Version then — there were very few others available. Now 70 years after that sad time of stealing, I remain trusting in God and in His Word. I have experienced the Lord's help in many ways. Too many to mention here. So I will tell you of something that happened very recently. A few weeks ago, I met two Malaysian Christian women at a funeral. As we chatted, they asked if they could pray for me about a bad sore on my upper lip. I had been treating this with a steroid prescribed at the hospital. They prayed in Jesus’ Name for healing. My husband noticed improvement almost straight away! Within a week the sore place and scabs had gone. I had been treating the sore all summer! It had become very uncomfortable and would crack and bleed. I am thankful that the Lord heard their prayer (and mine). It is, perhaps, a small miracle — but it illustrates what I have experienced of God's grace all through my life.