I was brought up in a Christian family, going to church every week where I was an altar boy. Therefore, faith has always been part of my life, but it wasn't until I was 13 that it became more than just a weekly routine and actually became the driving force of my life.

A friend invited me along to our school's Christian Union, and it was like having a light switched on for the very first time. During the weeks and months after that I began to understand God's love for us and the truths of the Bible more clearly, and became more and more interested and fascinated by the life of Christ and the message of Christianity. It wasn't a conscious decision I made myself, but instead felt like God choosing to open himself up to me - I went along with it, and seven years later I haven't looked back!

Since giving my life to Christ, the day-to-day events of life haven't changed that much; if you think that becoming a Christian will take away all your problems then you have another thing coming! However, what my faith has done is to provide me with the knowledge that when problems do come along, I don't have to deal with them on my own. Christ is always there for all of us, especially in times of need, and for me personally I have seen him intervene in some of my toughest moments.

God never leaves us, and if we invite him in to take control of our lives then we will be able to live according to the plans he has for us, and therefore realise our full potential. As it says in St Paul's letter to the Philippians, 'I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.' (Philippians 4:13)