The Christians at Ebenezer Hall, Lockerbie
Ebenezer Hall, 4 Park Place, Lockerbie, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, DG11 2HG
Stephan Brandt's Testimony
My Story by Stephan (Malte) Brandt
Stephan's testimony was recorded by New Cumnock Gospel Hall, so you can listen to or download the recording:
Rejections and Depressions
My Name is Stephan (Malte) Brandt. I was born in Germany. I never had the privilege to know my biological parents who gave me up for adoption after I was just over one year old. I spent 18 months with a foster family, when in 1974 a single lesbian children's nurse took me into her home and finally adopted me in 1978. She was very good to me and took care of me. However, her lesbian practices are condemned as sin by a righteous God (see Leviticus 18:22). During my childhood I went to three different Primary Schools. This was because of my adopted mother's frequent moves due to employment.
My teenage years were spent in the little town of Lilienthal.
When I was 17, my adopted mother and her much younger lesbian girlfriend immigrated to Ireland. I recall those years with sorrow as I suffered from depressions and loneliness. I became interested in the occult and new age (Astrology, Tarot cards etc.). I am convinced that those involvements drove me to two attempts to take my own life with the aid of sleeping pills. I spent a few nights in a Mental Institution because of these suicidal attempts. I also went to see a New Age Healer, which is something that God has prohibited in His law (Deuteronomy 18:9-13).
A new life in Scotland
In the summer of 1996 I left Ireland for the South-west of Scotland. I intended to become a Buddhist and live in a community near Eskdalemuir in Dumfries and Galloway. I had travelled for over 36 hours and was exhausted when I finally made it to the Samye Ling Centre on the 1st of August 1996.
However, I was not permitted to stay at the centre because I did not have enough money! I had no other option but to make my way to the nearest regional town. I slept under the stars on a lonely mountainous road. And the following night I was happy enough to set up camp on a golf course in Dumfries.
The next day this was Saturday 3rd of August 1996. I met a local man in the centre of Dumfries who introduced me to a company of local Christians who took good care of me. He also let me stay in his home for the next night and was instrumental in my conversion to Christ. I still remember the tract that He passed to me, which made mentioned of the glorious fact of the "risen Christ". And I believed the biblical and historical truth of the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead opened the eyes of my understanding.
I Have been blessed!
I have been a Christian Believer ever since. The God of Heaven and Earth has blessed me with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 1:3).
My Christian Life and Service
I have had the wonderful privilege of finding many likeminded people and Believers in my Christian Life. I spent the first Year of my Christian walk at the Elim Church at Dumfries, which is now operating as the Christian Lighthouse Centre. Then in November 1997 I became a Member of Bethany Hall in Buccleuch Street, Dumfries where I met my wife Joy, whom I married in 2000 and we have three lovely children together. It was during my four years at Bethany Hall, that I learned about Christian Doctrine and Teaching. Many older members have been especially helpful in guiding me in the ways of God more perfectly. Brothers like Jimmy MacDonald and Robert Weir have since gone to be with Jesus in Heaven.
Furthermore, I have been able to communicate my Christian faith to fellow football lovers in Dumfries. In the Year 1999-2000 our Church at Bethany Hall enrolled in the Christian Football League. We were able to contact some guys from outside the Church fellowship to come and play with us. Do you recognize yourself on the Team Bethany picture?
A Great Trip
Among the many exciting things Christians do, is to pass on relevant literature to people. Big global events such as The Football World Cup etc.
In 1998 I joined fellow Christians John Wilson and Jim Shanks on an outreach trip to Paris. We gave out thousands of Christian leaflets in many different languages.
My Professional Life as a Christian
Before I had become a Christian, I did not work very much. This was due to the general economic situation in the Republic of Ireland but also to my lazy attitude.
However, I started working as a Christian in Scotland as ordinary Distributor for Betterware. Knocking on doors and selling household items. In 1999 I spent 18 great months at Focal Point Electrical in Dumfries. Finally, a real break as far as a subsequent career came in May 2001 when I was employed by Inghams Travel as Overseas Resort Representative in Austria.
A New Life in Austria!
My career move led to a permanent base for my wife and our oldest daughter, when we moved to Fuschl and later to St. Gilgen in Austria in December 2001.
We met many wonderful Christian Believers at the Assemblies at Salzburg and Bad Ischl. We also made many friends with some of the locals and my work colleagues from Panorama Tours, Salzburg.
Greetings to all our friends in Austria! Among them are the Crawfords, Peter, Hubert, Inge, Monika and Adolf We hope to see you all soon again!
Return to Scotland
After spending two lovely years working in the Tourism Industry in Austria I decided that I would like to enrol in a Degree Course in Tourism and Heritage at the Crichton Campus Dumfries. So we packed our things and went back to Bonnie Scotland in July 2003. I have found part time employment in retail and hope to graduate in 2007 God willing.
New Challenges in Lockerbie
We are all part of a great family as Christian Believers and we have ambitions and desire for our fellowship to grow numerically and spiritually. Stephen and I are taking a particular interest in Christian work for Children.
The people of Lockerbie needs to know of how much God loves them and has given his own Son to die on the cruel cross for them. My sincere hope is that by publishing part of my life story on this website that I can testify of the wonderful saving and keeping power of the risen Lord Jesus Christ.