I was born in Bihar, a land rich in religious heritage—the birthplace of Buddhism, the cradle of Jainism, and a sacred site for Sikhism with the birth of Guru Gobind Singh. I grew up in a Hindu family, surrounded by devotion, reverence, and respect not only for our own faith but for all religions.
My mother, a deeply spiritual woman and a preacher of Lord Shiva, taught me to respect all paths to God. I still remember how she placed Jesus, the Kaaba, and Hindu gods together on the wall, an image that stayed with me, silently whispering that God is bigger than labels.
I joined the Shiva Shishya movement as a young boy, following my mother’s path. But as I matured, questions began to surface—questions about ritual, theological contradictions, and the inconsistency between practice and belief. My soul felt unsettled. Eventually, I strayed—not just from Hinduism, but from any sense of God.
For years, I lived far from faith. I pursued a career in modeling, winning Mr. Bihar 2003, and tasted everything the world had to offer. I lived in indulgence—alcohol, substances, the nightlife. I was externally shining but internally fractured. I was not actively seeking God but searching for truth, even if I didn’t realize it then.
The Turning Point
In 2006, my mother met with a serious accident. We took her to Vellore, Tamil Nadu, for rehabilitation. In a hospital ward of all places, I first encountered a group of Seventh-day Adventist youth who visited patients every Saturday. They sang, they prayed, they stayed. Their presence was gentle, but their sincerity was striking.
Then came the moment that changed everything: I watched a video by Pr Doug Batchelor titled The Richest Caveman. Something inside me broke open. I found myself praying, really praying, for the first time. I asked God to help me stop smoking, and He answered. I didn’t smoke for the next three days. It may seem small, but it was God’s whisper: “I hear you.”
A God Who Listens, A Faith That Answers
That moment sparked a fire. I dove into Bible studies through Amazing Facts, began reading the Scriptures, and suddenly, it all started to make sense. Grace, forgiveness, and salvation were no longer abstract ideas—they became life-giving truths.
I was baptized on October 22, 2007. But let us get one thing straight:
I did not become a Christian for rice. I did not become a Christian for money.
“I became a Christian because I met Christ.”
If I wanted material benefits, I chose the wrong religion. I went to Spicer College with only Rs. 15,000. I cleaned toilets. I worked as a dormitory monitor until 2 AM to pay tuition. I lost my community, my friends, and for 15 years, I lost my family. Nothing about my conversion was comfortable.
And yet, I never looked back.
Why Not Another Religion?
People often ask: “Why Christianity? Why not Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, or Sikhism?” I studied them. I almost converted to Islam because I found some powerful answers there. But it still left gaps. It couldn’t complete me the way Christ did. Christianity didn’t just inform my mind—it healed my soul.
Christianity gave me clarity, whereas others gave me complexity. It gave me grace instead of guilt, freedom over fear, and a personal God who walked with me, not just demanded from me.
A Transformed Life
So what has Christianity done for me?
- It took a broken, restless, worldly man and made him whole.
- It gave me patience, love, and purpose.
- It gave me hope when everything else felt meaningless.
- It taught me humility and service.
- Today, I am pursuing my second doctorate, not because I am exceptional, but because God made it possible. I know He has a bigger plan for me. Not for my glory but to exalt his Holy name.
Why Should Someone Else Consider Christianity?
Not because of material benefits. Not because of pressure. Not because of guilt or fear.
But when you seek with all your heart, you will find a truth that fills the emptiness. A truth that answers the questions, not silences them. A truth that is not afraid of your doubts, but welcomes them.
I am a Christian not because of a person, a denomination, or a benefit.
I am a Christian because Christ found me in my darkest hour—and loved me anyway.
So to answer the question:
Why am I a Christian?
Because in Jesus, I found what I was always searching for—truth, purpose, and a love that never let me go.
Yours,
Santosh Kumar
Wow!