Testimonies

Testimony of David Rakers

I'm a Christian since 13 February 1995. My conversion to the Christian faith was drastic and impactful but also very necessary. I was brought up in a loving family where my parents where believers in Jesus Christ. They took me from an early age to the Indonesian church. At the age of 18 I left that church. My father had already passed away (much to young by the way), so my mother took care of me and my 3 brothers and 3 sisters. This was very though for her and sometimes difficult. However her faith in God kept her strong and committed. The moment I left church, I plunged into life so to speak and enjoyed my much desired freedom. During that time I had many girlfriends (in Dutch they say 'in elke stad een schat'), spent foolishly money like water (which I still regret until this day) and lived a life of a drunkard at night and during the day as a successful business owner (IT company with more then 50 employees) tohether with two other partners. However during these years I felt empty inside. At first I did not noticed that but as the years progressed I felt lonely despite all the business successes, money, cars, power and the many women. I did my best to ignore those feelings constantly. 

Also my life had developed into a toxic life style of selfishness, dishonesty and disrespect. I was egoistic, hurting many people and women on the way including my family members and most of all my mom. After some years, seeing my despair she pleaded with me to change my life and invited me to go to church. After many attempts, I agreed and went with my mother and my fiance. To be honest, I did not enjoy the church service at all however after the service, I bought two books at the book table. The titles where "God and relationships' and "The revelation of heaven and hell'. The first book I bought because I was engaged to be married (with a photo model) and thought that it was the right thing to do and squeeze God into our marriage. For the second book (at this day I do not remember why I bought this book) I could see afterwards Gods hand in this for He was leading me towards a pivotal and important moment in my life which changed everything. That dramatic moment came in February 1995.

Remember, I was a drunkard, a womanizer, egoistic and not interested at all in my family (brothers, sisters and my mom). Well, that life changing day, the 12th of February 1995, I could not sleep and went to my library and took the book "The revelation of heaven and hell' written by Mary Baxter and starting reading it. Mary was taken by Jesus himself to heaven and hell and to write about it because this place is very real and terrifying. When I started reading her book, I still can remember the time. It was 22:30 in the evening and it was raining outside. I lived at that time in a all most woorden house in Kwintsheul (Westland). I read the complete book and finished it around 05:30 in the morning. And believe me, a strong conviction and great fear came over me. I was terrified. Mary´ s book contained stories of men and women from all walks of life such as business people, young people, career people who lived just like me and ended up in hell. Jesus showed her this. I did not want to end up in hell. O no! So I prayed a simple prayer to God. This prayer was mentioned at the end of her book and was about repenting and asking for forgiveness for my life and sins. I was offered redempsion so there and then in my study I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Now, to be honest I did not see any angels (that happend much later which I will share in another storey) nor heard ´´¨Hallelujah. So, after my prayer I took a shower and went to my company in Amsterdam and went on doing business as usual. As a business team we always went for drink after office hours and so did I. However the beer tasted strange and I did not liked it anymore. Afterwards I realized that is was God who delivered me from my alcohol addiction but next to that also from my egoistic life style. Something had changed in me.

Another thing I was used to was enjoying the night life in The Hague. However not long after my ṕrayer experience one evening, a bouncer who was actually a sort of a friend of me, attacked me by hitting my head leaving me bleeding on the floor due to a huge crack in my forehead. The x-rays in the hospital showed a large crack in my skull (and is still as a silent witness for my disobiedience). So, I started thinking and pondering why this had happend. I was convinced that God did not wanted me to go there anymore because it was also a very dangerous place because of the people (gang members, drug dealers etc.). Then, finally it dawned on me that God was leading me to change my life. So, I took some drastic steps and made some life changing decisions. I stopped my engagement with my fiancé (because I did not loved her) and also sold my company shares. I heard God speak to me to do that (it is also an interesting story which I also will share one day on this website). I felt that God was calling me to change my live and follow Him. So I did. Because of that, I also start praying (for the very first time) for a Godly wife and what He wanted me to do with my life. After 7 months of prayer, I met Janna and seven months later we married. I'm still happily married with Janna already 27 years. Iḿ God still grateful for that. We have two lovely children Shemayah (age 22) and Ben-David (age 17). Also since that moment I had a strong desire to equipe, train and help business people and leaders and especially young people and young professionals. So I became a business trainer and business coach. Until now I'm still doing this in my company, davidrakers.com. Since then time God took me on a journey and thought me many things from His word, the Bible. He has led me to become a Godly husband, father and business man, trainer, coach, guest lecturer and speaker. I must say and admit that God has been good to me and gave me many business successes.

When you would ask me If I would do it again and make a drastic decision for Christ as in 1995, I would passionatly say 'yes' regretting not choosing for God earlier in my life. This choice was the best thing that ever took place in my life. And of course my life was and still is not always perfect. We went with my wife, children and family also through difficult times and events such as the passing of my mother, brother and sister. In 2016 I suffered a hearth attack and during my business life we sometimes lived on the brink of bankruptcy. So, my life and was and still is not always easy. However now I can go to a loving Father in heaven and to listen to Him so I know what to do. Because He knows everything that concerns my life for He created me from the beginning. I also know that I have eternal life with God in heaven, will see all my loved ones in heaven. More importantly, I have a real and personal relationship with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. I seek His face daily. I'm happy, healthy and doing fine in life because of Him. Choosing God, Jesus and Holy Spirit is challenging but I tell you honestly, it is worth it. He loves you unconditional and wants the very best for you in every aspect of your life, family, career and business. I can tell you many more stories, experiences and share about God but I stop now.

If you recognize my story and you feel that you want to change your life, pray this simple prayer:

Dear God, I'm so sorry for my sins and the way I have lived my life. Please forgive me and cleanse me from every sin in my live through Jesus Christ, your son and His blood which He shed on the cross for me.. Come into my life now. I surrender myself to You. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I thank you God that you will help me to change my life from no on according to Your plans and will. I pray this in mighty name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

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When you have prayed this prayer, just let me know. I would love to meet you (online or personally) and listen to your story. Or if you have any questions, please email me at david@davidrakers.com. Be blessed. David John Rakers.