“I lost all meaning … and it continued when I got back to Australia. Eventually, I ended up in a psychiatric hospital at age 24. But even after that, I didn’t always take my medication. I was in and out of hospital, until I was at death’s door, at age 32.

“I’d lost all hope. I’d tried everything except the right way. And that’s when I cried out to God at 2am. I just said, ‘God, help me!’ And I suddenly felt his presence. I wasn’t even expecting it. I just cried out because I couldn’t think of anything else to do. He was real. It was such a surprise! But in that moment, I felt there was hope.

“My aunt was a Catholic nun and she invited me to the convent the next week. I prayed there. After that, I went to a local church and I heard people praying. I thought they were crazy, but I went back the next week, and I responded to an altar call. I gave my life to Jesus.

“Since then, it hasn’t always been easy. But I like Romans 10:13, “Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” It’s true! We can call out to God and he hears us, even when we’re not expecting him! And I know that God knows … everything.”

Geoff’s story is part of Eternity’s Faith Stories series, compiled by Naomi Reed. Click here for more Faith Stories.