Juan Penner - New Members Testimony

My name is Juan Penner. I grew up in a home where my parents had different religious beliefs—my mother was Catholic, and my father was Mennonite. Because of this, there were often disagreements and discussions about faith, and from a young age, I was left wondering who was right, what was true, and how I could know for myself. I always had a desire to understand the truth about God, but everyone around me seemed to have different opinions.

When I moved to the United States at 24 and began living on my own, these questions came back to my mind. One day, while sitting in my living room, I prayed and asked God to show me the truth—to reveal Himself to me if He truly existed, and to guide me to the right path and the right church where I could learn about Him.

Some time later, during my first marriage, my ex-wife encouraged me to attend a church in Texas. At first, I went only to please her, expecting it to be like everything I had already seen growing up. But during the service, I felt as though the message was spoken directly to me. For the first time, the questions I had carried since childhood were being answered. I felt a deep sense of clarity and peace.

The pastor invited me to a class for new believers, and there I finally understood that I was a sinner in need of a Saviour. I had grown up believing that salvation came simply through baptism, but I learned that salvation is by grace through faith. This truth brought me peace, and I understood the gospel clearly. I confessed Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour, was baptized, and became part of that church community. From that moment, my life changed.

I became eager to know more about God. I began studying the Bible, attending services, reading Christian books, listening to podcasts, and learning under the guidance and preaching of my pastors. I served in the church and shared the gospel whenever I could.

Later, I moved to Canada and became a truck driver. During that season, my first marriage came to an end when my wife chose to leave, and we later divorced. In God’s kindness, He eventually brought Maria Belem into my life, and we were married a few months ago. Through all of it, the Lord has remained faithful and has continued to shape me through His grace.

Because of my work schedule, I could only attend church occasionally, but I never stopped receiving God’s Word through online sermons, Scripture reading, and Christian teaching. When I left that job, I began searching for a healthy church—one that held to the doctrines of grace, was gospel-centered, practiced expository preaching, and was rooted in a Baptist, evangelical, and Reformed understanding of Scripture.

That search led me to Knox Church. I am grateful for its faithfulness to the gospel and committed to this church, and I look forward to becoming a member and continuing to grow and serve as part of this community.