God can forgive anyone

God can forgive and change anyone – even murderers – as former terrorist and UVF member Bobby Mathieson found out

A former terrorist who served 14 years in prison for crimes including murder is now back behind bars – as a Christian preacher.

Bobby Mathieson was part of the notorious Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) that fought the IRA in the violent Irish fights of the 1980s. He was sentenced to life in prison but was released in 1996. He then formed his own successful business but his demons tormented him and he suffered from depression and contemplated suicide – until he found God in 2008.

Bobby, 52, is now a committed Christian who attends an Elim church, and shares his story with anyone who will listen.

This is nothing new – God changes people,” says Bobby. “The Bible is full of men like me – King David committed adultery and murder but he was the apple of God’s eye. Moses killed an Egyptian but God used him powerfully. Saul was instrumental in Stephen’s death.

“I realised that all these years I’d been believing the lie from the devil that I was beyond redemption.”

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