A wife's love for her husband and a Christianity Explored course helped an IT professional come to trust in Christ.

Darren and Emily Fowler had known each other for a decade before Darren chose to join his wife in following Jesus.

The 40-year-old, father of two who works in North Sydney for an IT company has been married to Emily for eight years but only put his faith in Christ in July 2006.

While Emily has been a Christian since high school, Darren chose to walk away from his Christian upbringing in his teenage years.

"I went to All Saints, Parramatta North because Mum was keen for us to attend Church," Darren says.

In July 2006, Emily was keen to gain a deeper understanding of Christianity and asked Darren to attend the Christianity Explored (CE) course with her. Darren says he would not have attended such a course without her.

"I had some discussions with Emily and she was going to a regular Bible study but she didn’t really try to share the gospel with me before CE. Things didn’t change for me until she took me to the CE course and we started talking about Christianity in more depth," Darren says.

"CE was the first time I really investigated Christianity. CE gave me the opportunity to find out who Christ was and if he was really who he said he was."

Darren says his big change came while reading the Parable of the Sower.

"At first it didn’t make too much sense to me but once it was explained to me properly it just clicked," Darren says.

"I realised that I missed the point. I wasn’t at the centre of the parable but Christ was. Once I realised that I wasn’t at the centre it made sense and then I understood the importance of Christ’s sacrifice."

The CE leaders played an essential role in assisting Darren's understanding of the Bible.

"The CE leaders were very patient and without them I would have struggled and probably not have become a Christian. They facilitated great discussions rather than stick to a rigid format. I became a Christian when I looked at who Christ is and believed that he was who he said he was."

However, Darren says it wasn't making the commitment, but changing the habits of a lifetime, that has been most difficult.

"What’s ahead in life always worried me. I find it hard to change habits of a lifetime " things like improving my patience," he admits.

"But since then I have started exploring the scriptures and working out how they apply to me in my daily life. I spend time understanding the Bible’s message and what it means to me rather than just turning up to Church occasionally. This has really changed the way I live. I think I have become more caring and Emily says that I am more patient. I'm more relaxed at home and work. I don’t let problems overwhelm me. Overall, I don’t think I am as self-centered as before."

Darren's church involvement has also grown. He has joined a weekly Bible study group with Emily and he has also joined a reading group.

"At Bible study we have just finished the book of Daniel. In the reading group we're currently reading How Long O Lord by Carson. The book that I have enjoyed the most is Pilgrim’s Progress."

Darren also enjoys building relationships and doing personal evangelism.

"I enjoy speaking with people who are new to Christianity or thinking about Christianity. Emily and I are happy to talk about our faith and have had a lot of discussions with friends and family who aren’t Christian."

Darren and Emily started attending St Thomas’, North Sydney because they were looking for a church to attend regularly and wanted their children Angela (8) and Sarah (6) to go to church.

"Being a Christian has helped me teach the kids that how much stuff we have is not the most important thing in life," Darren says.

"I want my children to grow up in a loving environment, give them as many opportunities as possible and give them the chance to learn about Christ."

Darren says knowing that Christ’s sacrifice has helped him "enormously".

"It was the reason why I put my faith in Christ," Darren says.

"I now better understand God’s word and his plan. This has really changed how I live my life " as a husband, at work and as a parent."