I was born in India into a Hindu Brahmin family - raised by my mother as my father died in a plane crash when I was one year old. Hinduism is a religion full of myths, multiple gods and rituals. Being a Brahmin meant I was of a priestly class - expected to master all the rituals and ceremonies. I was religious as a child, but quickly outgrew Hinduism as a teenager. The various rituals and verse memorizations in a language I did not understand made no sense to me. Late-night discussions with my friends at college exposed me to various views on God and led me to conclude there was no clear proof that God existed. I decided to become an atheist.

I arrived in the United States as a 21 year old student, adopting the materialistic lifestyle, living with no supervision or guidance, and making all my decisions based on what was best for me. During the next 15 years, I finished my education, found a job, and became more and more successful while becoming more and more alienated from God.

This worked well until the year of 2001. The events of September 11 shook me up and made me re-evaluate the whole question of God and His relationship to the world we live in. It was suddenly clear to me that evil existed and therefore good must exist also. I started believing in God again, but in a purely cerebral way. I didn't know how to worship Him or have a relationship with Him.

At this time, I met my wife, Monica. I was drawn to her confidence and her relationship with God. Though surprised to learn of my former atheism, she took the time to share the basics of Christianity with me and invited me to visit Orchard Hill. I came kicking and screaming the first few times, but quickly warmed up to speakers and began attending Orchard Hill regularly with her. I soon read two books by Lee Stroebel which helped me to understand the person of Jesus Christ and why He is important to each and every one of us. I still had many questions and Monica patiently answered all of them.  Eventually, I understood that one is saved by faith in Jesus Christ alone, that He is the Son of God, and that we can enjoy a relationship with Him. We simply need to embrace Him. One evening, sitting alone in my apartment, I finally did exactly that.

Since then, I have seen the Lord do wonderful things in my life. I married my wife Monica and we have now been happily married for three years. I have two wonderful step-children, Nick and Lacy, and have great relationships with them. We all serve in KidsQuest in the children's ministry and it is such a blessing to do this together. I joined a men's group at Orchard Hill two years ago. Here I have learned so much more about what God's plan is for me in terms of being a man, a husband and a father and how to relate to others as God intended. I have an active prayer life centered on the Bible and am constantly grateful for God's blessing of my life and this wonderful church. I continue to offer my life as a gift to God in return for the grace He has given me. My name is Sriram Ramanathan and this is my story.