My story

Th.Lic. Vladimir Beregi: I have a different way for you
Born on 8th Dec 1972 in Košice, priest since 27th Oct 2007
In charge of religious association Koinoia John the Baptist – Oasis Sklene, Slovakia (Koinoia Jan Krsitel – Oaza Sklene, SK), chaplain in Horna Stubna, Diocese of Banska Bystrica, SK

I would like to tell you how I found God the story started nearly 18years ago. The testimony, you are starting to read, is based on a living God who loves each of us. On 6th January 1994 I was exposed to this experience and my life was changed radically – the one before was life without Him, without faith and spiced up by various experiences.

Till that moment it was routine of an urban life of a young man, who was looking for his place, his fulfilment, and his life style. It was my job that distinguished me a bit from others. I was working as a policeman, in a special division – emergency squad.

The life was a “game” to me, I wanted always to win. I felt on the top of the world. (svet gombička: feel on top of the world) I was successful in every sphere; I didn’t need anything special - I was simply a proud, conceited, stubborn boy. The work as a policeman/the special squad was just addition to that. I felt to be untouchable and genius. I felt as I could do everything by myself. I spent most of my time with friends; we daily managed various challenges and experiences. I went in for bodybuilding, I loved adrenalin and they didn’t have to invite me twice to a disco or parties.

I didn’t know anything about God - to be honest He didn’t interest me at all. I considered it as a waste of time. Some boys were Christians, they visited church every Sunday. They talked about Him, but still - nothing for me. I was sure I wanted to enjoy the life – so far I was successful. But I wasn’t aware that someone else is interested in my life. Someone, who was concerned so that I didn’t get lost in the net of my ego. It was someone, who had already seen me, who had already loved me in my mother’s womb. I mean God, who started to act in that period so that I didn’t finish in emptiness and blindness. He decided to give me something more I had been living till then.

At my work I learned how to use the moment of surprise. That was the cutting edge of each police raid. I had no idea that one day it will be God who surprises me. Once my friend invited me to a Christian worship meeting where some of the friends started to participate. In the worship they invited those who wanted to taste living God to come to the front. I didn’t want to go there, at all – but at last I did. I wanted to show my friends that I am not afraid and that I am free. It was strange to me as I had never experienced before that someone was praying for me. They wanted me to repeat – I remember these words exactly: “If you live, Jesus, please, let me know you.” It was my first prayer in my life. I didn’t believe it will happen – it did!

On 6th January I went to downtown alone. It was about 7.30 pm. Passing along the St. Elisabeth Cathedral (Kosice, SK) I suddenly realised that someone was stopping me. I felt someone’s presence. I couldn’t understand it, it didn’t make sense. One thing was clear – he directed me right into the church that was open. I do not know how – suddenly I was on my knees. I knew something was happening in me, but I couldn’t explain it. Surprised by myself, not even understanding what all that mysterious presence meant - tears started to flow from my eyes.

I was surrounded by silence. Suddenly a voice took me by surprise asking: “Vladko, why are you crying?” (Vladko is a diminutive of name Vladimir) I turned around immediately, thinking somebody sows me in the church – but nobody was there. I felt something was changing within me. The voice talked to me again: “Stand up and go, I have a different way for you.”

That word perceived my heart so much that in one moment I was completely penetrated and filled by it. It was like a burning fire inside. Touched and marked by this experience I went out from the church. Thinking of it what had happened to me, I unexpectedly stopped and found out that my attitude to God is totally new. I felt Him there, with me. In that moment I firstly confessed Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour. I perceived Him as a friend and the One who was able to surprise me and to grand me new freedom. My heart was full of joy and my inside was penetrated by unusual peace. That was the beginning of my new life.

Soon I bought a Bible I started to read, I was devouring each word. It didn’t take a month and I, who had hardly read a book, finished the whole Bible. Every day was new for me. I rapidly started to change my attitudes, my vocabulary, my deeds. It was the time of discovering, the time of healing by God´s presence, time of repentance when I realised my empty and absurd acts. I realised that I was becoming more myself. I didn’t have to pretend anything, I didn’t need to act. There was no need to present myself, so that the others noticed me. I simply tasted new life. In that time, I again and again heard: “I have a different way for you.” It resonated in me so I started to ask Jesus, what it meant. The answer came when I met my friend, a priest, who told me about a meeting of renewal in Holy Spirit. A priest – the founder of the community Koinoia John the Baptist - was invited to come there. I felt motion for that in my heart, so I asked more.

He told me that in this community live people as brothers and sisters together who completely consecrated their life to Jesus Christ for new evangelisation. That news got me and brought an echo inside. I felt that the word: “I have a different way for you” is connected exactly with this community. After a short while it was clear for me. It was decided! I knew that God calls me for new things.

In summer 1995 I finished working as a policeman and left for Koinoia John the Baptist in Italy. I found my full life right in consecrated life. I started this new experience and richly were fulfilled the words that Jesus addressed to St. Peter: “Come after me and I will make you fishers of people” (Mt, 4,19).

This story wants to be an encouragement for you, who you are reading it. I want to tell you about God who filled my life in abundance. My life wasn’t dull or boring – on the contrary God introduced Himself to me as the One who has even more for me, much more. It is God who can positively surprise a person. I trusted Him and He hasn’t let me down. He made me “peoples´ fisherman”. I can serve Him today as a priest in the assurance: “You didn’t choose me, no, I chose you” (Jn, 15,16a)