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I’ve never written a conversion scene before (*coughs* except for the one in the story I wrote when I was nine, and that was utterly horrible). I did write my testimony last summer before I was baptized, but my story, like @trufflehunter‘s, was pretty boring since I had very little life before Christ (thankfully!). Although that is ideal, it doesn’t exactly make an interesting scene for a contest. xD

However, I have read a ton of amazing conversion stories in missionary biographies. There are a million powerful stories about barbaric tribes who sacrificed children, poured boiling oil on people for trivial offences, murdered all twins because they thought they were bewitched, buried people alive, etc., and when the gospel came into their village, people were transformed one by one. They’re true stories, but we could make up our own with a little imagination and use the true ones as models.

So, when I took the baptism class, I was taught about the basic elements that should be included in a salvation testimony. Although we’re not exactly writing a testimony, it might be helpful to follow those guidelines so the story has the effect of showing to the reader the need for a Savior, the way of salvation, and the evidence of a life transformed by the gospel. It will be difficult to do this sort of thing without being preachy or cliche, but I think we can do it.

The elements are:

1. The “before” (This would be showing the character’s sin and inner need for God, and showing the ways they’ve tried and failed to satisfy it.)
2. The “how” (The circumstances that caused the character to consider Christ and the events that lead to conversion. This would probably be the climax.)
3. The “after” (Showing how the inner need has been fulfilled and showing how Christ has changed the character’s life.)

This before/how/after format is how Paul’s testimony in Acts 26 is laid out, as well.

Anyway, that’s what I’ve got! I like what @julia suggested about putting something at stake. It would be good for the character to struggle with fear for something, and then end up surrendering it to God.

This YouTube video is the story behind a well known song (“I Have Decided to Follow Jesus”), and it is the story how a persecuted family in India lead to the conversion of a tribal chief. I’d encourage you all to check it out. It’s tragic, but beautiful. Here’s the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_KOBSu_A4LU&list=PL7Sfozoa4jj8_V9YQCOa6dU8YjObiasut&index=29&t=55s