Before I Trusted Christ

I was born in a Buddhist-Taoist family and was educated in a Buddhist primary school. All these years, I had never questioned what I had been worshipping until I was in my youth. No doubt I believed in the existence of Christ Jesus but I could never understand why one can be forgiven for his/her sins. I only believed in Karma. However, things took a change in more recent years. I had doubts about certain worship practices at home and I decided that I should find out more about the different religions and commit myself to one that I will truly believe in. Interestingly, I asked my friend to bring me to church but it turned out that there was no service that day. There was this certain desire in me to find out more about the Christian faith, so I requested that my friend lend me her bible. I read up a little but without guidance, I soon gave up. Though I still remembered my initial intention, I seemed to have lost that curiosity about the faith since then.

 

How I Trusted Christ

This year, a few of my closer colleagues invited me to church and shared with me their personal experiences with God. I went to two services and a cell group meeting but still, I was not moved. However, I have been touched by the love of my friends for God, especially by the passion in them to serve Him. Then one after another, more friends shared with me the gospel and the turning point was when Mrs. Chua invited me to attend the Alpha course in BBTC. The course had brought me nearer to God but I chose not to accept Christ unless I am touched and am totally convinced that he is real.

One day I was at a bus-stop and there was an old notice board which had some dark patches of dirt on it that resembled a face. The first thought that struck me very deeply was, “That looks like Jesus!” I could not stop thinking about it. The next day, I chatted with a friend and he encouraged me to take the step even if my faith was as small as a mustard seed. The same night, I was tidying my room and I came across this bookmark I received upon my Alpha course graduation that read “Jesus is the answer”. Suddenly, I understood what I saw the day before. The same instant, I remembered that I had seen the same notice board a few months back and that it provoked the same thought in me. Still I was not all convinced because I thought I had so recently watched “Passion of the Christ” that made me interpret the image as Jesus. However, I realized that it was way back in February 2004 that I watched the show and the only possible explanation for what I was experiencing was probably the work of God. Hence, I prayed to the Father and told him that I would convert to Christianity if I may have blessings from my parents. Indeed God never fails! Though not both my parents were equally supportive, they showed respect for the decision I wanted to make. I received Christ on the 17th November 2005.

 

After I Trusted Christ

On 12th December 2005, I went with some FCBC church friends to Muar for a three-day prayer retreat. That was my next closest encounter with God. During the days I was there, I prayed to God that He would strengthen my faith in Him, that I might settle in a cell group soon and that I might have the gift of tongues. During the first two days, I saw God working miraculously on my brothers and sisters but not seemingly so on me. However, just during my last prayer session before departure, God answered all my prayers. I got myself a spiritual mother, someone prayed over and blessed me with the gift of tongues, and very importantly, my faith for God has since leapt to a higher level! This encounter also taught me a lesson that the Father always listens and is always faithful!

Since then, my encounters with God never cease. I feel blessed that FCBC has in store for me so many opportunities to meet God and to renew my faith through encounters and camps. Just last Saturday during the Youth Camp, I was slain for the first time. That was truly an intimate encounter with God!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mrs Chua Yock Lan and family for their love, patience and continuous encouragement; Elder Jeffrey, for showing me God’s love and providing humourous anecdotes; Alvin and Lynette, who have been such great leaders; the organizing committee members of the Alpha course, for their time and efforts, and lastly, Kian Seh, for his unfailing company throughout the course and for sharing the Gospel. Last but not least, I would like to thank my spiritual family for their support this while, especially Jaclyn and Melissa through whom I have learnt a lot from.