Weekly Testimonies

MEETING 9/5/2008

Fred – The Lord had a Plan for Me –

I was born in China and came to UCONN for graduate school.  When I arrive in Connecticut a Christian brother provided me a ride from the airport to the campus.  As I visited his house, I learned about God and a seed of His eternal life was planted in me.  Now I know that coming to the United States was the Lord’s will and that He had a plan for me. 

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Joyce – Reading and Studying the Bible made my Mind Clear –

I was born in Taiwan and raised in a Presbyterian family.  At an early age, I was encouraged to attend children’s meetings at the church.  Although I had a touch with the Lord while I was young, it was in the 2nd year of university that I had a serious turn to Him.  This was the time when I was with 30 to 40 other Christian students at my university.  We had Bible memorization competitions.  I discovered that when I spent time to study and memorize the Bible my thinking became clear and I was efficient at my school work.  I found that I saved so much time when I touched the Lord in the Bible. 

Colossians 3:16a Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom.

Ava – In the Lord I found Self-Control –

I was born in China and thought that it was ridiculous and immature for a person to think that a human being could be resurrected.  I considered that self-control was a symbol of maturity.  One should grow to be able to control one’s time, one’s desires and one’s emotions.  Later some difficult situations caused me to touch God.  I broke up with my boyfriend and was unable to go to the university of my choice.  I was depressed for several months and eventually came to the conclusion that I, in myself, was unable to have self-control.  I needed an external power!  One day later, I attended a Christian family meeting and two weeks later I was baptized.  I can now state that the Lord’s word is very enjoyable and full of taste.  I enjoy that in the Lord I have love, peace, joy, ..., and self-control.  

Galatians 5:22-23a But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, meekness, self-control.

Carleton – The Truth will Free You from Emptiness –

I was born in the USA and was raised by Catholic parents.  Although I thought religion was hypocritical and false, I did have a favorable impression concerning the Bible and I read it.  In the Bible, I was impressed with the description of the early believers in the church.  This was wonderful and I wanted to see it in real life!  At university, I visited various religious places to see if this life description was real, but every place I visited I was disappointed.  I still felt empty and considered that this religious stuff was a façade, just words without reality.  A friend in my dorm was persistent in inviting me to the place he was attending, saying to me that this place is different.  Numerous times I gave excuses to keep from going, but to my amazement one night I could not come up with any excuse, so I went.  In that meeting, in its atmosphere, I sensed that this place matched what the Bible was telling me.  I opened to and received the Lord that night.  Shortly thereafter I was baptized into Him.  The Bible led me to the truth, the reality, and that freed me from the emptiness and vanity in my being. 

John 8:32 And you shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.


Jason – My Path has been Prepared by God –

I came to the USA to study finance.  A roommate invited me to a home meeting where I met a Christian brother who worked in that field.  He introduced me to finance and also taught me about God.  He taught me some fantastic Bible sentences!  I learned that I did not have to know all about God before I could experience Him.  A visit to New Jersey provided me a glorious opportunity to be baptized before 1000 people.  I now enjoy the awesome (WOW) God and the church life with the brothers and sisters.  I have been chosen by God to walk in the path He has prepared for me. 

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand in order that we would walk in them.

Sanglim – No Longer I But Christ Lives in Me –

I was born in a Christian family in South Korea.  My family stressed education very much.  I worked hard, did well, received good grades, but at the time of the school entrance examinations, I could not see clearly, did poorly and failed to get into the university of my choice.  This was a frustrating time for me.  Later as I came to the USA for graduate school, I met a Korean speaking brother who introduced me to the ministry of the Bible.  I became hungry to know the purpose of the Lord for me.  As I prepared to be accepted at a PhD program, the stressful environment pressed me, but I experienced the overcoming life of Christ.  The situation was extremely stressful, but I can testify that the life that overcame the stress in my environment was no longer I but Christ that lived in me.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.