(This is an edited version of the original testimony presented by a student before the congregation of the Lord’s Church of Waco (TLCW). The student has earned his PhD and was about to move to a different place for a post-doc program. The student name is not revealed as requested.)

My Background

Hi everyone. I am from Hanoi, Vietnam. I have grown up in an atheist family who has been practicing traditional ancestor worship like many Asians. Bowing to the deceased as worship may sound strange for many of you who have been growing up  with Christian background. I was not familiar with the God in the Bible and have not thought about the existence of God in my life until I came to Baylor. I had been admitted to Baylor University in 2015. During my time at Baylor, I had encountered Christians for the first time in my life. I thought they were nice people because they fed me with decent meals and welcome me whenever I visited church. However, I really didn’t care about God or His existence for my life. My best friend has been trying to bring me to TLCW many times, but I never felt like I really belong to the church or understood what believing was all about. My main concern was to get a degree and hopefully get a good job with high salary. But I did not know what I really wanted to do either. Vaguely remembering my childhood dream to build an ironman suit, I decided to be a mechanical engineer.

God’s Revelation

When I graduated with a bachelor degree, I couldn’t find a job or get an admission to a graduate program. I needed a place to live for the summer until things get settled. My friend graciously let me stay in his place for three months. While living with him, he asked if I wanted to know this strange guy named Jesus. I thought I had to return the favor to him by listening to what he had to say about Jesus. As I listened, I began questioning. If God is Good, why would He let people suffer? Shouldn’t people be happy always if they are with a good God. I didn’t think these questions helped me change my mind and my heart inside. But for some reason, I wanted to know God and begin to pray: ‘If you are real, please reveal Yourself to me’. I wanted confirmation from God. One morning, there were a couple of people knocking at my door. They asked me whether I would like to join their bible study and know about the heavenly mother, which I had never heard before at the church or anywhere else. I was skeptical and tried to dismiss by telling them I was going to church and wasn’t interested. Then, they asked me why I went to church. I answered: ‘We go to church to know more about Jesus, have fellowship with brothers and sisters, unite as one with the Holy Spirit, and worship God.’  After they left, I reflected on what I had said. As a skeptic who never believed in God, why would I say those words? Where have they come from? At that moment, I felt something happening in me supernaturally because never in my life I would imagine to utter those words with my own mouth.

During my graduate study, I had been learning how to become a Christian and follower of Christ. Then, I was able to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. To be honest, it was not easy. I am a sinner saved by Grace. I can’t tell you how many times I have failed in my own sins: anger, gossip, lust, bitterness, and so on. Like Paul said in Roman 7:24-25: Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

But my hope and my trust are only in my Savior Jesus because He died for our sins so that we may have relationship with Him. The more I realize the depth of my sin by the help of the Holy Spirit, the greater the grace of Jesus Christ I can see. The undeserving grace He has given me through His blood. His blood has wiped out all my sins. I became a free man, free from the bondage of sin. I became born-again to be a child of God. This is the power of the Gospel.

God’s Love and Blessing

As I became a member of TLCW, I learned something about the heart of Christ. Without Hs Providence, I couldn’t do what I did here for the study and the church. God continued to help me grow in my faith as I learn more about Jesus. He came down to earth to save those people who made him angry, those who disrespected him, those who abused His Gifts, that is us. He had still chosen to bear the Cross so that we may have life in Him. How great are his caring and loving Heart for His people and His desire for people to be saved. I care for and love you guys and this church but how small my love is compared to His love. It is like a dust. I pray we “may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:18-19

I have also received so much from the elders and pastors at the church. How many times they provided us food and took care of us whenever we needed help. Their kindness and serving are known to many inside and outside the church. I am thankful and grateful for everything and the love that the church has given me in many ways. Through you, I could see the love of God working in my life. I pray that TLCW continue to grow in His Love and Holiness and have joy and peace, bearing with one another in Christ.