(pictured 2nd from left)
Looking back at my testimony, it is hard to really describe, because
all I feel is that God pulled me out of darkness and despair from the
dead.
I was raised in a non-Christian family with two younger siblings and
two caring parents. I did what was expected of me, tried hard in
school, hung out with my friends, participated in extracurricular
activities, all without really thinking too much about what my whole
purpose on earth was. I was still pretty young and had everything
given to me, so I was not searching for a whole lot else.
My sophomore year in high school, God brought Christian friends closer
to me, surrounding me with this new type of love and lifestyle, a
Christ-like lifestyle. He slowly started revealing this idea of
religion to me. Upon being invited by one of my friends, I started
going to high school fellowship at church. I did not have any
objections to the gospel message and what Christian beliefs were, but
what I realize now is that God opened up my heart and was pulling me
towards His kingdom.
At a high school retreat I was overwhelmed by the love that the youth
pastor and my peers had for me. It was this kind of love that I was
sure only came from God. I had accepted Christ in my heart without
really knowing it. By God's grace I proceeded to get baptized with my
church and started becoming more involved with the high school
ministry.
But it was not until I came to college and attended Grace on Campus at
UCLA did I fully understand all that I proclaimed to believe. God
revealed my sin to me, my pride, my judgmental nature, my selfishness,
my coveting. He showed me my desperate need for a Savior which I had
not fully understood before. I can't tell you why I kept going to
church, why I did not question any of the things church leaders told
me, why I wanted to be so involved in church after not knowing
anything at all growing up. But I can tell you God has been faithful
in my life, growing my understanding of the gospel everyday and
teaching me to depend on Him.
Looking back at my testimony, it is hard to really describe, because
all I feel is that God pulled me out of darkness and despair from the
dead.
I was raised in a non-Christian family with two younger siblings and
two caring parents. I did what was expected of me, tried hard in
school, hung out with my friends, participated in extracurricular
activities, all without really thinking too much about what my whole
purpose on earth was. I was still pretty young and had everything
given to me, so I was not searching for a whole lot else.
My sophomore year in high school, God brought Christian friends closer
to me, surrounding me with this new type of love and lifestyle, a
Christ-like lifestyle. He slowly started revealing this idea of
religion to me. Upon being invited by one of my friends, I started
going to high school fellowship at church. I did not have any
objections to the gospel message and what Christian beliefs were, but
what I realize now is that God opened up my heart and was pulling me
towards His kingdom.
At a high school retreat I was overwhelmed by the love that the youth
pastor and my peers had for me. It was this kind of love that I was
sure only came from God. I had accepted Christ in my heart without
really knowing it. By God's grace I proceeded to get baptized with my
church and started becoming more involved with the high school
ministry.
But it was not until I came to college and attended Grace on Campus at
UCLA did I fully understand all that I proclaimed to believe. God
revealed my sin to me, my pride, my judgmental nature, my selfishness,
my coveting. He showed me my desperate need for a Savior which I had
not fully understood before. I can't tell you why I kept going to
church, why I did not question any of the things church leaders told
me, why I wanted to be so involved in church after not knowing
anything at all growing up. But I can tell you God has been faithful
in my life, growing my understanding of the gospel everyday and
teaching me to depend on Him.