Alex Yang is a second year graduate student, studying Mechanical Engineering. He made a decision to become a Christian at the last Fall Retreat. Below is the testimony he gave at the Bible study:
Before I became a Christian, I didn’t think that a “god” even existed. Nor did a savior. I lived a comfortable life in my own way. But the comfort suddenly stopped in 2003.
In 2002, when I was a professional school student in China, I had an opportunity to study abroad. I quit school and started the preparation, with the hope that I would have a more promising future. But for some unpredicted reasons, I lost that opportunity. I had to resume my study after one year’s delay, and I also planned to take an important exam in order to go to a university. In China, a diploma from a formal university makes a huge difference in the job market. I worked so hard for it, but I was quarantined right before the exam because of the SARS epidemic situation. Not until then did I realize that life was so full of unexpected events and accidents that no one could control his own fate. With such frustration and anguish, I started to pray to an unknown supernatural force, hoping that it will bring luck to me. In 2004, I finally took that exam and was admitted to a formal university.
Looking back, I realized that it was God’s power that helped me out of that desperate situation. I did not even have a clear picture of who He was at the moment. But He was with me anyway. It took me five years to realize my sin and to repent before God. Now I cannot help but think of the story of Exodus, where it took 40 years for Israel to walk out of that desert. I realize that God is the only way.
Of course, none of these occurred to me until I joined the USC LCF group. I believe it was God’s plan that I could be drawn closer to Him in this way. I met Simon and Heather at the Student Orientation in the fall of 2008. They took me on a LA tour, through which for the first time I could have a taste of LA. I appreciated their kindness and was curious what made them do so. I started attending the Friday night Bible studies on campus, where I gradually got to know a great and loving God through Bible. However, it took me almost a year to finally accept Him.
My thoughts have gone through several relapses during the past year.
Last fall, after I went to the Bible studies for a few times, I stopped going simply because of my own laziness. For a month, I constantly tried to find some excuses just to make myself feel better, but meanwhile couldn’t help feeling the void in my heart. During that time, I often wandered on campus at night and asked myself: “what is the meaning of life?” The fact that I could not find the answer anywhere reminded me that the truth might only be found in the Bible. So I decided to go back the Bible study. That very week, Simon shared about Luke 15:11-31, the parable of the lost son. For the first time I felt that God’s message was so clear. I was like the lost son. I fell short in front of Him and walked away, but He was always there, willing to take me in whenever I wanted to come to Him. The greatness of God became very personal to me.
This summer, I started going to the Sunday Worship Service at Life Baptist Church every week. Through the messages and fellowship with the church members, my understanding of God’s greatness became deeper and deeper. But I still couldn’t make the final decision. The atheist education that I received brought me doubts, but more than that, I worried about being “different and weird” in others’ eyes. I felt helpless and prayed to God for help. On one Sunday Pastor Daniel told us that God offers us peace. Once again I felt that the message was delivered to my heart. God was speaking personally with me through Pastor Daniel that my worries were brought by my pride and insecurity. It was my sinful nature that kept me from having a relationship with God.
I felt a stronger urge to know about God, and I bought my own Bible without hesitation when Simon encouraged us to do so. Through reading the Bible, I learned more about God, but also had a few questions at the same time. When I read Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.” I was confused because it was so different from traditional Chinese culture, in which I was brought up. At the fall retreat, however, I got the answer from God through Pastor Don Overstreet.He said: “God created us and he gave us life. Everything we do, we do it for God.”
Pastor Don then prayed for me and encouraged me to make a confession. At that moment, I felt that God is calling my name. He gave me courage. I could only be saved by trusting my life in His hands.
On October 31st, 2009, I confessed to God: “I am a sinner. I ask Jesus my Lord for the salvation.” Pastor Don was holding my hands tightly at that moment. I felt the warmth from God through Pastor Don.
I still remember one example that Pastor Don gave during the retreat. He said that one’s life was like a flower, whose petals withered away as time went by, only God could make the beauty of flower eternal. I felt so thankful that I got to know God before the all the petals of my life wither away.
I would like to thank the members of LCF and Life Baptist Church. It was through you that I was able to learn the word of God. God is with me, and God gives peace to my heart. I am encouraged that there are so many people around me who live in God’s grace and mercy.
I would like to thank the Gracious God for His guidance and teaching. I have a new life through His saving grace. I will follow God, obey God, and listen to His calls on the path of my life.
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