BAPTISM TESTIMONIES

I Want to Follow Him

Clara Lim

Growing up as a young child, I was incessantly asking myself, “What is the meaning of life?” Being an inquisitive child, I pestered my parents for an answer. My parents, who were also born in a traditional Asian family, replied, “Study hard, get good grades, get a good job, so you can support yourself and your family.” But I thought to myself, surely, the meaning of life can’t just be to earn big bucks and support a family? Surely, there is more to life than this?” I remember, ever since a young age, I was fearful of death. I remember sleepless nights in primary school where I would lie in bed, breaking out in cold sweat – fearing death – fearing a meaningless life.

Growing up in Secondary School, I tried to find meaning in life. In Secondary 2, I studied very hard and topped the cohort. Yet, after the initial high of congratulations, the satisfaction soon lulled away. I tried to find meaning in doing good, and invested a lot of time in community projects – helping the elderly, helping the sick. Yes, there was meaning in this – yet I felt a certain sense of selfishness – Am I doing good, just to make myself feel good? What is the purpose of doing good for others? I still could not find an answer to the meaning of life.

I tried to find meaning and approval in the world – Dressing well to the world’s standards, learning the styles and fashions of the world so that I could look ‘cool’ or ‘trendy’ – and seek the nod of approval from others – Yet deep inside, I knew that there was little meaning in this, but emptiness and vain ambition. Throughout secondary school, I moved in and out of church, being a professing believer, yet inside – I felt deeply ashamed. I knew I was a hypocrite – paying lip service by confessing Christ, and behaving nothing like what a born again child of God would be like. I did not truly believe in Christ. Exasperated by my own hypocrisy, I soon left the church and continued to lead a worldly life.

In January 2013, whilst waiting for university to commence, I interned as a personal assistant for my General Paper tuition teacher. Throughout my whole life, I have never met anyone who loved others so unconditionally and abundantly. He once shared with me that if anyone ever comes to you for help, never reject it, and try your utmost to help. I asked him, “Where do you get so much time and energy to love people from? Aren’t you tired – from hurt, rejections or even human disappointment? Doesn’t it hurt to be so giving, and love so much, yet not be given the same in return?” He told me, “No, Clara, it is because I have Christ. It is Christ who gives me the strength to give and love abundantly, to carry on this work. Even though it is tiring, I know it is the Will of God for me to help these students, and I will do so and trust in Him.”

Touched by God’s grace, I repented of my sins and accepted Christ as my Lord and Saviour. I felt His presence in my life. I teared because I could feel the many years of burden and emptiness being lifted from me, yet humbled by the grace and power of God. In my pre-salvation state, I thought I had everything as per the standards of the world, yet at the core of it, I had nothing. There is little meaning to be found in this world, even in doing countless good works, for it is through God from whom all blessings flow. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Despite my deep pride, arrogance and sinfulness, spurning God for the temptations of the world, God forgave my sins and strengthened me daily with His Word.

I know that I want to follow Him, all the days of my life. I am a child of God and no one can take that away from me. It is easy to run the race well in the beginning, but not easy to finish well. Looking unto Jesus, I endeavour to run with patience the race that is set before me, and serve the Lord well.

Indeed, my heart can sing when I pause to remember, a heartache here is but a stepping stone. Along a trail, that’s winding always upward, this troubled world, is not my final home. But until then, my heart will go on singing, until then, with joy I’ll carry on, until the day my eyes behold the city, until the day God calls me home.

God Is Real

Kee Lek Chiang

Coming from a Catholic Secondary School, the existence of Christ was made known to me practically every day. Why did I choose to be in a Catholic School after my PSLE, I could hardly remember – probably Christian/Catholic schools at that time were well known for producing good students/results and were rather popular. Being in a Catholic School, non-believers like me were always curious in what it felt like being a believer. However at an age of playfulness, the temptations of having fun like playing football was always at the back of our minds.

It took me quite some time before I attended my first church service. This happened when I was in Secondary 3. I remember it started off as a Christmas event. I had no plans and my friend invited me to his church—Faith Community Baptist Church (FCBC). That was the time when somehow everyone around me was starting to attend church. Maybe PSLE was coming and everyone wanted to pray for good results.

From the Christmas Service onwards, I was introduced to a group of friends and I started to attend cell group meetings and church services every week. From all these, all I remember was the day the Gospel was explained to us. So, I continued attending church services and cell group meetings till the next Christmas came. This time, another friend came to me, inviting me to a Christmas concert. Again the curious me agreed to his invitation, eager to experience my first time going for a concert.

The day came and I was set, ready to attend my first concert! But to my disappointment, my friend brought me to City Harvest Church. Not to disappoint my friend, I continued with his plans. But deep down inside me was the feeling of being cheated and I was really feeling rather uneasy. Christmas service began and there was loud music, people were singing and dancing away. With the anger in me, I was finding hard to blend into the surrounding and I just stood there. Halfway through the singing, suddenly I heard people wailing and crying and kneeling down and some even collapsing to the ground. I felt very uncomfortable with all these and eventually, I walked out of the church. This encounter caused me to have a very bad memory of Christianity. I stopped attending church and distanced myself from church friends. I even went around telling others my “cult-like” experience at City Harvest Church. I was very angry.

Following this, I was enrolled in Singapore Polytechnic and began tertiary education. In Polytechnic I was flooded by school activities and sports. I took up canoeing and canoe-polo, and was buried in training after training. Eventually, I managed to complete my education and went on to the next stage in life—National Service. I completed National Service as a commissioned officer in the Navy and went on to pursue my career shortly after.

My next contact with Christ came when Cheryl managed to convince me to attend a Church service at True Life. I was reluctant initially and was not expecting much but the moment I entered the auditorium, I felt calm, I felt at peace. The following Church sessions came with some twists. Things happened, and it seemed like as if God was trying to send messages to me in His own ways. First was during the Lord’s Supper, I was told that I could not join in taking the Lord’s Supper as I was not baptised. I felt rejected as back then, I was allowed to do so. I tried to distance myself again but Cheryl was there to keep me in check. Next was during the collection of offerings, when the chairman stressed that those who are not baptised are not supposed to give an offering. Next was preaching on punctuality. Every time I felt that there was a message for me, like as if God was reaching out to me. I felt that He meant business this time and He was serious and teaching me the right way.

Now, I’m convinced that God has always been there waiting for me even when I’ve drifted far from Him, even when I mocked His name. I seek His forgiveness and I seek to know Him even more and follow His plans for me, for I know that He is REAL and He has always been there for me.

God Never Gave Up on Me

Isabel Chin

I was very blessed to be born into a Christian family and could go to church regularly since young. However, I was not saved. I felt that I was doing well without God, but He never gave up on me.

It was until a few years ago that by God’s grace, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour. My faith was still weak at that time so I often fell into sin, but God was very merciful to me and He always brought me back to Him from sin.

I pray that I will continually grow in my faith in Christ, and spread the gospel to my unbelieving friends and relatives. All praise and glory be to God!

I Trust God to Lead My Life

John Teo

I was raised in a Christian family. I worshipped in Shalom Reformed Baptist Church since young. I did not take Christ and the Bible stories shared seriously. Hence I knew very little of the Bible.

When I came to True Life B-P Church, there was a total change of environment. Coming to True Life B-P Church has made an impact in my life. I attend Sunday school and YPF meetings to learn more about God and deepen my knowledge of Him. Through the months of listening to God’s words, I began to understand I am a sinner and needed Jesus Christ to save me. I accepted Christ as my Saviour during a YPF camp at the end of my P6 year.

By accepting Christ and learning more about God, I have changed the way I speak and act. I also see the importance of reading His Word and studying it. I began to trust God to lead my life and in all my decision-makings. I constantly feel the need for God, to pray to Him and thank Him for situations that happen in my life.

I wish to seek baptism. I want to publicly profess Christ and follow Him.