SALVATION TESTIMONIES

Saved by Faith Not Works

I was born into a poor and troubled family. I realized what poverty was in having to sacrifice just to eat. I did not enjoy my youth days because I grew up afraid of my father. If I made mistakes, punishment would come immediately. When I graduated from high school, I decided to work to earn money and help my parents. I went with my grandmother to Manila to escape life in the province. In spite of what I went through, I was pushed to live without dreams. I did not know the meaning of dreams at that time! I was just following the flow in my life wherever I was taken. In other words, I did not know the purpose of why I was born. Moreover, during my stay in Manila, I experienced worldly life that was not pleasing to God.

I cannot deny that in my youth, I sometimes called the Lord when I needed Him. One day, my Aunt came with her husband who was a pastor and took me to their ministry. I went with them. I did not understand what happened at that time, but all I can remember was that the pastor laid his hand on my head and prayed for me. That was the first and last time I went to that church, and it never happened again.

Despite my past life way back in 2011, I met Jonalyn who became my partner in life. She was a believer who led me to get closer to God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Unexpectedly, she got pregnant when we were together, and I accepted that I was responsible for her for what happened. So we decided to go back to our province, for we were from the same town. I did not want to go back to this place because I did not have a family there to be with, as my parents were separated.

It was then that I met Pastor Ruben Nacasin Sr, and this was the start of my Christian journey. Attending the Dalton Church God Servant Ministry (DCGSM), works became a way for me to know Jesus Christ, and I was thirsty for the truth. In March 2019, I totally accepted Jesus Christ into my life as my personal God and Savior. I fully repented of all my sins, was baptized and started living by faith. From that time, my life began to have direction. I prayed that the days left in my life could be used to glorify my Lord God. As a new creature, I know myself that the teachings of DCGSM, ie faith and works through Jesus have become my foundation which was a big question for me. I was thirsty for the truth, but many things were not clear to me, I had many questions which led me to kneel in prayer so that God would let me know the Truth that I wanted to know. It was the reason that I studied the Word of God. I attended Bible School training programs of DCGSM and other seminars, conferences, schools so that God could use my life.

At that time, I met brother Jordan Tindaan who was my high school batch-mate. I also could not believe that he was a believer and was changed by God. It was the way for me to connect with Pastor Joey Dingcog of the Baptist Church who was also one of my mentors in deepening my faith and truth of God in my life to understand the grace of God. Then my perspective on the grace of God through Jesus Christ became stronger. It changed and caused me to hold on to real salvation, that I can do nothing for my salvation. It is not through good works for I am not worthy but by the grace of God through faith that I am saved (John 3:16, 14:6, Eph 2:8–9). Ricardo Majedo

God Is Merciful and Faithful

I grew up in a non-Christian family. My aunt brought my brother and me to the church camp of Tabernacle BP Church when we were six years old. That was my first encounter with Christianity where I heard the gospel. I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ then and had the desire to know Him more. However, in the subsequent years, we could not go to church regularly due to parental objections and practical constraints. Nonetheless, they allowed us to join the church camp during school holidays every year. It was only when we were much older that we could attend worship services and fellowship group meetings more regularly.

During this period of time, on many occasions, I was discouraged and distracted by the world. Thank God He always sent help and encouragement through the church brethren and fellowship groups. Without Him, I would have strayed away. It is God’s love and grace that kept me in the faith.

My brother and I first approached our parents for permission to be baptised when we were 16 years old. However, they told us to wait until we turn 21. It was a long wait of five years but God has His purpose. I became more serious in my faith and grew in the Lord during this period. I was baptised on 25 Dec 2011 and my parents were there to witness it.

Thank God for growth and privilege of service in Tabernacle BP Church since then. God is merciful and faithful though I have so often failed Him. Thank God for leading Nyssha and me to True Life BP Church. All glory be to God alone. Bo Hao

God Never Fails

I had attended Sunday School for a few times when I was a toddler and although I did not understand much, I remember looking forward to going to church, singing and doing craft activities with my friends. As I grew up, I knew of the existence of God but did not have a personal relationship with Him. It was not until my late teens when I had a desire to know more about Jesus Christ but did not know which church to attend.

By the Lord’s providence, I was invited to Tabernacle Bible-Presbyterian Church in my early 20s when I first heard the Gospel preached to me. The Word of God was like a sword, convicting me of my sins, and my utterly depraved nature was laid bare in light of God’s Word. It took me a few weeks to wrestle with my sins and I had no peace in my heart. By God’s grace, when I heard a sermon on the Lord Jesus Christ extending His gracious invitation to sinners: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” from Matthew 11:28–30, I could no longer resist and confessed my sins before God and received Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour. My heart felt so light and I was rejoicing! I was baptised on 22 December 2013.

It has been nine years since I received Christ and I give all praise and glory to God for helping me to grow in my faith, love for Him and His Word. There were seasons of failures and discouragement due to the sins I have committed but God chastised me each time and never failed to restore me. Through these experiences, I have learnt to abide in Christ and live near to God. There were also seasons of blessings where I have tasted of the Lord’s abiding love, faithfulness, mercies and all-sufficient grace. I thank God for leading Bo Hao and I to join the body of Christ at True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church and I pray that the Lord will prosper the work done in His Name in the endeavour to further the kingdom of Christ. Nyssha Tan

There Is a Blessed Hope

When I was young, I was an atheist. I used to follow my mother to the temple but I did not believe in any god. When I grew up, my parents allowed my siblings and I to choose whichever religion we prefer.

I did not get to know about Jesus until my only daughter who is a Christian shared with me and my husband. She has been constantly sharing the gospel with us all these years in order to help us know and understand the truth of God’s Word. She has also been actively encouraging us to attend church.

In 2012, my husband and I started to attend Mandarin services at Calvary Pandan B-P Church. We also attended the Basic Bible Knowledge classes. As my husband had believed in Christ, he was baptized the following year while I remained an atheist.

Nevertheless, I continued to attend church with my husband until he fell ill and couldn’t walk anymore. In 2022, we were infected with Covid. While I recovered, my husband did not. His condition was so bad that he had to be admitted into the intensive care unit. I was hoping that he would recover. But in the end, he went home to be with the Lord on Good Friday (15 April 2022). I was overwhelmed with sorrow and was grieved in my heart although my daughter told me that in Christ, there is a blessed hope and resurrection.

I began to ponder about life and death. My daughter has been sending me online Mandarin messages from True Life B-P Church. After a few months, I told my daughter that it is time for me to go to church again. My daughter shared the gospel with me again and I accepted Christ to be my personal Lord and Saviour. I admit that I am a sinner, unable to depend on myself to be saved for heaven. I believe that it is only through Jesus Christ that I can be saved from my sins and have eternal life. I knew one day I shall see my husband again in heavenly glory. I finally found peace and comfort in my heart. I was then introduced to the Mandarin services at True Life B-P Church and have been attending ever since. I hope and pray that I can know and understand more of God’s Word, His grace and love for me, grow spiritually and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ more and more.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Rosalind Chua