A Journey of Faith

Going to church was as routine as eating or sleeping—an unspoken expectation from my mother. From as early as I can remember, I would follow her to church every Sunday. While she attended the main service, my sister and I joined Sunday school, flipping through Illustrated Bible Stories or playing games with other children.

In middle school, my priorities shifted. I would tell my mother I was headed to church but sneak off to the internet café (网吧) instead to play games with classmates. Even in high school, I hadn’t truly engaged with the Bible. My only exposure was during youth fellowship meetings, where we would read a few verses or study scripture as a group. I memorized some scattered passages, but my personal connection to the Word remained shallow.

I had never seriously questioned why I went to church or why my mother was so committed to it. Once, I asked her how she became a Christian. She said it was through my grandparents’ influence. Then I wondered: how did my grandparents, uneducated farmers from a rural village, come to believe in Jesus? Perhaps we are part of the fruit of missionaries sent by God to China long ago.

The Importance of Fellowship

Things changed in 2018. At the time, I felt lost at my church. There were few people my age, and I had no close friends there. Most of the congregation consisted of older members who didn’t use smartphones or computers. Apart from fellowship meetings, I barely interacted with anyone. During this period of struggle, Sister Z invited me to participate in activities outside of regular services and join some online Bible study courses. Through her, I met peers who were passionate about studying the Bible and helping new believers grow in their faith. It was then I began earnestly reading the Bible myself.

As I read more, I found myself grappling with deeper questions—questions my church’s pastor had never addressed. I sought answers from my youth group and online resources. Most importantly, I turned to God in prayer, asking for wisdom and guidance to walk in his ways. Eventually, I was baptized at a Three-Self Church, but I yearned to do more for God’s Kingdom. Through my pastor’s introduction, I connected with members of a house church and began attending their gatherings.

Finding a New Spiritual Family

When I was attending my previous church, which is a Three-Self Church, I often felt a disconnection. The congregation was mainly older or middle-aged, and the focus of their prayers seemed centered mostly on worldly concerns—good jobs, academic success, or healing from illness. Many seemed to come to church seeking blessings for themselves or their families. To me, it felt more like fulfilling rituals: attending Sunday services, singing hymns, and praying fervently in hopes of getting what they wanted.

Through my growing understanding of Scripture, I realized that faith rooted in the expectation of God’s “favors” (好处) isn’t true faith. Alarmingly, I discovered that many seasoned believers, despite attending church for over a decade, had never read the Bible in its entirety, let alone studied it deeply. Instead, they relied on snippets of Scripture shared during weekly services. To me, this didn’t seem right. If we don’t know what pleases God, how can we truly worship and follow him?

However, as a young person, trying to communicate these concerns to elders with deeply ingrained, traditional views was incredibly frustrating. Most of the time, they didn’t take me seriously or genuinely listen to what I had to say. I felt that communication was difficult and that they weren’t interested in learning about my thoughts. My heart burned for more young people to come to church, to encounter the living Christ, and to serve with passion and purpose.

Embracing Evangelism and Growth

At my workplace, I often shared the gospel, but my zeal was met with mockery and even blasphemous remarks. These experiences humbled me. I realized my impatience and lack of wisdom in presenting the truth. I prayed constantly, asking God for guidance and strength to persevere. At the same time, I earnestly wished for someone to mentor me and teach me how to navigate these challenges. Later, I learned the word “discipleship.” I realized that’s what I needed—to be equipped to better serve in God’s Kingdom.

That’s how I came to join my current church, which is an unregistered one. This was a turning point. Here, I found many like-minded brothers and sisters, all close to my age. Together, we participated in online courses and organized meaningful events such as campus evangelism, spiritual retreats, and aid programs for struggling believers. I finally felt I was doing the kind of work God delights in—proclaiming the gospel and serving others in his name.

Through this journey, God has been shaping me. He has exposed my pride and impatience, teaching me to rely on him and trust his timing. Though I still have much to learn, I’m confident he will equip me. I no longer rush ahead but patiently study and wait, knowing that with God, nothing is impossible.

I pray for God’s blessings on Christians in China—that he would grant us wisdom and strength to lead more souls to salvation.

This testimony is my offering—a story of God’s wondrous and transformative work in my life. May it inspire others to seek him with all their hearts.