Serenity's Faith Story

I have grown up surrounded by God for my whole life. My parents have always been a good role model to me in reading the bible and attending church services so God has always been present in my life and as a result, I accepted Jesus at the age of 6 knowing that I will always want to live my life out as a Christian. But as I got older, I found myself more distracted with worldly things, I never really lived my life out for

Jesus. Prior to receiving Jesus, my life was full of distractions like school, homework, relationships, extracurricular activities, etc. I often prioritized those things over God, causing me to turn away from God. As I continued to live this way, it slowly became my daily lifestyle. I found it harder to give time and focus to God as I grew to be more lazy and selfish in my relationship with him. I often turned to God only when I needed or wanted something rather than seeking him in everyday moments. The only days where I acknowledged God were Sundays when I was brought to church, but even then, I was there physically but my heart was not there.

As I grew older, I quickly realized that my family will not always be there to foster my relationship with Christ, and when those times came, it was the hardest. I often felt so overwhelmed as so many things in my life were changing and happening at once. I turned to God many times, asking for things to get better, but in reality, I truly was more angry and confused as to why God had made me and my life this way. I began to question him more, and my relationship with Jesus grew distant. It was not until a tipping point in my life when I felt so alone and helpless that I cried out to him one night.

I put all my pride and doubts aside and laid all my burdens out to him, acknowledging that I could no longer lead my life on my own. Immediately, I experienced the comfort of God's presence, and my worries were gone. God has spoken to me through the verse, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6. This verse is a constant reminder that whenever there are difficulties in my life, God will always be with me, even in times when I turn away from him. I am proud to be a Christian and to place all my hope and trust in Christ, for he has always stuck by me, even in times of doubt. I am thankful for the many blessings he has brought to my life. I will live my life to honour Christ and grow a deep relationship with Jesus as he has called me out to live.

Janelle's Faith Story

Hello, for those who don't know me, my name is Janelle, and today, I'd like to share my

testimony. I was born into a Christian household and have been part of the SCCEFC community my entire life. When I was younger, I believed being a Christian meant memorizing every Bible story and praying before meals. For a long time, I viewed attending church as a chore that wasted time. I was uninterested in Sunday school and Agape Land and often focused on other activities instead. I frequently told people that I was a Christian who knew God well, but I regularly questioned whether that was true.

Over the years, I struggled with self-doubt and even tested God's love. I blamed Him for not protecting me or giving me what I wanted. This led me to become short-tempered, untruthful, and disobedient towards my parents, ultimately living a sinful life. As a result of my actions, everything slowly began to fall apart.

In 2020, my world darkened as I tried to navigate life during COVID-19. I struggled in school, which became overwhelming due to the upcoming PATs. I felt unmotivated and sad because of the situation. I needed God's guidance to overcome my difficulties during this challenging period. I began reflecting on my actions and acknowledged the distance I had created between myself and God. I started praying daily, seeking wisdom and guidance. Listening to the sermons helped me realize that my relationship with Christ is not just about knowing stories or following rules. Accepting Christ means embracing His love and grace, even during tough times.

On April 17, 2022, in Victoria, I accepted Jesus as my Savior after listening to one of Pastor Randy's sermons. While holding hands, I prayed with my dad and declared that I had accepted Christ. Since that day, my journey has been filled with meaning and purpose. God has given me multiple opportunities to strengthen our bond, including joining a short-term mission trip. My mission trip to Saskatchewan has changed my perspective on others and improved my relationship with God. I witnessed God's grace through the people in Saskatchewan, which deepened my understanding of His work.

Additionally, God granted me the opportunity to serve in Agapeland so that I can spread His love to others. Teaching in Agapeland has taught me crucial lessons I had forgotten long ago. Since then, I've strongly connected with God, who has given me wisdom and guidance through my faith journey.

My favourite bible verse is Romans 8:28. "All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." This verse comforts me as it tells me that God will always be by your side and that you have a purpose in life. Even though you are going through a rough time, you are reminded that God has a more significant purpose for you at the end.

I want to thank my family for introducing me to God and their support during difficult times. I am also grateful to my grandparents, who inspired me to develop a strong relationship with Jesus. Additionally, I want to express my appreciation to my teachers at church, who helped me understand God's love through fun activities. Lastly, I would like to thank Pastor Calvin for teaching my baptism classes and helping me deepen my understanding of being a Christian.

Thank you.

Janice's Faith Story

Hello everyone, my name is Janice and I’m so excited and thankful for the opportunity

to share my testimony with you today. Growing up, I was fortunate to be surrounded by

Christian influences. My family introduced me to Jesus at a young age, and I was taught

about His love and grace. However, for much of my life, my faith felt like something I

knew about rather than something I truly lived out. While I believed in Jesus, I often

struggled to reflect Him in my attitudes and actions. I would focus on my own desires,

become impatient, and at times, drift away from the path He calls us to walk.

That began to change during an online church service in 2022. After listening to Pastor

Randy’s sermon, my mom and I sat together to talk about what it really means to accept

Jesus into your heart. At that moment, I felt ready to take that step. We prayed together,

and I asked God to forgive my sins, to lead my life, and to help me follow Him. I’ll never

forget the peace I felt after that prayer, knowing that I had invited Jesus into my life.

Since that day, my life has been changing. I’m learning to live more like Jesus and to

love others the way He loves us. I’m still growing, but I’ve found so much joy in my faith

and in trusting God to guide me.

Baptism is something I’ve always wanted to do. I knew it was an important step in

publicly declaring my faith and committing to follow Jesus. But it wasn’t until I went on a

mission trip to Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan, that my decision to get baptized solidified.

During that trip, I was able to see firsthand what life without Jesus can look like. I heard

heartbreaking stories from youth who were facing broken families, mental health

struggles, and addiction. It opened my eyes to how much people need Jesus and how

His love can transform lives.

I was also inspired by Tim and Judy, who hosted us during the trip. Their commitment to

Christ and the way they live out their faith every day were powerful examples of how a

life centered on Jesus can make a lasting impact. Their joy, purpose, and dedication to

serving others made me realize how much I want to live fully for Christ too.

I remember one time at dinner Tim said this verse and I would like to share it with you

all. It’s from 1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” This

verse reminds me that I can trust God with every worry and burden, knowing He is

always with me and deeply cares for me.

I also want to take a moment to thank the people who have helped me on my faith

journey. My family, especially my grandparents, have been such incredible examples of

what it means to live for Christ. I’m grateful for my friends, Sunday school teachers for

their support, encouragement, and Pastor Calvin for the baptism classes that have

helped me grow in my faith and understanding of God’s Word.

Today, I’m ready to take the step of baptism as a public declaration of my faith and a

commitment to live for Jesus. I’m so thankful for God’s love, grace, and patience in my

life, and I’m excited to continue growing in my relationship with Him.

Thank you.

Ian's Faith Story

Hi, for those who don’t know me, my name is Ian, and I’ve been attending the church all my life. Growing up in the church, I’ve been taught and surrounded by teachings about God’s love, faithfulness, and how he works in everyone through his plan for us. I believed and trusted in those promises without question.

I wanted to be a disciple of Christ which in turn led me to serving in children’s ministry through agapeland. However about three years ago, my faith was tested when my mom had suffered a stroke. During that time it left me with so many questions and doubts, wondering why God would allow something such as this to happen. I prayed for healing and answers, but at times, it felt like God was silent. It caused me to doubt God while being faced with the suffering places upon me.

Despite being in the midst of my suffering, I’ve seen Jesus working in my heart. Jesus has been teaching me to lean on him even when I don’t understand. In my moments of distress and doubt, He meets me with grace, reminding me that it’s okay to bring my questions, and uncertainties to him. Through prayer, I’m reassured where I can see Jesus comforting me when I suffer and understands me better in ways no one else can, sometimes even more than myself. He also has changed the way I see others and myself, allowing me to notice His workings. Through the people who’ve supported my family in that time 3 years ago, and the strength I see in my mom. Where I once felt hopeless, He’s helping me find trust and peace, reminding me that He’s in control, even when life feels uncertain.

A verse I have referred to is 2 Corinthians 12:9:

"But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me."

This has ultimately allowed me to fully accept Jesus into my life. I’m still on this journey of faith, and although there are days when I still may mess up at times and wrestle with questions and doubts, I know that Jesus is patient with me, letting me walk alongside him and gently drawing me closer to him.

Isabelle's Faith Story

Good Evening, everyone, For those who don’t know me, my name is Isabelle, and today I will

be sharing my testimony and faith journey with you. I was introduced to Christ at a very young

age and grew up in the church. My parents made sure to raise me in a good Christian home

and to live a Christ-centered life. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour when I was around

8 years

old at church during Sunday school one day, but my understanding of the Christian life was

limited. As I started to get older, my relationship in Christ hindered behind other priorities. I

found myself starting to worry more about what others had to think about me, and this started

to harm my relationship with God.

During COVID that’s when it started to really hit me that I was struggling with my relationship

with God. Sundays were a day where I just had to get up early to watch sermons and it felt that

nothing would ever change. Though I was attending Glory fellowship through Zoom, and I would

do devotions with a group of girls every week, it didn't feel the same. I felt trapped in my faith

journey and really struggled to cast my anxieties and worries to God. After that, I entered high

school, which hit me hard; the highs and lows and stress of school started to really get to me,

and this made me struggle with finding myself and who I was as a Christian teen. Again, worldly

desires tried to fill the hole in my heart but I was never able to fully feel complete.

In 2023, during summer vacation, my family and I took a trip to eastern Canada, where we

stopped by Toronto. We ended up going to church with another family who had been friends

with my parents. Walking into that church felt awkward for me since I didn’t really know anyone,

but something about the community made me feel so welcome. As we worshipped, I felt

touched by the Holy Spirit that day; it felt like everyone was filled with joy and had no shame in

praising our Lord. I walked out of there feeling inspired and wanting to heal my relationship with

God. I started to reevaluate my life in faith and how I wanted to live my life.

After that experience, I started to better myself as a Christian and had the desire to turn into the

best version of myself and let God lead me. This past year was probably one where I felt the

most anxiety in my life; thinking about where my life is now and where I was going with it

brought me a lot of worries. That being said, I was constantly reminded that God would lead me

if I let him and that I was not alone. God has blessed me in more ways than I can count, and

even though I don’t acknowledge it, I don’t know where my life would be without my faith. I want

to fully commit my life to God and allow him to change me from the inside out.

I would like to end off with a verse that resonates with me: “We love because He first loved us.”

1 John 4:19. It is a simple verse that reminds me of God’s love for me and to treat those around

me with love no matter what. As I start this new chapter of my life and transition into

post-secondary, I trust God’s plans for me and Him helping me find my purpose.

As I close off today, there are a few people I would like to thank for walking this journey with me.

I would like to thank Pastor Calvin for guiding me through my decision and supporting me. I

would like to thank my Sunday school, Agapeland, Glory, and Shine fellowship teachers who

have been able to help me grow and learn more about God. I would like to thank Pastor Adriel

for always being there and supporting me, as well as teaching me so much about God. And

lastly, I would like to thank my family and friends who have provided care and support

throughout my whole faith journey. Today I am confirming my faith to commit my life to Jesus

and continue walking my faith journey. Thank you for listening.

Kelvin's Faith Story

Kelvin Kwok Testimony 2024

Hello! My name is Kelvin and I will be sharing my testimony so let’s just get into it. I have always been in the church for as long as I can remember. My parents went to church so I did too. Every Sunday just getting taken out of bed and brought to church, always with a struggle. It didn’t feel like something I had any passion or personal interest in, rather just another obligation that I went to because I was supposed to. Monday to Friday I go to school, Saturday is Chinese school, and Sunday is church. It went on like this for a while with every week just bringing more complaints because I didn’t want to wake up early and it all just felt a bit boring. Finally, it all finally came crashing down during the pandemic.

When we were all forced to quarantine I was pretty happy with it in all honesty. I didn’t really
have to do anything for school and I could just stay at home all the time without thinking about anything else. This included church and Sunday service which brought about online worship which still causes me some trouble to this day as I feel like I can always excuse myself from going in person. I’ve been working on it but my attendance is spotty at best. I think at this point in time my relationship with God was at its lowest and I was actively straying away rather than passively staying stagnant. Of course, the pandemic came to an end and eventually I had to return, both to regular life and to God.

In my twelfth year of high school my life got a sudden shock as one of my best friends had
attempted to take his own life. This event shook me up to such a degree that I think only
recently have I been able to properly cope with it. I can still remember it vividly and even thinking back on it now I feel a bit haunted. After telling authority figures and knowing that help was on the way, when all I could do was sit and wait, I didn’t turn to my family, or my friends, but I found myself turning to God. I just sat there and prayed. When I was so deeply troubled and was the furthest from God I had been my whole life, still I turned to Him. Everything turned out fine and my friend is well and alive today. Yet that event still haunted me and I would find myself awake late at night just staring out at the night sky and feeling so sentimental. And in those moments I would feel so close to God. And I would just pray. I’ll be honest and say that I have no idea when I accepted Jesus as my savior. Nor do I know most of the other details. All I know is that I was young and in Sunday school when they talked about accepting Jesus as your savior and I figured “yeah sure easy enough” and then I believed.

But it wasn’t until those moments in the dead of night where I felt the weight of it all. After a while I started putting in a bit more effort. Attending Sunday service here and there. Getting immersed in fellowship. It wasn’t that much but it was in those moments that I realized that God is someone that I really want to know better and have a relationship with. I’m still not perfect and my journey has really only just begun, but I know that I want God in my life. I wish to commit myself to God and properly show my belief and devotion to Jesus as my Lord and Savior. To end, I would like to thank everyone that I’ve talked to about christianity and those that shared their testimony with me. I’d also like to thank pastor Calvin for helping me through this baptism class. I also want to thank all my friends and family that have supported me throughout the years. And finally thank you for listening.