In July 1983, at the age of 22, while I was in Kuala Lumpur, a
colleague gave me a Gideon small pocket testament that had belonged to her
brother. This marked the humble beginning of a journey where God's word did not
return void. As I read the testament over several months, certain verses, such
as John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9, deeply touched my heart and inspired me to
seek a deeper understanding of God. These verses sparked my curiosity to explore
God's character and teachings in the Bible further.
Opening my heart to the truth, I began searching for a church. A friend then brought me to an AG church in Kuala Lumpur in December 1983. This small pocket testament played a significant role in leading me to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Despite attending church in my youth merely to accompany friends, upon discovering the encouraging words of God in the Testament, I was convinced that the God of the Bible is real. Consequently, I discarded all the charms given to me by my parents.
In the same year, I was transferred to Sibu and in December 1983, I acknowledged and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. This decision led me to SIB Church in Sibu to deepen my growing Christian faith. I participated in baptism classes and was baptized at SIB Church in Sibu. Driven by my passion for the Lord, I actively engaged in discipleship classes organized by the church. Embracing my faith in Jesus Christ, I wrote a testimony, made copies, and shared them with my family and friends. My sister was puzzled by my sudden strong religious enthusiasm, which led her to ask about the change in my behavior.
In 1984, I was transferred to Tawau, where I shared my faith with friends. By 1985, I felt a calling to serve the Lord full-time, leading me to resign from my banking job in 1986 to dedicate myself entirely to ministry. Although my father initially disapproved of my conversion to Christianity and departure from banking, God answered my prayers, touching both my parents, who eventually became Christians. I had the privilege of baptizing my father after 30 years. Over time, my father became proud of my role as a pastor, proudly sharing with others that his son serves as a pastor.
Today, Pastor Daniel Chong serves as the Senior Pastor of Calvary Charismatic Church in Lahad Datu, Sabah, giving all glory to God. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment