Karen Leong
Salvation Experience
I became a Christian when introduced to church in Junior High. My parents belonged to a group called The Lucky 12. It consisted of 12 couples. 1 couple hosted each month. The purpose was to get together for fun games of Mah Jongg for the wives and Poker for the husbands. Some couples brought their families with them. They would mingle on their own. I was one of them and there was another girl my age that went to church. Her dad and my dad had conversations about going to church since his daughter was attending one. My dad thought it was a good idea even though he never went. He thought it would be a good place for me to socialize.
My parents arranged a sleep-over at the other girls’ house and the next morning, her dad would bring me to church with his daughter. She introduced me around the small, apartment-like church and I saw another friend and a cousin I had known. I went a couple of times. So, one night when a Lucky 12 party was at our house, the other girl brought a tract to share with me. We sat on the side of the bed and read the tract together. That was when I accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour.
My parents never attended church. They worked and attended those parties. We just co-existed in the same house and every once in a while, I could talk with my dad. He would stop what he was doing and just listen. I was well-provided for. My mom and dad made sure of that.
That small church was very friendly. They had weekly clubs for Elementary all the way to College. The children always had guidance through their teaching and events. I had no social problems. There was always something to chat about to someone. And the church provided the transportation with the many vans they purchased. While growing up dealing with all the worldly challenges, I had a group that centered on the Lord. The clubs had annual gender-based meetings also. Meetings where the boys and girls met separately to talk about anything the kids wanted to regarding growing up. I didn’t have to worry about peer pressure, drugs, joining a gang. I had a Lord-centered group. Church was the most positive thing in my life.
Was it church or was it the Lord Himself that keeps me coming back? I believe it was those who the Lord touched to serve Him in capacities of club sponsors, drivers, counselors, pastors, various club speakers.
I found out about a God who cares, among thousands of people, about me. A God who cares about my identity in Him, my confidence in Him, my attitudes, my actions -- that they would reflect His goodness and love, which is beyond what the world could give me.
My God has other attributes that attract me to Him. Not only is He good, gracious, and loving when the world isn’t, He is glorious, holy, merciful, just, faithful even when I am not. He is self-sufficient—it is only because of His love I can have eternal life, not anything I’ve done in my life. He is wise beyond all human thinking, all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere— there isn’t any place He is not there.
All I had to do was to say to Him, I believe in His Son, Jesus Christ. That He died on the cross to pay for my sin. And ask Him to come into my life.
I would like to share with my children and grandchildren--to search for God. Find Him and His Son Jesus and join a God-honoring group/ a community of believers that studies the Bible and helps you grow through life’s circumstances. And if your church provides, find a Mentor- someone who is impartial and mature in the Lord. A person who you can spend time with. This provides the opportunity to share about things you struggle with.
A favorite song: Waymaker. This song describes the character of God. Life is not always pleasant. When that happens, focus on the song. You will find peace.
Key Scripture
Eph 1:3-14 describes our identity in Christ. In the world, you will get huge amounts of criticism and teasing from others. You will get many self-judgements from yourself. Some of these can be harmful to a healthy self. Many are lies the world has taught you to believe about yourself. Now, look at what Christ tells about you. Those are true! That’s God saving you from harmful thoughts.
Eph 3:14-21 describes God’s riches, strength, love. God is vast. God is more than what we humans can ever imagine.
A wish to anyone who reads this, may you find strength, peace, hope, and a relationship with Jesus Christ.
If you are a senior and would like to submit your testimony, we invite you to contact us for details on how you can participate. We would love to include your story!
