Disciple ‧ Missionary

An awakening: Learning to be a disciple of Jesus

　　I was born into a non-Christian family. God wonderfully arranged for me to study in a Christian high school where I had the opportunity to know Jesus Christ. Having been a Christian for just a short period of time, I often thirsted to experience God but the foundation of my faith was not very deep. During my university years, I joined the disciple training program run by the Campus Crusade for Christ, and I came to know that God not only wants us to believe in Him but also calls us to be His disciples offering our sovereignty to Him. In the meantime, I also became aware that the Great Commission is the Lord’s order for every disciple. This awakening urged me to begin learning how to be the Lord’s disciple, and also learning how to proclaim the gospel and build up disciples. Later in a camp I heard for the first time about this message ― many people in the world have not heard of Jesus. This message was like a sharp siren that rang in my ears, making me feel sad for the many who have not heard the gospel.

　　I was baptized in Tai Po Baptist Church in 2007. After having graduated from university, I joined the short-term mission team of the church to live with minorities and serve them for two months as a preliminary experience in cross-cultural mission work. Although there was a language barrier, we could still share the unobstructed love of God during that period of time. I felt how joyful and contented we all were to testify to the love of God in a foreign land.

To share God’s joy in bringing back a lost sheep

　　I studied nursing at university and after graduation I began serving as a nurse in a hospital. Some of my colleagues who knew that I yearned to join the mission ministry told me, “A nurse can also give witness to God and you don’t have to go into full-time ministry!” However, in my heart I had a different idea. I still remember at a concert, I felt touched by a mime act that depicted the end-times. At that moment, I said this to God, “O Lord, I do not hope to just give injections or distribute pills all my life!” I understand that a nurse can be a good witness in their job but I always thirsted to serve more people and to help them know the salvation of Christ. Another thing that shocked me was that my neighbor who came to Christ in the hospital committed suicide the following day when she was discharged from the hospital. Her death made me feel the urgency of gospel work. I came to realize that one who comes to Christ must truly know Christ in order to have a new life; the Lord Jesus can meet the needs of the human flesh and only He can satisfy our spiritual yearnings.

　　In 2010, I went on a tour to India, going down many different streets and into the dark corners of the city. I saw a crowd of people begging for food. The sight of their hopeless eyes made a long-lasting impression on my heart. This reminded me of Jesus who in his time went through all the towns and villages and saw the crowds being harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. At that very moment I heard God say, “Rejoice with me!” (Luke 15:6) I realize that God is willing to work with me and share the joy of having found the lost sheep!

To step onto the path of mission is to “go to where Jesus is”

　　Step by step, Jesus led me to take part in the church’s mission ministry and to learn to walk with missionaries. Although I am not yet clear about God’s call, I unconsciously think about which minority or country I can help most and in what way I can serve God. God repeatedly spoke to me with the same scripture verse: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Prov 3:5-6) While thirsting to serve God and waiting for His guidance, I was often unsure about my abilities and afraid that I had no competence or spiritual gifts. I had no confidence to step onto the mission path nor affirm the will of God. It was not until November 2010, several days after the church’s annual mission rally, that God responded to me three times through the passage when Peter walked on the water (Matt 14:22-33). Although I, like Peter, was doubtful about my abilities, the Lord Jesus responded to me in the same way as he responded to Peter, “Come.” I could feel that Jesus likewise also calls me to go to where he is. I also realize that to step onto the path of mission is “to go to where Jesus is.”

　　In June 2011, in a cross-cultural mission practicum training camp, God called me through the scripture “open your eyes and look at the fields!” (Jn 4:31-42). I realized that He wants me to move forward, opening my eyes and looking at the needs of mission work. I actually responded to God’s call by joining the short-term mission experience to Chiang Mai, Thailand, which was jointly organized by my mother church and the Gospel Operation International for Chinese Christians for the past three years. This experience helped me understand the importance of incarnation. I realized that only through living in the midst of a non-Christian tribe for a long period and getting along with them and building relationships with them can we communicate the love and truth of Christ to them. Living among the Thais, I can see the urgency of proclaiming the gospel of Christ. As the world is constantly tempting people to sin, we must grasp the opportunity ― as long as it is day we must do the work of Christ (Jn 9:4). Not only can I see Jesus asking us to do His will, He also expects us to “finish his work” (Jn 4:34).

Don’t you think the Lord is worthy to receive the greatest response?

　　During the Thailand mission trip, I continued to seek God’s will as to whether I should walk onto the full-time ministry path. God repeatedly put in my heart the stirring to join a mission. Would I really have to leave my family and friends to engage myself in a life of ministry in response to the Lord Jesus Christ? In my heart I was still a bit hesitant. In early 2015, when I read a book written by Rev. Andrew Chai on Christian ministry, reflecting upon the sacrifice that Jesus made for me, I realized how unworthy I was to receive such a great grace from the Lord. One sentence in the book served as a wake-up call, “Because of the fact that He had paid the greatest price to save me from death, don’t you think the Lord is worthy to receive the greatest response?” In my heart a voice constantly asked, “Are you willing? Are you willing?” Yes, the Lord Jesus Christ is worthy to receive the greatest response from me. At that moment, I responded, “O Lord, I am willing!” However, soon I became doubtful again. I was worried about what God’s exact call would be and what I should do in the future. In the past, didn’t God let me see the needs of the mission fields? If I did not respond, how could I come to see him face to face? I felt that God had already entrusted me with the responsibility of going to the whole world to preach the gospel, but I was still struggling.

　　In June the same year, I returned to Hong Kong to join the annual activities of the missionary society and was asked to share my testimony during a church worship service. I did not expect that God would once again help me to make a resolution in that service. Through a hymn in the service, God reminded me of the call to mission work, “The workers are few but the crops are plenty. Who is willing to work hard for the Lord? … To offer a living sacrifice at the holy altar, no more delay in saving people’s souls. … Preach the gospel quickly. Who is willing to be the pioneer? As long as it is day, work hard at the holy work ….” As I was singing along, I heard the call in my heart, “Who can be the pioneer? Who is willing? Who is willing?” That moment I knew God urged me not to be hesitant but to make a resolution to respond by offering myself to be a missionary in a foreign land to a foreign tribe. I, who was weak, once again was touched by the Lord’s call and finally I firmly responded, “O Lord, I am willing!” I am willing to offer myself up as a living sacrifice, all my life I will be faithful to the call of the Lord. I truly hope that HKBTS’s holistic equipping will help me understand God more, understand myself more so that in the future I can be a servant for the Lord’s use.