A Call Worth Going All In on

Returning to the Path of Faith

　　After graduating from college, I received numerous job opportunities and gained recognition from my seniors. I pursued my career with great ambition, yet my relationship with God grew increasingly distant. Thankfully, He pulled me back down when my career was soaring. An accident injured my left leg, forcing me to stop working for six months. All my professional achievements slipped away, but this period granted me time for quiet rest and reflection on life. Looking back on my path of growth, I came to realize that God had always bestowed abundant grace upon my life: I was raised in the church from childhood, nurtured and cherished; I committed my life to Christ in secondary school, experiencing the gift of new life, coming to know God and being baptized into Christ. In that moment, I awoke to the truth—I had sinned against God, because the “promising future” before my eyes had drawn me away, and I had forgotten my Heavenly Father’s boundless grace that had been shown to me.

　　Upon my recovery, I joined the college student fellowship at church. Through my mentor’s guidance and the companionship and encouragement of fellow members, I returned to the path of faith and even overcame my foul mouth.

First Called during Service

　　From then on, I devoted myself wholeheartedly to church ministry, longing to live a life pleasing to God. One day, as I served in a worship service, a thought suddenly struck me: Despite my past indifference toward God, He never abandoned me—He even allowed me to serve Him. How could I, so unworthy, still be sought after by God? Then I distinctly heard a voice: “You’re already twenty-one—won’t you go all in for God?” This thought pierced deep into my heart, like an interrogation of my soul. Right then, I could not—and dared not—give any response, yet this thought kept echoing in my mind.

　　My parents were devout Buddhists, and our faith often led to conflict. If I told them I would enter a seminary and dedicate my life to serving God, it would surely bring constant turmoil to our home. I entrusted this matter to God, asking Him to change my parents’ hearts, and invited my brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for their salvation. Less than a year later, on a Sunday afternoon in December 2022, my parents unexpectedly accepted Christ together. Then they promptly arranged to remove the idols that had been worshipped in our home for over thirty years! With God having paved the way, I tentatively took a step forward, beginning to explore the seminary’s course materials.

Call Confirmed amidst Doubt

　　Just as I was planning to pursue full-time theological studies, my girlfriend’s father suddenly passed away, dealing a heavy blow to both of us. While busy assisting her with various processes and ceremonies, I also attended to her needs. At the time, I felt inadequate in social experience and financially unstable. I constantly doubted my abilities and even resented God for allowing such a trial. Concerned about my girlfriend’s potential financial needs, I grew hesitant about committing to full-time ministry. The idea of “going all in [for God]” gradually faded, yet I felt a deep sense of indebtedness to God.

　　In mid-2023, my church organized a mission trip to Taiwan. I had no intention of participating at first, but after repeated invitations from the deacon and pastor and much internal struggle, I finally decided to go. God then led me to an unexpected experience. The final day of the mission trip included street evangelism. I was in a poor state that day, not actively engaging with people but simply standing beside my teammates in prayer. On the way back, we encountered an elderly woman. As we talked, we discovered she was also a Christian. Finally, we prayed for her, but suddenly she said, “I want to pray for you too.” Then she turned to me and said, “You will become a pastor someday.” I was startled at that moment. Later, while sharing with the mission team at the hotel, I recalled the idea of “all in [for God].” God used a stranger to remind me that He was still waiting.

Rediscovering the Call in the Camp

　　Returning to Hong Kong, I began searching for direction once again. At the suggestion of a seminary student, I joined the “Experiencing Seminary Life Day Camp” held by the Hong Kong Baptist Theological Seminary. The final session of the camp included individual talks with professors, and mine was with Dr. Andres Tang. He said something that deeply impacted me: “Today, God is giving you opportunities to participate in His plan—that is grace. If you ignore it, He can find someone else.” This prompted me to ponder repeatedly: “What could be more important than serving God?” This time, I knew clearly that nothing in life matters more than serving God. It is not about my own abilities—the key lies in God’s calling and responding to that call. I need not pave my own path; I simply need to respond in faith and embark on the journey of God’s gracious call.

　　I firmly believe that God has consistently allowed me to experience His faithfulness in all matters, big and small, leading me to this day, where I am receiving training to become His worker. All of this is due to His grace and His plan. I desire to dedicate my prime years to God while I am still young, and I look forward to giving back and serving my mother church in the future.