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I was born in a Christian family and was brought up in a very loving, yet strict, environment. It was the Lord's mercy and my parents' faithfulness that brought me to my salvation. One day, when I was five years old, I got into trouble and my dad took me into his room to discipline me. Through my tears I told my dad I didn't know why I did “bad” things. He then presented to me the gospel and I prayed with him to receive the Lord Jesus. I was baptized two years later. The next few years I grew a little spiritually, although being young I grew more humanly than in any other way. My family and the local church in Newport News, although very small at the time, provided me with the spiritual nourishment I needed to grow in Christ (Colossians 1:28). Eventually, through the speaking of the believers in the church and the Lord's operation I realized that I must give myself to the Lord. As I was lying in bed one January night when I was almost fourteen, I poured out my heart to the Lord and consecrated my life and future to Him for His eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:11).
Now I am in college pursuing a bachelors degree in music. At the same time I am pursuing something of a more eternal value. I am running the race of a lifetime (Hebrews 12:1). Sometimes my way is painful, sometimes filled with joy. Other times I grow tired, stumble, and fall. Regardless of what happens or how I feel, the believers in the church along with the ministry of Witness Lee and Watchman Nee have never failed to bring me to the wonderful Christ who encourages, uplifts, and strengthens me to press on. I now say, as the apostle Paul did, “I pursue toward the goal for the prize to which God in Christ Jesus has called me upward.” (Phil. 3:14) I look forward to the day when I will be able to say, “I have fought the good fight; I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Tim.4:7)
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