The Church in Spokane
TestimoniesGod’s Heart’s Desire: the Church Life in My LocalityI was born in Beijing, China and became a Christian when my family moved to Hong Kong. There I was saved through a minister of a Baptist denomination. At the time I got baptized the minister told me that my destiny was to go to Heaven, even if I did not behave myself and do good things. Eventually, because I did not know the true meaning behind being a Christian, nor the purpose of God, I drifted back into the world. I do not mean the low or shameful things of this world, but the glitter and glamour of this present evil age, including things such as fashion, sports, entertainment, amusement, clubs, and religion. So outwardly I went to meetings every Sunday in the Baptist denomination, but inside of me I did not have any interest and there was no reality. I did not know the Lord intimately, but I knew He had something more to offer than what I’d seen. I came to the U. S. in 1984 and eventually ended up in a four-year nursing program. At that point in my life I was going through a difficult time and thought that I would have to go back to Hong Kong when I graduated from the program; but I soon realized I would not be able to do that because my daughter had been born in the U. S., and was only 18 months old. So I studied hard at school, but at the same time, was really depressed and saw no hope to change my predicament. I was so overwhelmed by my environment that I could not get along by myself. It was at this time in my life I met some Christians in my nursing class. They were always happy and smiling. I was attracted to them because of their expression. Eventually they invited me to a Christian meeting and told me that they met as the church in Spokane. They were genuine born again Christians. I went to my first meeting of the local church in March of 1988. Right away I was attracted to their gathering. It was very living and enjoyable. Every member of the congregation was given the opportunity to stand up and give a testimony or pray if they were led of the Lord. I had been saved for more than ten years, but had never seen anything like this. Everyone was real, genuine, and happy. I deeply sensed that God was present there. I sat listening and was in such awe I could not hold back my tears, which flowed out like a steady stream throughout the entire meeting. I could not identify with this because I had never really shed tears before, even when I went through severe hardships in my life. These tears were not due to sorrow, but they flowed because I had found, once again, that which was precious to me—God’s presence. The members introduced me to some of Witness Lee’s books. I was shocked over how much this man knew the Bible, God, the Spirit, the human spirit, Christ, life, and the church. The thing that amazed me over and over was that he made all the spiritual truths real, practical, and experiential. I was never drawn to Witness Lee himself, or the so-called “local church” movement. I was attracted to the Lord Jesus, and I know Him much more than before, through reading books written by Witness Lee and attending meetings with the local church. I really appreciate the last ten years of my life. They have become precious to me. The Bible has been opened and I enjoy reading through the New Testament at least once a year. The Word is so delicious! My Christian life is full of meaning, faith, hope, peace, joy and righteousness in the Holy Spirit. Rom. 14:17 became my daily experience. In particular, I praise the Lord that my daughter eventually got saved when she was seven years old. God has graciously continued to keep her from the world. Currently she is 13 years old, and is an honor student in school. She loves attending Bible studies with many other young people meeting with the church in Spokane. What can I say but praise the Lord for His mercy! L.E. |