back to index2021-05-16 Lauren Kim Baptism Testimony
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I'm currently a third year public health science at UCI and this is my testimony. 00:00:14.400 |
So unlike many of my peers, I never grew up in a church, nor did I grow up in a Christian 00:00:20.200 |
The earliest memory I have of church was attending it with my grandparents here and there when 00:00:26.080 |
But after entering elementary school, I stopped going. 00:00:29.960 |
Growing up, I was what you called a good kid. 00:00:32.680 |
Never got in trouble by my teachers, obeyed my two loving and caring parents, didn't attend 00:00:38.640 |
parties or intake alcohol or drugs, had a close group of friends that all got along 00:00:44.000 |
well with each other, anything the world would see as ideal. 00:00:47.120 |
However, in my senior year of high school, I began to be involved in different dating 00:00:52.480 |
Even though I had all that I could ask for, I still felt a void in my heart and struggled 00:01:01.600 |
Although my closest friend introduced me to her home church in senior year, I was still 00:01:09.360 |
My struggle at trying to please man, especially my boyfriends, and deem worthy to those around 00:01:15.040 |
I tried filling the void with dating relationships in school, but because of that, it brought 00:01:22.640 |
Coming into university, I never planned on being involved with church or Christ. 00:01:26.560 |
I wanted to indulge in the world by attending parties and seeking freedom now that I was 00:01:32.600 |
However, in his grace, God had other plans for me. 00:01:36.880 |
I was introduced to Berean Community Church by alumni from my high school. 00:01:44.440 |
I was drawn in by how welcoming the community was and the passion Pastor Peter had for the 00:01:51.800 |
Before I realized, I was involved in small group, Friday Bible study, Sunday service, 00:02:00.640 |
I heard the gospel for the first time during small group my freshman year of college. 00:02:05.600 |
For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whoever believes in 00:02:09.640 |
him shall not perish but have eternal life, John 3:16. 00:02:13.560 |
Through church, small group, and campus ministry, I was beginning to understand who God was 00:02:21.920 |
My faith wasn't tested until I was away from church for the summer my freshman year. 00:02:26.440 |
By experiencing various trials, I saw that my knowledge of the Lord was all head and 00:02:31.920 |
I tried to convert those around me into Christianity and change their hearts through my own works 00:02:37.120 |
and actions but was only faced with constant criticism and rejection. 00:02:42.680 |
I began to question my salvation and faith in the Lord. 00:02:46.400 |
One day I shut myself in a closet and for the first time prayed vulnerably and honestly 00:02:52.120 |
I surrendered my everything to him and truly declared him as my Lord and Savior. 00:02:56.600 |
An overwhelming sense of peace flooded in my heart as I knew that no work or worth could 00:03:06.960 |
Someone so insignificant and sinful as myself is deeply known and deeply loved by the Lord 00:03:15.080 |
For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and are justified by his grace 00:03:20.080 |
as a gift through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus who God put forward as appropriation 00:03:25.400 |
by his blood to be received by faith, Romans 3, 23 to 25. 00:03:34.800 |
I am far from perfect and I struggle with sin daily but I know that he is working in 00:03:41.240 |
I am blessed to be surrounded by communities of brothers and sisters that encourage and 00:03:45.120 |
sharpen me and as Pastor Nate likes to say, "Once saved, always persevere." 00:03:50.680 |
I am no longer a slave to that through sin but redeemed and adopted into his kingdom. 00:03:56.160 |
Truly this life is no longer mine to live but Christ who lives in me.