Since my parents were missionaries in the country of Uzbekistan for a few years, my early childhood was spent surrounded by Christians in the mission field.  Because of this, it was natural that I believed in God from a very young age, but I wasn’t saved even though I understood the issue of sin and how we needed God’s salvation. It simply wasn’t something I thought about on a personal level because like most people, I thought I was a good person.

It was when I was around nine years old, sitting in the living room of our home, that my mother asked me if I wanted to ask for forgiveness for my sins and have eternal life. I already knew about condemnation and salvation, and I’d seen others coming to Christ, but this was the first time I remember really thinking about what it meant for my own life. Since the idea of spending eternity in a fiery pit scared me so much and I felt bad that my sins put Jesus on the cross, I said yes. That day I prayed and asked Jesus to come into my life as my Savior.

My life didn’t suddenly change dramatically from that moment I prayed. In many ways I was still the same me, though now I was sure of my own salvation and God’s forgiveness of my sin. It wasn’t until I began to attend Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF), the high school youth group here at Chinese Grace Bible Church, that I really began to examine what it meant to live as a Christian and not just say that I was one. I learned to apply what I read in the Bible to my own life. CYF also helped me to better understand my purpose in life, which is to serve and glorify God in whatever I do.

So that’s why I am here today to be baptized. I want everyone to know that I dedicate my life to Jesus and that whatever I do, I want to do for His glory. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “14 ‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (NIV) I want my life to be a light for others, so that they will glorify God and come to know Jesus.