Kok Jia Le
Being born into a Christian family, I was actively going to church throughout my entire life. As a second-generation Christian, I found that I experienced a sort of desensitization towards Christianity. Though I knew of God and stories in the Bible, I wasn’t able to fully comprehend how Christianity played its part in my life and this inhibited my growth as a Christian early on.
When I was growing up, I had many struggles regarding my self-worth and value. With high expectations that I placed on myself, it was difficult to see myself as being worth anything more than my accomplishments. I would often have thoughts that the people I knew and loved would be better off without me. I was very sensitive when others made comments about me. I often felt I contributed nothing to others, no matter how hard I tried to achieve more and more acclamations as a means to prove otherwise. This made it extremely difficult for me to love myself, and to feel the love from others as well.
Between secondary 4 and the transition to polytechnic, my spiritual maturity started to blossom. I remember my most striking moment was when I went to an event with my friend where we watched a film called “Show me the Father”. My biggest take-away from that event was that God, despite being the Almighty Creator, is also my family, my heavenly Father. To me, this was a very big revelation. I realised that a God who is so powerful loves me His own son. From that moment onwards, God placed in me a growing sense of love for myself, through the showering of His love for me. I focused less on what others thought of me and focused more on God’s purposes for me.
Previously, I did not realise the closeness of God as a Father. Whenever I prayed, it was mostly at surface level and I never really felt as though I was praying to anyone at all. However after this revelation, I began to have closer and more intimate prayers with God. It was as if I was having conversations with a friend. Feeling the love of God has helped me overcome my self-deprecation. I began to understand that my accomplishments and the approval of others cannot compare to God’s love. Through this, God has empowered me to live a life that is truly worthy of Him.
Focusing on the blessings that we have, and not what we don’t have, is a powerful way of living life. In times where it is easy and almost common to overlook our blessings, it is important to take a step back and appreciate that our lives are in no way bad. Many people in the world would do everything in their power to live the way I do. Therefore, no time should be spent on sulking, but instead on giving thanks.
Danielle Ooi
When I was 9, I prayed to accept Christ but lacked the maturity and understanding of what it truly meant to have a relationship with God. As such, I relied on my own strength, doing my best to push through my struggles and find solutions to my problems without really turning to God. Eventually I realised that things were getting out of control and that I could not do this alone.
I was in primary 3 when I encountered a teacher who would constantly flip our tables and threaten to slap or beat up my classmates and me if we made mistakes. Seeing that I had decent grades, she put immense pressure on me to meet her high expectations in becoming the top student in the school, and told me that I would be a disappointment if I failed to do so. As an easily influenced 9 year old back then whose entire life revolved around studies and school, I was perpetually afraid of failing to meet her expectations and getting punished as a result. This fear of failure and constant anxiety was an immense weight on my shoulders, leading to many sleepless nights and bouts of crying. As this persistent pressure, fear and unwanted competition with others continued to accumulate over the years, so did my petty hatred towards her.
Two years ago, I suddenly received news that this teacher had passed on and was asked to attend her funeral, which left me feeling conflicted. As horrible as it sounds, my hatred towards her was so strong that I initially felt a sense of relief upon hearing the tragic news. However, as I reflected on it, I started to feel extremely guilty and begged God to grant me the strength to love and to forgive this teacher. I remember asking Him why He would let me encounter such a person in my life, but I did not get an answer. Fast forward a week or two, a pastor preached a sermon on Matthew 5:43-44 which states, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” During the altar call, the pastor asked those who needed to forgive someone to raise their hands and pray along with him. I felt God prompting me, so I did as the pastor said. I can’t recall the exact words I prayed, but I will forever remember the feeling of liberation in that moment. The hatred, burden and anxiety I had felt for so long was gone in an instant. In its place was God’s overwhelming peace. By God’s grace, He had given me the strength to let go of my resentment, taking this burden off my shoulders.
Through this experience, I realised the true power of God and how He helps us do things that we could never do on our own. I remember shortly after this experience, I thanked God for bringing this teacher into my life – something the 9 year old me could have never imagined doing. As I continued to ask God for a reason as to why I had to encounter this, He revealed to me that as painful as it may have been in the moment, His plan is perfect and everything happens for a reason. This experience made me realise that I needed God’s help, and had I not encountered this teacher, I may not have drawn close to God and experienced Him working in my life.
As Isaiah 41:13 says, “For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” Even when things seem impossible or tough times arise, as long as we turn to God and trust in His plan, He will deliver us. For God has plans to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future.
Rebecca Tang
I was born into a Christian family and have been attending NLBC since I was young. I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior when I was 11. However, for a long time I did not encounter God personally. I knew about Him through the stories in the Bible but I didn’t really feel His presence in my life.
In secondary school, I struggled to make friends and to find a purpose in life. I had always been quiet and shy, but in that new environment, I failed to reach out and connect with others. By the end of secondary one, I found myself without friends in school. I convinced myself that I was fine and better off without friends. Yet I felt worried because many of my classmates and people around me seemed to have clear goals in mind, like what university course or job they wanted in the future. I was scared that I would be left behind while everyone else progressed forward.
In secondary four, I finally talked to my sister about some issues I had been facing and emotions I didn’t know I had bottled up started pouring out. That day, I opened up The Daily Bread after months of not reading it. The devotional was about God’s purpose for us, which is to spread the gospel so that others can be saved. When I played the audio recording, I discovered that the person narrating the passage shared the same name as me. I felt that God was speaking to me. It was like the devotional was meant specifically for me. I felt touched and relieved as my purpose in life was something I had been unsure and worried about for a long time. I felt comforted that I had found a purpose in life in God.
Today, I feel that I know God on a more personal level and am comforted that He is always there for me. When I remember 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”), I am less worried about finding my purpose and direction in life as I trust that God has a plan for me. God has also blessed me with new friends in JC who are non-believers. I’ve also learned to open up more and to make more effort in building friendships, instead of closing myself off too much. Hopefully I can share the Word with them and bring them to church someday.
I think Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – helps me to remember not to worry too much when there are challenges in my life because I can trust in God’s plan for me.
Suki
I was born and raised in a strict Catholic family. Because of that, my grandparents didn’t allow me to be baptized in a Baptist church, even though I had the desire to follow Jesus from a young age. When I was a child, someone invited me to attend a Baptist church in our hometown. I began attending regularly and became active in church activities like youth camps. The church also supported me through my elementary and high school years, which I’m truly thankful for.
Even at that time, I already wanted to be baptized and become part of the Baptist church, but out of respect for my grandparents and the traditions of our family, I waited, trusting that one day I could make that decision for myself.
Later, I moved to Manila to work. I couldn’t find a church like the one I grew up in, so I started attending a Catholic church again. I also made friends with people who didn’t share my faith. I got along with them, but deep inside, something felt missing in my heart.
After about a year, I returned to my province and entered into a relationship with someone from my hometown. By God’s grace, we were blessed with children, and for a time, life seemed stable. But when he went abroad for work, everything changed. A few months later, he messaged me to say that he would continue to support us financially, but that our relationship was over. That moment truly broke my heart.
After that, I decided to work abroad as well. My first job was in Hong Kong, but the experience was very difficult, and I eventually returned to the Philippines. My sister then encouraged me to apply in Singapore. By God’s grace, I found a good employer here.
While in Singapore, I discovered NLBC—a Baptist church just like the one I grew up in. I started attending church again, and God began working in my heart in a deeper way. Through worship, preaching and the love of the church community, I felt God gently reminding me of how much I needed Him. That was when I finally decided to be baptized. It was a decision I had held in my heart since childhood but couldn’t act on because of my family’s background. Now that I’m older and able to choose for myself, I decided to follow the desire God had placed in me so long ago.
Life hasn’t always been easy. I’ve gone through pain, heartbreak, and many struggles. But I’ve also experienced God’s faithfulness through it all. He never left me—not even in the darkest moments. He was always there, quietly guiding me, giving me strength, and surrounding me with His love.
Now, I’m continuing to grow in my faith, and I’ve found peace, purpose and joy in following Jesus. I’m thankful for the community He’s placed me in and for the grace that has carried me through every season.
Marisa Phongthuean
My name is Marisa, and I am from Thailand. I moved to Singapore after marrying my husband, John. At first, I went to church simply because I had to take my children there, and I didn’t think much about it. However, as I attended Sunday School with my sons, I began to hear more about God.
One moment that really stood out to me was when I heard the story of how God is always with us, even when we don’t realize it. I remember feeling overwhelmed one day, struggling with loneliness and adjusting to life in Singapore. During that time, I heard Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” That verse spoke directly to my heart. I felt as if God was assuring me personally that I was not alone, that He was with me, and that He would give me strength.
At first, church was just a place to take my kids, but slowly, I started feeling a sense of peace and joy that I didn’t expect. I learned that God is a loving Father who cares for us and that Jesus Christ died for our sins so we can have eternal life. I also noticed a change in my children. They became more thoughtful and kind, and they would come home excited to share what they had learned in Sunday School. Seeing their simple and innocent faith and how they trusted God made me want to seek Him more.
One day, I prayed and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour with Pastor Edwin. Since then, I have experienced a deep sense of peace, and I have learned to trust God during difficult times. One challenging season was when I struggled with doubt and worry about my role as a mother and wife. I often felt like I wasn’t doing enough or that I wasn’t good enough. But in those moments, I prayed and surrendered my worries to God. Slowly, I began to feel His peace replacing my anxieties, and I learned to trust in His plans rather than my own abilities.
Now, I continue to grow in my faith and seek to know God more each day. I spend more time in prayer, reading the Bible, and surrounding myself with fellow believers who encourage me. I have also started applying what I learn in my daily life—whether it’s being more patient, forgiving more easily, or simply trusting God in small things.
This is my testimony, and I hope it encourages others to experience God’s love too.