Following the Gracious Guidance of God

　　Thanks to God our Father, I completed my Bachelor of Theology degree at HKBTS! Looking back on these four years of study, I know that it was all possible and went smoothly because of God’s grace and guidance; otherwise, this would be an impossible task.

In His Time

　　I came from Jiangxi and moved to Hong Kong in 2003. My husband and I have two sons. Through the principal of my son’s kindergarten, God brought me to a church where I came to know Jesus and was baptized in 2009.

　　During my subsequent service at the church, I witnessed the life-changing power of the gospel again and again, which sparked my desire to work with God, but at the same time, I felt deeply that I was unworthy and inadequate. With the advice of my pastor, I took different courses to equip myself, but the more I learned, the more I realized my inadequacy and dared not respond to God’s calling.

　　Even though life is short, unpredictable, and can make us feel helpless and fearful, God has shown me His guidance in the midst of it. The sudden death of my relative and the onslaught of the pandemic not only shook me with grief but also awakened God’s calling to serve as a minister. I no longer hesitated and seized the opportunity to respond to God. With the support of my family, my church, and my pastors, I submitted the application form for the bachelor’s degree program to HKBTS in August 2020 with trepidation and anticipation.

　　I remember when I submitted the application, it was just two weeks before the opening convocation ceremony for the new school year, which was long past the deadline for admissions. However, by God’s marvelous arrangement, I became the last student to enroll that year. I was really grateful that I didn’t have to wait for another year. There is a time for everything, and I am convinced that everything that happens in my life is not by chance, but by God’s hand.

His Provision Suffices

　　What God has done is amazing. He not only prepared me to respond to His calling, but also prepared my family, my church, my spiritual companions, as well as the HKBTS faculty and fellow students to support me.

　　At the lowest point of my life, God took the initiative to seek me and let me experience His presence and help. He also gave me the courage to share the Gospel with others so that my life would grow and be renewed through participation in ministry. In retrospect, I knew that God has molded me through all these experiences and prepared me to respond to His calling. I remember when I first told my family about my intention to receive full-time theological training, my son expressed concern about our family’s financial status, but after prayers, our whole family eventually expressed unanimous support and was willing to share the household chores, thus relieving me of my worries. At the same time, the offerings and prayers of the church and my spiritual companions became a tangible expression of God’s presence and support. So, I resolutely resigned from my job and took on training with the blessings of God and all my supporters.

　　Being able to study at HKBTS, a theological seminary that emphasizes both academics and praxis, as well as the spiritual character of the students, was indeed a blessing from God, because He has been easing my worries that whether I would be able to complete the four-year program due to my age and academic qualifications. Although the process was difficult, especially the study of the biblical languages and theology, which often made me feel frustrated and confused, God knew everything I needed and always helped me in different ways—through teachers’ assistance and the close companionship of my classmates. For example, my teachers often used their extra hours to teach us if we were in need, and the seminary provided us with one-on-one spiritual care. I felt blessed to study in such a supportive environment where I was able to graduate smoothly and experience God’s faithfulness and abundant grace deeply.

Trust in His Unfailing Promises

　　Following God is a lifelong journey, and there will be a long way to go after my graduation. I am confident that these four years of study will serve as a solid foundation for my future ministry and give me the faith to rely on Him. I also believe that God promises to give those who follow Him the ability to serve fully.

　　The road ahead will be full of challenges, but God’s grace is immeasurable. I believe that He will walk with me, just as I have experienced in the past, which is beyond what I could have asked for or imagined. My wish is to follow our Father’s gracious guidance every day, by trusting in His unfailing promises firmly, by looking upon the mercy of the Lord Jesus continuously, and by becoming His faithful servant in this generation with the strength and help of the Holy Spirit. May God use me, a small and weak vessel to witness His grace and glory.