Master of Divinity, Bible Exposition, 2008, Columbia International University
Youth Pastor, Pittsburgh Chinese Church
Pittsburgh, PA
Recently, I was reading through a book titled “The Christian Ministry” by Charles Bridges. In this book, the author made this comment: “All our failures may be ultimately traced to a defect of faith. We ask but for little, we expect but little, we are satisfied with little; and therefore we gain and do but little.”
After reading this quote I was convicted of the lack of faith in my life. I had been doing ministry here in Pittsburgh, but had become somewhat cynical. Change in the lives of people that I ministered to did not always happen. I prayed little and relied on my own physical strength and gifting to do ministry. This quote reminded me of the transforming power of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and two verses in particular:
Colossians 1:5-6 – the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing
1 Peter 1:23 – since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God
God used these verses and many others to remind me of transforming power of the gospel. During my time of serving at the Pittsburgh Chinese Church I have been blessed to see the gospel take root in individual lives and bear fruit. It was not my talents or abilities that brought about change, but it was His Word that brought about change.
Presently, there are many students who attend our youth group that do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ; some know little about Him. Over time the Holy Spirit has empowered me to faithfully proclaim His Word to these students and I look forward to seeing the fruit that He brings about.