Testimony – Mark

My name is Mark. I’m from Shandong, China.

I was born into a family with no religious background. When I was young, I thought Christianity was just superstition. But after I came to Christchurch, New Zealand, some friends took me to visit many churches. That was the first time I heard the story of Jesus.

Even though I visited quite a few churches, I still didn’t believe. Why? Because I felt many churches focused only on whether or not you believed, but didn’t ask why you didn’t believe, or how someone could move from unbelief to faith.

One day, I saw an advertisement on social media about OTBC’s English Class, so I came along. I felt something different here. Through the English Class, I was invited to the Thursday Bible Group, and it was there I began to understand that Jesus loves sinners.

After Pastor Jane led me in my first prayer, I had a dream that night, and then something happened in my life that made me feel as if God was saying to me: “You need to forgive those who’ve hurt you in the past.”

Pastor Jane explained that unforgiveness could keep me stuck in anger or a victim mindset, damaging my relationships and holding me back.

Matthew 18:35 says: “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

I strongly agreed with God’s Word. I prayed with Pastor Jane many times, choosing to forgive those who had hurt me. After each prayer, I felt a deep peace and calm in my heart, the peace of Christ.

Here, I’ve encountered God’s healing and freedom. I’ve also felt His love and care. This journey from unbelief to faith has been deeply important to me, because through it I sensed God’s calling. In His Kingdom of truth and love, I’ve begun to receive healing and to learn how to love and care for others too.

God’s Kingdom is a Kingdom of truth and love. From now on, I want to walk faithfully with Him—receiving His love and sharing it with others.

Thank You, Lord Jesus, for Your salvation. And thank you to the OTBC English Class teachers, Pastor Jane, Raymond, Fu, Kayla, and everyone who helped me get to this point, thank you for your dedication and love.

Ephesians 3:21: “To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.”