William’s Baptism's Testimony

Kia ora everyone, my name is William Liang. I came to Christchurch in February 2024 and work as a chef in a Chinese restaurant. More than ten years ago, when I was in China, I used to go to church, but later, because my work as a chef was so busy, I rarely went again. 大家好，我叫William，2024年2月份来到基督城，在一个华人餐厅做厨师。十多年前，在中国我曾去过教会，后来因为厨师工作很忙碌，我很少再去教会。

In February 2024, I came once to OTBC’s English class. As I had just arrived in Christchurch, I found it hard to adjust my time, and for more than a year I didn’t go back to church. The work here is quite different from what I was used to — very busy and stressful. I also faced tension and conflict with colleagues, and at home my teenage kids were going through a rebellious phase — it was pretty tough. On top of that, the relationship between my wife and my parents was strained. My heart was heavy with worry and sorrow, as if carrying a thousand-kilogram load. I tried many ways to fix things myself, but nothing improved. It was a hard season of my life.  2024年2月份，我来过一次OTBC英文班。因为初来基督城，有许多的不适应，接下来一年多，我没有再来过教会。这里厨师的工作跟过去不太一样，很忙碌，工作压力非常大。我也经历了工作中人际关系的紧张和冲突，加上国内家里的孩子处于叛逆期，让我很头痛，妻子和我父母的关系也很紧张，我心里苦闷、忧愁，如千斤重担，虽尝试了各种自己的办法，试图去改变现况，却一直没有丝毫好转。那是一段艰难的时期。

When I was at my lowest point, ready to resign and head back to China, Sister Ann invited me to join the Thursday-night Bible study at OTBC. 在我最沮丧失望，准备辞职回国的时候，因Ann姐妹的介绍，我来到了OTBC国际堂周四的查经小组。

When I came back to church, I was deeply moved by how warm and kind everyone was. I’m so thankful to Sister Weiwei for driving me to and from the group, to Brother Jason for helping me fix my car, and to the cooking-team sisters who prepare dinner every Thursday so that we can feel the warmth of family even far from home. After all these years of twists and turns, I decided to be baptised and give my life to Jesus. This wasn’t a sudden decision, but a willing surrender in response to God’s love. 再次来到教会，弟兄姐妹都很亲切、温暖，非常感谢维维姐妹开车接送我，也感谢Jason弟兄帮我修车，感谢Cooking小组的姐妹们每周四都做好晚餐，使我们在异国他乡感受到家的温暖。在经历了十多年的曲折之后，我决定受洗归向耶稣。这并非一时冲动，而是在上帝的爱中，甘心乐意的降服。

In the past, when I felt empty and lost, I explored different religions and worshipped various idols. After deciding to be baptised, I started attending the baptism-preparation classes led by Brother Raymond every Thursday whenever I could. That’s when I realised those past actions had opened many spiritual doors and separated me from God’s blessing. Brother Raymond led me in prayers of repentance before God and in breaking every tie and covenant with idols. Afterwards, I felt much lighter in my heart. 过去在空虚和迷茫中，我接触了各种宗教，去拜了很多偶像。决定受洗后，每周四我尽可能参加了Raymond弟兄带领的受洗前真理学习。我才知道这些行为给我的生命留下了许多的破口，使我与上帝的祝福隔绝，Raymond弟兄带领我向上帝悔改，并砍断跟偶像之间一切的立约和链接，我心里觉得轻省很多。

I also began regularly attending the Thursday Bible study. Pastor Jane’s messages have been like light — often opening my eyes and heart. Through her life testimony, I began to reflect: could all the problems in my relationships really be everyone else’s fault? When I recognised that I myself am a sinner who needs God’s forgiveness, I learned to forgive others too. I stopped holding on to past hurts and mistakes and began to be thankful for the people and things around me, learning to treat others with a gracious heart. 我也开始持续地参加周四的查经小组。Jane牧师的分享像光一样，常常使我茅塞顿开。她生命的见证，使我开始反思，各种人际关系中，难道都是别人的错吗？当我相信自己也是一个罪人，需要向上帝祈求饶恕和赦免时，我开始学习宽恕，不再为过去的错误和伤害耿耿于怀，而是感恩身边的人和事，以一颗宽容的心去对待他人。

When facing similar challenges now, I experience a peace and strength through prayer that I never had before. Gradually, I began to see amazing changes in my life: relationships at work became more harmonious, and the conflicts at home eased. I realised that Jesus not only reconciles us to God but also reconciles us to one another. He is the God who brings peace. I believe these changes are God’s answers to my prayers, and my faith in Him has become even stronger. 面对同样的难处，借着祷告，我感受到一种从未有过的平安与力量。不知不觉中，我发现我的生活出现了奇迹般的转变，工作中的人际关系变得和谐了，家庭矛盾也消除了。原来耶稣不仅使我们与神和好，也使我们与人和好，他是使人和睦的神。我相信这是上帝对我祷告的回应，我对上帝的信仰更加坚定了。

For me, being baptised into Christ is not just a ceremony — it’s a new beginning. It marks my becoming a child of God. I know that God is almighty and in control of everything, and His love is my greatest strength and assurance. I want to place my whole life in His hands and follow Jesus Christ all the days of my life.All thanks and glory be to God. 对于我来说，受洗归主，不仅仅是一个仪式，更是一个全新的开始，它标志着我正式成为上帝的儿女。我深知，上帝是全能的，祂掌管一切，祂的爱是我最坚定的依靠。我愿将我的一生交在上帝手中，学习跟随耶稣基督直到永远。一切感谢和荣耀归于神。