God Led Me to Himself, Step by Step - Archer‘s Testimony

Peace be with you, brothers and sisters.

My name is Archer, and today I stand before you with a heart full of gratitude to share how God has poured out His grace on my family over the past few years. All glory belongs to our Lord.

As I look back, I can see more and more clearly that so many things in my life weren't just coincidences. God had been quietly preparing the way all along, leading me one step at a time, just as Romans 8:28 reminds us.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

My testimony has four parts.

Part One: God Was Looking for Me Before I Ever Looked for Him

About two years before we moved to New Zealand, a neighbour invited me to join a home Bible study. From time to time, I also went along to Sunday services. At that stage, I knew very little about the Christian faith. My wife was against it, and I wasn't ready to take the step of being baptised.

Even so, every time I met with my brothers and sisters in Christ, I experienced a warmth I'd never known before.

We read God's Word together, shared the joys and challenges of everyday life, and prayed for one another. Although I didn't truly know the Lord yet, I was already experiencing His love and acceptance through His people.

Deep down, I often sensed something I couldn't explain. I knew I didn't fully understand the gospel, but I also felt that one day I would come to know the Lord.

Looking back now, I realise I wasn't the one searching for God. He had been searching for me all along, just as Jesus says in John 15:16. John 15:16, "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you."

In April 2025, I arrived in Christchurch to begin a new chapter of my life. Before I left China, a sister from my home church in Xiamen gave me a bilingual Chinese-English Bible. At the time, I had no idea that this Bible would become one of God's greatest gifts to me, bringing comfort, guidance, and strength throughout my journey.

Part Two: The Lord Taught Me to Trust Him Through the Struggles

After arriving in New Zealand, I began the EAP2 bridging programme at CCEL to prepare for studying at the University of Canterbury.

It had been sixteen years since I'd last used English, and now, in my forties, I was back in a classroom where everything was taught in English. It was a huge challenge. The lessons moved quickly, I often couldn't finish my writing tasks in time, my grammar wasn't strong, and my results were disappointing. If I failed the course, my university studies would be delayed, affecting not only my plans but also our family's visa, our children's school fees, and the financial pressure we were already carrying.

I studied as hard as I could, but during that time God was teaching me an important lesson. We should never be lazy or give up. He calls us to work diligently, but the outcome is ultimately in His hands.

The night before my exam results were due to be released, I sat alone in the lounge with my Bible, quietly praying and placing everything into the Lord's hands.

Although there were a few setbacks along the way, God faithfully opened the door, and I was able to begin my studies at the University of Canterbury.

At the same time, my wife was facing a very different struggle.

Back in China, she was a doctor who loved her work and had the support of family around her. After moving to New Zealand, she suddenly found herself far from home, with no relatives or close friends nearby. She was adjusting to a new language while caring for our two children every day. Shopping, cooking, housework, and looking after the children all rested on her shoulders. The change was overwhelming, and she often felt lonely and helpless. For a while, the atmosphere in our home became quite tense.

Thank God, when we needed Him most, He began leading us, step by step, to His church.

In June 2025, I visited OTBC for the first time. Kayla warmly welcomed me and invited me to join the Thursday Bible study. At that stage my wife was still strongly opposed to Christianity, so I didn't go straight away. But God hadn't stopped working.

After being invited a few more times by brothers and sisters, I finally attended the Bible study at Pastor Jane's home in early July 2025.

That evening we studied Mark 6, where the disciples were struggling to row against the wind while Jesus came walking towards them on the water. The passage spoke straight to my heart.

I realised it described both my past and my present. Every day I was rowing with all my strength, trying to carry everything on my own. But the harder I tried, the more exhausted I became.

Jesus' words in Mark 6:50, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid," became a constant source of comfort and strength.

I began sharing with my wife what I was experiencing at church—how God's Word was encouraging me and how our church family was caring for us.

Thank God, it wasn't me who changed her. It was the Holy Spirit, quietly at work in her heart.

On 6 July 2025, through God's gracious leading, she came to OTBC for Sunday worship for the very first time.

None of us realised then that this one small step would become the beginning of God transforming the life of our whole family.

Part Three: God Used the Church to Build Our Family and Renew Our Lives

Thank God, from the very first time my wife came to OTBC, He began meeting our needs through His church family, one step at a time.

Brother Guo and Sister Lili's family, Sister Rebacca, and many others regularly gave us lifts to Bible study and Sunday services. They helped us get to know Christchurch, took us to buy our first car, and even helped me practise driving. Sister Weiwei drove my wife and daughter to the baking group. So many brothers and sisters cared for us, encouraged us, and supported us in practical ways.

Through their love, our family experienced what it truly means to belong to God's family.

God didn't just care for our practical needs through the church—He also began transforming our hearts.

One day, Pastor Jane shared her own testimony deeply touched my wife's heart. Little by little, she began to enjoy coming to church and spending time with our church family. She often told me that the highlight of her week was coming to church.

When we first arrived in New Zealand, she felt she had no connection here. But before long she began saying, "This is our home."

She found friends. She found a spiritual family. The joy gradually returned to her face, and her whole outlook on life began to change. As for me, I was able to focus on my studies with greater peace, knowing that God Himself was caring for my family.

At the same time, God continued to show His faithfulness in my studies.

At the University of Canterbury, I experienced many unexpected examples of God's provision. When I wasn't sure which papers to choose, God arranged for a senior student from the same programme to sit beside me at our church’s English class and offer helpful advice. When I felt completely unprepared for an important test, a severe windstorm forced the university to close, and the test was postponed for a week. During my most challenging course, as exams and graduation drew near, I once again brought everything before the Lord in prayer. In the end, He graciously gave me a result far better than I had expected.

The journey wasn't easy, but time and again God carried me through. By His grace, I completed my studies successfully.

Yet the greatest miracle God performed during this season wasn't in my studies—it was in my family.

The wife who had once opposed my faith and didn't want me going to church one day said to me,

"I want to be baptised with you."

When I heard those words, I could hardly believe it. I even asked her again, "Are you sure?"

I knew that no person could have changed her heart. Only the Holy Spirit could do that.

In November 2025, my wife and I were baptised together at OTBC, publicly declaring Jesus Christ as our Saviour and the Lord of our lives.  2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

That day was not only the day we were baptised. It marked a brand-new beginning for our whole family.

Part Four: Learning to Trust While We Wait, and Experiencing God's Faithfulness

Since being baptised, I've come to realise that God's grace is about far more than solving one problem after another. His greatest work is transforming our lives.

Jesus' words in Mark 5:36, "Don't be afraid; just believe," have become a reality for our family.

As we've learned to build our lives on God's Word, my wife and I have been learning to lay down our old ways, to be patient with one another, and to forgive each other. In the past, whenever conflict arose, our first reaction was often to argue or become angry. Now, God's Word keeps reminding us to examine our own hearts before Him first. Little by little, our home has changed. There is more peace, more love, and more thankfulness.

God has not only transformed our marriage—He has also transformed my heart.

For many years, I held on to hurts that I simply couldn't let go of. Whenever I thought about them, they brought back pain and even kept me awake at night. Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." As I continued reading God's Word and reflecting on how much Christ had forgiven me, He gave me the strength to forgive those who had hurt me. Slowly, the burdens I had carried for so many years began to lift.

Looking back, I can see that God's greatest miracle wasn't changing my circumstances—it was changing me. He taught me to let go of bitterness, to forgive, to trust Him, and to experience the freedom that only He can give.

Earlier this year, my wife put her own studies on hold so she could fully support me in completing mine. She took on all the household responsibilities, allowing me to focus on my studies. Graduating with a Merit wasn't the result of my efforts alone. It was made possible by my wife's quiet sacrifice and, above all, by God's faithful provision and care.

Psalm 23 has become especially precious to me. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Those words describe our family's journey so well.

In April, I began looking for work. To be honest, it wasn't an easy season. I sent out dozens of applications and received rejection after rejection. For a while, I wasn't even getting interviews. I felt discouraged and wondered whether we'd really be able to stay in Christchurch to live and work.

During that time, Brother Raymond encouraged me with Psalm 23:3–4, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake. 4 Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

I was reminded that the Lord restores our souls, leads us along the right paths, and walks with us even through the darkest valleys. Those words became a great source of comfort.

Almost every evening, my wife and I read Psalm 23 together, prayed together, and placed my job search into the Lord's hands.

Throughout the whole process, I experienced God's care in so many practical ways. He used our church family and the people around us to encourage me and keep giving me hope. He even provided three interviews with large companies. Although they didn't lead to a job, they helped me learn, grow in confidence, and prepare for what lay ahead.

From the beginning, Pastor Jane prayed with us that, if it was God's will, our family would be able to stay in Christchurch, continue worshipping and serving at OTBC, and remain part of this church family. At the same time, we prayed, "Lord, not our will, but Yours be done," trusting that His plan would always be the best one.

Along the way, God encouraged me through many people. Friends reminded me about job opportunities. Brothers and sisters faithfully prayed for me. One brother helped me prepare for interviews. My Head of Department kindly wrote a reference, a careers adviser coached me for interviews, and friends and classmates generously shared their advice and encouragement.

I never felt that I was searching for a job on my own. God was leading me, one step at a time, through the people He had placed around us.

Then, in His perfect timing, I was invited to interview for a Geotechnical Engineer position with a leading global engineering consultancy where I had long hoped to work. Two weeks later, I received the job offer.

Throughout the interview process, God gave me an incredible sense of peace, and the outcome was far beyond what I had expected. Later I learned that this position had only recently been created in the Christchurch office. Looking back, I can clearly see God's hand in it. He opened the right door at the right time, allowing our family to remain in Christchurch—to live here, worship Him here, and continue serving Him here.

Looking back over this journey, I've learned that God doesn't always remove the waiting, but He is always faithful in it. His timing is never too early and never too late. He truly is our Good Shepherd, and He has never failed to lead us, one step at a time.

Conclusion

As I look back, I realise that the greatest blessing hasn't been graduating, finding a job, or even being able to stay in Christchurch.

The greatest blessing is that my family and I have come to know the Lord and have found true peace, lasting hope, and a place to belong in Him.

Whatever lies ahead—whether times of joy or times of hardship—I want to keep reading God's Word, walking in His ways, and glorifying Him through my work, my family, and my everyday life. Because I've come to know that it is not our circumstances that guide our lives, but our faithful Shepherd.

I'd like to finish with the final verse of Psalm 23, which has become our family's prayer:

"Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

May all glory, honour, and praise be to our Heavenly Father.

Amen.