I come from a non-Christian family. On both the paternal and maternal sides, all were pro-Buddhism. I was the only Christian and I found it difficult to share God's Word with anyone in the family.
I started coming to Church regularly only last year (1999) after the Youth Conference 1999. It was then that I started growing in my faith.
Before that, I came to Church for various activities, like Discipleship classes, YPG and Sunday School (ISS). I also helped with the cleaning up of the Church after weddings. I participated in these things enthusiastically because my friends were involved. It was more peer pressure than anything else.

If I did Quiet Time, it was because I felt I had to, and not because I wanted to. I just glanced through the Bible portion and I did not take into consideration that what I did, I should do wholeheartedly and with understanding.

I had a very shallow perspective of what faith was, and what the Christian walk is all about.

The conference theme for Youth Conference 1999 , on Discipleship, hit me in the face. I was deeply rebuked. I began to realize how narrow-minded I was.

From the very first night of the Youth Conference, I started reading God's Word seriously. It was also the first time that I did my Quiet Time seriously.

On consecration night, I set my heart on seeking God solely. I made a decision to take my first step to become a disciple.

I became serious about seeking God. I joined The Teens' Bible Study class on Tuesday. Now I looked at the Discipleship class, YPG and ISS differently. I no longer came because my friends were there, but rather because I wanted to know more about God.

The real test of my faith came this year (2000). I was taking my O's and I had to set my priorities right. Many a time, after studying, I was tempted to sleep and skip YPG on Saturdays. But I knew that wasn't right, and that wouldn't reflect well on my decision to become a disciple in Dec. 1999. I struggled and kept coming to Church.
I saw YPG as a place where I could learn more about God. I learned how I could find strength and endurance. I memorized Heb. 12:1-4 during YPG. The imagery of a runner stood out. I had to "lay aside every weight and the sin that so easily ensnares us." I realized that I had to drop all my favourite past-times and use that portion of time to read God's Word or study, so as to avoid being distracted.

Heb. 11:6 also came to mind. I set my heart this year (2000) to seek God and to concentrate on my studies. During my O's when I needed to find encouragement and strength, I turned to the Lord's Word for comfort. I also memorized Psalm 91 during the whole exam period of three weeks. I have learned to rely on God. I know that He would not short-change me.

I have learned how to pray constantly, so that I would really depend on Him when troubles arise. I don't want to rely on my own strength to solve problems. I also want ton learn how I may increase my faith.

PASTORAL RESPONSE
Thank you for sharing. It is always heartening to read about how God is touching lives at Bethany. Thank God for our Youth Conferences, and also the regular weekend Church activities like YPG, ISS, etc.
These regular activities are often taken for granted. However, they are important for many reasons:-

1. They provide an important access point to knowledge of God
2. They provide a good background for future growth
3. They provide challenges to cultivate faith in God

May the Lord continue to help you grow in your faith in the Lord. May the year ahead see all of our Young People surge forward in their faith and life.

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie