Raynor:

Raised as a Christian, I never went through a disaster that compelled me to search for God. I was saved at a very young age, attended Sunday school like many children from Christian families. I knew all the Bible stories and could answer every question, but still, something was missing in my walk with God.

All it took was one encounter with God to change that. At a Youth Camp in 2011, God met me in a very special way. Through the preaching, the ministering by the leaders and especially the worship, I knew God was calling me to surrender my life to Him. Not just an assurance of salvation, but in priorities, in service, it was a call to ministry.

I cried night after night during worship at camp and after opening up to our Youth Leader, God would use him to point me to put my hands to the plough and begin serving. Shortly after camp, I started being discipled and ever since then by the Grace of God I have been gradually blessed by more and more responsibilities in the youth ministry. God met me when I stepped out to serve and it has been an exciting journey ever since.

But the road is not easy, it has been riddled with sinful mistakes and painful experiences that constantly point me back to God and His Grace. It wasn’t my effort that brought me thus far, it won’t be my effort that brings me through what comes next, it’s only by His grace.

Having realised the richness of the Gospel of Christ, I can only surrender and as paradoxical as it seems, freedom comes through surrender. For those born in Christian families, who may assume their faith is ‘inherited’, I want to encourage you to step out in faith when He calls. It can seem scary to venture beyond knowing God simply in thought. But you’ll never regret it, as I have never once regretted surrendering my life to Him. God has given His Son for you, will you give your all for Him? “Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.”