During one youth camp, I responded to make a mark in my spiritual journey as a student.
Soon after, a sister asked for help to reach the people in her school, Dunman High. Knowing this was my answered prayer, I immediately agreed.
We met weekly, organising prayer walks and connecting with the students. By God’s grace, conversations turned into friendships, and friendships into life groups. We grew from 3 to 15, then to 30!
The journey wasn’t easy. Dunman High was an elite school, while I came from a neighbourhood school. I struggled with English and often felt inadequate. Yet, God showed me that He could use me despite my lack. Back then, Dunman High was temporarily located at Ghim Moh. I would wake up at 5am to catch the first bus to pray with the LG before heading to school at Temasek Poly. The long journeys often made me wonder if it was worth it. But God reminded me that He was sovereign – even when I dozed off, I never missed my stop.
20 years on, seeing many of them still pursuing Christ, building families, and even raising kids of their own, I can say that it was truly worth it.
Back then, my ambition was to see revival in a school. Today, it means finding new ways to reach others, like learning Mandarin to connect with my Mandarin-speaking neighbours. As I remain faithful, I believe that God will move hearts, just as He did 20 years ago.
The DHS community never stopped reaching out to me. Once, I lied about not being able to make it for Life Group. That day, I bumped into them having LG in the canteen. I was embarrassed, but they continued to be warm towards me. When I finally joined them, they welcomed me, bought me a Bible, and even wrote me notes. I eventually became part of this loving community.
As a young Christian, I masked my struggles with pride by gossiping and mocking others. My leader then was from a neighbourhood school, and I constantly made fun of her. At my first church camp, God revealed to me the many times I had been prideful. It was like watching my life on an Instagram reel. I repented and started to love, submit and support my leader. As I grew in faith, I desired to not just be a sheep, but to feed His sheep. By God’s grace, I learnt to disciple others and minister to others in worship.
I am thankful that God found me as a youth. Without Him, I would have been lost, always seeking for validation, never restful. Because of Him, I have a purpose, and walk in freedom knowing Who I belong to. God has also gifted me precious friends who spur me on to remain faithful, to sacrifice joyfully, and to pursue Him wholeheartedly. I am grateful that He has preserved my faith, and has given me the strength and grace to run this race till this day.