My family
is in one phrase ""nominally Christian."" That is to say they claim to
be Christian, but do not even go to church on Sunday. I also come
from a broken home. My biological parents divorced when I was three
and both remarried soon after. The only strong Christian in my family
was my grandmother, who I am sure prayed for me all my life. My half-
sister seems to be more of a church goer than others in my family as
well. I left home for university when I was 17 years old. I turned 18
within a few months though so it is not like I graduated early or
anything. My undergrad years were spent learning about molecular
biology and later computer science. I wanted to be a great researcher
who helped find a cure for cancer. After working in a research
laboratory at my university though I found it was not for me. I met
Christ in my last year of university. I was at my lowest point and my
life seemed to be unraveling before my eyes. I was so depressed that
I had to seek help from doctors because I had scared myself with my
own thoughts. It was during this time that some of the incoming
freshmen at my university ask me to go with them to church. One of
them had found a church in the nearby town of Bridgeport, West
Virginia. She told me that their Christmas play needed
actors/singers. Being arrogant and wanting to keep my voice in shape,
I joined the cast. After the first dress rehearsal I felt such a
searing pain of guilt. Here I was a non-Christian about to proclaim
the Savior's birth as if I truly felt He was my Savior. I broke down
and cried out to Jesus and He met me there in my room. I was feeling
alone and ashamed, but there came this presence of peace and
acceptance. I decided then and there to give my life to Him. Then my
life's journey brought me to Korea during the 2002 World Cup. When I
first arrived I felt like I had never really left America. It felt
like I was just living in a large ""Little Koreatown"" back in America.
Sometimes I felt very welcome, but sometimes I felt that Koreans
would rather never see a white face. Of course, at this time there
was the tragic accident that killed two young Korean girls. I fell in
love with the Korean people though. My first week had brought me to
Sarang (Love) Community Church, and I felt like I had finally found
my home here on earth. Later, while taking Discipleship Training at
Sarang, I felt God call me to seminary. I felt I should go to school
here in Korea, since the church I considered as my home church was
Sarang. I wanted to be able to continue to serve at Sarang Church as
I continued my studies and that is when I discovered Torch Trinity. I
was so happy to be able to find a school with an English program
because my Korea language skill was that of a five year old. I have
found Torch to be a great blessing to me. Torch is a place where I
can grow in knowledge of God and grow more in love with Jesus
everyday. The chapel times refresh me when I'm stressed from all the
studying and the classes help me to understand my beliefs more and
more. Torch has been a place where I can meet Christians from all
over the world and share in being part of the Family of God. Our
school is definitely a unique place to learn, grow and fellowship
together. After graduation, I plan on staying in Korea. I hope and
pray to be able to work at Sarang Church and spend many good years
there. I am open to the Holy Spirit’s leading though, and I may end
up anywhere in the world. For now though, my plan is to stay with
Sarang Church until such a time that God leads me to go
elsewhere.william
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