My Testimony
First Fruits are the testimonies from the youth in UK who joined the summer youth camp held by local churches with the help of CCM short term mission team during the past few years. They are the "first fruits" who become new believers in/after the camp.

As a young boy, I had heard about this man named Jesus Christ. People from the local church often came to visit my family and talk to us about Christianity, one time they gave me a book of Bible stories – a colourful book for children telling the story from the creation of the world to the future coming of Christ. At the time I was too young to understand all this and left the book aside.

As I grew older I became more curious about the one who gave his life for me. I began to ask questions on Christianity: what does it mean to be a Christian? Who are they? How do you become one? Later on I was given a small leaflet, reading that I learnt being a Christian is not about praying or going to church although that is a vital part of it, but it is really about believing. At that time I believed in God and I believed he sent his Son for me but I did not see myself as a sinner or realise his never ending love for me - there was still a lot I was yet to learn.

At the age of ten I read the book of Bible stories that was given to me years before, I learnt more about God and Christ through that but I would wait a few more years before my life would change for good…

In the summer of 2001, Auntie Teresa invited me to the first of a series of youth camps led by the Canadian team, at first I was reluctant but in the end I decided to go. As the date drew nearer I was feeling more and more excited. The starting date the camp was placed on the same day as my birthday which made the day even more memorable. 

On the first day of the camp I got to know many of the good friends I have today, and was introduced in detail to the members of the Canadian team. The speaker of the programmes we had was Pastor Kong, who later led me to Christ. His computer presentation impressed me and at the end of the second day I went to talk to him but I think God had something more special planned for me. It was there I really understood the meaning of being a Christian; it was there many questions I had were made clear. A Bible verse that I remember clearly is Romans 10:9, ‘That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.’ That evening I confessed I was a sinner and had fallen short of God’s glory and that evening I asked Jesus Christ to come into my life and become my personal saviour. It was a moment I would never forget, the time I dedicated my life to Jesus Christ. 

Before that time I was in the driver’s seat and leading my own life, but as one may put it, Jesus is not just the designer of your car, but he is also the mechanic and creator who build that car and on top of all of that, he is the world’s best driver and offering to drive for you; he knows you better than you know yourself. If this is the case wouldn’t you gladly give up the driving seat for Jesus? 

God’s love is unconditional, he is caring and forgiving. In 1 John 1:9 it says ‘If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.’ Not only that, but he will also provide peace in our hearts and guide us as assured in Proverbs 3:5-6. ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.’ 

Since I have accepted Christ, I have seen the world differently. I am able to see things from a better view and living a more joyful life. I have heard of many wonderful works by God and experienced some myself. I have been amazed at the power of prayer and attended many activities with the Reading Youth including two more youth camps and a fund raising trip to Belfast earlier this year. 

As I have dedicated my life to Christ, I want to be obedient to him. As a commandment from Christ, he requested all believers to be baptised and now I am ready for this act of obedience. 

The Lord is my rock and he listens when I call and helps me when I’m troubled, for ‘I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.’ (Philippians 4:13)

Kenneth Yu