I was born in a village in Hunan province, mainland China. Though the material life was not particularly abundant, my early childhood was fairly happy and I was fortunate enough to enter one of the best universities in China. Nevertheless, I would at times feel the emptiness of life and was not sure about the true meaning of life. As the usual answers given by the communist ideology through the public education system could not satisfy me, I started to seek answers through the teachings of Confucius, Buddhism, and Taoism. I was particularly fascinated by the philosophy of Zen and Zhuang Zi; however, as a science student, these philosophies cannot give me an integrated answer regarding the material world and the spiritual dimension of human being.

Triggered by the tragedy of June 4, 1989, I started to apply for overseas study and was accepted for graduate studies by a couple of universities in North America. I went to Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts in January 1992. Although my initial purpose of coming to North America was to seek freedom, academic training and a professional career, I did not know a much greater gift was waiting for me. I met a Christian post-doctor researcher from Taiwan, who introduced me to a Bible Study fellowship of his church in the campus. Although I used to think religion is for the weak and the old people, I was surprised to find many successful professionals in the fellowship and was attracted by their kindness and fine characters. In spite of many questions about the Bible, I started to find in the Bible and in Christians something new and different from what I used to know. I attended an evangelical camp in May, 1992 and was convinced that there is indeed a creator God and only Christianity can give an integrated answer to the existence of the universe and the meaning of human life. In the middle of the last meeting, after I felt I was given a clear answer to one of my big questions to the Bible by the Spirit of God, I made the decision to become a Christian.

After my conversion, however, I still struggled to grasp the necessity of the Crucifixion in relation to forgiveness of human sins. One day, when I was reading Isaiah 53, I recognized the servant of God prophesied by Isaiah was indeed the Christ described in the Gospels. I was deeply touched by the pre-planned sacrificial love of God, suddenly started crying and could not stop for a long time. I finally understood the redemptive plan and action of God through Jesus Christ after that experience and my faith in Christ became very firm. Shortly after, I was baptized in the Chinese Gospel Church in Massachusetts on August 31, 1992.

Shortly after I was baptized in August 1992, I came to study for the Ph.D. degree in Chemistry in the University of Toronto. I joined Toronto China Bible Church and continue to grow up as a Christian personally and in Christian fellowship. Although I have had many personal struggles and have seen many problems in the church, the grace of Lord Jesus has led me through many spiritual crises. Time and again, I have experienced the love of God deeper and deeper through prayer, meditation on the Scripture passages such as Romans 8 and Hebrews 11, and encouragement and guidance from other Christian brothers and sisters. I am convinced that nothing can separate the love of Christ from me and I am determined to follow the steps of my Lord and imitate the great saints of faith all days of my life. I started to learn to serve in the church shortly after my baptism. I have been a co-worker in various fellowships or cell groups and I have also taught different adult Sunday school courses in the church. Being able to serve in the church and taking on teaching responsibilities really helped me to know God more and I am very grateful for the grace given to me to be used in His redemptive work in today’s world.