After questions, thirst

James Yu was baptized soon after he was born in Beijing, China, though his parents did not attend church. He went to church just to be with his grandparents.

Before he left to come to Canada, his grandmother talked seriously to James. “You should go to church when you go abroad,” she said, “and remember to go to the Catholic church only.”

James had no desire to attend church when coming to Canada in 1998. At the end of 2000, however, his wife Jenny was introduced by their friend Karen to Killarney Park MB Church’s Alpha course. James confesses he attended with selfish motives: a free dinner, the opportunity to practice his English, and, as a businessman, possibly sell some products. In the back of his head was the idea of learning something about Christianity.

James, Jenny & daughter Julia Yu

During the course James was full of questions, like “Why did God put that tree in the garden?” Rather than replying directly the coordinator would ask others their opinion. This angered James because he thought they did not know. “I came with many questions,” he complained to Jenny, “and left with even more questions!”

Before the end of the course, Jenny became a believer and made the decision to be baptized at Easter 2001. She had been raised in an atheistic family in China, but had long searched for the meaning of life. Coming to Christ, she was filled with joy and peace.

James felt he was not ready for such a step of faith but at the celebration luncheon following her baptism the Alpha group asked him if they could pray for him. He told them he did not have a thirst for reading the Bible or becoming a Christian, but said, “You can pray for the thirst.” They prayed, and God honoured their prayers.

Jenny and James attended many Bible study groups and seminars, and he read many books on Christianity. “My heart wanted to believe but my head didn’t,” he says, “and at other times my head wanted to believe but my heart didn’t.”

In fall 2001 James attended the Alpha course a second time. His eyes were opened to God’s love and justice. He realized it was somewhat like we treat our own children. During a Bible study led by pastor Ken Peters he learned about being childlike before God, and about wisdom hidden to so-called wise people.

Suddenly he understood what Jesus said in Matthew 11:25: “Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned.” In December he became God’s child, repenting of his sins and accepting Christ as his Saviour. Three months later, at Easter, he was baptized.

Not long after his baptism, James was called to serve in ministry. As a young Christian, he struggled with his insecurities and fears, but in October 2002 he finally responded to the call. A significant first for him was coordinating the service at Killarney Park in his new language, English.

James now works part-time at the church as intercultural ministry intern, part-time with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at Simon Fraser University in international student ministry. He is also studying theology part-time. He sees the hand of God in bringing him a co-worker for the work at Simon Fraser, and in the opportunity to lead the first two students of the international group to Christ.

Vonnie Mostat attends South Langley (B.C.) MB Church.