My name is Tom Huang黃昇和 and I was born in a small town in Taishan, China. I am the oldest son in my family, and I have a brother and sister. My family practiced Buddhism at home so when there was any holiday, my parents would cook a feast and we would light up the incense, burn and offer paper money. And my favorite part was the cooking of 8-12 delicious food. I didn’t really know Buddhism, as our parents didn’t teach us about it or explain much of what we did. On the other hand, throughout my childhood I learned some bits of Christian belief. I remember that my parents signed me up for learning Chinese in a church during a couple of summer. It was there that I first learned of Jesus耶穌 and began to hear all the stories about him. While learning Chinese, we would listen to stories of Jesus and would sing songs together. Then when I was in college, one of my best friends Trung joined the Christian club and invited me to attend their events. I had been to quite a few of their events, met some great friends there and had been to one of their Gospel Camps. While working, my friends would invite me to go and participate in church outing activities, fellowships and Sunday service in OCM. Looking back, it seems Jesus have always been watching me and guiding me toward him.
During a regular gathering, I met a girl named Leslie who later became my wife. Little I know that she is a Christian and was sent to help me to know God. As we were dating and later getting married, she would bring me along to church. I got introduced to even more of Jesus, and would go with her to her fellowship gatherings. Jesus worked in miraculous way, slowly, patiently and gracefully drawing me in day by day. For some people, Jesus appears immediately and they feel his presence, but for me he gradually reeled me in. I slowly realize how blessed I have been, for my family, friends, career, and my wife and children. Each Sunday service and church event drew me closer to Jesus second by second. I didn’t understand how I could be so blessed, and really wanted to find out more. Around Nov/Dec 2019, that when I decided to put Jesus Christ in my heart. That was the first time I wanted to know Jesus instead of the other way around all my life. But due to Covid, the world has been put on hold and everything slowed down. My wife and I were forced to work from home and take care of our two young children in a small apartment. With grace, we ended up purchasing a house in the furthest part of Staten Island. We had to look for a church that is closer to us and not to travel to Brooklyn. The church we finally ended up going is at SICCC. Since accepting Jesus, I could see the calling of serving and am better able to receive Jesus’ message. I volunteered to help in the church, unlike before which I would be a bystander. It was on March 6, 2023 that I re-affirmed with Pastor Ma that I believe in Jesus and ready to be baptized. Lord Jesus has cleansed my sins and will continue to fill my heart with joy and peace. For any hard time and struggle, I know Jesus will be by my side. He will show me blessings and peace for which I don’t have to earn for. I know Lord Jesus will continue to enrich my life and my family.