Testimonies
Who are we likely to expect at Bethany Baptist Church?
Well, we have put together some friendly faces and in this section of the website, there are testimonies and accounts of how the Lord God who created this earth and everything in it, showed them what He has done through the Love of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Every account is different. Bethany Baptist Church is full of people from different walks of life. May you be blessed as you read their story.
** Bless others by sharing your story and how God has been working and is continuing to work in your life. Email your story here.
FAITH TESTIMONY by Philip Wijaya
I was born in Indonesia, the Southeast Asian country with the largest Muslim population in the world (at least, as of today). Nevertheless, by God’s grace I grew up in a Christian family, attended a Christian elementary school (Grade 1–6), and regularly went to Sunday school at church in my hometown. So, my parents and teachers (both at school and church) arguably played a significant role in “laying out” the foundation of my faith.
However, growing up as a teenager, I struggled with the issues of identity and self-image. Due to exposure to some family/parental conflicts, I had to wrestle with mental/emotional issues which slowly manifested as anxieties, doubts, bitterness, and unworthy/insecure feelings. As a result, I was unsure if I was really loved and accepted (especially by God, but also by others). So, in my escape, I became addicted to sinful, self-seeking/pleasing activities that, I know, were not God-honoring – to the point where I had to struggle with insomnia for a few weeks/months. In my mind, I had questions and doubts about God that I could not even share with my family. It was like the enemy was trying to shackle me and destroy my life. During those times, I gave up my life to Jesus and got baptized when I was 14 years old. After high school, I went into a university in a city located far away (over 400 km) from my hometown – part of the reason was to move away from the ‘toxic’ environment to start a ‘new’ life. Thank God, He opened the way.
Long story short, in that new city I experienced God’s love through people – most of them were university students doing outreach from/for local churches – who reached me and impacted my life with their kind/loving actions and words. In one retreat event organized by a local church, I felt God’s love so powerfully “breaking my chains” and “releasing my heavy burdens” during the time of worship – I felt joy and freedom when someone prayed over me, as if God Himself touched me and spoke to me. Since then, I joined discipleship, served in the ministry, and grew deeper and stronger in my faith through Bible study, service, and fellowship with His people.
By God’s grace and power, I have been redeemed and transformed into a new person. I have been set free from sinful addictions. I no longer live with the enemy’s intimidation. I now know that God loves me as His precious child. I can testify that Jesus saves me, and the Spirit sanctifies me. I’m glad and grateful that God can use, even sinful and broken people like me, for His purpose. I will always remember the Bible verse my dad reminded me of, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away and all things have become new” as well as my own favorite verses that “there is now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus” because “nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from God’s love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” I believe that He is the One who builds my life and that He, who began a good work in me, will always finish what He has started. To Christ be the glory!
FAITH TESTIMONY by Kuno Dreger
I am so grateful to God that He allowed me to be born into a Christian family where Jesus was worshiped as Saviour and Lord and where the Bible was the final authority in all matters. Trying to live in obedience to the Word of God assured us of God’s power upon our lives. In this environment I received the gift of salvation at an early age and was baptized as a 13-year-old in the Whitemouth River in Manitoba.
Coming to Vancouver one year later, our family – parents as well as my two brother, became members of a German speaking Baptist Church. The Pastor controlled the congregation with strict rules. We all knew the many do’s and don’ts. It was many years later that I realized that many of the man-made rules and restrictions had no biblical foundations. We had become legalists, trying to add good deeds to our salvation. During these years however, positive values were implanted into my daily life. Daily Bible reading, regular devotions and prayer have become lifelong habits.
Recognizing that I have been purchased with the blood of Jesus, I have become a slave, a property of Jesus. Everything I possess and call I own, really belongs to Him. A slave has no rights. God in His grace and mercy has given me much and I in return am expected to be a good steward of His gifts. Grasping this truth sheds new light in how I use my time, talents and financial resources as I try to please my heavenly Master.
Have there been challenges and tests in my Christian walk – there have been. Two in particular stick out. In the mid 1980’s we faced nearly financial ruin and approximately 10 years later, the marriage of one of our children fell apart. As parents we were devastated. Our hearts were broken. But in the church family, God provided us with prayer warriors with whom we struggled to overcome adversity and finally receive victory. “The joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).
Now in my senior years and failing eyesight I can attest to God’s promises as expressed in Hebrews 13:5; “God is with you. He will never leave or forsake you”. God has been faithful and so good to me! I look forward to the day when He calls me home to His glorious heaven. What a glorious future awaits all those who have placed their faith and trust in the living and reigning Lord Jesus Christ!
FAITH TESTIMONY by Heidi Ujfalusi
In 1984, age 10, I accepted Jesus into my heart. I spent 38 years trying to have an intimate relationship with God. But I didn't trust Him, didn't understand Him, nor did I have a pleasing 'aroma'
(2 Corinthians 2:15) to Him. I tried my own way, which led to frustration, legalism, exhaustion, and immaturity in the faith. I didn't mind missing church.
I would only get closer to Him, if I approached it like I got to know my husband. God allowed friends, family, acquaintances, even strangers and my activities to know Him better and understand His heart. Joining multiple Bible studies, reading through the whole Bible hours at a time during my insomnia, talking to Him when doing mundane activities like the dishes, stopping to let people do my Christianity for me, stopping to live other people's convictions, praying for God to let me love people like He does, and finally teaching other people what I had learned about Him helped me tremendously. He took away most of my anger. I learned to give grace, trust Him with my whole heart, and that I need to constantly be in communion with Him to not sin or have anxiety.