'My Life Has Been Changed'

Monday March 4

In this month's youth column, an overseas student reflects on his journey of faith while in Scotland.

Hello! I'm Jiang Tiancheng, a student from inland China. Among my family members, only my grandmother is a practising Christian. Before my conversion, my exposure to Christianity was limited to my grandmother's faith. I began my postgraduate studies at the University of Glasgow in October 2021.  

Initially, I didn't socialise much with the locals and spent Sundays gaming in my dorm room. Around the end of 2021, my mother, upon learning about my situation, arranged for me to connect with Sandyford Henderson Memorial Church and the Glasgow Chinese Church through a friend. This introduction was aimed at helping me experience more of the diverse culture in the UK.

Initially drawn to the churches by their friendly elders, exposure to an unfamiliar culture, and free Sunday lunches, it was during an Easter camp organised by a Chinese Christian group in 2021 that I decided to embrace Christianity. The decision came after hearing testimonies from several Christians during the camp. Additionally, a friend advised me that embracing Christianity would lead to a spiritual journey beyond material pursuits. This guidance led me to commit to this faith during the camp, and subsequently, I was baptised in May 2021 at Sandyford Church.

Since then, my Christian life has stabilised. I engage in English Bible studies on Mondays and Tuesdays, participate in student activities at Sandyford Church on Fridays, and join worship on Sundays at Sandyford Church in the morning and evening, followed by Chinese Bible study in the afternoon at the Chinese Church. Grateful for the blessings received, I began feeling a sense of responsibility and engaged more in church services and activities.

Mid-2022 presented significant challenges as the pressure of completing assignments and exams for my master's degree became overwhelming. Seeking solace in Jesus, I found comfort through church member conversations and found guidance in the passage, "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34). This spiritual energy from church sustained me through tough times.

Despite a smooth journey in 2022, further challenges arose in 2023 when I pursued a doctoral scholarship at the University of Glasgow and failed at the final step. This unexpected setback caused deep anxiety, especially as I had declined other offers, assuming I would continue my studies in Glasgow for another four years. Relying on my Christian faith, I persisted, searching for new opportunities and eventually securing a short-term position in Hong Kong for 2024.

This setback brought me closer to God, as emphasized in 2 Corinthians 12:9, which states that His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness. Meanwhile, I've come to realise that everything works together for good, as mentioned in Romans 8:28.  

As I prepare to depart, I cherish the time remaining but also feel a sense of apprehension. My primary concern is whether being away from such a supportive church environment might create a distance between me and God. I pray for God's nurturing care and blessings upon His children. In general, becoming a Christian has been the biggest takeaway from coming to the UK, my life has been changed and I have hope.

If you are under 30 with a connection to the Church of Scotland, and would like to write for the Life and Work youth page, get in touch at magazine@lifeandwork.org

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