The Church in Elyria


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The Reality of My Christian Life

I accepted Christ at the age of twelve in Columbus, Georgia. I was raised in a Christian home, so the gospel was presented to me at an early age.

I graduated from high school, and for the next few years I attended a Bible college in the state of Ohio. My love for the Lord grew, as well as my love for the Bible. I labored tirelessly for the Lord, but for some reason, deep within my heart there was a void that I could not understand. So I worked more: I taught in a Bible institute, I had a Bible teaching radio broadcast, I served as an assistant chaplain in the prisons, and I also pastured in a denomination.

One summer, a young evangelist came to my hometown; his preaching was very deep and so life giving. Later that year he came back to give a gospel crusade, and I served as a gospel counselor. We had a meeting with this evangelist. It was at that time that he introduced us to the writings of Watchman Nee. The messages that he preached were from the writings of Watchman Nee.

From that time I began to read every book I could find by Watchman Nee. My Christian life took a big turn. The Bible became richer to me, and the reality of my Christian life became much clearer.

One day a Christian brother who was a doctor in medical research at one of the local hospitals came to the bookstore that was ordering Watchman Nee’s books for me. He was surprised to see so many of Watchman Nee’s books. He asked the storeowner about who was buying these books, so the owner gave him my name and phone number. He called me for some fellowship. It was in our fellowship that he related to me that Watchman Nee’s co-worker Witness Lee was having a conference in a nearby town so he invited me to the conference. From that time I began to read Witness Lee’s books. Over thirty years have passed, and I worship the Lord for all the help I have received from these two servants of God.

I know the meaning of my life now, and I also know the purpose of God. God wants to work Himself into all of our being as members of Christ, the Body of Christ for His expression for eternity, praise Him! (1 Corinthians 6:15)

H.C.