By Lionel Chan

One day in 2024, a co-worker from our Bible House office texted to inform me that a man was looking for me there. She got his number, so I called. I found out that this man “DA” in his late-forties was a student from 30 years back when I was serving in South Region in our Secondary School Ministry. Days later, we met.

After DA left his church, his life spiralled down far away from God as he pursued his career, married a non-Christian and suffered two strokes that could have ended his life, before realizing how far he had strayed away! For some time, DA was not working, being too fearful of getting caught up in the rat race again.

He remembered his days with South Region staff, volunteers and students at Bible House. He vaguely recalled their names but mine stuck in his memory. When he found a job near Bible House, he popped by, hoping to recognise some of us. On his third attempt, he met my co-worker. DA now attends church on his own and prays for his parents, wife and daughter’s salvation. He and I are reading the Gospel of Mark together.

Some years back, the SYFC leadership had to decide whether to continue leasing a space in Bible House. While we wanted to be prudent with our limited resources, it was in a central location for outreach to tertiary students and so my leaders continued with the lease.

I never imagined I would see a former student responding to the Lord after 30 years! The Word of God sown in DA’s heart then, though choked by the cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches, is now proving fruitful (Matthew 13:22, 23). Instead of falling away further, by God’s grace he now hears the Word, understands it and seeks to obey it. God patiently brought DA back to Him way before he and I reunited at Bible House.