In Search of Kingdom Living

When I entered the University of Waterloo, I joined the Chinese Christian Fellowship  – a faith community that would solidify my conversion experience. It was in such an environment that I could honestly pursue the questions that had previously caused me to deny my Christian faith. I had many friends who were similarly seeking to ask tough questions and seek answers as well.

During this formative period of my life, I developed a habit of reading called the 10 book challenge. During my second year in university, I challenged my friends to read 10 books every term with me. Many of these books were practical and ministry related, such as Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels. Eventually I started to read books that challenged my narrow framework of the gospel such as A New Kind of Christian by Brian McLaren. I also read books to buildup my skill in studying the Bible, such as How to Study the Bible for all its Worth by Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart.

Influential mentors and peers

Unlike my church where every ‘uncle and auntie’ remained at a polite distance, this fellowship context was messy with the real life of relationships. Many older brothers such as Vince would be official mentor figures as they led my men’s small group. In this small group, I would find the means as well as the accountability to grow in maturity in my spiritual journey. I would dare say that my fundamental understanding of the gospel was undergoing a radical change, in becoming more holistic, and I was in a safe environment to ask my questions and to tease out potential answers in my own appropriate time.

Another group of mentors proved influential in other ways. I had gotten to know a group of older brothers who all lived in one house close to campus. As I was struggling with personal relationships in my early years of university, the brothers in this house continually demonstrated servant leadership by practicing hospitality and allowing me to fully participate in their house life. I was able to just hang out, have meals with them, and enjoy times of play as well as serious theological discussions. This group would challenge my narrow view of seeing Christians only as boring, pious people who are restricted by certain rules and laws. Instead, these brothers had a zest for life that I desired. I could be a Christian who would at once diligently follow God’s way of suffering and righteousness, as well as living life to the full with great joy in a loving community.

A final influential mentor during this time was Pastor Tim in Waterloo. He pastored a small Chinese church and quickly developed friendships with every new group of university students. While he provided pastoral duties, he also taught Sunday school in a manner that moved beyond the level of my home church. He explicitly walked us through theological and biblical issues that were at the same level as a seminary student. In fact, his goal was that if you attended all his classes during the four years of university, you would be taught the equivalent material in first year seminary. My exposure to this deeper level of Christian study awakened a total desire within me to study beyond the simple doctrines taught to me in my home church and in small group. I sought to know more deeply the many intricacies of theological thought especially in relation to my unique context as a university student engaged in a pluralistic environment.

Reflection on University

My time spent in university was marked by questioning the assumptions behind any worldview. I would find a safe community to ask those questions and develop an authentic faith. At the same time, I became extremely involved in campus ministry. I developed a relational emphasis for doing ministry and I began to equip younger leaders through leading small groups and teaching workshops. I also learned more about the richness of the gospel and began to study more deeply about theology. I also began to journal online at a blog  where I began chronicling my thoughts about life. This reflective habit also led to online communication and broadening community with other friends from different campuses.