Much of the memories from my early childhood consisted of me traversing the landscape of Jamaica, Queens with my best friend and his little brother. Walking home from school everyday, we would go out of our way to explore and sometimes, get in trouble. It wasn't till around 1997 that I started going to church. My aunt and uncle would pick me up every week and take me to Christian Testimony Church in Elmhurst. It was here, under the teaching of Pastor Wendell Wyatt and the discipleship of amazing older brothers and sisters that I learned who Jesus is. It was here that I was taught the value of faithful service. And it was here, during the second half of high school, that the idea of going into ministry started to float around in my mind. To be honest, I didn't know where the thought came from or what to do with it. I might even have been afraid of it. So I ignored it.
College Era 2003-2009
Going into college, I decided to study engineering. Being fairly proficient at math and science and having enjoyed serving my church through the technical aspects of running the sound board, it seemed like an easy decision. Tufts University was amazing and I enjoyed every part of studying there. However halfway through my college career, I spiraled into a long and painful battle with major depression. I would have to say that this was one of the most painful and difficult periods that I had gone through. I took a leave of absence and went back home to NY. It was during this period that I was forced to question myself and my faith. What was it that I truly believed? And what does it mean for the pain that I was in? My faith was rocked. I had to dig deeper. It was in reading Oswald Chamber's My Utmost For His Highest that I realized: knowing God, not just knowing about him is what the Christian faith is about at its core. It was here that I started to seek God as a person rather than as an idea. And it was in encountering the living God that I was able to worship my way through the struggle with depression. Worship and the growth of my faith through intimacy with God was what saved me from my depression.
Working Life 2009-2012
After graduating college, I started to work full time in the heath care industry. While the job was not in my specific field of study, it was something that I was extremely grateful for. It was another example in a long list of experiences where God shows again and again that he is my provider. While working, I had the privileged of serving as a lay youth worker at my church. I was not only able to teach and serve the junior and senior high schoolers at my church but also share with them my life, struggles and faith. And was during this season that the "idea" of going into ministry came back into my mind. I cannot pinpoint exactly when, but as I served at church this idea grew into a desire. I brought this desire to my pastor and other brothers and sisters at my church. Together, we sought God for his will, his desire and for confirmation of my call into ministry.
Where I Am Now 2012 on!
As I continued to pray and seek God for confirmation to go into ministry and seminary, I got to meet Pastor Donald Yee through a New York Summer Conference and a Bible study. In getting to know him and learning from him, I caught on to his vision for planting a church that is not only strong in teaching the Bible but also serious about living missionally and intentionally as disciples of Christ in every aspect of our lives. His passion for God and scripture along with his conviction for a faith live out that is holistic caught me. Pastor Don, along with Pastor Wendell and other brothers and sisters confirmed my call into ministry after years of prayer. It was in August of 2012 that I decided quit my job and apply for Alliance Theological Seminary. It was also around this time that I join Pastor Don and everyone at Connection Alliance Church. And that is where I am in this amazing journey of being on mission in my hometown of Queens. God's loving and sovereign hand was with me every step of the way and I am pumped to learn, serve and seeking what it means to be a part of God's mission in Flushing, in Queens, NYC and the world!
