Author: Samuel Zhang  
Date: 05/22/2026
Category: Thanksgiving Testimonies

Hi, my name is Samuel Zhang, and I am in 10th grade. I have attended church for as long as I can remember, because both of my parents are Christians. From a young age, attending Sunday worship, Sunday school, and church events was a normal part of my weekly routine. However, when I was younger, I did not fully grasp the true meaning of why we went to church. At that time, it mainly felt like a place to meet friends, spend time with familiar people, and follow the routine my family had established. I listened to the lessons and sermons, but I did not think deeply about how they applied to my own life or what it meant to personally follow Christ.

This changed during the pandemic, when church became less present in my daily life. Because services were modified and normal routines were interrupted, I felt less connected, and honestly, I did not think much about God during that period. Since I was no longer attending in person, it became easy to treat faith as something distant and unimportant. I focused primarily on school and entertainment without considering spiritual growth or why faith mattered in everyday life.

However, when I entered 7th grade and returned to regular attendance, things began to change slowly. At first, I approached church the same way I did before: out of habit. Over time, though, as I listened more carefully to sermons and the experiences shared by others, I began to understand more clearly what faith really meant. Verses such as Romans 10:17—”Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ”—helped me realize why listening carefully to the Gospel matters. I also reflected on Jeremiah 29:13: “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” These verses encouraged me to take my faith seriously and helped me understand that being a Christian is not just about family tradition, but about having a personal relationship with God and making my own decision to follow Him.

As my understanding grew, I began applying what I learned to my everyday life. I started reading the Bible more often and reflecting on its teachings. For example, when I felt stressed about important tests, I tried to pray instead of simply worrying. This helped me feel calmer and trust that God was with me. I noticed that instead of becoming overwhelmed, I could focus better and feel at peace. Verses like Philippians 4:6–7—”Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”—reminded me not to be anxious but to bring everything to God in prayer. Through this, I began to notice changes in myself; Christ gave me a greater sense of direction in how I live, how I treat others, and the kind of person I want to become.

Another way Christ has changed me is by helping me recognize the importance of serving. I realized that I genuinely enjoy helping people, whether through volunteering at church, mentoring younger students, or simply being available when someone needs support. Serving has taught me patience and helped me understand that faith should affect how I treat others, not just what I believe privately.

I have also seen changes in smaller, daily situations. I try to be more patient when things do not go as expected and respond calmly instead of getting frustrated. I also reflect more on whether my actions reflect my beliefs, especially in school, friendships, and responsibilities at home.

Currently, I strive to grow in my faith by reading the Bible and praying daily, even though I know I still have much to learn. I attend Sunday school and worship regularly because I know consistency is vital for spiritual growth. Even when school becomes busy, I want to keep making time for God.

My hope in Christ is that He will continue guiding my life, helping me grow stronger in faith, and teaching me to trust Him more. I also have hope because I know that through Christ there is eternal life, which gives me confidence for the future. Moving forward, I hope to continue attending church faithfully, become more involved in serving, and eventually take on leadership roles where I can help others grow. I want my faith to be real in my daily life—shaping my choices, my attitude, and the way I live every day.

 

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