Ryan Law / U.S.
When my friend first told me about the Bible, I could hardly understand what he meant. I was just a little kid—not even ten years old. I simply thought, “I guess he goes to church,” and that was it. We were inseparable, like brothers, always laughing and sharing everything. But for some reason, the Bible verses he shared never really caught my interest.
After quite a long time, I decided to visit the Church of God with my friend. The members welcome me so warmly that it felt as if they had known me for years. Even though it was my first visit, I could immediately sense that they were different from the people I met at school or in my neighborhood—their faces shone with genuine happiness. I thought to myself, “Is this the happiness my friend has been wanting to share with me all these years?” In that moment, I wanted to experience that same joy for myself. The day before the Passover, I was baptized, and the next day, I participated in the New Covenant Passover ceremony. My heart filled with indescribable joy.
I wanted to share with my beloved family the love and grace I had received God, and the happiness I felt while walking in the truth with my brothers and sister in Zion. Even before I was baptized, I often told my mom that the Church of God is the only church that follows God’s teachings. Though she respected my decision, she had misunderstood the church after encountering false information. For more than a year, I prayed and tried to help her see the truth. Then, at last, my mom attended an event held in Zion. I was nervous about how she might react, since she had declined my invitations so many times before—but to my relief, she enjoyed the event and even stayed afterward to study the Bible. Then something amazing happened. When a member teaching the Bible asked her how I had changed since attending the Church of God, her eyes filled with tears.
In the past, I rarely smiled and tended to keep to myself. But after being reborn as a child of God, my personality brightened as I spent time with the members in Zion. I had once found it difficult to even start a conversation with others, but now I have become more outgoing—inviting people to Zion so that we can receive God’s blessings together. At home, I began to help more with chores and treat my family with greater warmth and care. I tried to practice the teachings I learned in Zion—love, kindness, respect, and consideration—and to follow the example of the brothers and sisters who reflect God’s nature. I never imagined these changes would touch my mother’s heart so deeply. I was truly thankful to God, who transformed me with His love and opened my mother’s heart as well.
As my mother continued to study the Bible, she confirmed the prophecies and their fulfillment concerning the Second Coming Christ and God the Mother. Acknowledging that our Heavenly Father and Mother are the Saviors in this age, she received the blessing of new life. Not long after, my younger brother and sister also received the promise of salvation. As they studied the truth in Zion and felt the genuine love and care of the members, their faith grew rapidly. Even my father, who had shown little interest in church, began studying the Bible through our encouragement. God must have been pleased with our family’s earnest prayers for his salvation, because in time, my father too became part of our heavenly family. It was the moment when the long-cherished wish I had prayed for since first receiving God finally came true. Now, by the grace of God, our entire family keeps the Sabbath and the annual festivals together.
Being able to live a life of faith together with my beloved family is truly by the grace of God. Each morning, I prayed earnestly for them, joining my hands and asking God to bless them. Whenever I had a chance, I tried to share even more word of truth. My heartfelt desire was simple—that my family would enter the kingdom of heaven together and that I could be a good example of faith for them. Through these efforts, not only were my family’s souls led to salvation, but my own faith grew and matured as well.
God also granted me the precious blessing of visiting Korea together with the friend who first led me to Zion. When I stood before Heavenly Mother with trembling hands and heart, all the words I had prepared disappeared, and only tears flowed. Mother embraced us, saying that She loved us and had missed us so much. As I listened to Her voice, I realized that it was truly Mother who had guided me to Zion. My heart was deeply moved as I understood that behind all the efforts and devotion of my friend and the members in Zion was Mother’s boundless love and call.
The time I spent in Korea with Heavenly Mother felt like a dream. Every moment with Her—filled with anticipation, joy, and happiness—remains deeply engraved in my heart. Cherishing those precious feelings, I resolved to treasure every word Mother spoke to me and to devote myself even more to sharing Her love with many people.
Through my visit to Korea, my vision of the gospel became much clearer. There is so much I can do for Mother and for the gospel on my campus. Earlier this year, while preaching with Korean university students who came to the United States for short-term mission work, I learned what it truly means to cherish every soul and to preach with sincere passion. I, too, want to share the gospel wholeheartedly with everyone I meet on campus and reveal the glory of God through my words and actions. My goal is to spread the message of salvation not only throughout my country but also to Europe, where the truth has yet to reach. Until that dream is fulfilled, I will devote myself to proclaiming the truth and the love of our Heavenly Father and Mother to all people.