TES:BIOGRAPHICAL FACTS Concerning Christian Life and Service of Difei Chuang
Date: July 25, 1990
I was born in Taiwan and grew up in a traditional Chinese family. My
family moved to the United States in 1973 so that my two younger
brothers and myself would have more freedom and more opportunity for
success in the future.
In 1977, our family moved to Winchester, Virginia to run a small
motel. We were visited by an American family who invited us to his
church. Our parents decided we kids should attend church because
religion was good for teaching us values and morals. But my parents
warned us not to get baptized if the church people ever asked. They
explained that by committing myself in baptism, I would have no control
of my finances, my time, or my life.
One day in 1982, a young truck driver stayed at our motel. He
brought a Bible with him to share with us the Gospel. Even though we
told him that we attended Sunday School, he still asked us to pray to
receive Christ as our personal Savior. My father, my brother, and I
bowed our heads to pray with him. I think they did this just to humor
the guy, but I did sincerely pray with him and wanted a new life.
My life didn’t change. After high school, I continued my education
at Virginia Tech. I had a confident knowledge of Christianity and
wanted to give it a rest so I could enjoy my college years on my own
terms. But during the second week there, I went to a dinner held by the
Chinese Bible Study Group. I met some nice people and continued to
visit with them on Friday nights.
As I studied God’s Word, I was reassured of my faith in Jesus
Christ, and I confirmed my decision and by being baptized on the
Saturday before Easter in 1985. Baptism was important to publicly
announce my faith. But afterwards, I did not feel any real difference.
I remained in fellowship at church and Bible studies, but my Christian
maturity was slow in growth. I got involved with a non-Christian
girlfriend, and my faith failed to take root.
After graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in Electrical
Engineering, I needed a job to earn some money before returning to
graduate school, as my parents desired. I took a job in Southern
Maryland with a small government contractor. The company was small and
the people were nice. But my Christian faith was weakened from my
unequally yoked relationship.
Then I met a unique Christian on a computer bulletin board. He
invited me to visit a group called Christian Business Men’s Committee
(CBMC). Through the discipleship program called Operation Timothy, he
helped me to establish a firm foundation in Christ and God’s Word. My
relationship with my girlfriend ended, and my relationship with Christ
developed.
Ministry Opportunities
Over the past two years, I’ve been actively involved in the ministry
of CBMC. It has been a great blessing to be involved with men who know
the importance of the Gospel. I’ve had the privilege of interacting
with Godly men through the CBMC network and I’ve grown through their
training programs. One of the greatest blessings was to see one of my
officemates come to Christ. He was receptive to the Gospel presentation
at a CBMC outreach dinner, and I had the privilege to disciple him
through Operation Timothy. He is now active in CBMC also, and walking
with the Lord.
I’m also keeping in touch with some Chinese Christians through my
college Bible study and the Ambassadors For Christ ministry. I served
as the chairman for their Summer Conference. The goal of this
conference was to encourage Chinese students and young professionals to
persevere in their faith. I learned many valuable lessons during the
conference as many things didn’t happen as I had envisioned. I gained
insight in working with people of a different culture than myself, in
planning such an event, and in learning to trust God instead of my own
abilities.
Within the past three months, I’ve had the opportunity to share my
testimony with a number of people on a one-on-one basis. There has been
no decisions that I know of thus far, but I continue to pray for them
and share my life with them.
Call into Ministry
As I began to understand myself and to know who God had created me
to be, I realized my unique background can be greatly used for His
purpose. In seeking His will for my life, I offered my willingness and
availability to God. I trust that He will guide me and empower me. I
noticed that I have an interest in psychology and theology, and that I
am not a firm task-oriented personality which typifies an engineer. I
also recognize that my circumstances are openly available for a period
of training: I have no debts and I have no family obligations.
Through prayer and counsel, I realized that God has prepared a
unique person in me for His purpose. I know that I can profit from
intensive training to be used in greater ways. I know that there is a
great need in the Chinese church for someone of my bicultural
background, but I have not had this ministry confirmed upon my heart at
this time.
Why Dallas Seminary?
I’ve been blessed to meet a number of men that graduated from Dallas
Theological Seminary (DTS), and I have great respect for the quality of
training and integrity of DTS. I know that the training is rigorous and
it will train me well for further Christian service. I have viewed the
video tape from DTS entitled “Integrity of Heart, Skill of Hand”. The
video tape confirmed that the campus facilities and education available
from DTS is of superior quality and blessed of God.
I have reflected on the phrase from a hymn, “Give of Your Best to
the Master, ” as I sought God’s leading toward seminary. I am certain
that Dallas Seminary can provide the training, education, and
atmosphere most conducive to equip me for God’s ministry.