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I grew up in a Christian family in Houston and have been meeting with Christian believers in the local church since I was very young. I did enjoy being with other Christians, but I spent most of my time in school activities and with other friends. Also, my personal relationship with God was nearly nonexistent.
When I left home for college at The University of Texas at Austin, I chose to remain in close contact with the Christians meeting with the local church because I knew from past experience that these Christians were so genuine and normal. Eventually, I met a few families in the local church who opened their homes to the college students every week. I would go to their homes to eat dinner, relax, and sing with other college students. This kind of experience warmed my heart very much, and I began to love the Lord more and to see that these families were ones who cared for the church. They loved God to the uttermost, and the issue of that love was that they cared for what God cared for - the church (Ephesians 5:25). These families devoted their jobs, their time, their homes, and their living to the care of the members of the church. Even their study of the Bible was not to build up themselves but to feed the riches of Christ to others. They were patterns of caring for the church. As a result, my life was touched. Their care softened my heart so that I could open to the Lord and love Him. Furthermore, I realized that my whole life is for loving Christ and giving myself for the church just as these families have consecrated themselves to Christ and the church.
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