On January 1, Guanfu Church in Taiwan celebrated its first baptism. The woman being baptized, Susan, gave a powerful testimony that day at her home in the mountains, with her husband, mother-in-law, and son there to witness the event. 

Susan was baptized as a baby, but spent most of her life away from the church. She pursued her career and dabbled in folk religion for a while. But her mother was diligently praying for her.

Three years ago, Susan started to look for a church where she could be nourished. She met a missionary couple who had just arrived in Gongguan and started studying the Bible with them. But no suitable church was found until SEND missionaries Gary and Mabel Meade moved to the area.

Susan started coming irregularly to the Meade’s church in Gongguan. But when Guanfu Church was established closer to her, Susan finally found a new church to call her spiritual home. There she made a public profession of faith.

Susan’s husband is Hakka — a people group that is often steeped in tradition and folk religion. Her husband’s side of the family does not know Christ and would not come to the church to witness her baptism. So Susan, with her husband’s permission, invited the church to her home and had her baptism there.

The Meades had a great time with her family. Before the baptism, Susan told everyone how she was lost for 45 years, but God, in his amazing way, found her. She also made a point to reconcile with those she had offended. Then she thanked her family, especially her mother-in-law, husband, and son for supporting her. What courage!

We praise God for his wonderful grace in Susan’s life.