Only Takes One

“He told them still another parable: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough.’” Matthew 13:33, NIV.

Kenny* was raised in a Taoist home. Religion in the family was not pervasive, but it was one of many threads that woven together formed the pattern of how things were done. Kenny remembers the daily food offerings his mom would make on the family altar, observances of special days, and burning joss sticks. Kenny never gave much thought to why they did these things, it was just the way his home worked.

As Kenny reached high school he enrolled in a Bible correspondence course in order to improve his English. The teacher was so patient to correct all his papers and answer all of his questions. By the end of the course, Kenny had shifted his interest from learning English to learning about God. Through that correspondence course Kenny came to believe that Jesus died for his sins. He committed his life to follow Jesus; he was the first member of his entire family to become a Christian.

Shortly after coming to faith, Kenny led his brother to Christ. Many years later, all of his three brothers and two sisters have come to faith. Kenny’s mom came to faith, and today is known in the church for her love for the old hymns – especially Amazing Grace.

It seemingly only takes one member of the family coming to faith to open the entire family to the Gospel. Kenny’s sister-in-law was the first member of her family to come to faith in Jesus, and since her decision her entire family has come to follow Jesus!

Kenny’s 87-year-old father is the last member of his immediate family that has not trusted in Christ for salvation. This Chinese New Year, Kenny’s wife, Bonnie, is practicing her Hokkien, which is the Chinese dialect of Kenny’s family, so she can share the Gospel with him.

*Names changed for security reasons.

Pray that:

Kenny’s father will accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.

God will continue to reach entire Chinese families through one member who comes to faith.

Kenny’s family will be obedient and bold in sharing the Gospel with their friends and neighbors, and other families will be saved as a result.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.