---Called to Fight: Physical and Spiritual War---

By Jonathan Ng 

As a child, I grew up in the church. Like many people who grew up in the bubble of christianity, I accepted Christ over and over again. At every VBS, Summer Camp, and other church events. I must have prayed the sinner's prayer at least 15 to 20 times. Always thinking I was a Christian, I managed to get in trouble every Sunday, have the church pay phone taken away, almost set fire to a church, threw a rock in a kid's eye (surgery was required), made countless kids cry, and worst of all I feel that I have driven many people away from church.

Those were the fun days. But when I reached Junior High, I went to a conference "State Youth Conference 1998". I accepted Christ at that time and the last time. The Holy Spirit's inspiration worked through the speaker and into my heart to change my life. I soon was baptized, working in high school leadership and read the Word every day. Senior year I fell deep into my sins and my pride and neglected my spiritual life and concentrated on my own pleasures. I dropped out of leadership and decided to join the Marine Corps. Bootcamp and Infantry Training Battalion at Camp Pendleton passed, and my life was dragging on without God.

March 5, I was activated for Operation Iraqi freedom. This is where I met Li. Bringing a Bible with me, I never opened it except once, which was to get some money that my grandmother gave to me. I neglected God in Iraq and didn't care at all. All the letters I recieved, always had, "We are praying for you." I think 4 Churches, family, friends, and people at Master's college were praying for me. But I never prayed that for myself. When I got home, I read over the letters and realized God delivered me from battle because He was faithful to me because of other people's prayers.

I repented of my negligence and pride. With a help of an awesome friend, I found my place back in church. I began to serve God because I now know God did so much for me in Iraq and yet I did nothing for Him in Iraq. God's faithfulness has changed my life and my future. I have dedicated myself to God because of His will for me and my heart's convictions. I look to the future of ministry to open the eyes of people to the Word, and open their hearts to the Word and God's love. I do not deserve to be an elect of Christ Jesus, and that is why I know I want to serve Him so much more.