I have been a Christian for 27 years, 26 of which I have been listening to and reading Witness Lee’s materials, and also Watchman Nee’s materials. In the past 26 years, I also have been meeting with the local churches. I have met with the church in Long Beach, the church in Huntington Beach, the church in San Bernardino and, for the past few years with the church in Moreno Valley. I just want to share how this has affected my life in such a positive way.

In the first six to eight months of my being a Christian, the Lord was so real and fresh to me, and His Word was so living, and I was very aggressive to share Christ with all my friends, of which many were saved. I was 18 years old, and within 3 months I was holding two Bible studies, one in my home, and another in a friend’s home. At one time, 17 were meeting in my home, and seven were in the other. I was very hungry, seeking, and desirous to serve the Lord.

However, after only about one year, my love for the Lord waned, and my service to Him also came to almost nothing. The love of the world, girlfriends, motorcycles, cars, etc. all had quickly replaced Christ in my life and, by the time I was nineteen years old, my love for the Lord was quite weak.

When I began to listen to messages given by Witness Lee, and to read his books and messages, they began to reaffirm my love towards the Lord Jesus, and towards serving Him. I always prayed over what I read, and considered it much before God. The messages really opened up the Bible to me.

After many years, I have come to realize what had happened to me in that first year. I didn’t have a clue at that time that what I was doing was quenching my relationship with Christ. “If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). And also, “friendship with the world is enmity with God” (James 4:4).

I was brought back to my first love, Jesus Christ. I can’t in such a short testimony delve into the wonderful truths that have been opened to me in God’s Word. I can only tell you about the affect. I still love Jesus, and I am still serving Him, after twenty-seven years. Some of my friends and relatives have been saved and baptized and are also going on with Christ. A tree is known by its fruit. The fruit is the testimony of the reality of the Christ Whom I love and enjoy and serve.

Regarding the church in Moreno Valley, with which I meet, the brothers and sisters here love the Lord Jesus as much or more than I do. Meeting with them instills within me the desire to pursue and love Christ. When I am pursuing and loving Christ, I have love for the brothers. This is my experience in the local church. Herein we know we are born of God, because we love the brothers (1 John 3:14). Philadelphia means “Brotherly love”, in Philadelphia they have a little strength, have not denied His name, and have overcome the evil one (Revelation 2:8). To me, the church in Moreno Valley is like this.

I have been married going on 23 years now. I have three children, the oldest is 18, the youngest six. I have a 40-hour a week job as a computer programmer. I live a normal, happy life. I grew up in a broken family, and above all wanted a normal family life. Because of the Lord Jesus in my life and my family members’ lives, we have this. I can love my wife and family because I have experienced the “One” who is love, and can share with them the love I have experienced from God, in Christ Jesus.

Wayne Johnson

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