There are a few YouTube channels I follow to both study English and indirectly experience British churches. One of them is the Holy Trinity Brompton Church channel.
One time, a woman named Helen from Eritrea, often called the North Korea of Africa, shared her testimony. The senior pastor of the church, Nicky Gumbel, an influential British pastor who systematically created the globally famous evangelism program “Alpha Course”, conducted the interview with her. Helen’s confession that she boldly preached the gospel while enduring over three years in a container prison infested with rats and insects, and enduring numerous tortures, truly moved me.
One of her confessions that struck my heart was, ‘Christians should not call the various difficulties they face in life problems but rather opportunities.’ She said that if we successfully navigate all the hardships we face, they become testimonies. The statement that hardships are good opportunities that transform our lives strongly resonated with me.
Her English was not very fluent, and perhaps because she was nervous, she kept fidgeting with her fingers in front of Nicky Gumbel. However, when asked if she had any final words to share with the church congregation, the strength in her voice started to build. “Do not be ashamed of the gospel. Do not be afraid. Many people tried to kill me, but because God did not allow it, they could not,” she said with a powerful voice.
Even the spiritual giant Nicky Gumbel, sitting opposite and listening to her, seemed small before her that day. When she finished speaking, the entire congregation present stood up in unison, giving her a warm round of applause to express their respect. I realized that the numerous sufferings for the Lord had turned one fragile woman into a giant.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” (James 1:2-4)
