My grandfather and my dad were pastors. I have memories of my dad teaching Bible studies at various colleges in the LA area and our living room filled with students. I resented my upbringing because I wanted a normal family life that I saw on TV. Now, after 30 years of ministering to college students myself, I am grateful for my upbringing and the example I was given of what it looks like to love God and others.

I came to UC Berkeley wanting to find answers to whether Christianity was true. I had many questions that I was afraid to ask growing up. I prayed that God would take me to a college where I could find answers to my questions, and God answered my prayers. I attended a Bible study on the Berkeley campus and was amazed to see a group of college students eager to study and actually try to obey God’s word. I made a decision to make Jesus my Lord and Savior in my junior year after a Matthew 1 Bible study. I wanted to be like Ruth, Tamar, and Rahab who took hold of the lifeline to seek God and follow him. What a journey it’s been since that day I decided to follow Jesus. I thank God for how he’s led my life.