Risking It All: A Young Woman’s Journey to Baptism

Three years ago, a young woman named Sophia uprooted her life in China and moved to San Diego to start a master’s degree program. Prior to her arrival in the United States, Sophia knew nothing about God. But that quickly changed when a Christian family in the area welcomed her into their home while she worked to secure a permanent living situation.

“I felt super peaceful when we had our prayers before our meals,” she said. “Then I began my [spiritual] journey with curiosity, excitement, and a lot of questions.”

From the time she was in grade school, Sophia valued reading and education; so when she was introduced to Christianity through her host family, she decided to get more informed. 

“I figured out that if I wanted to be an educated person, I needed to read the best-selling book of all time, which is the Bible,” she said.

As Sophia began diving into God’s Word, she realized that he had been guiding her steps her entire life, and she wanted to dedicate her life to him. So, she began a relationship with Jesus and started looking for a church to join. 

Sophia’s goal was to find a church with Bible-based teaching, active ministries, and a culture that celebrates people with diverse backgrounds. After checking out several churches in the San Diego area, she stumbled upon Saddleback’s regional campus in the area and felt right at home.

Once she became a member of Saddleback San Diego, Sophia felt so much momentum in her spiritual journey. Her new church family was actively encouraging her to continue pursuing her relationship with God. It was a stark contrast to the reaction she received from her parents in China when she told them she had become a Christian.

“My mother is a devout Buddhist,” she explained, “so when she heard that I was going to church, she warned me not to get baptized otherwise she would cut off my financial support.”

That conversation left Sophia feeling devastated. To lose the financial support from her parents would potentially mean being forced to move back to China. Her visa status in the United States was limited and prevented her from being able to work. 

Knowing that God was in control, Sophia decided to move forward in faith. She prayed that God would open doors that would allow her to stay in San Diego, finish her schooling, and start a career in California. All of her prayers were answered with a resounding yes.

“After I graduated, I successfully found a good job at a good company, and after I got my first paycheck I just said to everyone, ‘I want to be baptized,’” she said.

Sophia’s baptism was not just a celebration of her newfound financial independence. More importantly, it was a celebration of her newfound dependence on God. She said her life is now filled with peace and confidence knowing that Jesus is at the center of it all, and she wants her life to be a witness for him. 

“I keep praying for my parents and I hope someday I can [lead] them to Jesus,” she said.