It’s a privilege to share a bit about my journey with the Lord. In one sense, you could say I’ve known Christ my whole life. I was blessed to be raised in a Christian household, and my faith journey is deeply intertwined with my family’s story. My mom and dad’s own story began in a church in Hong Kong. Their faith was a guiding force for them, especially when they made the courageous decision to immigrate to Los Angeles, California. They were seeking refuge from the growing shadow of communism, and in doing so, they left behind everything familiar – their family, their friends, their homeland. They made this incredible sacrifice so that one day, my brother and I could experience the freedoms and opportunities of a life in the free world. 

Growing up in LA, born into that freedom they secured, I have to admit, I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of their sacrifice. It’s easy to take such things for granted when you’ve never known anything else. As a young man, I found myself feeling entitled, a bit lost, and honestly, quite unhappy, despite the blessings around me. I was searching, like many are, for something to fill a void, comparing myself to others, and feeling a general sense of insecurity. I tried to find fulfillment in worldly things – dating, partying, the usual distractions – but nothing truly satisfied that deep-seated emptiness. 

After college in 2013 I embarked on my career, landing a spot with Ford Credit in their rotation leadership development program. This path led me to Colorado Springs, and eventually, after a few promotions, to the headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. It was during this period, through a series of challenges, some profound doubts, but also incredible blessings, that by God’s amazing grace, I truly found my way back to a personal and vibrant relationship with Christ. 

In 2015 I remember a pastor at New Life Church in Colorado Springs explaining how most people try to find security in worldly achievements, possessions, or relationships. He said that true, lasting security can only be found in God. That message resonated deep within me. I realized he was right; nothing this world offered could give me the peace and security I yearned for. So, I prayed. I asked Christ to forgive me of my sins, to cleanse me, and to truly come into my life as Lord, to lead me and give me that security I had been so desperately seeking. And you know what? My life began to change. The fears and insecurities that had plagued me started to fade. I began to feel a sense of confidence and a profound peace, knowing that God was in control. 

This renewed faith wasn’t just an internal feeling; God began to show His faithfulness in very tangible ways, through what I can only describe as clear blessings: 

The first major blessing was the opportunity to pursue my MBA with Pepperdine in 2017 while working for Ford Credit in Michigan, my dad, ever supportive, encouraged me to consider higher education and even generously offered to pay my tuition if I studied full-time and quit my job. That was an incredible offer, but I felt a nudge to pray about it, to seek God’s wisdom. The direction I received felt clear: continue with my job and trust that Ford would support my MBA. Now, I’ll be honest, I resisted this at first. It meant executive approval from Ford, working full-time while studying part-time, and I envisioned many sleepless nights. But the thought of putting an additional financial burden on my parents didn’t sit right with me either. So, I decided to trust what I felt God was putting on my heart. I started the application process, updated my objectives, and put together a business case for Ford. After numerous meetings with my manager, the final hurdle was executive approval. I laid out how the MBA would benefit both Ford and myself. Then came the waiting. After a couple of anxious days, the approval came through: Ford would cover 100% of my tuition. God had answered my prayers, lifting that potential financial burden from my parents and affirming His guidance. 

The second blessing came in the form of a significant career move in August 2018. While I was diligently working on my MBA, my career at Ford Credit seemed to hit a plateau. I felt a desire to transfer to Ford Motor Company for better opportunities, but it was a tough road. Interview after interview, I faced rejection. Doubts started to creep in: ‘What if my best isn’t good enough? Am I truly capable? Do I even belong here?’ I was on the verge of giving up, feeling like all hope was lost. But then, on my eighth application, God opened the right door. I applied to the Partnership team, and after just one short, 30-minute interview, I got the job and the promotion! This wasn’t just a career step; it was a transition to Ford Motor that allowed me to grow and challenge myself mentally, physically, and, most importantly, spiritually. 

And the third, most personal blessing, was finding my soulmate, my wife, Mimi. For over ten years, I had been praying for a good, Christian wife. I’d been through multiple relationships in California, Colorado, and Michigan, but none of them seemed to work out. There were always fundamental differences in lifestyles, career aspirations, or, crucially, in our faith in God. Breakup after breakup, I was honestly starting to prepare myself for the possibility of being single forever. But God, in His perfect timing, had other plans. In May 2021, while I was still in Michigan, I started chatting with and then dating Mimi. From our very first date, I just knew – it felt like love at first sight. Thanks to the unique circumstances of Covid, we had an accelerated dating path, seeing each other almost daily, which allowed us to get to know each other deeply and quickly. Mimi was everything I had prayed for in a wife: strong, independent, and a devoted Christian. Through Mimi, and hearing her own incredible story, I gained an even deeper appreciation for the blessings in my own life – being born in America, having my parents. Mimi’s faith is truly inspiring. She came to the US alone from Vietnam, lost her mom at a young age, yet through all these challenges, her faith in God propelled her. She earned a full-ride scholarship to Lynn University as an international student, secured a green card, earned her MBA from Yale, and eventually, our paths crossed. I met Mimi when I was 29, and we were married in May 2022, just after I turned 30. 

Looking back, I see God’s hand so clearly. He answers prayers. The journey often requires patience and persistence, and a whole lot of faith. But I’ve learned that God’s timing is perfect – never early, never late. Like my education, my career, and my marriage, the best things in life are truly worth the wait when you entrust them to Him. 

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that only God can give you the true security and peace you’re looking for. When you let God into your life and allow Him to take control, He will take away your fears and burdens. He always answers prayers. The key is to be patient, to be persistent in seeking Him, and to trust in His unfailing, perfect timing. He has never failed me, and I know He never will.