My goal at Azusa Pacific University is to expand my talent in worship and music to its fullest potential for God’s glory. I lead worship for my home church, but I passionately desire to do more. With a master’s degree in pastoral studies and a concentration in worship leadership, I would also be able to help other churches that need assistance in leading and organizing worship teams, and I can be the mere vessel that brings God’s congregation to Him. My ultimate goal is to glorify God no matter what I do in life.
My mother brought me to church since I was three years old. By the time I was seven, I started going to Livingstone Alliance Church, my current home church. I took the Bible stories and teachings lightly and never gave it much thought or consideration. I continued to live like every other student in school, trying to fit in socially. By 2003, I was a freshman in high school. That year was probably one of the more depressing years of my life. Several key leaders and members of the church suddenly left. Back in school, I knew no one. People would make fun of me all the time because I always alone.
I let God work in my life at a retreat during my sophomore year, 2005. When I came back from the retreat, I could sing songs of praise without worry or peer judgment. I could close my eyes, lift my hands, and just praise God like I really mean it. It was at this time where a good friend of mine at church started leading worship at church, and I joined him. During lunch time, I would start sitting at lunch tables with friends. I joined the Christian Club and Environmental Club. I would thank God mentally when I went hiking with the Environmental Club or cleaned up trash with them after school.
I will never forget my four college years at UC Riverside, especially my entire walk with God at this time. During my first year, I fell away from God by wasting all my free time playing games instead of studying or going out to fellowship meetings that my hallmates continuously invited me to. Basically, I led my own life instead of letting God lead me. I finally went to AACF, the Asian American Christian Fellowship, during my second year. Ever since, God has blessed me with so many encouraging friends. I joined the fellowship’s worship team, and I learned to talk, listen and join events with like-minded Christians, to lead a small group during retreat, and to read the Bible in a God centered style.
Perhaps one of the most spiritually challenging moments of my life was the time that I graduated from UC Riverside June 2011. After I graduated from college, I had plenty of free time, since I finally finished school. What started as a mix of enjoyable free time and constant job searching for me became an intense fear of my future and uncertainty. Most of this entire past summer, I was continually rejected from retail firms that I applied for. I kept thinking about whether I should just go back to UC Riverside to get an MBA or not, but then I would have to go through the trouble of looking for a house to live in at Riverside again. It was either that, or applying for Azusa Pacific University. However, if I went for APU, I would have to take an $8000 loan out to pay for class fees. During August, my dad referred me to his friend’s son, who was looking for a full time worker, but what he paid was most likely less than minimum wage.
In the midst of all these dilemmas, I just lifted my prayers to God, telling Him to take my life, and lead me where he wants me to go. Man may plan his own plans, but God directs his steps. I keep remembering the story of Abraham when God told him to pack up everything and leave his homeland to Canaan. After much prayer and meditation, I decided to apply for APU. I was accepted into the school, but I got many mixed reactions from friends and family. My father and aunt told me that I won’t get much income from working at the church. Some of my friends were surprised that I applied so quickly to APU. A few pastors told me that it should not be a personal urge, but a calling from God for people to take a Masters in Divinity or related subject. My English pastor and mother supported me. I took that huge leap of faith, just like Abraham. I took the huge loan, rejected my dad’s friend’s job offer, and simply went for it. I backed away from what I was comfortable with, and ran for what I was called to do: to lead the body of Christ, the church of God.
I am truly blessed to have been given the opportunity of attending APU for over two years currently. I now have a stronger understanding of what it means to lead worship, to bring people closer to the presence of Christ by the workings of the Holy Spirit. It is humbling and beyond amazing to know that we were created to be the most creative beings in the world, that we are made to worship God with every form possible, not just in music.
Once I let God truly control my life, my perspective of life completely changed. I look forward to spiritual growth in God, not for academic prestige or higher salaries. My life is no longer of this world. Everything that happens, whether getting accepted or rejected, financial gain or loss, happens for a reason. We are to continue to rejoice for everything that He has given us. Nothing can stop me from my faithful walk in God; I will forever rejoice.
Thank you for your time in reading this testimony.
Sincerely, Aaron Liong
My mother brought me to church since I was three years old. By the time I was seven, I started going to Livingstone Alliance Church, my current home church. I took the Bible stories and teachings lightly and never gave it much thought or consideration. I continued to live like every other student in school, trying to fit in socially. By 2003, I was a freshman in high school. That year was probably one of the more depressing years of my life. Several key leaders and members of the church suddenly left. Back in school, I knew no one. People would make fun of me all the time because I always alone.
I let God work in my life at a retreat during my sophomore year, 2005. When I came back from the retreat, I could sing songs of praise without worry or peer judgment. I could close my eyes, lift my hands, and just praise God like I really mean it. It was at this time where a good friend of mine at church started leading worship at church, and I joined him. During lunch time, I would start sitting at lunch tables with friends. I joined the Christian Club and Environmental Club. I would thank God mentally when I went hiking with the Environmental Club or cleaned up trash with them after school.
I will never forget my four college years at UC Riverside, especially my entire walk with God at this time. During my first year, I fell away from God by wasting all my free time playing games instead of studying or going out to fellowship meetings that my hallmates continuously invited me to. Basically, I led my own life instead of letting God lead me. I finally went to AACF, the Asian American Christian Fellowship, during my second year. Ever since, God has blessed me with so many encouraging friends. I joined the fellowship’s worship team, and I learned to talk, listen and join events with like-minded Christians, to lead a small group during retreat, and to read the Bible in a God centered style.
Perhaps one of the most spiritually challenging moments of my life was the time that I graduated from UC Riverside June 2011. After I graduated from college, I had plenty of free time, since I finally finished school. What started as a mix of enjoyable free time and constant job searching for me became an intense fear of my future and uncertainty. Most of this entire past summer, I was continually rejected from retail firms that I applied for. I kept thinking about whether I should just go back to UC Riverside to get an MBA or not, but then I would have to go through the trouble of looking for a house to live in at Riverside again. It was either that, or applying for Azusa Pacific University. However, if I went for APU, I would have to take an $8000 loan out to pay for class fees. During August, my dad referred me to his friend’s son, who was looking for a full time worker, but what he paid was most likely less than minimum wage.
In the midst of all these dilemmas, I just lifted my prayers to God, telling Him to take my life, and lead me where he wants me to go. Man may plan his own plans, but God directs his steps. I keep remembering the story of Abraham when God told him to pack up everything and leave his homeland to Canaan. After much prayer and meditation, I decided to apply for APU. I was accepted into the school, but I got many mixed reactions from friends and family. My father and aunt told me that I won’t get much income from working at the church. Some of my friends were surprised that I applied so quickly to APU. A few pastors told me that it should not be a personal urge, but a calling from God for people to take a Masters in Divinity or related subject. My English pastor and mother supported me. I took that huge leap of faith, just like Abraham. I took the huge loan, rejected my dad’s friend’s job offer, and simply went for it. I backed away from what I was comfortable with, and ran for what I was called to do: to lead the body of Christ, the church of God.
I am truly blessed to have been given the opportunity of attending APU for over two years currently. I now have a stronger understanding of what it means to lead worship, to bring people closer to the presence of Christ by the workings of the Holy Spirit. It is humbling and beyond amazing to know that we were created to be the most creative beings in the world, that we are made to worship God with every form possible, not just in music.
Once I let God truly control my life, my perspective of life completely changed. I look forward to spiritual growth in God, not for academic prestige or higher salaries. My life is no longer of this world. Everything that happens, whether getting accepted or rejected, financial gain or loss, happens for a reason. We are to continue to rejoice for everything that He has given us. Nothing can stop me from my faithful walk in God; I will forever rejoice.
Thank you for your time in reading this testimony.
Sincerely, Aaron Liong