Post Spring ESSC 2024 Reflection (11)




I learned quite a bit from attending the Spring Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC) 2024 in Chicago. Preacher Hu and Preacher Huang’s sermons were eye-opening and uplifting. They devoted their precious time to serving and giving us spiritual feasts to fulfill our needs and spiritual growth. The arrangement of the agenda and routine of the ceremony all seem new to me, and reminded me of the experiences that I had back in the Beijing Church. 

The most memorable part of the Spring ESSC  for me is the baptism. On the day of baptism, I got up and arrived at church at eight. Then Preacher Huang shared some teachings that we need to know to get baptized. We also sing hymns and read the Bible, to fully understand the reason why we need to get baptized. And one of the reasons is that baptism can help us wash off our original sin and the principal sin. Also, we can welcome the holy spirit to live in our hearts and help us to rectify our misbehavior.

Later we went to Michigan Lake located in downtown Chicago and prepared for the baptism. I changed my clothes to white garments, singing hymns with brothers and sisters, and praying for the baptism. Then preacher Huang led me to the shore and down into the water.

Suddenly the freezing water rushed through my body and made me feel sluggish. I trudging and wading into the deeper lake, and this feeling suddenly reminds me when the Israelites struggling through the wilderness. Maybe everyone has to pass through their wilderness to get to the promised land. As I knelt and pushed my head down to the water, my head spun and felt a moment of dizziness. When all had passed, I couldn’t stop shaking, and I crossed my hands to pray for gratitude towards God.

Through the baptism experience, I believe in a future where I can have less mental consumption while dealing with various challenges. The peace of believing in God can help us overcome any physical, mental and spiritual challenges. The key is to start doing instead of thinking, and with being filled with the holy spirit. I feel much more confident in my daily life now and hope that I can go further in my wilderness to be stronger and better for Him and His people.

Come join us to worship God and begin experiencing the power of believing.

Our church address is as follows:

True Jesus Church
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
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Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org