Imagine a boy who used to steal money from his parents to buy electronic games to show off to his friends, smoked, beaten by his parents, ran away from home and almost joined a gang.  He was getting from bad to worse until something happened to him on 7 November 1982 when he was thirteen years of age.  HE GOT SAVED.  That boy is Jason Goh.

     A friend who was concerned for my salvation invited me to church.  At first, I was reluctant simply because of the way I was brought up.  “Christianity is for the westerners,” so said my parents, “and we Chinese have got nothing to do with that religion.”  But, he was persistent.  Finally, I agreed but with a clear determination of not allowing myself to be swayed by the church’s “brain washing” techniques.

     On our way to church (which took more than an hour of bus ride), I was debating with my friend that there is no such thing as a man coming back to life again after three days.  I even passed very sarcastic remarks at him and Jesus.  It was a feeling of victory . . . for a while, that is.

     As we entered the church, I still had that shield before me.  “No!”  I told myself, “I am not going to be swayed.”  The preacher delivered a strong GOSPEL message.  “God loves me?  I am a sinner? Jesus died for my sins?  Heaven and hell?  What’s all these?”  These questions were constantly in my mind.  Then, came the ultimate question.  The preacher asked, “Would you like Jesus to come into your heart today?  This is a decision that no one can help you make.  It’s between you and God.  Why don’t you raise your hand and ask Him to come into your life?”  At that moment, there was a great stirring within me.  I have never felt that in my life.  “What if my parents get to know about my salvation?  What about my pride?  My friends are going to laugh at me.”  Those were the thoughts.  But, the conviction was too great to resist.  I was swayed or rather persuaded by the moving of the Holy Spirit.  I raised my right hand and was then ushered to a room.

    It was the church library and a man opened the Bible and explained everything so clearly to me.  I soon find myself bowing my head with streams of tears rolling down my cheek, praying, “Father, God, forgive me of my sins and Jesus, come into my heart right this moment.  Be my friend, Jesus, be my friend.  I want you to be my Saviour and help me be a good boy.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN!”

     Things were different from that day onwards.  However, I was too afraid to tell my parents about my decision.  Several months passed and one day, my mother called me to her side.  “Tell me something.  What has happened to you?  You seemed to be behaving yourself.”  Oh No!  The day has come; it has finally come.  What am I going to tell her?  “The TRUTH, my son, the TRUTH,” was the only voice I heard at that moment.  So out came the truth and then down came the CANE.  This time, I was whipped for doing the right thing.  Relatives who doted on me came to reprimand me, threats of disowning me and discontinuing my allowances all came at once.  “You have brought shame to the GOH family name,” is what they said.

     Needless to say, I was not allowed to go to church anymore – on Sundays.  They did not know that the church had Youth meetings on Saturday, which I regularly attended.  But, it was not enough.  I wanted to be with God’s people in church on Sunday.  So, I began to plan.

     When Sunday came, I would tell my parents that I was going for a swim – at 6.30 in the morning.  They thought I was crazy but granted me the permission anyway.  So on Sunday at 6.30am, I would rush to the pool, change, jump into the pool, out of the pool in a second, change to my Sunday best and take a bus to church.  This went on for about 2 months.  My parents, especially Mom, began to be suspicious of my Sunday routine.  “Have you been going to church?” she asked.  Well, the TRUTH again.  Thank the Lord, no cane this time but a stern warning.  I was allowed to go to church but was warned against getting baptised.  It was a day of victory for me.

     Was I satisfied?  NO!  After attending Sunday worship regularly for three months, I soon realised the importance of baptism.  I knew my parents would never consent to that.  Did I bother to ask them?  You are right, I didn’t.  Was I right in doing that?  No, I was wrong.  Even though I needed not ask them for permission, I should have at least informed them of my decision.

     On 25 September 1983, I was baptised.  I was so happy that day till I was over my head.  I did not even noticed that I have brought back the wet clothes and put them in the laundry basket.  “Why are your clothes drenched?” asked my mother.  Then, it dawned upon me the careless mistake I have made.  Or, did God purpose it?  Once again, I told the TRUTH.  Yes, this time the CANE came.  It came from the left, right, center and landed on almost every part of my body.  I was well “decorated.”  They were so disappointed with me.  My parents told me that they would not have anything to do with me and that the church can have me if they wished.  I was so sad but knew that God had a purpose.

     All these did not deter me from serving God at all. I began serving in various ministries and grew ever more in the knowledge and grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  In 1986, I surrendered my life to God to be a preacher.  And then, in 1987, Missionary David Speights presented the field of Thailand at our church’s Missions Conference.  I had a burden for missions then.  The following year, I was enlisted to serve in the Army (compulsory for all the man in Singapore).  In 1991, I finished my two and a half years of national service and worked full time in the church.  I also enrolled in Bible school.  I was ordained in 1997 and my wife and I began our preparation to go to Thailand that year.  Finally, on 18 January 1999, we stepped foot into Thailand as missionaries to the land of Smiles.

     God is so good to us.  Because I spoke the truth, kept a good testimony at home and have always allowed God to be first in my life, my parents and siblings were able to see the TRUTH.  The ones who used to persecute me have now, one after another, accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour.  God’s purpose has been revealed to me and I am glad I have kept the faith.  It is my prayer that you and I will continue to keep that faith till His returns.