My name is Bernardino Correa Jr. but my peeps know me as Bernardo (this is because non-Spanish speakers always had trouble saying my full name). Although I have many testimonies that I can share regarding my walk with the Lord, this testimony will cover my decision to accept Christ as my Lord and savior but also as my adopted brother (we seem to share the same father).
Once upon a time in a land far, far away, approximately 23 miles from my house, I ended up at an Asian church that some girl invited me to. Her name is Tram (pronounced Jum) but I had only known her for an afternoon when she invited me to YA Bible study at Vietnamese Baptist Church (VBC). I agreed to go because she had been very nice sharing her beliefs with me. So there I was at YA (currently known as Initium)... surrounded by Asian people in a crowded room. See, I grew up in Mexican neighborhoods and this many non-Latinos made me feel uncomfortable yet welcomed at the same time. As soon as I arrived at VBC several YAers introduced themselves to me and asked me about myself... strange don't you think?
Around 7:30pm the show got started and the YA leader introduced herself and YA to the audience along with any new visitors. Next, praise and worship began with a live band playing music for God and some people began lifting their arms to the ceiling and it seemed weird because I had never seen people do that. I grew up as a typical Roman Catholic (I say typical not to offend but to describe the way my family and my friends were raised) going to Church maybe once a month knowing nothing of the Word. I knew nothing of worship and praise so for the first time in my life I was surrounded by a group of Christians worshipping God... and they were all Asian. Everything had become weird times 2. Anyway, worship ended then service began. I don’t remember what was said but afterward prayer requests and praise reports where shared. People began thanking God for doing things in their life and I did not understand how God worked in their lives, but He did and still does. Finally, fellowship began and most people stayed back to enjoy some home cooked Vietnamese food... mainly bean sprouts, fish sauce, and rice. Again, people began talking to me, telling me about their experience with God.
I was invited to come to YA again and I accepted that offer even though I felt discomfort being there. I've come to learn that sin cannot stand before the glory of God even if it hid itself in a body like mine. So I kept coming week after week wanting to know why these young adults had such an open passion for God. And why did they love Jesus so much? I wasn't going to leave VBC until I found out why these Christians chased after God so eagerly. 18 months later I decided to accept Christ after waiting for the "right time." I wanted to come to Christ when everything in my life seemed under control and I knew for sure that my life had not hit rock bottom. It turns out that I lost 18 months in my walk with the Lord because I chose to wait; the best time to come to Christ is now, without a doubt.
I first experienced the love of God when I arrived at VBC in mid 2002 when YAers began sharing their love for God with me. It is that love that kept drawing me here and which still draws me here today. For any of you reading this testimony I welcome you to Initium at VBC for a firsthand experience of the love of God. I'll be that Mexican dude at the front doing my dance thing during worship... Holy Spirit likes to dance and so do I. I bless you all and invite you to experience God with us in a refreshing way, Amen.