The Local Church

Satisfied by Christ

I was blessed to be raised in a Christian family with parents who loved God and diligently taught me about Him. In time, my relationship with God became more personal something of my own desire, not just my parent's. At that time, I began to look for other Christian friends who could strengthen my decision to give myself to Jesus Christ, and with whom I could follow the Lord.

In high school, I met a brother who was upright in character, strong in the faith, and loved the Lord very much. As I talked with him about God, I found out that he met with the local church. Through my personal contact with this friend and his family, I was impressed that they loved the Lord in such a pure, deep and real way, and that His presence and Person was a joy to them.

Later I left home to enroll in a well-known and well-respected Christian school - Biola University - where I continued to seek the Lord. Although I gained much Bible knowledge and met many new Christian friends, I gradually realized that knowing about the Lord is not the same as knowing the Lord Himself, and that my intellectual pursuit of God was not satisfying me. I still lacked His person, and when I considered the believers who seemed to have the person of Jesus--not just knowledge of Jesus--I remembered the flavor of the fellowship that I had tasted with my friend.

Eventually I began meeting with the local churches. It has been almost eight years now and I can testify that the Lord has satisfied and is still satisfying my desire for Him. Here I have found not only the companions who encourage me in the faith and in the joy of the Lord, but I have begun and will continue to know Jesus Christ Himself in the living and full way that so captured me in my friend.

To Deeper Satisfaction

I grew up in a Christian home and learned much about the Lord through church meetings and from parental teaching. I continued my quest for biblical knowledge by spending 2 years at Biola University where I took as many Bible courses as I could around my general studies. I visited well-known Christian denominations and read the writings of well-respected Christian authors. I prayed often and spent time in the Word of God. Everything I was doing seemed good and right but in spite of this, I felt extremely lacking in the experience of the things I was learning about. I even wondered if the experiences of Christ that I heard about were embellished or even made up. Did the Bible really mean what it said about knowing unspeakable joy, deep peace, perfect love, and total satisfaction in Christ alone?

I remember one particular afternoon when I cried out, “Lord where are you? I know about You, but where are you? I think I'm doing everything right, but You still remain so far away from me!” I was reminded of a particular Christian family, who met with the local church from my hometown and whose experiences of Jesus seemed rich and growing. I longed to know God in such a real and living way.

When I returned home, I eventually began to meet regularly with the local church. I started to read the Recovery Version of the New Testament and portions of Witness Lee's and Watchman Nee's writings. I was really surprised at what was there in the Bible all along. There is a way to experience Christ - by turning to my human spirit, where Jesus dwells. Through this ministry, the Word was opened to me and I saw that Christ really can be my all in reality, not just in theory or doctrine, but mine to experience and enjoy. This is God's purpose for each one of His children.

Since then I have had many and continuing experiences of the Lord -- rich and sweet and deepening. How I thank the Lord for bringing me in contact with the writings of Witness Lee. This ministry has stirred up my love for Christ and led me to interact more with the living God. This ministry is precious to me because through it and by it and by the Lord's mercy and grace, I am knowing the Christ of my heart's desire.

Janelle L Orth | Back to List

Home Beliefs Revealed History Testimonies Recognition Contact Us Links