Encounter with God

Hi friends,
The time now is 3.31am in the morning. Just came back from fellowshipping with some of the cell mates earlier. Today was the day of SOT graduation. 3 of my cell mates had graduated from SOT this year. Today's service was special to me. Pastor Alex Abraham shared a message which impacted me a lot about encounter with God.
Some people would often ask me why i love God so much or spend so much time serving in ministry. I would often smile at them. I know the reason is because of my personal encounter with God. Perhaps it's good for me to write my personal testimonies in this topic.
I came to know the Lord when i was 21. I remembered before i knew the Lord, i was often found alone at a park or playground in the middle of night gazing at the sky whenever unpleasant things or problems happened in my life, asking this question "is there a God, if so why this and that can happen to me?" Although i came from a buddhist family, besides enjoying to play with the joss papers, lighting of fire, burning joss sticks at designated hours each day. I never seriously pray to the idols in the house. I recalled i was made to kneel in front of the altar for more than 2 hours for something which i did not do. Cut the story short, i was never interested in spiritual things and i always considered myself a free thinker. I remembered once during my JC time, i was invited to a Christmas evangelistic session by a school mate, me and a friend laugh so loudly at the end when all were closing their eyes praying. God indeed is the one eventually laughing.
It was when i was in Army time, i had a real encounter with God. I was participating in a race when i collapse at the end point. That was the time when fear stuck me real deeply. Totally unconscious, i felt completely helpless. I saw myself as if in a long dark tunnel with no end to it. I thought to myself, am i dying? I kept thinking, i'm so young to die, only 21 of age. I want to get married and also take care of my parents. Please don't let me die.. At that moment, something struck me that i should pray. Having attend a period of Sunday school when i was young. I know about Jesus existence. Helplessly i started to pray to Him. God, if you exist, don't let me die! It was the moment after i said this, a ray of light came from the dark tunnel and stuck me in the face. I immediately shook myself up. I'm alive! From that day onwards, i knew God exist. I went to attend a church near my house. For weeks, i felt that there's peace. But too peaceful till i nearly fall asleep at times. I went to my first cell group meeting just opp my block and i never want to go back again. It was a one hour session, half the members came late. We played scrabbles for 15 mins, sang one song and hear a probably unprepared 5 mins message. I stopped attending the church after sometime.
Things took a change when i went to University. I was at an orientation camp, 2 girls from my orientation group had 'plotted' to invite me to their church. It was at Indoor Stadium. City Harvest was having their 12th anniversary celebration. The moment i stepped into the stadium, i felt an undescribable presence in the place. I was also impressed by all the ministries displayed. Poh looked like the taiwanese singer 'Zhou Hua Jian'. During the last part, there was an altar call given by Pastor Kong (at that time i didn't know who he was). I felt that every word he said was talking straight to me. I raised my hands in response to the altar call. Afterwhich, i was encouraged to go down to the front. I still remembered every step i took, my heart was pounding. Tear uncontrollably rolled down my eyes. God has touched me and my life was changed since. I continued to be planted in the house of God. Although there are ups and downs in my walk with Him, i stood on. I enrolled myself to SOT in the 2nd year, 2003 and thereafter i became a cell group leader till now.
Today God reminded me through Pastor Alex about encountering with God. If not for this experience with Him, i would never be doing what i'm doing now. Indeed His grace is sufficent for all. I know of many Christians who backslidded after some disappointments in life or their walk with God. It quite sad to see how their life move on without God. I pray that one day all those who have left will turn back some day. God, please show them the way of how you have shown me.
There's still a long way for me to go. Career, family, financial challenges are still ahead. I pray that i'll never lose my fervency for God. Let His kingdom come and His will be done in each and everyone of our life! Amen.

Rgds
Alvin