Over the weekend of February 7–8, the Chinese Christian Church of Greater Washington, D.C., had the privilege of hosting a number of guests in our area. We welcomed them into our sanctuary with the hope that we would all encounter God in a fresh and transformative way. To this end, we invited Steven Kim, a former drug addict transformed by God, who now leads Project Kinship—a ministry dedicated to helping those caught in gang life and the cruelty of violence. What began as a two-person act of faith has grown into a thriving ministry with 120 dedicated members.

On the first night, Steven shared how pain in our lives, when left unredeemed by God’s grace, can have a devastating effect—inevitably being passed on to others. Simply put, pain is either transformed or transmitted. Those who suffer can, in turn, become those who inflict suffering—the recipients becoming the perpetrators.

What is the hope for those in pain? How can the cycle be broken before our loved ones bear the weight of our burdens? The answer lies in another question: What is the shape of God’s heart? What does it look like? Some in the audience responded with "the cross" or "as large as the universe.”  All good answers—perhaps glimpses of what Steven had in mind: perfect love. Why perfect love? Because perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18). In God’s love, there is no fear—only peace, joy, and rest.

One of the testimonies shared that first night was from Brother Joseph. Built like a teddy bear, he hugs like one too—and he sees it as his ministry to bring grace and hope through hugs. For 34 years, he was in and out of prison, stuck in a gang, taking and selling drugs. Then one day, he walked into a Salvation Army center and experienced perfect love, the kind that is free of fear because of how he was treated. This love transformed his life from wasting away in a cell to earning an undergraduate degree, a master’s in social work, and hopes for a doctorate. Now, he offers hope to young men and women who were once imprisoned as he was.

A particularly moving part of his testimony was his time in prison, where he kept a travel book filled with pictures of the National Mall and its monuments. He dreamed of visiting them one day. On this winter weekend, that dream became a reality as he and his friends finally stood in the places he had once only seen in pictures. That’s perfect love!

 

The theme of the second evening centered on an essential aspect of this perfect love: it takes the initiative. This love does not wait. Like the white pieces on a chessboard, it makes the first move. As John reminds us, "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19).

What a powerful truth—God loves first. No matter where we are in life, no matter what we have done or the messes we have made, He always loves us first. The implications are life-changing. God is not waiting for us to get our lives in order or to become good enough. Instead, He makes the first move and walks alongside us on the journey of transformation.

That night, Steven’s wife, Prescilla, shared her testimony, and one simple yet profound truth resonated deeply: no matter how successful we become, life is never truly complete without God. All her life, she believed that financial stability would solve all problems. She eventually reached the top floor—becoming a high-ranking officer at a bank, working in a grand office with assistants at her command. Yet, despite all the status and comfort the world could offer, she found her life and marriage empty. She learned a profound truth: a full bank account cannot fill an empty soul—only God can.

Steven closed the rally with a deeply personal story about his mother’s unwavering prayers. When he was lost in the world of drugs, she would take his clothes from his room to church revivals and rallies, asking pastors to lay hands on them and pray for his return to God. His life stands as a testimony not only to the grace of God but also to the power of a mother’s persistent prayers.

The Rally speakers' testimonies were deeply inspiring, their stories a vivid reminder of the power of encountering God in a real and personal way.  As one participant shared from personal experience, having the chance to hear authentic stories of faith and transformation first-hand can help strengthen a young person's own faith:

“As a college student growing up Southern Baptist in churches around the world, I had ample opportunities to meet missionaries, hear Christian speakers from different walks of life share their testimonies, and attend youth retreats where I met new friends. These experiences helped me relate to the world as a young Christian and kept my faith strong. 

At the Recharge Rally I had the chance to meet Steven Kim and some of his team members from Project Kinship. Their love of community was felt through their sharing of hope and faith. They recounted their own struggles, victories, and personal encounters with God. Their stories made faith tangible, authentic and relatable, helping youth see that God is active, even in life's messiness, and that they are not alone in their challenges. Young people crave genuine connections and real stories that show how faith operates in everyday life, not just in idealistic or polished ways. The speakers’ vulnerability fostered trust, and showed that faith is not about perfection but about walking with God through every season.”

Several teens and young adults also reflected:

“I liked that all of them shared a personal story.”

“It is awesome how much Jesus can change someone’s life.”

“I liked hearing the testimonies and how the speakers wanted others to have a chance and be saved as well.”

“I enjoyed hearing their backstories and how they didn’t let that define them. They also used that to help others with similar experiences.”

“It was nice to see people from different churches at the rally. I hope we get to connect with them more in the future. I liked the testimonies from Steve’s guests. I especially liked the sentiment they shared that God was with them even in their darkest moments.”

“The rally’s theme was ‘Real,’ and it was all about how we can experience real life and freedom in Jesus. It was amazing to hear from the speaker, Steve. The times of worship were also very sweet. There was a time of prayer where people prayed together and for each other, ensuring that every person who attended was prayed for. It was really special to share that time of prayer with everyone, and I hope that praying regularly for each other can become a bigger part of our own church!”

     

The Recharge Rally reminded everyone that faith is not just about knowledge or tradition—it’s about real encounters with God, genuine community, and transformed lives. Through powerful testimonies and heartfelt worship, hearts were stirred, faith was strengthened, and lives were changed. This weekend was a reminder that God is always at work—changing lives, restoring hope, and calling us into a deeper relationship with Him.

*Special thanks to Pastor David Rim for providing the event summary, to Michelle Watson for the photos, and to Sister Jennie Woo for compiling reflections from the CCCGW participants.