Finding Grace in Unexpected Places: David Chun’s Journey to Faith

David Chun’s journey to faith in God was a surprising and unexpected one. Growing up in a Christian home, church was always a part of his life, but his faith in Jesus was strained and empty. It wasn’t until the end of high school that the question of God’s place in his life became more than a family obligation. What followed was a journey of rediscovery, shaped by patience, grace, and a growing desire to serve others. 

The Emptiness Without God

When David was 13 years old, he came to realise that his relationship with Jesus was built on family obligations rather than personal convictions.  It wasn’t until years later, during a youth camp, that his faith truly became his own. “I have been a Christian for the past 10 years. I gave my life to Christ on July 11th, 2015.”

Before that turning point, David’s teenage years were marked by struggle and rebellion. In an attempt to understand who he was, he decided to live “ a hedonistic, and socially driven kind of lifestyle,” he explains. This way of living eventually resulted in David being expelled from high school, and “instead of turning away from my mistakes, I decided to party.” 

The turning point for David was a simple conviction to pray. “I prayed… ‘God, if you’re really there, then help me see a better path.’” A few weeks later, David was accepted back into school after countless rejections. This was the catalyst that encouraged David to consider that there was something more. He shares, ”I thought, maybe there is a God and someone is listening,”

A key moment in his journey came when God spoke to him through Scripture. David recalls, “The passage that I was given was Proverbs 3:6, it says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge him and he will make straight your path.” Reflecting on this verse, he says, “Six months down the road, God gave me this word that really struck my heart. I said, Amen.”

Following this revelation, mentorship and guidance deepened David’s understanding of faith. “All the Bible stories that I heard as a child growing up to all the preaching that I heard for those past six months, it all made sense, not just in my mind, but it really hit my heart. And that’s when I knew that Jesus was my Lord and Saviour.”

Discovering His Calling

With his faith growing, David began seeking a sense of purpose. “My first question was, if I’m not meant to be a drug dealer, then what am I supposed to do? What is my path?”

Initially, David decided to pursue his love for music and undertook an audio engineering degree, using these skills to serve at church. As he continued to press into God’s Word and his church community, he started to feel a strong pull towards ministry.  

“People from the community started to encourage me and ask me, ‘Have you ever considered full-time ministry?’” David explains. Gradually, small conversations evolved into a deeper conviction: “From those small conversations turned into deeper conversations, which turned into prayers and into personal convictions. A few mission trips overseas to India… all of that kind of happened in the span of three to four years.”

Putting his music degree on hold, David worked in hospitality for 8 years, following his mentor’s advice to gain life experience and build an understanding of people and their experiences before pursuing ministry. Whilst working in hospitality, David’s conviction to enter into ministry continued to grow, until he decided to do a ministry traineeship and study at Christ College.

Pursuing Ministry 

Choosing Christ College for his formal theological training was informed by both experience and mentorship. “All the people that I was having conversations with, when it came to college, all came from Christ College. And they only had great things to say.” Reflecting on visiting the campus, he says, “I felt like… this is where I want to be equipped. I think this is where I want to be.”

This year, David is completing a Diploma of Theology and participating in a ministry traineeship. He reflects, “I’m learning how to learn again, and learning how to think critically and look at different thoughts and think deeper about my own personal convictions.” His ministry work, which spans all ages, has been impactful. “What God is continually showing me is that the gospel is for all people…my job is to go deeper, know the scriptures deeper and share with all people.”

Christ College Campus 

The community aspect at Christ College has been instrumental in supporting and encouraging David as he builds valuable connections whilst studying. “The community aspect of Christ College is at the centre of how college life is,” he explains. It’s the people at Christ College who have enriched David’s experience from conversations over coffee to peer support during class.

Looking forward, David hopes to be ordained in the Presbyterian Church and to continue serving in ministry. “My prayer is that I continue on this pathway and I head towards becoming ordained in the Presbyterian Church and I become a minister.” 

His compassion for those from broken homes has also stirred up a desire to consider chaplaincy in the future. “ I do have a desire to serve and work for people in that space..” he shares. 

For those considering studying at Christ College, David has encouraging words: “Give it a crack!” 

“Theological education will only benefit you in the future… because you’ll be better equipped to serve God, his kingdom and his people.” He concludes with a reminder from Matthew 6:33: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”

David Chun’s story is a testament to the transformative power of grace and renewal. It’s a journey from rebellious beginnings to a heart transformed by God’s Word, as one discovers that Jesus’ work on the cross gives one’s life purpose and a desire to serve.