Friends, it is good to be here.

Today is a big day for me. I am happy that you come, especially during this pandemic supporting me and sharing in my joyfulness.

I have travelled a long journey to this place. I grew up in China, and since childhood, I was taught and encouraged to be an atheist. At that time, I knew very little about Christianity.

However, I have always wondered at the beauty and splendour of nature and the universe. I always love to be with small animals and plants, and I feel very grateful for the gift of my own life as a human being. I always wondered to whom I should give thanks to.

One day, I went to a church in Shanghai with a friend, and I watched people worshiping God in devoutness. I was touched, on the one hand, by their bravery to be a minority within Chinese society, and on the other hand, by their faith. It was the first time that I felt I might finally find the thing that was missing in my life.

Coming to Bern opened a new chapter of exploring my own faith. I started to read the Bible, attend Sunday services and learn more about Christianity. Apart from these, getting to know you is also one of the most important changes to me.

I asked myself through what I realised God's call to me. I can point to no dramatic miracles: for me, the 'sign' is that God shows me the relationship between God and human beings.

Through you, God shows me the importance of Jesus as a link between God and human beings and the influence of being baptised into Christ's death and resurrection. Your kindness, friendliness and faithfulness made me want to be a member of God's family, to receive strength from God, to follow the teaching of Christ, to always strive to be a better person, to love and help one and another as you do.

Baptism of Rachel, 23 August 2020

I came to know Rachel in September 2018, when I was her lecturer of international law in Shanghai, China.

Growing up in China, Rachel had little direct knowledge of Christianity. However, Rachel struck me as a young scholar earnestly searching for wisdom, and carefully guarding her heart against the materialist and atheist indoctrinations prevalent in her days.

I gave Rachel my study Bible on Christmas 2018, and she seemed to especially like Psalm 104.

The first time I saw Rachel praying to God was in the summer of 2019. It was a late afternoon, and the two of us were walking on a pavement in Shanghai. As it had recently rained, we had almost stepped on a snail that had lost its way on the pavement. Rachel stopped walking and began to gently guide the snail to a neighbouring grass strip. I said to Rachel: 'I know that public prayers are banned here, but just let me say a farewell prayer for our snail friend.' To my surprise, Rachel joined in my prayer with an 'Amen'.

Rachel likes to read the Book of Esther. The example of Esther gives her inspiration and strength. And just like Queen Esther, Rachel withstood the tests of isolation and adversity during her days of 'exile'; she bravely pursued God's call in Switzerland, and continues to flourish in God's guidance and protection.

I am delighted to know that Rachel has accepted God's invitation to be formally received into Christ's family. Borrowing from Mordecai's words to Esther, I also rejoice at God's wondrous plan for Rachel: Who knows? Perhaps Rachel has come to Bern for just a time as this (cf 4.14). The true Wisdom, which Rachel searched for so diligently, was finally revealed to her as Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Cor 1:24).

Our baptism rite (Common Worship) charges the newly baptised to 'proclaim [Christ] by word and example', to 'defend[] the weak and ... seek[] peace and justice'. This reminds me of a paper published by the World Council of Churches, which refers to baptism as 'the ordination of the laity'. As Rachel formally commits herself to Christ, let us give thanks to our God, and pray that the Spirit may continue to look after Rachel and guide her to 'shine as a light in the world'.