Full-Time Training - Testimonies

We Have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels, Audra White

These two years in the Full-Time Training in Anaheim (FTTA) have been an unforgettable blessing to me. I remember when I was in college, I began meeting with Christians in the local church. A friend who was taking care of me was currently in the FTTA. There was something about her that was so different; when she prayed with me, spoke to me, even just was with me, there was something real, deep, profound in her that I couldn't figure out, but desired. I soon realized that for me, it wasn't good enough to simply be a Christian attending meetings and taking care of the young people as I was going to school and working. What a dream that I could give two years to spend much time with the Lord and with other Christians who are in love with the Lord also, as well as spend time in the word of God and the ministry of Watchman Nee and Witness Lee to be constituted with the truth, that I may be useful to the Lord, my dear Master.

Immediately after I graduated from college, I came to the Training eager and excited. Later on in the 1^st year I had the realization that I'm not an angelic being--perfect and above all situations and environment. Rather, I'm human and still fallen, needing the Lord more than ever. The Training is very balanced in that it focuses on five areas of the Christian living: Life (divine life), truth (of the Bible), gospel (on campuses and in communities), service, and characters. So I'm not here merely to fill my head with knowledge for doctrinal debates. Rather, I'm here to allow the Lord as our treasure within to grow through the shining of the word, through developing life practices of praying, praying over the Word, morning watch, and calling on the Lord, as ways of contacting the Lord and allowing Him to make His home in my heart through faith (Ephesians 3:17).

I'm here to speak what I'm learning and experiencing of the Lord to others on the campuses and in the communities. Gospel preaching has shown me that I'm not here for my own spirituality. However, I can help others grow in the Lord only to the extent that I have grown in the Lord. As a balance, I also learn to serve in practical ways, such as in restroom cleaning, kitchen duty, chair arranging, hall vacuuming, etc. Finally, I am trained in my character--learning to be thorough, punctual, and diligent in keeping the schedule. On the other hand, I learn to listen to roommates, housemates, teammates, gospel, partners, and those that we take care of in the gospel. Yet with all these experiences, the focus and content of all these areas of training is Christ as my treasure. And the more He grows in me while my humanity is simultaneously being developed, my vessel can contain and convey this wonderful Person, living inside me. Together all the believers can be the corporate vessel with the unique treasure to bring the Lord back.

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