A union before God with the church, close friends and family
On the 9th of November, family, friends, and loved ones gathered at First Baptist Church at 9 a.m. to witness the union of Colin and Kimberly. With over 400 guests in attendance, the ceremony was a display of their commitment to a marriage built on biblical principles, wanting to live a life under God’s rule.
A deeply intentional wedding
For Colin and Kimberly, the wedding planning process was deeply intentional. Their first priority was selecting a passage of Scripture that would encapsulate their vision for marriage. After careful consideration, they chose Matthew 5, believing it best believing it best represented their understanding of marriage considering God’s mission. This passage was preached by Elder Joel Lee, a council member, who illuminated the contrast between worldly and God-centered perspectives on marriage. Colin himself has been taught by many mature Christians on how the word of God has transformed his understand and now seeks to devote his life to serving God’s church by pursuing Church Ministers’ Apprenticeship (CMA) where he will be teaching and preaching the word of God with Kimberly’s support.
A counter-cultural, God-centred marriage
In the sermon, Elder Joel highlighted how modern society often views marriage as a means to fulfill personal desires—a self-centered pursuit of love that can ultimately lead to an unhealthy marriage. He also addressed the growing trend of married couples choosing to have fewer children or none at all. In particular, he noted that the average number of children per Chinese couple has declined to 0.7, largely due to financial concerns, the perceived burden of raising children, and even a reluctance to bring new life into a world they view as broken.
As Colin prepares for CMA, the couple saw their wedding as a reflection of their dedication to serving God together. “We wanted our wedding to point to something greater than ourselves,” Colin shared. “Marriage is not just about happiness, it’s about glorifying God.”
Elder Joel highlighted how this wedding contrasts with the rest of the world, as Colin and Kimberly sought to model a different vision—one that prioritises faith and obedience to God over worldly expectations. Elder Joel emphasised on how true fulfillment comes not from pursuing personal ambition but from submitting to God’s rule
Colin also shared that he was preparing to enter the CMA programme, believing this was the way he could best glorify God by committing himself to full-time ministry and testing his calling. The couple viewed their wedding as an expression of their shared dedication to serve God together, committing their marriage to His work. They hoped to convey that true blessing and fulfillment in life come only through submitting to God’s rule.
Colin and Kimberly’s decoration introducing their background stories and how it has led to this wedding day
Testimonies of God’s grace on display
Unlike traditional wedding decorations, Colin and Kimberly sought to incorporate a more personal and spiritual message even into their aesthetic choices. They wrestled with the idea of visually representing the contrast between a life lived under God and a life lived apart from Him. Ultimately, they decided that their own lives and testimonies could serve as the ‘decorations’,a means to share their transformation and faith journey with their guests. Through personal storytelling and meaningful elements, they hoped their wedding would point others toward God’s grace and truth. Living as Christians is not merely an outward display, but a life wholly transformed by conviction of the truth God has revealed. Through their intentional choice of decorations, Colin and Kimberly sought to show their family and friends the transformative work God has done in their lives.
When asked what they wanted guests to take away from their wedding, Colin and Kimberly shared a singular focus: they hoped their wedding day would display how their lives have been changed by the gospel to non-believers in showing them what true life is, and to all Christians it is to serve as a reminder that life can only be truly good when lived in submission to God’s rule. More than the flowers, music, or celebration, they desired that their union would be a testimony to God’s work in their lives and His purpose for marriage.
Colin and Kimberly embracing their journey ahead as a married couple
The Road Ahead
As they embark on this new chapter, Colin and Kimberly with a rooted faith in the gospel, have set their sights on a future dedicated to serving God. Their hope is that their marriage will become a greater unit of service to His kingdom, with the goal of pursuing Full-Time Paid Ministry (CMA). They also hope, if God allows, to raise children who will grow up knowing and living according to His ways. Their vision is not just for their own lives but for all those they may impact through their faith and commitment to Christ.
Colin and Kimberly’s wedding was more than just a ceremony, as they step forward in this new chapter, their journey stands for an example of what it means to build a life centered on faith, changed by the gospel- a life lived under God.
