Alumni Spotlight: Harvey Wang ’20
Alumni Spotlight: Harvey Wang ’20
On the date of September 7, 2016, a young fourteen-year-old atheist boy walked through the school gate. He had no friends, he could not speak any English, and he did not know God. But life is full of surprises, and the young boy did not know his life would be changed forever in the next four years.
I was that boy and I still remember that first day of my freshman year at Woodcrest Christian. I was so scared and worried. Walking into my first period, Algebra II, I was feeling distant. I didn’t know what was going on, I was confused. As time went on, I started to learn more and more about the English language and this God that everyone was talking about.
I remember sitting alone at lunch because I had not yet made any friends, and a teacher approached me. He was trying to chat with me but I had no idea what he was trying to say. I remember that he said he was a Bible teacher, and his name was Mr. Adler. Over the next few years, Mr. Adler had a lot of influence on me, and he eventually led me to my decision to believe in God.
God also brought me many friends whom I am so thankful for. I did not understand what friendship meant, whether in a sense of hanging out or taking care of each other, but the friends I made showed me who God is, and for the first time in my life, I saw blessings.
Junior year was a special year for me. For the first time, I focused on my relationship with God. For the first time I prayed and worshipped with all I had.
I also made the basketball team and was motivated by Coach Hall. While she, at times, had to discipline me, I am thankful for her firm and serious approach, but also her forgiving and gracious spirit. It was she who motivated me to chase God with all I have.
March 13, 2020, I walked the hallways not realizing it would be the last time. The year of 2020 ended unexpectedly, but it reveals God’s plan for us. He wants us to be strong, to be using what we learned to change the world around us.
Four years later, the young boy walked out of the school gate for the last time. He is a Christian now. He can speak fluent English. He has friends, and he has finally found God.
