Meet Your Storyteller: Howdy!
Through my story, I hope Jesus reveals more of His true heart, mind, and character to you, showing out just a glimpse of His power to restore, renew, and redeem.
AYO Substack!
It’s wonderful to have each of you here. My name is Jessica Cheung, and I’m a Taiwanese-American millennial. I’ve always had a rebellious heart and navigated life by my own rules. I grew up with a deep love for Motown (The Temps, Marvin Gaye, Smokey) and ’90s R&B music (Craig David, TLC, Boys II Men, Mariah). I did not grow up in the church, so deciding to follow Jesus at age 25 was my own choice. God slammed into my life—hard.
It all started when my mom passed away in 2019. Needless to say, it shattered my world. At the time, I thought bitterly, “If there’s a God, I hate him.” In my grief, I rejected God and ran down dark paths in search of escape—from raves and substance abuse to toxic relationships, even enduring two abortions. I was convinced that I’d gone too far to ever be rescued.
But then, one night at a Halloween rave called "Hard - Day of the Dead,” the Lord broke through. Before 11 p.m., in the middle of that rave, I felt a holy, pure, wide, and divinely safe presence flood my heart as I heard these words:
Sweet girl, you are not alone. Precious one, there has never been a moment you were forgotten. I weep for your loss, and I am moving you into my marvelous light.
Without hesitation, every microscopic piece of my being said “yes.” It felt as if the entire universe bent down to hug me—a powerful, mighty presence that filled me with awe and reverence. I was compelled to bow in awe of its greatness, surrendering completely, even though I didn’t yet understand who it was. In the midst of loss and abandonment, here was when I experienced profound peace and a sense of belonging that changed everything. It was as if God said, “Come search for me. I want you to know me.”
"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13:
This new faith came with a desire to challenge the misconceptions about God I was given growing up—like the belief that God judges without grace, is a killjoy and always disappointed in us, throws a red “F” in our faces when we fail, or doesn’t care about our pain. Instead, I met a God who is near, who is undeniably powerful, good, and trustworthy, and whose love is fierce and relentless. Through my story, I hope Jesus reveals more of His true heart, mind, and character to you, showing out just a glimpse of His power to restore, renew, and redeem. I hope it leads you to wholeness and encouragement in Him, too.
Today…
I am a daughter of King Jesus—hallelujah! I married a guy from my community group whom I wasn’t initially attracted to. You can hear more about that story on the Heart of Dating podcast, where I was a guest. We have a 16-month-old and just moved into a new home after we spent seven months renovating. I am still a commercial actress, a landlord, a marketing and business development professional, and an aspiring writer.
My encouragement today:
Pursue truth in the face of a culture that contradicts it. Let our merciful God bind up your broken heart and set you free from shame, guilt, and fear, for no sin is stronger than His grace. Tear out the competing loves in your heart and allow God to soften the anger you hold against Him. Though God is truly all-knowing and we are not, He is also compassionate and patient with us. Perhaps we can give Him more than a few moments to reveal His purposes in our lives and help us understand why we face pain and suffering.
Remember, you are never too far gone for God’s love. He does not define you by your sins or the things you have done, whether you’ve lost a sense of His presence for weeks or for years.
The promises of the world lead to pain and death, but God restores what the locusts have eaten. He transforms you through patient healing, a redeemed identity, and a renewed trust in Him. By holding fast to authentic, undiminishing hope amid deep heartache, I encountered a God who is for me. Perhaps you will, too.