This is a testimony from Calvin Kim, one of our presenters at the 2025 AYP Convention in Houston, Texas. Watch/listen to his inspiring talks on our website and read below to learn more about his story and how God led through his life experiences.
My name is Calvin Kim, and I’m a 51-year-old dentist in Olympia, Washington. I was raised in an Adventist home in California, attended Adventist schools, graduated from Pacific Union College, and later completed dental school at Loma Linda University.
During dental school, I drifted away from my faith. What began as excitement and freedom soon turned into emptiness. I tried to fill that void with nightlife, substances, and worldly pleasures, but nothing satisfied. Then, in my brokenness, I surrendered my heart to Jesus, and He completely transformed my life.
I attended my first AYP conference this summer when I was invited to come as a speaker and was inspired by their mission. AYP brings together passionate, multiethnic young Adventists from across the nation, filling a vital need in our church. Many young professionals today feel isolated in local congregations with few peers their age. I loved that AYP creates community, cultivates leaders, and connects young adults with new ministry opportunities.
The energy, faith, warmth and vision of AYP makes me hopeful for the future of Adventism.
I was asked what I thought was one of the struggles facing Adventist young adults and what advice I would give to them today.
One of the greatest challenges facing young Adventist professionals is finding a godly spouse. Many devote years and thousands of dollars to education and career and then we leave marriage to chance.
We give little intentional effort to preparing for marriage the second most important decision of life after choosing Christ.
A good marriage is one of the greatest life hacks.
Marriage is the great multiplier of life.
You marry well, and your blessings multiply; marry poorly, and your sorrows multiply.
A challenge that I feel that young adults face today is not having a correct view of what marriage is. God created marriage so we must let God define marriage for us.
Culture today defines marriage as a contract- a legal agreement based on self interest. But the Bible defines it as a covenant- a sacred, lifelong promise made before God.
A contract says, I’ll do my part if you do yours.
A covenant says, Even if you fail, I will remain faithful.
That’s why Malachi 2:14 calls a wife your companion and your wife by covenant. Marriage mirrors God’s covenant love with His people, unconditional, faithful, and grace-filled. Christ didn’t love the Church because she was perfect; He loved her to make her perfect.
When we treat marriage as a covenant, commitment becomes the foundation, not convenience. Studies show the number one reason for divorce is lack of commitment. If you view marriage as a contract, it’s easy to walk away when your spouse fails. But covenant love endures because it’s rooted in God’s faithfulness, not human perfection.
Understanding this truth changes how we view dating and courtship. Before seeking a spouse, we must first understand what biblical marriage truly is then pray earnestly for God to be our matchmaker and guide.
Marriage isn’t two perfect people coming together; it’s two sinners learning to serve and love as Jesus loved. When we surrender our lives to Him, He gives us the desires of our hearts and turns emptiness into abundance.
I tried doing life my way for years, and it only led to disappointment. When I surrendered to Jesus, He turned my life into a testimony of grace and gave me blessings beyond measure. We serve a God who transforms curses into blessings. Give Him your heart, seek to do things His way, and let Him lead you and discover it’s the best decision you’ll ever make.
Meet us in Austin, Texas for our 2026 AYP Convention to hear from more speakers like Calvin Kim. Interested in supporting Adventist Young Professionals? Click here to invest in this generation of young adults.
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