‘I will put my law in their mind and write it on their heart ....’ (Jeremiah 31:33)

This verse was the primary reason why I became a Christian and accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour.

I was born Ship Ka Hung, Yes, my surname is Ship? Spelt S-H-I-P not T, I repeat P... and Not T, P for Penang. I think most people would not have come across this surname before. The funny thing was I used to receive calls for table reservations, probably thinking that I was the owner of the restaurant ‘The Ship’.

When I was schooling, I attended the Seaport Secondary School and subsequently was the brunt of every joke associated with ‘ship’. When my teacher heard the name Ship, he would jokingly ask for anyone who is named after an airplane, car or tank. Some mentioned that my surname was supposed to be Sit, Seet or Sheik. I wondered, luckily I was not called Sit; otherwise, when the teacher addressed me, should I stand or just sit down.

Steward Ship and his family worship at the Grace Church in Alam Megah, Shah Alam. He is a founding member of FGBMF USJ 1 Chapter and plays the keyboard in worship

When we studied History, names that cropped up like Raja Laut, Raja Bot, Karpal Singh, Port Klang etc. never failed to be associated with me. God knew I had gone through all that. When I started working in real estate, in my property advertisements, I would have inserted for further enquiries, please contact Ship. That often resulted in my getting many funny enquiries; whether I am a Mat Salleh, a Sabahan, a Sarawakian or plainly ‘why such a name one?’

My childhood days were spent in obscurity in Sungei Way New Village located in Petaling Jaya. I lived there in a squatter house with a brother and 2 sisters. I was the eldest of my siblings.I was then a very timid lad with a low self esteem. I suffered from inferiority complex and lacked self-confidence. I was also a believer of a goddess from young.. I was dedicated to that goddess and ancestral worship and idolatry was the order of the day.

I believed there was a power that be, the ‘unseen hand’ in every thing; sort of like the ‘Force be with you’ thing in Star Wars. I often prayed to the ‘unseen hand’ and little did I know that would be my Jesus. A God who I did not know, but He definitely knew me.

When I grew up, I would consider myself as a free thinker. Before I came to the Lord, I was always spiritually void and deprived, constantly without emotions or feelings, living with a heart of stone. I believed in the harsh reality of life and the physical state of well-being. But I did not experience or feel being well other than being ‘in the well’ which was a more likely state.

How and why I accepted Jesus

It was while my wife and I were expecting our third child that I began to earnestly search for God. I was spiritually void and deprived from young and I did not want my children to encounter the same experience. We tried two religious groups but to no avail because we were very confused by their rituals and complicated requirements.

One day, I was requested by my clients to find a suitable premise for church meetings. After a careful search I managed to locate one. My clients were happy with the choice and invited me to join in their services.

That was my first encounter with Christians. I was very impressed with the church service, the warmth and simplicity of the people and their belief and faith in their God and Jesus. All at once it dawned upon me that it was what I had been looking for all my life.

My search had finally ended and now I know my God. It is definitely Jesus Christ, and my life would never be the same again. Thank you Lord.

He transformed me into Steward Ship. I became born again, literally. I felt a sky of clarity over me suddenly open up with a world of possibilities in Gods’ realm. The bond of ridicule was gone overnight, which I had carried for over 31 years. I said ‘wow!’ the power of God that surpassed any details for the better; He deems the best for you.

He renewed my life and changed me completely. I am filled with joy of the Holy Spirit. With God all things is possible. Amen. God works beyond our understanding. Praise God and I thank Him. Now, whenever I am introduced, most people would be amazed and comment positively; what a suitable and matching name I have. I began my personal relationship with Christ.

I accepted the Lord as my personal saviour in the year 2000, together with my wife, Sherry.

We were baptized in 2001. All our children are dedicated to the Lord, 3 boys and 1 girl, Stanley, Stacey, Sherwin and Sheldon Ship. They are all the Ships; ‘sheep’ in the family, and as for me, I became Steward Ship. Friendship, ownership, relationship, fellowship, stewardship...etc, they all have a part of my name. Praise God, All Glory to Him.

‘I will put my law in their mind and write it on their heart ....’ (Jeremiah 31:33)

‘In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called to His purpose.’ (Romans 8:28)

How I wished I had known Christ earlier, that’s my only regret.

But God knew and loved me first before I knew Him. I praise Him and give all Glory to the wonderful name of Jesus.