From Humble Beginnings to God’s Calling – Testimony of Revd Canon Dr David T Haokip

This is the testimony of Revd. Canon Dr. David T. Haokip, MDiv, DD. He has served in the Church of England for 26 years. He has also served at St George’s Parish in England for 21 years. His long service shows his dedication to God, his church, and the people he cares for.

Introduction: This is my personal testimony crafted around my own story: my childhood blessings, my difficulties and hardships were the beginnings of His calling today as a diaspora clergyman in Church of England. 

“From humble beginnings to God’s Calling” Bible Verse: Psalm 113:7–8 — “He/God raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; He seats them with princes, with the princes of his people.”

1. God’s blessings in a humble childhood: I grew up poor but middle class in my home country with a single parent, and alongside with my two sisters and grandmother. These experiences were difficult but mum’s hard work made life comfortable, yet these formed the soil where God planted the seeds in my life and faith, resilience, and compassion.

Biblical Insight: I understand,

God often begins His greatest works in the most humble circumstances. Examples in the Bible;

a) Moses grew up as an orphaned child adopted into another family.

b) Joseph came from a broken home filled with struggle.

b) Jesus Himself grew up in a poor household in Nazareth.

What the world or society sees as weakness, God sees as preparation for life. Amen.

2. God was present in my family's struggles and hard work.

Psalm 68:5 — “A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.”

Growing up with a single parent, I experienced God as protector, provider, father, and guide — even before I fully knew He was shaping my future. God’s presence is strongest in seasons of vulnerability.

3. Childhood hardships or hard work become “tools” for my ministry and life journey.

My childhood hardships/hard work strengthened the very qualities I needed in my calling today. Example: 

a) Empathy for struggling families,

b) Compassion for the poor in the community, 

c) Understanding of migration and diaspora challenges, 

d) Strength built through adversity, and

c) Deeply dependence on God.

Biblical Insight: Romans 8:28; God weaves all things, even hardship, for His purpose. What I learned is 
My childhood pain or experiences became pastoral wisdom. Amen. 

4. God lifted me into His Ministry and Mission for His purpose. 

From a poor village childhood to a diaspora clergyman in India South Korea and now in London, England. My journey mirrors the biblical pattern of how is God lifting His servants for His purpose. Amen. 

I read/saw in the Bible;

a) King David was from shepherd to leader,

b) A Moabite lady Ruth was from hardship to honour, see in Jesus family tree, 

c) Christian killer Paul was from unknown to apostle to the nations.

1 Samuel 7:12 — “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” My life is a testimony of God’s faithfulness and His calling.

5. My life journey became a Blessing to others where God is using me, at the moment in London and but don’t know for my future, He only knows.

My childhood blessings are not only for just a remembrance, but they are for my family and ministry.

a) I understand children of struggling homes.

b) I understand migrants, diaspora, and the lonely people. 

c) I embody God’s lifting grace. Please read 2Corinthians 1:4 — comfort others with the comfort God gave you. Leaning from my childhood blessings are the foundation of my  pastoral heart and my family.

FINALLY; my testimony is a living for me, my family and for some. Amen. 

Growing up as middle class in my home country but looking it again, all these points:

a) From poverty to purpose,

b) From single parent home to spiritual fatherhood,

c) From local village/town to the global city in London,

d) From childhood struggles/hard work to pastoral strength.

God turned my beginnings into blessings that now shape my life, my family, and my ministry in the diaspora community and to the world where I lived. 

I asked God’s forgiveness for my mistakes and sins I committed but now asked guidance for the rest of my journey in this world. 

Thanks for reading my testimony. May God bless you. Amen. 

Yours coworker in the God’s vineyard,

Revd. Canon Dr. David T. Haokip, MDiv, DD. 
St George’s Parish Church, 
London E6.

This is his testimony song, composed in 2023.

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

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