Turning from the Pleasures of Sin to a Life of Loving Service

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In the past, I was immersed in a life of indulgence and extravagance—drinking excessively and socializing endlessly. Eventually, my wife filed for divorce. All the while, God had been calling me to return to Him, to leave behind that circle of people and that lifestyle. But I couldn’t bear to walk away from the big bosses and the lavish venues they offered. In the end, God intervened—not only rescuing me from sin but also opening a new path. Today, I serve children through teaching darts, sharing love with a devoted heart.

Becoming Involved in Nightlife

I come from a Christian family—both sets of grandparents and my parents are believers. I grew up in church and knew Bible stories by heart from a young age. Later, after my parents immigrated to Canada, I completed both high school and university in Toronto. After graduating, I worked at a bank for a few years, then partnered with a friend to run a tutoring center. However, due to the SARS outbreak in 2003, we had to close the business. Around that time, I also resigned from the bank after receiving a generous offer from a Hong Kong company expanding to Toronto. Unfortunately, just six months later, the company was taken over by a couple—and I lost my job.

Instead of returning to banking, I accepted a friend’s offer to manage a karaoke lounge. That’s how I stepped into the nightlife scene, where I learned to smoke, drink, engage in party games, and use vulgar language. The nature of the work and lifestyle gradually pulled me away from church—and from God. I remained in the karaoke industry until 2012. Over those nine years, I saw the industry’s steady decline and began exploring electronic darts. That same year, my friend and I imported electronic dart machines, which quickly became popular. Business took off. In 2013, we co-founded the first electronic darts entertainment center in North America. It created quite a buzz—even attracting media attention.

Serving as a volunteer in
TOL Bible study group

God’s Voice Had Been Calling Me All Along

This line of work required constant travel, endless social engagements, and interaction with all kinds of people. But my relationship with my family deteriorated over time, and eventually, my wife filed for divorce. Around 2016, as marital issues escalated, I devoted even more time to networking with business owners in hopes of starting new ventures. Thanks to my ability to entertain VIPs in nightlife settings, many executives sought my help. I also had friends worldwide, and when they visited various cities, they took pride in being hosted by me. I even helped some bosses resolve challenging problems.

For 20 years, I chased after luxury and fleeting pleasures. Yet all along, God had been calling me—urging me to turn back, to leave that lifestyle behind. The deeper I was entangled in it, the harder it became to let go. I was constantly surrounded by influential figures and extravagant indulgences. Friends admired the glamorous life I led. But every time I drank to the point of blackout, I woke up burdened by guilt, promising myself it wouldn’t happen again. And yet, the cycle repeated itself—year after year.

The Tears Wouldn’t Stop... It Was So Hard to Bear

One day, I ran into an old friend who noticed I looked dazed and asked what was wrong. I replied, “It’s hard to make a living these days. But if I don’t work hard, I’m afraid my children won’t have a better life.” To my surprise, he said, “If the money you earn and the life you live aren’t pleasing to God, maybe it’s time to stop.” I responded honestly, “I can’t walk away. My boss has invested a lot in me. Quitting would offend many people.” He then shared his own story with me.

I remember crying uncontrollably in the parking lot—it was overwhelming. At that moment, I received a message from my mother that said, ‘The Lord will keep you from all harm…’ Her words pierced my heart. That’s when I made the decision to stay in Canada.

God wanted me to break away from that sinful world—and eventually, He intervened. I drew a clear line and severed those ties. I had planned to sell my house and live simply, but due to unforeseen circumstances, my assets were frozen by the tax authority. I even considered becoming a truck driver but had to abandon that idea due to family responsibilities. During the 2023 Christmas holiday, I noticed my son had become completely addicted to video games—to the point of skipping meals. I was deeply worried.

Engaging with Children with Autism

One day, I offered to teach my son how to play darts. At first, he didn’t seem interested. But the next morning, I heard him and his cousin laughing and playing darts enthusiastically in the basement. At that moment, an idea sparked—what if I opened a dart center that didn’t serve alcohol? A space just for children, where they could learn and grow.

In March 2024, I opened the center. My initial goal was to train kids for a tournament in Las Vegas, but a company meeting revealed local laws prevented minors from competing. We shifted plans to start a league in Toronto, using darts to build teamwork, focus, and confidence.

While tutoring some of the kids at the center, I met a child with autism for the first time. I tried teaching him through darts, but he was easily distracted—frequently running off, kicking doors, and getting fixated on small things. I felt defeated. I prayed, “God, why did You give me this role?”

One day, when his mother came to pick him up, I was about to suggest that darts might not be suitable for him. But to my surprise, she said, “He loves it here. He enjoys playing with you and keeps asking when he can visit Uncle Steven again.” Her words shook me. I asked myself, “Why not give my best to help him?” From that moment on, my heart began to change.

A Joy That Is Real and Everlasting

Later, a friend introduced me to the director of an ABA clinic. She asked if I could host an activity for 10 to 13 autistic children during March break. I felt both honored and anxious—after all, I didn’t have professional credentials. I shared that honestly and prayed, “Lord, if this is Your plan, please make it happen.”

A few weeks later, the director said they would bring professional support; all I had to do was teach darts. To my surprise, three of my original students became junior coaches for the camp. Thank God—the event was a great success! Two of the children continued with training afterward, and one has now reached a competitive level. His confidence has soared. Seeing his joyful, self-assured face brought me deep peace.

Compared to the fleeting thrill of the nightlife, this joy is genuine and lasting. I now know this is the path God has prepared for me—to turn away from sin and share love with a whole heart.

Steven Fan