I was born in a non-Christian family that was devoutly following a different religion. When I was about to graduate from high school, questions started to form in my mind: “If I hadn't been born into this family, would I still have chosen to believe this?"

It was like a scene in a movie. Picture the camera set across the street from a cafe, where two people walk out. They face each other briefly, then each turn back and start walking in the opposite direction.

I remember the day vividly from that perspective, even though I was one of the two people walking away from each other.

On Friday, May 19, pastor, theologian, and author Timothy Keller, 72, passed away after a 3-year fight with pancreatic cancer. The news gripped the hearts of Christians around the world, whose lives–whether through a book he’s authored, by listening to one of his sermon podcasts, or being a part of his congregation–were greatly impacted by Keller.