Another semester has gone. Time flies...doesn't it? It was no ordinary semester. What we went through was quite spectacular. No, we didn't see any supernatural events or miracles or whatsoever. But we tasted God's faithfulness. Everything that happened seemed a miracle to us.
We started off this semester very excitedly. All of us were geared up for the new intake...especially after the powerful SRCC in June. We were just ready to go forward but some setbacks came along. Out of the 4 new converts we had in the previous semester, most were stuggling with their faith. Suddenly it seemed as if the fruits of our labor in the previous semester were gone. Frankly, we did have high hopes on them...hoping that they would rise up and take the Promised Land together with us. But it wouldn't happen that way. Not only did we had some difficulties with the new believers, but we also had some regular visitors deciding not to join us anymore. On top of that, the MHS didn't go as we thought would be. Due to some communication errors, we didn't manage to get the list of Christians who wished to join us for the Sunday Service.
Despite of all these, we were detrmined to make a difference. We managed to get hold of the list of Christians in the new intake, called them one by one and invited them to our Service. The response was quite overwhelmed, with over 20 juniors attended our Service on the Sunday after MHS were over. Like before, only a few stayed on but the rest went away as time went by. But we were determined to go all the way to make a difference.
We started off this semester very excitedly. All of us were geared up for the new intake...especially after the powerful SRCC in June. We were just ready to go forward but some setbacks came along. Out of the 4 new converts we had in the previous semester, most were stuggling with their faith. Suddenly it seemed as if the fruits of our labor in the previous semester were gone. Frankly, we did have high hopes on them...hoping that they would rise up and take the Promised Land together with us. But it wouldn't happen that way. Not only did we had some difficulties with the new believers, but we also had some regular visitors deciding not to join us anymore. On top of that, the MHS didn't go as we thought would be. Due to some communication errors, we didn't manage to get the list of Christians who wished to join us for the Sunday Service.
Despite of all these, we were detrmined to make a difference. We managed to get hold of the list of Christians in the new intake, called them one by one and invited them to our Service. The response was quite overwhelmed, with over 20 juniors attended our Service on the Sunday after MHS were over. Like before, only a few stayed on but the rest went away as time went by. But we were determined to go all the way to make a difference.
Many wonderful and significant events happened over the semester. Among them are:
New CG
After dreaming of having 2 CGs, it finally became a reality in August. It was a dream of about 2 years and we kept working hard and tireslessly to achieve this. Seeing the need of meeting the different language groups, we decided to have one English CG (Uni 1 led by Bro Sunny) and the other Mandarin CG (Uni 2 led by Bro Khang Yinn).
New Core Team
We had 2 more people (Jingzu and Kelvin) joining our core team...the CORE, since Adrian and Graig graduated in the previous semester. It was great to have this two young, willing, vibrant, teacheble brothers in the team. They have really been a great blessing though they only started to pick up in ministry in the beginning of the semester. They officially received their church membership on 22-11-09.
CG Growth
There was a "boom" (explosive) growth on the sisters' side. A few years ago, we only had Peniel. Last year God brought in Li Fong. This semester, we saw how God answered our prayers... after the many years of praying and working hard. There's now Lily, Bel, (became more stable this semester though they did join us last semester), Qian Ying, Hei Ling, Pui Ying, Jia Sin and many other visitors (both believers and pre-believers totals more than 15)! (If your name is not mentioned, you are equally important, ok?!) It was just unbelievable but true. Really want to appreciate both Peniel and LF for their hardwork and faith in God. Rise up, sisters! Brothers, don't give up!
Breakthrough in Relationship
Someone said that our CG was like a magnet - keep drawing people into the CG. By faith we proclaim that! Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (Jn 13:33-35). We did have a great breakthrough in our relationship with one another - among the core team, shepherds and sheep, among the sheep, members and visitors. The kind of relationship that we live out touched many lives. We're far from being perfect of course. But when each one choose to put down themselves to care and love one another, truly many were attracted to join. Praise God! It's so true that "We love because he first loved us." (1 Jn 4:19) In fact, we attracted so many that we recorded the highest number of attendance for SS and CG during the study week before final exams!
Someone said that our CG was like a magnet - keep drawing people into the CG. By faith we proclaim that! Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (Jn 13:33-35). We did have a great breakthrough in our relationship with one another - among the core team, shepherds and sheep, among the sheep, members and visitors. The kind of relationship that we live out touched many lives. We're far from being perfect of course. But when each one choose to put down themselves to care and love one another, truly many were attracted to join. Praise God! It's so true that "We love because he first loved us." (1 Jn 4:19) In fact, we attracted so many that we recorded the highest number of attendance for SS and CG during the study week before final exams!
New Converts
We had 3 new converts this semester! It's a miracle to see how each one of them came to know Christ! First, Ban Leong accepted Jesus during our Bible Conference in JB. That's amazing because BC focus on teaching the Word of God and may not cater well to the pre-believer. But the Holy Spirit works in all occassions...beyond man's wisdom. Next Pui Ying received Jesus in Oct. She came to join us through her cousin who's in Hope JB. The amazing thing was that she's LF's coursemate. Not long after joining us, she accepted Jesus. Lastly, Kok Leong @ Superman accepted Jesus during the MNC! It seemed impossible but once again, God was at work. He joined the MNC last minute. Throughout the MNC, he didn't give much response. But surely God was working in His heart. He accpeted Christ at the end of the MNC when everyone was leaving PICC. He was kinda "hard" when we FU him but God softened his heart. Seeing the 3 new converts is AMAZING! Continue to grow in Christ! We want to believe for more new converts next semester!
We had 3 new converts this semester! It's a miracle to see how each one of them came to know Christ! First, Ban Leong accepted Jesus during our Bible Conference in JB. That's amazing because BC focus on teaching the Word of God and may not cater well to the pre-believer. But the Holy Spirit works in all occassions...beyond man's wisdom. Next Pui Ying received Jesus in Oct. She came to join us through her cousin who's in Hope JB. The amazing thing was that she's LF's coursemate. Not long after joining us, she accepted Jesus. Lastly, Kok Leong @ Superman accepted Jesus during the MNC! It seemed impossible but once again, God was at work. He joined the MNC last minute. Throughout the MNC, he didn't give much response. But surely God was working in His heart. He accpeted Christ at the end of the MNC when everyone was leaving PICC. He was kinda "hard" when we FU him but God softened his heart. Seeing the 3 new converts is AMAZING! Continue to grow in Christ! We want to believe for more new converts next semester!
Baptism
On 22-11-09, apart from Jingzu and Kelvin received their membership, 7 bros and sis from Uni were water baptised! They were Kelvin, Ban Leong, Li Fong, Qian Ying, Lily, Bel and Pui Ying. Each has their own story to tell. Li Fong waited for years to be baptised! Finally...! After having gone through so many struggles in her faith, Lily now have a strong conviction towards Jesus and the vision. Bel was not baptised by immersion decided to be baptised after being taught the Word of God. Kelvin, though only accepted Christ in April '09 grown in his walk with Christ and decided to obey God's command to be baptised. Ban Leong, Qian Ying and Pui Ying (last minute decided) though fearful of their parents' reaction decided to be baptised anyhow. Their parents objected their baptism when were approached for permission. Thank God for their faith in Jesus! "I have decided to follow Jesus...No turning back!"
On 22-11-09, apart from Jingzu and Kelvin received their membership, 7 bros and sis from Uni were water baptised! They were Kelvin, Ban Leong, Li Fong, Qian Ying, Lily, Bel and Pui Ying. Each has their own story to tell. Li Fong waited for years to be baptised! Finally...! After having gone through so many struggles in her faith, Lily now have a strong conviction towards Jesus and the vision. Bel was not baptised by immersion decided to be baptised after being taught the Word of God. Kelvin, though only accepted Christ in April '09 grown in his walk with Christ and decided to obey God's command to be baptised. Ban Leong, Qian Ying and Pui Ying (last minute decided) though fearful of their parents' reaction decided to be baptised anyhow. Their parents objected their baptism when were approached for permission. Thank God for their faith in Jesus! "I have decided to follow Jesus...No turning back!"
New Home
We have been blessed by a new ministry house as well. The previous semester was really tough on us, having the police visited us so many times. Probably we are in their "Top 10" list now. Trying our best to be considerate to our neighbor, we moved to the cabin for CG though it was more troublesome. Of course, there were times where we could not avoid using our house for CG. Come next semester, we will be having a brand new home for CG! This house is truly a blessing from God and we want to use it to bless so many others!
We have been blessed by a new ministry house as well. The previous semester was really tough on us, having the police visited us so many times. Probably we are in their "Top 10" list now. Trying our best to be considerate to our neighbor, we moved to the cabin for CG though it was more troublesome. Of course, there were times where we could not avoid using our house for CG. Come next semester, we will be having a brand new home for CG! This house is truly a blessing from God and we want to use it to bless so many others!
There's just so many more wonderful things God has done in the past semester. Too many to list down one by one. But in our hearts, we keep counting God's blessings. We are very thankful to God. Looking forward to 2010! We will continue to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
2 comments:
Amen Amen Amen!! Let's make difference! Let's cont' to be the salt & light yo~ Indeed God's is good all the time. He is faithful alrighta! Haha~ cool man this ministry house is gonna be FULL of LOvE~~! ^_^
yup...full of love!
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