Cornerstone Herald I Dec 2010

Lift your

vision

Higher Rolland & Heidi Baker

specials

A Holy Convocation “Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the LORD God of Israel.

ONE NIGHT ONLY Yes, it is back with a special One Night outdoor stage performance on the eve of Christmas.

The Prodigal

FATHER

The Cornerstone Courier Issue

A PUBLICATION OF CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY CHURCH, DECEMBER 2010, MICA (P) 008/02/2010

2

sub-editor’s message

NOTHING BUT HIS PROMISE ONLY

3

note from editor

LIFT YOUR VISION HIGHER Dear all,

contents IN THE HOUSE A Holy Convocation The City Church Cornerstone Courier Services

Bob Nathaniel 20 Hannah Tan Lay Kwan 30 Various 32

International Ministries Summer Camp In Chengdu

Andy Goh

10

Living Testimonies

Yeo Jia Jia

44-45

Lim Wei Cong

Grace Chanel

Joyce Chen

The Call Leadership Christmas in Revival

Rolland & Heidi Baker Dr. Brian Bailey Rolland & Heidi Baker

4 14 36 40 42

“Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced.

Therefore have I set my face like flint and I know I will not be put to shame.” (Isaiah 50:7)

Generations True Liberty Cameron Walcott The Prodigal Father - The Musical Natalie Wong True Christianity Treasures of Darkness

Joshua Nathan

22

In my travels, I have seen both the good and the not so good side of the societies and countries I have been to. I return each time asking God to reveal His heart and His strategies to effect positive change to move circumstances and situations in the nations. As I’m not smart and often slow to see the full picture, it does take some time for me to set in motion, whether be it to initiate some assistance, to teach and share truths or pray for circumstances and situations in the nations.

Having witnessed the extension of the works in God’s kingdom, it is difficult to get settled down to a mode of relaxation each time when I return home from my travels. My physical body does get worn out faster as I progress in age though it is true that periodic rest is needful to maintain stamina and strength. The many faces of needs and cries seem to always be there but His resources and grace will abound for each of their need. They will be satisfied in Him when we share Christ.

There is indeed so much to do in the work of the ministry in the kingdom of God and we can all be a part, some a bigger part, others contributing a little here, a little there. There is a part for everyone.

Therefore I have chosen to set my face as a flint towards my destiny and the accomplishment of His promises for my life. No matter what the natural circumstances tell me, I have chosen to hold fast to see the miracles of God unfold in my life.

Through the journeys we have been on this year, be it as individuals or as a church, our vision has been enlarged and it has been brought to a higher place. With each ascending climb, the vision becomes even clearer. Whatever be before me, it can only get better with Jesus Christ as I follow His lead.

How has 2010 been for you? It is the time of the year to stop and take stock of our journey.

Design Ideafarm Pte Ltd Printer & Colour Separation Stenprint (S) Pte Ltd (License no. L047/08/2008) Kallang Avenue #01-157 S (339410) The Cornerstone 11, East Coast Road, #03-01/02 The Odeon-Katong Shopping Centre S(428722) T: 65 6344 4733, F: 65 6344 3877 E: cscc@pacific.net.sg www.cscc.org.sg/herald

e have come so quickly to the end of another year. For some of us, so much has happened in these last 11 months.

Personally, I am putting time aside to take stock of the Truths in God’s kingdom that has impacted me.

As I travel, be it to witness, testify, encourage, pray or exhort, whether it is to sit with the poor or just simply being nourished in body and spirit by fellow believers in the nations, I count every opportunity a blessing!

2010 has been a challenging yet exciting year for many. Personally, it has been a time of training and stretching of faith.

I remember vividly that on the last Sunday of 2009, the Lord spoke into my heart these words, “Are you ready for war?” I knew deep within me that 2010 would be a year of battles, and indeed it has been. The Lord is indeed training our hands for war and our fingers for battle. We are learning to stand in faith and trusting in the Word of God even in adverse situations and circumstances.

In the midst of the training, I have tasted of the goodness and faithfulness of God; His amazing grace and divine strength help me to scale the heights of my steep learning curve. The Lord is faithful and true to His Word. One thing I am assured of is that the promises of God are yes and amen. The Word of God that has gone forth from His mouth shall not return void to Him but it shall accomplish what He pleases (Isaiah 55:11). As such,

Feature

W

Psalm 18:32-34 32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

The Herald team and I wishes you a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy 2011.

I am always excited about the closing of each year. It is like a closure of one chapter and the revelation of a new chapter of the story. I am eager to hear what the Lord has in store for 2011.

Pastor Daphne Yang Editor

Till we meet again. Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a Fruitful 2011!

Maureen Low

1 2

3

8 4 5

6

7

A PUBLICATION OF CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY CHURCH, DECEMBER 2010 | MICA (P) 008/02/2010 All images are provided by our resident photographers, members of Cornerstone Community Church & purchases from iStockphoto. com. We reserve the rights to all articles and images.

Should you need to reproduce any articles or images from this publication or past publications, please send your request to obtain written permission from Cornerstone Community Church, or email us at cscc@pacific.net.sg Herald | December 2010

1. Cameron Walcott 2. Delia Walcott 3. Peter Sam 4. Pst Daphne Yang 5. Katharyn Peh 6. Gayle Quah 7. Fu Ceming

Not in the picture: Geraldine Tan, Azzam Roszini, Daphne Lee

2

sub-editor’s message

NOTHING BUT HIS PROMISE ONLY

3

note from editor

LIFT YOUR VISION HIGHER Dear all,

contents IN THE HOUSE A Holy Convocation The City Church Cornerstone Courier Services

Bob Nathaniel 20 Hannah Tan Lay Kwan 30 Various 32

International Ministries Summer Camp In Chengdu

Andy Goh

10

Living Testimonies

Yeo Jia Jia

44-45

Lim Wei Cong

Grace Chanel

Joyce Chen

The Call Leadership Christmas in Revival

Rolland & Heidi Baker Dr. Brian Bailey Rolland & Heidi Baker

4 14 36 40 42

“Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced.

Therefore have I set my face like flint and I know I will not be put to shame.” (Isaiah 50:7)

Generations True Liberty Cameron Walcott The Prodigal Father - The Musical Natalie Wong True Christianity Treasures of Darkness

Joshua Nathan

22

In my travels, I have seen both the good and the not so good side of the societies and countries I have been to. I return each time asking God to reveal His heart and His strategies to effect positive change to move circumstances and situations in the nations. As I’m not smart and often slow to see the full picture, it does take some time for me to set in motion, whether be it to initiate some assistance, to teach and share truths or pray for circumstances and situations in the nations.

Having witnessed the extension of the works in God’s kingdom, it is difficult to get settled down to a mode of relaxation each time when I return home from my travels. My physical body does get worn out faster as I progress in age though it is true that periodic rest is needful to maintain stamina and strength. The many faces of needs and cries seem to always be there but His resources and grace will abound for each of their need. They will be satisfied in Him when we share Christ.

There is indeed so much to do in the work of the ministry in the kingdom of God and we can all be a part, some a bigger part, others contributing a little here, a little there. There is a part for everyone.

Therefore I have chosen to set my face as a flint towards my destiny and the accomplishment of His promises for my life. No matter what the natural circumstances tell me, I have chosen to hold fast to see the miracles of God unfold in my life.

Through the journeys we have been on this year, be it as individuals or as a church, our vision has been enlarged and it has been brought to a higher place. With each ascending climb, the vision becomes even clearer. Whatever be before me, it can only get better with Jesus Christ as I follow His lead.

How has 2010 been for you? It is the time of the year to stop and take stock of our journey.

Design Ideafarm Pte Ltd Printer & Colour Separation Stenprint (S) Pte Ltd (License no. L047/08/2008) Kallang Avenue #01-157 S (339410) The Cornerstone 11, East Coast Road, #03-01/02 The Odeon-Katong Shopping Centre S(428722) T: 65 6344 4733, F: 65 6344 3877 E: cscc@pacific.net.sg www.cscc.org.sg/herald

e have come so quickly to the end of another year. For some of us, so much has happened in these last 11 months.

Personally, I am putting time aside to take stock of the Truths in God’s kingdom that has impacted me.

As I travel, be it to witness, testify, encourage, pray or exhort, whether it is to sit with the poor or just simply being nourished in body and spirit by fellow believers in the nations, I count every opportunity a blessing!

2010 has been a challenging yet exciting year for many. Personally, it has been a time of training and stretching of faith.

I remember vividly that on the last Sunday of 2009, the Lord spoke into my heart these words, “Are you ready for war?” I knew deep within me that 2010 would be a year of battles, and indeed it has been. The Lord is indeed training our hands for war and our fingers for battle. We are learning to stand in faith and trusting in the Word of God even in adverse situations and circumstances.

In the midst of the training, I have tasted of the goodness and faithfulness of God; His amazing grace and divine strength help me to scale the heights of my steep learning curve. The Lord is faithful and true to His Word. One thing I am assured of is that the promises of God are yes and amen. The Word of God that has gone forth from His mouth shall not return void to Him but it shall accomplish what He pleases (Isaiah 55:11). As such,

Feature

W

Psalm 18:32-34 32 It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he causes me to stand on the heights.34 He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

The Herald team and I wishes you a very Blessed Christmas and a Happy 2011.

I am always excited about the closing of each year. It is like a closure of one chapter and the revelation of a new chapter of the story. I am eager to hear what the Lord has in store for 2011.

Pastor Daphne Yang Editor

Till we meet again. Wishing you a Blessed Christmas and a Fruitful 2011!

Maureen Low

1 2

3

8 4 5

6

7

A PUBLICATION OF CORNERSTONE COMMUNITY CHURCH, DECEMBER 2010 | MICA (P) 008/02/2010 All images are provided by our resident photographers, members of Cornerstone Community Church & purchases from iStockphoto. com. We reserve the rights to all articles and images.

Should you need to reproduce any articles or images from this publication or past publications, please send your request to obtain written permission from Cornerstone Community Church, or email us at cscc@pacific.net.sg Herald | December 2010

1. Cameron Walcott 2. Delia Walcott 3. Peter Sam 4. Pst Daphne Yang 5. Katharyn Peh 6. Gayle Quah 7. Fu Ceming

Not in the picture: Geraldine Tan, Azzam Roszini, Daphne Lee

4 | Feature

THE CALL

A

t thirteen I took off to be a foreign exchange student in Switzerland for a year. I learned German, skied, studied dance, and had a wonderful time, but I didn’t have to deal with deprivation. At sixteen I ended up on a Choctaw Indian reservation in Mississippi as an American Field Service student, ready to face another cultural adventure, only this time in an environment of poverty I had never seen in America before.

An Excerpt from “There Is Always Enough” by Heidi and Rolland Baker

I (Heidi) always wanted to know people on the inside. What were they really like, underneath their style and finery, or their rags and wrinkles? How could I love them, genuinely, without pretense?

How could I get past all the teenage sham and social maneuvering I saw growing up in a privileged community on the beach in southern California?

I was drawn to the less popular, less beautiful, those who were left out and ignored. I wanted to sit with the lonely and forgotten and hear their stories. I was restless, always interested in other cultures and languages, and especially the poor. I just couldn’t sit around at home, absorbed in myself and my own world.

I was drawn to

My parents took me to Mexico a lot on camp- the less popular, ing trips and had unusual sensitivity to the less beautiful, poor. Our family would stop off in Tijuana and other places, and we’d visit the dumps and those who were left out and shanty towns, giving out clothes. I was also ignored. shaped by my sixth-grade teacher, who had been a missionary to China. She had just come back from Asia, and showed our class vivid pictures of slums in Hong Kong. I cried with desperation for the people who lived there, and even back then I told God I wanted to go and help them.

I always wanted God the whole time I was growing up. “Where are you, God?” I would ask, lying on my bed at night. I prayed every prayer I was taught in my mother’s Episcopal church. I prayed all the time. The Holy Spirit would touch me powerfully as I took the Eucharist. I was being prepared and called.

By Heidi Baker

Herald | December 2010

During Spring Break at my Choctaw boarding school I was left almost alone and assigned the job of exterminating cockroaches in our dorms. Day after day I pumped insecticide and sprayed everywhere. Cockroaches were flying, dying and dropping all over me. It was terrible. One Saturday night another student suggested we go to a revival meeting on the reservation. I was ready. Anything to avoid more cockroaches. By then I really wondered what I was doing in Mississippi. I had always thought of myself as popular, but at this school I was the minority, I was resented and I was avoided.

I was lonely and miserable.

It was storming that night, but I didn’t care. I ran through the rain and puddles to the church and tried to sneak in unnoticed. But I was obvious, the only white girl, with sopping blonde hair. The preacher, wearing his bright, multi-colored native coat, was Navajo.

He was preaching about his days in the Indian power movement and about how much he hated whites. I began to feel very nervous. But then I took notice. He said he met a man who taught him how to see people from the inside, and how to love. That’s what I had wanted all my life. He talked about our sin, and our need for forgiveness and faith in Jesus. He gave an altar call. Nobody responded.

Then I felt as if a hand physically grabbed my shirt and pulled me forward. My heart broke and I burst into tears. Sobbing I ran to the altar alone in front of five hundred Indians. The pastor’s wife tried to calm me down and assure me everything was all right. “It’s not all right!” I cried. “I’m a sinner!” It was 13 March 1976.

Glenda, the pianist, came running over and gave me a big hug.

“I’m so glad you’re saved, but now you need the Holy Ghost!”

I remembered something about the Holy Ghost from Episcopal prayers, and I wanted everything. Glenda invited me to her Pentecostal Holiness church the next night. I was going to go to the movies, but not any more. That next day I felt light and free, like a butterfly. The flowers and sky were so beautiful. My mood changed completely. I told everyone I found what had happened to me, and I wanted them to experience the same thing. I sang and sang to Jesus. I was so in love with Him. I couldn’t wait for church that night.

Only about thirty people were there. It seemed like I was their first

visitor in years. All eyes turned to me, the California girl in jeans and a short top. Obviously I wasn’t initiated. They invited me to the altar. Again a hand was pulling me. My heart was pounding hard.

All thirty laid their hands on me and prayed for my baptism in the Holy Spirit. Immediately everything went black. I’ve never experienced anything so dark. And then in a few minutes all became bright white, even with my eyes closed, just brilliant, blazing light.

I couldn’t get out a word of English. All I could do was speak in tongues. “Now you need to be baptized in water!” they said. I just nodded, unable to communicate intelligibly. Out came water and a bathtub, and I was baptized right there.

I became a radical sponge for Jesus. I soaked up everything spiritual I could. I went to church every night of the week. I was ravenous for the Bible. I had dyslexia and couldn’t read well, so the church got me the King James Bible on cassette tapes, and they became my most valuable possession. (Heidi was later dramatically healed and could no longer see through her thick glasses. She became a Straight-A student and champion speed reader at South-

56 ern California College.) I played them until they wore out. Pastor Roark and his wife took me under their wings and opened their home to me. They discipled me, taught me to fast and pray, and explained the Scriptures to me. I became like a daughter to them, and I was thrilled. I could hardly believe something so wonderful had happened to me. It didn’t matter to me at all that they had long lists of rules for what I could and could not wear. They told me I couldn’t dance any more, but all I could think of was how lovely Jesus was. I laid my dreams of being a dancer at His broken feet.

I continued in school, learning Choctaw and native crafts, and leading friends in my dorm to Jesus. The thought of a life of ministry never occurred to me because I had never seen a woman preacher. In May toward the end of the semester I went on a fiveday fast to find out more from God about what to do with my life.

On the night of the fifth day I expectantly went to the Roarks’ little Pentecostal church in the country and was drawn to the altar. I knelt down and lifted my arms to the Lord. Suddenly I felt taken to a new heavenly place. Pastor Roark was preaching, but I couldn’t hear his loud, powerful voice at all. God’s glory came to me again, wrapping me in a pure and brilliant white light. I was overwhelmed by who He is. I had never felt so loved, and I began to weep. This time He spoke to me audibly. “I am calling you to be a minister and a missionary,” He said. “You are to go to Africa, Asia and England.”

Again my heart was pounding and racing.

I thought I might die.

Then the Lord Jesus spoke to me and told me I would be married to Him. He kissed my hand and it felt as if warm oil ran down my arm. I was overcome with love for Him. I knew at that moment that I would go anywhere anytime and say anything for Him. I was ruined for this world by His intense love and mercy in calling me to Himself. I was stunned by such a powerful answer to my cry. When His presence began to lift, I opened my eyes and noticed that only Glenda and Pastor Roark were left in the church. They told me I had been completely still on my knees with my hands lifted up for hours. I wasn’t tired or sore in any way. I couldn’t speak clearly, but I was laughing with incredibly joy, to think that God would call little me to serve Him as a minister and missionary.

God’s word to me was so strong that I began preaching the next day. I told everyone about my precious Jesus and His intense love for us. He had let me see His indescribable glory, and I have never looked back. I have given all I am for all He is. This is the great exchange. I do what I do for love. Nothing is too difficult or too simple for Him. He has drawn me into His huge heart.

I began talking about Jesus to everyone I could - on the reservation, in the dorm rooms, at my high school campus back in Laguna. I began to prophesy as I heard the Lord. I passed out tracts.

And since no pastor asked me to preach in a church, I began preaching on the streets. My hunger for God kept growing, as it had done since I had first prayed to know Him. I wanted to reach people for His Kingdom. I approached our Episcopal priest in Laguna to see if he would let me use a building so I could start a Christian coffeehouse. He was very gracious and accommodating, and opened the parish hall for me. Every Friday night for several years I ministered to drug addicts, alcoholics, the homeless and the demon-possessed. I learned how to cast out demons and pray for the sick. The Holy Spirit was my teacher.

At the same time I started attending Southern California College, now Vanguard University. When I went to register, the first person I

4 | Feature

THE CALL

A

t thirteen I took off to be a foreign exchange student in Switzerland for a year. I learned German, skied, studied dance, and had a wonderful time, but I didn’t have to deal with deprivation. At sixteen I ended up on a Choctaw Indian reservation in Mississippi as an American Field Service student, ready to face another cultural adventure, only this time in an environment of poverty I had never seen in America before.

An Excerpt from “There Is Always Enough” by Heidi and Rolland Baker

I (Heidi) always wanted to know people on the inside. What were they really like, underneath their style and finery, or their rags and wrinkles? How could I love them, genuinely, without pretense?

How could I get past all the teenage sham and social maneuvering I saw growing up in a privileged community on the beach in southern California?

I was drawn to the less popular, less beautiful, those who were left out and ignored. I wanted to sit with the lonely and forgotten and hear their stories. I was restless, always interested in other cultures and languages, and especially the poor. I just couldn’t sit around at home, absorbed in myself and my own world.

I was drawn to

My parents took me to Mexico a lot on camp- the less popular, ing trips and had unusual sensitivity to the less beautiful, poor. Our family would stop off in Tijuana and other places, and we’d visit the dumps and those who were left out and shanty towns, giving out clothes. I was also ignored. shaped by my sixth-grade teacher, who had been a missionary to China. She had just come back from Asia, and showed our class vivid pictures of slums in Hong Kong. I cried with desperation for the people who lived there, and even back then I told God I wanted to go and help them.

I always wanted God the whole time I was growing up. “Where are you, God?” I would ask, lying on my bed at night. I prayed every prayer I was taught in my mother’s Episcopal church. I prayed all the time. The Holy Spirit would touch me powerfully as I took the Eucharist. I was being prepared and called.

By Heidi Baker

Herald | December 2010

During Spring Break at my Choctaw boarding school I was left almost alone and assigned the job of exterminating cockroaches in our dorms. Day after day I pumped insecticide and sprayed everywhere. Cockroaches were flying, dying and dropping all over me. It was terrible. One Saturday night another student suggested we go to a revival meeting on the reservation. I was ready. Anything to avoid more cockroaches. By then I really wondered what I was doing in Mississippi. I had always thought of myself as popular, but at this school I was the minority, I was resented and I was avoided.

I was lonely and miserable.

It was storming that night, but I didn’t care. I ran through the rain and puddles to the church and tried to sneak in unnoticed. But I was obvious, the only white girl, with sopping blonde hair. The preacher, wearing his bright, multi-colored native coat, was Navajo.

He was preaching about his days in the Indian power movement and about how much he hated whites. I began to feel very nervous. But then I took notice. He said he met a man who taught him how to see people from the inside, and how to love. That’s what I had wanted all my life. He talked about our sin, and our need for forgiveness and faith in Jesus. He gave an altar call. Nobody responded.

Then I felt as if a hand physically grabbed my shirt and pulled me forward. My heart broke and I burst into tears. Sobbing I ran to the altar alone in front of five hundred Indians. The pastor’s wife tried to calm me down and assure me everything was all right. “It’s not all right!” I cried. “I’m a sinner!” It was 13 March 1976.

Glenda, the pianist, came running over and gave me a big hug.

“I’m so glad you’re saved, but now you need the Holy Ghost!”

I remembered something about the Holy Ghost from Episcopal prayers, and I wanted everything. Glenda invited me to her Pentecostal Holiness church the next night. I was going to go to the movies, but not any more. That next day I felt light and free, like a butterfly. The flowers and sky were so beautiful. My mood changed completely. I told everyone I found what had happened to me, and I wanted them to experience the same thing. I sang and sang to Jesus. I was so in love with Him. I couldn’t wait for church that night.

Only about thirty people were there. It seemed like I was their first

visitor in years. All eyes turned to me, the California girl in jeans and a short top. Obviously I wasn’t initiated. They invited me to the altar. Again a hand was pulling me. My heart was pounding hard.

All thirty laid their hands on me and prayed for my baptism in the Holy Spirit. Immediately everything went black. I’ve never experienced anything so dark. And then in a few minutes all became bright white, even with my eyes closed, just brilliant, blazing light.

I couldn’t get out a word of English. All I could do was speak in tongues. “Now you need to be baptized in water!” they said. I just nodded, unable to communicate intelligibly. Out came water and a bathtub, and I was baptized right there.

I became a radical sponge for Jesus. I soaked up everything spiritual I could. I went to church every night of the week. I was ravenous for the Bible. I had dyslexia and couldn’t read well, so the church got me the King James Bible on cassette tapes, and they became my most valuable possession. (Heidi was later dramatically healed and could no longer see through her thick glasses. She became a Straight-A student and champion speed reader at South-

56 ern California College.) I played them until they wore out. Pastor Roark and his wife took me under their wings and opened their home to me. They discipled me, taught me to fast and pray, and explained the Scriptures to me. I became like a daughter to them, and I was thrilled. I could hardly believe something so wonderful had happened to me. It didn’t matter to me at all that they had long lists of rules for what I could and could not wear. They told me I couldn’t dance any more, but all I could think of was how lovely Jesus was. I laid my dreams of being a dancer at His broken feet.

I continued in school, learning Choctaw and native crafts, and leading friends in my dorm to Jesus. The thought of a life of ministry never occurred to me because I had never seen a woman preacher. In May toward the end of the semester I went on a fiveday fast to find out more from God about what to do with my life.

On the night of the fifth day I expectantly went to the Roarks’ little Pentecostal church in the country and was drawn to the altar. I knelt down and lifted my arms to the Lord. Suddenly I felt taken to a new heavenly place. Pastor Roark was preaching, but I couldn’t hear his loud, powerful voice at all. God’s glory came to me again, wrapping me in a pure and brilliant white light. I was overwhelmed by who He is. I had never felt so loved, and I began to weep. This time He spoke to me audibly. “I am calling you to be a minister and a missionary,” He said. “You are to go to Africa, Asia and England.”

Again my heart was pounding and racing.

I thought I might die.

Then the Lord Jesus spoke to me and told me I would be married to Him. He kissed my hand and it felt as if warm oil ran down my arm. I was overcome with love for Him. I knew at that moment that I would go anywhere anytime and say anything for Him. I was ruined for this world by His intense love and mercy in calling me to Himself. I was stunned by such a powerful answer to my cry. When His presence began to lift, I opened my eyes and noticed that only Glenda and Pastor Roark were left in the church. They told me I had been completely still on my knees with my hands lifted up for hours. I wasn’t tired or sore in any way. I couldn’t speak clearly, but I was laughing with incredibly joy, to think that God would call little me to serve Him as a minister and missionary.

God’s word to me was so strong that I began preaching the next day. I told everyone about my precious Jesus and His intense love for us. He had let me see His indescribable glory, and I have never looked back. I have given all I am for all He is. This is the great exchange. I do what I do for love. Nothing is too difficult or too simple for Him. He has drawn me into His huge heart.

I began talking about Jesus to everyone I could - on the reservation, in the dorm rooms, at my high school campus back in Laguna. I began to prophesy as I heard the Lord. I passed out tracts.

And since no pastor asked me to preach in a church, I began preaching on the streets. My hunger for God kept growing, as it had done since I had first prayed to know Him. I wanted to reach people for His Kingdom. I approached our Episcopal priest in Laguna to see if he would let me use a building so I could start a Christian coffeehouse. He was very gracious and accommodating, and opened the parish hall for me. Every Friday night for several years I ministered to drug addicts, alcoholics, the homeless and the demon-possessed. I learned how to cast out demons and pray for the sick. The Holy Spirit was my teacher.

At the same time I started attending Southern California College, now Vanguard University. When I went to register, the first person I

6

7 saw was Babe Evans, a Christian woman wearing pants, make-up and big hoop earrings. I was sure that I was in the wrong place!

Babe opened up, “Hi honey, when is your birthday?” I told her my birthday and she said, “No, I mean your spiritual birthday.” The date was 13 March 1977 - exactly one year from my date of conversion. Babe said, “Happy Birthday, honey! Jesus told me it was your birthday today!”

Immediately God began to set me free from legalism. I learned that it was what was in the heart, the inner person, not outward appearances that mattered. God told me that He had led me to lay down all the externals so that I would long for Him alone. It was my heart that mattered to Him. I began dating a guy and fell in love. We planned to get married.

However, six weeks before the wedding, I began to feel nervous and anxious in my heart. I was in a deep, intense conflict. I had really wanted to take a team to Europe on a mission trip doing evangelistic dance and drama, but I had decided to get married instead.

I adored this man with all my heart. I thought he was wonderful. He loved Jesus, he was gorgeous and he was committed to me and the call on my life. He said he was willing to go anywhere.

But as we got closer to the wedding my anxiety increased. For the first time I felt the need for a prophetic word. But when I prayed all I heard was, yes, no, yes, no, yes, no. I cried to God, “I need to hear something!”

At that time I was in charge of student ministries at my college. Part of my responsibilities included taking the speaker out for lunch after chapel, and during this intense period of anxiety for the first time it was a woman. Although I had been given the freedom to speak to the school body, we had never had a woman speaker before. I was looking forward to taking her out. I shared with her that I was getting married in six weeks, but that I really wanted to go on a mission trip. She gave me an intense look that I still remember, and said, “That is not God’s character!”

I knew that was a word from the Lord. God wouldn’t have me get married when my heart was burning to preach the gospel in England and Europe. The Lord just took hold of my heart and said, “You will lay this man down on the altar for Me, for My glory, for My calling on your life.” It was like cutting my right arm off. I ran into the chapel and cried. I sobbed for over three hours and I laid this man I loved before Jesus.

The Lord said, “Will you lay him down and will you die to this desire?” I said, “Yes, I will follow You and I will go where You go and I will do what You do. I don’t understand, but I trust in You alone.”

The Lord is always looking for obedience. He is always asking, “Who will lay down and die? Who will be obedient?” And He always has the most excellent reasons for His commands. My fiancé was not called to a life of foreign ministry to the poor, and Jesus was going to bring me someone who was.

After I broke off my engagement I threw myself into every kind of ministry I could. At school breaks I would take teams on missions trips around the world. One such trip was to Mexico City. I shared a small room with two other girls. There were no sheets on the one bed in the bare room, only one ragged blanket. That tiny room was home to sixteen people. The room was so small that they had to sleep in shifts, and yet they gave it up for us while we ministered in the surrounding slums.

A day before we left for home I went into a little Mexican church. I was lost in worshipping the Lord when suddenly He spoke to me very clearly about His plans for my life. Among other things He told

Herald | December 2010

1

me I would go to Indonesia and preach with Mel Tari, a famous Indonesian evangelist who had been used to raise the dead. I had never met him.

2

He also told me I would finish college that year, one year sooner than usual. And then He told me I would marry Rolland Baker. I had only met Rolland once on a church ski trip! We had talked, but I had never thought anything more about it partly because he is twelve years older than I am. What really shocked me was that God even specified Rolland’s last name, so there was no ambiguity.

The next day I took my team to the airport. As we went through customs I was stopped because my visa was not in my passport.

They would not let me on the plane. I had let some kids play with my passport and the visa was missing. The rest of the team got on the plane but I was stuck. When I returned to my hosts, I discovered six loving, romantic letters from Rolland Baker! Had I not been stranded I would never have received them. I looked forward to seeing Rolland again and wrote back to him.

5

4

There was more to my connection with Rolland. When we met

up back in the States, over a Chinese lunch I began talking with him about my teacher in sixth grade who had planted a passion for missions in my heart even before I understood repentance and salvation. I shared with Rolland my desire some day to meet this woman again and thank her for planting that seed. I still remembered how to count in Chinese. I knew she had taken a risk by sharing her missions story in a secular school. She has been a great influence on my life. He wanted to know her name. “Marjorie Baker,” I told him. “That’s my mother!” he said. “She came back from China on furlough and you were in her first class!”

Sometime after that, while I was worshipping in my office, the Lord spoke to me again very clearly and said, “Tonight Rolland is going to ask you to marry him.” About ten o’clock that night, it was time to go back to the dorm because there was a curfew and I quietly prayed, “Lord, I heard you and he hasn’t asked me yet and I have to go back to the dorm.” Then Rolland asked, “Would you like to spend the rest of your life with me?”

I was taking thirty units that semester - double the normal load because the Lord had told me to finish school that year. The workload was so heavy I only got to see Rolland once a week between 3.00 and 5.00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Occasionally we could get together on a Sunday.

My mother planned the whole wedding. I just showed up. We told everybody, “We don’t want wedding gifts. We aren’t registering for silverware or china. What we really need is our plane fare to Indonesia.” We planned to leave for Indonesia two weeks after our wedding. We had no money. We had no support from any church.

But we had a word from God. Mel Tari turned out to be a close friend of Rolland’s and he was the best man at our wedding. He asked Rolland and me if we would come and preach at his crusade in Indonesia. Our friends were very generous and we almost had enough money to go, but not quite. We were five hundred dollars short. One night we were having dinner with millionaire friends and talking about our plans.

Suddenly they offered, “We would like to buy your stereo from you for five hundred dollars.” Rolland had a great stereo. It was one of the few possessions we had of much value. The Lord spoke to me, “I want you to give it to them. You can’t sell it.” I was shocked.

They could afford to buy as many stereos as they wanted. Besides, they had just offered us the exact amount we needed. I looked at Rolland and wrote him a little note. He nodded. We gave the stereo away and went home that night with a lot of joy because we didn’t lose our chance to give. We needed the rest of our ticket money the next morning, but we knew there would be enough.

1. Minsitry to flood victims 2. Revival in the bush 3. Starting a new Church right on the runway 4. Our boys in prayers 5. The Bread of Life for hungry flood victims

Right away Mel called Rolland. “Our photographer just canceled.

You’re preaching at the crusade, but since you’re a photographer too would you consider doing our photography for us? There’s five hundred dollars in the budget for the job.” We purchased two oneway tickets and had thirty dollars left over for our trip. That was the summer of 1980, and we have always had enough ever since.

We’ve never tried to figure out how to raise support or get money out of people. We get great joy out of presenting the riches of the gospel wherever we go at no charge. We are ambassadors and lovers of the King, offering the best for nothing. There is no better work! In return Jesus moves beautifully through His Body to provide all that we need. He plants His own generosity in hearts around the world, and we don’t ever have to worry whether there will be enough. We have been hungry. We have traveled not knowing where we would sleep from night to night. We went years without a car. At times we couldn’t even buy a Coke or make a phone call. But we always had enough to do what God wanted.

For seven years we traveled around Asia preaching and ministering through Christian dance-drama. We saw thousands come to know the Lord through our meetings. It was a fruitful ministry where we were free to use our creative gifts as expressions of worship and we loved it. During that time our children Elisha and Crystalyn were born.

Then the Lord began to redirect us. We were sensing that there was more to our calling. I knew there was more of God’s heart that He wanted to place within me. Jesus told us, “Stop, you need to see the poor.” Like the Good Samaritan we need to stop for just one. We need to look at each one. The Lord broke our hearts for the poor. We went to Indonesia and lived in a slum. I started a job program for Muslim women. They lived in houses made of cardboard boxes and little bits of tin and trash. The Lord spoke to my heart and said, “Don’t bring food or money, and wear the same two dresses the whole time you are working there.” I wore the

same two dresses for over a year. My friends in the slums taught me their language. Every day I ate in their cardboard houses and drank their water. I got a lot of dysentery but won their hearts for Jesus by letting them teach me instead of trying to teach them.

After I could speak fluently in Indonesian, the Lord said, “Now it’s time to bring them the treasure.” Almost all of the ladies in the community were healed and saved.

We moved to Bali, a very dark and demonic place, and enjoyed an intense, fruitful ministry for a year until the government revoked our visas and gave us forty-eight hours to leave. We went to Hong Kong and had to start all over again with another language. That’s when the Lord said, “Just keep doing what I showed you. Sit in the park and learn Cantonese from the people.” The park was the favored spot for all the old Buddhist grannies to congregate. They didn’t want to hear about Jesus, but they were willing and eager to teach me Cantonese. As I was learning from them I gently began to share Jesus with them and pray for them when they were sick.

The Lord started healing them right there in the park. The Lord gave me a great love for the old ladies, and they became my close friends. They were also the unreached people of Hong Kong, who had never heard the name of Jesus.

So many grannies were healed that we started what we affectionately called our “granny church,” and it began to grow. They brought me their Buddhist idols and we smashed them to pieces in the park. We also ministered to drug addicts and the homeless.

We gave them all food and love, and they taught us the language.

We came as learners and servants, and the poor taught us about hospitality and generosity.

The Lord sent my wonderful friend Lesley Leighton to help Rolland and me pastor our church and work with me on the streets. Jesus poured compassion, sensitivity and revelation through her into our work, and together we nurtured a rich and warm family among the poor that we named in Chinese “The home of loving believers.”

3

6

7 saw was Babe Evans, a Christian woman wearing pants, make-up and big hoop earrings. I was sure that I was in the wrong place!

Babe opened up, “Hi honey, when is your birthday?” I told her my birthday and she said, “No, I mean your spiritual birthday.” The date was 13 March 1977 - exactly one year from my date of conversion. Babe said, “Happy Birthday, honey! Jesus told me it was your birthday today!”

Immediately God began to set me free from legalism. I learned that it was what was in the heart, the inner person, not outward appearances that mattered. God told me that He had led me to lay down all the externals so that I would long for Him alone. It was my heart that mattered to Him. I began dating a guy and fell in love. We planned to get married.

However, six weeks before the wedding, I began to feel nervous and anxious in my heart. I was in a deep, intense conflict. I had really wanted to take a team to Europe on a mission trip doing evangelistic dance and drama, but I had decided to get married instead.

I adored this man with all my heart. I thought he was wonderful. He loved Jesus, he was gorgeous and he was committed to me and the call on my life. He said he was willing to go anywhere.

But as we got closer to the wedding my anxiety increased. For the first time I felt the need for a prophetic word. But when I prayed all I heard was, yes, no, yes, no, yes, no. I cried to God, “I need to hear something!”

At that time I was in charge of student ministries at my college. Part of my responsibilities included taking the speaker out for lunch after chapel, and during this intense period of anxiety for the first time it was a woman. Although I had been given the freedom to speak to the school body, we had never had a woman speaker before. I was looking forward to taking her out. I shared with her that I was getting married in six weeks, but that I really wanted to go on a mission trip. She gave me an intense look that I still remember, and said, “That is not God’s character!”

I knew that was a word from the Lord. God wouldn’t have me get married when my heart was burning to preach the gospel in England and Europe. The Lord just took hold of my heart and said, “You will lay this man down on the altar for Me, for My glory, for My calling on your life.” It was like cutting my right arm off. I ran into the chapel and cried. I sobbed for over three hours and I laid this man I loved before Jesus.

The Lord said, “Will you lay him down and will you die to this desire?” I said, “Yes, I will follow You and I will go where You go and I will do what You do. I don’t understand, but I trust in You alone.”

The Lord is always looking for obedience. He is always asking, “Who will lay down and die? Who will be obedient?” And He always has the most excellent reasons for His commands. My fiancé was not called to a life of foreign ministry to the poor, and Jesus was going to bring me someone who was.

After I broke off my engagement I threw myself into every kind of ministry I could. At school breaks I would take teams on missions trips around the world. One such trip was to Mexico City. I shared a small room with two other girls. There were no sheets on the one bed in the bare room, only one ragged blanket. That tiny room was home to sixteen people. The room was so small that they had to sleep in shifts, and yet they gave it up for us while we ministered in the surrounding slums.

A day before we left for home I went into a little Mexican church. I was lost in worshipping the Lord when suddenly He spoke to me very clearly about His plans for my life. Among other things He told

Herald | December 2010

1

me I would go to Indonesia and preach with Mel Tari, a famous Indonesian evangelist who had been used to raise the dead. I had never met him.

2

He also told me I would finish college that year, one year sooner than usual. And then He told me I would marry Rolland Baker. I had only met Rolland once on a church ski trip! We had talked, but I had never thought anything more about it partly because he is twelve years older than I am. What really shocked me was that God even specified Rolland’s last name, so there was no ambiguity.

The next day I took my team to the airport. As we went through customs I was stopped because my visa was not in my passport.

They would not let me on the plane. I had let some kids play with my passport and the visa was missing. The rest of the team got on the plane but I was stuck. When I returned to my hosts, I discovered six loving, romantic letters from Rolland Baker! Had I not been stranded I would never have received them. I looked forward to seeing Rolland again and wrote back to him.

5

4

There was more to my connection with Rolland. When we met

up back in the States, over a Chinese lunch I began talking with him about my teacher in sixth grade who had planted a passion for missions in my heart even before I understood repentance and salvation. I shared with Rolland my desire some day to meet this woman again and thank her for planting that seed. I still remembered how to count in Chinese. I knew she had taken a risk by sharing her missions story in a secular school. She has been a great influence on my life. He wanted to know her name. “Marjorie Baker,” I told him. “That’s my mother!” he said. “She came back from China on furlough and you were in her first class!”

Sometime after that, while I was worshipping in my office, the Lord spoke to me again very clearly and said, “Tonight Rolland is going to ask you to marry him.” About ten o’clock that night, it was time to go back to the dorm because there was a curfew and I quietly prayed, “Lord, I heard you and he hasn’t asked me yet and I have to go back to the dorm.” Then Rolland asked, “Would you like to spend the rest of your life with me?”

I was taking thirty units that semester - double the normal load because the Lord had told me to finish school that year. The workload was so heavy I only got to see Rolland once a week between 3.00 and 5.00 p.m. on Wednesdays. Occasionally we could get together on a Sunday.

My mother planned the whole wedding. I just showed up. We told everybody, “We don’t want wedding gifts. We aren’t registering for silverware or china. What we really need is our plane fare to Indonesia.” We planned to leave for Indonesia two weeks after our wedding. We had no money. We had no support from any church.

But we had a word from God. Mel Tari turned out to be a close friend of Rolland’s and he was the best man at our wedding. He asked Rolland and me if we would come and preach at his crusade in Indonesia. Our friends were very generous and we almost had enough money to go, but not quite. We were five hundred dollars short. One night we were having dinner with millionaire friends and talking about our plans.

Suddenly they offered, “We would like to buy your stereo from you for five hundred dollars.” Rolland had a great stereo. It was one of the few possessions we had of much value. The Lord spoke to me, “I want you to give it to them. You can’t sell it.” I was shocked.

They could afford to buy as many stereos as they wanted. Besides, they had just offered us the exact amount we needed. I looked at Rolland and wrote him a little note. He nodded. We gave the stereo away and went home that night with a lot of joy because we didn’t lose our chance to give. We needed the rest of our ticket money the next morning, but we knew there would be enough.

1. Minsitry to flood victims 2. Revival in the bush 3. Starting a new Church right on the runway 4. Our boys in prayers 5. The Bread of Life for hungry flood victims

Right away Mel called Rolland. “Our photographer just canceled.

You’re preaching at the crusade, but since you’re a photographer too would you consider doing our photography for us? There’s five hundred dollars in the budget for the job.” We purchased two oneway tickets and had thirty dollars left over for our trip. That was the summer of 1980, and we have always had enough ever since.

We’ve never tried to figure out how to raise support or get money out of people. We get great joy out of presenting the riches of the gospel wherever we go at no charge. We are ambassadors and lovers of the King, offering the best for nothing. There is no better work! In return Jesus moves beautifully through His Body to provide all that we need. He plants His own generosity in hearts around the world, and we don’t ever have to worry whether there will be enough. We have been hungry. We have traveled not knowing where we would sleep from night to night. We went years without a car. At times we couldn’t even buy a Coke or make a phone call. But we always had enough to do what God wanted.

For seven years we traveled around Asia preaching and ministering through Christian dance-drama. We saw thousands come to know the Lord through our meetings. It was a fruitful ministry where we were free to use our creative gifts as expressions of worship and we loved it. During that time our children Elisha and Crystalyn were born.

Then the Lord began to redirect us. We were sensing that there was more to our calling. I knew there was more of God’s heart that He wanted to place within me. Jesus told us, “Stop, you need to see the poor.” Like the Good Samaritan we need to stop for just one. We need to look at each one. The Lord broke our hearts for the poor. We went to Indonesia and lived in a slum. I started a job program for Muslim women. They lived in houses made of cardboard boxes and little bits of tin and trash. The Lord spoke to my heart and said, “Don’t bring food or money, and wear the same two dresses the whole time you are working there.” I wore the

same two dresses for over a year. My friends in the slums taught me their language. Every day I ate in their cardboard houses and drank their water. I got a lot of dysentery but won their hearts for Jesus by letting them teach me instead of trying to teach them.

After I could speak fluently in Indonesian, the Lord said, “Now it’s time to bring them the treasure.” Almost all of the ladies in the community were healed and saved.

We moved to Bali, a very dark and demonic place, and enjoyed an intense, fruitful ministry for a year until the government revoked our visas and gave us forty-eight hours to leave. We went to Hong Kong and had to start all over again with another language. That’s when the Lord said, “Just keep doing what I showed you. Sit in the park and learn Cantonese from the people.” The park was the favored spot for all the old Buddhist grannies to congregate. They didn’t want to hear about Jesus, but they were willing and eager to teach me Cantonese. As I was learning from them I gently began to share Jesus with them and pray for them when they were sick.

The Lord started healing them right there in the park. The Lord gave me a great love for the old ladies, and they became my close friends. They were also the unreached people of Hong Kong, who had never heard the name of Jesus.

So many grannies were healed that we started what we affectionately called our “granny church,” and it began to grow. They brought me their Buddhist idols and we smashed them to pieces in the park. We also ministered to drug addicts and the homeless.

We gave them all food and love, and they taught us the language.

We came as learners and servants, and the poor taught us about hospitality and generosity.

The Lord sent my wonderful friend Lesley Leighton to help Rolland and me pastor our church and work with me on the streets. Jesus poured compassion, sensitivity and revelation through her into our work, and together we nurtured a rich and warm family among the poor that we named in Chinese “The home of loving believers.”

3

8

9

In Hong Kong Jackie Pullinger-To’s ministry to the poor was a big influence on us. We always took our grannies to her church in the afternoon, and we worked very closely with her. Jackie preached, “You ought to live in the slums if you’re going to work with the poor!” Rolland was away on a speaking tour and I phoned him.

“Rolland, can we please move to the slums?” He understood our call in the Lord and agreed. I found a filthy black room added onto the top of an old building without an elevator in the most crowded urban area in the world. Even the most desperate of the poor around us didn’t want this place. It was tiny, without paint, kitchen plumbing or electrical wiring. Its tin roof rattled in the wind. To go to school our children had to hike up and down nine flights in a dark stairwell filled with incense smoke and Buddhist idols. Our neighbors were prostitutes and gangsters. But our rooftop was home.

We fixed it up and thought it was perfect.

We ministered in Hong Kong for four years until I got so ill I could

not make it up the stairs. I was diagnosed with a severe immune disorder. My entire body ached. I could not see well enough to read and light bothered my eyes. I had a fever for months at a time. My lymph glands were sore and swollen, and I was so dizzy I often fell over. I was not used to being taken care of by others. I ended up staying with my spiritual mother and mentor, Juanita Vinson, in Fairbanks, Alaska. She was the first woman preacher I had ever met. Her life of miracles and endless love has always kept me inspired. She and some precious women in the church took care of me for over four months. I could no longer pastor my church, take care of my family, or even read the Bible. I stayed in bed in a dark room and prayed and listened to Bible tapes. This time was very dear to my heart. I felt the Lord holding me in His arms and simply loving me because I’m me, not for anything I had ever done or would do for Him. Then in that dark room in sixty-below-zero weather God spoke to me about going to England to do a PhD, and planting a church among the homeless. It seemed a strange time to hear about studying since I was so sick that I could not read or even walk.

God was teaching me more about trust. There is always enough of all that we need, if we trust in Him alone.

Gradually I became well enough to return to Hong Kong and minister again. Rolland and I applied to King’s College, University of London, to study for our doctorates in Systematic Theology. We wanted to learn all we could and be exposed to a broad range of thinking. We were both accepted.

In the fall of 1991 we moved to London. By day we wrestled with prominent theological minds. By night we reached out to the poorest lost sheep we could find, the homeless huddling in doorways, under bridges, in cardboard boxes and tents along the Strand and the Thames waterfront. London got cold, drizzly and miserable in winter. Many on the streets had no blankets and only light, ragged jackets. They could hardly sleep. They would go months without bathing. Some just sat in their filth, their sores festering and their spirits degenerating.

Small bands from our growing fellowship would go out carrying bags of hot baked potatoes filled with cheese and wrapped in foil. But we didn’t just hurry down the street tossing out food. We stayed and talked, making friends and praying. We would leave Gospels of John, and invite everyone to our home meetings for hot dinners and fellowship, worship and Bible teaching.

Their stories tore our hearts. One night while we were mingling with a large crowd, a young man named Steve took me aside and asked for prayer. He was so simple and quiet about it that I wasn’t prepared for what he told me. His wife and children had recently been killed by an IRA bomb in Ireland. In shock, he had come to London where his sister lived. And then his sister had been raped and beaten until her body was a broken wreck. She died after being paralyzed for a few months. But he prayed with me and Jesus came to live in his heart. He determined to live his life for the Lord;

he found a job and his heart, mind and soul began to heal.

four-letter language on him in disgust. He could not remember anyone ever telling him, “I love you.” His family was hard. He had never even had a birthday cake. He responded warmly to Heidi, but later that night he reached his lowest point ever. As he shivered under a doorway, a passerby urinated on him as though he were less than trash. He planned to take his own life.

There was Harry, with his blood-stained knife who had run away from an alcoholic rehab center, but who found the joy of the Lord.

Christina, a venomous, bitter lady on crutches, became a compassionate angel of mercy who would do anything to help people.

Malcolm, a crippled alcoholic and diabetic, found his home in Jesus and among our London family. David, who had murdered his ex-wife’s boyfriend and then joined the Foreign Legion so he could kill as many more people as possible, mellowed out under the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter had tried to kill himself four times, but Jesus let us rescue him from death and hell itself. Roland, Digger, Steve, Derrick, Mickey, Trevor, Henry, Joe, Evonne, Mary, Robert and so many others - these were not numbers or church growth statistics. They were all down-and-out loners who needed the love of Jesus more than anything in the world, and we gave them a church in their midst where they could find Him, worship Him and receive from Him. In our early street meetings in London we ran the gauntlet of cursing, screaming, threats, stealing and violence. We were interrupted, jeered and ridiculed during every message. Criminals would pull knives on us in our own home and vow to break every window in our flat. The mentally ill would beat on our doors through the night.

Our phone rang every few minutes with some new crisis. But we developed a church family that we came to treasure. The poor of London walked across the city, lame, weak and cold, to stay late soaking in the love of God at our home meetings and church venues. We celebrated birthdays, weddings, Christmas and Easter together. We sang, laughed and cried as one. We had City lawyers and university intellectuals sitting down to communion alongside the simple and the poor. We were a cross-section of the Body of Christ, and we were in love with our God. In September of 1992 Rolland wrote: We marvel when we exit the subway station out onto the street where we usually begin our outreaches. Not many months ago the people here were much like homeless streetsleepers everywhere: silent, sour, broken. But now when we arrive a crowd is excitedly waiting for us. There are shouts of greetings as we hug our friends.

The talk has not been the usual grumbling and cursing, but about what home meeting they are going to next, last week’s sermon, new people they are bringing, what they can do to help. Believers’ Centre is their church, their family. They help us pass out flyers.

They want to know how we are. They pray for us! And of course they eagerly gather around for the hot tea and food we bring. We distribute all the Bibles, gospels and tracts we have. We supply clothes, blankets and sleeping bags when we can to the critically needy.

One by one we get deeply involved in people’s lives. We listen, we talk, we pray. Jesus brings hope and warmth, and then ideas and initiative. It is a special joy to have new Christians energetically help us with the counseling who only months ago were angry and full of self-pity themselves. Now they spark fire in the newcomers, who are moved by such evidence of genuine conversion.

Believers’ Centre is not full of well-adjusted, self-sufficient, “normal” folk who don’t need much attention. We have to slow down and take time to lead each person step-by-step out of a usually horrendous past into an intimate, trusting, overcoming life with Jesus.

It is a long process. The Lord has been so patient with us, and we have to learn from Him. At each service we see new fruit. Last Sunday an unusually strong spirit of praise and worship rose up to God like fragrant incense, reaching a crescendo on the chorus:

Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory; Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy; Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

The next night he managed to bring himself to Believers’ Centre.

People came up and showed genuine interest in him. He was impressed by the testimony of Billy White from New York, who had been saved from a terrible life of sin and drugs. But eventually he left without a breakthrough and was alone again.

Zimpeto family

What a great sight to see all these once hardened, bitter sinners glow with God’s life and love.

In January of 1993 we recorded a testimony representative of all that we were facing, and what Jesus was doing among us: Kenny came over yesterday. He had just phoned to tell us his story, and we wanted to help him. Kenny is dying with AIDS. Sores have spread on his body. He takes heavy medication. Every infection is a threat. Discharged from the hospital last week after a long stay, he returned to his lonely flat to spend his last days. But five squatters had moved in, and under England’s bizarre law they could not be evicted for twenty-eight days! Kenny was left wandering on the street.

Last Saturday down by the Thames, he ran into a group from our church and began listening to conversations about Jesus. He saw patience and caring. Taking Heidi aside to ask questions, he was moved by answers he didn’t expect. Church and religion to him had always been an empty sham. Growing up in a parochial school was a horror story of frequent sexual abuse and extreme discipline.

Professional clergymen often chilled him with their plastic manners and inner coldness. Even the chaplain at his hospital vented filthy,

Just as he was about to swallow a bottle of pills to kill himself, into his mind came the distinct words, “Remember that your Redeemer lives!” Over and over again he heard the words, “Your Redeemer lives!” He did not know the Bible and could not remember ever hearing this phrase before. All night he was convicted as these words kept coming to him. He couldn’t sleep at all. Finally in the morning he found some privacy in a men’s room and repented to God. A great peace came over him, which amazed him. Immediately he called us, and we explained that the Redeemer was Jesus, and that the Holy Spirit had touched him. Later, in our living room, we spent time explaining salvation to him in detail. He could not stop talking about this extraordinary new peace he felt. His sense of humor was restored. He was relaxed. His rage at government agencies, doctors, priests, squatters and others had evaporated.

His concern for his flat and possessions disappeared. He hugged us and prayed with us like a little child. We gave him Visions Beyond the Veil and a Bible, put some things together for him and helped him get up to Scotland to be restored to his family. We’ll write him and pray for him, that the Holy Spirit will remain on him strongly until he sees Jesus face-to-face. Our Redeemer lives!

Rolland and I knew we were not in London to stay. We had a restlessness from the Lord, wanting to see the gospel penetrate and transform even the most remote, hopeless situations in the world. With our King’s College residency over, we commended our church into the hands of our co-pastor, Kurt Erickson. I loved our English family and wept my way onto the airplane when I left. My time in London was God’s gift to me, and needed preparation for the fulfillment of His words that I would be a missionary to Africa as well. Mozambique, a distant, poor, almost forgotten country on the south-east coast of that continent, was to become the challenge of my life. That story comes next.

8

9

In Hong Kong Jackie Pullinger-To’s ministry to the poor was a big influence on us. We always took our grannies to her church in the afternoon, and we worked very closely with her. Jackie preached, “You ought to live in the slums if you’re going to work with the poor!” Rolland was away on a speaking tour and I phoned him.

“Rolland, can we please move to the slums?” He understood our call in the Lord and agreed. I found a filthy black room added onto the top of an old building without an elevator in the most crowded urban area in the world. Even the most desperate of the poor around us didn’t want this place. It was tiny, without paint, kitchen plumbing or electrical wiring. Its tin roof rattled in the wind. To go to school our children had to hike up and down nine flights in a dark stairwell filled with incense smoke and Buddhist idols. Our neighbors were prostitutes and gangsters. But our rooftop was home.

We fixed it up and thought it was perfect.

We ministered in Hong Kong for four years until I got so ill I could

not make it up the stairs. I was diagnosed with a severe immune disorder. My entire body ached. I could not see well enough to read and light bothered my eyes. I had a fever for months at a time. My lymph glands were sore and swollen, and I was so dizzy I often fell over. I was not used to being taken care of by others. I ended up staying with my spiritual mother and mentor, Juanita Vinson, in Fairbanks, Alaska. She was the first woman preacher I had ever met. Her life of miracles and endless love has always kept me inspired. She and some precious women in the church took care of me for over four months. I could no longer pastor my church, take care of my family, or even read the Bible. I stayed in bed in a dark room and prayed and listened to Bible tapes. This time was very dear to my heart. I felt the Lord holding me in His arms and simply loving me because I’m me, not for anything I had ever done or would do for Him. Then in that dark room in sixty-below-zero weather God spoke to me about going to England to do a PhD, and planting a church among the homeless. It seemed a strange time to hear about studying since I was so sick that I could not read or even walk.

God was teaching me more about trust. There is always enough of all that we need, if we trust in Him alone.

Gradually I became well enough to return to Hong Kong and minister again. Rolland and I applied to King’s College, University of London, to study for our doctorates in Systematic Theology. We wanted to learn all we could and be exposed to a broad range of thinking. We were both accepted.

In the fall of 1991 we moved to London. By day we wrestled with prominent theological minds. By night we reached out to the poorest lost sheep we could find, the homeless huddling in doorways, under bridges, in cardboard boxes and tents along the Strand and the Thames waterfront. London got cold, drizzly and miserable in winter. Many on the streets had no blankets and only light, ragged jackets. They could hardly sleep. They would go months without bathing. Some just sat in their filth, their sores festering and their spirits degenerating.

Small bands from our growing fellowship would go out carrying bags of hot baked potatoes filled with cheese and wrapped in foil. But we didn’t just hurry down the street tossing out food. We stayed and talked, making friends and praying. We would leave Gospels of John, and invite everyone to our home meetings for hot dinners and fellowship, worship and Bible teaching.

Their stories tore our hearts. One night while we were mingling with a large crowd, a young man named Steve took me aside and asked for prayer. He was so simple and quiet about it that I wasn’t prepared for what he told me. His wife and children had recently been killed by an IRA bomb in Ireland. In shock, he had come to London where his sister lived. And then his sister had been raped and beaten until her body was a broken wreck. She died after being paralyzed for a few months. But he prayed with me and Jesus came to live in his heart. He determined to live his life for the Lord;

he found a job and his heart, mind and soul began to heal.

four-letter language on him in disgust. He could not remember anyone ever telling him, “I love you.” His family was hard. He had never even had a birthday cake. He responded warmly to Heidi, but later that night he reached his lowest point ever. As he shivered under a doorway, a passerby urinated on him as though he were less than trash. He planned to take his own life.

There was Harry, with his blood-stained knife who had run away from an alcoholic rehab center, but who found the joy of the Lord.

Christina, a venomous, bitter lady on crutches, became a compassionate angel of mercy who would do anything to help people.

Malcolm, a crippled alcoholic and diabetic, found his home in Jesus and among our London family. David, who had murdered his ex-wife’s boyfriend and then joined the Foreign Legion so he could kill as many more people as possible, mellowed out under the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter had tried to kill himself four times, but Jesus let us rescue him from death and hell itself. Roland, Digger, Steve, Derrick, Mickey, Trevor, Henry, Joe, Evonne, Mary, Robert and so many others - these were not numbers or church growth statistics. They were all down-and-out loners who needed the love of Jesus more than anything in the world, and we gave them a church in their midst where they could find Him, worship Him and receive from Him. In our early street meetings in London we ran the gauntlet of cursing, screaming, threats, stealing and violence. We were interrupted, jeered and ridiculed during every message. Criminals would pull knives on us in our own home and vow to break every window in our flat. The mentally ill would beat on our doors through the night.

Our phone rang every few minutes with some new crisis. But we developed a church family that we came to treasure. The poor of London walked across the city, lame, weak and cold, to stay late soaking in the love of God at our home meetings and church venues. We celebrated birthdays, weddings, Christmas and Easter together. We sang, laughed and cried as one. We had City lawyers and university intellectuals sitting down to communion alongside the simple and the poor. We were a cross-section of the Body of Christ, and we were in love with our God. In September of 1992 Rolland wrote: We marvel when we exit the subway station out onto the street where we usually begin our outreaches. Not many months ago the people here were much like homeless streetsleepers everywhere: silent, sour, broken. But now when we arrive a crowd is excitedly waiting for us. There are shouts of greetings as we hug our friends.

The talk has not been the usual grumbling and cursing, but about what home meeting they are going to next, last week’s sermon, new people they are bringing, what they can do to help. Believers’ Centre is their church, their family. They help us pass out flyers.

They want to know how we are. They pray for us! And of course they eagerly gather around for the hot tea and food we bring. We distribute all the Bibles, gospels and tracts we have. We supply clothes, blankets and sleeping bags when we can to the critically needy.

One by one we get deeply involved in people’s lives. We listen, we talk, we pray. Jesus brings hope and warmth, and then ideas and initiative. It is a special joy to have new Christians energetically help us with the counseling who only months ago were angry and full of self-pity themselves. Now they spark fire in the newcomers, who are moved by such evidence of genuine conversion.

Believers’ Centre is not full of well-adjusted, self-sufficient, “normal” folk who don’t need much attention. We have to slow down and take time to lead each person step-by-step out of a usually horrendous past into an intimate, trusting, overcoming life with Jesus.

It is a long process. The Lord has been so patient with us, and we have to learn from Him. At each service we see new fruit. Last Sunday an unusually strong spirit of praise and worship rose up to God like fragrant incense, reaching a crescendo on the chorus:

Shine, Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory; Blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy; Send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light.

The next night he managed to bring himself to Believers’ Centre.

People came up and showed genuine interest in him. He was impressed by the testimony of Billy White from New York, who had been saved from a terrible life of sin and drugs. But eventually he left without a breakthrough and was alone again.

Zimpeto family

What a great sight to see all these once hardened, bitter sinners glow with God’s life and love.

In January of 1993 we recorded a testimony representative of all that we were facing, and what Jesus was doing among us: Kenny came over yesterday. He had just phoned to tell us his story, and we wanted to help him. Kenny is dying with AIDS. Sores have spread on his body. He takes heavy medication. Every infection is a threat. Discharged from the hospital last week after a long stay, he returned to his lonely flat to spend his last days. But five squatters had moved in, and under England’s bizarre law they could not be evicted for twenty-eight days! Kenny was left wandering on the street.

Last Saturday down by the Thames, he ran into a group from our church and began listening to conversations about Jesus. He saw patience and caring. Taking Heidi aside to ask questions, he was moved by answers he didn’t expect. Church and religion to him had always been an empty sham. Growing up in a parochial school was a horror story of frequent sexual abuse and extreme discipline.

Professional clergymen often chilled him with their plastic manners and inner coldness. Even the chaplain at his hospital vented filthy,

Just as he was about to swallow a bottle of pills to kill himself, into his mind came the distinct words, “Remember that your Redeemer lives!” Over and over again he heard the words, “Your Redeemer lives!” He did not know the Bible and could not remember ever hearing this phrase before. All night he was convicted as these words kept coming to him. He couldn’t sleep at all. Finally in the morning he found some privacy in a men’s room and repented to God. A great peace came over him, which amazed him. Immediately he called us, and we explained that the Redeemer was Jesus, and that the Holy Spirit had touched him. Later, in our living room, we spent time explaining salvation to him in detail. He could not stop talking about this extraordinary new peace he felt. His sense of humor was restored. He was relaxed. His rage at government agencies, doctors, priests, squatters and others had evaporated.

His concern for his flat and possessions disappeared. He hugged us and prayed with us like a little child. We gave him Visions Beyond the Veil and a Bible, put some things together for him and helped him get up to Scotland to be restored to his family. We’ll write him and pray for him, that the Holy Spirit will remain on him strongly until he sees Jesus face-to-face. Our Redeemer lives!

Rolland and I knew we were not in London to stay. We had a restlessness from the Lord, wanting to see the gospel penetrate and transform even the most remote, hopeless situations in the world. With our King’s College residency over, we commended our church into the hands of our co-pastor, Kurt Erickson. I loved our English family and wept my way onto the airplane when I left. My time in London was God’s gift to me, and needed preparation for the fulfillment of His words that I would be a missionary to Africa as well. Mozambique, a distant, poor, almost forgotten country on the south-east coast of that continent, was to become the challenge of my life. That story comes next.

10

International Ministries | 11

“The day that I obeyed God, I found out what it meant to be led by the Spirit to be out of my comfort zone, to walk by faith, and to draw on God’s diving enablement for He is more interested in my strengths than I am concerned about my weaknesses.”

Summer Camp 2010

My Summer Camp at Chengdu, Sichuan.

T

By Andy Goh

11-18 July Chengdu, Sichuan

here were only three days left to the exam.

I was studying intently, only to be interrupted by a phone call. “There’s a mission trip in about two weeks’ time to Sichuan, would you like to go?” My immediate reaction was to say “No” because I had just returned from my first mission trip with Cornerstone to the Philippines merely three months ago. But I decided to seek the Lord first, and asked for half a day to reply. To my surprise, the Lord spoke to me to go, despite my less than adequate command of the Chinese language. By faith, I decided to trust in His divine enablement and agreed to the invitation.

Moreover, because of God’s sovereign plans, I had already been allocated leave for that period of time one year ago.

Before I proceed with my testimony, just to give you some insight to my background, I am just an ordinary church member, I hold no leadership position, and had no desire for missions till God changed my heart nine months ago. So, this is a testimony to what God can do if one has an open heart and a willing attitude.

On this trip to Sichuan, China, a team of four of us taught English in a Summer Camp to more than seventy children aged 9-15 – all of whom were orphaned in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. The short notice was because the original team of English teachers from another country had to pull out at the last minute, leaving the local church in Sichuan having to find replacements.

Two years on from the earthquake, the victims have been forgotten by the world. But they still needed much aid, which had decreased to a trickle by now. The local church we worked with had been organizing camps for the orphans twice a year, to teach them life skills, develop their character, and sow the seeds of the gospel in their hearts. These children came from diverse circumstances and backgrounds, but had one thing in common – they had lost one or both parents in the earthquake. Most of them felt that fate had dealt them a cruel blow, the traumatic past was filled with darkness and the future was no different. One 10-year old boy we met miraculously survived and crawled out of the rubble after three days, knowing fully well that close by lay the dead bodies of his classmates. A few children arrived at the camp with barely a smile on their faces, and quietly kept to themselves most of the time. Most were very

Herald | December 2010

excited, however, and were bounding with an energy and joy that concealed their sorrowful past.

Many of the helpers, teachers and leaders had made sacrifices to be there. A couple gave up their well-paying jobs to help out in the earthquake zone full-time; some teachers travelled by rail and bus for as long as 36 hours to get to the campsite. We were blessed with a nice location for the camp, largely sponsored by a generous businessman who felt he needed to give back to society. It was held in a resort on a cool, misty mountain – a safe and scenic environment.

We taught the children English, using the illustration of Noah’s Ark, guided them in creating numerous “masterpieces” of Art & Craft. We also shared testimonies of what Jesus had done in our lives, to encourage them not to dwell on the darkness of the past, but to look forward to a future filled with hope, like the colours of a rainbow – which were the lyrics of the camp’s theme song.

Five days of classes, interaction, excursions and games culminated in a finale with performances put up by the campers. Awards, together with plenty of thanksgiving and appreciation, were given to various children and helpers. But the unforgettable highlight was a moving invitation for them to receive Christ. Many, if not all, of the children raised their hands and prayed sincerely and earnestly. Tears were seen streaming down from even some of the naughtiest boys’ faces. Many teachers were moved to tears. It was truly the most touching moment for all of us. Even a non-believing helper decided to receive God’s gift of salvation that night.

I gained many valuable lessons from the camp. The hard work, love, generosity and sacrifice of the helpers inspired me. Every single child was precious to the Lord - no matter how difficult it is to reach him or her.

Our God is like the shepherd who will leave his ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that was lost until it is found. And although there is much suffering in the world and sometimes it seems that all we do can only effect a small impact, our ministry matters a lot to each child. Even the introverted children opened up to the teachers by the final day and many were reluctant to go home, after experiencing the love of God shown by all the helpers.

I am thankful for this unexpected opportunity to help out in the camp. As I respond with step by step obedience to God’s leading towards the needs of people around the world, my mind is progressively being transformed as I discover my purpose on this earth and realise the futility of chasing worldly things. I learned to appreciate all the freedom, luxuries and safety we have in Singapore that I had taken for granted. I am continually finding out what it means to be led by the Spirit out of my comfort zone, to walk by faith, and to draw on God’s divine enablement – for He is more interested in my strengths than I am concerned about my weaknesses.

10

International Ministries | 11

“The day that I obeyed God, I found out what it meant to be led by the Spirit to be out of my comfort zone, to walk by faith, and to draw on God’s diving enablement for He is more interested in my strengths than I am concerned about my weaknesses.”

Summer Camp 2010

My Summer Camp at Chengdu, Sichuan.

T

By Andy Goh

11-18 July Chengdu, Sichuan

here were only three days left to the exam.

I was studying intently, only to be interrupted by a phone call. “There’s a mission trip in about two weeks’ time to Sichuan, would you like to go?” My immediate reaction was to say “No” because I had just returned from my first mission trip with Cornerstone to the Philippines merely three months ago. But I decided to seek the Lord first, and asked for half a day to reply. To my surprise, the Lord spoke to me to go, despite my less than adequate command of the Chinese language. By faith, I decided to trust in His divine enablement and agreed to the invitation.

Moreover, because of God’s sovereign plans, I had already been allocated leave for that period of time one year ago.

Before I proceed with my testimony, just to give you some insight to my background, I am just an ordinary church member, I hold no leadership position, and had no desire for missions till God changed my heart nine months ago. So, this is a testimony to what God can do if one has an open heart and a willing attitude.

On this trip to Sichuan, China, a team of four of us taught English in a Summer Camp to more than seventy children aged 9-15 – all of whom were orphaned in the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. The short notice was because the original team of English teachers from another country had to pull out at the last minute, leaving the local church in Sichuan having to find replacements.

Two years on from the earthquake, the victims have been forgotten by the world. But they still needed much aid, which had decreased to a trickle by now. The local church we worked with had been organizing camps for the orphans twice a year, to teach them life skills, develop their character, and sow the seeds of the gospel in their hearts. These children came from diverse circumstances and backgrounds, but had one thing in common – they had lost one or both parents in the earthquake. Most of them felt that fate had dealt them a cruel blow, the traumatic past was filled with darkness and the future was no different. One 10-year old boy we met miraculously survived and crawled out of the rubble after three days, knowing fully well that close by lay the dead bodies of his classmates. A few children arrived at the camp with barely a smile on their faces, and quietly kept to themselves most of the time. Most were very

Herald | December 2010

excited, however, and were bounding with an energy and joy that concealed their sorrowful past.

Many of the helpers, teachers and leaders had made sacrifices to be there. A couple gave up their well-paying jobs to help out in the earthquake zone full-time; some teachers travelled by rail and bus for as long as 36 hours to get to the campsite. We were blessed with a nice location for the camp, largely sponsored by a generous businessman who felt he needed to give back to society. It was held in a resort on a cool, misty mountain – a safe and scenic environment.

We taught the children English, using the illustration of Noah’s Ark, guided them in creating numerous “masterpieces” of Art & Craft. We also shared testimonies of what Jesus had done in our lives, to encourage them not to dwell on the darkness of the past, but to look forward to a future filled with hope, like the colours of a rainbow – which were the lyrics of the camp’s theme song.

Five days of classes, interaction, excursions and games culminated in a finale with performances put up by the campers. Awards, together with plenty of thanksgiving and appreciation, were given to various children and helpers. But the unforgettable highlight was a moving invitation for them to receive Christ. Many, if not all, of the children raised their hands and prayed sincerely and earnestly. Tears were seen streaming down from even some of the naughtiest boys’ faces. Many teachers were moved to tears. It was truly the most touching moment for all of us. Even a non-believing helper decided to receive God’s gift of salvation that night.

I gained many valuable lessons from the camp. The hard work, love, generosity and sacrifice of the helpers inspired me. Every single child was precious to the Lord - no matter how difficult it is to reach him or her.

Our God is like the shepherd who will leave his ninety-nine sheep to search for the one that was lost until it is found. And although there is much suffering in the world and sometimes it seems that all we do can only effect a small impact, our ministry matters a lot to each child. Even the introverted children opened up to the teachers by the final day and many were reluctant to go home, after experiencing the love of God shown by all the helpers.

I am thankful for this unexpected opportunity to help out in the camp. As I respond with step by step obedience to God’s leading towards the needs of people around the world, my mind is progressively being transformed as I discover my purpose on this earth and realise the futility of chasing worldly things. I learned to appreciate all the freedom, luxuries and safety we have in Singapore that I had taken for granted. I am continually finding out what it means to be led by the Spirit out of my comfort zone, to walk by faith, and to draw on God’s divine enablement – for He is more interested in my strengths than I am concerned about my weaknesses.

12 | International Ministries

My Summer Camp at Chengdu, Sichuan.

alarice thio

agapella

Date/Day : 24 December 2010 / Friday | Time : 7.30 – 9.00 pm Venue : Front Plaza of Odean Katong (11 East Coast Road, The Odeon Katong)

ONE NIGHT ONLY

Christmas@Katong is back with a special One Night outdoor stage performance on the eve of Christmas.

The aim of the concert is to be a blessing to our community in Katong. Expect an exciting line up of performances from songs to dances by famous artists such as Alarice Thio an Australian renowned singer, and acapella groups like Agapella and many more.

Remember to look out for our 80-strong mass choir and join them as they sing familiar Christmas carols. benny prasad Herald | December 2010

12 | International Ministries

My Summer Camp at Chengdu, Sichuan.

alarice thio

agapella

Date/Day : 24 December 2010 / Friday | Time : 7.30 – 9.00 pm Venue : Front Plaza of Odean Katong (11 East Coast Road, The Odeon Katong)

ONE NIGHT ONLY

Christmas@Katong is back with a special One Night outdoor stage performance on the eve of Christmas.

The aim of the concert is to be a blessing to our community in Katong. Expect an exciting line up of performances from songs to dances by famous artists such as Alarice Thio an Australian renowned singer, and acapella groups like Agapella and many more.

Remember to look out for our 80-strong mass choir and join them as they sing familiar Christmas carols. benny prasad Herald | December 2010

14 | Feature

“There has to be harmony in My kingdom.” Therefore I was to do whatever I could to bring harmony into a situation so that there is an atmosphere of harmony. (Harmony is not synonymous with uniformity and is best expressed in this way. If you hear the London Philharmonic Orchestra, all the instruments are playing, but they are not necessarily playing the same note or the same kind of instrument. Yet they all harmonize. Likewise in heaven, one can be singing one chorus and another singing another chorus all at the same time, but there is a beautiful harmony.)

15

LEADERship

A n e xce r pt from “L e a der ship Volu me I I ”

by Dr . Br i a n J. Ba il ey

I

INTRODUCTION would like to share a recent experience that inspired those lectures. Obviously heaven preoccupies me as I am now well into my eighties; I do not know how long it will be before I go there permanently. I have had the privilege of seeing the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself on many occasions throughout my life. However a little while ago, while pondering over the thought that the kingdom is personified by the Father, I asked the Lord Jesus Christ if He would reveal the Father to me (Lk. 10:22). I desired to meet the Father so that He might tell me the things that have to be straightened out in my life before I enter His kingdom.

At that time, I was reading my book on Preparation for Revival – in particular, the first chapter dealing with the prophet Habakkuk. He said, “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved” (Hab. 2:1). I was expecting somehow that there would be a communication from the Father to the effect of “You have got to change this and that in your life.”

However while I was sitting on my chair in my apartment in Waverly, New York, it was as though there were a cylinder of light through which I could perceive the throne of God. Then a Being – God the Father – stepped from the throne and He began to communicate with me.

Herald | December 2010

I was overcome by the way He was addressing me.

I was expecting Him to reprove me, but He began to introduce Himself, saying “I am the Father.” By this, I understood that He wanted me also to be a father.

After some time, He said, I love all My children,” and so I understood that I was also to love all the children of God. Then He also said, “There has to be harmony in My kingdom.” Therefore I was to do whatever I could to bring harmony into a situation so that there is an atmosphere of harmony. (Harmony is not synonymous with uniformity and is best expressed in this way. If you hear the London Philharmonic Orchestra, all the instruments are playing, but they are not necessarily playing the same note or the same kind of instrument. Yet they all harmonize.

Likewise in heaven, one can be singing one chorus and another singing another chorus all at the same time, but there is a beautiful harmony.)

Therefore, in the Kingdom of God, leaders are to be fathers. They must love those whom they are responsible to lead and they must bring harmony amongst those with whom they labour.

In this book, we will develop these themes by examining the attributes of a leader in the areas of character, ability, and productivity- for a man or woman is known by those three aspects:

14 | Feature

“There has to be harmony in My kingdom.” Therefore I was to do whatever I could to bring harmony into a situation so that there is an atmosphere of harmony. (Harmony is not synonymous with uniformity and is best expressed in this way. If you hear the London Philharmonic Orchestra, all the instruments are playing, but they are not necessarily playing the same note or the same kind of instrument. Yet they all harmonize. Likewise in heaven, one can be singing one chorus and another singing another chorus all at the same time, but there is a beautiful harmony.)

15

LEADERship

A n e xce r pt from “L e a der ship Volu me I I ”

by Dr . Br i a n J. Ba il ey

I

INTRODUCTION would like to share a recent experience that inspired those lectures. Obviously heaven preoccupies me as I am now well into my eighties; I do not know how long it will be before I go there permanently. I have had the privilege of seeing the Holy Spirit and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself on many occasions throughout my life. However a little while ago, while pondering over the thought that the kingdom is personified by the Father, I asked the Lord Jesus Christ if He would reveal the Father to me (Lk. 10:22). I desired to meet the Father so that He might tell me the things that have to be straightened out in my life before I enter His kingdom.

At that time, I was reading my book on Preparation for Revival – in particular, the first chapter dealing with the prophet Habakkuk. He said, “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved” (Hab. 2:1). I was expecting somehow that there would be a communication from the Father to the effect of “You have got to change this and that in your life.”

However while I was sitting on my chair in my apartment in Waverly, New York, it was as though there were a cylinder of light through which I could perceive the throne of God. Then a Being – God the Father – stepped from the throne and He began to communicate with me.

Herald | December 2010

I was overcome by the way He was addressing me.

I was expecting Him to reprove me, but He began to introduce Himself, saying “I am the Father.” By this, I understood that He wanted me also to be a father.

After some time, He said, I love all My children,” and so I understood that I was also to love all the children of God. Then He also said, “There has to be harmony in My kingdom.” Therefore I was to do whatever I could to bring harmony into a situation so that there is an atmosphere of harmony. (Harmony is not synonymous with uniformity and is best expressed in this way. If you hear the London Philharmonic Orchestra, all the instruments are playing, but they are not necessarily playing the same note or the same kind of instrument. Yet they all harmonize.

Likewise in heaven, one can be singing one chorus and another singing another chorus all at the same time, but there is a beautiful harmony.)

Therefore, in the Kingdom of God, leaders are to be fathers. They must love those whom they are responsible to lead and they must bring harmony amongst those with whom they labour.

In this book, we will develop these themes by examining the attributes of a leader in the areas of character, ability, and productivity- for a man or woman is known by those three aspects:

16 Character is who we are.

Ability is what we are able to do.

Productivity is what we accomplish in life.

PART I CHARACTER What is esteemed in heaven is quite different from what is esteemed by men here on earth. History books eulogize what are termed “great men and women” who have achieved distinctions such as winning battles and so forth. For example, Lord Nelson, one of England’s most famous admirals, wrote a prayer to God because he had a premonition that he would be killed. When he died, all England mourned because they had lost their hero.

In actuality, heaven has a different way of measuring that man. Proverbs 16:32 says, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. “Sadly, Lord Nelson did not control his spirit and was known for his adulterous relationship with Lady Hamilton (Hibbert, 1994, chapter 17). While historians gloss over those things, heaven does not. One thing that I understood from my meeting with the Father was that what heaven admired (and what hell admires too) is character. There is a difference between character and ability. Ability refers to the talents that one has been given. John the Baptist said in John 3:27, “ ... A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”

Character, on the other hand, is who we are.

In heaven, the general way of referring to our time on earth is termed our “probationary period.” In other words, our conduct here on earth determines our eternal position in heaven. Therefore, I would rather be more focused on what heaven esteems as great, than what earthly historians do.

Since it is character that is admired in heaven, this is what we want to concentrate on.

In a fruitcake, there are many ingredients that harmonize and produce a very edible substance.

Likewise, character has many different ingredients. I asked the Lord how He wanted to develop character in a leader. In other words, when we look at people and say that they have character, what attributes would they have? The Lord then directed me to the Book of Revelation, where the Apostle John recounts: “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, Herald | December 2010

the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof And I beheld, and, 10, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5: 1-9) Here, there was no one who was found worthy to open the seals. Then John was told, “Weep not, for the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed and overcome and can open the seals,” and when he looked, he saw a Lamb.

There are therefore two aspects of character - that of the lamb and of the lion, both of which are necessary in order to have a complete and balanced character without flaw. One of the problems in life is that a leader that has otherwise many admirable qualities is later brought down by a flaw in his character. Therefore as leaders, it is so important for us to have a flawless character.

The Lamb

A Lamb Is Meek The first aspect of the character of a lamb is meekness. We are introduced to the Lamb of God in Isaiah 53:7: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” That is so important- “He opened not His mouth.”

Meekness is the key to leadership. You will find that there are two great leaders in the Bible- Moses and the Lord Jesus Christ. Of Moses it was said that he was the meekest man in all the earth: “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3). Jesus also said in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Those two men, along with Elijah, are the principal leaders in heaven.

I was in Jerusalem with a group from our fellowship of churches many years ago. At one point, everyone went into the garden tomb. When they had left, I took off my shoes and walked in. There was the shelf where the Lord Jesus had laid and I said to Him, “What do You really want to be

known for?” Then across the shelf in shining letters was the word “Meekness.”

“He opened not his mouth” - that is one of the criteria of leadership. Meekness is linked with James 3:2: “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” The perfect man is therefore the one who controls his tongue.

When I was about nine years of age, we had an assembly at our school. The headmaster gave us a lecture because there was a new boy who had come to the school, and all the other boys were picking on him. The headmaster wanted to put a stop to that and so he said, “You boys can go up and punch one another. You might even knock someone down, but when he gets up, you shake hands and you are still friends. However, one thing you have to remember in life is that if you say something to somebody, those words remain with him for life and they wound. Therefore you have to be very careful of what you say to one another. You must not hurt another by your tongue.”

When you are in leadership, people can flare up and say things that they probably wish they had not said. How you respond to that is very important indeed. As a leader you must not react. You must just smile and go on your way.

When my wife and I came to Africa for the first time, we needed help in knowing what qualities we would need in Africa. A very seasoned English minister told us, “The one thing you must learn in Africa is to forgive.”

That brings up a very important point - the attribute of Manasseh (or holy forgetfulness), which is so needed in meekness. Joseph had been very ill-treated by his brethren. When he was elevated to the governorship of Egypt, Pharaoh gave him a wife, and he subsequently had two sons: “And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction”(Gen. 41:51 -52). Joseph called the first one “Manasseh” meaning “God has caused me to forget,” and that is so important.

A couple that my wife knew very well was having marital problems. They called me for counsel, and we had a meeting. This couple had been married for 50 years, and when I asked the wife what she had to say, she began from the time when she was 19 years of age, recounting all the misdemeanours of her husband. Then she sweetly said afterwards that she had forgiven him. I said to her, “In reality, you have not forgiven him because if you had, you would have forgotten about these things.” I had to lead her in prayer that God would help her forget all his misdemeanours and truly forgive. After the prayer, she looked at her husband and she said, “I do love you.” Then we enquired of her husband if

he had anything to say and he said, “No.” Forgiveness is rooted in forgetfulness. I have had a number of experiences where people have sought forgiveness for what they had done against me.

When I told them that I had forgiven them, they asked, “How can you forgive? What we did was so terrible.” I told them that it was because I had forgotten what they had done to me, and so it was easy for me to forgive.

The quality of meekness is so important in leadership, especially when working with a team. We may say that we choose our team, but in reality it is God who chooses our team, and those people are indispensible in fulfilling the mission that God has told us to do. We cannot fulfill the mission without the team.

When one member of the team reacts against us, one thing we must never do as a leader is to respond in like manner. If we do so, we are going to wound that person, cause him to leave us, and send him on another path when he is very important for the team. We can with our tongue destroy what God has purposed. Many times I have been a member of a team with a difficult member who succeeded in upsetting the team spirit.

Marriage and family life are where meekness is often developed. Meekness saves us from making a mountain out of a molehill. Oftentimes, I have been preserved by either my wife or my secretary urging me to overlook minor transgressions that people have committed.

thew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Some leaders have missed God’s opportunities for enlargement because they let relationships between them and their team members become antagonistic. Therefore they failed to work together, which would have brought mutual benefits.

The thought of a lamb’s meekness was forcibly brought home to me when I was in Austria with a Canadian pastor. He had just received a letter from his wife, telling him that an American pastor had given his car away to a young missionary couple who would be coming to collect it in a few days.

The Lord directed this Canadian pastor to the verse in Isaiah 53:7 and spoke to him to allow the “shearers” to take his car. When he had made that dedication, the Lord provided another car for him even before the other car was taken from him. Praise the Lord!

A Lamb Is Pure There is another aspect of the character of a lamb, and that is purity. What I have seen over the years is that a person may have a very good character, but a flaw can bring him down. This is illustrated in Ecclesiastes 10:1, which says, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.”

One of the things that we have to watch very carefully is that the enemy is going to test us in the area of character. In the case of Job, the enemy had permission from God “Some of the character portraits to test him ( Job he depicted of certain presidents 1: 12, 2:6). The were so revolting that I marvel Lord Himself said that they found their way into concerning Peter, print. His point was that with such “Satan has desired deplorable private lives, it is diffi- to sift [or test] cult to see how they could possi- thee” (Lk. 22:31).

An illustration of what a lack of meekness can lead to is the story of the divorce of a famous couple. According to the wife, the family was playing table tennis.

While the husband and wife were playing a game, a little argument bly have made the right decisions developed as to whether for the country. Yet the people An important the ball had touched the aspect of God’s who elected them had such contable or not. The huscharacter is that He band claimed that it did fidence in them, not knowing, of is holy and that He course, their seamier sides.” and the wife said it did desires that we be not. The husband was holy (1 Pet. 1:16). adamant, and the wife The Apostle Paul refused to back down. The air became blue before said in Hebrews 12:10, “For they [our earthly the children and they broke up the game because fathers] verily for a few days chastened us after of the husband’s temper. He refused to play and their own pleasure; but he [our Heavenly Fastomped out of the room, calling the wife all kinds ther] for our profit, that we might be partakers of names. The wife retaliated and a divorce ensued. of his holiness.” Holiness is innocence that has If only the wife had quietly and meekly acquiesced been tested. Adam and Eve were innocent, but to the husband’s declaration that the ball had they had to be tested to have fellowship with a touched the table, the marriage, which had until holy God. Likewise, Satan will obtain permission then been a role model, would have been saved. to test us.

Our very inheritance depends on being meek. The Lord Jesus said concerning meekness in Mat-

One area of testing is in the area of sexual immorality. It is so important to understand that

many of the great and strong men have fallen in this area. We will also be tested in this area, and we must triumph.

17

A serious situation occurred when a very gifted teacher, much respected for his teaching and general demeanour, got trapped into surfing the internet. Regretfully, this married man met a woman on the internet who enticed him.

This led to his committing adulterous acts, and instead of repenting, he sought refuge in denial.

The ultimate result was that the Lord uncovered all. This teacher had to resign his church position and teaching post. Then by his own decision, he left the church, divorced and married this other woman, and has since lost all. The motives of this dear brother were not spiritual, but rather the satisfying of the flesh, and hence his downfall.

The Apostle James in speaking of wisdom in James 3: 17, says that wisdom is first pure. That purity extends to purity in the realm of motives.

A number of years ago, the Lord used to play back the day for me. Perhaps I had done good things, but the Lord would say to me, “But why did you do it?” Our motive for doing things is very important.

As sons and daughters of a holy God, we have to be holy. Our motives have to be pure. If they are not, a situation will be created where an impure motive will take us out of the path of God.

A Lamb Is Gentle There is another aspect of character that is very important, and that is brought out in Psalm 18:35 where King David says, “... Thy gentleness hath made me great.”

The Lord dealt with me in this area many years ago when my wife and I were travelling in the United States. We had just finished ministering in a church, and we had several invitations to minister in other churches. When I was enquiring of the Lord which church we should go to next, He said, “I do not want you to go to a church. I want you to go to a motel and I will speak to you.”

As soon as we entered the motel room, the presence of God was very heavy, and all we could do was to kneel at the bed before we could do anything else. Immediately, I was in heaven, and there was an angel. (In eternity, you are under the control of His messengers.) The angel smiled and beckoned me to the river. I knew that on the other side, I would meet the Lord. (In heaven, you can walk through the lakes and rivers of heaven as though you are on dry land.) The angel led me through this river, and at that moment, it was revealed to me how hard my heart was. When we got to the other side, I said to the angel, “I cannot meet Jesus. We have to go back.” He smiled, and we turned back.

I found myself down by my bed again and the Holy Spirit said, “It is not just a question of speaking the

16 Character is who we are.

Ability is what we are able to do.

Productivity is what we accomplish in life.

PART I CHARACTER What is esteemed in heaven is quite different from what is esteemed by men here on earth. History books eulogize what are termed “great men and women” who have achieved distinctions such as winning battles and so forth. For example, Lord Nelson, one of England’s most famous admirals, wrote a prayer to God because he had a premonition that he would be killed. When he died, all England mourned because they had lost their hero.

In actuality, heaven has a different way of measuring that man. Proverbs 16:32 says, “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. “Sadly, Lord Nelson did not control his spirit and was known for his adulterous relationship with Lady Hamilton (Hibbert, 1994, chapter 17). While historians gloss over those things, heaven does not. One thing that I understood from my meeting with the Father was that what heaven admired (and what hell admires too) is character. There is a difference between character and ability. Ability refers to the talents that one has been given. John the Baptist said in John 3:27, “ ... A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”

Character, on the other hand, is who we are.

In heaven, the general way of referring to our time on earth is termed our “probationary period.” In other words, our conduct here on earth determines our eternal position in heaven. Therefore, I would rather be more focused on what heaven esteems as great, than what earthly historians do.

Since it is character that is admired in heaven, this is what we want to concentrate on.

In a fruitcake, there are many ingredients that harmonize and produce a very edible substance.

Likewise, character has many different ingredients. I asked the Lord how He wanted to develop character in a leader. In other words, when we look at people and say that they have character, what attributes would they have? The Lord then directed me to the Book of Revelation, where the Apostle John recounts: “And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, Herald | December 2010

the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof And I beheld, and, 10, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation” (Rev. 5: 1-9) Here, there was no one who was found worthy to open the seals. Then John was told, “Weep not, for the Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed and overcome and can open the seals,” and when he looked, he saw a Lamb.

There are therefore two aspects of character - that of the lamb and of the lion, both of which are necessary in order to have a complete and balanced character without flaw. One of the problems in life is that a leader that has otherwise many admirable qualities is later brought down by a flaw in his character. Therefore as leaders, it is so important for us to have a flawless character.

The Lamb

A Lamb Is Meek The first aspect of the character of a lamb is meekness. We are introduced to the Lamb of God in Isaiah 53:7: “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” That is so important- “He opened not His mouth.”

Meekness is the key to leadership. You will find that there are two great leaders in the Bible- Moses and the Lord Jesus Christ. Of Moses it was said that he was the meekest man in all the earth: “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth” (Num. 12:3). Jesus also said in Matthew 11:29, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Those two men, along with Elijah, are the principal leaders in heaven.

I was in Jerusalem with a group from our fellowship of churches many years ago. At one point, everyone went into the garden tomb. When they had left, I took off my shoes and walked in. There was the shelf where the Lord Jesus had laid and I said to Him, “What do You really want to be

known for?” Then across the shelf in shining letters was the word “Meekness.”

“He opened not his mouth” - that is one of the criteria of leadership. Meekness is linked with James 3:2: “For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” The perfect man is therefore the one who controls his tongue.

When I was about nine years of age, we had an assembly at our school. The headmaster gave us a lecture because there was a new boy who had come to the school, and all the other boys were picking on him. The headmaster wanted to put a stop to that and so he said, “You boys can go up and punch one another. You might even knock someone down, but when he gets up, you shake hands and you are still friends. However, one thing you have to remember in life is that if you say something to somebody, those words remain with him for life and they wound. Therefore you have to be very careful of what you say to one another. You must not hurt another by your tongue.”

When you are in leadership, people can flare up and say things that they probably wish they had not said. How you respond to that is very important indeed. As a leader you must not react. You must just smile and go on your way.

When my wife and I came to Africa for the first time, we needed help in knowing what qualities we would need in Africa. A very seasoned English minister told us, “The one thing you must learn in Africa is to forgive.”

That brings up a very important point - the attribute of Manasseh (or holy forgetfulness), which is so needed in meekness. Joseph had been very ill-treated by his brethren. When he was elevated to the governorship of Egypt, Pharaoh gave him a wife, and he subsequently had two sons: “And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father s house. And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction”(Gen. 41:51 -52). Joseph called the first one “Manasseh” meaning “God has caused me to forget,” and that is so important.

A couple that my wife knew very well was having marital problems. They called me for counsel, and we had a meeting. This couple had been married for 50 years, and when I asked the wife what she had to say, she began from the time when she was 19 years of age, recounting all the misdemeanours of her husband. Then she sweetly said afterwards that she had forgiven him. I said to her, “In reality, you have not forgiven him because if you had, you would have forgotten about these things.” I had to lead her in prayer that God would help her forget all his misdemeanours and truly forgive. After the prayer, she looked at her husband and she said, “I do love you.” Then we enquired of her husband if

he had anything to say and he said, “No.” Forgiveness is rooted in forgetfulness. I have had a number of experiences where people have sought forgiveness for what they had done against me.

When I told them that I had forgiven them, they asked, “How can you forgive? What we did was so terrible.” I told them that it was because I had forgotten what they had done to me, and so it was easy for me to forgive.

The quality of meekness is so important in leadership, especially when working with a team. We may say that we choose our team, but in reality it is God who chooses our team, and those people are indispensible in fulfilling the mission that God has told us to do. We cannot fulfill the mission without the team.

When one member of the team reacts against us, one thing we must never do as a leader is to respond in like manner. If we do so, we are going to wound that person, cause him to leave us, and send him on another path when he is very important for the team. We can with our tongue destroy what God has purposed. Many times I have been a member of a team with a difficult member who succeeded in upsetting the team spirit.

Marriage and family life are where meekness is often developed. Meekness saves us from making a mountain out of a molehill. Oftentimes, I have been preserved by either my wife or my secretary urging me to overlook minor transgressions that people have committed.

thew 5:5, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Some leaders have missed God’s opportunities for enlargement because they let relationships between them and their team members become antagonistic. Therefore they failed to work together, which would have brought mutual benefits.

The thought of a lamb’s meekness was forcibly brought home to me when I was in Austria with a Canadian pastor. He had just received a letter from his wife, telling him that an American pastor had given his car away to a young missionary couple who would be coming to collect it in a few days.

The Lord directed this Canadian pastor to the verse in Isaiah 53:7 and spoke to him to allow the “shearers” to take his car. When he had made that dedication, the Lord provided another car for him even before the other car was taken from him. Praise the Lord!

A Lamb Is Pure There is another aspect of the character of a lamb, and that is purity. What I have seen over the years is that a person may have a very good character, but a flaw can bring him down. This is illustrated in Ecclesiastes 10:1, which says, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.”

One of the things that we have to watch very carefully is that the enemy is going to test us in the area of character. In the case of Job, the enemy had permission from God “Some of the character portraits to test him ( Job he depicted of certain presidents 1: 12, 2:6). The were so revolting that I marvel Lord Himself said that they found their way into concerning Peter, print. His point was that with such “Satan has desired deplorable private lives, it is diffi- to sift [or test] cult to see how they could possi- thee” (Lk. 22:31).

An illustration of what a lack of meekness can lead to is the story of the divorce of a famous couple. According to the wife, the family was playing table tennis.

While the husband and wife were playing a game, a little argument bly have made the right decisions developed as to whether for the country. Yet the people An important the ball had touched the aspect of God’s who elected them had such contable or not. The huscharacter is that He band claimed that it did fidence in them, not knowing, of is holy and that He course, their seamier sides.” and the wife said it did desires that we be not. The husband was holy (1 Pet. 1:16). adamant, and the wife The Apostle Paul refused to back down. The air became blue before said in Hebrews 12:10, “For they [our earthly the children and they broke up the game because fathers] verily for a few days chastened us after of the husband’s temper. He refused to play and their own pleasure; but he [our Heavenly Fastomped out of the room, calling the wife all kinds ther] for our profit, that we might be partakers of names. The wife retaliated and a divorce ensued. of his holiness.” Holiness is innocence that has If only the wife had quietly and meekly acquiesced been tested. Adam and Eve were innocent, but to the husband’s declaration that the ball had they had to be tested to have fellowship with a touched the table, the marriage, which had until holy God. Likewise, Satan will obtain permission then been a role model, would have been saved. to test us.

Our very inheritance depends on being meek. The Lord Jesus said concerning meekness in Mat-

One area of testing is in the area of sexual immorality. It is so important to understand that

many of the great and strong men have fallen in this area. We will also be tested in this area, and we must triumph.

17

A serious situation occurred when a very gifted teacher, much respected for his teaching and general demeanour, got trapped into surfing the internet. Regretfully, this married man met a woman on the internet who enticed him.

This led to his committing adulterous acts, and instead of repenting, he sought refuge in denial.

The ultimate result was that the Lord uncovered all. This teacher had to resign his church position and teaching post. Then by his own decision, he left the church, divorced and married this other woman, and has since lost all. The motives of this dear brother were not spiritual, but rather the satisfying of the flesh, and hence his downfall.

The Apostle James in speaking of wisdom in James 3: 17, says that wisdom is first pure. That purity extends to purity in the realm of motives.

A number of years ago, the Lord used to play back the day for me. Perhaps I had done good things, but the Lord would say to me, “But why did you do it?” Our motive for doing things is very important.

As sons and daughters of a holy God, we have to be holy. Our motives have to be pure. If they are not, a situation will be created where an impure motive will take us out of the path of God.

A Lamb Is Gentle There is another aspect of character that is very important, and that is brought out in Psalm 18:35 where King David says, “... Thy gentleness hath made me great.”

The Lord dealt with me in this area many years ago when my wife and I were travelling in the United States. We had just finished ministering in a church, and we had several invitations to minister in other churches. When I was enquiring of the Lord which church we should go to next, He said, “I do not want you to go to a church. I want you to go to a motel and I will speak to you.”

As soon as we entered the motel room, the presence of God was very heavy, and all we could do was to kneel at the bed before we could do anything else. Immediately, I was in heaven, and there was an angel. (In eternity, you are under the control of His messengers.) The angel smiled and beckoned me to the river. I knew that on the other side, I would meet the Lord. (In heaven, you can walk through the lakes and rivers of heaven as though you are on dry land.) The angel led me through this river, and at that moment, it was revealed to me how hard my heart was. When we got to the other side, I said to the angel, “I cannot meet Jesus. We have to go back.” He smiled, and we turned back.

I found myself down by my bed again and the Holy Spirit said, “It is not just a question of speaking the

18

truth, but it is how you do it.” This may be summed up in the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4: 15, that we should speak the truth in love.

Paul develops further the meaning of gentleness in 1 Thessalonians 2:7, where he says, “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.” When you speak to children, you speak very gently to them. Likewise, patients in a hospital are very fragile. What they need is someone to say gently to them, “I would like you to do this, or take this.”

I remember that when my wife was in the hospital, I used to sleep in a bed by her side so I could watch over her. On one occasion, one of the nurses bounded into the room at about four O’ clock in the morning and slammed the door. She only did it once because I said to her, “Don’t you ever come into this room like that again. You will wake my wife up, and she is shaken and weak. If you want to wake her up, you will first wake me, and I will then wake her up by gently touching her.”

How we touch or speak to a person, how we carry on a conversation, or the way we correct a person is very important. That is one of the prime qualities of character-gentleness.

“Thy gentleness hath made me great.” King David was renowned for his gentleness, and it was the gentleness of Christ that had made him great. That was the thing that overwhelmed me when I was asking the Lord if I could come before the Father and find out what He wanted changed in my life.

I was overwhelmed by the way God the Father came to me; it was not as I had anticipated. He just introduced Himself and that was enough. I realized how far short I was falling.

Gentleness in leadership is very important because an abrasive leader brings insecurity and fear to those he is leading. On the other hand, a leader who exudes the gentleness of Christ makes them feel secure, like a child in the arms of his father. We could illustrate this from Scripture by the attitude of Rehoboam when confronting the emissaries of Israel in 1 Kings 12:1-8, 13-16: “And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) That they sent and called him.

And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.

And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.

And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he

Herald | December 2010

yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? And they spake unto him, saying, lf thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him ... And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. “ Here, we see that his older counsellors had advised him that if he was gentle towards the people, they would serve him forever. Nonetheless, Rehoboam chose to have an abrasive attitude, with the result that the people turned away from him.

Another aspect of gentleness may be gleaned in studying and contrasting the lives of the two brothers Esau and Jacob. First, let us consider their different characters.

The importance of a leader’s character is stressed

by Ronald Kessler, the author of the book In the President’s Secret Service who wrote on the various characters of the recent presidents of the U.S.A. Some of the character portraits he depicted of certain presidents were so revolting that I marvel that they found their way into print. His point was that with such deplorable private lives, it is difficult to see how they could possibly have made the right decisions for the country. Yet the people who elected them had such confidence in them, not knowing, of course, their seamier sides.

Turning to Esau and Jacob, Esau was a man of the fields, a hunter. He, too, had a deplorable personal life. He was a fornicator and a profane person, who willingly sold his birthright for a plate of pottage or stew. Yet God pronounced a blessing upon him as we see in Genesis 27:39-41: “And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck. And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at

19

hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.”

This hatred of Esau for Jacob has lasted for generations, as we see in Amos 1:11: “Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, andfor four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever.”

Jacob was by no means perfect. His principal failure was that he was a deceiver. This, it seems, he had inherited from his mother Rebekah. She devised one of the shadiest deceptions in the history of mankind when she suggested to her son Jacob that he disguise himself as Esau to capture the birthright from Esau for himself. Jacob readily acquiesced, and his only concern was that he should not be discovered, thereby receiving judgment instead of the desired blessing.

This deceitfulness took almost a lifetime to eradicate. As we shall see, even to ripe old age, God took measures to ensure that Jacob became that which He desired when his name was changed first to “Israel,” meaning “a prince with God,” and then “Jeshurun,” meaning “an upright person.”

For example, Jacob the deceiver had to endure 20 years of deception at the hands of the master deceiver, Uncle Laban. Laban deceived him by giving him the eldest daughter Leah to be his wife instead of the one that Jacob had chosen, Rachel.

There also followed a period when Jacob, who had contracted to look after Laban’s cattle, had his wages changed some ten times. We reap from what we are and what we sow.

Then Jacob fled from Laban and met the angel of God. We see the tenacity of Jacob in the matter of spiritual blessings when wrestling with the angel; he would not let him go until he blessed him. It was then that his name was changed from Jacob to Israel.

Jacob was again deceived by his other sons. Joseph, his son by Rachel, was abducted by his other sons and Jacob was led to believe for a number of years that Joseph had died. Later on in life he was reunited with Joseph, who had since become ruler of Egypt after Pharaoh. Jacob’s testimony before Pharaoh was that his years had been short and wearisome.

The purpose of this section is to study the reaction of Esau and Jacob when they met just after Jacob had had his name changed by the angel from Jacob to Israel. It is quite revealing, and we trust that it will be a source of instruction for you, gentle reader.

It concerns the leading of the flocks, of which we read in Genesis 33:12-14, “And he [Esau] said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee. And he [Jacob] said unto him, My

“The problem with some leaders is that they are very self-opinionated. Their thinking is, “It has got to be this way, my way.” For example, if someone says that he likes the curtains a certain colour, it is not normally all that important. There are many things in life that one should not fight for. We have to know what is important and what is not important. That is the quality of character.” lord knoweth that the children are tender; and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir. “

The whole purpose of leadership is to get something done, and as such, it is important to have a team in harmony. your battles, knowing when to yield and when not to yield. Likewise in leadership, we have to know when to say yes and when to say no. That is the quality of leadership.

Esau would have driven the flocks on, but Jacob, who had undergone all the dealings of God, led them softly or gently. One reason for the roughness of Esau is understood from Colossians 1:21 where it states that wicked works alienate the mind. Esau had alienated or hardened his mind through his life of fornication and therefore he did not display the care that a shepherd or leader should have for his flocks.

The problem with some leaders is that they are very self-opinionated. Their thinking is, “It has got to be this way, my way.” For example, if someone says that he likes the curtains a certain colour, it is not normally all that important. There are many things in life that one should not fight for. We have to know what is important and what is not important. That is the quality of character.

May we lead a life of purity so that our hearts and minds are tender towards others for whom we are responsible, caring for them in a tender, loving manner.

We have quite a few girls who work in our offices in Waverly and they wanted dividers around their desks. Personally, I did not see the need for it, but they wanted it, saying that they would work better with dividers, and so we put up dividers.

A Lamb’s Nature Is One That Is Easy to be Entreated Another aspect of a ‘Iamb’s nature” is that it is easy to be entreated or reasoned with. Those who are parents know that in parenting, you have to choose

The whole purpose of leadership is to get something done, and as such, it is important to have a team in harmony. If your team wants something, give it to them whenever you can. Some things are not important to you; yet they may be important to another person. If you yield on that issue, you will have a happy team. Being approachable and flexible as a leader produces harmony.

A Lamb’s Nature Is One that Is Kind There is another quality that comes within the sphere of a lamb, and that is kindness-being sweet to all. In Judges 9, Jotham narrates a parable in which the trees of the wood are invited to become a leader: “The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them ... And the y, trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?” The fig tree responds like this: “Why should I leave my sweetness to be promoted over the trees?”

That is one thing you should not lose as a leader the quality of sweetness symbolized by the fig tree.

The Lord dealt with me when I was in Marseilles, France many years ago. l used to walk down a certain path where there was a wall on one side and a road on the other. A branch of a fig tree came over the wall and that branch had beautiful figs. In France, anyone is permitted by law to take of the fruit of a branch that extends over the wall and so I would lift up my hand to take a fig and munch it.

Then the Lord spoke to me, saying, “The branch of that fig tree goes over the wall. When an unpleasant person comes along the road, the fig tree does not lift its branches to prevent that person from

18

truth, but it is how you do it.” This may be summed up in the words of the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4: 15, that we should speak the truth in love.

Paul develops further the meaning of gentleness in 1 Thessalonians 2:7, where he says, “But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children.” When you speak to children, you speak very gently to them. Likewise, patients in a hospital are very fragile. What they need is someone to say gently to them, “I would like you to do this, or take this.”

I remember that when my wife was in the hospital, I used to sleep in a bed by her side so I could watch over her. On one occasion, one of the nurses bounded into the room at about four O’ clock in the morning and slammed the door. She only did it once because I said to her, “Don’t you ever come into this room like that again. You will wake my wife up, and she is shaken and weak. If you want to wake her up, you will first wake me, and I will then wake her up by gently touching her.”

How we touch or speak to a person, how we carry on a conversation, or the way we correct a person is very important. That is one of the prime qualities of character-gentleness.

“Thy gentleness hath made me great.” King David was renowned for his gentleness, and it was the gentleness of Christ that had made him great. That was the thing that overwhelmed me when I was asking the Lord if I could come before the Father and find out what He wanted changed in my life.

I was overwhelmed by the way God the Father came to me; it was not as I had anticipated. He just introduced Himself and that was enough. I realized how far short I was falling.

Gentleness in leadership is very important because an abrasive leader brings insecurity and fear to those he is leading. On the other hand, a leader who exudes the gentleness of Christ makes them feel secure, like a child in the arms of his father. We could illustrate this from Scripture by the attitude of Rehoboam when confronting the emissaries of Israel in 1 Kings 12:1-8, 13-16: “And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it, (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt;) That they sent and called him.

And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.

And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed.

And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he

Herald | December 2010

yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? And they spake unto him, saying, lf thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him ... And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat. So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. “ Here, we see that his older counsellors had advised him that if he was gentle towards the people, they would serve him forever. Nonetheless, Rehoboam chose to have an abrasive attitude, with the result that the people turned away from him.

Another aspect of gentleness may be gleaned in studying and contrasting the lives of the two brothers Esau and Jacob. First, let us consider their different characters.

The importance of a leader’s character is stressed

by Ronald Kessler, the author of the book In the President’s Secret Service who wrote on the various characters of the recent presidents of the U.S.A. Some of the character portraits he depicted of certain presidents were so revolting that I marvel that they found their way into print. His point was that with such deplorable private lives, it is difficult to see how they could possibly have made the right decisions for the country. Yet the people who elected them had such confidence in them, not knowing, of course, their seamier sides.

Turning to Esau and Jacob, Esau was a man of the fields, a hunter. He, too, had a deplorable personal life. He was a fornicator and a profane person, who willingly sold his birthright for a plate of pottage or stew. Yet God pronounced a blessing upon him as we see in Genesis 27:39-41: “And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above; And by thy sword shalt thou live, and shalt serve thy brother; and it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck. And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at

19

hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.”

This hatred of Esau for Jacob has lasted for generations, as we see in Amos 1:11: “Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, andfor four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever.”

Jacob was by no means perfect. His principal failure was that he was a deceiver. This, it seems, he had inherited from his mother Rebekah. She devised one of the shadiest deceptions in the history of mankind when she suggested to her son Jacob that he disguise himself as Esau to capture the birthright from Esau for himself. Jacob readily acquiesced, and his only concern was that he should not be discovered, thereby receiving judgment instead of the desired blessing.

This deceitfulness took almost a lifetime to eradicate. As we shall see, even to ripe old age, God took measures to ensure that Jacob became that which He desired when his name was changed first to “Israel,” meaning “a prince with God,” and then “Jeshurun,” meaning “an upright person.”

For example, Jacob the deceiver had to endure 20 years of deception at the hands of the master deceiver, Uncle Laban. Laban deceived him by giving him the eldest daughter Leah to be his wife instead of the one that Jacob had chosen, Rachel.

There also followed a period when Jacob, who had contracted to look after Laban’s cattle, had his wages changed some ten times. We reap from what we are and what we sow.

Then Jacob fled from Laban and met the angel of God. We see the tenacity of Jacob in the matter of spiritual blessings when wrestling with the angel; he would not let him go until he blessed him. It was then that his name was changed from Jacob to Israel.

Jacob was again deceived by his other sons. Joseph, his son by Rachel, was abducted by his other sons and Jacob was led to believe for a number of years that Joseph had died. Later on in life he was reunited with Joseph, who had since become ruler of Egypt after Pharaoh. Jacob’s testimony before Pharaoh was that his years had been short and wearisome.

The purpose of this section is to study the reaction of Esau and Jacob when they met just after Jacob had had his name changed by the angel from Jacob to Israel. It is quite revealing, and we trust that it will be a source of instruction for you, gentle reader.

It concerns the leading of the flocks, of which we read in Genesis 33:12-14, “And he [Esau] said, Let us take our journey, and let us go, and I will go before thee. And he [Jacob] said unto him, My

“The problem with some leaders is that they are very self-opinionated. Their thinking is, “It has got to be this way, my way.” For example, if someone says that he likes the curtains a certain colour, it is not normally all that important. There are many things in life that one should not fight for. We have to know what is important and what is not important. That is the quality of character.” lord knoweth that the children are tender; and the flocks and herds with young are with me: and if men should overdrive them one day, all the flock will die. Let my lord, I pray thee, pass over before his servant: and I will lead on softly, according as the cattle that goeth before me and the children be able to endure, until I come unto my lord unto Seir. “

The whole purpose of leadership is to get something done, and as such, it is important to have a team in harmony. your battles, knowing when to yield and when not to yield. Likewise in leadership, we have to know when to say yes and when to say no. That is the quality of leadership.

Esau would have driven the flocks on, but Jacob, who had undergone all the dealings of God, led them softly or gently. One reason for the roughness of Esau is understood from Colossians 1:21 where it states that wicked works alienate the mind. Esau had alienated or hardened his mind through his life of fornication and therefore he did not display the care that a shepherd or leader should have for his flocks.

The problem with some leaders is that they are very self-opinionated. Their thinking is, “It has got to be this way, my way.” For example, if someone says that he likes the curtains a certain colour, it is not normally all that important. There are many things in life that one should not fight for. We have to know what is important and what is not important. That is the quality of character.

May we lead a life of purity so that our hearts and minds are tender towards others for whom we are responsible, caring for them in a tender, loving manner.

We have quite a few girls who work in our offices in Waverly and they wanted dividers around their desks. Personally, I did not see the need for it, but they wanted it, saying that they would work better with dividers, and so we put up dividers.

A Lamb’s Nature Is One That Is Easy to be Entreated Another aspect of a ‘Iamb’s nature” is that it is easy to be entreated or reasoned with. Those who are parents know that in parenting, you have to choose

The whole purpose of leadership is to get something done, and as such, it is important to have a team in harmony. If your team wants something, give it to them whenever you can. Some things are not important to you; yet they may be important to another person. If you yield on that issue, you will have a happy team. Being approachable and flexible as a leader produces harmony.

A Lamb’s Nature Is One that Is Kind There is another quality that comes within the sphere of a lamb, and that is kindness-being sweet to all. In Judges 9, Jotham narrates a parable in which the trees of the wood are invited to become a leader: “The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them ... And the y, trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?” The fig tree responds like this: “Why should I leave my sweetness to be promoted over the trees?”

That is one thing you should not lose as a leader the quality of sweetness symbolized by the fig tree.

The Lord dealt with me when I was in Marseilles, France many years ago. l used to walk down a certain path where there was a wall on one side and a road on the other. A branch of a fig tree came over the wall and that branch had beautiful figs. In France, anyone is permitted by law to take of the fruit of a branch that extends over the wall and so I would lift up my hand to take a fig and munch it.

Then the Lord spoke to me, saying, “The branch of that fig tree goes over the wall. When an unpleasant person comes along the road, the fig tree does not lift its branches to prevent that person from

20

taking its figs. Neither does it lower its branches when a pleasant person comes so that the figs can be taken. The fig tree is the same to all, and that is one of the attributes of leadership.”

How did the Lord address Judas, the disciple who betrayed Him? He said, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” He actually said “friend” (Mt. 26:48-50). The Lord was the same to the betrayer as to those that were faithful. He was sweet to all. That is one of the very important attributes of character- you have to be sweet, the same to all.

A Lamb’s Nature Is Peaceful Another aspect of the lamb is that sheep are peaceful animals. Let us consider two presidents of the U.S.A. President Eisenhower and President Nixon.

President Eisenhower had one of the best administrations that the U.S.A. had ever known. President Nixon had the best training that any president had ever had. He was a congressman, a senator, a vice-president and eventually president. President Eisenhower was at peace with himself and had a very successful two terms in office. In contrast, President Nixon, who had broken the law while in office because of his character flaws, was not at peace with himself. He became paranoid and was forced to resign the presidency.

The term “justified” comes from the old typewriter. When you swing the carriage back, the left hand margin of the text is always straight but not so with the right side. However, a printer will not print the text like that. Rather, he will adjust every line so that each is the same length. That is the process of justifying.

God wants us to be straight like the Lord Jesus, and so He deals with us line upon line. If we are Herald | December 2010

When God makes a covenant of peace with you, you bring His peace to a situation everywhere you go. When you are in leadership, you will encounter many problems – some of which you cannot resolve yourself. You have to have a relationship of trust with God. In the natural, sheep cannot eat or drink without peace, and likewise your sheep must have peace in these situations. That peace comes from the leader, but the leader can only give what he has.

How we touch or speak to a person, how we carry on a conversation, or the way we correct a person is very important. That is one of the prime qualities of character-gentleness.

Peace is very important and it depends very much on the leader. The team reflects the leader. Two of the most dreaded and hated leaders in history, Joseph Stalin and Saddam Hussein, had no peace.

They spent many nights away from their official residences and slept in the houses of those whom they knew. Their reason was to protect themselves from potential assassins whom they feared all the time. Their behaviour may be described in the words of Shakespeare in his play Henry IV, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”

There is also the case wherein God makes a covenant of peace with you. Phinehas qualified for the covenant of peace as we read in Numbers 25:11-13: “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.”

Other qualifications are found in Malachi 2:56: “My covenant was with him [Levi] of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. For the priest’s lips should

Jesus was introduced as the Lamb of God in the Book of Revelation. I commend that you meditate upon these things and meet God in them because as a leader, you must have the nature of a lamb, meek, gentle, easy to be entreated, kind and peaceful.

To be continued in the next issue – The Lion

“God wants us to be straight like the Lord Jesus, and so He deals with us line upon line.”

21

FOR LEADERS & CONGREGATIONS

Highlights

of events in

2011

Equipping and Releasing meetings

Look out for details coming your way:

feb april

Larry Stockstill

cornerstone sport’s day

march Randy Clark

LEE GRADY

There are certain aspects and degrees of peace.

We cannot have peace unless we are at peace with God. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Being at peace with God comes from being justified, which means that God adjusts us line by line.

Another aspect of peace is the peace of God. The peace of God is higher than peace with God because it means having God’s peace even when we are going through a time of difficulty, and that peace will extend over our team. Jesus said at the Last Supper, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn. 14:27).

keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.” One of the keys to speaking only those things that the Lord would have us say is to receive His treasure - the fear of the Lord. It is that virtue that purifies us in body, soul and spirit.

MAY

One key to being at peace is to enter into the rest of God. A leader can then cease from his own works and let God work in and through him.

Francis de Assisi was asked by a brother monk why everyone wanted to see him, hear him and obey him since he was not from nobility, and neither was he handsome or learned. Francis responded that it was because the Most High had willed it so; for God could find no one less worthy than he to confound the wise of this world and accomplish His marvellous work (Assisi, n.d., Part V, Colloquy XII). Thus Francis had entered into rest, knowing that it was not he that was doing the work, but God. So must every leader be like minded, and God will accomplish His purposes through him.

willing to accept His correction on various lines in our life, we will have peace. But if we resist Him, we will not have peace. The key to having peace lies in the leadership. A leader must be at peace with God and yielding to what God is speaking to him about. When a leader does not have peace with God, it is going to be reflected in his team. President Nixon was not at peace. He had tremendous problems in his character, and that caused his team to be in chaos.

JULY Ralph Moore

Look out for details in cscc. org.sg

20

taking its figs. Neither does it lower its branches when a pleasant person comes so that the figs can be taken. The fig tree is the same to all, and that is one of the attributes of leadership.”

How did the Lord address Judas, the disciple who betrayed Him? He said, “Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” He actually said “friend” (Mt. 26:48-50). The Lord was the same to the betrayer as to those that were faithful. He was sweet to all. That is one of the very important attributes of character- you have to be sweet, the same to all.

A Lamb’s Nature Is Peaceful Another aspect of the lamb is that sheep are peaceful animals. Let us consider two presidents of the U.S.A. President Eisenhower and President Nixon.

President Eisenhower had one of the best administrations that the U.S.A. had ever known. President Nixon had the best training that any president had ever had. He was a congressman, a senator, a vice-president and eventually president. President Eisenhower was at peace with himself and had a very successful two terms in office. In contrast, President Nixon, who had broken the law while in office because of his character flaws, was not at peace with himself. He became paranoid and was forced to resign the presidency.

The term “justified” comes from the old typewriter. When you swing the carriage back, the left hand margin of the text is always straight but not so with the right side. However, a printer will not print the text like that. Rather, he will adjust every line so that each is the same length. That is the process of justifying.

God wants us to be straight like the Lord Jesus, and so He deals with us line upon line. If we are Herald | December 2010

When God makes a covenant of peace with you, you bring His peace to a situation everywhere you go. When you are in leadership, you will encounter many problems – some of which you cannot resolve yourself. You have to have a relationship of trust with God. In the natural, sheep cannot eat or drink without peace, and likewise your sheep must have peace in these situations. That peace comes from the leader, but the leader can only give what he has.

How we touch or speak to a person, how we carry on a conversation, or the way we correct a person is very important. That is one of the prime qualities of character-gentleness.

Peace is very important and it depends very much on the leader. The team reflects the leader. Two of the most dreaded and hated leaders in history, Joseph Stalin and Saddam Hussein, had no peace.

They spent many nights away from their official residences and slept in the houses of those whom they knew. Their reason was to protect themselves from potential assassins whom they feared all the time. Their behaviour may be described in the words of Shakespeare in his play Henry IV, “Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.”

There is also the case wherein God makes a covenant of peace with you. Phinehas qualified for the covenant of peace as we read in Numbers 25:11-13: “Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy. Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.”

Other qualifications are found in Malachi 2:56: “My covenant was with him [Levi] of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared me, and was afraid before my name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips: he walked with me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity. For the priest’s lips should

Jesus was introduced as the Lamb of God in the Book of Revelation. I commend that you meditate upon these things and meet God in them because as a leader, you must have the nature of a lamb, meek, gentle, easy to be entreated, kind and peaceful.

To be continued in the next issue – The Lion

“God wants us to be straight like the Lord Jesus, and so He deals with us line upon line.”

21

FOR LEADERS & CONGREGATIONS

Highlights

of events in

2011

Equipping and Releasing meetings

Look out for details coming your way:

feb april

Larry Stockstill

cornerstone sport’s day

march Randy Clark

LEE GRADY

There are certain aspects and degrees of peace.

We cannot have peace unless we are at peace with God. Romans 5:1 says, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Being at peace with God comes from being justified, which means that God adjusts us line by line.

Another aspect of peace is the peace of God. The peace of God is higher than peace with God because it means having God’s peace even when we are going through a time of difficulty, and that peace will extend over our team. Jesus said at the Last Supper, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn. 14:27).

keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.” One of the keys to speaking only those things that the Lord would have us say is to receive His treasure - the fear of the Lord. It is that virtue that purifies us in body, soul and spirit.

MAY

One key to being at peace is to enter into the rest of God. A leader can then cease from his own works and let God work in and through him.

Francis de Assisi was asked by a brother monk why everyone wanted to see him, hear him and obey him since he was not from nobility, and neither was he handsome or learned. Francis responded that it was because the Most High had willed it so; for God could find no one less worthy than he to confound the wise of this world and accomplish His marvellous work (Assisi, n.d., Part V, Colloquy XII). Thus Francis had entered into rest, knowing that it was not he that was doing the work, but God. So must every leader be like minded, and God will accomplish His purposes through him.

willing to accept His correction on various lines in our life, we will have peace. But if we resist Him, we will not have peace. The key to having peace lies in the leadership. A leader must be at peace with God and yielding to what God is speaking to him about. When a leader does not have peace with God, it is going to be reflected in his team. President Nixon was not at peace. He had tremendous problems in his character, and that caused his team to be in chaos.

JULY Ralph Moore

Look out for details in cscc. org.sg

22 | True Christianity

23

Y

ou may be right in the midst of the darkest, lowest and loneliest moment of your life. No one may be able to give you a satisfactory explanation to your spoken or unspoken questions to all your perplexing situations.

But you can take comfort in the good news that God is at work. His priority may not be your happiness. His priority may not be your comfort. His priority may not be even your prosperity and well-being.

We are God’s Work in Progress.

The Treasures of

by Joshua Nathan “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places” Isaiah 45:3

Why Me, Lord?

Why me, Lord?

Why did this happen to me?

Why is it that everything seems to be against me? Have you ever asked these questions?

God’s top priority is our redemption – to transform us into His likeness. We are His people – His vessels. Making us more Christlike is the ultimate goal of all our experiences with God. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son” Rom.8:28-29

He called each one of us for a divine purpose.

He wants to use each one of us in different and unique ways to fulfill His great plans and purposes. But the vessels must be ready for the Master’s use. So He brings us through a journey, sometimes even a long journey. “Adversity is the mother of invention. The journey is as important as the destination.” said Kris Valotton. It is adversity that leads us into a new purpose and destiny. Isaiah 45:3 reads “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places”.

God’s Ways may be Perplexing and painful, Yet They are Perfect The exodus and the subsequent journey of the Israelites from Egypt and in the wilderness (Exodus 13: 17 –18; 14:1-8) speak so much of our experiences and normal expectations. We want the blessings, the miracles – the parting of the red sea, the provisions – the manna and the quails, and the protection – the clouds during the day and the fire during the night.

The problem is that the vast majority of Christians stop there. People want His acts but not His ways. God’s ways may be perplexing and very painful, yet they are perfect. As in the history of Israel, He walks us through the journey in the wilderness to teach us His ways.

Isaiah 30:20 “Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and affliction for drink, He will be with you to teach you, you will see your teacher with your own eyes.”

Herald | December 2010

Whatever happens to a child of God is part of God’s sovereign plan. Nothing can touch our lives without having first passed through His wise and loving care before it gets to us.

1 Cor 10:13 “God is faithful; He will

not let you be tempted or (tested) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it”.

The Blessings of Adversity There are many blessings and breakthroughs a believer can experience through adversities.

1. Adversities Strengthen our Faith The apostle Peter wrote to early believers, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1: 6, 7 ) There was a period of time when I was out of job for almost 6 months. It was the lowest point of my life. I was struggling to the point of not knowing where my next meal was going to come from. But it was also the precious period when God spoke to me from the book of Joshua that He would bring down the impregnable wall of unemployment I was confronted with and that He would lead me to a job. My faith in God was not weakened but was strengthened. Shortly after the encounter, He restored me with a wonderful job. My name was changed to Joshua during this perplexing period and my life was never the same.

After four years into our marriage, we lost our first baby through a miscarriage. The loss was devastating to me and even more to my wife. It was a great struggle to comfort and console her. And I failed miserably. Within a year the Lord restored our joy by blessing us with a healthy baby boy.

Till today, I do not fully understand the reasons behind both events. But I learnt and experienced that His ways are always moderated by His grace and goodness.

David

David said in Psalms 4:1 ‘Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: Thou has enlarged me in my time of distress”. Notice that David said that God enlarged him in his times of distress. It is easy to pray the Jabez prayer, “Lord, enlarge me”. Now I think twice before I pray this prayer. You don’t know what you

are asking for. David was not enlarged in his good times but during tough times. David was enlarged when his brothers criticized and ridiculed him, not when he was anointed by Samuel to be the King. David was enlarged when Goliath was cursing and mocking him, not when he cut off Goliath’s head. David was enlarged when he was fleeing from the tyrant and enraged Saul and his soldiers, moving from cave to cave, hiding in fear with a tremendous sense of uncertainty and hopelessness. He was not enlarged when he was living comfortably in the palace.

If David were alive today, he would tell us this, “It was in those tough times, that I really learned to trust God. It was in those times, something happened way down inside of me that nobody and no circumstance can take from me”. Today, we sing,“I will bless the Lord at all times and His praise will be continually in my mouth. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.”. Do you know that David composed some of these beautiful Psalms when he was at his lowest points of his life?

David embraced his adversities with courage, tenacity and perseverance. He believed and hung on to God’s promises. He emerged victorious from every blow and every pressure.

The very adversaries that pushed him are the ones that promoted David to a higher level of walk with God and an increase in anointing.

Between the period when he was anointed

by Samuel to be the King, to the period when he was actually installed as the King of Israel, God brought him through a valley of severe testing and training. And during this period, he was being trained to reign as King.

Adversities are our stepping-stones. They are meant to make us better and not bitter. Cheer up my brothers and sisters! God is doing something precious, something wonderful in your life. Your adversity can be your greatest asset. It is the struggle that gives us strength.

No one develop muscles without resistance.

2. Adversities Shape Our Character

Zechariah 13:9 I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name and I will answer them; I will say, “They are My people,” and they will say, “The Lord is our God. The Psalmist echoed the same in Psalm 66: 10.

“For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver” God tests His people. If we wish to belong to the people of God, then we must allow God to test us. One vivid picture of the way God tests

22 | True Christianity

23

Y

ou may be right in the midst of the darkest, lowest and loneliest moment of your life. No one may be able to give you a satisfactory explanation to your spoken or unspoken questions to all your perplexing situations.

But you can take comfort in the good news that God is at work. His priority may not be your happiness. His priority may not be your comfort. His priority may not be even your prosperity and well-being.

We are God’s Work in Progress.

The Treasures of

by Joshua Nathan “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places” Isaiah 45:3

Why Me, Lord?

Why me, Lord?

Why did this happen to me?

Why is it that everything seems to be against me? Have you ever asked these questions?

God’s top priority is our redemption – to transform us into His likeness. We are His people – His vessels. Making us more Christlike is the ultimate goal of all our experiences with God. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son” Rom.8:28-29

He called each one of us for a divine purpose.

He wants to use each one of us in different and unique ways to fulfill His great plans and purposes. But the vessels must be ready for the Master’s use. So He brings us through a journey, sometimes even a long journey. “Adversity is the mother of invention. The journey is as important as the destination.” said Kris Valotton. It is adversity that leads us into a new purpose and destiny. Isaiah 45:3 reads “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places”.

God’s Ways may be Perplexing and painful, Yet They are Perfect The exodus and the subsequent journey of the Israelites from Egypt and in the wilderness (Exodus 13: 17 –18; 14:1-8) speak so much of our experiences and normal expectations. We want the blessings, the miracles – the parting of the red sea, the provisions – the manna and the quails, and the protection – the clouds during the day and the fire during the night.

The problem is that the vast majority of Christians stop there. People want His acts but not His ways. God’s ways may be perplexing and very painful, yet they are perfect. As in the history of Israel, He walks us through the journey in the wilderness to teach us His ways.

Isaiah 30:20 “Though the Lord gave you adversity for food and affliction for drink, He will be with you to teach you, you will see your teacher with your own eyes.”

Herald | December 2010

Whatever happens to a child of God is part of God’s sovereign plan. Nothing can touch our lives without having first passed through His wise and loving care before it gets to us.

1 Cor 10:13 “God is faithful; He will

not let you be tempted or (tested) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it”.

The Blessings of Adversity There are many blessings and breakthroughs a believer can experience through adversities.

1. Adversities Strengthen our Faith The apostle Peter wrote to early believers, “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1: 6, 7 ) There was a period of time when I was out of job for almost 6 months. It was the lowest point of my life. I was struggling to the point of not knowing where my next meal was going to come from. But it was also the precious period when God spoke to me from the book of Joshua that He would bring down the impregnable wall of unemployment I was confronted with and that He would lead me to a job. My faith in God was not weakened but was strengthened. Shortly after the encounter, He restored me with a wonderful job. My name was changed to Joshua during this perplexing period and my life was never the same.

After four years into our marriage, we lost our first baby through a miscarriage. The loss was devastating to me and even more to my wife. It was a great struggle to comfort and console her. And I failed miserably. Within a year the Lord restored our joy by blessing us with a healthy baby boy.

Till today, I do not fully understand the reasons behind both events. But I learnt and experienced that His ways are always moderated by His grace and goodness.

David

David said in Psalms 4:1 ‘Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness: Thou has enlarged me in my time of distress”. Notice that David said that God enlarged him in his times of distress. It is easy to pray the Jabez prayer, “Lord, enlarge me”. Now I think twice before I pray this prayer. You don’t know what you

are asking for. David was not enlarged in his good times but during tough times. David was enlarged when his brothers criticized and ridiculed him, not when he was anointed by Samuel to be the King. David was enlarged when Goliath was cursing and mocking him, not when he cut off Goliath’s head. David was enlarged when he was fleeing from the tyrant and enraged Saul and his soldiers, moving from cave to cave, hiding in fear with a tremendous sense of uncertainty and hopelessness. He was not enlarged when he was living comfortably in the palace.

If David were alive today, he would tell us this, “It was in those tough times, that I really learned to trust God. It was in those times, something happened way down inside of me that nobody and no circumstance can take from me”. Today, we sing,“I will bless the Lord at all times and His praise will be continually in my mouth. My soul will boast in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.”. Do you know that David composed some of these beautiful Psalms when he was at his lowest points of his life?

David embraced his adversities with courage, tenacity and perseverance. He believed and hung on to God’s promises. He emerged victorious from every blow and every pressure.

The very adversaries that pushed him are the ones that promoted David to a higher level of walk with God and an increase in anointing.

Between the period when he was anointed

by Samuel to be the King, to the period when he was actually installed as the King of Israel, God brought him through a valley of severe testing and training. And during this period, he was being trained to reign as King.

Adversities are our stepping-stones. They are meant to make us better and not bitter. Cheer up my brothers and sisters! God is doing something precious, something wonderful in your life. Your adversity can be your greatest asset. It is the struggle that gives us strength.

No one develop muscles without resistance.

2. Adversities Shape Our Character

Zechariah 13:9 I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name and I will answer them; I will say, “They are My people,” and they will say, “The Lord is our God. The Psalmist echoed the same in Psalm 66: 10.

“For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver” God tests His people. If we wish to belong to the people of God, then we must allow God to test us. One vivid picture of the way God tests

24 us is that of a metalworker who purifies silver.

In Bible times, a metal worker would place the silver in a metal container over the hottest possible fire. Then, as the silver begins to melt and bubble in the heat, the impurities would rise to the surface in the form of a scum, known as “dross”, the metal worker would then skim them off. He would patiently continue this process of skimming until there was no impurity left in the silver. The final test – the quality control. He would peer into the silver and see whether he could see his face without any distortion. Then he would know that the dross had been removed. That is how God tests us. But the furnace He uses is affliction.

The hotter the furnace, the more quickly the impurities are brought to the surface. Gently and patiently, God skims them off with an invisible skimmer – the Holy Spirit. He goes on with this process until He sees His own image reflected in our lives. Then He knows that the process of refining is complete , and He takes us out of the furnace. Isaiah 48:10, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver, I have refined you in the furnace of affliction” It is no wonder James said in James: 1: 2 – 3, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”

Joseph The story of Joseph is an all-time favorite.

We never get bored every time the story is mentioned at the pulpit. He began his journey with a great promise. Early in his youth the Lord gave him a dream. In the dream he would be elevated to a position of great authority. He was to rule over his brothers. Even his father and mother would come bowing down before him.

What happened next was totally unexpected to Joseph. Joseph faced one adversity after another. The events that unfolded were the very opposite of what God had promised. His brothers first beat him up and then threw him into the well. Later they betrayed him and sold him as a slave. He landed up in Potiphar’s house.

Joseph was doing well and being faithful in his master’s house until another adversity knocked at his door. Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him and Joseph ended up in prison, chained with fetters of iron. Still, Joseph did not allow all these adversities to deter him from believing and expecting the fulfillment of the dream God gave him. The only difference is that Joseph is now a changed-man – he was humbled through all these ordeals. Soon Joseph was put in charge of the prison. Eventually, God turned Herald | December 2010

25 it all around and he was taken from prison and placed in command over all of Egypt.

What an incredible story! From pit to prison, from prison to palace and eventually, to be installed as the Prime Minister. The Word of the Lord tested him. No matter what pit or imprisonment, what challenge or tragedy, if you will continue to persevere and trust God and hold on to the promises He gave you, He will not only deliver you but also promote you to fulfill His destiny.

One day an old donkey fell into a well which is already dried up. The farmer who owned this donkey loved the donkey very much, but there was no way to get him out of the well.

So to save the donkey out of his misery, the farmer decided to bury the donkey alive in the well. He got some farmers over and they began shoveling dirt into the well on top of the donkey. But as the dirt came down on top of the donkey, the donkey would shake the dirt off and push itself up, standing on the dirt.

Finally, the old donkey stepped out of the well.

What an irony? The dirt that was intended to bury the donkey actually saved the donkey.

Have you ever experienced dirt being thrown at you from the least expected sources, for no apparent reasons? We have a choice. We can allow ourselves to be buried alive, or we can shake it off and move on and move up.

Finally Isaac arrives at a place where there is no contention or strife.

This time he named the well Rehoboth, which means wide places.

God builds something within us during our times of adversity and uses them much later to comfort and bless others. Our lives will never be the same after going through a period of adversity. People who have gone through a crisis has a story to tell to encourage others. Like the fragrance that permeated the room when Mary Magdalene broke the alabaster box to anoint Jesus, God breaks us sometimes and uses our pain to minister His sweetness to others.

A. W. Tozer said it like this,“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He hurts him deeply”.

Paul says in 2 Cor 1: 3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the same comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

It is through adversity that we learn to be humble, to persevere, to be patient, to be grateful, to value people, and accept people as they are, to be caring and loving, to appreciate the gift of life and become sensitive to the voice of God. 3. Adversities Sharpen our Focus on Priorities Adversities sometimes have the uncanny power of reordering our priorities. It is in the midst of these afflictions, the Holy Spirit speaks to us when we take the wrong course and make the wrong choices or wrong decisions. He loves us so much that He doesn’t want to see us go astray and leave His fold. He knows that the wrong course would lead to harm and ultimate ruin so He sends affliction to turn us back into the way that leads to peace and blessing.

The Prodigal Son We are all familiar with the story of the prodigal son. He squandered his father’s hard-earned money in wild living. There was severe famine in the whole country; he was penniless, all his friends had left him, he was dirty, he was confused and disillusioned, and he was hungry.

He took on a menial job in a farm to feed the pigs. The Bible says that as he was feeding the pigs, he longed to fill his stomach with the food the pigs were eating. At that point of time, he was broken deep inside, he came back to his senses. Why did I mess up my life?

What on earth is happening to me? You see, God got his attention. He decided to return to his father with a repentant and broken heart. And we know the rest of the story.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I obey your Word. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees”. Psalm 119:67 & 71 Afflictions in this sense are the corrective medicine. It was something David needed to adjust and reorder his priorities. “Before I was afflicted, I went astray,” he says, “but I suffered for it. Now I have learned my lesson: it pays to obey your Word”.

Right in the middle of a God-given career, I lost track of my focus and began to go after positions and promotions. There was much strife and contention. I was very ambitious to get ahead. One day, I went for a run. As a former school athlete, I ran with much confidence. But half way through, I collapsed and went into a fit, foaming and bleeding.

They rushed me to the hospital. After the diagnosis, the Doctor said that I was fortunate to be alive. With the conditions displayed at the place of the incident , he said that I could have easily died on the spot, or turned into a vegetable with a severe brain injury. The two

weeks of hospitalization that followed the ordeal forced me to deeply reflect about life and what I want to do with the rest of my life.

There was a definite shift of focus and priority.

Now, I wake up every morning thanking the Lord for the gift of life and the opportunity to serve and honor Him with my life. Adversity has a way of re-ordering our priorities.

4. Adversities Steer Us to Our Destiny Life can be very unfair and harsh for some of us. There are times we become victims of injustice, discrimination, unfair treatment, jealousy, envy, office politics, being cheated in a business deal, or deprived of a deserving promotion because someone came along and took away all that we built. How do we feel? Miserable, betrayed, bypassed and marginalized. It is very human to be resentful, bitter and angry for anyone to be in that spot.

But we have a choice. We could stand our ground and fight for our rights. And if this is our choice, we need to be prepared for an endless cycle of strife and contention.

Continuing episodes of contentions and strife could drain our emotions, sap our energy and take a toll on our health and family. Or we could go before God and ask, “God, what is the kernel of truth about me in this ordeal?”

Could it be that He is stirring up circumstances so that you will eventually reach the destiny He has for you – a far better place where you will be at rest, fruitful and succeed?

Perhaps He is telling us to drop the matter.

It is to a man’s honor to avoid conflict.

Isaac and His Wells Genesis 26:14 -33 The background to this scene is that there was a famine in the land. Isaac was forced to move from place to place a number of times. Each time he stopped, he dug a well, thinking that he would stay for a while. But things did not turn up the way he wanted. Let us look at a couple of verses to understand the magnitude of the adversaries he faced.

V: 14-16: He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.

So all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with earth.

Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us.

There are times in our lives when circumstances may cause us to move on – move to a new area, a change in job or even a change in a family situation. It is a season God allows and prompts us to make the necessary adjustments.

Isaac did not become hostile. Neither was he angry at what was happening around him. He simply accepted God’s will and moved on.

Verses 17-22 Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the valley of Gerar and settled there. Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father. Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herdsman of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours.” So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah.

Gerar means “dragged off ”. Esek means “contention’. Sitnah means “strife”. What a combination of adversities! Isaac was having a real problem with people. It seemed that everywhere he went, they were trying to chase him away and cause him trouble. How did he respond? Did he fight? He had every right to do so. They were all his fathers’ wells.

Just like his father, he simply said, let there be no strife, if you say the water is yours, take it. We will move on. And he did, trusting the Lord would provide. God vindicates His children. He rewarded him richly for the spirit in which he handled these adversities.

Don’t misunderstand me here, there are times we need to fight to protect ourselves and innocent parties but there are also times we need to back off and move on. We need God’s wisdom for the right action to pursue.

What a glorious ending. Our God is the God of Rehoboth. He is the God of Expansion.

He prepares a place for you where you will flourish and be fruitful. So do not be dismayed by the adverse circumstances in your life right now. Trust the Lord. Move on and be willing to dig another well as He leads you.

Be Strong and Courageous for He will restore You Prov 24:10: “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small”. The Good News Bible paraphrases the verse as “If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed”. We serve the same God – the God of David, Joseph and Isaac. He brought them through the school of adversity to a place of abundance, fruitfulness, rest, blessings and peace. He will do the same thing for you so hang on my friends. He will surely see you through your perplexing circumstances and restore you.

A. W. Tozer said it like this,“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He hurts him deeply”.

Verse 22: And he moved from there and dug another well, and over that they did not quarrel; so he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the Lord has made room for us, we shall be fruitful/flourish in the land.”

Finally Isaac arrives at a place where there is no contention or strife. This time he named the well Rehoboth, which means wide places.

This place is big enough for his flocks without any interference from other herdsmen.

Isaac understood that this is where God wanted him to come all along. The adverse circumstances steered him to be where God wants him to be. God has a place of rest for you and me just as he had one for Isaac.

Of course, it was not the final destination for Isaac. It was a temporary rest stop. God blessed him there. Isaac rested well. Then it was time to move again. From there God moved him to Beersheba because God had greater plans for Isaac. V 23: “From there he went up to Beersheba. That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham”.

“Trust the Lord. Move on and be willing to dig another well as He leads you. “

24 us is that of a metalworker who purifies silver.

In Bible times, a metal worker would place the silver in a metal container over the hottest possible fire. Then, as the silver begins to melt and bubble in the heat, the impurities would rise to the surface in the form of a scum, known as “dross”, the metal worker would then skim them off. He would patiently continue this process of skimming until there was no impurity left in the silver. The final test – the quality control. He would peer into the silver and see whether he could see his face without any distortion. Then he would know that the dross had been removed. That is how God tests us. But the furnace He uses is affliction.

The hotter the furnace, the more quickly the impurities are brought to the surface. Gently and patiently, God skims them off with an invisible skimmer – the Holy Spirit. He goes on with this process until He sees His own image reflected in our lives. Then He knows that the process of refining is complete , and He takes us out of the furnace. Isaiah 48:10, “See, I have refined you, though not as silver, I have refined you in the furnace of affliction” It is no wonder James said in James: 1: 2 – 3, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”

Joseph The story of Joseph is an all-time favorite.

We never get bored every time the story is mentioned at the pulpit. He began his journey with a great promise. Early in his youth the Lord gave him a dream. In the dream he would be elevated to a position of great authority. He was to rule over his brothers. Even his father and mother would come bowing down before him.

What happened next was totally unexpected to Joseph. Joseph faced one adversity after another. The events that unfolded were the very opposite of what God had promised. His brothers first beat him up and then threw him into the well. Later they betrayed him and sold him as a slave. He landed up in Potiphar’s house.

Joseph was doing well and being faithful in his master’s house until another adversity knocked at his door. Potiphar’s wife falsely accused him and Joseph ended up in prison, chained with fetters of iron. Still, Joseph did not allow all these adversities to deter him from believing and expecting the fulfillment of the dream God gave him. The only difference is that Joseph is now a changed-man – he was humbled through all these ordeals. Soon Joseph was put in charge of the prison. Eventually, God turned Herald | December 2010

25 it all around and he was taken from prison and placed in command over all of Egypt.

What an incredible story! From pit to prison, from prison to palace and eventually, to be installed as the Prime Minister. The Word of the Lord tested him. No matter what pit or imprisonment, what challenge or tragedy, if you will continue to persevere and trust God and hold on to the promises He gave you, He will not only deliver you but also promote you to fulfill His destiny.

One day an old donkey fell into a well which is already dried up. The farmer who owned this donkey loved the donkey very much, but there was no way to get him out of the well.

So to save the donkey out of his misery, the farmer decided to bury the donkey alive in the well. He got some farmers over and they began shoveling dirt into the well on top of the donkey. But as the dirt came down on top of the donkey, the donkey would shake the dirt off and push itself up, standing on the dirt.

Finally, the old donkey stepped out of the well.

What an irony? The dirt that was intended to bury the donkey actually saved the donkey.

Have you ever experienced dirt being thrown at you from the least expected sources, for no apparent reasons? We have a choice. We can allow ourselves to be buried alive, or we can shake it off and move on and move up.

Finally Isaac arrives at a place where there is no contention or strife.

This time he named the well Rehoboth, which means wide places.

God builds something within us during our times of adversity and uses them much later to comfort and bless others. Our lives will never be the same after going through a period of adversity. People who have gone through a crisis has a story to tell to encourage others. Like the fragrance that permeated the room when Mary Magdalene broke the alabaster box to anoint Jesus, God breaks us sometimes and uses our pain to minister His sweetness to others.

A. W. Tozer said it like this,“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He hurts him deeply”.

Paul says in 2 Cor 1: 3-4 “Praise be to the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the same comfort we ourselves have received from God.”

It is through adversity that we learn to be humble, to persevere, to be patient, to be grateful, to value people, and accept people as they are, to be caring and loving, to appreciate the gift of life and become sensitive to the voice of God. 3. Adversities Sharpen our Focus on Priorities Adversities sometimes have the uncanny power of reordering our priorities. It is in the midst of these afflictions, the Holy Spirit speaks to us when we take the wrong course and make the wrong choices or wrong decisions. He loves us so much that He doesn’t want to see us go astray and leave His fold. He knows that the wrong course would lead to harm and ultimate ruin so He sends affliction to turn us back into the way that leads to peace and blessing.

The Prodigal Son We are all familiar with the story of the prodigal son. He squandered his father’s hard-earned money in wild living. There was severe famine in the whole country; he was penniless, all his friends had left him, he was dirty, he was confused and disillusioned, and he was hungry.

He took on a menial job in a farm to feed the pigs. The Bible says that as he was feeding the pigs, he longed to fill his stomach with the food the pigs were eating. At that point of time, he was broken deep inside, he came back to his senses. Why did I mess up my life?

What on earth is happening to me? You see, God got his attention. He decided to return to his father with a repentant and broken heart. And we know the rest of the story.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray; but now I obey your Word. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees”. Psalm 119:67 & 71 Afflictions in this sense are the corrective medicine. It was something David needed to adjust and reorder his priorities. “Before I was afflicted, I went astray,” he says, “but I suffered for it. Now I have learned my lesson: it pays to obey your Word”.

Right in the middle of a God-given career, I lost track of my focus and began to go after positions and promotions. There was much strife and contention. I was very ambitious to get ahead. One day, I went for a run. As a former school athlete, I ran with much confidence. But half way through, I collapsed and went into a fit, foaming and bleeding.

They rushed me to the hospital. After the diagnosis, the Doctor said that I was fortunate to be alive. With the conditions displayed at the place of the incident , he said that I could have easily died on the spot, or turned into a vegetable with a severe brain injury. The two

weeks of hospitalization that followed the ordeal forced me to deeply reflect about life and what I want to do with the rest of my life.

There was a definite shift of focus and priority.

Now, I wake up every morning thanking the Lord for the gift of life and the opportunity to serve and honor Him with my life. Adversity has a way of re-ordering our priorities.

4. Adversities Steer Us to Our Destiny Life can be very unfair and harsh for some of us. There are times we become victims of injustice, discrimination, unfair treatment, jealousy, envy, office politics, being cheated in a business deal, or deprived of a deserving promotion because someone came along and took away all that we built. How do we feel? Miserable, betrayed, bypassed and marginalized. It is very human to be resentful, bitter and angry for anyone to be in that spot.

But we have a choice. We could stand our ground and fight for our rights. And if this is our choice, we need to be prepared for an endless cycle of strife and contention.

Continuing episodes of contentions and strife could drain our emotions, sap our energy and take a toll on our health and family. Or we could go before God and ask, “God, what is the kernel of truth about me in this ordeal?”

Could it be that He is stirring up circumstances so that you will eventually reach the destiny He has for you – a far better place where you will be at rest, fruitful and succeed?

Perhaps He is telling us to drop the matter.

It is to a man’s honor to avoid conflict.

Isaac and His Wells Genesis 26:14 -33 The background to this scene is that there was a famine in the land. Isaac was forced to move from place to place a number of times. Each time he stopped, he dug a well, thinking that he would stay for a while. But things did not turn up the way he wanted. Let us look at a couple of verses to understand the magnitude of the adversaries he faced.

V: 14-16: He had so many flocks and herds and servants that the Philistines envied him.

So all the wells that his father’s servants had dug in the time of his father Abraham, the Philistines stopped up, filling them with earth.

Then Abimelech said to Isaac, “Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us.

There are times in our lives when circumstances may cause us to move on – move to a new area, a change in job or even a change in a family situation. It is a season God allows and prompts us to make the necessary adjustments.

Isaac did not become hostile. Neither was he angry at what was happening around him. He simply accepted God’s will and moved on.

Verses 17-22 Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the valley of Gerar and settled there. Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father. Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herdsman of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, “The water is ours.” So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. Then they dug another well, but they quarreled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah.

Gerar means “dragged off ”. Esek means “contention’. Sitnah means “strife”. What a combination of adversities! Isaac was having a real problem with people. It seemed that everywhere he went, they were trying to chase him away and cause him trouble. How did he respond? Did he fight? He had every right to do so. They were all his fathers’ wells.

Just like his father, he simply said, let there be no strife, if you say the water is yours, take it. We will move on. And he did, trusting the Lord would provide. God vindicates His children. He rewarded him richly for the spirit in which he handled these adversities.

Don’t misunderstand me here, there are times we need to fight to protect ourselves and innocent parties but there are also times we need to back off and move on. We need God’s wisdom for the right action to pursue.

What a glorious ending. Our God is the God of Rehoboth. He is the God of Expansion.

He prepares a place for you where you will flourish and be fruitful. So do not be dismayed by the adverse circumstances in your life right now. Trust the Lord. Move on and be willing to dig another well as He leads you.

Be Strong and Courageous for He will restore You Prov 24:10: “If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small”. The Good News Bible paraphrases the verse as “If you are weak in a crisis, you are weak indeed”. We serve the same God – the God of David, Joseph and Isaac. He brought them through the school of adversity to a place of abundance, fruitfulness, rest, blessings and peace. He will do the same thing for you so hang on my friends. He will surely see you through your perplexing circumstances and restore you.

A. W. Tozer said it like this,“It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He hurts him deeply”.

Verse 22: And he moved from there and dug another well, and over that they did not quarrel; so he called its name Rehoboth, saying, “For now the Lord has made room for us, we shall be fruitful/flourish in the land.”

Finally Isaac arrives at a place where there is no contention or strife. This time he named the well Rehoboth, which means wide places.

This place is big enough for his flocks without any interference from other herdsmen.

Isaac understood that this is where God wanted him to come all along. The adverse circumstances steered him to be where God wants him to be. God has a place of rest for you and me just as he had one for Isaac.

Of course, it was not the final destination for Isaac. It was a temporary rest stop. God blessed him there. Isaac rested well. Then it was time to move again. From there God moved him to Beersheba because God had greater plans for Isaac. V 23: “From there he went up to Beersheba. That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham”.

“Trust the Lord. Move on and be willing to dig another well as He leads you. “

26 | In The House

27

21 “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.

22 “And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year’s end.

23 “Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the LORD God of Israel. 24 For I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.

Exodus 34:21-24 (New King James Version)

A Holy Convocation

by Bob Nathaniel

THE MEN’S PLEDGE My Relationship to God I pledge to honour my Lord Jesus Christ by maintaining a life of worship and prayer, and to give priority to the reading of Scripture, and obedience to the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

Matthew 22:37 My Marriage I pledge to build a strong marriage with my wife, to love her, to sanctify and cleanse her with the Word of God, and to live with her with understanding.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. Ephesians 5:25 My Family I pledge to build a strong family through caring for and protecting my children and raising them up in the fear of God and in God’s ways.

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

T

his was a call given to Moses and the Israelites; a call with a promise. If the men of Israel were to gather and offer their worship unto The Lord during these three feasts, the Lord promised to bless them and enlarge the borders of their territories.

This was the same call that The Lord placed upon Pastor Yang’s heart as he was seeking the Lord earlier this year. As he was reading through this very same scripture, the Lord “hit (him) with such a force” and told him to gather the men of Cornerstone to observe these three feasts, that He prescribed to the children of Israel. This was to be a gathering unto the Lord; a Holy Convocation. The Lord promised that if the men would heed this call, He will cast out the nations before us, that we will see our community taken for the Kingdom. The Lord also promised that He would bring about enlargement of our borders, and this would come about quickly, suddenly and supernaturally.

The call was made. The Feast of Passover, The Herald | December 2010

Feast of Pentecost and The Feast of Tabernacles..

And the men responded. The auditorium was packed with men of all ages. The three nights saw grandfathers, fathers and sons united with one purpose: to worship God and seek His face.

Well before the services started, the men were already seated and there was a buzz of excitement that filled the atmosphere. No one knew what exactly to expect, they came simply because they responded to the Father’s call, and I am sure it must have pleased His heart to see His sons gather before Him. Never have I seen the auditorium fill up with people well before the time for the services to commence. It was such a thrill to see these men who were there to do nothing more than seek more of God. The three feasts to which God called the Israelites were the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. It was these very feasts for which we gathered: on 29th March, 18th May and 22nd September 2010 respectively. In the Old Testament, the celebration of a feast is in actuality, the celebration of a particular truth associated with

that feast. In the observance of these feasts, God restores to the people what may have been lost or stolen by the enemy.

At the feast of Passover, Pastor Yang preached about the God who restores that which we may have lost. He is a God who makes covenant with His people, not contracts. As was in the days of King Hezekiah, this feast is a celebration of salvation being restored, and those who responded to the call of this celebration were those who have experienced salvation in their own lives. At the feast of Pentecost, our eyes were turned to Jesus, the baptizer of men, not with water, but with the Holy Spirit and with Fire. Our God is an all consuming fire and desires to set His people on fire. Fire attracts, and if we are to burn for the Lord, that is one sure way of getting people’s attention on the God whom we serve. As John Wesley would say, if we are on fire, people will come to watch us burn. At the feast of Tabernacles, Pastor Yang preached about the need for spiritual fathers. As we walk with God, we are to grow from being little children to young men and

eventually to fathers. 1John 2:12-14 speak of these three levels of maturity. Little children know that their sins are forgiven. Young men are those who have overcome the evil one. Fathers are those who know the Father’s ways. We are called to rise up and father a fatherless generation. What distinguishes the children from the fathers is in the way they relate to the Heavenly Father. Children are only seeking what they may receive from Abba, whereas fathers come to Him seeking to do His will. The way to move from being little children to fathers is to know the Heavenly Father, and that was the purpose for which Jesus came to earth: to reveal the Father. There was a great response from the men as we heeded the Word that was spoken.

During these three days, we also took a pledge unto God, that as men, we would live lives of integrity and purity. It covered various areas of our lives, from personal to relational. The Men’s Pledge, as it was called was recited by all the men as we rededicated our lives to our God. I pledge to be obedient to the Great Commission

My Purity I pledge to practice purity in every facet of my life – to be sexually pure, to walk in moral uprightness and to practice integrity and honesty in all my dealings Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 My Service I pledge to support the mission of my church by honouring and praying for the church leadership, and also to giving my time and resources to serve in the local body of Christ. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 My Fellowship I pledge to pursue edifying relationships with other believers, not forsaking the gathering of the saints, but giving time to build accountable relationships within the Body of Christ. Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 My Evangelism I pledge to be obedient to the Great Commission by influencing those around me for Christ and reaching to them with the love of God, not forgetting that the Gospel is for all nations. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:19-20

26 | In The House

27

21 “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.

22 “And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the year’s end.

23 “Three times in the year all your men shall appear before the Lord, the LORD God of Israel. 24 For I will cast out the nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither will any man covet your land when you go up to appear before the LORD your God three times in the year.

Exodus 34:21-24 (New King James Version)

A Holy Convocation

by Bob Nathaniel

THE MEN’S PLEDGE My Relationship to God I pledge to honour my Lord Jesus Christ by maintaining a life of worship and prayer, and to give priority to the reading of Scripture, and obedience to the Holy Spirit. Jesus said to him, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.”

Matthew 22:37 My Marriage I pledge to build a strong marriage with my wife, to love her, to sanctify and cleanse her with the Word of God, and to live with her with understanding.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her. Ephesians 5:25 My Family I pledge to build a strong family through caring for and protecting my children and raising them up in the fear of God and in God’s ways.

And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

T

his was a call given to Moses and the Israelites; a call with a promise. If the men of Israel were to gather and offer their worship unto The Lord during these three feasts, the Lord promised to bless them and enlarge the borders of their territories.

This was the same call that The Lord placed upon Pastor Yang’s heart as he was seeking the Lord earlier this year. As he was reading through this very same scripture, the Lord “hit (him) with such a force” and told him to gather the men of Cornerstone to observe these three feasts, that He prescribed to the children of Israel. This was to be a gathering unto the Lord; a Holy Convocation. The Lord promised that if the men would heed this call, He will cast out the nations before us, that we will see our community taken for the Kingdom. The Lord also promised that He would bring about enlargement of our borders, and this would come about quickly, suddenly and supernaturally.

The call was made. The Feast of Passover, The Herald | December 2010

Feast of Pentecost and The Feast of Tabernacles..

And the men responded. The auditorium was packed with men of all ages. The three nights saw grandfathers, fathers and sons united with one purpose: to worship God and seek His face.

Well before the services started, the men were already seated and there was a buzz of excitement that filled the atmosphere. No one knew what exactly to expect, they came simply because they responded to the Father’s call, and I am sure it must have pleased His heart to see His sons gather before Him. Never have I seen the auditorium fill up with people well before the time for the services to commence. It was such a thrill to see these men who were there to do nothing more than seek more of God. The three feasts to which God called the Israelites were the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles. It was these very feasts for which we gathered: on 29th March, 18th May and 22nd September 2010 respectively. In the Old Testament, the celebration of a feast is in actuality, the celebration of a particular truth associated with

that feast. In the observance of these feasts, God restores to the people what may have been lost or stolen by the enemy.

At the feast of Passover, Pastor Yang preached about the God who restores that which we may have lost. He is a God who makes covenant with His people, not contracts. As was in the days of King Hezekiah, this feast is a celebration of salvation being restored, and those who responded to the call of this celebration were those who have experienced salvation in their own lives. At the feast of Pentecost, our eyes were turned to Jesus, the baptizer of men, not with water, but with the Holy Spirit and with Fire. Our God is an all consuming fire and desires to set His people on fire. Fire attracts, and if we are to burn for the Lord, that is one sure way of getting people’s attention on the God whom we serve. As John Wesley would say, if we are on fire, people will come to watch us burn. At the feast of Tabernacles, Pastor Yang preached about the need for spiritual fathers. As we walk with God, we are to grow from being little children to young men and

eventually to fathers. 1John 2:12-14 speak of these three levels of maturity. Little children know that their sins are forgiven. Young men are those who have overcome the evil one. Fathers are those who know the Father’s ways. We are called to rise up and father a fatherless generation. What distinguishes the children from the fathers is in the way they relate to the Heavenly Father. Children are only seeking what they may receive from Abba, whereas fathers come to Him seeking to do His will. The way to move from being little children to fathers is to know the Heavenly Father, and that was the purpose for which Jesus came to earth: to reveal the Father. There was a great response from the men as we heeded the Word that was spoken.

During these three days, we also took a pledge unto God, that as men, we would live lives of integrity and purity. It covered various areas of our lives, from personal to relational. The Men’s Pledge, as it was called was recited by all the men as we rededicated our lives to our God. I pledge to be obedient to the Great Commission

My Purity I pledge to practice purity in every facet of my life – to be sexually pure, to walk in moral uprightness and to practice integrity and honesty in all my dealings Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 My Service I pledge to support the mission of my church by honouring and praying for the church leadership, and also to giving my time and resources to serve in the local body of Christ. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Romans 12:1 My Fellowship I pledge to pursue edifying relationships with other believers, not forsaking the gathering of the saints, but giving time to build accountable relationships within the Body of Christ. Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 My Evangelism I pledge to be obedient to the Great Commission by influencing those around me for Christ and reaching to them with the love of God, not forgetting that the Gospel is for all nations. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. Matthew 28:19-20

28 by influencing those around me for Christ and reaching to them with the love of God, not forgetting that the Gospel is for all nations.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.� Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

As it was customary in the times of the Israelites to give of the fruit of their labour, we were also given an opportunity to give unto the Lord. In the times of the Old Testament, no one who came to worship the Lord came empty-handed. Therefore, when the call was given to give unto the Lord, we all did so with cheerfulness and out of gratitude for what He has done for us.

At the end of each service, the men gathered together to feast; not on the Word of the Lord

though but on physical food. The call was made for the men to come attend these feasts, and feast we did indeed. It was a wonderful time when we could fellowship with one another and reflect on the goodness of God as well as to pray for one another.

I really believe the Lord was pleased to see His sons respond to His call, and His desire is for his sons to rise up and take their rightful places in His Kingdom.

awesome God deserves to receive awesome praise & worship from an awesome family that gets together for an awesome camp at Malacca, Malaysia.

Sign up early!

2011 Cornerstone

family Herald | December 2010

camp

01 June

04 June

Malacca, Malaysia

28 by influencing those around me for Christ and reaching to them with the love of God, not forgetting that the Gospel is for all nations.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.� Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

As it was customary in the times of the Israelites to give of the fruit of their labour, we were also given an opportunity to give unto the Lord. In the times of the Old Testament, no one who came to worship the Lord came empty-handed. Therefore, when the call was given to give unto the Lord, we all did so with cheerfulness and out of gratitude for what He has done for us.

At the end of each service, the men gathered together to feast; not on the Word of the Lord

though but on physical food. The call was made for the men to come attend these feasts, and feast we did indeed. It was a wonderful time when we could fellowship with one another and reflect on the goodness of God as well as to pray for one another.

I really believe the Lord was pleased to see His sons respond to His call, and His desire is for his sons to rise up and take their rightful places in His Kingdom.

awesome God deserves to receive awesome praise & worship from an awesome family that gets together for an awesome camp at Malacca, Malaysia.

Sign up early!

2011 Cornerstone

family Herald | December 2010

camp

01 June

04 June

Malacca, Malaysia

30 | In The House

31

F

rom a band of 60 people, The City Church grew to 180 within a year. Families, youth and adults gathered at the Suntec City Lecture Theatre on 12 September 2010 to celebrate God’s grace and faithfulness to us over the past year.

It was a simple affair. The church recollected fond memories of many events we had in the past year. From the prayer meetings back at the mother church to the latest DIVE conference, it was a time of counting our blessings and striving towards what God has for us as a church. Indeed, God has seen us through the last one year, from being a group of strangers to being part of The City family; we have come a long way.

To celebrate our first anniversary, we launched ‘All Things Beautiful’, written and produced by our very own Pastor Andrew Yeo, whose dream is for congregations to sing locally produced songs.

by Hannah Tan Lay Kwan Herald | December 2010 Herald | December 2010

“We also had the privilege of having Canon James Wong pray for The City Church.

May we grow stronger but never rely on our own strength, bigger but never count people for the sake of numerical increase.”

We also had the privilege of having Canon James Wong pray for The City Church. May we grow stronger but never rely on our own strength, bigger but never count people for the sake of numerical increase. May we grow as a community of people who love God and His people, no matter what form they may be. May we go deeper and dive into the wondrous things God has prepared The City Church to accomplish for Him.

ONE. We may only be a young church at one year of age but we can be one, united in vision and mission.

Happy First Anniversary,

The City Church!

30 | In The House

31

F

rom a band of 60 people, The City Church grew to 180 within a year. Families, youth and adults gathered at the Suntec City Lecture Theatre on 12 September 2010 to celebrate God’s grace and faithfulness to us over the past year.

It was a simple affair. The church recollected fond memories of many events we had in the past year. From the prayer meetings back at the mother church to the latest DIVE conference, it was a time of counting our blessings and striving towards what God has for us as a church. Indeed, God has seen us through the last one year, from being a group of strangers to being part of The City family; we have come a long way.

To celebrate our first anniversary, we launched ‘All Things Beautiful’, written and produced by our very own Pastor Andrew Yeo, whose dream is for congregations to sing locally produced songs.

by Hannah Tan Lay Kwan Herald | December 2010 Herald | December 2010

“We also had the privilege of having Canon James Wong pray for The City Church.

May we grow stronger but never rely on our own strength, bigger but never count people for the sake of numerical increase.”

We also had the privilege of having Canon James Wong pray for The City Church. May we grow stronger but never rely on our own strength, bigger but never count people for the sake of numerical increase. May we grow as a community of people who love God and His people, no matter what form they may be. May we go deeper and dive into the wondrous things God has prepared The City Church to accomplish for Him.

ONE. We may only be a young church at one year of age but we can be one, united in vision and mission.

Happy First Anniversary,

The City Church!

32 | In The House

33

Cornerstone Couriers Interview Response Danielle Kuah, PH06

Benson Low, PH01

Deborah Krishnamoorthy PH03

Delia Walcott IND03

Sim Kok Boon RW 01

1) What led you to sign up to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

1) What led you to sign up to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

1) What led you to sign up to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

1) What led you to sign up to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

1) What led you to sign up to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

I’ve never gone on a mission trip before but have always wanted to go for one. Cornerstone Couriers has created an opportunity for me to go forth and at the same time to do something different this Christmas.

I signed up for this mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers because this is an opportunity to go on a mission trip with my wife and my youngest son, Dwayne. I personally have been on numerous mission trips. Every trip is an eye opening experience for me to see the poor and the needy – how happy and contented they are even with the little that they have and yet they worship the Lord in a way that puts me to shame. I want my wife and son to see and experience for themselves and I believe it will be a life changing experience for them too just like how it has been for me.

I have always been keen to explore going on a short term mission but never got round to actually asking about them. But this time there was no room for excuses, all the information was handed to us on a silver platter. The snazzy catalog and ad with Pastor Lip sealed the deal.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

I used to go on mission trips when I was a student in university and mission is always on my heart and mind. The Cornerstone Couriers is a good opportunity for me to go on a trip after 5 years since my last trip.

I think short term trips like these are very good for me as I am reminded of people around the world who need help and most importantly, who need Jesus. And there are many trips going out this time so I jumped at the opportunity to go on a short trip to Indonesia, a country I’ve always wanted to go to for missions.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

I believe Cornerstone Couriers is not just simply a good initiative or an opportunity to contribute to our churches in the nations, but rather it is God bringing us into the fulfillment of His plans for Cornerstone. I remembered our senior pastor shared about his vision for Cornerstone as a missionssending church and I’m amazed that we are another step towards its fulfillment.

Even as we constantly have ‘revival’ on our hearts and lips, I firmly believe Couriers is also part of God’s preparation for us for that revival. We had a taste of what missions can do in us whenever our church leaders return from a particular nation, they would always bring back fresh fire and understanding of who God is. In summary, I want fresh fire myself too, and I want to be part of what God is doing amongst us at Cornerstone.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

This being the first mission trip, I really do not know what to expect, what I am about to see and experience. I am uncertain if I have prepared enough for this trip and constantly throw many ‘what if’ questions at myself. It’s a mixture of fear and excitement however it’s also a feeling of expectancy.

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

In the midst of all that we have set out to do, I really hope to experience God more than ever before. I want a greater revelation of who He is. I hope to increase in my faith, knowing that when I pray for a child, a broken-hearted or the sick, I will pray knowing that I will witness the miracles of God. Not only will the eyes and hearts of the people be opened, so will mine. And I pray that this will be one significant experience that will leave a print in my life.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

Honestly, not at all because I am a frequent traveller. Moreover, this is not my first mission trip. Yes, it may be for the first time that I will be leading the team, but I have faith to believe that God is the One who will lead us by His Holy Spirit. It is not by might, nor power, but it is by His Spirit. I have learned to walk by faith and not by sight all these years of my spiritual walk with the Almighty God. If ever the only fear I would have is that the presence of the Lord is not with us.

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

I have no doubt that when I do God’s works, he will definitely take care of my business. I want to be a channel of love and blessing to the people I meet and experience the empowerment of the Holy Spirit working through my life to bring words of encouragement to His people, to heal the sick and bring hope to the hopeless.

Eating balut. My mum has always stressed that it’s rude to turn down any food your host gives you when you’re on a mission trip, but whenever someone describes crunching down on a duck foetus beak, feathers and all - I can’t help but turn green. As much as I’m praying for that we’ll make a positive impact in the lives of the people we meet in Santiago, I’m interceding that balut would not be on the menu at any time.

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

That my faith in Him will increase.

The greatest challenge that faces us on this trip is to effectively share the gospel of Jesus Christ when we distribute the gift packs. We want to share the love of Christ and hope there will be opportunities to do so on a personal basis even if we are not given a platform to preach.

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

I know that God will break my heart for the orphans that we are going to meet on this trip. I hope that I can learn from the organization we are working with about running a shelter like the one they run and how we can link up and work with organizations like this to help people in the third world countries.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

I’ve been on several mission trips and have always served as a member of the team, supporting the leader and working along with team members. However, this time round, by God’s grace, I’m being offered to be the team leader for the Couriers trip.

It was the thing I least expect as it’s not only my first time being a mission’s team leader, but also my first mission trip with Cornerstone. I thank God and the church leaders for their faith and trust in releasing ordinary men like me to be in the ministry. Hence, my greatest fear would be to fall short in my God-given role as a missions team leader – to lead my team into bringing God’s best to the people, and to be able to release my team into God’s best for their lives.

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

I believe missions is part of God’s agenda for all of our lives (Matt 28:18-20), and so if we neglect this, we would have missed out a large part of God’s calling for our lives, and we’ll be missing out on the greater meaning and fulfillment to our lives, the excitement, joy and hope that God has for us as we fulfill this call. I hope through this little offering of time, effort and faith of mine, God is going to multiply it and inspire many others to go to the nations and preach the gospel. And the very first people I hope to inspire is definitely my own team, that the day will come where each of them will in turn be leaders too, and be able to inspire more people for missions, bringing glory to God.

Daniel Tang, PH05 1) What led you to sign up to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

Going for mission trips has always been in my heart. In April this year, my wife Megan and I finally had the opportunity to Santiago City, Philippines. We left our children behind in Singapore, and that wasn’t easy but we’ve learnt to trust that they are in God’s good hands and just go for it. The trip was definitely a life-changing experience for the 2 of us. We witnessed the amazing works which God has done in the mission field and truly found the joy in being a part of them, putting our hands to the plow! On the 3rd day of the trip, I told Megan that I love the Philippines, the Lord has put this nation in my heart and I am sure I will go back again. When I knew that Santiago City was one of the places to go with Cornerstone Couriers, I told myself, I am going back again!

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

I wouldn’t say that I have fears in going for this trip but uncertainties, yes, there

Herald | December 2010

32 | In The House

33

Cornerstone Couriers Interview Response Danielle Kuah, PH06

Benson Low, PH01

Deborah Krishnamoorthy PH03

Delia Walcott IND03

Sim Kok Boon RW 01

1) What led you to sign up to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

1) What led you to sign up to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

1) What led you to sign up to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

1) What led you to sign up to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

1) What led you to sign up to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

I’ve never gone on a mission trip before but have always wanted to go for one. Cornerstone Couriers has created an opportunity for me to go forth and at the same time to do something different this Christmas.

I signed up for this mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers because this is an opportunity to go on a mission trip with my wife and my youngest son, Dwayne. I personally have been on numerous mission trips. Every trip is an eye opening experience for me to see the poor and the needy – how happy and contented they are even with the little that they have and yet they worship the Lord in a way that puts me to shame. I want my wife and son to see and experience for themselves and I believe it will be a life changing experience for them too just like how it has been for me.

I have always been keen to explore going on a short term mission but never got round to actually asking about them. But this time there was no room for excuses, all the information was handed to us on a silver platter. The snazzy catalog and ad with Pastor Lip sealed the deal.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

I used to go on mission trips when I was a student in university and mission is always on my heart and mind. The Cornerstone Couriers is a good opportunity for me to go on a trip after 5 years since my last trip.

I think short term trips like these are very good for me as I am reminded of people around the world who need help and most importantly, who need Jesus. And there are many trips going out this time so I jumped at the opportunity to go on a short trip to Indonesia, a country I’ve always wanted to go to for missions.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

I believe Cornerstone Couriers is not just simply a good initiative or an opportunity to contribute to our churches in the nations, but rather it is God bringing us into the fulfillment of His plans for Cornerstone. I remembered our senior pastor shared about his vision for Cornerstone as a missionssending church and I’m amazed that we are another step towards its fulfillment.

Even as we constantly have ‘revival’ on our hearts and lips, I firmly believe Couriers is also part of God’s preparation for us for that revival. We had a taste of what missions can do in us whenever our church leaders return from a particular nation, they would always bring back fresh fire and understanding of who God is. In summary, I want fresh fire myself too, and I want to be part of what God is doing amongst us at Cornerstone.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

This being the first mission trip, I really do not know what to expect, what I am about to see and experience. I am uncertain if I have prepared enough for this trip and constantly throw many ‘what if’ questions at myself. It’s a mixture of fear and excitement however it’s also a feeling of expectancy.

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

In the midst of all that we have set out to do, I really hope to experience God more than ever before. I want a greater revelation of who He is. I hope to increase in my faith, knowing that when I pray for a child, a broken-hearted or the sick, I will pray knowing that I will witness the miracles of God. Not only will the eyes and hearts of the people be opened, so will mine. And I pray that this will be one significant experience that will leave a print in my life.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

Honestly, not at all because I am a frequent traveller. Moreover, this is not my first mission trip. Yes, it may be for the first time that I will be leading the team, but I have faith to believe that God is the One who will lead us by His Holy Spirit. It is not by might, nor power, but it is by His Spirit. I have learned to walk by faith and not by sight all these years of my spiritual walk with the Almighty God. If ever the only fear I would have is that the presence of the Lord is not with us.

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

I have no doubt that when I do God’s works, he will definitely take care of my business. I want to be a channel of love and blessing to the people I meet and experience the empowerment of the Holy Spirit working through my life to bring words of encouragement to His people, to heal the sick and bring hope to the hopeless.

Eating balut. My mum has always stressed that it’s rude to turn down any food your host gives you when you’re on a mission trip, but whenever someone describes crunching down on a duck foetus beak, feathers and all - I can’t help but turn green. As much as I’m praying for that we’ll make a positive impact in the lives of the people we meet in Santiago, I’m interceding that balut would not be on the menu at any time.

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

That my faith in Him will increase.

The greatest challenge that faces us on this trip is to effectively share the gospel of Jesus Christ when we distribute the gift packs. We want to share the love of Christ and hope there will be opportunities to do so on a personal basis even if we are not given a platform to preach.

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

I know that God will break my heart for the orphans that we are going to meet on this trip. I hope that I can learn from the organization we are working with about running a shelter like the one they run and how we can link up and work with organizations like this to help people in the third world countries.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

I’ve been on several mission trips and have always served as a member of the team, supporting the leader and working along with team members. However, this time round, by God’s grace, I’m being offered to be the team leader for the Couriers trip.

It was the thing I least expect as it’s not only my first time being a mission’s team leader, but also my first mission trip with Cornerstone. I thank God and the church leaders for their faith and trust in releasing ordinary men like me to be in the ministry. Hence, my greatest fear would be to fall short in my God-given role as a missions team leader – to lead my team into bringing God’s best to the people, and to be able to release my team into God’s best for their lives.

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

I believe missions is part of God’s agenda for all of our lives (Matt 28:18-20), and so if we neglect this, we would have missed out a large part of God’s calling for our lives, and we’ll be missing out on the greater meaning and fulfillment to our lives, the excitement, joy and hope that God has for us as we fulfill this call. I hope through this little offering of time, effort and faith of mine, God is going to multiply it and inspire many others to go to the nations and preach the gospel. And the very first people I hope to inspire is definitely my own team, that the day will come where each of them will in turn be leaders too, and be able to inspire more people for missions, bringing glory to God.

Daniel Tang, PH05 1) What led you to sign up to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

Going for mission trips has always been in my heart. In April this year, my wife Megan and I finally had the opportunity to Santiago City, Philippines. We left our children behind in Singapore, and that wasn’t easy but we’ve learnt to trust that they are in God’s good hands and just go for it. The trip was definitely a life-changing experience for the 2 of us. We witnessed the amazing works which God has done in the mission field and truly found the joy in being a part of them, putting our hands to the plow! On the 3rd day of the trip, I told Megan that I love the Philippines, the Lord has put this nation in my heart and I am sure I will go back again. When I knew that Santiago City was one of the places to go with Cornerstone Couriers, I told myself, I am going back again!

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

I wouldn’t say that I have fears in going for this trip but uncertainties, yes, there

Herald | December 2010

34 are! The greatest one will be about my son.

I’ll be bringing my elder son, Zenon, for this trip.

I do not know how he will react to the different environment and people, although he is VERY excited about it! And furthermore, Megan will not be going with us this time. It will be a time of bonding between father and son which I longed to have with him. I always believe that we meet God during times of uncertainties and I am excited to experience the Lord in this!

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

I am hoping that God can use me in many ways with the gifts which He has given me to reach out to the people who have yet to know Jesus and be a part of the works in the mission fields not only in the Philippines but wherever He wants me to be. I also hope that this trip will inspire my son, Zenon, even at this young age, to understand and have a heart for the lost.

Richard Kwok, PH02 1) What led you to signup to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

It has always been in me to go for mission and the opportunity came through the church-wide advertisement and cell group We ought to be mindful of missions and being the feet that bring good news, the Gospel of peace.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

Quek Jiamin, SL01

Jeremy Tay KE01

1) What led you to signup to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

It was very timely for me that the church came up with the idea of Cornerstone Couriers to invite people to sign up for trips to go into the nations to share the love of God. It has been four years since my last mission trip and I thought it was a very good opportunity for me to go for one again (since my son would have just turned one and it would be easier to settle child-minding issues). Being able to choose which trip and country I would like to go was also an inviting factor as I may not get the chance to go to the country I have a burden for, if not for Cornerstone Couriers.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

1) What led you to signup to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

A Biblical Education programme

by Distance Learning

I signed up for this trip because I had read that there were openings to go to Africa. In the past year or so, I felt that the Lord has impressed upon my heart the continent of Africa. I have never been to any part of Africa before, and I thought to myself, since Cornerstone Couriers was offering a trip to Africa, this was too good an opportunity to miss! It was a good chance to explore and have a first-hand experience of the country for myself.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15

Yes there are some fears and uncertainties, like how our team will deliver the activities we have planned for the children at the orphanage and the performances for the evangelistic meetings as there may be a language barrier. However, my greatest fear will be how my own inadequacies may hinder what God wants to do through me. To have to step out of my comfort zone - sharing in front of a crowd of people - is a great fear to me as I do get quite jittery speaking in front of a crowd (even though I get a lot of such platforms as a teacher!).

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

I want to see the power of God move through me, to bring healing to his people, to break bondages, to encourage, etc.

Through this trip, I hope that God will put a greater burden in me for His people and put in me a constant reminder of what we are called to do for Him.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

My greatest fear is not being able to fulfil what the Lord wants me to do in Kenya.

At the end of the day, more than gifts and activities, fun and laughter, we are going to bring His love and salvation - the true gift of Christmas - to the children and people we are visiting. My greatest fear is that we miss the point!

For more information, visit:

www.zmis.org

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

That God would use me as a vessel for His blessings in Kenya. In our prayer times, our team felt the Lord preparing us for the unexpected and miraculous. I am hoping to simply let God do all He wants - signs, wonders and miracles included! Praying that in this trip I would see many people receive the true gift of Christmas - salvation - and give their hearts to the Lord.

Meeting the expectations of the folks we are reaching out to and also the synergy of the team members being able to work together.

Heavenly Taste, Heavenly Ramen

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

The Katong Food Culture has just gotten spicier with the New Ramen Culture

A clearer and further understanding of Father God’s heart for souls. To impart in the team members a desire to continue with missions to reach out to every tongue and tribe with the good news, be it in local settings or other countries.

TANJONG PAGAR: 12 Gopeng Street #01-82/83, ICON Village, Singapore 078878 Tel. 6222 5110 Herald | December 2010

KATONG: 85 East Coast Road, Singapore 428787 (opposite Katong Village) Tel. 6345 1998

info@FNBCulture.sg www.FNBCulture.sg

34 are! The greatest one will be about my son.

I’ll be bringing my elder son, Zenon, for this trip.

I do not know how he will react to the different environment and people, although he is VERY excited about it! And furthermore, Megan will not be going with us this time. It will be a time of bonding between father and son which I longed to have with him. I always believe that we meet God during times of uncertainties and I am excited to experience the Lord in this!

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

I am hoping that God can use me in many ways with the gifts which He has given me to reach out to the people who have yet to know Jesus and be a part of the works in the mission fields not only in the Philippines but wherever He wants me to be. I also hope that this trip will inspire my son, Zenon, even at this young age, to understand and have a heart for the lost.

Richard Kwok, PH02 1) What led you to signup to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

It has always been in me to go for mission and the opportunity came through the church-wide advertisement and cell group We ought to be mindful of missions and being the feet that bring good news, the Gospel of peace.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

Quek Jiamin, SL01

Jeremy Tay KE01

1) What led you to signup to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

It was very timely for me that the church came up with the idea of Cornerstone Couriers to invite people to sign up for trips to go into the nations to share the love of God. It has been four years since my last mission trip and I thought it was a very good opportunity for me to go for one again (since my son would have just turned one and it would be easier to settle child-minding issues). Being able to choose which trip and country I would like to go was also an inviting factor as I may not get the chance to go to the country I have a burden for, if not for Cornerstone Couriers.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

1) What led you to signup to go on a mission trip with Cornerstone Couriers?

A Biblical Education programme

by Distance Learning

I signed up for this trip because I had read that there were openings to go to Africa. In the past year or so, I felt that the Lord has impressed upon my heart the continent of Africa. I have never been to any part of Africa before, and I thought to myself, since Cornerstone Couriers was offering a trip to Africa, this was too good an opportunity to miss! It was a good chance to explore and have a first-hand experience of the country for myself.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 2:15

Yes there are some fears and uncertainties, like how our team will deliver the activities we have planned for the children at the orphanage and the performances for the evangelistic meetings as there may be a language barrier. However, my greatest fear will be how my own inadequacies may hinder what God wants to do through me. To have to step out of my comfort zone - sharing in front of a crowd of people - is a great fear to me as I do get quite jittery speaking in front of a crowd (even though I get a lot of such platforms as a teacher!).

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

I want to see the power of God move through me, to bring healing to his people, to break bondages, to encourage, etc.

Through this trip, I hope that God will put a greater burden in me for His people and put in me a constant reminder of what we are called to do for Him.

2) Do you have any fears or uncertainties heading into your trip? If so, what is the greatest one?

My greatest fear is not being able to fulfil what the Lord wants me to do in Kenya.

At the end of the day, more than gifts and activities, fun and laughter, we are going to bring His love and salvation - the true gift of Christmas - to the children and people we are visiting. My greatest fear is that we miss the point!

For more information, visit:

www.zmis.org

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

That God would use me as a vessel for His blessings in Kenya. In our prayer times, our team felt the Lord preparing us for the unexpected and miraculous. I am hoping to simply let God do all He wants - signs, wonders and miracles included! Praying that in this trip I would see many people receive the true gift of Christmas - salvation - and give their hearts to the Lord.

Meeting the expectations of the folks we are reaching out to and also the synergy of the team members being able to work together.

Heavenly Taste, Heavenly Ramen

3) What are you hoping God will do in and through your life as a result of this trip?

The Katong Food Culture has just gotten spicier with the New Ramen Culture

A clearer and further understanding of Father God’s heart for souls. To impart in the team members a desire to continue with missions to reach out to every tongue and tribe with the good news, be it in local settings or other countries.

TANJONG PAGAR: 12 Gopeng Street #01-82/83, ICON Village, Singapore 078878 Tel. 6222 5110 Herald | December 2010

KATONG: 85 East Coast Road, Singapore 428787 (opposite Katong Village) Tel. 6345 1998

info@FNBCulture.sg www.FNBCulture.sg

36 | Feature

37 An Excerpt from “Expecting Miracles” by Heidi and Rolland Baker

Christmas in Revival December 2005 - January 2006

Update from Rolland and Heidi

Our midnight candlelight service on Christmas Eve

A

News archive:

posted December 26, 2005

“I [Rolland] can hear the waves of the Indian Ocean softly wash up on the rocks and coral of Pemba’ s beach out in the dark. The air is warm and still. All is peaceful at our funky, thatched house far to the north in Mozambique. And it is 3:00 A.M., time to rise. I have more than a thousand miles to travel today on a tight schedule. Soon headlights are shining through our gate and the trees. My ride to the airport is here.” g I quietly load my baggage into the Land Rover, and we make our way over ruts and sand until we reach the main road and pass by our center.”

Cooking for the conference at Dondo

By Rolland and Heidi Baker

Herald Herald | December | December 2010 2010

ll is quiet and deserted on the streets.

We drive up sloping terrain and reach the airport on a hill overlooking Pemba and its huge, pristine bay, which is hardly used. We continue past the tiny terminal building and move out on to the tarmac to our Cessna 206 parked beside a few larger commercial aircraft. My three passengers help me as I load the plane, using a flashlight to see. A security guard wanders over to investigate, but we are okay.

The sky begins to glow and lighten in the east, outlining silvery layers of clouds just above the horizon with orange and red. The control tower is closed, but I had filed my flight plan and paid my fees the night before. Our engine breaks the night silence as it starts, and we taxi out to the runway in a mounting sea breeze. We lift off smoothly and line up on a course that slowly takes us away from the coastline toward the central Mozambican city of Beira, our first stop, four and a half hours to the south.

The rising sun brings brilliance to the canopy of beauty that envelops us. Clouds, exquisitely designed and placed by the Creator, approach us and then flash by with a burst of exhilaration.

Hills, rivers and wilderness pass below us. I level off at eight thousand feet and trim for cruise. There is no one to talk to on the radio, so I fill our noisecanceling headsets with rich worship music…

On we travel in cozy, smooth comfort, each one of us lost in our own thoughts and prayers.

Once again I am thinking of the Makua, a people group of four million living in remote huts scattered far below us, and how God has so graciously been concentrating His attention on them in the last several years. I dwell on what our Good Shepherd has been doing all over southeast Africa since we arrived in Mozambique over ten years ago. In power and glory He has been finding lost sheep and revealing the Kingdom in ways we never dreamed we would see. All our lives we have pressed toward revival, and now we are overwhelmed with a movement that has grown

Wonder and curiosity over Christmas presents

far beyond our natural ability to watch over.

The harvest field is ripe and ready in Africa.

The poor know they need the true and living God, and when they meet Him in Jesus they run to Him. They do not refuse. They are not hardened. They know that finally they have found the desire of their hearts. This Jesus who heals the incurably blind and sick in their villages is eternal love. They want to know more.

They want to draw closer. They want pastors, churches and a Bible school now. They can’t get enough. They shout, dance, sing and worship with wild energy because Jesus is worthy. They know they cannot overdo their passion for Him. And He responds to them with His Spirit…

Every three months our five Bible schools are filled with new pastors and students from the bush. It is amazing to watch Jesus bring them, more at every session. It is life-changing to watch entire villages come to Jesus as soon as they see His love and power. The Kingdom has indeed come upon us when pagan, syncretistic chiefs grab our microphones and shout to their own people, “This is real! No one could do this but God! Listen to these Christians!”

An insistent, insatiable hunger for the Spiritfilled Christian life and increasing revival is spreading across Africa. Hearing of what the Spirit is doing among us, the desperate are urgently calling us to more countries. Bush conferences are in constant demand. Leaders want input, encouragement, direction and fellowship.

The people are starving for God, especially in devastated, war-torn countries. With all the cultural richness of their choirs, robes, rhythm and ways, and the promises of health and wealth they have heard, they know they have nothing without His presence and companionship.

As we fly on, I consider the intensity of the Christmas we just experienced this year, and how it so perfectly illustrates the coming of the Kingdom to the poor of Africa.

A Christmas report “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Luke 14:12-14 Pouring with sweat and covered with dirt and flies, Heidi and our staff spent five hours one afternoon just before Christmas, bringing the life and joy of the Gospel to the “least of these” in the Maputo city dump near our Zimpeto center. The burning garbage heaps shimmered through smoke and fumes in 113-degree heat, but nothing stopped all the celebration. We distributed sacks of food to everyone. Ladies wrapped in their colorful skirts danced with joy. Choirs sang with amazing beauty and harmony. We offered communion with bread and water - all we had in this poor community - to believers. When we finished with the expected number, we still had more toys in our boxes, and so we opened up the queue again for latecomers!

Because Jesus died, there is always enough…

Back up north in Pemba, we began our Christmas Eve with a beautiful dinner for our staff near the beach in the warm night air under brilliant stars. We are amazed and grateful for the quality of our many Iris family leaders, both foreign and Mozambican, whom Jesus has given us for His work. Their love, faith and dedication have made us so rich and full. We did not have snow and a roaring fireplace, but our time together was filled with warmth and joy.

Then, late into the night, we began our midnight candlelight service for all our children and workers. With our kids running, jumping and

36 | Feature

37 An Excerpt from “Expecting Miracles” by Heidi and Rolland Baker

Christmas in Revival December 2005 - January 2006

Update from Rolland and Heidi

Our midnight candlelight service on Christmas Eve

A

News archive:

posted December 26, 2005

“I [Rolland] can hear the waves of the Indian Ocean softly wash up on the rocks and coral of Pemba’ s beach out in the dark. The air is warm and still. All is peaceful at our funky, thatched house far to the north in Mozambique. And it is 3:00 A.M., time to rise. I have more than a thousand miles to travel today on a tight schedule. Soon headlights are shining through our gate and the trees. My ride to the airport is here.” g I quietly load my baggage into the Land Rover, and we make our way over ruts and sand until we reach the main road and pass by our center.”

Cooking for the conference at Dondo

By Rolland and Heidi Baker

Herald Herald | December | December 2010 2010

ll is quiet and deserted on the streets.

We drive up sloping terrain and reach the airport on a hill overlooking Pemba and its huge, pristine bay, which is hardly used. We continue past the tiny terminal building and move out on to the tarmac to our Cessna 206 parked beside a few larger commercial aircraft. My three passengers help me as I load the plane, using a flashlight to see. A security guard wanders over to investigate, but we are okay.

The sky begins to glow and lighten in the east, outlining silvery layers of clouds just above the horizon with orange and red. The control tower is closed, but I had filed my flight plan and paid my fees the night before. Our engine breaks the night silence as it starts, and we taxi out to the runway in a mounting sea breeze. We lift off smoothly and line up on a course that slowly takes us away from the coastline toward the central Mozambican city of Beira, our first stop, four and a half hours to the south.

The rising sun brings brilliance to the canopy of beauty that envelops us. Clouds, exquisitely designed and placed by the Creator, approach us and then flash by with a burst of exhilaration.

Hills, rivers and wilderness pass below us. I level off at eight thousand feet and trim for cruise. There is no one to talk to on the radio, so I fill our noisecanceling headsets with rich worship music…

On we travel in cozy, smooth comfort, each one of us lost in our own thoughts and prayers.

Once again I am thinking of the Makua, a people group of four million living in remote huts scattered far below us, and how God has so graciously been concentrating His attention on them in the last several years. I dwell on what our Good Shepherd has been doing all over southeast Africa since we arrived in Mozambique over ten years ago. In power and glory He has been finding lost sheep and revealing the Kingdom in ways we never dreamed we would see. All our lives we have pressed toward revival, and now we are overwhelmed with a movement that has grown

Wonder and curiosity over Christmas presents

far beyond our natural ability to watch over.

The harvest field is ripe and ready in Africa.

The poor know they need the true and living God, and when they meet Him in Jesus they run to Him. They do not refuse. They are not hardened. They know that finally they have found the desire of their hearts. This Jesus who heals the incurably blind and sick in their villages is eternal love. They want to know more.

They want to draw closer. They want pastors, churches and a Bible school now. They can’t get enough. They shout, dance, sing and worship with wild energy because Jesus is worthy. They know they cannot overdo their passion for Him. And He responds to them with His Spirit…

Every three months our five Bible schools are filled with new pastors and students from the bush. It is amazing to watch Jesus bring them, more at every session. It is life-changing to watch entire villages come to Jesus as soon as they see His love and power. The Kingdom has indeed come upon us when pagan, syncretistic chiefs grab our microphones and shout to their own people, “This is real! No one could do this but God! Listen to these Christians!”

An insistent, insatiable hunger for the Spiritfilled Christian life and increasing revival is spreading across Africa. Hearing of what the Spirit is doing among us, the desperate are urgently calling us to more countries. Bush conferences are in constant demand. Leaders want input, encouragement, direction and fellowship.

The people are starving for God, especially in devastated, war-torn countries. With all the cultural richness of their choirs, robes, rhythm and ways, and the promises of health and wealth they have heard, they know they have nothing without His presence and companionship.

As we fly on, I consider the intensity of the Christmas we just experienced this year, and how it so perfectly illustrates the coming of the Kingdom to the poor of Africa.

A Christmas report “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

Luke 14:12-14 Pouring with sweat and covered with dirt and flies, Heidi and our staff spent five hours one afternoon just before Christmas, bringing the life and joy of the Gospel to the “least of these” in the Maputo city dump near our Zimpeto center. The burning garbage heaps shimmered through smoke and fumes in 113-degree heat, but nothing stopped all the celebration. We distributed sacks of food to everyone. Ladies wrapped in their colorful skirts danced with joy. Choirs sang with amazing beauty and harmony. We offered communion with bread and water - all we had in this poor community - to believers. When we finished with the expected number, we still had more toys in our boxes, and so we opened up the queue again for latecomers!

Because Jesus died, there is always enough…

Back up north in Pemba, we began our Christmas Eve with a beautiful dinner for our staff near the beach in the warm night air under brilliant stars. We are amazed and grateful for the quality of our many Iris family leaders, both foreign and Mozambican, whom Jesus has given us for His work. Their love, faith and dedication have made us so rich and full. We did not have snow and a roaring fireplace, but our time together was filled with warmth and joy.

Then, late into the night, we began our midnight candlelight service for all our children and workers. With our kids running, jumping and

38

39

Generations Our children in Church at Zimpeto in the south shouting with burning candles mounted on paper plates in the dark, it was holy chaos rather than silent night. But in the warm, flickering glow and dancing shadows, we also sang and worshiped on our faces before our King. We had lights and decorations, and even a gorgeously lit tree, but Jesus was the burning attraction in our hearts. What an amazing time and atmosphere it was, considering that three years ago we began in Pemba with no facilities and just fifteen believers in this “unreachable” town. Finally, we fell into bed at 3:00 A.M… Christmas Day was packed with joyful activity. We invited our Moslem friends and the media to our new center that we are developing. Our several hundred children had just moved to their new dorm rooms and could hardly be more excited.

Heidi and our staff began by passing out gift bags of presents, beginning with the youngest little girls (see photos). Our missionaries had made a tremendous effort to buy these presents and get them to Pemba, and it was priceless to watch neglected, abandoned and orphaned children receive gifts for the first time in their lives. They hardly knew how to react, but we knew they had come to feel loved and valued at last.

Next, we held a Christmas service in our huge green-and-white-striped meeting tent. It was hot, another summer day in blowing dust, but the Holy Spirit had come to Pemba. The gentle breeze of Jesus blew refreshingly over pastors, children and visitors as we married Carlos, one of our Bible school teachers, and his bride, a full orphan from Dando. What a beautiful time for a wedding, Mozambican style! We are grateful for those who have given rings and wedding gowns to Iris so we can bless many poor couples who want to be married by us.

Of course, we also preached and gave an altar call, Herald | December 2010

as always. All the children in the community had been invited, and more than one hundred of them came forward for salvation. Then our entire church moved out across the toad to the beach, and we baptized hundreds of our new believers in front of a gathering crowd of curious, amazed onlookers.

Pemba’s people can recognize joy, vitality and good works. Their long-standing resistance to the Gospel is melting as more and more of them wholeheartedly rush into the Savior’s arms.

Whitecaps on the horizon decorated our beautiful blue and green water on this unusually windy day.

Our children jumped, dived and laughed in the breaking waves as these new creatures in Christ, many of them ex-Moslems, climbed out of the surf, grinning, singing and worshiping, publicly identifying with the supernatural life of Jesus.

Adding to the excitement, a visitor and wellknown horse trainer from England introduced a sleek, beautiful thoroughbred horse she had brought to Pemba for the children to enjoy. She rode up and down the beach, even taking the horse deep into the water, as our enthusiastic kids ran behind with a mixture of wonder and cautious fear.

Next, we all walked back to our center for our Christmas feast of chicken, rice, coleslaw and Coca-Cola, a rare and amazing treat for the poor. We called in all we could and finally had a tumultuous gathering of two thousand around our open dining hall filled with Christmas decorations.

A group of our young girls energetically performed an African dance they had diligently practiced for the occasion. African drums and dance are always a spine-tingling treat when mixed with the pure joy of the Lord. There were people everywhere, spilled rice and empty Coke bottles all over the floor, scattered benches, paper wrappings - it was wonderful! And the first Christmas most of them

Our family of boys with Heidi and Dr. Guy Chevreau at our new center had ever experienced.

Heidi was interviewed twice by local radio reporters, with government officials listening.

They were amazed by this huge feast given for the poor, including so many outsiders and complete strangers. Heidi spoke of our primary school opening up, offering free education for local children, and our vision for taking in far more children. These Moslem media people were moved, and they are sending a television crew back to cover this new Christian force in their community.

Our fifteen believers of three years ago have grown to more than 240 churches in this province, and more are being added each week. But Jesus wants His whole Makua bride of four million brought in, and so we will press forward with mercy and grace, love and power, until the province has been won, in His beautiful, irresistible way. Our Iris family enjoyed wonderful Christmas celebrations at our other bases, too. Each reflected the power of the Gospel to bring life and hope to the poor, to any who will receive the Savior. With full hearts we look forward to the best yet in 2006 as we continue to grow in the knowledge of Him. May His life and joy fill the whole continent of Africa!

We continue to worship and pray as our little blue-and-white plane slowly moves south through changing skies and weather, clouds and heavy rain, until finally we descend for an instrument approach over Beira’s harbor. We have a lot more flying to do before we reach Nelspruit, South Africa, and then I must drive all the way to Johannesburg, leaving my plane in Nelspruit for service. And then I meet and fly out with Heidi on a round-the-world speaking trip, testifying to the Gospel of God’s grace. We will never grow weary and lose heart, but we will hope in the Lord, renew our strength and soar on wings like eagles.

True Liberty p 32-33 By Cameron Walcott The Prodigal Father -The musical

p 34 By Natalie Wong

Testimony p 36-37

38

39

Generations Our children in Church at Zimpeto in the south shouting with burning candles mounted on paper plates in the dark, it was holy chaos rather than silent night. But in the warm, flickering glow and dancing shadows, we also sang and worshiped on our faces before our King. We had lights and decorations, and even a gorgeously lit tree, but Jesus was the burning attraction in our hearts. What an amazing time and atmosphere it was, considering that three years ago we began in Pemba with no facilities and just fifteen believers in this “unreachable” town. Finally, we fell into bed at 3:00 A.M… Christmas Day was packed with joyful activity. We invited our Moslem friends and the media to our new center that we are developing. Our several hundred children had just moved to their new dorm rooms and could hardly be more excited.

Heidi and our staff began by passing out gift bags of presents, beginning with the youngest little girls (see photos). Our missionaries had made a tremendous effort to buy these presents and get them to Pemba, and it was priceless to watch neglected, abandoned and orphaned children receive gifts for the first time in their lives. They hardly knew how to react, but we knew they had come to feel loved and valued at last.

Next, we held a Christmas service in our huge green-and-white-striped meeting tent. It was hot, another summer day in blowing dust, but the Holy Spirit had come to Pemba. The gentle breeze of Jesus blew refreshingly over pastors, children and visitors as we married Carlos, one of our Bible school teachers, and his bride, a full orphan from Dando. What a beautiful time for a wedding, Mozambican style! We are grateful for those who have given rings and wedding gowns to Iris so we can bless many poor couples who want to be married by us.

Of course, we also preached and gave an altar call, Herald | December 2010

as always. All the children in the community had been invited, and more than one hundred of them came forward for salvation. Then our entire church moved out across the toad to the beach, and we baptized hundreds of our new believers in front of a gathering crowd of curious, amazed onlookers.

Pemba’s people can recognize joy, vitality and good works. Their long-standing resistance to the Gospel is melting as more and more of them wholeheartedly rush into the Savior’s arms.

Whitecaps on the horizon decorated our beautiful blue and green water on this unusually windy day.

Our children jumped, dived and laughed in the breaking waves as these new creatures in Christ, many of them ex-Moslems, climbed out of the surf, grinning, singing and worshiping, publicly identifying with the supernatural life of Jesus.

Adding to the excitement, a visitor and wellknown horse trainer from England introduced a sleek, beautiful thoroughbred horse she had brought to Pemba for the children to enjoy. She rode up and down the beach, even taking the horse deep into the water, as our enthusiastic kids ran behind with a mixture of wonder and cautious fear.

Next, we all walked back to our center for our Christmas feast of chicken, rice, coleslaw and Coca-Cola, a rare and amazing treat for the poor. We called in all we could and finally had a tumultuous gathering of two thousand around our open dining hall filled with Christmas decorations.

A group of our young girls energetically performed an African dance they had diligently practiced for the occasion. African drums and dance are always a spine-tingling treat when mixed with the pure joy of the Lord. There were people everywhere, spilled rice and empty Coke bottles all over the floor, scattered benches, paper wrappings - it was wonderful! And the first Christmas most of them

Our family of boys with Heidi and Dr. Guy Chevreau at our new center had ever experienced.

Heidi was interviewed twice by local radio reporters, with government officials listening.

They were amazed by this huge feast given for the poor, including so many outsiders and complete strangers. Heidi spoke of our primary school opening up, offering free education for local children, and our vision for taking in far more children. These Moslem media people were moved, and they are sending a television crew back to cover this new Christian force in their community.

Our fifteen believers of three years ago have grown to more than 240 churches in this province, and more are being added each week. But Jesus wants His whole Makua bride of four million brought in, and so we will press forward with mercy and grace, love and power, until the province has been won, in His beautiful, irresistible way. Our Iris family enjoyed wonderful Christmas celebrations at our other bases, too. Each reflected the power of the Gospel to bring life and hope to the poor, to any who will receive the Savior. With full hearts we look forward to the best yet in 2006 as we continue to grow in the knowledge of Him. May His life and joy fill the whole continent of Africa!

We continue to worship and pray as our little blue-and-white plane slowly moves south through changing skies and weather, clouds and heavy rain, until finally we descend for an instrument approach over Beira’s harbor. We have a lot more flying to do before we reach Nelspruit, South Africa, and then I must drive all the way to Johannesburg, leaving my plane in Nelspruit for service. And then I meet and fly out with Heidi on a round-the-world speaking trip, testifying to the Gospel of God’s grace. We will never grow weary and lose heart, but we will hope in the Lord, renew our strength and soar on wings like eagles.

True Liberty p 32-33 By Cameron Walcott The Prodigal Father -The musical

p 34 By Natalie Wong

Testimony p 36-37

40 | Generations

41

True Liberty

By Cameron Walcott “There are other laws society has that I obey as well. For instance, there is a law that says I’m not allowed to murder other people. But you know what? This law does not bother me and does not have any effect on my everyday life; with or without this law, I would not murder! This law is already in my heart and I follow it naturally, not because I am scared of the punishment if I don’t. Thus, the “You Cannot Murder” law has no power over me, while the “You Cannot Speed” law has me under its power. I am free from the law against murder, yet I struggle to obey the law against speeding every time I’m on the open road.”

T

he open road beckons me. I have somewhere to go, and with little traffic in sight I know I can get there sooner if I just speed up. I see an abundance of space, so I put my foot on the accelerator and begin to go faster, faster, faster…until I look at the speedometer and see I’m going far over the speed limit. Frowning, I take my foot off the gas and begin to slow down. Everything inside of me wants to go faster, but because of the speed limit, I slow down.

I hate speed limits. Yes, I understand that they’re often necessary, but when I’m driving on an open, non-crowded road (the type you don’t see very often in Singapore!)

I wish they didn’t exist. (I feel the same way about seeing the “red man” at a crosswalk on an empty street.) Yet, I usually obey the limits, not because I like them or agree with them, but simply out of fear that I will be punished in the form of a speeding ticket if I go too fast! I am under the power of the law when it comes to speed; I obey the law not because I want to but because I’m afraid of the consequences if I don’t.

There are other laws society has that I obey as well. For instance, there is a law that says I’m not allowed to murder other people. But you know what? This law does not bother me and does not have any effect on my everyday life; with or without this law, I would not murder! This law is already in my heart and I follow it naturally, not because I am scared of the punishment if I don’t. Thus, the “You Cannot Murder” law has no power over me, while the “You Cannot Speed” law has me under its power. I am free from the law against murder, yet I struggle to obey the law against speeding every time I’m on the open road.

Why do I share all of this? I believe that too often as Christians we pursue God’s righteousness and holiness in the same manner that I try to follow speed limits; we look at it as an external standard that we need to reach through much effort, discipline, and struggle. We fall under a “Law” mentality, where we are motivated out of fear of punishment instead of love for God. But rulebooks and law can never make us holy; only a relationship with Christ where we walk in His Spirit by faith will lead us to fulfil His law:

Romans 8:4, “That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

It is only by walking in the Spirit that we come to true liberty, where we follow God’s standards not out of bondage but naturally and willingly. Walking in the Spirit is a way of life where we are yielding our desires to God’s, focusing our mind on heavenly things, and relying on God’s power and not our own. It is a supernatural life where we are walking not under the power of a rulebook but out of a Herald | December 2010

faith-filled relationship with Christ. If you try to attain holiness through rules you will never be successful, but if you have a relationship with Christ and His Spirit, He will lead you to true holiness.

This brings us to the opposite mistake made by other believers. They say that Christians are free from the Law and striving (which is true), so they conclude that we don’t really need to seek holiness in our lives. They often say we no longer need to repent of our sins, but can just live in God’s favor and grace without worrying about holiness.

But God does desire all of His children to be holy – without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)! God desires us to fulfil His righteous law, but this is completely impossible on our own strength. How is it accomplished?

Jeremiah 31:33, “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

This is the promise of the New Covenant – God says He will put His very law in our hearts and our minds! The law of God in our heart compels us to be righteous and holy, not through our striving but through our yielding to His Spirit. The reason we so often struggle to be holy is that we are not yielding to the Spirit and walking in Him; we are following our desires and not God’s. Thus we feel under bondage to sin, under bondage to rules, under bondage to struggles.

But when we learn to walk in the Spirit, God will write His ways on our very hearts, and we will obey Him from the very core of who we are. We will have true liberty, where righteousness is not something we struggle with but something we are free to follow. Our nature is renewed, and the Law is not an obstacle to our faith, but something we are following without even being conscious of it; our love relationship with Christ will naturally cause us to fulfil His Law. So don’t be in bondage any longer, either to the Law or to your sin. God does desire holiness, but it’s a holiness that comes when He writes His way in our hearts. Ask God to bring you true liberty, where you are obeying Him not out of fear or law but out of desire. Walk in the Spirit, and you won’t treat God’s righteousness the way I treat a speed limit. God will put His ways into your very heart, and you will have the glorious liberty of a son or daughter of God!

I hate speed limits. Yes, I understand that they’re often necessary, but when I’m driving on an open, non-crowded road (they type you don’t see very often in Singapore!)

I wish they didn’t exist. (I feel the same way about seeing the “red man” at a crosswalk on an empty street.)

But when we learn to walk in the Spirit, God will write His ways on our very hearts, and we will obey Him from the very core of who we are.

We will have true liberty, where righteousness is not something we struggle with but something we are free to follow.

40 | Generations

41

True Liberty

By Cameron Walcott “There are other laws society has that I obey as well. For instance, there is a law that says I’m not allowed to murder other people. But you know what? This law does not bother me and does not have any effect on my everyday life; with or without this law, I would not murder! This law is already in my heart and I follow it naturally, not because I am scared of the punishment if I don’t. Thus, the “You Cannot Murder” law has no power over me, while the “You Cannot Speed” law has me under its power. I am free from the law against murder, yet I struggle to obey the law against speeding every time I’m on the open road.”

T

he open road beckons me. I have somewhere to go, and with little traffic in sight I know I can get there sooner if I just speed up. I see an abundance of space, so I put my foot on the accelerator and begin to go faster, faster, faster…until I look at the speedometer and see I’m going far over the speed limit. Frowning, I take my foot off the gas and begin to slow down. Everything inside of me wants to go faster, but because of the speed limit, I slow down.

I hate speed limits. Yes, I understand that they’re often necessary, but when I’m driving on an open, non-crowded road (the type you don’t see very often in Singapore!)

I wish they didn’t exist. (I feel the same way about seeing the “red man” at a crosswalk on an empty street.) Yet, I usually obey the limits, not because I like them or agree with them, but simply out of fear that I will be punished in the form of a speeding ticket if I go too fast! I am under the power of the law when it comes to speed; I obey the law not because I want to but because I’m afraid of the consequences if I don’t.

There are other laws society has that I obey as well. For instance, there is a law that says I’m not allowed to murder other people. But you know what? This law does not bother me and does not have any effect on my everyday life; with or without this law, I would not murder! This law is already in my heart and I follow it naturally, not because I am scared of the punishment if I don’t. Thus, the “You Cannot Murder” law has no power over me, while the “You Cannot Speed” law has me under its power. I am free from the law against murder, yet I struggle to obey the law against speeding every time I’m on the open road.

Why do I share all of this? I believe that too often as Christians we pursue God’s righteousness and holiness in the same manner that I try to follow speed limits; we look at it as an external standard that we need to reach through much effort, discipline, and struggle. We fall under a “Law” mentality, where we are motivated out of fear of punishment instead of love for God. But rulebooks and law can never make us holy; only a relationship with Christ where we walk in His Spirit by faith will lead us to fulfil His law:

Romans 8:4, “That the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

It is only by walking in the Spirit that we come to true liberty, where we follow God’s standards not out of bondage but naturally and willingly. Walking in the Spirit is a way of life where we are yielding our desires to God’s, focusing our mind on heavenly things, and relying on God’s power and not our own. It is a supernatural life where we are walking not under the power of a rulebook but out of a Herald | December 2010

faith-filled relationship with Christ. If you try to attain holiness through rules you will never be successful, but if you have a relationship with Christ and His Spirit, He will lead you to true holiness.

This brings us to the opposite mistake made by other believers. They say that Christians are free from the Law and striving (which is true), so they conclude that we don’t really need to seek holiness in our lives. They often say we no longer need to repent of our sins, but can just live in God’s favor and grace without worrying about holiness.

But God does desire all of His children to be holy – without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14)! God desires us to fulfil His righteous law, but this is completely impossible on our own strength. How is it accomplished?

Jeremiah 31:33, “But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.”

This is the promise of the New Covenant – God says He will put His very law in our hearts and our minds! The law of God in our heart compels us to be righteous and holy, not through our striving but through our yielding to His Spirit. The reason we so often struggle to be holy is that we are not yielding to the Spirit and walking in Him; we are following our desires and not God’s. Thus we feel under bondage to sin, under bondage to rules, under bondage to struggles.

But when we learn to walk in the Spirit, God will write His ways on our very hearts, and we will obey Him from the very core of who we are. We will have true liberty, where righteousness is not something we struggle with but something we are free to follow. Our nature is renewed, and the Law is not an obstacle to our faith, but something we are following without even being conscious of it; our love relationship with Christ will naturally cause us to fulfil His Law. So don’t be in bondage any longer, either to the Law or to your sin. God does desire holiness, but it’s a holiness that comes when He writes His way in our hearts. Ask God to bring you true liberty, where you are obeying Him not out of fear or law but out of desire. Walk in the Spirit, and you won’t treat God’s righteousness the way I treat a speed limit. God will put His ways into your very heart, and you will have the glorious liberty of a son or daughter of God!

I hate speed limits. Yes, I understand that they’re often necessary, but when I’m driving on an open, non-crowded road (they type you don’t see very often in Singapore!)

I wish they didn’t exist. (I feel the same way about seeing the “red man” at a crosswalk on an empty street.)

But when we learn to walk in the Spirit, God will write His ways on our very hearts, and we will obey Him from the very core of who we are.

We will have true liberty, where righteousness is not something we struggle with but something we are free to follow.

42 | Generations

The Prodigal Father – The Musical

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By Natalie Wong

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I

t took three months and almost a hundred Gen-ers to set the stage for our first ever musical at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in August.

The days leading up to the performance were abuzz with excitement, yet I could not help but wonder if we were biting off more than we could chew. After all, didn’t musicals usually take up to a year or longer to be planned? We had all but twelve weeks to cast our actors, complete our original musical scores, design the props and get down to the rehearsals. It was daunting and crazy, to say the least, if we had thought we could do it with our own strength.

Our first pleasant surprise came when we opened the ticket sales. Cell groups were buying tickets in bulks of ten and there was a severe shortage of them.

Within two weeks, all tickets were snapped up and people were asking for more. There were cell groups left stranded without tickets for themselves and their friends. So we added a third show – a Friday matinee in addition to our Thursday and Friday evening performances.

I’m amazed, however, by God’s grace and provision upon us and everyone’s dedication to the musical. We knew we were part of something bigger, and we wanted to play our parts well. All hands were on deck during the entire production. There were rehearsals scheduled every week that required everyone’s commitment, especially from the cast who were rehearsing together twice a week.

The musical was called “The Prodigal Father” and was based on the Biblical passage found in Luke 15:11-32. This is a familiar story to us all, of an errant child who eventually came home to the Father. This musical centered around the Father and the portrayal of a prodigal God. Unlike the son who is wasteful, God the Father is extravagant and gives without measure. In modern day context, we based our plot around a family that goes through struggles people can relate to. Nigel Mak (Son – Gary), Ng Dong Ying (Daughter – Sally), Matthew Long (Father – Lee) and Ariane Goh (Mother – Desiree) made up the main cast.

We had been praying for a few weeks before the musical. We felt God’s hand upon the production. Before the show started, we gathered for a short time Herald | December 2010

of prayer and we went out there with bold assurance that everything would be alright as He was pleased with us.

The actual performance was a culmination of everything we had been working towards. All the practices and hard work came down to a mere forty-five minutes show. It was unnerving for everyone, but it was time for God to show up.

As the plot unfolded, the audience laughed at Gary, as he tried some cringeworthy pick-up lines on Kim (played by Naomi Yang), a girl he fancied.

They cried when the siblings reconciled and realized they had something in common – trying to earn their love elsewhere. I knew then, the musical had spoken to the audience. As Sabrina and Pastor Jiancong came on to give a short salvation message after the three shows, one could only pray that our friends would come to know the Father’s love, just as we have. Some messages were hard-hitting and sincere, while others were humorous and relevant to the youths. The most important thing, however, was that people responded.

Through the three shows, 61 people were saved for the first time. Every soul is precious, and we thank God for the changed lives.

The musical, conceived by Juliana Tan and directed by Priscilla Liu and Dylan Xie, was an idea that turned out to reach more than a thousand people. It was all raw talent - a cast mainly without any acting background, a team of musicians who had to write original musical scores for the first time and every other Gen-er who simply invested their time and effort in helping out for the production. Looking back, there was no way we could have done it without God. He was the most ardent Supporter of the musical.

I guess everyone had different takeaways from The Prodigal Father. Some realized the Father’s unconditional love for them for the first time. Some discovered their creative talent and used it. And I saw a family coming together to make this musical happen. The production was only possible when everyone put aside time and put in hard work for it. We are, indeed, God’s hands and feet. And when our different abilities are put together, we can attempt great things, and even fulfil dreams for Jesus. It was three months of sheer hard work. Would I do it all over again? Absolutely!

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42 | Generations

The Prodigal Father – The Musical

Best Sellers

Crazy Love Special!

By Natalie Wong

20%

t

n Discou

Purchase Francis Chan’s “Crazy Love” @ $26.00 and get a FREE book! ~ choose from a range of 10 books.

Valid whilst stocks last.

10 dec 20 l 24th Now til

STOREWIDE for members only

Recommended Picks

I

t took three months and almost a hundred Gen-ers to set the stage for our first ever musical at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts in August.

The days leading up to the performance were abuzz with excitement, yet I could not help but wonder if we were biting off more than we could chew. After all, didn’t musicals usually take up to a year or longer to be planned? We had all but twelve weeks to cast our actors, complete our original musical scores, design the props and get down to the rehearsals. It was daunting and crazy, to say the least, if we had thought we could do it with our own strength.

Our first pleasant surprise came when we opened the ticket sales. Cell groups were buying tickets in bulks of ten and there was a severe shortage of them.

Within two weeks, all tickets were snapped up and people were asking for more. There were cell groups left stranded without tickets for themselves and their friends. So we added a third show – a Friday matinee in addition to our Thursday and Friday evening performances.

I’m amazed, however, by God’s grace and provision upon us and everyone’s dedication to the musical. We knew we were part of something bigger, and we wanted to play our parts well. All hands were on deck during the entire production. There were rehearsals scheduled every week that required everyone’s commitment, especially from the cast who were rehearsing together twice a week.

The musical was called “The Prodigal Father” and was based on the Biblical passage found in Luke 15:11-32. This is a familiar story to us all, of an errant child who eventually came home to the Father. This musical centered around the Father and the portrayal of a prodigal God. Unlike the son who is wasteful, God the Father is extravagant and gives without measure. In modern day context, we based our plot around a family that goes through struggles people can relate to. Nigel Mak (Son – Gary), Ng Dong Ying (Daughter – Sally), Matthew Long (Father – Lee) and Ariane Goh (Mother – Desiree) made up the main cast.

We had been praying for a few weeks before the musical. We felt God’s hand upon the production. Before the show started, we gathered for a short time Herald | December 2010

of prayer and we went out there with bold assurance that everything would be alright as He was pleased with us.

The actual performance was a culmination of everything we had been working towards. All the practices and hard work came down to a mere forty-five minutes show. It was unnerving for everyone, but it was time for God to show up.

As the plot unfolded, the audience laughed at Gary, as he tried some cringeworthy pick-up lines on Kim (played by Naomi Yang), a girl he fancied.

They cried when the siblings reconciled and realized they had something in common – trying to earn their love elsewhere. I knew then, the musical had spoken to the audience. As Sabrina and Pastor Jiancong came on to give a short salvation message after the three shows, one could only pray that our friends would come to know the Father’s love, just as we have. Some messages were hard-hitting and sincere, while others were humorous and relevant to the youths. The most important thing, however, was that people responded.

Through the three shows, 61 people were saved for the first time. Every soul is precious, and we thank God for the changed lives.

The musical, conceived by Juliana Tan and directed by Priscilla Liu and Dylan Xie, was an idea that turned out to reach more than a thousand people. It was all raw talent - a cast mainly without any acting background, a team of musicians who had to write original musical scores for the first time and every other Gen-er who simply invested their time and effort in helping out for the production. Looking back, there was no way we could have done it without God. He was the most ardent Supporter of the musical.

I guess everyone had different takeaways from The Prodigal Father. Some realized the Father’s unconditional love for them for the first time. Some discovered their creative talent and used it. And I saw a family coming together to make this musical happen. The production was only possible when everyone put aside time and put in hard work for it. We are, indeed, God’s hands and feet. And when our different abilities are put together, we can attempt great things, and even fulfil dreams for Jesus. It was three months of sheer hard work. Would I do it all over again? Absolutely!

CDs & DVDs Special Faithworks Gift Vouchers Purchase our $10 Faithworks Gift Voucher @ 20% off. Great gift for your loved ones this Christmas!

(T&C applies for use of vouchers)

* See in-store for terms and conditions.

44 | Generations | Living Testimonies On that fateful day, we had all gathered in our school compound for physical training as it was pouring. We were all tossing the tennis ball with our tennis rackets. We were so engrossed with our individual performance that we couldn’t care less about our surroundings and continued to toss the tennis ball with our rackets when suddenly, a ball from above knocked hard into my left eye. From that very second, my life changed.

Testimony

by Yeo Jia Jia

When the tennis ball hit my left eye, all I saw was a mist of white clouds and the pain irritated my eye so much so that I could not even shut my left eye when I slept. The impact of the ball had resulted in the left side of my cheek muscle not being able to be lifted up.

I was stubborn and I did not consult the doctor immediately as I thought that this would not last for more than a few days, but I was wrong. The result of not seeking immediate medical attention had led to greater damage to my cheek. I finally consulted the doctor at the clinic after two weeks of the incident and the doctor could not find the cause of the injury and later referred me to the Ear Nose and Throat department in the KK Hospital for further check up.

Three days later, I visited the specialist whom the doctor had referred me to and he said that the impact of the tennis ball could not have damaged my muscle so badly to the point of not being able to lift it up. He was rather astonished when he saw my condition and he told both my mother and I that there was no medication and there was nothing that could be done to restore my cheek muscle. I was devastated then. I did not have hope in being able to smile the way I did before and it left me broken.

Since then, my self-esteem was badly affected as I could not smile or laugh. Whenever I laughed, I had to use my hands to cover my mouth as I could not bear to accept the fact that I could not lift up my left cheek.

T

he thought of not being able to smile had never crossed my mind.

I never thought that losing my smile could change my life. Losing my smile for a period of time in my life has allowed me to start a relationship with Papa God. It was like any other ordinary CCA day when my teammates and I strived to make use of every second of our training to train our best for the coming national competitions.

Back then, competing at the national level had always been my dream ever since I joined Katong Convent’s Tennis Team in year 2008.

Herald | December 2010

At my next medical review, the doctor told me that there was no reason why my left cheek could have been damaged so badly and he said that I was not recovering well. Since I was still young, I should have recovered within a short period of time. However, there was no sign of recovery at all. He told my mother and I that the cheek would take time to heal given its current bad condition.

He said that no treatment or medication could be used to restore the cheek muscle to its original state. Since that day, I gave up hope on recovering from my injury and never in my wildest dream would I believe that my cheek could return to its original state again.

After six months of hopelessness, I found Jesus through some of my schoolmates and I received salvation on the 15th of August 2009. I had never heard of healing and miracles taking place through the faith of one person and the prayers of many. It has never occurred to me that I would be healed by a loving Father. It has never occurred to me that I would regain the smile I had before.

45 It was in May 2010 when I first took a step of faith and decided to attend a healing session after the second church service. I went down to the altar area and briefly explained my injury to 2 deacons of the church and soon after, two leaders started praying for healing to take place.

While I shut my eyes and bowed my head in prayer, one of the leaders said that he saw me smiling from ear to ear and that was the promise that gripped my heart. Since that day, I had decided to place my fullest faith in God and believe that He would heal me when nothing else could.

I stood firm in the promise of God and believed that the promises of God are true and they never fail as our God is a faithful God. On 8th of August 2010, God fulfilled His promise as healing took place during the third service.

I broke down into tears when Peh Han asked us to pray for one another for healing to take place as it brought me back to the day when the doctor told me that there was no medication and nothing could be done to restore my cheek muscle. The words of the doctor just kept ringing in my head and I started weeping. My zone leader, Sabrina Low, then saw that I had raised up my hand when Peh Han asked for those who had a sports injury. She and a few of my zone members then laid their hands on my left cheek and started praying for healing to take place. As Sabrina was praying for me, I looked into the eyes of Jesus and held onto His promise, believing that I would be healed. While they were all praying for me, I felt my left cheek being lifted up slowly. It felt so light and it was as if the stiff muscle had loosened up. After the prayer, Sabrina asked how I was feeling and she asked me to try to smile. When I smiled, it was like how I used to smile when I did not find any difficulty in lifting the muscles of my left cheek up. They saw me smiling, they noticed a line on my left smile which was similar to the one I have on my right.

They were surprised and shocked that it could be lifted up again. Then Sabrina ended in a prayer of thanksgiving to God for healing and restoring the muscles of my left cheek. I could not believe that I was healed! I have been dreaming and waiting for the day I could smile again, waiting for the word of promise to come to pass and it finally did!

I am amazed by the power of faith and prayer.

God’s love amazes me even more. I realise how much God loves me to the extent of looking into every little detail of my life. I stand in awe of His love. His promises never fail. These are the two things I have learnt through this healing experience.

Jeremiah 32:27, “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind.

Is anything too hard for me?”

‘If God can raise the dead and heal the sick, what is restoring a muscle to Him, I wonder.’

M

y right ear was hurt recently. I was attending a musical when the microphone made a sudden sharp deafening sound. I did not realise that it had an impact on my right ear. Suddenly, my right ear could not hear a sound. I told Nicholas Tan, my cell member, about it and he prayed for me.

Testimony

by Lim Wei Cong

A

When I reached home, I told my mother about the incident and she brought me to the hospital for an examination. The doctor told me that my eardrum had burst and I was utterly shocked at the news.

I told my cell leader, Ivan, what the doctor had said and he told me that he would ask the cell group to pray for me.

few months ago, while I was playing basketball, the ball hit the last finger on my right hand. It was extremely painful.

At that moment, I thought I had broken my finger. Fortunately, I could still move my finger. I did not think much about it, as I thought the pain would go away in no time. Well, after a while, it was indeed not as painful. However, when I took a closer look at my finger, I noticed that the joint had moved a little.

Since that incident, whenever I wrote for a long period of time, my last finger would hurt terribly.

On 22nd August 2010, during the third service, Sng Peh Han gave an altar call for people who

I

On Sunday, I went to church and again, Ivan prayed for me during the altar call. As he prayed, my right ear popped open. I know I was totally healed because I could no longer feel the blockage in my ear. I could hear clearly! I was actually shocked that God had healed my ear!

On 13 August 2010, I went back to the hospital for a medical review and the doctor confirmed that my ear is perfectly well.

If God can heal me, He can heal you too! God loves us all equally. And prayers really work! Of course, healing brings joy...

needed healing from an injury. When he said that, I thought about my little finger. Initially, I did not want to respond but eventually I just felt that I should.

So, I went down to the altar area for prayer. After I was prayed for, I did not receive healing instantly, but I continued to believe in my heart that God was going to heal me.

I sat for my O Level Preliminary Examination recently. After I had finished my English Paper 1, which was composition and situational writing, I did not feel the usual pain that I used to have after writing a lot. It was then that I realised I have been healed! Praise the Lord! He is indeed Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our Healer.

would like to share my testimony of God’s healing on my longtime sinusitis.

I had sinusitis since young and in the recent years, the condition worsened to the point that I had to keep a nasal spray with me as a preventive measure, in case of a sinus reaction. In 2006, I had a high fever for nearly a week and had to visit A&E twice because of sinus infection. After I recovered, I was recommended by the hospital to consult a nose specialist. I went for a few follow up sessions and was told that I could either take several tests to determine the cause of my sinusitis problem, or have a sinusitis surgery to correct my nose bridge (which was slightly crooked on the inside).

For some reason, I just didn’t want to follow through with either of the recommendations, and it was at that point that I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to ask the Lord for healing and to really start believing that God is my Healer.

Sinusitis had a big impact in my life as it altered my lifestyle I had to restrain myself from drinking water after 8pm, staying up late, having little rest, avoid dusty environments and most of all, I experienced difficulties in breathing normally. Sometimes I even found myself short of breath because of the blocked nose, but it had become so much a part of my life that I did not think it was a big deal.

Testimony

by Grace Chanel

On 27 February 2010, I attended the Saturday service because I had a pool diving session on Sunday. I remembered when you (who?) took over from the worship leader, you actually prayed for healing to take place in the service. I wondered then if this was going to be a healing service. Pastor Steven preached on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and at some point, he shared some of his healing experiences.

At that point, I felt strongly the Lord prompting me to ask for healing for my sinusitis. I decided in my heart that if there was an altar call for healing, I would respond. I felt the confirmation when Pastor Steven was led to pray for people with sinusitis and I promptly made my way down. I knew and believed that God really did want to heal me that night. I felt the immediate healing when I was prayed for. I didn’t even realise that I had thick phlegm stuck at the back of my throat that was causing me breathing problems. When Pastor Steven prayed for me, I felt that the phlegm was removed and I could suddenly breathe normally.

I had been praying on and off for healing and was always challenged by the Holy Spirit to respond to altar calls for healing. I guess it was because I felt sinusitis was not a life-threatening sickness and usually, when people talked about healing, I felt they meant bigger problems like cancer or some handicap. Besides, I thought I could bear with it until recently when I signed up for a diving trip..

I woke up the next morning and I did not need to clear my nose anymore. I also went through my pool dive session without any breathing problems.. It had been a day since and the sinusitis had not returned. I believe I have been fully healed! Praise God for His healing and for giving me the faith to take this step in asking the Lord for healing.

Naturally, I was quite concerned about the breathing technique that was required in diving. It meant that if I did not breathe properly, it would be life threatening. So I prayed to the Lord about my fears and concerns, I was asking God that my sinus problem would not act up during the diving trip, but God had a better deal for me.

I would also like to thank Pastor Steven for his healing ministry that has set me free from a problem that I have been struggling with for years.

44 | Generations | Living Testimonies On that fateful day, we had all gathered in our school compound for physical training as it was pouring. We were all tossing the tennis ball with our tennis rackets. We were so engrossed with our individual performance that we couldn’t care less about our surroundings and continued to toss the tennis ball with our rackets when suddenly, a ball from above knocked hard into my left eye. From that very second, my life changed.

Testimony

by Yeo Jia Jia

When the tennis ball hit my left eye, all I saw was a mist of white clouds and the pain irritated my eye so much so that I could not even shut my left eye when I slept. The impact of the ball had resulted in the left side of my cheek muscle not being able to be lifted up.

I was stubborn and I did not consult the doctor immediately as I thought that this would not last for more than a few days, but I was wrong. The result of not seeking immediate medical attention had led to greater damage to my cheek. I finally consulted the doctor at the clinic after two weeks of the incident and the doctor could not find the cause of the injury and later referred me to the Ear Nose and Throat department in the KK Hospital for further check up.

Three days later, I visited the specialist whom the doctor had referred me to and he said that the impact of the tennis ball could not have damaged my muscle so badly to the point of not being able to lift it up. He was rather astonished when he saw my condition and he told both my mother and I that there was no medication and there was nothing that could be done to restore my cheek muscle. I was devastated then. I did not have hope in being able to smile the way I did before and it left me broken.

Since then, my self-esteem was badly affected as I could not smile or laugh. Whenever I laughed, I had to use my hands to cover my mouth as I could not bear to accept the fact that I could not lift up my left cheek.

T

he thought of not being able to smile had never crossed my mind.

I never thought that losing my smile could change my life. Losing my smile for a period of time in my life has allowed me to start a relationship with Papa God. It was like any other ordinary CCA day when my teammates and I strived to make use of every second of our training to train our best for the coming national competitions.

Back then, competing at the national level had always been my dream ever since I joined Katong Convent’s Tennis Team in year 2008.

Herald | December 2010

At my next medical review, the doctor told me that there was no reason why my left cheek could have been damaged so badly and he said that I was not recovering well. Since I was still young, I should have recovered within a short period of time. However, there was no sign of recovery at all. He told my mother and I that the cheek would take time to heal given its current bad condition.

He said that no treatment or medication could be used to restore the cheek muscle to its original state. Since that day, I gave up hope on recovering from my injury and never in my wildest dream would I believe that my cheek could return to its original state again.

After six months of hopelessness, I found Jesus through some of my schoolmates and I received salvation on the 15th of August 2009. I had never heard of healing and miracles taking place through the faith of one person and the prayers of many. It has never occurred to me that I would be healed by a loving Father. It has never occurred to me that I would regain the smile I had before.

45 It was in May 2010 when I first took a step of faith and decided to attend a healing session after the second church service. I went down to the altar area and briefly explained my injury to 2 deacons of the church and soon after, two leaders started praying for healing to take place.

While I shut my eyes and bowed my head in prayer, one of the leaders said that he saw me smiling from ear to ear and that was the promise that gripped my heart. Since that day, I had decided to place my fullest faith in God and believe that He would heal me when nothing else could.

I stood firm in the promise of God and believed that the promises of God are true and they never fail as our God is a faithful God. On 8th of August 2010, God fulfilled His promise as healing took place during the third service.

I broke down into tears when Peh Han asked us to pray for one another for healing to take place as it brought me back to the day when the doctor told me that there was no medication and nothing could be done to restore my cheek muscle. The words of the doctor just kept ringing in my head and I started weeping. My zone leader, Sabrina Low, then saw that I had raised up my hand when Peh Han asked for those who had a sports injury. She and a few of my zone members then laid their hands on my left cheek and started praying for healing to take place. As Sabrina was praying for me, I looked into the eyes of Jesus and held onto His promise, believing that I would be healed. While they were all praying for me, I felt my left cheek being lifted up slowly. It felt so light and it was as if the stiff muscle had loosened up. After the prayer, Sabrina asked how I was feeling and she asked me to try to smile. When I smiled, it was like how I used to smile when I did not find any difficulty in lifting the muscles of my left cheek up. They saw me smiling, they noticed a line on my left smile which was similar to the one I have on my right.

They were surprised and shocked that it could be lifted up again. Then Sabrina ended in a prayer of thanksgiving to God for healing and restoring the muscles of my left cheek. I could not believe that I was healed! I have been dreaming and waiting for the day I could smile again, waiting for the word of promise to come to pass and it finally did!

I am amazed by the power of faith and prayer.

God’s love amazes me even more. I realise how much God loves me to the extent of looking into every little detail of my life. I stand in awe of His love. His promises never fail. These are the two things I have learnt through this healing experience.

Jeremiah 32:27, “I am the LORD, the God of all mankind.

Is anything too hard for me?”

‘If God can raise the dead and heal the sick, what is restoring a muscle to Him, I wonder.’

M

y right ear was hurt recently. I was attending a musical when the microphone made a sudden sharp deafening sound. I did not realise that it had an impact on my right ear. Suddenly, my right ear could not hear a sound. I told Nicholas Tan, my cell member, about it and he prayed for me.

Testimony

by Lim Wei Cong

A

When I reached home, I told my mother about the incident and she brought me to the hospital for an examination. The doctor told me that my eardrum had burst and I was utterly shocked at the news.

I told my cell leader, Ivan, what the doctor had said and he told me that he would ask the cell group to pray for me.

few months ago, while I was playing basketball, the ball hit the last finger on my right hand. It was extremely painful.

At that moment, I thought I had broken my finger. Fortunately, I could still move my finger. I did not think much about it, as I thought the pain would go away in no time. Well, after a while, it was indeed not as painful. However, when I took a closer look at my finger, I noticed that the joint had moved a little.

Since that incident, whenever I wrote for a long period of time, my last finger would hurt terribly.

On 22nd August 2010, during the third service, Sng Peh Han gave an altar call for people who

I

On Sunday, I went to church and again, Ivan prayed for me during the altar call. As he prayed, my right ear popped open. I know I was totally healed because I could no longer feel the blockage in my ear. I could hear clearly! I was actually shocked that God had healed my ear!

On 13 August 2010, I went back to the hospital for a medical review and the doctor confirmed that my ear is perfectly well.

If God can heal me, He can heal you too! God loves us all equally. And prayers really work! Of course, healing brings joy...

needed healing from an injury. When he said that, I thought about my little finger. Initially, I did not want to respond but eventually I just felt that I should.

So, I went down to the altar area for prayer. After I was prayed for, I did not receive healing instantly, but I continued to believe in my heart that God was going to heal me.

I sat for my O Level Preliminary Examination recently. After I had finished my English Paper 1, which was composition and situational writing, I did not feel the usual pain that I used to have after writing a lot. It was then that I realised I have been healed! Praise the Lord! He is indeed Jehovah Rapha, the Lord our Healer.

would like to share my testimony of God’s healing on my longtime sinusitis.

I had sinusitis since young and in the recent years, the condition worsened to the point that I had to keep a nasal spray with me as a preventive measure, in case of a sinus reaction. In 2006, I had a high fever for nearly a week and had to visit A&E twice because of sinus infection. After I recovered, I was recommended by the hospital to consult a nose specialist. I went for a few follow up sessions and was told that I could either take several tests to determine the cause of my sinusitis problem, or have a sinusitis surgery to correct my nose bridge (which was slightly crooked on the inside).

For some reason, I just didn’t want to follow through with either of the recommendations, and it was at that point that I felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to ask the Lord for healing and to really start believing that God is my Healer.

Sinusitis had a big impact in my life as it altered my lifestyle I had to restrain myself from drinking water after 8pm, staying up late, having little rest, avoid dusty environments and most of all, I experienced difficulties in breathing normally. Sometimes I even found myself short of breath because of the blocked nose, but it had become so much a part of my life that I did not think it was a big deal.

Testimony

by Grace Chanel

On 27 February 2010, I attended the Saturday service because I had a pool diving session on Sunday. I remembered when you (who?) took over from the worship leader, you actually prayed for healing to take place in the service. I wondered then if this was going to be a healing service. Pastor Steven preached on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and at some point, he shared some of his healing experiences.

At that point, I felt strongly the Lord prompting me to ask for healing for my sinusitis. I decided in my heart that if there was an altar call for healing, I would respond. I felt the confirmation when Pastor Steven was led to pray for people with sinusitis and I promptly made my way down. I knew and believed that God really did want to heal me that night. I felt the immediate healing when I was prayed for. I didn’t even realise that I had thick phlegm stuck at the back of my throat that was causing me breathing problems. When Pastor Steven prayed for me, I felt that the phlegm was removed and I could suddenly breathe normally.

I had been praying on and off for healing and was always challenged by the Holy Spirit to respond to altar calls for healing. I guess it was because I felt sinusitis was not a life-threatening sickness and usually, when people talked about healing, I felt they meant bigger problems like cancer or some handicap. Besides, I thought I could bear with it until recently when I signed up for a diving trip..

I woke up the next morning and I did not need to clear my nose anymore. I also went through my pool dive session without any breathing problems.. It had been a day since and the sinusitis had not returned. I believe I have been fully healed! Praise God for His healing and for giving me the faith to take this step in asking the Lord for healing.

Naturally, I was quite concerned about the breathing technique that was required in diving. It meant that if I did not breathe properly, it would be life threatening. So I prayed to the Lord about my fears and concerns, I was asking God that my sinus problem would not act up during the diving trip, but God had a better deal for me.

I would also like to thank Pastor Steven for his healing ministry that has set me free from a problem that I have been struggling with for years.

46

Early Bird Orders Orders received by 5 Dec 2010 will receive a 5% discount. (excludes delivery fee)

ADVERTISEMENT

Customisation To customise gift baskets, please contact us for more details.

47 To Order Hampers Simply email order details to BWLchristmas@gmail.com

We will contact you shortly to confirm your order.

(Hampers may be self-collected or delivered for $12 per delivery.)

9. Festive Celebration Basket / $150

8. Gourmet Basket / $88 1. Petite Cheers / $40 Petite Baskets of Cheers Spread some Christmas cheer this festive season with these petite and beautiful gift baskets of delicious sweet treats.

2. Petite Cheers / $40

3. Petite Cheers / $55

Wine & Chocs Baskets The classic pairing of wines and premium chocolates makes for an elegant gift this Christmas.

4. Wine & Chocs / $65

CONTACT US 11 East Coast Road #01-13 Odeon Katong Shopping Centre S428722 Tel: 63466293 | Hp: 98579474/96283949

10. Festive Celebration Basket / $150

Festive Celebration Basket Filled to the brim with quality chocolates, biscuits, pretzels, salsa chips and dip, fruitcake, red and white wines, and lime cordial, this is a great gift basket for festive parties.

Gourmet Basket Ideal for the individual who enjoys gourmet delights, this basket includes products for cooking (lasagna sheets, soup broths, coutons, honey, fruit preserve – comes with a recipe tag), quality snacks (pretzels, cookies, cordials, salsa dip & chips) and drinks (lime cordial & rootbeer).

Festive Celebration Basket Consisting of fine biscuits, dessert crackers, fragrant tea, premium chocolates, red and white wines and a bottle of champagne, this lavish and beautiful basket will make a wonderful gift this holiday.

5. Wine & Chocs / $120 Vineyard Floral Basket Two bottles of reds, a bottle of white, a bottle of champagne, a box of Lindt’s Thins, with an arrangement of fresh flowers.

Vineyard Basket With all items in wine bottle shapes, this gift basket is both fun and festive!

Two bottles of reds, two bottles of whites,

12. Vineyard Floral Basket / $150

11. Vineyard Basket / $200 a bottle of champagne, a box of Anthony Berg Liqueur Chocolates and a bottle of chocolate snacks.

13. Vineyard Floral Basket / $70

8. Gourmet Basket / $88 preserves (comes with recipe tag), fresh healthy nuts, granola cereal, camomile tea, soup broth, salsa chips and dip, organic coffee and premium dessert crackers.

6. Basket of Goodness / $60

Christmas Flower Arrangements $50

$60

$70

7. Basket of Goodness / $88

Baskets of Goodness Created for health conscious individuals in mind, these baskets include natural products such as delicious honey, fruit

An arrangement of ruby red gerberas and deep red roses accompanied by fresh green apples and a candle for the touch of warmth this Christmas.

A festive arrangement of deep red roses, contrasted with white roses, accompanied by fresh red apples, acorns and a candle.

Vineyard Floral Basket A bottle of wine nestled next to an arrangement of fresh flowers. A classic gift perfect for sending your festive greetings.

An elegant and sophisticated arrangement of deep red roses, contrasted with white cymbidium orchids, accompanied by acorns and candles.

*Actual hampers/flowers may differ from the photographs displayed. * Basket with Love reserves the right to change the hamper items as necessary if items are not available.

Herald | December 2010

46

Early Bird Orders Orders received by 5 Dec 2010 will receive a 5% discount. (excludes delivery fee)

ADVERTISEMENT

Customisation To customise gift baskets, please contact us for more details.

47 To Order Hampers Simply email order details to BWLchristmas@gmail.com

We will contact you shortly to confirm your order.

(Hampers may be self-collected or delivered for $12 per delivery.)

9. Festive Celebration Basket / $150

8. Gourmet Basket / $88 1. Petite Cheers / $40 Petite Baskets of Cheers Spread some Christmas cheer this festive season with these petite and beautiful gift baskets of delicious sweet treats.

2. Petite Cheers / $40

3. Petite Cheers / $55

Wine & Chocs Baskets The classic pairing of wines and premium chocolates makes for an elegant gift this Christmas.

4. Wine & Chocs / $65

CONTACT US 11 East Coast Road #01-13 Odeon Katong Shopping Centre S428722 Tel: 63466293 | Hp: 98579474/96283949

10. Festive Celebration Basket / $150

Festive Celebration Basket Filled to the brim with quality chocolates, biscuits, pretzels, salsa chips and dip, fruitcake, red and white wines, and lime cordial, this is a great gift basket for festive parties.

Gourmet Basket Ideal for the individual who enjoys gourmet delights, this basket includes products for cooking (lasagna sheets, soup broths, coutons, honey, fruit preserve – comes with a recipe tag), quality snacks (pretzels, cookies, cordials, salsa dip & chips) and drinks (lime cordial & rootbeer).

Festive Celebration Basket Consisting of fine biscuits, dessert crackers, fragrant tea, premium chocolates, red and white wines and a bottle of champagne, this lavish and beautiful basket will make a wonderful gift this holiday.

5. Wine & Chocs / $120 Vineyard Floral Basket Two bottles of reds, a bottle of white, a bottle of champagne, a box of Lindt’s Thins, with an arrangement of fresh flowers.

Vineyard Basket With all items in wine bottle shapes, this gift basket is both fun and festive!

Two bottles of reds, two bottles of whites,

12. Vineyard Floral Basket / $150

11. Vineyard Basket / $200 a bottle of champagne, a box of Anthony Berg Liqueur Chocolates and a bottle of chocolate snacks.

13. Vineyard Floral Basket / $70

8. Gourmet Basket / $88 preserves (comes with recipe tag), fresh healthy nuts, granola cereal, camomile tea, soup broth, salsa chips and dip, organic coffee and premium dessert crackers.

6. Basket of Goodness / $60

Christmas Flower Arrangements $50

$60

$70

7. Basket of Goodness / $88

Baskets of Goodness Created for health conscious individuals in mind, these baskets include natural products such as delicious honey, fruit

An arrangement of ruby red gerberas and deep red roses accompanied by fresh green apples and a candle for the touch of warmth this Christmas.

A festive arrangement of deep red roses, contrasted with white roses, accompanied by fresh red apples, acorns and a candle.

Vineyard Floral Basket A bottle of wine nestled next to an arrangement of fresh flowers. A classic gift perfect for sending your festive greetings.

An elegant and sophisticated arrangement of deep red roses, contrasted with white cymbidium orchids, accompanied by acorns and candles.

*Actual hampers/flowers may differ from the photographs displayed. * Basket with Love reserves the right to change the hamper items as necessary if items are not available.

Herald | December 2010

CHRISTMAS ORDER FORM 2010

Please pass this form to us at The Olives or email eve@theolives.com.sg. Payment is only required upon self-collection. Once we receive your order, we will confirm your order details the next working day. No cancellation is allowed after confirmation.

Full Name: Date of Order: (last day to order: 21 Dec 10, 3pm)

Contact Number:

Date of Collection: last day of collection : 25 Dec 10, 1pm)

Item Description Wt/Size cakes Chocolate Log Cake 500g Chocolate Log Cake 1kg Vanilla Log Cake 500g Vanilla Log Cake 1kg Chocolate Truffle 12” Oreo Cheesecake 12” Apple Crumble Tray Banana Crumble Tray Peach Crumble Tray Chocolate / Cappucino / Strawberry Eclairs Tray 36 pcs Chocolate / Strawberry Profiteroles 30 pcs Assorted Macaroons 12 pcs Minicakes (Assortments) 25 pcs PARTY PLATTERS (Serves 8 - 10)

Cost

Qty

$26.00 $34.00 $26.00 $34.00 $40.00 $40.00 $30.00 $30.00 $30.00 $20.00 $13.00 $24.00 $39.90

Party Platter $40.00 (Drumlets, Sausages, Nuggets, Devilled Eggs) Salad Platter $38.00 (Celeries, Onions, Cherry Tomatoes, Brocolli, Peppers, Potato Salad) Mini Finger Sandwich Platter $36.00 (Egg Mayo, Tuna Mayo, Seafood) MEATS Roast Turkey w Mushroom Stuffing (serves 6-8) $85.90 Boneless Roast Turkey Breast w Mushroom Stuffing $ 120.90 (serves 4-6) Baby Honey Baked Ham (serves 2-3) $19.90 Honey Baked Ham (serves 3-4) $35.90 Smoked Premium Ham (serves 3-4) $45.90 Smoked & Cooked Bone in Ham (6-7kg) $165.00 Honey Glazed Pork Ribs (serves 2-3) $27.90 Black Pepper Pork Ribs (serves 2-3) $27.90 Black Pepper Roast Beef (serves 3-4) $34.90 TOTAL PAYABLE: other comments:

Herald | December 2010

Total

CHRISTMAS ORDER FORM 2010

Please pass this form to us at The Olives or email eve@theolives.com.sg. Payment is only required upon self-collection. Once we receive your order, we will confirm your order details the next working day. No cancellation is allowed after confirmation.

Full Name: Date of Order: (last day to order: 21 Dec 10, 3pm)

Contact Number:

Date of Collection: last day of collection : 25 Dec 10, 1pm)

Item Description Wt/Size cakes Chocolate Log Cake 500g Chocolate Log Cake 1kg Vanilla Log Cake 500g Vanilla Log Cake 1kg Chocolate Truffle 12” Oreo Cheesecake 12” Apple Crumble Tray Banana Crumble Tray Peach Crumble Tray Chocolate / Cappucino / Strawberry Eclairs Tray 36 pcs Chocolate / Strawberry Profiteroles 30 pcs Assorted Macaroons 12 pcs Minicakes (Assortments) 25 pcs PARTY PLATTERS (Serves 8 - 10)

Cost

Qty

$26.00 $34.00 $26.00 $34.00 $40.00 $40.00 $30.00 $30.00 $30.00 $20.00 $13.00 $24.00 $39.90

Party Platter $40.00 (Drumlets, Sausages, Nuggets, Devilled Eggs) Salad Platter $38.00 (Celeries, Onions, Cherry Tomatoes, Brocolli, Peppers, Potato Salad) Mini Finger Sandwich Platter $36.00 (Egg Mayo, Tuna Mayo, Seafood) MEATS Roast Turkey w Mushroom Stuffing (serves 6-8) $85.90 Boneless Roast Turkey Breast w Mushroom Stuffing $ 120.90 (serves 4-6) Baby Honey Baked Ham (serves 2-3) $19.90 Honey Baked Ham (serves 3-4) $35.90 Smoked Premium Ham (serves 3-4) $45.90 Smoked & Cooked Bone in Ham (6-7kg) $165.00 Honey Glazed Pork Ribs (serves 2-3) $27.90 Black Pepper Pork Ribs (serves 2-3) $27.90 Black Pepper Roast Beef (serves 3-4) $34.90 TOTAL PAYABLE: other comments:

Herald | December 2010

Total

50

In the House | 51

Cornerstone Community Services Centre (CCSC)

CCSC is a non-profit, voluntary welfare organisation.

It was set up by Cornerstone Community Church in 27 July 1996 as a society (ROS: 171/96WEL) and subsequently registered under the Charities Act (CRN: 1263) on 11 June 1997. She has been a full member of National Council of Social Service and NCSS Charitable Fund (General Fund) since 2003. It is funded by public donations. Donations from individuals and corporations are tax-exempt. Nominal fees are charged for most organised activities to offset some of the operating costs.

www.cornerstoneservices.org.sg

Our objective

T

o initiate, assist and provide activities and schemes of social services for the alleviation of poverty, suffering, ignorance or ill-health whether physical or mental, without limitation of age, sex, race, nationality, religion or moral character, by the provision of assistance, education, training services or counselling To empower the weak and needy through equipping and counselling that they may be empowered to live life to the fullest.

Herald | December 2010

Our Anchor Programme

1. Counselling Services Help individuals and families to work through their problems, namely financial, behavioural and interpersonal difficulties and marital/family conflicts.

2. Youth Outreach – Building the Right Foundation Nurture youths to reach their potential and become socially responsible adults Develop leadership qualities Address at-risk youth behaviours Provide experience through service to the community Student Development Programme • Character Development talks and workshops on teenage issues and lifeskills topics • Community Outreach: Local and Overseas (Tsunamis Assistance) community outreach events/projects using CIP and Service Learning approaches Student Support Programme • Focused Oral Programme • Academic Mentoring Programme • Subsidised Academic Development Programme • After-School/Holiday Enrichment Programme • STARFISH Programme • Buddy Care Programme Student Financial Assistance Scheme • School Bursary Award

Ou r Mis s io n Serving Community, Changing L ives • Exam Fee Grant • School Allowance 3. Family Life Education Promote richer family life and strengthen the family unit in the community.

Provide avenues for individuals/families to reach out to the less privileged in the community Silver Programme • Elderly Outreach • Active Fit Programme • Cornerstone COPE • Chai Chee Outreach Enrichment Programme • School Family Education • Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Courses • Family Enrichment Talks and Activities • Personal Development Talks and Seminars Community In Action • Outreach to the Youths @ Reformative Training Centre • Hospital Visitation Main Service Users: Gongshang Primary School; Macpherson Primary School; Yu Neng Primary School; Canossa Convent Primary School; Temasek Secondary School; Macpherson

Secondary School; Victoria School; Bedok Methodist Church Children Ministry; Northlight School; Christian Outreach to the Handicapped; Windsor Home; Lee Ah Moi Home for the Aged; Tanjong Katong Girls’ School and many other organisations and institutions.

Help Us • Build the right foundation for our youths through developing current and relevant talks, workshops and activities that will impact their generation • Support students and individuals facing financial difficulties through our financial assistance schemes example bursary awards, grants etc.

• Mentor students in their academic and character development • Support and equip individuals and families to handle life issues through classes and counselling services • Develop our volunteers as they serve the community • Provide good quality programmes at subsidised cost • Organise community events/ projects to impact the local and foreign communities example Christmas@Katong/Joo Chiat, Outreach to the Elderly at Windsor Home for the Aged, Youth Expedition Projects, Tsunami Relief etc.

Support Us by donating to us in the following modes: 1. cash donation to our office at 11 East Coast Rd #01-08 The Odeon Katong during office hours 2. cheque donation made payable to “Cornerstone Community Services Centre” 3. credit card donation through online donation portal @ www.sggives.org/ccsc All donations are tax deductable.

Cornerstone Community Services Centre Mailing Add: 11 East Coast Road # 03-01/02 The Odeon Katong Singapore 428722 Office Add: 11 East Coast Road # 01-08 The Odeon Katong Singapore 428722 Tel: 63447321 | Fax: 63443877 www.cornerstoneservices.org.sg Email: info@cornerstoneservices.org.sg

50

In the House | 51

Cornerstone Community Services Centre (CCSC)

CCSC is a non-profit, voluntary welfare organisation.

It was set up by Cornerstone Community Church in 27 July 1996 as a society (ROS: 171/96WEL) and subsequently registered under the Charities Act (CRN: 1263) on 11 June 1997. She has been a full member of National Council of Social Service and NCSS Charitable Fund (General Fund) since 2003. It is funded by public donations. Donations from individuals and corporations are tax-exempt. Nominal fees are charged for most organised activities to offset some of the operating costs.

www.cornerstoneservices.org.sg

Our objective

T

o initiate, assist and provide activities and schemes of social services for the alleviation of poverty, suffering, ignorance or ill-health whether physical or mental, without limitation of age, sex, race, nationality, religion or moral character, by the provision of assistance, education, training services or counselling To empower the weak and needy through equipping and counselling that they may be empowered to live life to the fullest.

Herald | December 2010

Our Anchor Programme

1. Counselling Services Help individuals and families to work through their problems, namely financial, behavioural and interpersonal difficulties and marital/family conflicts.

2. Youth Outreach – Building the Right Foundation Nurture youths to reach their potential and become socially responsible adults Develop leadership qualities Address at-risk youth behaviours Provide experience through service to the community Student Development Programme • Character Development talks and workshops on teenage issues and lifeskills topics • Community Outreach: Local and Overseas (Tsunamis Assistance) community outreach events/projects using CIP and Service Learning approaches Student Support Programme • Focused Oral Programme • Academic Mentoring Programme • Subsidised Academic Development Programme • After-School/Holiday Enrichment Programme • STARFISH Programme • Buddy Care Programme Student Financial Assistance Scheme • School Bursary Award

Ou r Mis s io n Serving Community, Changing L ives • Exam Fee Grant • School Allowance 3. Family Life Education Promote richer family life and strengthen the family unit in the community.

Provide avenues for individuals/families to reach out to the less privileged in the community Silver Programme • Elderly Outreach • Active Fit Programme • Cornerstone COPE • Chai Chee Outreach Enrichment Programme • School Family Education • Marriage Preparation and Enrichment Courses • Family Enrichment Talks and Activities • Personal Development Talks and Seminars Community In Action • Outreach to the Youths @ Reformative Training Centre • Hospital Visitation Main Service Users: Gongshang Primary School; Macpherson Primary School; Yu Neng Primary School; Canossa Convent Primary School; Temasek Secondary School; Macpherson

Secondary School; Victoria School; Bedok Methodist Church Children Ministry; Northlight School; Christian Outreach to the Handicapped; Windsor Home; Lee Ah Moi Home for the Aged; Tanjong Katong Girls’ School and many other organisations and institutions.

Help Us • Build the right foundation for our youths through developing current and relevant talks, workshops and activities that will impact their generation • Support students and individuals facing financial difficulties through our financial assistance schemes example bursary awards, grants etc.

• Mentor students in their academic and character development • Support and equip individuals and families to handle life issues through classes and counselling services • Develop our volunteers as they serve the community • Provide good quality programmes at subsidised cost • Organise community events/ projects to impact the local and foreign communities example Christmas@Katong/Joo Chiat, Outreach to the Elderly at Windsor Home for the Aged, Youth Expedition Projects, Tsunami Relief etc.

Support Us by donating to us in the following modes: 1. cash donation to our office at 11 East Coast Rd #01-08 The Odeon Katong during office hours 2. cheque donation made payable to “Cornerstone Community Services Centre” 3. credit card donation through online donation portal @ www.sggives.org/ccsc All donations are tax deductable.

Cornerstone Community Services Centre Mailing Add: 11 East Coast Road # 03-01/02 The Odeon Katong Singapore 428722 Office Add: 11 East Coast Road # 01-08 The Odeon Katong Singapore 428722 Tel: 63447321 | Fax: 63443877 www.cornerstoneservices.org.sg Email: info@cornerstoneservices.org.sg

Get your or der form on page 49 The Ol i ve s Ca f ĂŠ | 1 1 E a st C oa st R oa d #01- 22, The O deon Katong, S inga p or e 428722 T ( 6 5 ) 6 3 4 6 6 2 4 7 | F ( 6 5 ) 6344 3877 | Em a il enquir e@ theoli ve s.com.sg O p er ation Hour s C l o s e d on M on : Tue - Sat 11: 30a m to 10pm | Sun 10a m to 10pm

Herald | December 2010