Kajang
Assembly of God
Celebration Services KAOG@Timur 52, Jln Timur, 43000 Kajang
ENGLISH SERVICES Adult Services Sat 5.30pm Sun 11.00am Powerhouse Youth Service Sun 11.00am Sonshine Kids Children Service Sun 11.00am CHINESE SERVICE Sun 8.30am BAHASA MALAYSIA SERVICE Sun 8.45am TAMIL SERVICE Sun 4.30pm NEPALI SERVICE Sun 10.30am All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission is prohibited. Opinions and views expressed do not necessarily constitute the official stand of the church. Printed by Sun Graphic.
WHAT IS OUR VISION? “We are a worshipping community of God’s people declaring God’s Glory.” “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9)
WHAT IS OUR MISSION? What we intend to do to fulfill our vision. Each of the mission statement below seeks to fulfill one and at times two out of the three components of KAOG’s vision statement. To reach out to the different language, ethnic, age and social groups in the Kajang area with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
KAJANG ASSEMBLY OF GOD Tel: 03-87361890 . Fax: 03-87369396 Email: office@kaog.org.my Website: www.kaog.org.my KAOG@Timur 52 Jln Timur KAOG@Jelok 1-2&1-3, Tgkt 1&2, Jln Pusat Perniagaan 2, Pusat Perniagaan Sg Jelok
To disciple and equip every believer for maturity in Christ, success in life and effective ministry. To evangelize, nurture, disciple, care and develop ministry and leadership through care cells. To bless our society and our nation through our community services. To raise up and send Christian workers, pastors and missionaries beyond Kajang. To plant churches in the regions beyond Kajang which will share a similar vision and sense of mission. To bless the body of Christ at large.
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2010
H A R V E S T
KAOG
MESSAGE FROM THE SENIOR PASTOR
BY REV CHAN NAM CHEN
Will you cross the boundaries? Jesus first told the story of the Good Samaritan (Lk.10:25-37) to a selfrighteous religious lawyer who came to test him. This man was evidently proud that he knew everything written in God's Laws but he was completely oblivious to the fact that he failed to practice God's Laws where it really mattered. Seeking to justify his shortcomings in fulfilling God's laws, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" (Lk.10:29) The ensuing story, the parable of the Good Samaritan, is probably one of the most profound illustrations of what it means to really love God in the real world, in a real way. To love God is to love our neighbour. This is a timeless truth easily forgotten and lost in a world of selfactualization, success and achievement. In church and in prayer, Christians can be absolutely lost in worship and adoration of God but yet seldom lift a finger to meet the countless needs of people around them; especially their need to know the Saviour. Too busy, we have our own problems to take care of. It does not appear abnormal because the average Christians around are just
like them. Result: loving God is divorced from loving people and has become two different issues. But God's word says: We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death… Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God… (1 Jn.3:14; 4:7). Loving our neighbour is the outflow and expression of our love for God. Loving God cannot be divorced from love for the people around us; especially those who are most in need of the good news of God's love. We who have drank from the depths of God's love cannot but seek to do all we can to bring God's love and the gospel of salvation to those who need it! The world is our neighbour. In the parable, a man, Jewish presumably, was robbed, beaten up, and left for dead along the road. Two of his countrymen (both who are religious personages who should know better), a priest and then a Levite, passed by. They did not bother to stop to help him. Rather, they conveniently walked on the other side of the road, ignoring his predicament. Then a Samaritan man, a man from [3]
another race, despised and considered to be enemies and scum by the Jews passed by. This Samaritan not only stopped and helped; he put the man on his own donkey and went out of his way to take care of him. He paid from his own pocket to the inn-keeper, asking him to take care of the poor fellow. This simple but profound parable points out that: 1. Being a neighbour to someone is NOT limited to family relations or proximity. It is also not limited to those you like, it may include 'enemies'. It is showing the love of God to all who are in need, whoever they may be, wherever they may be. 2. Being a neighbour to someone requires the crossing of boundaries. The biggest boundaries are not geographical but racial, social and cultural. The Lord Jesus Christ crossed the biggest boundary when he left the splendour of heaven to become a man. We, His church, are called to cross boundaries for Him. Who is your neighbour?
BY DAVID CHRISTY
T H E ROA D TO P E R D I T I O N Life is full of stories of evil intentions that didn't become deeds, thanks to the intervention of kind souls. I would call these fateful times "Abigail moments".
ended in her death. Whether an argument over money, or a lovers' quarrel, Anamol will never know. But now, he had to consider the fate of his three mother-less children. He returned to Nepal, and got someone to care for his offspring, for he knew he had to journey back to Malaysia to work; the money he earned here meant the difference between life and destitution for the little ones. Not too long after flying back to Malaysia, Anamol found out that his wife's killer was also in the country. Aite Anamol (37 years old) experienced Guttural anger commanded him to right such a moment three years ago. Whereas the wrong. He hired several Indonesian the biblical hero, David, was bent on men and together they planned a bus punishing Nabal for his impudence and journey to Johor, to traverse a road that stinginess, Anamol was on a mission to many have taken in lives past and exact revenge for the death of his wife. present, with but one conclusion. David was stopped in his tracks by On the bus at the Puduraya bus Abigail, and saved from a hellish deed. Anamol's story is no less miraculous. He terminal, though, the spirit of rage was arrived in Malaysia in 2002, with a dream confronted. Another Nepali man with Christian tracts boarded the vehicle, sat to raise money to expand his fledgling next to Anamol and began what could mini-market business in Nepal. Every only be, to Anamol at least, the strangest month he would faithfully send a small of conversations. He told Anamol that sum to his friend and partner, a man he God told him that someone in that long trusted as completely as any member of trip to Johor was tottering between life his family. and death, and that he should do The staunch Hindu could not know the treachery that awaited him. His good something. He felt that God was pointing him to friend turned out to be everything but Anamol, and so emboldened, he spoke his that. He absconded with the money, and mind. Anamol's wife, too. [4] Worse was to come. The affair between Anamol's wife and his friend
Anamol was in no mood to talk, and told the man in no uncertain terms to buzz of. When the man persisted, Anamol threatened to kill him. The man did not relent. He asked Anamol to meet up with someone he knew who could help him. Anamol was livid. Together with his Indonesian cohorts, he dragged the man out for a lynching. The man remained calm. He took a tract from his pocket and gave it to Anamol, pleading with him to read it. It was at this point that Anamol, his gaze drifting to the tract, experienced a remarkable change of heart. The plan hatched in anger fell to the calm pleadings of words rooted in the distant past. Anamol, at peace, was going home. How can we describe or hope to understand this transformational moment, without referencing Paul on the road to Damascus? The man who changed Anamol 's course put him in touch with Pastor Simon who brought him to KAOG. Here, under Pastor Resham's wing, Anamol found Jesus. Anamol 's story is continuing. But it started only because someone recognised an "Abigail moment" for what it was. The world is our neighbour, so we say. Let's get into the habit of putting the words into action, too. Even if it costs us dearly.
THOUGH TOUGH, GOD IS AT WORK I am located at an AOG church in the province of Kampong Speu in the commune of Kandaldom. This church is a base for the work we are doing in the villages where we have several outreach ministries. The outreaches minister to the people's spiritual needs as well as their physical needs in the form of education, micro-finance, health, etc. In the three years I have lived and ministered in Kampong Speu, we have seen the establishment of many things. For example, three churches have been planted other than the main church, and many people have been saved and water baptized. A pre-school has been established in one of the poorer villages. English and music classes are also held in these locations. It is wonderful to see many young people rising up for the Lord. Cell groups have been established throughout the region, whereby local believers and curious others gather together to hear the word of God in homes. This is a key to the gospel being spread in Cambodia.
even though I am surrounded by people. I thank God for teams and individuals who come to minister and encourage me. He has been faithful in helping me do this work. At the end of the day, it worth everything to serve God and His people. I have never witnessed such love and faith until I went into the field.
THE CHILDREN CHURCH KIDS
THE PRE-SCHOOL IN KG SPEU IS AMONGST THE OUTREACH MINISTRY IN CAMBODIA
THE PRE-SCHOOL KIDS PLAY TIME
BY PS KALARANI CAMBODIA I praise God for the progress of the work here. At times it is difficult and challenging, especially working crossculturally, as I don't always understand how they think and why they do certain things. It can also be lonely at times
PHNOM PENH
A TEAM FROM KAOG CHURCH CONDUCTING A WORKSHOP FOR PRE-SCHOOL TEACHERS AND HELPERS IN KG SPEU [5]
NOT FOR ME, HITLER AND HIS ILK One of the coolest things about living under God is the fact that, well, you never stop learning. Even when you think that, "Hey, you know what? Let's take a break from learning", God just comes over and knocks you over with something new.
by Mikha Chan
I learnt that faith in God is ultimate. Faith in Him is so important, especially when things aren't going well. I'm not talking about the power of human faith, by the way. Because, you see, I can believe in Nazism or the joys of racism and have that faith delude and comfort me at night while I commit crimes in the name of Hitler or whatever.
home at our Powerhouse youth missions camp in PCC Kampar. The camp was led by Pastor Nicky Ling to train and teach our youth about missions and spreading the gospel. Ten of us participated and we all had a great time.
During the camp, Pastor Nicky taught us the basics of missions. And really, as far as It is quite the missions is concerned, opposite. What I'm there's not much theory. talking about is a faith in All it really needs is a a God who never lets heart that loves God you down, who has and is willing to go all every power to back up out for Him, just like His promises. If He's Pastor Nicky and his promised you church core group who something, He's not are working and praying going to back down on really hard to build their it. The question is: are church against the odds. you up for it? Are you Most of what we did ready to go to Him for was practical stuff what He has promised dealing with ministry; you, with a free and prayer; tracting, etc. We obedient heart? came away with some new stuff in our hearts. This all struck me when I was away from
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E M P OW E R E D TO S H I N E I N C A M B O D I A AT KG SPEU, CAMBODIA
SHARING THE WORD AT A MEETING WITH THE HELP OF A TRANSLATOR
KAOG's Empower programme was a great opportunity to learn about missions. For me, the best part was going to Cambodia. Although it was my fourth trip to the country, I felt it was different from previous trips. I improved my Khmer and saw new things. Before I went, Pastor Kala told me that the children were eagerly waiting for my arrival. When they heard that I was going there, they were so excited that all of them wanted to pick me up from the airport. But Pastor Kala only allowed three of them to do so. I felt like a superstar at that time! I knew God was going to move differently. The word that the Lord gave me was simple: (1 Thesselonians 5:16) "Be joyful always". I would remind everyone I met about this verse. I was assigned to preach on three occasions at different places. I was glad to share my testimony. The first session was a youth evangelistic rally. About 70 youths attended. This was the first time that I had preached to so many youths. I thank God that He gave me the courage to share with them. And at the end of the rally, 9 souls were added to the kingdom of God. The other sessions were revival meetings where people encountered God. I've learned many things, for example, striking up a conversation so that the gospel can be shared, being a friend to someone who isn't like me and helpng those in need by offering prayers and care acts. It was wonderful that the little that I had done could impact someone's life. I'm looking forward to the next trip to Cambodia. [7]
T E S T I MO N I E S When the people of God show kindness to their 'neighbours', divine appointments are kept and the 'neighbours' see the kindness of God. The following are the accounts of two persons who were touched by KAOG folk.
I KN O W I W I L L WA L K A G A I N My name is Sadhasivam and I am 35 years old. I'm married and have three school-going children. Five years ago I met with an accident which paralyzed me. My family and I went through much pain and problems because of this. My wife had to work part-time to meet our needs. After work she had to nurse me. During that time Sister Esther, Pastor Ravi and other members of Kajang Assembly of God visited us. They gave us encouragement and shared the love of God. The church decided to help me after seeing our poor financial situation. I have been using the money for my medication and also for some other needs. In the name of Jesus Christ, I strongly believe that one day I will rise and walk again. Only Jesus can do this miracle in my life. When it happens, I will definitely go to KAOG to join all of you in worshipping the Lord. T H E L O N G , H A R D J O U R N E Y TO C H U R C H
My name is Saraswathy. I am from Taman Bukit Mutiara, Kajang. For a long time, my family and I have been living under a cloud of gloom due to the wrongful ways of my husband and his friends. I came to know the Lord through my sisters, and earnestly sought His help. I tried to go to church, pray and read the Bible, but my husband was against this. He burnt my Bible, Christian CDs and books, and even beat me up. So I secretly prayed at the house of my neighbour who is a Christian, and at my workplace. The church prayed along with me for my husband.
to buy provisions, too. Slowly my husband changed and begin to try to talk to Christian friends. He eventually found a job as a driver, but not long after, the police arrested him for a previous offence. He was sentenced to a two-year jail term in Johor Baru. Before he was sent to prison, my Christian friends gave him tracts, prayed for and comforted him. When I first visited him I was afraid to tell him I was going to church. But on the second visit, I became bold and had the faith to tell him that the children and I were attending the Tamil service in Kajang. To my surprise, he didn't protest but was very encouraging instead.
I praise God for the change in my husband's life. That encounter in prison was the first time in my life I felt the joy of the Lord so full in my heart. I thank the church for supporting my family Suddenly, he decided to stop his dark ways. all this time. I have decided to undergo water During this time we could not pay our utility bills and housing loan instalment and did not have money [8] baptism as soon as possible. All glory to God.
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The Relocation Journey By Ps Jeremiah Kong, PCC Seri Kembangan
The big move to the new premises
Ps Chan Nam Chen & Ps Jeremiah Kong at PCC Seri Kembangan’s dedication service.
Seven years ago, Praise Community Church Seri Kembangan started with a small congregation at Taman Sg Besi Indah, Seri Kembangan. By God's grace, the members have grown spiritually and in numbers too.
distance of Jusco Taman Equine and food relocation process. Our church eateries. Unfortunately, we were unable collected RM38,000 through fundraising activities. to contact the rightful owner/agent.
It was a great test of our faith, obedience and commitment to the Lord and community during this time. Bearing In April 2009, due to the change of in mind Psalm 127:1 ("Unless the Lord ownership of our church building, our builds the house, those who build it rental was hiked from RM1,200 to labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches RM2,000. We had to move out by June if over the city, the watchman stays awake we did not agree to the deal. After in vain.") the congregation prayerfully much prayers, we decided to move out sought God's will over the new church from this place to a new neighborhood. building. For a month, we viewed 6 buildings in Seri Kembangan. None of the negotiations during the period materialized. At this juncture, we spotted an unoccupied 2-storey shoplot with stained glass door, alarm system, fully-tiled frontage and staircase as well as adequate parking space. It is strategically located within walking
Amazingly, with God's help and through a property agent, we managed to meet the legal owner to view the shoplot on May 31, 2010. After a successful negotiation, the deal was signed. Our church then formed a committee to work on the renovation. The cost was estimated at RM30,000. The congregation made sacrifices in terms of time, talent and finance for the [10]
Worship Service at PCC Seri Kembangan
On Sept 27, 2009, we were able to rejoice in God's glory in our church dedication-cum-6th anniversary celebrations at our new address at No 4, Jalan LP 1A/1, Taman Lestari Perdana, Seri Kembangan. We thank God for His faithfulness and mighty power in the relocation journey and look forward to growing in Christ. It is our mission to step out in faith. One of members, Suria Mosidin, went full-time and became our first home missionary in March 2010. The relocation was just a process that the God has prepared for us. May He continually guide our paths and transform our lives towards our eternal destination.
NILAI’S VALUE GOING UP God is a God of faithfulness who has blessed our outreach ministry abundantly in Nilai. Towards the end of 2009, there were about 5 families in Nilai area who came to know the Lord Jesus Christ through one of our church members, Lazarus. Initially, we had our Sunday worship service at Lazarus' residence in Nilai Perdana with about 20 adults and 10 children. Then God blessed us with a building in Bandar Baru Nilai. God extended our ministry to Sepang Estate, where 5 to 6 families have opened their homes for Bible study. There were also backslidden families who came back to the Lord. The Sunday celebration service at 6pm has about 30 adults and 20 children. Pastor Marcel, our senior pastor from PCC Semenyih, shares the Word at PCC Nilai. We also conduct Sunday School for children and foundation classes for new souls. We have cell meetings in Nilai and Sepang.
A LTAR C AL L F O R NEW SO UL S WHO DEDIC ATE D THEIR L I V E S TO CHRIST JESUS AT PCC NILAI.
CHRISTMAS C E L E B R AT I O N
SERVICE AT PCC NIL AI O N DEC 20, 2009
PCC NILAI YOUTHS DURING THE CHRISTM AS CEL EBRAT ION ON DEC 20, 2009.
BY STANISLAUS SECRETARY, PCC SEMENYIH [11]
PELUANG PENDIDIKAN UNTUK KANAK KANAK
Oleh Pdt Salomo Sinaga GSJA Praise Co mmunity P. Brayan BengkelMe dan
Pelayanan Pendidikan Play Group & Taman Kanak Kanak (PG & TK) dimulai pada Julai 2009.Visi ini muncul dengan adanya Pusat Pengembangan Anak di gereja kami, dimana 40% daripada 112 anak-anak adalah berusia di antara 3-5 tahun. Dengan demikian, melihat keperluan anak-anak dalam hal pendidikan usia dini, saya merasa adalah hal yang sangat penting untuk membantu anak-anak itu agar mereka mendapat pendidikan yang layak seperti anakanak lainnya. Hampir semua anak-anak yang ada di PG & TK adalah dari kalangan keluarga miskin yang kurang mendapat perhatian dari ibubapa [12]
akibat faktor ekonomi yang menuntut kerja keras. Berdasarkan hal itulah gereja kami membuka PG & TK, sekalipun masih banyak kekurangan disana sini lebih-lebih lagi dalam hal fasilitas. Pelayanan ini lebih menekankan pendidikan intelektual dan memakai kurikulum yang diajar di sekolahsekolah PG & TK. Wang sekolah ini di pakai untuk pembayaran gaji guru, pembelian vitamin dan snek, pembelian peralatan, administrasi dan lain-lain. Terima kasih kepada gereja KAOG yang bersedia membantu elaun guru-guru kami.
Q&A with Pastor Nicky Ling
PCC KAMPAR C ARE CELL MEMBERS
By the grace of God, Pastor Nicky Ling, who was once part of Conquerors' Zone (Czone), started a care cell with a few young working adults and UTAR students in Kampar in January 2009. He started his first church service on Jan 3, 2010. Presently, about 15 people regularly attend the care cell while 10 attend the church service. Here's an email interview with Pastor Nicky:
THE PCC KAMPAR S A N C T UA RY
Q: How many Czone teams have visited your work so far? A: Since last year, four teams from Nottingham and a UTAR care cell have come here. They helped me with a welcome party, overcomers' seminar and the Super Saturday Concert. Their presence has encouraged me, as well as my cell and church members. Q: Do you think they've made a difference in the lives of the people? A: They taught spiritual parenting to my church members. However, in the area of evangelism, not many have the passion for the lost yet. I am touched by their love for me and their help in the work here. I feel that this is truly the fruit of my ministry in Kajang. I've never felt alone. I know there are people always upholding me in prayer.
A PR E S E N TAT IO N F RO M C Z ONE MEMBERS.
Q: What contributions could future ministry teams make to the work here? A: Just continue to be flexible in coming over to meet the needs here. It will be wonderful if more teams can help out with the Sunday Service which we kicked off this year. We need preachers too. And do inform me at least two months before coming, so that I can better plan promotions and activities.
MINISTERING TO U TA R S T U D E N T S .
LET'S CONTINUE TO UPHOLD PASTOR NICKY AND HIS TEAM IN PRAYER AND MINISTRY SUPPORT. [13]
[14]
[15]
DON’T MISS A CHANCE TO MOULD A US PRESIDENT The Focus youth Easter evangelistic meeting on April 24, 2010 was an idea our youth came up with in January.Two years ago, our youth organized the evangelistic Break Free concert. Both were not ordinary concerts because they were the results of dreams and visions from God. Two years ago, I received a dream from God and felt the burden to share the gospel with young people.Young people are full of possibilities because no one knows who they will turn out to be in future. Today they may just be students, but tomorrow they can be influential leaders of a country. Think about this, if we have the opportunity to share the gospel with a person who will become a US president one day, can you imagine how many great things he will do for God? If we share the gospel with a youth, who becomes a popular singer one day and he or she says 'Praise God!' on a stage while accepting an award, wouldn't it be a great testimony? This is why we want to bring young people to church and to God. I remember Pastor Mantofa's testimony about his experience in hell. Since then, every time I see my schoolmates, friends or relatives who have not accepted Christ, or when I see natural disasters happening so often until people have become indifferent, I feel scared. I know the end times are getting closer and the second coming of Christ is not far away. I don't want to see my relatives, friends, strangers or even people I dislike go to hell, where all hope is lost. This pushed us to organize evangelistic meetings. In our preparations for the evangelistic meeting, we faced a lot of problems especially when we found out that the date of our meeting clashed with school replacement classes and exams. However, we chose to continue in faith. Praise God on that day, around 200 people came to the evangelistic meeting although it was a school day. Through this meeting, we also saw how God led us through the storms. With God, nothing is impossible. By Esther Chong (Translated from Chinese article)
[16]
I HAVE A DREAM! !
!
!
!
!
By David Christy
If everyone has a dream like Martin Luther King Jr's, this world would surely be a more bearable place. For ordinary folk such as you and me, and young Gelu David when he arrived in this country from Nepal in 2006, the immediate aspirations are likely be more prosaic; but they help us make our way through the maze of life. The 26-year-old youth came to earn a keep, both for himself and his family back home, but he also found something else. Often at an eatery in Balakong, he would hear his friends talking about their newfound interest, Christianity, and that piqued his curiosity. So when one of them invited him to KAOG, he said "yes", and before he knew it was in a church van headed for the Nepali service on Sunday. "I enjoyed the singing and music (worship)," he said, "but I found the talking (sermon) difficult to understand." After two services, he took a break. It was back to whiling the Sunday away with drinks and raucous chatter at the coffeeshop. His buddies certainly didn't help, saying things like, "You came to Malaysia to work, not to find a new religion". That would have been the end of it. But something inexplicable (at least then it was) happened. He felt a tugging he couldn't ignore; a voice, seemingly real, calling upon him to return to church. He didn't take too long to ponder over it, though. Soon he was back in the "pews" of KAOG. David returned to Nepal in April 2010, and enrolled in a Bible school. Before leaving, he told me he has a dream. He wants to change Nepal. To bring his newfound faith into the very bowels of his nation. Certainly, he realizes the measure of the task. But it is because of dreamers like him and Martin Luther King Jr, the cause of Christ is advanced.
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THE SIMPLE PATH OF SUMAN
It's not every day that you come across a Nepali person in Malaysia who can claim a heritage in Christianity predating his arrival in this land. The (fallacious) assumption is that all Nepalis coming here to work are nonbelievers. Well, Suman Gurung, 24, who made landfall in Malaysia in 2008, had been to a kind of a Sunday School for teenagers back in Nepal. It was in fact music classes conducted by the principal of a privately-run school who is now a pastor. Thus, Suman accepted Christ early enough, but even until he was 18, he
did not attend church. He clung to the Sunday classes. The principal wanted him to move on, and asked him to be baptised in water. The filial son asked his parents first, not without trepidation, but they almost immediately said yes. Looking back, he says, they probably were gratified to see that he was turning out to be a "very good person". It wasn't all smooth after that, though. Family and financial problems made life tough, but Suman kept the faith and always attended church; until one day when he came to a crossroads and took the path that led to Malaysia. [19]
He reckons his faith is growing day by day, and is not averse to sharing his enthusiasm for the Cross with his coworkers. Admittedly, a simple account which could easily be the story of many Malaysians, too. But perhaps he is a sign of the day to come when we will no longer hold any false assumptions about our Nepali friends. When the flock of Nepali people coming here are nothing but believers in the Cross. By David Christy
Oleh Caleb Yogan
Saya membesar di dalam sebuah
pelayanan sepenuh masa. Atas
keluarga yang melayani Tuhan. Pakcik nasihat beliau, saya menamatkan
jiwa semakin bertambah dan saya mula sedar akan panggilan saya
saya menggembalakan sebuah gereja
pendidikan dalam jurusan elektronik semula. Setelah berdoa dan
di Subang dan makcik saya seorang
dan berkerja di tiga buah syarikat.
mendapat nasihat dari Pastor Julian
pengutus injil di Cambodia.
Panggilan Tuhan semakin kuat
dan keluarga saya, saya mengambil
Saya setia ke sekolah minggu
dan nyata, tetapi saya lari dari
dan seterusnya ke kebaktian pelajar.
panggilan itu.Walau bagaimanapun,
Namun begitu, saya tidak
saya tetap setia melayani di gereja,
mempunyai satu hubungan yang
khususnya di kebaktian Bahasa
intim dengan Tuhan. Puji Tuhan pada satu kem muda-mudi, saya dijamah
Malaysia.
di Alam Jaya.
oleh Tuhan dan saya menyerahkan
Pada tahun 2007 saya telah berkhawin. Panggilah sepenuh masa
hidup saya sepenuhnya kepadaNya. Mulai dari situ, saya mendekati diri kepada Tuhan dan melayani di pelayanan muda-mudi.
itu nampaknya semakin jauh. Suatu ketika semasa satu lawatan misi, Pastor Julian memberitahu saya bahawa mereka memerlukan
Pada usia 18 tahun, saya
seorang untuk membantu di dalam
mendapat panggilan untuk melayani
pelayanan di salah sebuah cabang
Tuhan sepenuh masa. Pada masa itu,
gereja KAOG. Setelah membuat
Pastor Jeremiah Kong menasihati saya untuk terus berdoa dan
pertimbangan, saya merelakan diri untuk melayani.
mencari penggalaman di dunia
Setelah melayani di sana selama
perkerjaan sebelum memasuki
dua tahun, beban saya untuk jiwa[20]
keputusan untuk memasuki pelayanan sepenuh masa di gereja. Saya sekarang melayani di bahagian Bahasa Malaysia dan di cabang gereja
EVERYDAY IS A MISSIONS TRIP By Ch'ng D'hann
Many might wonder what it's like to go on mission trips. It is generally known that it involves going to another state or country; in fact, literally stepping out of your comfort zone, away from your home and family to help others whom you do not know, out of love and sheer passion.
continue with our daily routines, which are of comfort to us, only to whine and murmur when things don't go our way - which is when unforeseen circumstances come along. For this so-called disturbance we either question God's powers or simply ignore that God is in fact, answering our prayers.
The Bible says God comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comforted. We must admit that most of us are comfortable, and therefore, when we say we go on a missions trip, we leave more than just our family and loved ones. Our selfishness stays back, too.
As diamonds are refined by fire, we are moulded by adversity. For example, when we ask for strength, God gives us trials and tribulations, which develop strength; when we ask for wisdom, God gives us challenging problems, which enhance wisdom. Surely we must be able to say that God is answering our prayers.
However, some might question whether missions trips necessarily involve going to another place.
So, instead of complaining, one should be grateful that God is seeing us and helping us to Truth be told, as Christians, we become a better person - to be Christ-like. We should surrender are already on a missions trip that is, the moment we wake up, our problems to God like how we surrender the weak and breathe in the air given by the defenseless ones we meet on Lord, and carry out the plans mission trips, also to God. We that He has set for us. We
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must know how to deal with ourselves before committing to something bigger. Missions trip? I'm already on one! What about you?
SWEET ‘SONGS’ FROM VIETNAM MALAYSIA RETURNEES Young church leader Hai, his parents (both 76), older sister and wife have been meeting each week as a church in their house since November and were baptized together in the front yard of their house in February. They are the only Christian family in their mainly Buddhist village of 400 families, though there are house-churches in neighboring villages. Huong, their 4year-old girl, loves her dad reading Bible stories to her and dances and sings joyfully during Sunday meetings. She also asks her dad to pray before sleeping and has been teaching her kindy teacher Christian songs. Ngoc and Ha returned for one month to get married in their province. This posed some challenges, the greatest being the pressure to offer incense and to bow to the ancestors. He was not sure how to handle this but after we met and prayed, he began to see how he could turn the "challenge" into an "opportunity". Like David and Goliath, it's a matter of who you're looking at! After meeting his wife's family, he phoned and gave the great news that the family had listened to them share about Christ and have agreed they don't have to bow to the ancestors or offer incense. Khien returned for Tet (Vietnamese New Year) to share with his family. He proposed that they open a bank account so he can send his tithe/ offerings from Malaysia to support the others as they do the Lord's work. This was done and Hai received an offering soon after. Hung has been actively witnessing, praying and fasting to try to reach his village in the mountains for Christ. This
is very hard ground where the worship of ancestors and other spirits is an important part of life. Christianity is strongly opposed. Hung is trusting God for a breakthrough. He knows God's call on his life and continues even though he has yet to see results.
CANCER PATIENT SAVED My wife Pushpa and I had the joy of leading a cleaner from the school and her 2 teenage kids to the Lord in December. She was having chemotherapy and had one breast removed. Lately, we heard she has received a clean bill of health. The doctor was amazed at her progress.
HAI'S MOTHER BEIN G B APTIZ ED IN WATER IN THE FRONT YARD OF THEIR HOU SE.
VISA RENEWED Through Pushpa's school, we all received one-year visas.Visas are hard to get now. Most get only a 3-month visa and usually must travel out to Bangkok.
THE LEPER MINISTRY
LEPER MINISTRY Hien continues to do great work in the leper centers. Over Christmas and Tet, she and her teams were very busy visiting the lepers. Mr Sen died in November, his faith strong. He was baptized before dying. Our financial controller has returned to his country in March, so we need to find a person to replace him. We also need to pick up some new supporters to expand the work in two large centers far to the northwest in the mountains where there are minority tribal people.
HIEN AT THE L EPER CENTER
By Pastor David Walters Vietnam
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THE WALTERS
WHAT’S IN A MEAT? KUKI LADIES IN THEIR TRADITIONAL DRESSES IN NAGALAND, INDIA
BY ELISHA CHUA DIRECTOR OF CHURCH ENGAGEMENT, WYCLIFFE INTERNATIONAL My current assignment has given me many opportunities to engage churches and national leaders in many countries. I am privileged to see that many churches are alive and passionate about missions. In Latin America, many young people are praying for Muslim countries and committing themselves to these countries. In Africa, the growth is not due to Western evangelism but African evangelism itself. There are thousands of cross-border and cross-cultural workers in Africa. The lesson learnt in Africa is that poverty is not a reason not to engage in mission. Many African
cross-cultural workers live on shoestring budgets in their desire to win converts. This is also true in India where thousands of cross-cultural workers serve in the mission field on less than US$200 a month. Many live with a very basic accommodation and lifestyle. These dedicated workers are turning thousands of lives from darkness into the light. They are the heroes of faith in this modern-day world. A friend, who works among the Hindus and the Muslims, does not eat pork and beef so that he can reach out to these people. It is a sacrifice he and
A CAMP IN SHILLONG, INDIA.
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his family make for their cause. One day in the US during a conference, I asked him why he would not eat these meats now that he was in America. No one from his village would see him eating. He replied, "Elisha, they will know if I eat it". "But how will they know?" I asked, looking incredulous. "They can smell it on me," came the quick answer. Like Paul who wrote, "If meat caused my brother to stumble, I shall never eat meat again", likewise, these thousands of workers are making great sacrifices in order to win souls all over the world.
THE KOHIMA PASTORS FELLOWSHIP.
IN SCHOOL FOR THE FIRST TIME His work in Shangri-La, China never ceases to amaze us and your partnership continues to transform into wonderful opportunities there. Our hope is that the Holy Spirit will make this an encouragement and inspiration in your walk with Christ. My wife and I often reflect on these three questions: "Why are we here?", "Who are we here for?" and "How do we accomplish the answer to the first two questions?" The answer to "why and who" are the same. We are here because of and for Jesus Christ. The goal of His work on the cross and resurrection is to give people an opportunity to have a personal relationship with Him and for us to share that opportunity with those who have not heard about Him.
Vicknes and Bow Yuin with the pre-school kids in a Tibetan village.
Last September, we started a preschool in a Tibetan village with about 62 kids. This outreach has given us a great opportunity to share His love and it presents a wonderful tangible "image" God wants our neighbors to see. Imagine these kids for the first time being given an opportunity to be in school. Some kids from the village walk for an hour just to be in school and they are excited and thankful for the opportunity to study. This outreach establishes longterm relationships, possibilities for future teams to visit and work with the locals and gives an opportunity to share His message of love. Our hope is that this school will have a far greater impact on lives than we can possibly explain in an article. This facility will continue to touch the lives of Tibetans. Thank you for your partnership.
By Vicknes and Bow Yuin
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WHEN OBEDIENCE IS NOT FOREIGN “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.” By Rev. Bernard Ong
AS THE HOUR OF MY DEPARTURE FROM KAOG DRAWS NEAR, I THINK ABOUT THE MISSIONS THEME, "THE WORLD IS MY NEIGHBOUR", AND I CAN'T HELP BUT CONSIDER PAUL'S INJUNCTION IN ROMANS 13:8 AND WHETHER WE, AS A CHURCH, HAVE LIVED UP TO IT. HAVE WE LOVED OTHERS AS FREELY AS WE LOVED EACH OTHER IN KAOG? MORE TO THE POINT, HAVE WE CROSSED CULTURAL, LANGUAGE AND NATIONAL BARRIERS TO IMPACT OUR “NEIGHBOURS”? FOR “...IF YOU GREET YOUR BRETHREN ONLY, WHAT DO YOU DO MORE THAN OTHERS?” (MATTHEW 5:47) THE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS, MOST SURELY, BEGIN WITH OBEDIENCE. THE FACT IS, I’VE SEEN THE THREAD OF SUBMISSION TO GOD IN PEOPLE OF THIS CHURCH --- IN THE YOUNG AND OLD, RICH AND POOR, WEAK AND STRONG. IN YEARS PAST, KAOG MEMBERS HAVE DEMONSTRATED THAT IN THE WIDER SCHEME OF THINGS, IT’S NOT WHAT YOU ARE THAT MATTERS, BUT WHAT YOU CHOOSE TO DO. AND WHEN WE WERE OBEDIENT, OUR MOST ORDINARY ACTIONS AND LIMITED ACUMEN WERE GUIDED BY DIVINE HANDS TO PRODUCE SOMETHING RATHER EXTRAORDINARY.
THE NEPALI MINISTRY The work among the Nepalese, at least in our eyes then in 2002, was an accidental endeavour. The Sungai Chua cell, to which I was section leader, set out to distribute tracts, with no specific target group in mind. We knew we were obeying Matthew 28: 18-20, and it was all that mattered. On the last lap of the exercise, I clambered up a flight of stairs in an apartment block peopled by workers from Sabah and Sarawak and other nations. I knocked on a door, and a face popped out. His name was Bindu and he was from Nepal. I gave him a tract and shared the Gospel with the few words in English that he understood. It was first contact. In the weeks to come, Silas Siah, Lena Lye, Tommy and Redxona Boo and other KAOG members persisted in efforts to get to know more Nepalese and invited them to our weekly meeting. It was difficult to communicate with them, but the church members kept at it. The baton was later passed to the church. Nothing else can we say but glory to God when we see what has bloomed in our church eight years later. So many from that Himalayan kingdom have been redeemed; many have returned home with the faith, and now eagerly share Christ with their families. The thriving Nepali ministry is testimony to what God will do if only we care to make ourselves available to him. [25]
THE VIETNAMESE MINISTRY Decades ago, when Vietnam was ravaged by war, few would have thought it possible that KAOG would one day play a role in the spiritual development of its people. Evidently, God had different ideas. About 2 ½ years back, the church began efforts to reach out to the large Vietnamese migrant community in the district. We eventually linked up with missionaries, David and his wife Pushpa, to plant churches in the midst of these foreign workers. Once again, the call to obedience resonated with many KAOG members. They couldn’t speak Vietnamese, but the likes of Leong Heng Cheong, Seng Seng, Lily Tan, Anita Lee, Tommy and Jolly Yap and other members dedicated themselves to serve as drivers to take their Vietnamese brothers to house-churches in various areas, and to attend to their needs. David and his wife have since gone to Vietnam, but the churches live on. Some of the Vietnamese have returned home, with the faith they found here. One of them recently sent me a text message. His family had opposed his conversion but he was determined not to hide his beliefs. He
is now hosting a house-church with 15 in his ‘congregation’. Praise God, his dad, mum, sister and wife have accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour and were water-baptized. Although KAOG’s involvement in the ministry has ended, the legacy of hope will continue to be passed on to generations of Vietnamese to come. All because for that season in time, we were called and we were obedient.
PERSONALLY SPEAKING KAOG has shown love to foreigners in this town, and I know God is pleased. Once, a man stricken with AIDS asked me, “why do you Christians show love and kindness to those whom you do not know?”. I told him that our love for God and obedience to Him gives us the strength to do what we otherwise would shun. I am inspired by KAOG, but more than that, my heart is set on taking the message of salvation to nations of the world. This call to frontier-missions has been with me for a long time. I have not turned a deaf ear; but rather, I have prayed about it and now, I believe, is the time to respond in obedience. Furthermore, after experiencing a serious medical condition recently, I am determined that “I shall not die, but live, And declare the works of the Lord.” (Psalms 118:17) Certainly, the challenges will be many --- from my studies in the Philippines to the eventual work in countries in the 10/40 Window. But I draw strength from this church’s experience, and the Word, which says “... if there is any other commandment, all are summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’” (Romans 13:9).
BY REV BERNARD ONG [26]
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