Celebration Services Saturdays Saturday Service (Young Adults) 5.30pm (KAOG@Metro) Sundays Chinese Service - 8.30am (KAOG@Timur) BM Service - 8.45am (KAOG@Metro) Nepali Service - 10.30am (KAOG@Timur) English Service - 11.00am (KAOG@Timur) Powerhouse Youth - 11.00am (KAOG@Metro) Tamil Service - 4.30pm (KAOG@Timur) Locations KAOG@Timur 52, Jalan Timur, 43000 Kajang, Selangor KAOG@Metro 2-1 & 2-2, Jalan Metro Avenue 2, Metro Avenue, 43000 Kajang Selangor Mailing Address P.O. Box 20, 43007 Kajang, Selangor Website www.kaog.org.my Email office@kaog.org.my The Harvest Magazine is published annually by Kajang Assembly of God
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. 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.
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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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From the Desk of the Interim Senior Pastor I want to encourage you to read the articles in this magazine with an open heart. They are much more than “just another article.” As you read them, seek God’s direction to see how and where you can be used more effectively for the kingdom of God.
countries, Jesus was referring to people groups and ethnic cultures without a gospel witness. Christian missions, however, is not limited to overseas ministry. While believers should faithfully support those who go to the unreached, all Christians have the mission to share Christ with family, friends, co-workers and community. The Christian mission of sharing Christ does not end with a sinner’s salvation. The commission is to make disciples, not converts or immature believers.
“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37, 38).
Missions involves not only evangelism but also a godly manner of dealing with our money. We are stewards of God's money. Everything we have is to be held in trust to advance His kingdom. We should be ready to part with whatever is needed (Luke 14:33) and we should find ways to serve God financially (Luke 16:9). God's people should make use of their finances to help those in need. In this way, worldly wealth may be wisely used to gain eternal benefit. Jesus indicates that one’s stewardship of money is a valid test of one’s relationship with God.
Today, the need is the greatest ever in the history of mankind. Missions is following Christ's call to share the gospel with the lost world. Our mission is proclaiming Christ as the only way to abundant, eternal life. Whom do we tell? Jesus made it clear that Christians are to reach out to all the nations (Matt 28:19). Instead of
In conclusion, Christian missions is obeying Christ, sharing Christ and relying on Christ. God sends missionaries through the support of the church to the unreached. All Christians, however, have the mission of reconciliation. The Lord works through each of us to rescue the lost.
Ps. George Dass
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l e v r a M n a d e M ission
nm Meda 1 1 0 2 he
team
By t
On 29th November, 2011, our 7-member team led by Robert Chelliah made our way to Berastagi and Medan for a week to share God’s word and to encourage the brothers and sisters in Christ there.
Our last meeting in Berastagi was with the teachers of a school. This school began as an outreach project for poor students. Before leaving Berastagi, we blessed the local church with some funds.
The first destination was Berastagi. Pastor Salomo, who was our host, took us on a 4hour ride in a van up to Berastagi. Journeying through the bumpy and winding roads was an adventure in itself!
We then made our way to Pulau Brayan (not an island) where we spent the next 5 days ministering to the people. Our first meeting was with the care cells in Pastor Salomo’s Praise Community Center Brayan. The remaining days were spent ministering in church services.
Our first revival meeting with the locals in Paribun started soon after our arrival. The next meeting with the believers in Berastagi took place the next night, where we were divided into 3 teams. We visited care cells and ministered to them. Although the locals were poor, they were very hospitable.
We also helped out in the children's church Christmas celebration. Among other meetings conducted in the church was a revival meeting/family seminar. Besides the gifts for the kids, we were able to bless PCC Brayan with a drum set, a bass amplifier and funds for the extension of the church. 3
Rich in the
SPIRIT
By Natalie Robinson (2011 Baguio mission team)
I learnt so much from our mission trip to Baguio, the Philippines, in 2011 that it is hard to think of just one thing to write about. But what deeply affected me during the trip was experiencing the presence of God and being challenged. In the small church that we visited, I felt the presence of God strongly. It didn’t matter that the worship wasn’t slick and professional, or the congregation was small, or even that the message was in broken English! What mattered was the presence of God. When I was having my quiet time at the theological seminary, I had a picture of a jackal in the desert. God said He doesn’t want us to lead a half-life, a life picking at scraps, but a life infused with His presence. I was challenged by the poverty I saw at the churches. We met fantastic young people and I was depressed by their lack of options for the future, worried when we saw sickly babies and felt guilty when I saw the shacks by the village church that the families lived in. I felt that it was hopeless. I shared this with Sister Chai Hong and she said that because these people were poor, God gave to them in other ways. And I realised that what they have in these small churches is more than what I have, because He’d poured his Spirit into them. I felt God saying, "Even though these people have little materially, none of that matters compared to knowing ME." And that this should be enough for me too.
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THE HIGHER CALLING Q & A with Pastor George Dass and Pastor Calvin Lee Q1. Are more people answering the call to missions, or fewer? Why is this so?
Pastor George: Though I have the figures for only the U.S., I believe it is indicative of a downward trend globally. In 1988 there were about 6,500 career missionaries sent out by U.S. mission agencies but in 2008 there were only 35,000. Over this 20-year period there has been a decline of over 45%. There are two reasons why fewer people may be answering the call to missions. “God has never asked me to go. I agree that more people need to go to the mission field, but I have never heard the call to go” could be one of the reasons. Secondly, Christians are fearful to answer the call because they do not know what lies ahead of them. Christians considering the call of God wonder whether their daily needs would be met. Although these are legitimate fears, I believe God always gives special grace, anointing and blessing to those who answer the call. Pastor Calvin: On our church, I would say we have not seen anybody answering the call to missions compared to past years. I could think of a couple of reasons. First, the call to missions is not strong enough. I feel our church is not doing much in challenging people to missions as in getting pledges in for mission support. KAOG in the early years was reputed for raising up many full-time workers who had gone on to pioneer churches throughout Malaysia. Year after year, we challenge people to give to missions and we are doing quite a good job. However, this can work against the call to missions because when the focus is on giving at the expense of challenging people to missions, people are conditioned to think that all they need to be mission-minded is to give to missions! We regularly remind people to meet their pledges but how often do we challenge them to answer the call to missions? We are not doing enough. Hence, we need a “full blooded” mission-minded man to focus on missions; someone who will advocate the mission agenda of the church. This person will keep the church on its toes with regard to missions, not just on giving but pushing and challenging people to take up the call to missions. If our church wants to see people answering the call to missions, we need to pray. Second, missions has become more challenging in recent years. As society gets more affluent, people are living in comfort and have more wants. Missions, among other things, is challenging people to get out of their comfort zones and to live by faith with minimal wants. How many people will do that? It would take a great pull to get them into missions. But this cannot be the excuse. It is critical to arrest this phenomenon before it becomes entrenched in the mindset of the church. On the other hand, the church can do a lot more to ease potential candidates’ transition into missions. Times have changed. We do not need to “starve” our missionaries on the basis of living by faith.
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Q2. How would you measure the effectiveness of a mission trip?
Pastor George: It should not be measured only by the number of people getting saved but the impact and legacy the mission team leaves behind after each trip. Though it may be hard to quantify, I believe every mission trip fulfils a purpose. In the final analysis, the effectiveness of a mission trip is when the mission team is able to assist an existing church to meet the needs of the local community such as labouring together to build a community building, toilets, etc and also assisting the local church in a specific ministry. Pastor Calvin: How well the trip is organized plays a role in determining the effectiveness but beyond this, it comes down to the core objectives of a mission trip. Generally all mission trips have the underlying objective of exposing people to missions. In light of that, a mission trip would be effective if it has planted a seed for missions in the hearts of participants.These seeds need to nurtured and due time, prayerfully, some will germinate and grow to be harvested for the mission field. How well are we doing the nurturing is a cause for concern. Q3. Should a church devote more of its resources to local evangelisation instead of foreign stints?
Pastor George: I think a church should devote more of its resources to places where the gospel has not been preached. This could be locally as well as in foreign lands. Oswald J. Smith said, “No one has the right to hear the gospel twice, where there remains someone who has not heard it once". While our focus could be on local evangelization which is necessary, we should never forget the command to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth. Pastor Calvin: I believe there must be a balance. Jesus challenged His disciples that the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few, and so to ask the Lord to send out workers into His harvest field. This harvest and the harvest field are not geographically nor demographically specific. Therefore the focus cannot be just on local evangelization. Yet again, there are times and seasons when a church’s mission agenda is to focus specifically on either local or overseas missions. There are times when the vision is on planting more local outreaches or doing local work. Then, resources should be channelled into that. When the time comes for a redirection of the vision to overseas work, the resources need to adjusted. Having said that, resources will still need to be channelled into both directions whatever the mission vision. Hence, it is important for the church to have a vision that will determine whether its resources are efficiently channelled according to His will and purposes.
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泰北大谷地短宣感想集 感谢神！让我有机会参与禧福的泰北大谷地的短宣！泰北大谷地是个又 热又干旱的地方。 这里已经整整3个星期没有下雨， 所以天气非常的闷热，让 我有点的不适应。身体突然发起烧来，
肉和脸都肿起来。但这不能打消我
服事的热忱。 大谷地教会学校的负责人是李牧师。他
拓了恩惠之家孤儿院。这所的
中心总共住了60个小朋友。他们来自缅甸和昆明的难民，没有任何的国籍，是 社会遗弃的一群！但上帝却是孤儿寡妇的父！ 李牧师举办了儿童布道营会来帮助这些孩童，让他们能
认识耶稣。
哗！一大清早，就有261位小朋友， 渴慕地在学校空地，等待我们的到来。他 们的需求是多么大，唯有上帝无限的爱和丰富才能填满和转化他们的生命！ 回想整个过程，惊叹上帝给予我（心，身， 在众人面前教导儿童和带领早晨
）的勇气和力量，能
修敬拜，这一切都是上帝的恩典！
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站
神的带领是信实的。。。。 感谢神，我在人生的低谷认识耶稣基督。因着
的恩典，我们一家认识
和接受耶稣基督，成为基督徒家庭。我认定神在每个人的身上必有美好的旨 意。打从做生意
始直到成为家庭主妇，整个过程都充满着各样的挑战和试
炼。当时一度也满失落的，直到清楚神的呼召， 要我全职来服事他，不要留 恋世界的工作。于是在2011年我就顺服神的呼召，进入教会成为中文部的同 工。在这呼召道路当中也经历过不少的心
挣扎。直到如今，我要说的是：
神的带领是信实的，啊们！。我目前在加影神召会中文部的儿童 和青少事工服事。 今年
始在神学院装备，面对更多的挑战，但我相信神是信实的。神为
我预备也供应一切所需要的。我感谢母亲自愿来帮助我照顾家庭；也感谢丈 夫帮忙照顾孩子，好让我能专心学业。愿我能成为神之学生而不是神学之 生。愿一切
耀归于神，啊们！
加影神召会中文部， 曾丽燕姐妹 11/5/2012 亲笔
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PENGALAMAN DI TAMPIN
Puji Tuhan atas kebaikkanNya yang telah memimpin kami seramai 12 orang dewasa dan 3 kanak-kanak untuk menyertai trip ini ke Kampung Orang Asli di Tampin (27–29 April 2012).
Oleh Sis. Misda S
Kami telah melayani di 4 kampung yang berlainan. Kami dapat melihat pekerjaan Tuhan dalam hidup jemaat Tuhan di keempat-empat kampung tersebut. Pelayanan di mulai di Kampung Chuai, Kampung Air Runtuh, Kampung Ulu Pondoi dan Kampung Bukit Payung. Para ahli tim telah mengambil pengalaman baru dalam berkhotbah di kebaktian umum dan di kelompok-kelompok sel. Hampir di setiap tempat pelayanan, ada juga pelayanan kanak-kanak. Kami dapat melihat kesungguhan dan kehausan jemaat akan firman Tuhan dan mereka sangat diberkati melalui penyampaian firman Tuhan. Jemaat Tuhan telah maju ke depan untuk diberkati dan memperoleh kekuatan Tuhan untuk melayani Dia. Ahli tim sangat diberkati selama pelayanan di Tampin. Keletihan tidak menjadi halangan tetapi kasih Tuhanlah yang membuat hati kami ingin melayani jemaat Tuhan di Tampin.
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S
yang singkat itu, ramai kanak-kanak yang respon dan ada sekitar 20 orang terima Yesus.
Kanak-kanak telah melakunkan cerita tentang ‘anak yang hilang’ dari Lukas 15:11-32, yang pada akhirnya disimpulkan oleh Sister Mee Lin. Daripada Firman Tuhan
Saya sangat berterimakasih kepada tim yang selalu pergi ke Kampung Tekir setiap hari Rabu petang untuk mengadakan kelas Bahasa Inggris dan Arithmatika setelah selesai kebaktian kanak-kanak. Adapun tim yang pergi kesana adalah Sister Mee Lin, Sister Gan Leng-Leng, Sister Jamima dan sister Lydia Ng.
aya berterimakasih kepada Tuhan Yesus, dimana pada 7hb Mac kami telah mengadakan kebaktian penginjilan buat kanak-kanak di Kampung Tekir sempena hari paskah. Kebaktian ini dihadiri oleh 50 orang kanakkanak dan 15 orang dewasa.
Pelayanan Kanak-kanak di Kampung Tekir Oleh Ratna Padang
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CARING F
R THE NEEDY
By Mrs Sivam (for the Social Concern Ministry)
!"#$%&''#"(#)*('+$($!,*-.' The Social Concern Ministry is a blessing to families and individuals. It provides basic needs, i.e. clothes, provisions, schools bags, shoes and uniforms to the needy. !/0123'#/40564'+1417869':!#+;'17'2'<357714='8/'>2?13157'24@'14@1A1@B23'<9'C6/A1@14='8D5?'E18D'8D516'<2710' We are also involved in helping people with birth certificate, MyKad, citizenship, EPF, Socso, 455@7F'15.'#3/8D57F'C6/A171/4F'70D//37'<2=7F'7D/57'24@'B41>/6?7.'G5'265'237/'14A/3A5'14'D53C14='C5/C35' welfare and social problems.
E18D'H168D'#5681>10285F'$#F'#181I547D1CF')JKF'!/70/F'E53>265F'24@''/8D56'7/0123'C6/<35?7.' ' In one case, our Tamil congregation came to know of a ',D6/B=D'/45'717856F'>6/?'8D5',2?13'0/4=65=281/4'E5'02?5'8/'L4/E'/>'24'14A231@'<5@61@@54'C567/4' bedridden man named Steven Sadasivam, 35. :!85A54'!2@271A2?F'MN'95267'/3@;.'K1A5'95267'2=/F'D5'?58'E18D'24'2001@548'24@'E27'C26239I5@'>6/?'450L' Five years ago, he met with an accident and was paralyzed @/E4'8/'ŚŝƐ ĨĞĞƚ͘ ,Ğ ĐŽƵůĚŶ͛ƚ ŵŽǀĞ Ăƚ Ăůů͘ 'O5'E18457757'8/'D17'>6154@7'2</B8'P57B7.'"45'/>'8D5?'D27' from neck down. After receiving Jesus as his personal 2005C85@'P57B7'24@'4/E'652@14='8D5'H1<35.'!85A54'D27'2'3145'>/6'QR'D/B6'C62956.'PB78'?2L5'2'0233'8/'D1?F' savior, he began to witness to his friends about Jesus. D5'E133'<5'C62914='>/6'8D5'?28856'8133'18'0/?5'8/'C277.'' Steven has a 24-hour prayer line. He will pray for a
particular matter till it comes to pass.
$4'24/8D56'0275'E5'D2@'8/'D53C'2'714=35'?/8D56'ED/75'D/B75'E27'=/14='>/6'2B081/4.'G5'D2@'8/'=/'8/'>5E' @5C268?5487F'%SJS'24@'<24L7'8/'7/3A5'8D17'C6/<35?'24@'?242=5@'8/'65@55?'8D5'D/B75'>/6'D56.' In another case, we helped a single mother whose house !B<?1885@'<9'' !"#$%&'#"(#)*('T)J%*,+)(,'
was to be auctioned off. We had to go to few departments, the AKPK and banks to solve the problem, but we managed to redeem the house for her.
Steven Sadasivam has a 24-hour +67.'!1A2?' prayer line. ͙͙ďB8'D5'ED/'D/4/B67'O1?'D27'?5609'/4'8D5'455@9.':J6'URVMU;' ' ' '
!"#$%&'()*$+,-./0$ $
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I came from Nepal to Malaysia to work. But when I arrived at the airport, I got a message from the would-be employer that there was no job for me. So, my pastor in Nepal called up Pastor Simon and asked him to arrange a place for me to stay. Pastor Simon told KAOG church about my problem and it was agreed that I would come to work at the KAOG/kindergarten. I thank God for this opportunity where I learned many things. I also thank God for helping to sort out my visa problems. My pastor came all the way from Nepal to help me out, too. Pastor Simon and the two of us went to the Singapore immigration and after a one-hour conversation, my visa was extended for another month. This was a miracle. I then came back to Kajang to continue working and to help out in the Nepali ministry.
n a i s y a l a y M e My Journ By Bhimkala Sunuwar
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A GREAT HARVEST AWAITS By Pastor Bernard Ong in Shanghai
Greetings from Shanghai! Time passes so quickly. I can’t imagine it's been 3 months since I came here. Most of my time has been spent studying the Chinese language (Hanyu), teaching English, leading a small prayer group, sharing the Word, being involved in livelihood projects, making home visitations and assisting in water baptism, etc. I would like to highlight two ministries. First, the livelihood project opened my eyes to what God is doing among believers from around the world who are involved in His business of touching the lives of the less fortunate and bringing the Good News and God’s love. God is Sovereign; He gathers His children to partner with the local church to impact China. It is one of the most beautiful and enriching experiences that I would never exchange for anything else in the world. Second, preaching in an underground church is awesome, where the old and young come together to worship God. They have a deep desire to hear God’s word and they demonstrate child-like faith as they stream to the altar in tears for prayers. I thank God for the privilege to see what He is doing in China, a nation He loves. I am convinced that China will play a crucial role in the last days by ushering in the return of Christ. Therefore, we must do all we can to partner with the China church as she has a destiny to bring the Gospel back to Jerusalem and to the ends of the world. I challenge you to arise and prepare the way for the Lord's return by coming alongside the China church to raise God’s army to fulfill His purpose. I also thank God for helping me to speak, read and write Chinese. I believe God’s grace will enable me to master the language as quickly as possible so that I'll be a blessing to China and Mandarin-speaking people around the world. Shanghai has a population of around 28 million. More than 39% are long-term migrants from the rural areas of Anhui, Jiangsu, Henan and Sichuan provinces. Therefore, there is a great potential in this city. The church must seize every opportunity to share the Good News, gather the harvest, transform the harvest into harvest force and plant them in His harvest field. As we study the three missionary journeys of Apostle Paul in Acts, there is a particular ministry pattern in his strategy. In every place, he would enter the city and share the Gospel in the synagogues, marketplaces and public areas. Thus, the mission strategy should begin in a city, as we transform the harvest and commission them to spread the gospel to other cities, towns, villages and to the ends of the earth. If we desire to usher in Christ's return, we must build God’s harvest force to fulfill Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” 13
can church e h t t a h s t Ministrie ed in: d be involv livelihoo roject â&#x20AC;&#x201C; p y it r a h C project clinic Medical concert worship l/ a ic s u M English Teaching g ip Trainin Leadersh training p Parenting worksho ministry n e r d il h C orkshop Music w r training Compute ining ound tra s & io d Au training planting h c r u h C ence n confer io s is m World training all group m s g in d Lea nts/ of stude n io t p o d A ters/ rch plan u h c / s r teache building church
With other university students of the Chinese Language Program
An open-air Sunday School
Distribution of livestock and provisions to the poor An underground church service in Anhui
Altar call for salvation during a businessmen's fellowship meeting in Shanghai A family church service in Shanghai
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Developments in the ministry We are preparing for the construction of a school (learning center) in Taming village. We have just refilled the land with sand and the application for the building has been approved by the government. Our microfinance projects are progressing. At present, we are assisting 56 projects. This has helped the livelihood of families and the financial income of the church is also improving.
Microfinance fish rearing project
Cambodia Snippets
Salvation - 15 souls saved and about 10 water baptized (from last year until now).
2011-2012 15 SOULS SAVED AND 10 BAPTISED
Started 3 new adult cells and 5 children cells in different areas. Partnering with other organizations and churches in projects such as building toilets, wells and an educational center, and growing vegetables, etc. In our 2 preschools, the present intake is about 200 kids. At the end of 2012, we will hand one of the churches over to the locals.
15
Plans for the ministry Plant more churches and create opportunities to share the gospel. Start schools or learning centers to improve education and as evangelism tools. Build more wells and toilets and organize projects that will improve the livelihood of the people. Increase education sponsorship programs for needy and deserving children. Train and mentor more Christian leaders.
A Youth Camp
My future plans To start churches in different places. To build learning centers in villages to provide education to the poor and as a means of evangelism. To start a school in the town center. My dream is for this school to be profitable. The funds generated will be used to sustain the ministries in Kg Speu and help poor children by providing scholarships or other aid. Many thanks to God and all those partnering with us in Cambodia. Please pray for our plans. It's harvest time now. We need you to help us fulfill the purposes of God. An English Lesson in Progress
By Pastor Kalarani in Cambodia
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While It Is Still Day
Rev Yee Tham Wan leading the APTS communion chapel
Altar ministry at APTS chapel Moon Tee with BICC members
There are some people who take the Mayan pagan prophecies seriously and predict that 2012 is the year the world will end. Some of them have made preparations to face the end of the world. This thing is not new for Christians. We are living with such an attitude, except that we do not predict the exact year or date.
where my wife Moon Tee is the founding pastor. Last March, over 30 students from 12 countries graduated from APTS. They will go to different countries for ministry - Europe, America, Asia, Australia, Pacific Islands, etc. At BICC, we continue to see many mainland Chinese coming to our church.
Jesus has said He is coming soon even though we do not know when. "As long as it is day, we must do the works of Him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work." (John 9:4) Therefore, we do not want to waste our time. We want to live purposefully. We want to do as much as we can in the mission field. We want to invest our time, treasure and talent in God's work.
This month, we are both sad and happy to send off Huimin and Zhang Xiang back to China. Sad because we will miss them, and happy because after three years in BICC, they have found Jesus and they have been discipled to impact their families and friends in China. Your partnership has helped us go beyond our limitations. When we work together with God on our side, we can do much more than we imagine. There will be more students coming to APTS and BICC. Pray for resources to fulfill God's work while it is still day!
Your partnership has helped us achieve great goals in the Asia Pacific Theological Seminary (APTS), where I am the president, and at the Baguio International Chinese Church (BICC),
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Mark 8:34-35 says: Then He called his disciples and the crowds to come over and listen, “If any of you wants to be my follower,” he told them, “you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me. If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and
FOR THE SAKE OF THE GOOD NEWS, you will find true life.” (NLT)
By Pastor David Waters in Vietnam
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f our eyes are fixed on the things of this world, then Jesus’ saying will come as a shock to us! Nevertheless, Jesus states clearly what a true follower of His must do. He must: Put aside his selfish ambition and life Surrender to Christ’s lordship. Take up his cross Choose to identify with Christ in suffering and even death.
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Follow Jesus obediently - by sharing His Good News with a lost world.
With a heart of love Jesus endured the cross, and with a heart of love, commissioned His disciples to take the gospel to ALL PEOPLES. He calls us to follow Him, to lay down our lives, to enter into His suffering and work to bring the gospel to ALL PEOPLES. Seeing eternity, are we not compelled to put aside what is temporary and fleeting, and put our hands to the task of soul winning? Surely this is the empowered life of purpose!
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At 3am on 14th April, 2011, I was coughing non-stop and felt breathless. I thought I would not make it through the night. I told the Lord to take me home. Suddenly, I heard the Lord saying, "You shall not die but live, and declare the works of the Lord" (Psalm 118:17). I kept declaring the verse till morning.
Hong Kong
His glorious face shone and I was not able to see His fac e . Everything was illuminated and I began to understand what was written in Revelation, where there's a new earth and heaven and there is no need for the sun (Rev. 22:5). Truly, I was amazed and thought, “Who am I that our heavenly Father would come and meet me?” I could not describe it but His presence carried such an amazing fragrance. The first thing He said to me was, "My daughter, you are a highly favored child." I didn’t expect to hear this. In fact, I thought he would say, "You did a good job in the mission field." He truly is our loving Father. I was so privileged to be with Him as it was the most intimate time I had with the Lord.
In the morning, my husband rushed me to hospital. I was quickly taken to the emergency room and the X-ray showed that my lungs were infected and full of fluid. The doctor suspected lung cancer. Immediately, I was moved to the ICU and the nurse gave me a shot. The next thing I felt was a burning sensation all over my body. I slowly fell into a deep sleep. Basically, it was an induced coma to rest my lungs. I was diagnosed with acute pneumonia.
Before I fell sick, I had been declaring Psalm 23 every day. Abba Father explained to me the relationship between the Shepherd and His sheep. The sheep are fully dependent on the Shepherd’s leading. It’s about the Lord’s love, comfort, provision, goodness, protection and hope for us. As I listened to Him, a tremendous peace flowed through me.
Right then, my spirit woke up and I saw myself wearing a white robe. I knew without doubt I was in heaven. I felt such an overflowing joy. Then I saw our Abba Father coming down from the throne to meet me. His holiness and
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Truly, I felt so privileged to hear from God. After that, He allowed me sit on a crystal vehicle which I can't describe. It was transparent and there was a steering wheel which I couldn't control. It drove me around. I enjoyed the ride but I couldn't explain everything I saw. It was too overwhelming. Finally, I requested Abba Father to let me stay in heaven. He replied, "If you stay in heaven, how can you share My goodness with others?” And He reminded me of Psalm 118:17. Then I saw a white door appearing in front of me, and God said, "It’s time to go back to earth." I woke up on the 40th day of being unconscious in the ICU. Dear friends, experiencing a glimpse of heaven was a real awakening for me. Now I can boldly declare to the rest of world that heaven is real. Although I went through physical suffering and loneliness in hospital, I received much love and care from brothers and sisters in Christ. God’s faithfulness and unconditional love never failed me and He helped me to rise up. He kept pouring out His provision and guidance. Stay calm and be confident and do not be anxious (Philippians 4:6-7), knowing that our heavenly Father will bring about the miracles you need for your situation today. Be assured that His presence is with you all the days of your life because our Father is true to His word that He will not leave you nor forsake you (Matthew 28:20). 20
HEAVENLY ENCOUNTER by BOW YUIN
THE LAST FRONTIERS BECKON By Rev Elisha and Phyllis Chua
It was in 1991 that we were divinely guided to meet a person who would later become a close friend and mentor, instrumental in helping us join the Wycliffe ministry of Bible translation. We served at the national, regional and international level. Our ministry took us to the four continents and more than 40 countries. We were so blessed to see the work of God in many places. Everywhere we went, Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s people were enthusiastic about missions. They were passionate for God and His work. From Honduras to El Salvador, Costa Rica to Ghana, Kenya, India, Nepal, Papua New Guinea and to many other countries, we witnessed the Holy Spirit ever probing, challenging and calling many of His children to missions. Twenty years on, when some of our peers have retired, we felt the calling of the Holy Spirit to a new direction. We decided to obey and resigned recently from Wycliffe to start afresh in another ministry. The Holy Spirit is guiding us to pioneer another ministry that is more challenging. Today, we are focused on the1.6 billion unreached and unengaged people who are denied access to the gospel in their countries. They are the last frontiers of the unreached people groups. We believe He will continue to guide us in this ministry.
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Thousands
Missions Fund Pledged vs Received for the Past 5 years: Aug - Jul (RM'000) 700 600 500 400
Pledged
300
Received
200 100 '07-'08
'08-'09
'09-'10
Missions Disbursement for Aug'11 - Jul'12
'10-'11
MISSIONS CASH FLOW STATEMENT Aug’11 Jul’12
a) Local Outreach Work b) Foreign outreach / Partnership works c) Social Concerns
Receipts: Mission Fund General Fund Total Receipts
d) Bible Institutions e) Missionaries & Individual Works f) General AOG Council Malaysia etc
d) 9% c) 10%
'11-'12
389,499 114,392 503,891
Disbursements: a) Local Outreach Work 330,987 b) Foreign Outreach/Partnership Works 44,008 c) Social Concerns 55,800 d) Bible Institutions 45,600 e) Missionaries & Individual Works 46,120 f) General AOG Council Malaysia. 12,000 Total Disbursements 534,515
e) f) 9% 2%
a) 62%
b) 8%
Note: The amount of mission fund received and disbursed out for the months of Jun – Jul’12 has been projected at the time of print
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