HIM FAMILY NEWS
Hope Bangalore, India Camp
A Covenant Church" was the theme for Hope Bangalore's third Annual Camp which was conducted from 9th to 12th September, 2010. We had international participants from Hope Taipei, Hope Taichung, Hope JB, Hope BP, Hope Muar, and Hope KL. Our brothers from New Delhi, Chennai and Trichy also joined us in this annual event."
We had a great time on a touring and shopping trip two days before the camp. It was an unforgettable experience for many international delegates to squeeze into public buses and overcrowded streets. Since we packed all the 50+ brothers and sisters in Jireh House (our ministry house), we had a lot of opportunities to fellowship and learn from one another before the actual camp. We also had the privilege of celebrating Ps Kwong Lie and Sis Eunice's 13th wedding anniversary, and Bro Kwan Leong's birthday before the camp.
The camp site is a Bible college. Most of the brothers and sisters enjoyed fellowshipping at meals as much as the Indian cuisine. The participants were divided into four teams which took part in station games, cleaning duties and a group presentation on the third night. We had a better understanding about God's Covenant through Ps Kwong Lie's teaching and were greatly encouraged by his covenantal relationship with God. The end of the camp saw many brothers and sisters committing themselves in prayer to God and to each other in a biblical covenant relationship.
After the camp, some brothers and sisters gave gifts and cards as an encouragement so that everyone would continue our journey in this vision to fulfil the Great Commission by raising Christ-centred disciples to plant vibrant biblical churches in Bangalore, India and all over the world.
Pastor Joshua Wong
Hope Bangalore, India
Hope Manila 13th Anniversary
Spirits soared as Hope Church Manila celebrated its 13th Anniversary on September 12, 2010. The theme was “Soar Like An Eagle”. Hope Manila had a month of anniversary festivities highlighted by the three-day seminar dubbed “The Saints”, delivered by guest preacher Pastor Jeff Chong (the senior Pastor of Hope Singapore) and of course our very own senior Pastor Soradej Meesaengtham and his wife, Sis. Eunice. Truly a revival for the modern-day saints, the seminar provided the members of Hope Manila a clear insight into a life of holiness, set apart for the glory of God.
During the anniversary worship service, everyone excitedly brought in friends and family so they too can experience the blessings of being part of God’s flock. In fact, Sunday service attendance doubled, with more than a hundred new converts accepting Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
The merriment even extended to the community of Balong-Bato in San Juan through two Sundays of free medical and dental services. Smiles were seen and gratitude was expressed as volunteer doctors and dentists selflessly extended their love to the less privileged families of the barangay (local community). Moreover, medical seminars for women’s and children’s health were also held.
Laughter and merriment filled the air throughout fellowship lunches during the anniversary month as care groups competed against each other in their respective sub-districts during a series of talent shows, aimed at depicting the anniversary theme “Soar Like An Eagle”. From the youth care groups to Energy Pro, the senior citizens’ care group of Hope Manila, everyone braved the stage to showcase their creativity and talents in singing, dancing, instrument-playing and acting. It was truly a revelation seeing so much talent in Hope!
14th Eastern Region Bible Conference, Hope Kuching
The 14th Eastern Region Bible Conference themed “Supernatural: The Holy Spirit in His Church” kicked off on Friday evening, 17 September 2010 at Hope Kuching. All the Hope churches throughout Sarawak always look forward to this annual spiritual pilgrimage. This time, we were reminded that the church of Jesus Christ must be a church that is empowered by the Holy Spirit. The birth and growth of a church is always the result of the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of God’s people.
The conference lasted for three days and centered on six teachings points delivered in four intensive sessions by Pastor Simon Eng, Pastor Denis Lu, and Pastor Chieng Kung Ching. In the first session, Pastor Denis Lu delivered a powerful teaching on the believers’ supernatural empowerment by the Holy Spirit. Common misconceptions about spiritual empowerment, in particular the baptism of Holy Spirit, were addressed by Pastor Denis in this exciting session. The teaching concluded with a spirit-filled ministering session which saw some receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit!
In the following session on Saturday afternoon, Pastor Kung Ching brought the people to encounter Jesus Christ, our divine Transformer who will bring supernatural transformations to the Body of Christ. The conference continued in the evening with Pastor Denis’ session about the various aspects of spiritual manifestations. The people were encouraged to welcome spiritual manifestations by the Holy Spirit whilst guarding against the spiritual oppression of the
Devil.
The three-day conference came to a close in a four-hour long Sunday service. Pastor Denis drew on the life of the prophet Elijah and his apprentice Elisha to share the secret to the activation of God’s supernatural power by means of breakthroughs in five crucial areas: faith, prayer, unity, ministering, and modeling. Pastor Simon finally wrapped up the sessions by encouraging the church to launch into missions for a lifetime. Pastor Simon also reminded people to be prepared for the future by pointing to local and global challenges that will face the church of Jesus Christ.
As always, the teachings were translated into English, Mandarin, and Bahasa Malaysia. Many outstation delegates also crowded the event, including those from Kota Samarahan, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu and as far as remote villages in the Seri Aman region. There were also special sessions alongside the conference for our Praise Kids Club children. The conference also saw a series of firsts: the conference was held in the new three-storey church building of Hope Kuching. It was also the first time for every preaching session to be telecasted in real-time to audiences who were seated in different church building floors.
In today’s technologically wired world, God’s church must never forget the importance of Holy Spirit’s supernatural workings in the lives of His people! As C.H. Spurgeon once said, “The greatest crime of sinners is to blaspheme the Holy Ghost, and the greatest fault of saints is to neglect the Holy Ghost.” Reported by Yakub Sebastian
Hope Perth Church Anniversary
Hope Perth 17th birthday was celebrated on the evening of 26th September! It was such a heart warming occasion for us as we were seated with our families and friends. Spreading the love of Christ is at the heart of what we do in our community!
In the past 7 years; our Church has been moving to another step of growth in our lives with God and during this season, we see the work of restoration and the Holy Spirit sowing seeds into the deepest hearts of people. We are now entering into a new Chapter of our growth where we can see our people flourish! With this vision, our anniversary’s theme is “Growing glory to glory”
Thank God for our 210 visitors whom we warmly welcomed! Our hall was filled with friends and visitors greeting one another with such big smiles! All of us enjoyed a combination of talented performances from our members, friends, youths and even our beautiful little children! Our worship team heightened the atmosphere with songs of joy and thanksgivings! Alan and Titien, our newly married couple and leaders of Youth Group also shared with us on their testimony of blessing.
Dr Ashley Crane, principle of Harvest West Christian College, delivered the message of God’s glory with humour and clarity! A major part of his sermon encompassed the truth of God’s glory in 2 Corinthians 4:13 on wards and in verse 17, Paul wrote; 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. There is no greater hope that we hold in our lives which is to await the eternal glory of God.
Finally, we sang Happy Birthday to our church and had a great dinner fellowship towards the end of the celebration! Even though we come from different parts of the world and speak different languages, in this house of God, we are all one big family who are united in our hands and hearts to serve one another and we will boldly confess that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Glory to his Kingdom. Amen!
Hope Ipswich Sunday Service Launch
The weekly ministering to our Friday life groups is now reaping the fruit of the harvest; we were bursting at the seams of Rayon’s living room and we were barely contained in Room 113 at the University of Queensland’s Ipswich Campus. In all, at least 20 salvations have taken place since we started Ipswich life groups in 2008.
Our hearts skipped a few beats when Pastor Wilson addressed the team and the new centre on that Sunday morning. It was a true “we need to celebrate!” moment. For surely when God calls, it will come to pass when we respond. What was a response of faith is now harvesting the fruits of reality.
At the launch, Pastor Wilson shared about the mustard seed which grows into the mighty mustard tree which is a refuge to smaller and weaker creatures. It is a small, unremarkable seed that harbours a massive potential that belies its unimpressive size. The message was timely and spoke deeply into our being.
Currently a majority of university students with a smattering of young professionals form the core of Hope Church Ipswich. It seems an insurmountable task: winning the area of Ipswich, home of ex-prisoners, those from low socio-economic backgrounds, single parent families and juvenile delinquents. Hope Church Ipswich is a baby reaching out to tough soil.
So when Pastor Wilson shared and reminded us that we carry the DNA of God’s ultimate intent, His Church which holds the Answer, it gave courage to our hearts. We received the message with faith; to believe in the potential of this young centre because God's Spirit is infused in it. Because He is with us, we are able. A congregation of 43 people is just a glimpse. Isaiah 61 is our call. A Church that can reach the nations is when God is alive. Hope Church Ipswich lives and breathes because of that.May this Church bring the harvest as we faithfully sow, harvest and reap on our part. All Honour and Glory to the Name - Jesus Christ!
Evelyn Sam
Hope Ipswich, Queensland
