HIM FAMILY NEWS 2011

Mission Trip to Johannesburg, South Africa



On 22 September 2010, Michael, Ee Lee and I departed Singapore for the city of Johannesburg, South Africa. It was Michael and Ee Lee’s second visit, and it was my first trip to the city. We went with a heart of expectation that God will use us effectively to contribute to the work God is doing in Hope Johannesburg church. Ps. Henry and Sister Lerato made us feel at home during our stay with them and they shared with us openly about their work in Johannesburg, including its challenges.




One highlight of the trip was a sharing session with the core team of Hope Johannesburg as we explored together some key pastoral fundamentals. It was a fruitful and engaging session for both the Johannesburg team and the Singapore team.

We went to Bosasa Youth Development Centre, a juvenile detention facility for boys. On the way there, we detoured at the township of Cosmo City, an outreach point for Hope Johannesburg. The church also owns a piece of land in the township, with plans to house the future church building on the site. We spent some time praying for the land and for God’s plans to come to pass on the land. Cosmo City is a huge township housing many people. We visited the houses of the various people the church was ministering and reaching out to encourage them. It was wonderful to see the warmth and love Sister Lerato had for the people and the respect they held for her. We continued our journey to the juvenile detention facility and were given a tour by two pastoral leaders of the facility who were in fact ex-inmates in the facility. They were testifying of how God changed their lives for the better and how they felt the need to impart this spirit into the lives of the boys at the facility.




We went to the local school at Cosmo City where the service was being held in one of the classrooms. Sister Lerato and Mary led a powerful and Spirit-filled praise and worship session in Zulu acapella style. After service, we had dinner with Elvis and his family, another member of the core team and ended with us praying for him, his family and his ministry.



We had the opportunity to visit another church, one with a full African gospel choir. It allowed us to experience an African church in a bigger setting. We did some sightseeing after lunch: visited a lion’s park, explored the township of Soweto, Nelson Mandela’s hometown and saw Lerato’s family who also lives in Soweto. We were offered some local cuisine for dinner which was, to our surprise, not too different from our typical Asian diets. This missions trip has been fruitful and it has also opened up my eyes and heart to what God is doing, and going to do, in Johannesburg, South Africa, and even the entire African continent.

Reported by Melvin Lee - Hope Church, Singapore

If you are interested in missions in Hope Johannesburg, please write to missions@hopesingapore.org.sg


1st Healing Service in Hope Santiago, Chile



We had an amazing day with the moving of the Holy Spirit. We had 20 people attend our service: 6 regulars and 14 visitors. Seven of our visitors came for the first time! The event started off with a powerful time of worship, led by Karen. As we worshipped, we saw more people come in – even one of our neighbours. I came in, my message on Acts 9:32-43.

Towards the end, Siewqin came forward and shared a healing testimony about her father’s heart condition; Karen provided the translation. At this point, we knew many people were eager for the main event of the evening. After I closed my message, we removed the chairs and formed a circle by having everyone hold hands. Karen was on keyboard, while Siewqin and I stood in the middle of the circle, inviting our friends one-by-one into the circle to receive prayer.



We had a brother in crutches after a motorcycle accident. There were several elderly sisters with kidney stones and all sorts of ailments and aches. One sister was diagnosed with preliminary cancer. A little girl came forward for improper speech development. We prayed, we interceded; although people in the circle did not know each other, they prayed too for their brothers and sisters. Many were truly hungry for God, and Siewqin and I sensed God wanted to heal people internally first before working on their physical conditions. Many people broke down in tears; others felt a tingling sensation and some, faintly, felt a presence. We know, in that morning, the Holy Spirit was amongst us. Many claimed they felt a heavy burden lifted off their chest or shoulders. One of our first converts’ mother came in with a backache and a hearing problem in her right ear. After prayer, when I asked her how she felt, she said she felt she could listen better. Praise the Lord!

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12) His name is Jesus. The Only Christ.


HIM Chiang Mai 20th Anniversary




The 20th Anniversary of HIM Chiang Mai was held on November 28, 2010. All three centres: Sansai, Phuphing and Mae-Jo celebrated at the new venue near Chiang Mai University. We thank God that He is always with us and helps us as we serve Him. At our new venue, we pray our students and young people will grow up and be strong in His grace and that they will praise and worship Him their whole lives.



Ps Chuchart and his wife encouraged the church members to always thank God and always keep faith in God. They also called everyone to continue to build the church for the people in Thailand and over the world as we are committed to the Great Commission. The lunch with all brothers and sisters in the church was very happy; with love and commitment setting the atmosphere.


Hope Games in Kuching, Malaysia




Hope Kuching successfully organized Hope Games 2010. The event, themed “United: Now is the Time”, officially kicked-off on October 19. Badminton started off the competition, followed by basketball, futsal and table tennis. The grand finale (the track events) which doubled as the closing ceremony, was held on November 17. There was an overwhelming response in participation. Male and female, young and old – they all came; there was a total of 120 participants at Hope Games.




The primary objectives of Hope Games were to promote a healthy lifestyle, and foster deeper relationships within the Hope family. Indeed, we really saw people not only getting fitter and healthier, but our members had the chance to know one another better. This year’s Hope Games was entirely organized by, and for the English Congregation. However, next year, we intend to open Hope Games to all congregations (Chinese and Bahasa) and make Hope Games an annual event for Hope Kuching. We look forward to seeing more people join Hope Games next year!

Reported by Vincent Liew, Hope Games Committee


Hope Melbourne - Ministry in Hope Tokyo



Greetings from Hope Melbourne. This year’s method for holiday planning was different. I asked my wife to pray about going where God would love us to go. She was a little nervous; where might that be she thought?! Anyway, as we prayed I distinctly saw a Japanese lady with those pretty Japanese umbrellas. I told my wife. She was shocked but happy. Deep down she always wanted to go to Japan.

After, checking the price of the flight (which was expensive) and the weather conditions(winter and can snow in parts) we thought twice. God is that you? On our final day of prayer God supernaturally confirmed to go. Two guys came on board my tram and spoke loudly all about Japan. God’s presence was there. God provided the flight and we went.

What followed was a blessed holiday with the Holy Spirit’s continued presence though out and we were able to share the faith to many we met along the way. A highlight was to minister in Hope Tokyo and fellowship with the people. Many shared that they were surprised that the timing was so accurate! The ministry really hit the spot and gave them fresh encouragement and encounter with God.

Japan is very tightly organised and run society. It's too easy to put God in a box. God led me to move in the gifts of the spirit. Words of prophesy brought encouragement and release as heavens presence came. The hearts were thirsty to hear from God first hand; we saw so many Japanese reading fortune cookies and messages from temples over the new year time. We must present the living God or else people will get absorbed in Satan's counterfeit! My main message was about receiving God's love; revelational about what God has done in Christ. We are clothed with a Kimono of many colours in Christ just like Joseph, we are so loved by the father and greatly privileged by him. Sharing about his love brought a lot of joy. In such a performance oriented society we need to know this.

We can only have a love beyond ourselves like God when we know and can sense his agape love for us. I also shared about reaching our next door neighbours by the Holy Spirit. God has been moving lately in my life. Japan is huge; great if we are able to make inroads next door. The people had big hearts and realise they need the Holy Spirit more. We too were encouraged by their hearts to commit to God and were so blessed by their love and great hospitality.

The lesson: always look to the Holy Spirit and His leading and being sent by the Spirit brings us great joy. God is good. The truth is that "Of the increase of His kingdom and peace there will be no end." Happy New Year to you all! May it be a good one with His presence.

Written by Pastor Mark Rusic, Hope Church - Melbourne City Centre