CATALYSE - INTERVIEW WITH NICOLA SONG
“There are 6 strategic priorities for the next five years. In total, there are 16 initiatives to implement key projects for these priorities.Today we hear Nicola Song’s CATALYSE story. Nicola works as a full-time staff in Hope International Ministries. She is involved in the youth ministry in Hope Kuching and takes care of international students
What does the word CATALYSE mean to you?
C A T A L Y S E. This word has everything to do with transformation. This word reminds me of the transformation in my life when I came to know Christ. This word strikes a chord as a co-labourer with Christ and His family to bring transformation into the lives of people. I rededicated my life to Christ in Hope Kuching church in the year 2005. I first accepted Christ as my Saviour when I was 12 years old but by the age of 13, I turned my back totally on Him and was held captive in my self-made Egypt for over 15 years. I was wallowing in sin and death until I came to the Hope family. God sparked a transformation in my life! Now, the passion in my heart to be a catalyst to future catalysts is insatiable.
What is your role in the Strategic Planning Team?
I never dreamed that I would serve as a staff in Hope International Ministries. One of my roles is to helm the Secretariat within our Strategic Planning Team (SPT). This has been a wonderful, exciting and at times, stressful and frustrating journey. The Secretariat is basically the administrative and nerve centre of CATALYSE. Other than being an information centre, the Secretariat carries out support functions such as minute taking, keeping proper records, drafting correspondences, organising meetings, tying up loose ends, following up on outstanding issues and any other duties assigned by the SPT.
How do you feel about CATALYSE and what do you hope to see at the end of 2015?
The SPT Secretariat is excited that we are standing at the threshold of a transformation. Over the planning period from November 2009 until December 2010, we could see the master-plan coming into place after months of storming, brain-milking and God-seeking. There were times we faced such huge road blocks that there were no way forward. At one point in time, I begin to question whether this was human crafted and not of God. But God is faithful and confirmed through various servants as He spoke words of encouragement and affirmation to the SPT.
One of the most encouraging messages is that this is a new beginning for us just like a shoot pushing forth from a seedling. It is a strong shoot because it is well connected the soil (Word of God) and water (Holy Spirit). This affirmed that we are moving in the right direction. This word was confirmed again in Chiang Mai during Initiative Leaders’ meeting that He is a doing a new thing (Isa. 43:19) and that He will order our paths as we continue to seek Him! This sealed the conviction within my heart that CATALYSE is borne out of God’s own heart as He inspires and direct His people. At the end of 2015, I hope to see that we will have a strong global infrastructure that can deliver relevant support to all our churches. It is my desire to see us move in tandem with our overarching direction as a global church planting movement, no longer fragmented, no longer just doing as we see fit.
How can members and member churches of HIM pray for and support CATALYSE?
I realise that we all play a very important role in supporting CATALYSE. First and foremost, your prayer is very much coveted. Please pray with us specifically for three areas:-
- Unity - We are building not just the church in particular localities or regions but the whole vineyard together.
- The people in CATALYSE Initiative teams. There are currently 60 persons on our 16 Initiative teams. Each team has people from different continents. Pray for coordination and synergy.
Last but not least, you can always e-mail suggestions and ideas based on our six Strategic Priorities to spt@byhim.org You can find more information on the Strategic Priorities at http://www.byhim.org/component/content/category/38?layout=blog You can also view the CATALYSE Launch video at the home page of www.byhim.org
The Lord sparked a transformation in my life when I came to the Hope family. Now, let us together as HIM, continue to move together to spark a transformation in every nation, tongue and tribe!
Nicola Song
SPT Secretariat
CATALYSE SPT
For more information write to us at
spt@byhim.org
HIM Corporate Communications
