HOPE FAMILY NEWS
HOPE LOS ANGELES CAMP - BE ALL YOU CAN BE
The theme of this year's camp is called “Be All You Can Be”. Our keynote speakers were Pastor Ben KC Lee (Hope Singapore), Pastor Chai (Hope Los Angeles), Pastor Albert Ngu (Hope Irvine) and James Loke (Hope Los Angeles).
Through the speakers we learned more about effective servant leadership. We had 85 adults and 14 children, 6 being part-timers, making a total of 99 people. We had a total of 30 more people than last year! Out of the 99, it was 16 people's first time at LA Camp. Praise the Lord! It was Hope Irvine's first time to join us throughout the camp.
"The LA camp was certainly a wonderful, encouraging and uplifting experience with God and fellow Hope members. I truly hope the impact of this camp will not only be good for the weekend, but will help us to rethink our standing with God and the church. To be more faithful and responsible to the small things and to help build one other to be leaders of character." Wendy Chin, Hope Irvine
Saturday Night we had an awesome time of Praise and worship and had fun watching "Do You Have What it Takes?" talent show. Pastor. Ben, Pastor. Chai, and Pastor. Albert were our honorary judges for the show. It was a night of unforgettable memories, laughter, and a great time as people performed their talents from painting in 5 minutes, a speech, singing, and dancing. Sunday was a day of outdoor games with people of all ages and that night we had ministering time in which Pas. Ben and the leaders prayed for members in the church. People were touched and some even cried. Monday was the last day of camp, where testimonies were shared and we bid our farewells.
Two people accepted Christ this year during camp. Praise God!
I'm so thankful for the camp organizing team this year. Just seeing how much they sacrificed, gave, and served, kept me going with joy to serve the Lord along side them. It's encouraging to see the willing hearts of the team to serve and help one another as one body of Christ. It's the people in church and the pastors that God has placed in my life that helps me to continue to grow in Christ.
We are to be all we can be for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10: 31 says, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
I can't wait to see what God has in store for our Hope Church Los Angeles throughout the year and next!
Judy Chan , Hope Los Angeles (Website)
HOPE KUCHING: A HOPE FILLED CHURCH
Hope Kuching had a 3-day Bible Conference (BC) from the 22nd – 24th February 2008 with the theme of “A Hope Filled Church”. The keynote speakers were Ps Simon Eng and Ps Denis Lu. Pastor Simon Eng called on all participants to look at building positive eternal values in our church aiming to reach out and touch lives.
On the first evening, Ps Simon shared on “What Hope is and the Basis”. Ps Simon taught us about what God has compared to the world and then stressed on the importance of Hope in all of us. The evening was rounded off with the second teaching by Ps. Denis who highlighted that not all hope is biblical hope.
The afternoon of the second day saw the participants seasoned with two teachings. Ps Simon taught on “What do we hope as individual believers and as a church” and highlighted that as God’s people, who are filled with God’s promises and who know the hope of God, we should be the most hope filled people around. Ps. Denis taught on the “Characteristics of Hope filled people.” The participants were encouraged to evaluate themselves against the different characteristics of a hope-filled person.
In the evening, Ps. Simon stressed that the hope filled church needs to be rooted in the word of God and amplified into action.
The evening ended with the pastors ministering to the participants. Many came forward to receive ministering for a variety of different things, from discouragement to a loss of hope in God and life itself. It was a night where the Holy Spirit was moving very strongly, ministering, touching and changing lives in a way that many will remember for a very long time.
The final session on Sunday February 24 2008 saw a change of venue to The Association of Churches Building. The spirited Bro. Wayne who led the praise and worship really set the tone for the Sunday Service Celebration to all that were present. There were two great teachings on a
Therefore God wants the church to be ready to be a church of biblical hope where people find meaning and direction when they come in contact with God.
HOPE KUALA LUMPUR: RELATIONSHIP SEMINARS
So what is so special about the story of boy meets girl? It's all about the attraction between two very different sexes. In fact, this is a very universal topic; it takes no effort to have people talk about it. Interestingly enough, this was exactly what Hope of God Kuala Lumpur discussed on 20th February, 2008 called Valentine's special: When boy meets girl
Organised by the student group from all three centres, the event started out with a multimedia presentation of a love story about a boy who meets a girl. The presentation shows how the couple fall in love and how the trials they encounter help strengthen their relationship. Afterwards, everyone was divided into three workshops titled “Seed of Love”, “When Love Blooms” and “Love Tree”.
- Meanwhile, “When Love Blooms” was conducted by Ying Hau and Danny. This topic covers the area of knowing and finding the right kind of partner before entering into a relationship. As for
- “Love Tree”, this workshop was specially catered for all care group leaders and above to attend. Conducted by Ps. Kit Siang and sister Alison.
Tthe care group leaders were taught how to prepare for the BGR issues that they will face in their groups. Also, the session looked at how care group leaders can deal with BGR issues in their lives, and how to solve it in a Godly manner.
HOPE MANILA: VALENTINE DAY SERVICE & BGR SEMINAR
Hope Manila, Philippines had a special Valentine Service in the morning, followed by a BGR seminar in the afternoon. Pastor Soradej and Sister Eunice taught about building biblical and healthy relationships from the Word of God.
HOPE SINGAPORE: INDONESIA SERVICE, FRIENDSHIP DAY
I had the privilege of joining the Indonesian group on Saturday afternoon for a special service to celebrate friendships and relationships in general. It was a most touching afternoon for many of us. Many took the time to thank and affirm the people that had made a difference in their lives. What was especially moving was when people thanked their siblings and parents.
Being Indonesians, they certainly did not let the opportunity to sing “I Love This Family of God” slip pass them. As I remember, we sang the whole song no less than ten times. They (note, not ‘we’) also were swinging their arms and holding each other’s shoulders for a prolonged period of time. One sister even asked the brother who was standing beside me to give me a big hug! Without asking whether I was used to this, the brother obeyed the sister’s suggestion. Afterwards, I said that I had probably used up my hug quota for the entire year already.
Jokes aside, I really do appreciate how our Indonesian group express themselves. They are very bold in expressing their feelings and emotions. In many ways, I have much to learn from them. As I was early, I took the time to have more in-depth conversations with many of them. I met Hendra who had just arrived in
We also had the opportunity to pray with Tony (who is still a pre-believer at the time of writing) for his job. He was looking for opening as a Java programmer. He shall treat us to Sanur when he gets his job. Sieny and Finie are new to our student group. Finie stepped out in faith during that service! They were also many old faces that I was able to take the time and reconnect with them. It was extremely refreshing to me to meet the new and not so new faces.
I want to really thank Yin San, Jorry, Suryani, Yen Nee, Alex and Ming for their hard work. I want to thank you for growing the Indonesian group from 35 people to over 60 people in just under 11 months (31st March 2007). Your sacrifice and contribution have certainly not gone unnoticed.
Hope
Yin San (yshuo@hopesingapore.org.sg) or visit the Indonesia Ministry's blog
HOPE BRISBANE: WORKING ADULT GETAWAY
Working Adult Getaway was initiated in 2005 with a vision to unite and build up the various working adult groups in Hope Brisbane Christian Church to become strong and biblical working adults in the community.
[Chee Chen & Joan Foo with child, Daniel]
Watch Working Adults Ministry Video
This year we had 62 working adults and four children join together under the theme of ‘eMpower’ to experience how God can build His people up and bring us closer to His calling and desires for us to be fulfilled and shine at our workstation to reach His divine destiny.
We were honoured to have Pastor Brendan Kirby of Hope Adelaide as our main speaker. He taught us how to sharpen our edge at work with the correct attitude and the right motivation toward our secular career.
Also, Pastor Brendan inspired us to practice godly principles to strengthen our faith from doubt and fear in our workplace. Working adults have been challenged to look at the level of their contentment in their workplace. The workshops encouraged them to find out the real motivation driving their careers to help them better perform in their respective career paths. Pastor Brendan’s powerful sermon during the Sunday service has also encouraged many to step out and be a world changer to live significantly and fulfil His vision for ministry.
Our very own May Cheung kick-started the getaway with an inspiring keynote message that challenged us to go into all the world (Greek, kosmos – culture) and preach the good news to all creation.
We also had our guest speaker Peggy Lim of Hope Brisbane, who enlightened us on how we could enhance our performance and professional life with power nutrition and dietary choices.
Throughout the getaway, we were very well taken care of with nutritious meals, comfortable accommodation, relaxing yet meaningful programs and fun games as well as a wonderful tine of fellowship with one another. It was truly a weekend of God’s abiding presence and outpouring of spirit. We saw lives bring touched and His revelations and promises came through to His people so truthfully during altar call which bring in hope and cast out fears. Let all glory be to God in the highest!
May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. ~ 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NIV)
Chen Chee and Joan Foo, Working Adults - Hope Brisbane
HOPE PERTH: FIRST WATER BAPTISM IN KATANNING
Praise God for the latest and most exciting progress the Katanning mission has made among the Chinese workers. On Saturday, 17th February, 2008, we held the very first water baptism day for the three new believers in Katanning.
[Hope Katanning Photos Website]
[Pastor Stephen & Hannah]
Our brothers and sisters have publicly proclaimed their determination to follow Christ. We conducted the water baptism and issued baptism certificate to the converts. After the water baptism, other new believers in Katanning also expressed their interest in being water baptised.
Full Gospel Assembly church from Perth and Katanning Baptist church who have been working on this group of Chinese people, have recognised our efforts and would like to provide us with best support to our ongoing mission to Katanning.
In the last 15 months we have travelled more than 400 hours, travelling 7.5 hours per week to faithfully build up our contacts in Katanning. God is faithful: He has extended our connection to the shire, to the key local factory and the local churches.
We, the Hope Katanning Mission team (Pang Chieng, Peybin Ho and Andy Jun Liu) want to give glory to God for the fruits among the Chinese workers in Katanning.
Please continue to pray for us to see the Hope Katanning continue being established. We have a weekly care group running with a regular attendance of 10 to 15 people. We are planning to begin a service in the future to make a deeper impact to the area.
James Ling Zeng & Grace, Hope Perth
