PASTOR PN MESSAGE
Hello this is Pastor PN; I’m standing here in Hope of God, Hong Kong. Now we’re in the 17th LC (Leader’s Conference) in Hong Kong. This time we have more than 600 delegates for the ‘Indigenous Church’. What is it all about: the indigenous church?
Video Interview at Leaders Conference
So the [term] ‘indigenous’ means local and native. So it means that we love to reach out and touch the local people so that we can let the locals rise up to lead the local church. We also keep the global vision in mind; we open room to reach out [to] the internationals in our city as well, but the majority should be local so that we’re going to have a local-looking so that we can reach out to the locals, led by the local and for the local.
Testimonies of Leaders Conference
"Hello this is from Hong Kong, the kingdom of God advancing here. We are the host of the LC and the church here is so excited, actually there are over 924 people coming this Sunday. They are being enriched by God’s word, God’s teaching and power and touch by the power of the Holy Spirit and we saw some miracles happening tonight before and during the LC time. There were some deaf people who have heard voices eventually; they were born deaf and the power of God healed them". Pastor Arlene Toh (Hope Hong Kong)
"Every LC is a stepping stone; it’s a building block towards our fulfilment of God’s vision so we are really glad that with every LC, I’m seeing more people really understand the vision, commit themselves to walk with God, and the word of God is always an impact to build these things in their lives, so praise God". Pastor Simon Eng (Elder of HGI)
"It’s been exciting, it’s been inspiring and God has really challenged every one of us to look at how we can groom up local people for local churches that truly reach their own people. God is going to stir, I think, a tremendous thing as we believe him that we’re going to grow churches all over the world for the local people". Pastor Wilson Lim (Hope Oceania)
"I enjoy fellowshipping with people and I’m enjoying the country very much and I’m glad to hear about this seven year of abundance and God’s has spoken to our elders and I’m excited. So from 2009 to 2015, we’re going to go all the way. So that’s my praise point for LC, if you’re watching this, hope to see you at the next LC, God bless you". Pastor Jeffrey Chong (Hope Singapore)
"I thank God for this LC, I think it’s a great time that I can be refreshed by the presence of God in praise and worship and also be refreshed by the teaching, the life examples of many people". Pastor Prakich (Hope Europe)
"Wow what powerful teaching, I can’t believe it, it’s so great. All the word so expounded so beautifully, wonderful!" Pastor Isaac (Hope Bangkok IF)
"Yeah my name is Markus and I’ve enjoyed the time here at the LC Meeting. It’s the first time I’ve come here and [it] was very encouraging to see the people to see how they’re enthusiastic in praising the Lord and worshipping the Lord, and actually this was one thing that touched me very". Markus (Hope Stuttgart, Germany)
"I really praise God for all the overseas delegates come in and really appreciate everybody and we hope that you would come back and join us. We have learned so many things, we have been touched by God, we have been ministered by the Lord, we’ve been encouraged; people who are discouraged becoming stronger. People who are going out, they have received the conviction of God so we truly appreciate about what God has been doing". Pastor Gavin Toh (Hope Hong Kong)
So I would like to invite you to join our LC. It’s really good, tremendous teaching as well. So [for] the next one, we are going to move back to JB Malaysia for November LC and the topic will be ‘planting the kingdom’. We love to encourage our people to plant churches, plant the kingdom as well. It’s going to be a great time. Come and join us.
Pastor PN
President of HGI
Written report by Hope Hong Kong
Praise the Lord! It was our greatest honour and privilege to host the International Bible Conference "Indigenous Church" this year in Hong Kong in our new Tsuen Wan venue. From September 5-7, over 600 attendees, including 400 overseas delegates, from the Hope of God family packed the venue.
Through the teachings, preaching, workshops, testimonies, devotion and fellowship during the two-and-a-half day event, we learned the practical ways of building strong churches and people by systematically studying the Word of God under a specific topic.
Despite the large number of attendees, registration was very smooth on the first morning and Pastor Gavin announced the opening of the conference on time. By the time Brother Allen and his team led the congregation through the opening Praise and Worship song, almost everyone at the conference was dancing and glorifying the Lord. The high spirited and ever-going praise and worship continued in the evening, this time led by the brothers and sisters from Hope Brisbane. Hope London’s praise and worship team led the 2nd morning’s session with Hope Singapore leading that evening. The powerful songs and prayers by these worship leaders shook the floors and inspired, and stirred the hearts of the audience and we could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit through the whole conference.
Pastor PN and Pastor Simon were the teachers for the LC. The 8 lessons included:
- Indigeneity, Indigenisation and an Indigenous Church
- Indigenisation in Jesus
- Culture, the Context of the Church
- A Local Church by the Locals
- A Local Church for the Locals
- Advantages of an Indigenous Church
- Cautions in Indigenisation
- Qualities Required for Indigenisation
Pastor Simon opened our minds by encouraging us to keep looking into extending the territories in our churches. His church is looking into starting an Indian Group and he asked the whole congregation to pray and desire for a new area to evangelise. Pastor Simon further explained that when we are so focussed on our lives, our families, our work, we tend to live so mechanically and routinely that we do not venture out and look into new ideas; we should therefore keep opening our hearts and our minds and be brightened in HIM.
Pastor Jeff preached on Mark 4: the sowing of seeds and harvesting. He encouraged brothers and sisters that although our ultimate aim is to reap the harvest and to save souls, we should not be disappointed when we do not immediately reap what we sow. Never give up, as whatever we sow will not be in vain. More importantly, are we not equipped for things that come our way? We must be vigilant in recognising harvests that are ripe and reap them, but not losing heart on those that are not still growing. Keep sowing GOD will do the rest.
The devotion by Dr. Brendan and the testimonies of church planting were also very encouraging. It is clear that we were called by HIM with the purpose being to fulfil HIS Great Commission.
Others also preached and shared in the five workshops held to instigate deeper communication and practical discussions. The participants, while enjoying every moment of these workshops, were somewhat overwhelmed as the topics, though very practical, were challenging to follow completely.
Instructors did not just challenge them but affirmed to them that as long as they commit to HIM in faith and walk closely with HIM, all things are possible. Workshops included "Missions Mobilisers", conducted by Charmaine and Cara; "Personal Evangelism" by Peter Truong; "Evangelism Campaigns for Centres" by Soradej; "God is our Director" by Lai and "Moving in the Spirit" by Michael.
At the end of the conference, a half-day tour was organised for the 28 brothers and sisters who were interested in sightseeing around Hong Kong. In the spirit of unity, a sister led the tour while six other brothers and sisters helped in escorting the group to ensure a smooth running of the tour.
May God anoint brothers and sisters with strength and faith; to put what we learnt into practice and to extend our territories while we cooperate with HIM to complete HIS Will. With all glory and honour to our Heavenly Father, we thank HIM for always reassuring and reinforcing us through the family of God.
Pastor Gavin & Pastor Arlene Toh
Hope Hong Kong
Source Hope Hong Kong Website
