Christmas Greetings 2011

Faith@work

through

Asia Seminary for Ministry

Reaching Nationals for Nationals

December,  2011

Hi ,
    Training Nationals for Nationals in integrity and skills (Psalm 78:72)

                       Jesus Christ is the reason for this season!

         God's Promise:  Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.  For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."  (Luke 2:10,11).

The precious message of the angel of the Lord at that first Christmas is one of why Jesus Christ came to earth.  The message is to all people, to the whole world.  This is the same message today.  "God so loved the world," the whole world, everyone of the billions of souls ever born, that He gave Jesus Christ to be born in Bethlehem and to die for our sins on the cruel Cross.

Jesus Christ came to be the Saviour!  He did not come just as a teacher, though He often taught the people and spoke as never man had spoken, with great divine authority.  Jesus Himself said, "The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Luke 19:10).  He came to save us from the penalty, power and presence of sin.  "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief" (1 Tim. 1:15) was the confession of Saint Paul.

He came not primarily to civilize the world, to change society as a whole, to stop wars, crimes and poverty, though wherever His Good News takes hold, there are unique and drastic changes for the best in individuals and societies.

Someone has observed the Advent in this way:
 

                        Christmas Meets our Greatest Need

                        If our greatest need had been information
                        God would have sent us an educator.
 
                        If our greatest need had been technology
                        God would have sent us a scientist.
 
                        If our greatest need had been money
                        God would have sent us an economist.
 
                        If our greatest need had been pleasure
                        God would have sent us an entertainer.
 
                        But our greatest need is forgiveness
                        So God sent us the Saviour!
 

Christ Jesus came therefore to save individual sinner, like you and me, from sin and hell-fire.  He came to make black hearts white through His shed Blood on the Cross.  He came to give new and abundant life to those who are dead in transgressions and sins and enslaved by sin, self and Satan.  The angel explained, "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins." (Matt. 1:21). It is true that Jesus Christ and Christianity have been the greatest influence for civilization in the world, but the first and most important thing Jesus does for anyone is to save his or her soul, to forgive sins and to change heart and life. 

Therefore, the most important thing for each one, for you and me, this Christmas, is that we make sure that we have come to Jesus as lost and needy sinners, needing saving from sin, Satan and hell.  By turning to Jesus Christ and from our sin and self, we then receive Him as our Forgiver and Saviour of our souls.

We pray that you will make this Christmas a real Christmas in your heart, one that you will have pardon, peace, power, provision and a place in Heaven.  If you will repent and believe in Jesus Christ, then honestly tell Him right now.  Admit that you are a sinner, earnestly ask Him to forgive you and depend on Him to do it this moment.  Christ Jesus paid fully for your sins by His precious Blood and rose up again to make you right with God and to put His righteousness on you.

He loves you!  He is ready to receive you as He has promised, "the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37).  The very moment you turn your life over to Jesus Christ, depend and trust in Him, that moment He will be your Saviour, Christ the Lord, God with you, your constant companion and your eternal refuge and salvation.  May this Christmas be a real blessed one to you!

If you have already known the Lord as your Saviour, please remember that Christmas is the remembrance of His birthday.  What gifts are you bringing to Jesus Christ?  What will make His heart rejoice?  Well, He came to be the Saviour of the world and He is not willing that any should perish but that all will repent and believe in Him (2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, the greatest gift we can give Him will be souls (for which He died) to be brought to Him. Will you be His witness of His Good News this Christmas and everyday of your life?  Here is the command of Jesus:   "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you" (John 20:21).  Let us go soul-winning for Jesus Christ!  May there be many souls saved this Christmas!
 Amen!

May you receive this prayer: "May the Christ of whom the angels sang in that first Christmas chorus bring peace in your heart at this season!  May "the joy of Heaven to earth come down" bring you abundant joy and blessing throughout each day of the New Year as you crown Him Lord in your hearts.  Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen."

Looking into 2012

Praise the good Lord for helping us to build for stability and credibility.  Now there is much for the Lord to do in and through us.  Please read the attachment and get into the blogspot and Facebook for more details.  We will need partners in the these areas.

- We need prayer partners that will uphold us before God for God’s presence, power and provision.

- We need teaching partners in the different departments of studies: Bible, education, management, computer science, English, nursing, etc.

- We need resource partners to help us with resources in the teaching and community projects.

- We need financial partners to fund the various projects as well as funds for National pastors and students. Every dollar counts!

We will be accountable to God and to you as faithful stewards. Please let us know in whatever area you would be able to help.  (Heb 6:10)  “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shown toward His Name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.”

Thanks again for your prayers and support in so many ways.  Please visit

                                                 FaithatWorks Facebook

or our blog at

                              http://faithatworksfellowship.blogspot.com/

Be sure to bookmark it.

If we can be of any help to you, please let us know. The good Lord bless you and all yours this Christmas and for many more to come!

Yours always in Christ and for Christ,

Rev. Goh Seng Fong
(John 12:24)

Hdphone: 98207783

         +65-98207783

==============================================================

ASM – Schedule & Expenses for 2012

I.           SUGGESTED  PROGRAMS IN 2012

A.    INDONESIA - MEDAN – MMin & MRE program (S$1,000 per session for 60-65).

1.   13 - 17 February  (18 Feb. Graduation, 40+).

2.   25 - 27 June.

3.   10 - 15 September.

4.   19 - 23 November.

B. INDONESIA – Papau -  7-12 Feb.

C. INDONESIA – Nias Island (to be arranged).

D. NEPAL – MMin & MRE program

1. Kathmandu  - (S5,000 per session for 45-50 people).

a. 4 - 8 March.

b. 23 - 27 September.

2. East Nepal (MMin program with 45 people, S$4,000 per session).

a. 18 - 22 March.

b. 30 Sept. – 4 October.

E. DMin PROGRAM for four brethren in Singapore – in May and November.

F. CAMBODIA –  MMin program  with Life University.

                    Still in prayer and consultation.

G. INDIA, Manipur – exploratory trip.

H. MYANMAR

1.   Training Trip, 6-15 January, Yangon, Mandalay and Maymyo.

2.   Spiritual Convention  in Shan State : 27 - 30 March.

3.   Workshops for Pastors and Leaders : 30 October - 8 November.

 

II.         THE EXPENSES, BY FAITH:

A. MEDAN , INDONESIA 

          1.    4 sessions at S$1,000 each = S$4,000.

    2.    Graduation 18 Feb. – S$1,000.

    3.    Scholarships for Bible Institute – S5,000 per year.

B. NEPAL 
    1.    2 sessions at S5000 each  at Kathmandu = S10,000.

                           2.    2 sessions at S$4500 each at East Nepal = $9,000.       
                           3.    10 goats for 5 pastors at S$150 each = $1,500.

                C. MYANMAR

1.   Scholarships for 40 students (Mandalay Bible Seminary)  at US$150 (x1.30) each   due May = S$7,800.

2.   Spiritual Convention , Shan State at US$1,000 = S$1,300.

3.   Oct-Nov. Pastors’ Conference, Mandalay  at US$1,000 = S$1,300.

D. CAMBODIA – praying for one session in 2012 = S$1,000.

E. RESERVED FUNDS  - FOR LECTURERS’ and other EXPENSES – S$4,000.

Total:  $45,900  (S$40,450 – 2011) -  JEHOVAH-JIREH  !!!

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Myanmar Mission Report

Faith@work

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Asia Seminary for Ministry

                                                              (Seminary without borders) 
December 14, 2011

Myanmar Mission Report (Nov 22-Dec 2, 2011)

Thank God for a wonderful trip!  The Church Leaders and Bible College Students' zeal for knowledge never fail to amaze me.  I consider it a privilege to have a part in their ministry and I am always thankful to God for giving me such contacts and opportunity.

Pyin Oo Lwin (Nov 23-26: the book of Philippians):

The team of 4 (Rev Freddy Yong and Theresa, Bro Ding Yew Soong, and myself) arrived on November 22 at Yangon and took a flight to Mandalay on November 23.  Bro Ding taught Leadership Laws at Mandalay, while Freddy, Theresa and I proceeded to Pyin Oo Lwin.  I started teaching the book of Philippians that night.  Fourty students from Myanmar Reformed Bible College (Chinese) picked up their color pencils and started marking.  First they discovered the background, followed by determining the main theme of every chapter, and finally they were all required to mind map a detailed outline of every chapter.  Below are examples of their hard work.

 

Mind maps of Philippians 1 & 2 by the students

The 3^rd and 4^th year students had learnt this method of studying the Bible on the books of 3 John and Haggai.  I left for Mandalay on November 26, but Rev Freddy took over the task of teaching the 1^st and 2^nd year students on the book of 3 John and the parable of the Prodigal Son.  He did a great job and both Freddy and his wife are eager to go back to teach in Pyin Oo Lwin.  He plans to teach this in Malaysia too. 

Mandalay (Nov 26-Dec 30: the book of Revelation):

The class was held at Fundamental Baptist Seminary.  Rev James Biaklain was my interpreter. Forty-five pastors and leaders attended this module.  Due to the lack of commentaries on the book of Revelation, requiring them to do a research would be absurd. I made them read the book ten times and outline the entire book of Revelation both in a chart form and in pictures.  

 

These pastors were busy putting Revelation into pictures.

They were made to write and draw the 7 Churches, 7 Seals, 7 Trumpets, 7 Bowls and 7 Figures.  They were assigned to teach or preach from the Book of Revelation and write a report.  One of the lecturers shared that he dared not teach this book, but after this module, he is now confident to do so. 

Yangon (Dec 1-2: III John)

This is a totally new group.  The principal Moses Liancuh was my classmate in the Doctor of Ministry class at Singapore Bible College.  Moses pastors a church which take care of orphans.  He has 40 students in his Peniel Bible College.  He has the best team of co-workers I have seen in Myanmar so far.  They are young, dedicated and eager to learn. The 40 students were so excited learning how to use both the right and left brain to study the Bible. 

  

Using Mind Map to outline 3 John in Peniel BC.               A 4th year student asking how to use both the right & left brains effectively. 

 I did what I taught in Pyin Oo Lwin, using 3^rd John.  The senior students immediately saw this method Bible Study as the best substitute for commentaries, which are costly. All the lecturers and their wives sat in for the classes.  Moses’ wife, Sharon, wisely put it across to me that I must come back to teach them again for another 2 to 3 times to help them get a hang of it.  Moses and his team are still young with full of energy and dynamism. I am looking forward to go back to train both the lecturers and students again next year. 

All the 3 Bible Colleges lack resources and funds, but the leaders are men and women of faith.  We not only taught but also provide them with all the necessary stationery and extra cash to buy food and petrol.  We took the trouble also to give Christmas gifts to some of the lecturers, whose salaries range from $39 to $100. The cost of living has doubled, but their wages remain the same.  These 3 groups are very conservative, evangelistic and spiritual.  They pray and fast frequently.  It is our privilege to be partakers of their wonderful ministries – by  Beng Shin.

November Report

Faith@work

through

Asia Seminary for Ministry

(Seminary without borders)

November 20, 2011

 Dear friend,

    Training Nationals for Nationals in integrity and skills (Psalm 78:72)

(Psa 126:3)  The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.

Yes, as we ponder in retrospection, God truly has done great things for us, and in and through us, for which we praise Him and we are glad that He is glorified. One highlight is the First Graduation of the Master of Ministry program in Nepal, where we spent some 4 great years.  We continue to wonder and marvel on His goodness and grace in using us to train Nationals to and for their own. We will be further blessed when a good number of Indonesians will graduate this coming February, 2012. Praise the good Lord for many of you that are praying and giving in many ways to enable God’s leaders to grow, glow and go for God.

                                                          ---------------

The following is a testimony of the General Secretary of a fellowship of some 127 churches and 200+ home groups. 

                                       Three Blessings

1. Spiritually Blessed:

The Master of Ministry Program emphasizes to equip ministers spiritually rather than academically. So I would honestly say that through this Master of Ministry Program (MMP), I am blessed.  The MMP helped me to die myself (my carnal nature) daily. I have felt God is as my "PATER" Father, "JEHOVAH", "EL-SHADDAI" and "ELOHIM" more than before. The MMP taught and encouraged me to love Him more than anything and to trust Him alone in all situations. This program helped me to renew my spiritual life so I really am blessed.

2. Academically Blessed

This program helped to learn about the prophetic books, Leadership quality from the epistles and correct interpretation as well as some of the characteristics and attributes of God and creation. Therefore, through this program I am equipped and blessed academically.

3. Practically Blessed

Through this program I have learned on some of the areas like strategic and effective evangelism, meaningful discipleship, servant-hood (role model) leadership. Some statements are stuck in my mind and heart: "main thing is main thing" and "attitude determiners the altitude".  Since, the program will be absolutely helpful in my future ministry practically and shape my practical life, therefore, I confess that I am blessed practically too.

                               Three Future Plans

1.       First, to keep my spiritual life in balance I have made my daily plan and family plan and dying daily.  I will spend time in prayer, reading His word and spending time as I have learned. And I will be trying my best to live continuously accordingly.

2.     I will share my vision, Mission Objectives with my people, then make daily plan, and short term plan and long term for Effective Evangelism, genuine discipleship, equipping / building leaders and formation of Healthy and missionary church so the body of Christ would be rooted on Jesus Christ (Matthews 16:18). It would be equipped spiritually, academically and practically so the equipped and healthy and spotless church will fulfil God's great commission (Matthews 28:19, 20).

3.      Finally, I will select and equip some of called, committed and faithful co-workers and deliver responsibilities to assign the task to them. We will work with full conviction and commitment with same goal and same purpose that would establish God's Kingdom in the world and exalt His name alone. Moreover, I would request for you to pray and cooperate with me. Thanks for your kind cooperation!

Submitted by:

Pastor, Ratna Bahadur Rai

NBCC, Nepal

Submission date: October 13, 2011

                                                              _____________

We end out this blessed 2011 sessions in two countries: one in Medan, Indonesia and the other in Myanmar.  Please pray for and with us that we finish strong and strongly for God.

Medan, INDONESIA,  21-25 November

We had the good privilege of training a good number of 75+ pastors and leaders from Medan, Acheh and Nias in September. Last session for the year in Medan will be 21-25 November.  God is faithful in enabling us to train four times a year in Medan.  February 13-18, 2012 will be another exciting time. February 18 will be the First Graduation in the Medan program. All praise and glory to our living and loving God. If you can attend to witness this great occasion, please let us know.

Our point-man, Rev. Haposan desires to start an undergraduate program in Christian ministry.  Our prayer is to train Nationals so that they can train their own. This is bearing fruit in our brother’s life and in other lives too as God transforms lives and builds knowledge, wisdom and skills. The target date will be January, 2012. Please pray for this new vision. If you help to kick-start this program, please pray and do what God wills.

MYANMAR

Special Conferences:  Training for pastors and leaders will be held in Mandalay and Maymyo, 23 Nov. to Dec. 2^nd. We have to postpone the special conferences on the History of Redemption. There will be a good team of four, led by Rev. Yap Beng Shin. In Mandalay, pastors and leaders under Rev. James will meet for their annual training. Some are doing the Master program, an on-going life equipping for life and ministry. In Maymyo, training will be at the Chinese Bible school. Please pray for God’s leading and blessing.

PRAYING AHEAD INTO 2012

1.      MYANMAR  6-13 January

Graduation at Yangon, 7^th January

Seminar at Maymyo, 9^th and 10^th January. At Bible College, 11^th and 12^th January

2.    INDONESIA, February

PAPAU, INDONESIA, 7-13 Feb. Conference and Training

MEDAN, INDONESIA, 13-18 Feb. Training & Graduation (18^th)

3.    NEPAL, March

KATHMANDU, 3-9 March – Training Nationals.

EAST NEPAL, 17-23 March – Training Nationals.

                                                                                                            

Thanks again for your prayers and support in so many ways. Please visit

at Facebook                                   FaithatWorks

or our blog at

                                  http://faithatworksfellowship.blogspot.com/

Be sure to bookmark it. The blog has the latest 2011 report. Please share with your friends.

If we can be of any help to you, do let us know. The good Lord bless you and all yours! 

(Heb 6:10)  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Yours always in Christ and for Christ,

Rev. Goh Seng Fong
(John 12:24)

Hdphone: 98207783

          +65-98207783

Mandalay

Medan

Faith@Work Fellowship 2011 Report

October Report

                                                  Faith@Work

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                                    Asia Seminary for Ministry

                                          (Seminary without borders)

October 6, 2011

 Dear friend,

         Training Nationals for Nationals in integrity and skills (Psalm 78:72)

(Hab 2:2-4):  And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.  For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.  Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

Though the vision was given to Habakkuk for Israel, we observe some principles for our ministry together for the Training of Nationals for Nationals.  We have held the vision high.  God brought many of you to co-labor in many ways.  We have prayed, shared and labored patiently together by faith, love and hope, the last five years.  How time flies and the good Lord is blessing and establishing the fruits of our labor. (Psa 90:17):  And let the beauty of the LORD our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.  Glory to our wonderful, loving and awesome God!

We had the unique privilege of graduating 23 in our first graduation service in Nepal on September 22.  And we will be graduating another good number in Medan, Indonesia in February 2012.  These are pastors and leaders who are already actively serving the good Lord in His vineyard.  Our prayer is to facilitate continual life-long equipping of these so that they would in turn equip others.  (2Tim 2:2):  And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.  We believe that the good Lord will use them greatly.

Here are some blessings shared by some of the graduates:

Dil Tamang, Chairman, Himalayan Bible Study Academy & ASM co-ordinator:

It was my privilege to be part of all 20 very useful and beneficial subjects.  Through them, my knowledge of the Word of God is enriched and my understanding widened and deepened.  I thank God for the teaching skills of the faculty members.  Also the practical subjects on Leadership have been a milestone in my personal life and leadership endeavor.  The lessons have helped me grow in my personal relationship with the Father, trusting and obeying Him more than ever before.  My leadership is no more reactive but rather it is proactive.  I conclude that the lessons were prepared first for me and then for my other like-minded colleagues.  

NP Pradhan, Pastor & General Secretary of a fellowship of 400 churches:

This Seminary promoted me in my ministry, especially now I can preach and teach very boldly and clearly.  I am very active with my church pastors and leaders to share that which I have learnt from the Seminary.  Almost daily, I can teach at the Bible Centre in a systematic way.  My five-year plan is to train about 20 leaders each year.

Tik Bdr Magar, Pastor:

The subjects taught were important for our lives and ministries.  They were taught prayerfully and wisely.  Most were new to me and very helpful too.  I felt that I was not having enough knowledge of God’s Word.  Now I have a closer relationship with  God and am more serious in studying God’s Word and spending more time in prayer. I appreciate our lecturers who did hard work to prepare to teach.  The materials will be useful for the present and the future.  

I.        Medan, INDONESIA, November 21-25

We had the good privilege of training a good number of 75+ pastors and leaders from Medan, Acheh and Nias in September.   Last session for the year  in Medan will be 21-25 November.  God is faithful in enabling us to train four times a year in Medan. 

Our point-man, Rev. Haposan desires to start an undergraduate program in Christian ministry.  Our prayer is to train Nationals so that they can train their own.  This is bearing fruit in our brother’s life and in other lives too as God transform lives and build knowledge, wisdom and skills.  The target date will be January, 2012.  Please pray for this new vision.

 

II.       MYANMAR: November 23 - December 2

Special Conferences:  Training for pastors and leaders will be held in Mandalay and Maymyo, November 23-December 2.  One-day special conference on the History of Redemption will be held in December 1 in Mandalay (with Burmese interpretation) and another one in December 2 in Maymyo (with Mandarin interpretation), headed by trainers with a publishing company.  We are praying for a good team to help train nationals.  Please pray for God’s leading and blessing. Thanks again for your prayers and support in so many ways. Please visit
                                               FaithatWorks Facebook 

or our blog at 

                                http://faithatworksfellowship.blogspot.com/

Be sure to bookmark it.

If we can be of any help to you, please let us know. The good Lord bless you and all yours! 

(Heb 6:10):  For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.

Yours always in Christ and for Christ,

Rev. Goh Seng Fong
(John 12:24)

Hdphone: 98207783

              +65-98207783

Nepal The First Batch of Graduates

The Graduates with Friends