July 2012 Report

Faith@Work Fellowship

through

Asia Seminary for Ministry

(Seminary without borders)

Reaching Nationals for Nationals

July, 2012

Hi,

(Ps 31:15)  My times are in Thy Hand.

 July had been a sweet-bitter journey.  Sweet and blessed was when the children, spouses, grandchildren and we got together for a fun reunion.  Now eight of us, we stayed together, ate, swam and enjoyed one another.  It had been quite a long while for such a unique and warming experience.  God is good to us.  Truly, God is faithful in all generations. 

Bitter and painful was when we had to lay to rest three in successive weeks.  We were in the house of mourning.  One was my 19 years old nephew who was taken home to be with Jesus as a result of an accident.  The wake and funeral were agonizing moments.  Only the God of comfort can comfort us at times like these.

There is a personal testimony by a man called Job (as recorded the Bible), concerning death.  At particular times in his life, he had lost all his children, his possession and his health.  He wrote: (Job 30:23) “For I know that Thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living.”

Personal knowledge was indicated:  “I know” “me”.  Death is a universal fact.  (Ps 89:48)  What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave?  Except for the event of the Coming of the Lord in the Rapture (1 Thess. 4:13-18), death will be everywhere.  None is too young to die?  None too strong either!

Also through our own bodily feebleness, we learn the truth of our frail mortality.  Yet, the commonness of the truth gives us temptation to overlook our personal application.  We continue to live as if this world is our eternal home.  However, those who die daily to self, world and Satan will die easily.  When we learn to live as dying men among dying men, we shall truly live.  We are not in the land of the living going to the land of the dying.  We are in the land of the dying going to the land of the living.  (2Cor 5:8)  We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

The eyes of faith know that it is the Lord God that will bring us into death.  (Ps 48:14)  For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.  Life and death are not left to chance, fate or other secondary causes.  We are immortal till His purposes are fulfilled.  We will rest in His wisdom and love though the days be dark.  He will journey with us till death, in death (Ps 23:4) and will bring us up again. (Job 19:25,26)  For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. 

Let us then walk humbly before Him and others.  We must despise all pride of birth, rank or wealth.  It is madness for dying men to boast. (Mt 6:34)  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Let us live diligently in entire submission to His will.  Be prompt to obey Him for life is uncertain and short.  (Mt 6:33)  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We need to project ourselves into eternity and invest in God, eternity and people that God loves and for whom Jesus died, rose up and coming again.  (Rev 22:12,13)  And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.  Amen.

  <><><><><><><><><><>

Computer science professor Randy Pausch died of pancreatic cancer in 2008. In a letter to his wife and children, he wrote a beautiful guide to a better life.  Maybe we can glean some helps from the list.

 

POINTS

 ON HOW TO IMPROVE

YOUR LIFE

Personality:

1. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
2. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
3. Don't overdo; keep your limits.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously; no one else does.
5. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
6. Dream more while you are awake.
7. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
8. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner of his/ her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
9. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
10. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
11. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
12. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
13. Smile and laugh more.
14. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Community:

15. Call your family often.
16. Each day give something good to others.
17. Forgive everyone for everything.
18. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6.
19. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
20. What other people think of you is none of your business.
21. Your job will not take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.

Life:

22. Put GOD first in anything and everything that you think, say and do.
23. GOD heals everything.
24. Do the right things.
25. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
26. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
27. The best is yet to come.
28. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
29. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it.
30. If you know GOD, you will always be happy. So, be happy.

    <><><><><><><><><><>

Praise the Lord for your investment in God and people through your prayers and many other ways (clothing and medicine, etc), as we spent precious times in June, in Cambodia (10^th to 15^th), Kuching, Malaysia (16^th to 21^st) and Medan, Indonesia (25^th to 29^th).

CAMBODIA: Three of us headed north to Life University in Cambodia, where we taught Bible College students and spoke in the chapel.  The University has some 1400 students from kindergarten to Bachelor programs in different disciplines.  Much prayer and resources are needed as it prepares the students for the market-place as well as for the ministry.  All of us are ambassadors for Christ, no matter what our calling in society is.  The University is a great place to visit and to minister as we can reach out to 1400 students.  Please let us know of your interest in knowing more of the work.

KUCHING, MALAYSIA:  Two of us took a journey into a new area of ministry.  We taught at a training centre, had Fathers’ Day celebration and made our way through a swamp to a long house to visit and preach.  Ties were renewed with some leaders there.  Please pray as they revive the training centre and seek for a place to locate the training.  Funds are needed for the land for the training, the planting of crops and raising of animals for self-support, while they will raise up finance from their own people to build some quarters for teachers and students.  This is a great partnership, so please pray for this need.

MEDAN, INDONESIA:  Two of our trainers were there for the 23^rd and 24^th sessions of our Training Nationals for Nationals.  A good number of 60+ continued to turn up for the training.  Four will be there, 10^th to 14^th September, training in the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians and in the Old Testament book of Haggai.  A Bible Institute under Rev. Haposan began its training.  Our prayer and goal have always been to train leaders so that they can train others. 

KATHMANDU, NEPAL:  Three of us will visit Kathmandu, 21^st to 28^th September.  We will be at sessions 23^rd and 24^th, on Principles of Leadership and Care Ministry.  We will be gathering two groups together for the training.  Thus there would be some 70 students for the week.  As some will have to come from far places, we will have to provide food and lodging.  We are budgeting Sing$100 per person for the five days.  That will mean that we are trusting the good Lord for at least Sing$7000.  Please pray for and with us for God’s supply. 

                                           <><><><><><><><><><>

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)

Mobile: 9820 7783

       +65-9820 7783

Name and Address:  

Faith@Work Fellowship,

9, Kalidasa Avenue,

Singapore 789389

People involved in the Fellowship include: 

Rev. Tan Choon Seng, Rev. Tan Eng Boo, Rev. Yap Beng Shin, Rev. Simon N., Rev. Robert Chew,  Rev. Mark Tay, Rev. Andrew Tan, Ong Beng Hong, Michael Lim, Amos Hoon, Jeff Tan and Daisy Koh.

    <><><><><><><><><><>

Cambodia - in a seminary classroom

Celebrating Fathers' Day in Sarawak

June 2012 Report

Faith@Work Fellowship

through

Asia Seminary for Ministry

(Seminary without borders)

Reaching Nationals for Nationals

June, 2012

Hi Friend,

(Prov 31:28,29)  Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.   Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Belated God-blessed Mother’s day to our mothers!  Here is a thank-you note from a son to his mother:

“I know that our family did not have much in those early days and I wanted to say that as parents, it was clear your priorities were with your children, in giving us what we needed and much of what we wanted. We would not be where we are today, and have the opportunity to pass what we have learned to the next generation without all the painful sacrifices you have made. As Melissa and I raise our own children, I am often reminded of times and situations with my own parents and filled with gratitude and pride. Your examples have helped guide my parenting style and thank you for all that you have, and will do. Daniel and Elizabeth will grow up and continue on their life journeys, whether they realize it or not, but with a piece of their grandparents with them.

Happy Mother's day!!!”

Father’s Day is coming – June 17^th … so please remember to say and do something special for your dad!   The good Lord bless all our dads!

As we approach Father’s Day, we remember that God is our Father and we are His children through repentance and faith in Christ Jesus.  He is able as He is our Creator.  (Isa 64:8)  But now, O LORD, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.  He is our Provider.  (Luke 12:6,7)  Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

He is available!  (Luke 11:11-13)  If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?  Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?

He is accessible!  (Rom 5:10)  For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  And He provides the unconditional acceptance and restoration.  (Luke 15:20)  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

In God, we have the precious Father that we need. (1Jn 3:1)  Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.  We are heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17).  We will spend eternity with our Father and His family.

                                     <><><><><><><><><><>  

1.      CARE Ministry Seminar in May.  Praise the Lord for bringing in friends from 6 churches, one pastor from Myanmar and another from Ghana for the training.  We had good times together, learning how to provide an environment of caring and sharing for people to grow and mature.  Specific and practical steps were shown to provide encouragement, exhortation and enlightenment.  We are praying that seeds were shown in hearts to enable them to grow and share with others.  If you or your group/church need help in the Care Ministry, please let us know.

2.      CAMBODIA, 10-15 June:  A team of three of us will be with Life University, Kampong Som for training in Evangelism, Discipleship and English.  The University is under the able leadership of Rev. David Koo and his team.  It has some 1200 students from kindergarten to Bachelor degree level of studies in various disciplines to prepare students for the market places.   It is our privilege and joy to the helping out.  John Ching will be conducting Good Soil Evangelism. 

3.     KUCHING, EAST MALAYSIA,  16-21 June:  Pastor Tram Epoi has been ministering among his own people after his studies in Singapore.  Besides being a leader of a fellowship of churches, he trains leaders in a Bible School. A team of two will be there to train them as well as to preach on Father’s Day Sunday.  We will take time to visit some of churches in the kampongs.

4.     MEDAN, INDONESIA, 25-29 June:  We are at the 23^rd and 24^th modules with some 60 wonderful pastors and leaders in Medan.   Rev. Haposan is our faithful co-worker and interpreter there.  A team of two will be there to teach Principles of Leadership and The Epistle of I Thessalonians.  We need all your prayers for these training sessions. 

5.     COMING SOON FOR THE REST OF 2012!

        A. MEDAN, INDONESIA:  10-14 September & 19-23 November

        B. KATHMANDU, NEPAL:  23-27 September

        C. MANDALAY, MYANMAR:  Oct. 31^st to 8 November

Thanks again for your prayers and support in so many ways. Please visit FaithatWorks Facebook or our blog, for further news at

                                              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!

Yours always in Christ and for Christ,

Rev. Goh Seng Fong
(John 12:24)

Hdphone: 98207783

                    +65-98207783

Name and Address: 

Faith@Work Fellowship,

9, Kalidasa Avenue,

Singapore 789389

People involved in the Fellowship include: 

Rev. Tan Choon Seng, Rev. Tan Eng Boo, Rev. Yap Beng Shin, Rev. Simon N., Rev. Robert Chew,  Rev. Mark Tay, Rev. Andrew Tan, Ong Beng Hong, Michael Lim, Amos Hoon, Jeff Tan and Daisy Koh.

CARE Seminar in May

Medan - Training in June

                                  <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

APRIL 2012 Report 2

Faith@Work
through
Asia Seminary for Ministry
Reaching Nationals for Nationals

April, 2012

Hi Friend,

(John 14:19)  Jesus says: “…because I live, ye shall live also.”

Good Friday and Easter season are great times to witness of the grace and glory of our Living Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.

I.  TESTIMONY FROM ELDER DIL TAMANG, our co-laborer and graduate of ASM (training Nationals for Nationals):

Honorable friends,

Loving greetings from Dil.

This is to thank you for your prayers that I had a very productive time in the village where I was born and kicked out while I was only a 5 year old boy. Please find also a picture where I addressed to more than 1,500 people on the Easter day and more than 100 people accepted the Lord that day. The programme was held at the school ground of upper Dhahing district where I learnt my alphabets 40 years back. It was my pleasure to be back there and to address the mass for the Lord. This was the same village where we were kicked out from for the sake of our faith in Christ some 40 years back. What a pleasure today to see hundreds of people growing in the same faith. God is at work and the leaders of 26 churches in the same Village Development Committee wanted me to address them. May the Lord continue to work with the people there and His Kingdom grow.

Thank you for your prayers for me and the team.

Yours in His service,

Dil Bahadur Tamang.

Nepal

                                    <><><><><><><><><><><><>

II.  GREAT MEETINGS WITH FILADELPHIA CHURCH, BATAM, INDONESIA

It was my privilege and joy to have spent three days with former Bible College students, members and friends in a Batam Church.   It is a young church with a great vibrancy and commitment to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Besides the worship services and Sunday School, it has an orphanage and a kindergarten.  It will start a Primary school soon. 

The Good Friday Good News meeting was well attended with new friends.  People were brought in by cars and vans.  The leaders and members were prayerful for the good Lord to work in hearts.  The singing and the special items by the children and adults were all geared to the amazing grace and love of the Cross.  With such prayers, commitment and expectation, it was easy for the preacher to preach and for the Holy Spirit to convict and to save people.  We were co-laborers with God and He gave the increase.

Easter service began at 6am under trees, by the sea and lasted till 9.45am (others stayed till 11.30am for more fellowship).   Spirited singing and warm fellowship greeted the rising of the new born day as we welcomed in our remembrance of Jesus’ Resurrection.  Truly, we have life and life more abundantly because of our Risen Lord.  He binds our hearts together in His grace, love and unity.  What a joy it was as we concluded the service with a fellowship breakfast of abundant and delicious food brought by different families.  How pleasant and sweet it was that God’s people be living and serving in unity and sacrifice.  We stood in awe of the love of the Father, the peace of Jesus and the fellowship on the Holy Spirit, flowing in and through us.  How wonderful Heaven will be when we see Jesus in all His grace and glory!

Easter Service in Batam

                                       <><><><><><><><><><><>

III. SEMINAR ON CARE MINISTRY – Sat. May 5^th, 8.30am-3.30pm

The two greatest commandments stated by Jesus Christ are loving God and loving others (Matt. 22:37-40).  Everything in life depends on these two relationships.  God provides the presence and power through the Holy Spirit (Rom. 5:5).  It is God who energizes us both to will and to do His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).  In these relationships, we need the spiritual disciplines and the dedicated and developed skills.

SEMINAR OVERVIEW:

In Christian Care, we need to provide an environment of caring and sharing for people to grow and mature. Three ingredients are involved: encouragement, exhortation and enlightenment. 

1.      Encouragement: 

(Heb 3:13)  But encourage one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Encouragement is a process to bring strength and support to a person’s feelings in difficult times.  Key skills to be developed include:  Be alert to opportunities.  Learn the art of listening.  Empathise with hurt feelings. Use the right words.  Learn to use door openers. Understand body languages.

2.     Exhortation:

(1Th 5:11)  Wherefore exhort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

Exhortation is a process of providing direction and hope through God’s truth and grace, resulting in changed character and behavior.  Exhortation involves:  How to motivate People. How to understand the Iceberg.  Develop skills of right attitudes and questions.  Follow Christ’s example.

3.     Enlightenment:

(Eph 1:18)  The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints.

Enlightenment is a process of bringing God’s perspectives in the renewing of the mind.  Topics to be explored include:  Facts about the mind. Listen to self-talk.  Understand the ABC of emotions and thoughts.

OBJECTIVES: 

1.       That you will be drawn into a closer and better relationship with the Lord.

2.     That you will understand and apply the truths of caring to others.

3.     That you will develop a closer relationship with family, members of church and others.

VENUE:   Good News Baptist Church, Citimax Industrial Complex, Block 605A, MacPherson Road, Unit #06-02, Singapore 368240 (MRT Tai Seng, Circle Line).  If you are driving, please turn from MacPherson into Playfair Road and park on Playfair Road free.

DATE:  Sat. 5 May, 2012, 8.30am to 3.30pm.  Facilitator: Rev. Goh Seng Fong.

COST:  $10 for registration, material and package lunch.  We need you to sign up so that we can provide for the materials and lunch. Please register at

                              gohsengfong@hotmail.com. 

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

                                   FaithatWorks Facebook

or our blog, for further news 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!

Yours always in Christ and for Christ,

Rev. Goh Seng Fong
(John 12:24)

Handphone:  98207783

                   +65-98207783

Name and Address: 

                         Faith@Work Fellowship,

                             9, Kalidasa Avenue,

                              Singapore 789389

People involved in the Fellowship include: 

Rev. Tan Choon Seng, Rev. Tan Eng Boo, Rev. Yap Beng Shin, Rev. Simon N., Rev. Robert Chew,  Rev. Mark Tay, Rev. Andrew Tan, Ong Beng Hong, Michael Lim, Amos Hoon, Jeff Tan and Daisy Koh.

             <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>