Table of Contents
MESSAGE FROM THE
BARNABAS
Michael Yap
Praise the Lord that
we are now publishing our own Sunday Service Bulletin! It will be another
challenge to us to come up with the quarterly 10.30am English Outreach
Newsletter. This will be another venue for us to share our blessings and
testimonies to edify one another. I believe many of you have had encounters
with the Lord in your own ways, in your daily lives and how with the Lord's
help enable you to be over-comers in tight situation and how miracles happen
to you and your family. As Barnabas, I encourage you all to contribute
your hot and short testimonies to the newsletter. We value every contribution,
as this is your newsletter. Your personal experiences and testimonies may
help others and glorify God.
"They overcame him by
the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony" Revelation 12:11
We are the body of Christ
and each one of us is a part of it. Let us all play our part, do not just
leave everything to the Publication Team. Arise and shine for JESUS.
Three couples renewed their marriage vows at the 10.30 am English Outreach Service on 21st February 1999. Two of the couples namely Mr. And Mrs. Gerry Joachim and Mr. And Mrs. Lee Min Tet are members of the Cell Group 004 (Kiansom) in the 10.30 am English Outreach Service. The renewal of marriage vow was graced by the Dean, Rev. Koo Tuk Su in the presence of the congregation on that Sunday.
"Great is the LORD, and
greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation
shall praise Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.
- Psalm 145:3-4
HELLO THERE, WE
ARE FROM CELL 004
Honglan
Catherine Lee, a member
of the Cell Group 004 attended the cell meeting on 25th March 1999 feeling
uncomfortable due to gastric ailment and looked very pale. Later during
the session, she was prayed over and was completely healed and full of
strength. Praise God for the great things He is doing in the midst of His
children in the Cell Ministry.
Later, the cell
group members gave Catherine a surprise - celebrating her birthday with
a chocolate cake.
SHARING
CHRISTMAS AT THE MENTAL HOSPITAL
Audrey Yap
On the rainy afternoon on 26th December 1998, some of us have joined a team of youth from the Youth Service and members of the 7.30 am English Congregation to visit Bukit Padang Mental Hospital at the invitation of Brother Kenneth Thien, Youth Service Barnabas. We were invited by the hospital to share the joy of Christmas to the inmates.
We were warmly welcomed by the inmates and had a short time of singing Christmas carols with them. Brother Kenneth gave a simple gospel message in B.M. Then we served them light refreshment. Some of us took the opportunity to share with them the love of Jesus Christ that afternoon.
Personally I felt the handicap of not being able to share much with them due to language problem. Most of them are only conversant in B.M. and Chinese. But it was a joy to see the enthusiasm of the youth as they mingled around with the inmates and the joy of seeing two inmates received salvation.
The Lord showed me that these are people who can't even help themselves. We were just there to be His channel of hope to the hopeless giving them the opportunity and the right mind at that particular time to confess with their mouths and believe in their hearts that Jesus is Lord. Indeed He has come for the sick and to set the captives free. Hallelujah!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY
LETTER FROM CHUNG
KUI YIN (VIA EMAIL)
First of all, I want to thank God for placing me among the members of the English Outreach Service in the All Saints' Cathedral.
I remember the first time I walked into the Glory Hall, I was totally out of place. There were strangers surrounding me. I was rather confused why God called me out from my hometown Tawau and put me in this strange church so suddenly.
After about 14 months worshipping in this lovely church, I desire to see our brothers and sisters grow in quality and the congregation grow in numbers. I felt that I am very much like one of the members of my own home. We are like a big family.
Due to the encouragement and prayers of our brothers and sisters in-Christ especially from our Mr. and Mrs. Barnabas, I continued to grow spiritually resulting in having peace and joy in my heart all from God at all times.
I especially enjoyed
the intercession held on every Friday night. Even though we prayed for
the people and the services for the outreach, it had benefited me as an
individual. I would walk out the meeting with a lighter heart and the visions,
words, impressions given by God through His people were so encouraging
and so real. God is alive! I also learnt to pray until there was a breakthrough
in the spirit for a particular item. I was so touched when God answered
our prayers instantly and see miracles happening. I was also was
very much encouraged as I was given a chance to learn to prophesy. There
was great joy in my heart as I saw others being lifted up by God's love.
During my stay in Kota
Kinabalu, I went through two generations in the cell. I would never forget
my first cell group leader preparing "bubur ayam" for me when I fell ill.
The whole cell group members prayed for me. I was so thrilled with your
love "in action". Even though my second-generation cell leader had a heavy
schedule, yet he was always concerned if I got transport or not for attending
any meetings. Well, I settled down very quickly in the new generation,
because the "strangers" took care of me so well that I was no longer a
"stranger" among them.
I was a very aggressive person and hard to accept obligation from others, but because of the shower of love in this congregation, I learnt to receive and to trust others more. Because you are good witnesses for God, I was bold to walk out to another destination that God has planned for me and to meet other "strangers", even from other countries.
Well of course, I missed
the preaching very much on every Sunday. I just love to hear Dean Koo preaching.
It was so dynamic and so spiritual. It seemed that God was speaking to
me directly. Now, I understand why God put me to be among you as He said
in Isaiah 58:11 "The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs
in a sun-scotched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like
a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail." Glory to
God! Amen!
CHILDREN MINSTRY
NEWS
Alan Tang
The Children Ministry is grateful to be able to share with all of you in this newsletter. If you think that Sunday School teachers are just baby sitters then I would be the first to leave this ministry! Children Ministry is more than that.
Our mission is to assist each family in laying a spiritual foundation by encouraging children in Godly living and to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Presently we have about 45 children and beginning of this year we have modified the adult cell group concept to cater for the children. in the children's cell, the children would spend time in ice-breakers (games), words, work, testimonies and sharing. We want to introduce the cell group concept to the children to prepare them to join the adult cell group when they are above 12 years old…Isaiah 11:6
We are doing fairly well but not good enough because of lack of teachers and assistant teachers (helper). If you share the same vision with us and has a humble heart and compassion for children, please contact Alan Tang at tel: 720700 (H), 0168363997 or Alice Ong at tel: 262616 (H). God may want you to bless the children. Never mind if you are single or married but no children yet. I for one join the Children Ministry before I have any children. Make a date with us as an 'observer' and see for yourself the excitement in the ministry.
It is undeniable fact that most parents today spend considerable time, effort and finance to nurture their children academically and socially. Whenever children camps, etc come along, common excuses like money and time constraints are familiar. Very little time is spent on building up a child spiritually…Hosea 4:6
It is with this in mind that we have decided to organize a Bible reading program for the children from November 1998 to January 1999. We called the program "Holiday with Mark" and both the children and parents are encouraged to read a few verses from the Gospel of Mark everyday over a period of two months. Parents being responsible for their children are to explain to the children the Biblical meaning of each verse and the parables. Of course this requires great sacrifice from the parents.
During the program we
want to achieve the following: -
1. Instill greater discipline
in Bible reading
2. Make Bible reading
fun and enjoyable
3. Have quality family
time
On the 7th February 1999, the children have a fun time revising the Gospel of Mark with quiz interspersed with acting and drawing of the scenes and parables in the Gospel.
Gifts and certificates
were awarded to those children who complete the program. Below are extracts
and some of the comments from parents: -