September 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Our chapter of church planting in Europe finally closed when God helped us to complete the sale of our house in London on Friday, 30 Sept., 2011, although I already relinquished my role as Regional Pastor for Hope West Europe at the Euro Leaders Conference in September, 2010. The house sale was a miracle considering the economic situation in the UK and the price was a good one too. In addition, God reserved a seat for Kim to fly Upper Class back to Hong Kong 2 days after the sale; she only had to pay airport tax of HK$3269. God’s favour is amazing!

It was a beautiful chapter of our lives that started on Friday, 22 May, 1998, when, by faith, we left Hong Kong and landed in Heathrow Airport, London. On the Sunday of the same week (24 May, 1998) the Lord gave us a word of confirmation and encouragement from a prophetic preacher, a total stranger, when we visited Kensington Temple, the fastest growing church in London at the time. The prophetic word had helped to launch our church planting work in London and beyond.

It was a Call to Sacrifice, leaving Hong Kong at the peak of my career as a Director in a top international consulting engineering firm. I had no idea what Kim and I were getting ourselves into. We came out of Heathrow Airport with fear and trembling, hanging onto the belief that it was God who called us to Europe. The prophetic word on Sunday though was a tremendous boost of my faith to start the 1st church in Europe!

It was a chapter of our lives that is full of wonderful memories and thanksgiving – our first meeting of 4 people in our small flat in North London on our 1st Sunday in London. After receiving the prophetic word, I preached to 3 people with zeal and excitement on the message of Fulfilling God’s Given Vision :).

Then we had our first public service on 2 Aug., 1998 in London City YMCA where 12 people and a dog attended. In the same month we held our first camp on 30 Aug., 1998. Ps. James Loke, an Elder of Hope of God International and 23 other people joined the historic event. It was at the camp where I met our dearest sister Adelaide who became my faithful prayer partner since. Together we won many battles in the heavenly realm as we advanced the Kingdom of God in Europe in the intervening 12 years. Thank you Adelaide; your rewards in Heaven shall be massive!

In the years that follow, Kim & I met many beautiful people, in the UK and different parts of Europe, through mission trips, camps, conventions…….There are many people I wanted to give thanks to, esp. the European church pioneers and co-workers – Tor & Wander, Albert & Claire, Marcus & Stephanie, Joel & Olivia, Reto & Christine, Ondra & Jana - you are history makers in Hope Europe. You now have many off-springs that are spreading out to eventually touch the whole continent of Europe. It is exciting to see the mustard seed parable becoming a reality!

I am of course greatly indebted to my core leaders in the UK – Vincent, Twin, Aaron, Eldos & Esther, Jo (now back to Hope Brisbane), Roger & Lorisa, Dexter & Precious, Nong …. your partnership in the Gospel has blessed so many lives who are serving God with you in the UK or serving God back home. They are just too many to name, but you all have a special place in my heart. I must not forget my Leaders in Asia who provided the spiritual covering!

When we left for London in 1998, we thought it was one-way. Who knew that 12 years later God had other plans?

The BBC Ministries were launched in Hong Kong on 6 Nov., 2010, the day when I was invited to a Freemason dinner & dance party, which I politely declined :). BBC are parallel ministries of church planting (Building Biblical Churches) and marketplace outreach (Building Bridges for Christ).

On the church planting ministry front, we meet every Saturday for church fellowship in an office I rented in the heart of Kowloon – the Worldwide Centre. Now we have 10 regular people attending. We are going to have water baptism for 2 new believers soon in the beach next to where we live before the water gets cold. :) I will also conduct membership class and leadership training soon.

On the marketplace ministry front, I am building bridges for Christ in a 200 people consulting engineering company I work for five days a week. I am trying to reach out to the people there through good work and example. I taught Principles of Good (Biblical) Leadership. I also write a monthly message on Work Hard Work Smart and started a weekly explorer class. The Owner of the company, who is not a believer, recently asked me to be his family counsellor!

I sometimes pinch myself to see if I am dreaming or not. Why would the Most High God choose ordinary me to be a part of His Kingdom plan on earth? I guess it is because I am a fool in the eyes of the world whom God can manifest His wisdom and power. :)

Indeed our God is mighty. If we want to serve God, we need His wisdom & power. But how? This Psalmist explain how -  “Sing for joy to God our strength……Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre……He established it as a statute for Joseph when he went out against Egypt……He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud……..You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god. I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it………"If my people would but listen to me……how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!......." [Ps 81:1-10,13-16 NIV]

Daniel understood God’s command of not bowing down to an alien god. God granted him and his 3 friends wisdom far above the magicians and enchanters in the whole kingdom. “………To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.” [Dan 1:1-21 NIV]

Apostle Paul says “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” [1 Tim 1:12-19 NIV]

Here are some trustworthy sayings. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for his own ends…….The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil………In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps……..Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making…….Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD…….The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. [Prov 16:1-7,9,11,20,33 NIV]

Amen and amen!