E-Community Newsroom

The last two days the church hold a BTJ Seminar and we saw at least 350 people attended on the friday night meeting and about 200 attended the one day semnar today (9 am - 4 pm). We learned a lot about sharing the gospel the way Jesus did. The speaker, Steve Cioccolanti, shared about the non-offensive way in reaching our buddhists friends and relatives. One of the the things that we learned was the fact Buddha had a great insight into the suffering of man and the Karma (sin) of mankind. In buddhist teachings we see the presentation of man’s problem but there was really no solution. In Christ, through his death and resurrection, God shows us the way out of suffering and sin.

That’s the gist of what the seminar is all about. You can visit the website for more info: www.discover.org.au

It may be a little late in reporting but still good to post a little of what happened at the 9th Men’s Encounter Weekend.

We have 6 men from Penang and 5 from PJ. The PJ guys are mostly Pastors from PJEFC under Pr Lim Soon Hock (formerly with GBC, Penang). Anyway they Encounter went really well and you can know from the testimonies at the homecoming that they had truly encountered God in a special way individually.

I had a great time with the PJ leaders and to hear what God was doing in their lives at the Encounter and also to be able to connect with them. I heard that they might be sending their wives to join the up and coming Women’s Encounter in November. So ladies, if you have not yet attended the Women’s Encounter please don’t let this opportunity pass you by. Register at the PR Counter on Sunday after service.

8-9 May 2008

Miri Port Authority, Kuala Baram

Reported by FGA Centre (Bahasa) Team:

Pr Dimin, Pr John Looi & Pr Alan Tan

All praise to our God.

The “ Kem Lelaki Sejati” went very well. This is the second time that we have conducted this camp, the 1^st was in Bayan Point, Penang. Many participants were blessed and so were the camp facilitators.

We went to Miri with a message from God: “Men with Christlike Character.” Our desire was to see men experiencing spiritual transformation in their lives and boldness to speak God’s message.

We challenged the participants to repent of their sin and to take up their responsibility as leaders in their home and in the church. We also sowed into their hearts a desire to be men with Christlike character and to disciple other men in the same way.

In the camp, we did faced some problems especially cultural issues. We had to present our message in their cultural context without compromising. God gave us the wisdom to do just that. The result? We saw some of them promised to take up their position as head of the family. Before that they left it all to their wives. Some of the participants who have problems with church leadership started forgiving one another. We sensed a special bond of unity among them.

Once again all praise to God because of His grace. We would also like to thank everyone for supporting us in prayer and in finance during our ministry in Miri.

Report by Pastor Ali Langit

SIB Lutong Miri

We want to thank God, the planning committee and all the participants who had made our first “Kem Lelaki Sejati” a success.

God had done a wonderful work during the entire camp and had touched many of the men. At the beginning the men were a bit reserved but as the camp proceeded God began to move wonderfully among the participants. At the 6^th session, when we were taught about the responsibility of a father in the family; to be a priest in the family not a wife’s helper, three participants (Bro Randang Ading, Bro Nyangun, and Bro Norman Ugang) made a vow to be a responsible father from hereon.

The others participants were also blessed in the camp and we saw the power of God working mightily throughout the camp. Three of our facilitators (Pastor Alan Tan, Pastor Dimin & Pastor John Looi) were such a blessing. The power of God was released through their teaching of the Word of God.

Helpers:

Ps Ali L., Ps Fredrick R, Bro Melin Labu, Bro Christoper Jokin, Cikgu Steve, Bro Rubin Anyi, Bro Edward Estaban & Bro Sprie Kiang.

Facilitators:

Pastor Alan Tan, Pastor John Looi & Pastor Dimin

FGA Centre (North) had a great Father’s Day celebration. As we walked into church, we were pleasantly greeted by a Father’s Hall of Fame. Children, grandchildren and wives appreciated their dads, granddads and husbands through writings, poems and photos on big decorated boards hanging from the ceiling.

Through these beautifully decorated dedications, we each learnt so much about the dads and granddads at church –who they are, their hobbies, and how they’ve been the pillar of strength and support for the family.

The program continued with a skit and song by Pr. Joseph and son, an engaging interview of four dads by Caleb Yeoh, and a number of heart-warming sharing from members concerning their father in their JOURNEY OF LIFE.

Finally, true to FGAC’s tradition of blessing, all dads received a father’s day gift and an extra long buffet table of sumptuous food.

(NOTE: Even though it is late Pr Joe managed to get someone from the North to pen a few words about the great event. Photos will be posted later on.)