STEPPING UP AND COMING FORWARD TO SERVE (PART 2)

From the Board of Elders

Dear Members in Christ,

Stepping Up and Coming Forward to serve (Part 2)

Arise brethen, serve our God with gladness “... that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel” Philippians 1:27

Every local church is raised up by God for the assembly of God’s people to 1) testify and witness for God’s goodness in this dark and sinful world 2) worship, preach, exhort, teach and defend His Word 3) love and serve Him and do His work of salvation 4) fellowship, edify and provoke one another unto love and good works.

God bestows upon His people different gifts according to the measure of their faith to serve and do His good works. Romans 12:5-8 explicitly tells us “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Let us now hear the testimonies of the brethren of how God prepared them as they step up to answer the call to serve. To God be the glory!

 

Chan Ming Yau: Testimony

By God's grace I started serving in the Youth Fellowship and Public Address Ministry initially as a member from about 1992 and then as a coordinator from about 2001. Later areas of service included coordinator for the Family Bible Camp publications from 2001 and Church Website from about 2004, with others in the past being Offering Steward, Lunch Fellowship and Bookroom.

Looking back over the university of life, as a testimony for God's glory I can see God's faithful hand in building and defending the faith - in the early 2000s the Lord put a burden in my heart to coordinate the church website, and to move recording audio sermons from analog cassette to digital MP3 both around 2004. This timely providence means not only is God's word kept pure in all ages even the Lord's message to His people is preserved for future generations. Then in 2010s, God enabled me to learn from like-minded brethren to start recording video sermons initially on DVD from about 2008, then on hard disk in 2017 for YouTube storage from 2018, followed by the move to High-Definition and Web-Presenter ready during 2018. This unknowing to us set the stage during the various COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020 and 2021 where the Lord continues to enable Calvary Jaya to live stream or premiere to: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 2 Timothy 4:2.

In taking the next step of faith naturally I am fearful how can myself be counted worthy: "For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." Romans 7:19. Also who am I to restore someone: "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Galatians 6:1. Most of all what if I cannot agree: "And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other:" Acts 15:39a.

Wherever God leads and for how long my sojourn whether it be 50s or 70s or 90s as reminded by recent homegoings, pray that the Lord will provide and enable me, as well as give the greatest of comfort in Christ's own words: "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Luke 22:32.

 

Shaun Wong: Testimony

(Note: Shaun is currently serving in the PA, YF, YAF and GDM Ministry)

When I was a child of about 4 years old, my grandaunts started to regularly bring me to attend Sunday School of a Charismatic church in PJ Old Town. It was there that I was first exposed to Christ, but being a young child as I was, I had no understanding whatsoever of it. Sunday School and church were the place to go to on Sundays to have fun with friends.

When I was 9 years old, my father believed in Christ, and brought our family over to Calvary Jaya. At that time, it was quite a culture shock to me, as the church seems to be much “stricter” in teaching and behaviour, compared to the Charismatic church I was used to. It was in Calvary Jaya though, that I obtained my first Bible. It was here that I began to learn and read the Bible.

My life continued as normal. However, slowly but surely, my life began to change. I began to understand what salvation really means, which was to be saved from my sins. I began to understand more about Jesus, and that made me better appreciate what He did for me at the cross. I began to pray earnestly and sincerely to God, as well as seeking Him through His Word daily. I began to understand the spiritual truths and applications behind the Bible stories that I had known since I was a child. I began to serve in church no more as a duty asked of by those older than me, but rather to serve as a servant for Christ. Finally, I began to understand how sinful and depraved I really am. Without Christ, I am totally undone and condemned to Hell. This was my personal salvation experience, which later in my life I realize as following the pattern in the verses of the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). Thank God for His amazing grace to save a wretch like me!

By God’s grace, He has now called me via the Board of Elders to serve in the Session of Calvary Jaya B-P Fellowship as a deacon. Like the prophet Isaiah, I confess that I feel most unworthy and inadequate (Isaiah 6:5), but if the Lord has called, I will obey and go on by His strength (Isaiah 6:6-8, Romans 12:1)! Brethren, please uphold me in prayer as I serve and fulfil my role as a deacon.

 

Mak Chee Fong: Testimony

Thank God that brother Yew Hoong brought me to Calvary Jaya and I joined as a member until now. Few years later I was called to serve as a deacon in the Chinese Service. However, I quit the deacon post right after I started a restaurant business as I felt that I could not serve God whole-heartedly. I believe that if I want to serve I should serve God with 100% effort.

Few months ago, I was called to serve as a deacon again by the Elders, but I was contemplating about it until both my wife and I were strickened by the Covid disease. And praise the Lord we were able to recover fully. And from this I know there must be a purpose for God to save my life again. And I want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve Him again. Amen.

 

The trumpet rallying call:

For those of you who are still hesitating to step up or come forward to serve, will you answer the call today? The Lord’s work is plenteous but the labourers are few. There are ministries like the music ministry, choir, Sunday School, GDM, visitations, missions, evangelism, kitchen, library, offering steward, greeter etc. awaiting you to participate and serve. 

May each of us say “Here am I, use me.” The Lord will surely be glad and enable you as you answer the call to serve the Lord of lords and King of kings. To God be the Glory. Amen.         

   

In Christ,
Eld. Choe Tong Seng