“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring ...members.tjc.org/sites/en/uk/GA...
4
UKGA Newsletter True Jesus Church | Boyd Street | Newcastle NE2 1AP http://www.tjc.org http://members.tjc.org 59 Edition th http://www.tjc.org http://members.tjc.org True Jesus Church | Boyd Street | Newcastle NE12 1AP The August 2012 Amazing Grace Sister Lin (Manchester Place of Worship) Hallelujah, in the name of Jesus I testify. In September 2010, I started feeling unwell. I went to see my GP, who diagnosed me with the common cold and gave me a prescription for antibiotics. But when I didn’t get better, I returned to the clinic to see another doctor. When this doctor heard how bad my cough was, he diagnosed me with bronchitis and changed my medication. Again, my condition didn’t improve, so I made another appointment to see a third doctor who told me I had asthma and gave me steroid medication. This time, after I returned home, my husband and I decided not to rely on the doctors anymore, and I stopped using the medication they had prescribed me. My illness continued until April 2011. Every night, I coughed continually and had to sleep sitting up when I could not breath properly. My health was suffering and I had difficulty breathing, so I decided to go back to the clinic to see a fourth doctor. After looking at my records, this doctor immediately transferred me to see a hospital specialist. They informed me that I required an echocardiogram but I needed to wait two months on the waiting list. A week later, when the clinic doctor found that I was not given the echocardiogram, he personally took me to do the echocardiogram. Looking at the scan, he discovered a tumour in my heart. I was admitted to Warrington Hospital to wait for surgery. The next evening, I suddenly became short of breath. The lack of oxygen going to my brain caused me to have a stroke. My husband and brother could only wait for the doctors to come and give me anaesthesia. Around ten doctors and nurses came to help. As the hospital in Warrington has limited facilities, I was transferred to a hospital in Liverpool. Because my brain and heart had stopped momentarily on the journey from Warrington to Liverpool, I was in a dangerous condition. At 11.30pm, the doctors started my seven-hour operation whilst my husband and brother waited in the hospital. After the operation, the doctor told them that my chances of survival were less than 50%. My liver, kidneys and pancreas had failed so I was on life support machines to keep all my organs working. My blood concentration was only 66%, which was too thin, and the hole in my heart was inoperable, which led to internal bleeding. The doctor told my brother to pray to our God, as he had done his best for me during the surgery. When my family heard this, they called a preacher and urged the local brethren to pray for me, whilst they also fasted and prayed to God. Thank God, amazingly the next day, my blood concentration levels increased to 80%. I had already been in a coma on the intensive care unit for almost ten days, intubated with twenty tubes all around my body, and had been given ten bags of blood to sustain my life. Thank God, I did not need any painkillers because I did not feel any pain. Thanks to the daily prayers of my family and the brethren, I was taken off the life support machines and the tubes were removed from my body one by one as I gradually recovered. Eventually, I was moved to the general ward, and after almost a month’s stay, I was discharged from the hospital. This experience has made me understand that without God, I would not be able to testify of what has happened to me. Everything, including heaven and earth, is created by God. Life and death is in the hands of God. The end of man is, in fact, the beginning of God. If we live under the wings of God, we will truly have peace, just as the words of a hymn says: “Jesus gives me peace, peace that Jesus gives me the world has not given”. His grace is indeed sufficient for us. Hallelujah, may all glory be to the name of Jesus. Amen. Sister Lin and her husband at Manchester Place of Worship, five months after being discharged from hospital. Forthcoming Events (September–November 2012) National: • September 10: Married Couples Fellowship, Newcastle • September 16–18: Spiritual and Evangelical Convocation, Edinburgh • October 12–14: Spiritual and Evangelical Convocation, London • October 21–23: Spiritual and Evangelical Convocation (with Elder Yi-Hsiung Chiu), Leicester • October 29–31: Spiritual and Evangelical Convocation, Sunderland • November 19–21: Truth Study Committee Meeting, Gifford Park • November 22–25: Spiritual Advancement Seminar for Preachers (with Elder Yi-Hsiung Chiu), Gifford Park • November 26–28: UKGA Board Meeting // Church Delegates’ Conference, Edinburgh Europe and Cardiff: • October 31–November 12: Cardiff, Pr. TK Chin Russia Ministry: • September 27–October 14: Dn. James Tang • October 4–29: Pr. Michael Chan Africa Ministry: • September 6–October 7: Kenya & Tanzania, Pr. TK Chin and volunteers • September 16–October 8: Ghana, Pr. Steven Shek • September 27–October 28: Ghana & Liberia, Pr. FF Chong and volunteers “ Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life”(Proverbs 4:23)
Transcript of “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring ...members.tjc.org/sites/en/uk/GA...
UKGA NewsletterTrue Jesus Church | Boyd Street | Newcastle NE2 1AP http://www.tjc.org http://members.tjc.org
59Edition
th
http://www.tjc.org http://members.tjc.org True Jesus Church | Boyd Street | Newcastle NE12 1AP
The
August 2012
Amazing GraceSister Lin (Manchester Place of Worship)
Hallelujah, in the name of Jesus I testify.
In September 2010, I started feeling unwell. I went to see my GP, who diagnosed me with the common cold and gave me a prescription for antibiotics. But when I didn’t get better, I returned to the clinic to see another doctor. When this doctor heard how bad my cough was, he diagnosed me with bronchitis and changed my medication. Again, my condition didn’t improve, so I made another appointment to see a third doctor who told me I had asthma and gave me steroid medication. This time, after I returned home, my husband and I decided not to rely on the doctors anymore, and I stopped using the medication they had prescribed me.
My illness continued until April 2011. Every night, I coughed continually and had to sleep sitting up when I could not breath properly. My health was suffering and I had difficulty breathing, so I decided to go back to the clinic to see a fourth doctor. After looking at my records, this doctor immediately transferred me to see a hospital specialist. They informed me that I required an echocardiogram but I needed to wait two months on the waiting list.
A week later, when the clinic doctor found that I was not given the echocardiogram, he personally took me to do the echocardiogram. Looking at the scan, he discovered a tumour in my heart. I was admitted to Warrington Hospital to wait for surgery.
The next evening, I suddenly became short of breath. The lack of oxygen going to my brain caused me to have a stroke. My husband and brother could only wait for the doctors to come and give me anaesthesia. Around ten doctors and nurses came to help. As the hospital in Warrington has limited facilities, I was transferred to a hospital in Liverpool. Because my brain and heart had stopped momentarily on the journey from Warrington to Liverpool, I was in a dangerous condition.
At 11.30pm, the doctors started my seven-hour operation whilst my husband and brother waited in the hospital. After the operation, the doctor told them that my chances of survival were less than 50%. My liver, kidneys and pancreas had failed so I was on life support machines to keep all my organs working. My blood concentration was only 66%, which was too thin, and the hole in my heart was inoperable, which led to internal bleeding.
The doctor told my brother to pray to our God, as he had done his best for me during the surgery. When my family heard this, they called a preacher and urged the local brethren to pray for me, whilst they also fasted and prayed to God.
Thank God, amazingly the next day, my blood concentration levels increased to 80%. I had already been in a coma on the intensive care unit for almost ten days, intubated with twenty tubes all around my body, and had been given ten bags of blood to sustain my life. Thank God, I did not need any painkillers because I did not feel any pain.
Thanks to the daily prayers of my family and the brethren, I was taken off the life support machines and the tubes were removed from my body one by one as I gradually recovered. Eventually, I was moved to the general ward, and after almost a month’s stay, I was discharged from the hospital.
This experience has made me understand that without God, I would not be able to testify of what has happened to me. Everything, including heaven and earth, is created by God. Life and death is in the hands of God. The end of man is, in fact, the beginning of God.
If we live under the wings of God, we will truly have peace, just as the words of a hymn says: “Jesus gives me peace, peace that Jesus gives me the world has not given”. His grace is indeed sufficient for us.
Hallelujah, may all glory be to the name of Jesus. Amen.
Sister Lin and her husband at Manchester Place of Worship, five months after being discharged from hospital.
Forthcoming Events (September–November 2012)
National:• September10:
Married Couples Fellowship, Newcastle
• September16–18: Spiritual and Evangelical Convocation, Edinburgh
• October12–14: Spiritual and Evangelical Convocation, London
• October21–23: Spiritual and Evangelical Convocation (with Elder Yi-Hsiung Chiu), Leicester
• October29–31: Spiritual and Evangelical Convocation, Sunderland
• November19–21: Truth Study Committee Meeting, Gifford Park
• November22–25: Spiritual Advancement Seminar for Preachers (with Elder Yi-Hsiung Chiu), Gifford Park
• November26–28: UKGA Board Meeting // Church Delegates’ Conference, Edinburgh
EuropeandCardiff:• October31–November12:Cardiff, Pr. TK Chin
RussiaMinistry:• September27–October14:Dn. James Tang
• October4–29:Pr. Michael Chan
AfricaMinistry:• September6–October7:Kenya & Tanzania, Pr. TK Chin and volunteers
• September16–October8:Ghana, Pr. Steven Shek
• September27–October28:Ghana & Liberia, Pr. FF Chong and volunteers
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life”(Proverbs 4:23)
True Jesus Church | Boyd Street | Newcastle NE2 1AP http://www.tjc.org http://members.tjc.org
August 2012 page 2
http://www.tjc.org http://members.tjc.org True Jesus Church | Boyd Street | Newcastle NE2 1AP
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life”(Proverbs 4:23)
UK Church NewsElginInMay,manybrethrenfromoverseasvisitedElgin:Sis.SiuLinShek(HongKong),Sis.PuiHaShekandSis.JiMuiShek(TaiPo,HongKong),Bro.HingJungChanandhisfamily(Houston,USA),Bro.WiySingLauandhiswife(Edmonton,Canada)andBro.YatOnChowandhiswife(AbiChurch,Sabah,Malaysia).Bro.ChowandhiswifetestifiedofwhenGodpreservedtheirlivesandgavethempeaceduringahorrificcaraccident.Bro.WiySingLaualsotestified,ofGod’sprovidenceduringeachoflife’smilestonesandhowhewasabletofullyrealisehisambitionseventilltoday.
During 18–30 May, Pr. Johnny Liu assisted with the evangelical service in Inverness, pastoral and visitation work in Aberdeen, and religious education lessons. He encouraged us to focus on removing obstacles that may hinder our journey on the heavenly road.
The Religious Education (RE) Department had an outing on 20 May. After the opening prayer, Pr. Johnny Liu led the warm up exercises before going to a nearby park for activities, including a three-legged race and guiding the blind. Thank God for blessing us with good weather for the games.
In June, we received, Bro. Peter Chan (Toronto), Sis. Suk Gyun Tang (Kowloon Church), Bro. Wing Hung Tse and his family (Abi Church, Sabah, Malaysia), as well as brethren from London, Leicester and Gifford Park. Bro. Tse is the son of the late Elder Thomas Tse and he has previously studied in England. He shared a sermon entitled “A Shepherd and His Flock”, a reminiscence of his father’s life, and the good example of servitude he set despite his own infirmities.
In late June, Pr. Johnny Liu came to pastor, accompanied by his wife Lynn. He sermonised about the end of days and the prophecy of the Lord Jesus, to exhort us to remain cautious and alert so that we do not become confused, and to furthermore retain the truth. He also led a special evening service during the school holidays.
EdinburghApraise andworship eventwas held on 20May,with the theme of “Is thereEternalLife?”.TheservicewasledbyPr.FFChong,whosharedwithmembersandfriendsamessageonhowtobesaved.ThankGod,atotalofeightfriendsandfamilyjoinedus—afewofwhomhavereturnedforsubsequentSabbaths.
We began and ended this quarter celebrating the holy matrimony of two blessed couples—Bro. Eddie Chan and Sis. Esther Ho on 17 April, and Bro. Jeremy Chan and Sis. Jane Kwok on 18 June. Many members came from near and far to witness their wedding ceremonies.
Praise the Lord Jesus that one adult and six children were baptised on 2 June. May the Lord continue to guide their footsteps in their journeys of faith.
GiffordParkThe22ndNationalSisters’Fellowshipwasheld from14–15May.Pr.FFChongwas themainspeaker for theevent,with the theme“AVirtuousWoman”.Theeventwasattendedbyaround200sistersfromallovertheUK.
On 24–26 June, we held our annual spiritual convocation on the theme of “Are You Ready?”. Pr. Johnny Liu and Dn. Silas Chan spoke sermons on preparing ourselves today so that we can be ready for the second coming of Jesus.
NewcastleWeheldourfirstlocalRETeachersFellowshipthisyearon22April,whichwasbaseduponbringingandnurturingoursheepintotheArk.
By God’s grace, we hosted the UK’s first Ministry Volunteer Program (MVP). Over four days, there were Evangelical, Internet and Pastoral Ministry Workshops led by Pr. Michael Chan, Pr. Steven Shek, Dn. Silas Chan, Bro. Daniel Heew and Bro. Jason Liu (the organiser of the event). The MVP is aimed to cultivate, inspire and train up members to serve the Lord in their local churches.
Our RE teachers gathered for a hymnal fellowship on 3 June to learn the importance of unity and the joy of working together in the Lord. Pr. Michael also led a marriage fellowship for the youths on the topic “Trust in the Hand of God” on 7 June.
The 19th National Evergreen Fellowship was held in Newcastle on the 11-12 June. Pr. Michael encouraged our elderly members with the theme ‘”A Happy Old Age”.
SunderlandThankGodforguidingtheevangelismworkinSunderland.Everyonehasworkedtogether to prosper God’s word to friends and truthseekers. On 15 April, theEvangelical Planning Group (EPG) and Junior Youth Choir organised a visit toFalstoneNursingHome,wherethechoirpresentedsongsofpraisetotheresidentsandstaff.Theyouthsshowedgreatcouragetosinginfrontoftheresidents,andmanyoftheresidentsweretouchedbyourhymnsofpraise.Theresidentsandyouthsalsoenjoyedasing-alongtofavouritehymnsandweendedthesessionwithsomechitchat.
In April, Pr. Michael Chan continued his pastoral work, focusing on spiritual cultivation and Bible studies. A sisters’ fellowship was held concerning Christian marriage in the Lord, where valuable topics and issues were mentioned to help us broaden our minds concerning the marriage of the future generation.
On 7–8 May, the 11th UK Ministers’ Conference was held in Sunderland.
Pr. Steven Shek conducted his pastoral work with us in May, focusing on the Book of Mark. He was joined by trainee-preacher and theology student Bro. Raymond Leacock who was continuing his internship.
On 1 June, we held an evangelical service during the first Sabbath day service. Once again, the spirited Junior Youth Choir presented hymns to the congregation and visitors, and sang from their hearts to praise God. Pr. Steven Shek shared the message of “A Meaningful Life”. Sunderland EPG has been encouraged by more church members joining the evangelism work. The RE classes helped the design
Births
April 14: Rosie, daughter of Sis. Carina Liew and Paul Raju
True Jesus Church | Boyd Street | Newcastle NE2 1AP http://www.tjc.org http://members.tjc.org
August 2012
http://www.tjc.org http://members.tjc.org True Jesus Church | Boyd Street | Newcastle NE2 1AP
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life”(Proverbs 4:23) page 3
Weddings
June 4: Wing Hing Chan (Leicester) & Amy Shek (London) @ Leicester
April 17: Eddie Chan & Esther Ho (Edinburgh) @ Edinburgh
June 18: Jeremy Chan (Edinburgh) & Jane Kwok (Leicester) @ Edinburgh
team on invitation concepts, and all the RE students and teachers took an invitation to pass on to their friends. Timothy Youth Fellowship and One Family Fellowship have been diligently and enthusiastically leafleting in the local area.
Finally, thank God, we purchased the building next to the church, on Williamson Terrace. The congregation were of one heart and spirit in putting in a bid for the building. The bid was accepted, and we are waiting for the solicitors to finalise the contract. Please continue to pray for this matter.
LeicesterAnumberoflocalmembersweremarriedbetweenApriltoJune:Sis.LearChanmarriedBro.DesmondShekon30April;Bro.WingHingChanmarriedSis.AmyShekon5June;andSis.JaneKwokmarriedBro.JeremyChanon18June.MayGodblessthesenewlyweddedcouplesandgrantthemstrengthandzealtoserveGodtogether.
From 24–30 June, we hosted the Literary Ministry Seminar (LMS). It was the first event to be held in the new building on Granville Road, which made it extra special. There were eight participants and four lecturers attending the week-long English Writers’ Retreat (EWR), and an additional fourteen participants and one lecturer joined them to attend separate graphic design and proofreading/editing workshops later in the week.
Dn. KC Tsai, the IA’s DLM Director, flew over especially from Toronto to support the seminar, working closely with the UKGA’s DLM-in-Charge, Bro. Vincent Yeung, and two editors from the IA and UKGA.
Thank God, it was a very fruitful event, with the EWR participants of all levels honing their skills to produce devotionals and draft articles. It was also very edifying as Bible studies were integrated into the writing process, and everyone benefited from the insights of the lecturers and fellow participants.
On the Friday evening of that week, we had a service that was attended by both LMS participants and local members. It felt such a blessing to be worshipping in the new chapel for the first time. Praise God.
The basic refurbishment of the new building has now been completed, and we are waiting for the works to be signed off by the council before moving in properly. The old building is currently on the market, so please remember us in your prayers so that we can achieve a speedy sale.
CambridgeThanktheLordforthenumberofmembersvisitingus:Sis.LillianfromClacton-on-Sea,Bro.Chuandhisfamily(Malaysia),Bro.ThaddeusPangandDns.Yapp(SibugaChurch,Sandakan,Malaysia). Dns.Yappwillbe inCambridge for thenextfourmonths.
In April, Sis. Carina Liew gave birth to baby Rosie, and in May, Sis. He Xiao Yan gave birth to a baby girl, Jia Hui. Thank the Lord for His bounteous blessings, for the births of these babies and also for looking after the health of both mothers.
True Jesus Church | Boyd Street | Newcastle NE2 1AP http://www.tjc.org http://members.tjc.org
August 2012
http://www.tjc.org http://members.tjc.org True Jesus Church | Boyd Street | Newcastle NE2 1AP
“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life”(Proverbs 4:23) page 4LondonPraiseandthanktheLordthatLondonCentralhashadafruitfulquarter.
Our annual spring spiritual convocation was held on 13–15 April. The themes for the convocation were “The Love of God” and “Be Transformed into the Image of Christ”, with Pr. Joseph Shek and Pr. Timothy Yeung (Toronto) conducting the event. We thank God that members from Portsmouth and Birmingham joined us for worship. A total of eight people were baptised: two babies (Elliott Chan and Josianne Liu), a toddler, and five adults from China.
London Church assisted in the dedication of the church in Forest Hill, South London. The theme for the convocation and dedication was “The Holy City—New Jerusalem”. Members from abroad and all over the UK attended the dedication, including Dn. Silas Chan (Elgin), Dn. KC Tsai (Toronto) and Dn. Haggai Liu (Leicester). We thank God for His grace and guidance in the establishing of this new church in the UK, and pray that the Lord will continue to guide her as she grows into full maturity.
Finally, Sis. Pong Lin Ho from Stanford-le-Hope passed away at aged seventy-five years on 29 June. Her funeral took place on 12 July.
PortsmouthDuring2–4April,weheldourspiritualandevangelicalconvocation.Pr.TKChinandPr.TimothyYeung(Toronto)encourageduswithGod’swords toreturnourheartstoGod,andthetopicof“WhyBelieveinGod?”wasaddressedduringtheevangelicalservices.
Praise the Lord that ten new members were baptised into the fold during this occasion: six sisters, Florence Chitunhu, Zoe Sou, Wai Ngar Hong, San Juan Ng, Nuo Yang Wang and Su Ping Sun; and four brothers, Ming Shun Wu, Nuo Yu Wang, Quan He and Rehoboth Zhang. Further blessings were received during the convocation, where a number of truthseekers and RE students received God’s promised Holy Spirit.
Thank God, on 3 May, Bro. Daniel and Sis. Lisa Liew had a baby girl called Emily. May the Lord guide her to grow up within the love and grace of the Lord.
Church Events
April 2–4: Spiritual and Evangelical Convocation, Portsmouth – newly baptised members with the local church board
May 7-8: UK Ministers’ Conference attendees
May 7-8: UKGA Board members
May 27–30: Ministry Volunteer Program, Newcastle
June 24–30: Literary Ministry Seminar, Leicester
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”(2 Timothy 2:15)
