Speaker: Dr John Tan
(Q&A at end of each session)
Topics & dates (5 sessions in total)
4 Jul - Swallowed up in Self (and Seaweed)
11 Jul - Swallowed up in Anger
25 Jul - Swallowed up by the Storms of Life
1 Aug - Engulfed in Assurance
8 Aug - Extorted in Faith
Time: 6.30pm
Venue: Thomson Chinese Church
Coordinator: Fong Fong [fong2chan@hotmail.com]
Gateway Adventist Centre in Melbourne, Australia organised the first Adventist Youth Congress (AYC) in 2006 and this year they organised the second AYC successfully with heaps of God’s blessings!
Report of AYC 2007 written by Bruce Price, forwarded by Johnny Wong. May we all be encouraged and continue to pray for them.
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Dear Friends,
I have just returned from the second AYC (Australian Youth Conference 2007) which was even more exciting to witness than the first! To see 320 Adventist Youth dedicating themselves to the Lord and volunteering to work and win souls for Him was a thrill I wish every Adventist here in Australia could have personally witnessed!
For fifty years I have watched the Jehovah’s Witnesses as well as the Mormons using their young people effectively and prayed the time would come when we would witness our own Adventist young people regularly following the divine counsel given so long ago:
“With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, mightily furnished, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world! How soon might the end come — the end of suffering and sorrow and sin!” Education p. 271
Well - it is not only happening and but it is growing. One even wonders if this is part of the beginning of the outpouring of the Latter Rain? Let me share with you these last thrilling events that I have just seen at this particular youth gathering…
The 2007 theme?
This year it was, “Training God’s Army”. The emphasis throughout the entire conference was on training young people to be soul winners. One of the first to challenge the youth was Pastor Gilbert Cangy, Division Youth Director, on Friday morning, as he presented to them the Elijah Project, to take home and share with their local churches. The young people are excited about this. The last speaker was Pastor Mark Finley, the vice president of the General Conference who is planning to run a series of evangelistic programmes in Melbourne, commencing April 20. AYC has played a vital part opening homes, conducting Bible studies and preparing people to attend it.
Who hosted AYC?
The AYC conferences of 2006 and 2007 were both hosted by the Gateway Adventist Centre in Melbourne. This church was a church plant from the Asian church. This church has experienced one the most exciting and successful church growth programmes we have seen here in Australia as they have focused on the challenges of the secular universities of Melbourne and have had consistent success in winning many professional people. They have had 45 baptisms in three years and the church has grown from 35 people to 140!
What was the AYC Program?
Starting on Thursday evening, February 15, the conference went through until the following Sunday afternoon of February 18. The daily program began at 6:30 am with a Morning Prayer session. (I was amazed to see the number of young people who travelled from their accommodation to the venue each morning to be on time for this!). Workshops, meals and meetings packed the day.
Workshops?
The young people had eight workshops to choose from:
International Evangelist Peter Gregory (Korean) taught “How to Teach the Bible”. Pr Randy Skeete (Campus Ministries, Michigan, USA) - “How to Preach”. Pr Louis Torres (Mission College of Evangelism,USA) - “How to be an Effective Soul-winner. Dr Allan Lindsay (author/presenter of “Keepers of the Flame”) - “How to use the Spirit of Prophecy”. Dan Vis (Uchee Pines, USA) “How to run Discipleship. Dr Clarence Ing, (Wiemar, USA) “How to Run Health Evangelism”. Johnny Wong, (Gateway Church) “Running Soul Winning Small Groups”. Pr Greg Evans (Preston Church) “How to teach Daniel and Revelation”.
Practical Training? - Door Knocking!
On Sabbath afternoon 320 young people travelled to the areas where Pastor Mark Finley will be running his evangelistic series in three different locations in Melbourne. They were to knock on doors, with a Christian Survey Sheet to gain interests and open homes to invite to the Finley meetings. Louis Torres was given the task of training and motivating them for this project. After showing how they were to conduct themselves at the doors he then likened door knocking to gold mining. He explained that you have to go through a lot of “hard rock” until you find a nugget of gold - but they are out there to be located!! - and locate them they did. Over 120 contacts were made to be followed up by the 17 full time youth Bible workers.
I must share with you my experience with J. He was emphatic he wanted to go with me - and watch how it was done at the first door - he’d never done this before! So I canvassed the first door! It was hard rock!! But he was now happy to take the lead. We met more “hard rock” homes. Then came the “gold”. J. knocked on the door and I stood back to witness a young mother open the front door to him. The sight of this young man through her security screen with his blonde curls framing a very sun-tanned face coming to talk to her about God, - obviously impressed her, a Christian herself. One look at him would have spelt out that he would have been lots more comfortable on a surf board than at her door - but there he was!! Then her husband came to check out the visitors. Soon both doors were opened - a good contact made and prayer was offered before we left with the promise we would have some friends call on them with some excellent books on the life of Christ! (and an invitation to attend Mark Finley’s meetings!) J. is studying for the ministry. How much more effective he will be as a pastor as he too is now confident he can train his future members to knock on doors and find interests!
The Full Time Youth Bible Workers?
At the 2006 AYC, Mark Finley made a call for young people to consider giving some months of their time in 2007 to help prepare for his Melbourne Mission Series. There were 62 young people who responded. Unfortunately budgets had to limit the number they could accept to barely 17 - who began their work on January 6, door knocking, getting interests and Bible studies and opening homes in preparation for the Finley meetings. Nevertheless, these young people seemed like seasoned soul winners as they were assigned the task of taking out and organising the door knocking of the 320 youth attending the AYC. Their faces were aglow! I could not believe the efficiency of the three volunteers that were assigned to the bus load I was on! In the six weeks they have been working in Melbourne, the Spirit has been using these young people mightily. Now their inspiration was catching on to the others!! I thought of the statement from Ellen White that mentions before the end of time of seeing God’s people visiting from door to door with their faces lighted up with the joy of winning souls. It was happening before my eyes!
Who made up these youth Bible workers? Well - there were professionals like Dr Henry To and Dr Samuel Sidharta who have taken six months of leave of absence from their medical practices. Then there were university and college students who had put their studies on hold. Others were able to get some months off work to donate their time to the Lord’s work!
Did any regret their decision to become volunteers? Not from the joy on their faces!! Some expressed that they have never experienced such joy and satisfaction!
Two of the young men I recognised as grandsons of pastors who have passed away. How thrilled they will all be on the Resurrection morning! Perhaps the grandsons will have as many stars in their crowns as their grandfathers!! (That will be a real challenge for Billy Otto Jnr!!)
Decisions for Christ.
Each speaker at the conference was dynamic. The young people were challenged with appeals to accept Christ, train and work for Him. While most attending the conference were baptised, eleven who were not - made their decision for baptism. Another exciting response were the thirty-one who have made decisions to go into ministry for the Lord. Then responding to Pastor Gilbert Cangy’s challenge, 20 groups of young people from churches scattered around Australia, are now planning to run youth-led evangelism called the Elijah Project.
Conference Encouragement.
Despite their busy programmes, both Union President, Chester Stanley and Victorian Conference President, Denis Hankinson with their wives made time to attend some of the meetings. Conference secretary, Wayne Stanley with his wife have been a great encouragement and support of the Gateway church projects.
Victorian Youth Director Wayne Boehm was involved in the planning and execution of the conference and he was able to give much appreciated support and advice. One admires Pastor Boehm and such youth leaders with the challenges that face them today as they work with youth. They have hundreds of youth to care for in the church from the wayward and worldly through the whole spectum to these serious and dedicated youth such as those at AYC. The needs are many and varied and the challenges to cater for them all are getting greater with every passing year.
From the South Pacific Division came Youth Director Gilbert Cangy and Ministerial secretary, Gary Webster.
Future Plans for AYC.
AYC 2008 is planned to be held in Sydney to capitalise on the proposed “World Youth Day”. It will be hosted by the global mission church plant, “Fountain in the City”, under the leadership of Pastor Gary Kent and his Bible workers assisted by lay workers Neale Schofield and his wife Coralie. Neale is a successful marketing consultant who devotes the major part of his time to the Lord’s work. Coralie who worked at the Adventist Media Centre resigned in order to support Neale full time. What Johnny Wong and his wife, Tina have been to Gateway, these dedicated lay people are to the Fountain. They have plans to train another group of volunteers to prepare for a major evangelistic campaign in Sydney. When they made a call for youth Bible workers at the AYC there were 37 young people who responded. These young people will be working in conjunction with a growing number of churches in Sydney in 2008.
Please remember these young people and especially those who are in leadership working and making plans for them. God is doing wonderful things in the church as He nutures, challenges and equips this generation for finish the work under the leading of the mighty power of the Spirit of God,
This is a summary of the conference supplied by Johnny Wong of Gateway:
- 11 Decisions for Baptism
- 31 To Enter Full Time Ministry
- 20+ Elijah Projects
- 37 Express interest for Bible Work in Sydney 2008
- 120 Bible Study Contacts found in 1 hour.
- 80 Prayers offered to People
- 320 Delegates
- 400 at Sabbath Worship
- 2500 Meals Served
- Countless Blessings and Praises to the Lord!
Linus will be leaving for studies in Australia. The youth has organised a farewell dinner for him this Sabbath.
Date: 3 Feb (this Sabbath)
Time: 6:30pm
Place: Thomson church
Cost: $10 per person
Program: Dinner + Songs + Games (pls bring social attire)
Please RSVP with Frances by 30 Jan.
Email: Frances.Lim at Bain dot com
There will be a Mid-Autumn Festival celebration this Sabbath (7 Oct). Please come to enjoy this cultural celebration and have fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
6.30pm Sundown worship
7.00pm Dinner and refreshments
7.45pm Lantern Festival Celebration (Singing, Games, Lanterns)
9.00pm End and bye bye
Coordinator: Wai Chong
There will be a BBQ at East Coast Park this coming Sabbath (2 Sep). Please come and invite your friends and join us for the good food and fun!
Venue: East Coast Park
Pit: D38
Meeting time: 6pm - 6.30pm
Nearest carpark: D3
Landmark: Costa Sands Resort
Fee: $10 per pax (pay to Joyce)
Coordinator: Suet Ting & Wai Chong
Hi ALL…
No matter whether if you are going for SPARK camp, this goes to ALL of thomson youth and young adults :) Nevermind if you are now overseas or no longer joining us at Thomson, we’d love to involve you in our little program here. You will have a chance NOW to vote your favourite song in. Your vote COUNTS!
At the upcoming SPARK Camp in September, we will be revealing our TOP 5 TYM Fav Hits!! Of course, it needs to be a christian song. Be it a Hymn or a Hill Song, as long as it’s your Favourite, let me know!!!
THE VOTING LINES ARE NOW OPEN!!!
NOT FOR LONG THOUGH….
YOU HAVE ONLY 1 CHOICE OF SONG.
**WHAT YOU NEED TO DO…
Step 1: Think of your favourite Christian song which you have always liked since young. Not necessarily since young, could be your favourite now~ If you don’t have, then try thinking back over songs which you have sung long time ago, which haven’t been sung for ages at church. It might well be your cradle-roll favourite too! Think of those times when your friend has encouraged you with the lyrics of a particular song which meant very much to you…
Step 2: Easy! Just VOTE!
Step 3: How? Email me your favourite song!!
SIMPLE right? the songs with the highest vote will be our TOP 5 HITS.
Voting is confidential…voting is secretive….haha (just kidding…)
ONE LAST THING!!!
ALL VOTING LINES WILL BE CLOSED ON SUNDAY 26th AUGUST 2006 AT 12 MIDNIGHT!!!
No kidding! You won’t want to miss out your favourite song!!
So, VOTE NOW! :)
regards
gracie
Email: treasure_xmg at yahoo dot com dot sg
The bi-annually Singapore and Malaysia Mission Youth Congress is organised by Ipoh Church this year and will be held in Perak.
Date: 8-11 Dec 2006 (4D/3N)
Theme: Heavenward Together
Speaker: Ps Toh See Wei
Venue: Trolak Country Resort, Perak
Camp Fee (inclusive of food and lodging):
- RM180 (registration before 31 Jul 2006)
- RM200 (registration after 31 Jul 2006)
Please register with Ps Yuen or Elder Yeo.
We have booked the chalet at Changi for our Thomson Youth & Young Adults Revival Camp. So please KEEP these dates free: SEP 8-10 (Friday night to Sunday).
We will be giving more details of the camp shortly - theme, speaker, budget etc etc. So for now, please keep these dates FREE.
This is a REVIVAL camp for all the YOUNG PEOPLE of Thomson - Youth or Young Adults or Adults or Young-at-Hearts :-). A time for spiritual revival, bonding, fellowship and to get us on “FIRE” for the Lord again!
Coordinator: Frances Lim