December 2012 Report: PRAISES

His Name shall be called Jesus – Emmanuel, God with us, the saving One from all our sins (Matt. 1:21-23).  The Name of Jesus is the saving Name as He saves us from the penalty, power and presence of sins.  The Name is also the sanctifying One, setting us apart for Him and good works and words,  as we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 3:13).  His Name charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease.  His Name is therefore music to our ears, bringing forth life, health and peace.

Above all, His Name is the sovereign Name, above all names: “At the Name of Jesus, every knee should bow ... and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD.” (Phil. 2:10,11).  Yes, the Baby in the manger is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, who shall reign over all in righteousness and peace (Isa. 9:6,7).  He will wipe away all tears from our eyes.  There will be no more death, sorrow, crying and pain.  He will dwell with us and we with Him forever.  In His Presence will be fullness of joy; at His right Hand, pleasures forevermore (Ps. 16:11).

Therefore, the most important thing, this Christmas, is to make sure that we come to Jesus by repentance of our sins and by faith in Who He is and What He has done for us by paying for our sins.  Truly, we have a debt for our sins that we could not pay.  Jesus paid for us our debt that He did not have.  The very moment we turn our life to Him, we will know and have pardon, peace, power, provision and place in Heaven with Him.  Then we have much to praise and worship Him and share this Good News to others.  May this be a real Christmas to you, your loved ones and friends!

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God’s Faithfulness at Anniversary Dinner

Praise the good Lord for His faithfulness in bringing in some 128 partners and co-laborers to celebrate in thanksgiving to God for five years of ministry through Faith@Work Fellowship, especially through Asia Seminary for Ministry (ASM), the training arm. This was our first thanksgiving so we went into it with some trepidation. The good Lord did not fail us, and He glorified Himself in our weakness and fear.

Pastors and members of churches, loved ones, friends (old and new) got together around good food, sweet fellowship, heart-felt praises through testimonies by Nationals from Indonesia and Myanmar, and up-lifting challenges through music and songs by a team of singers from Moriah Bible Presbyterian Church.  There were a good number that gave freely and sacrificially, not only towards the payment of the expenses but also towards the on-going ministry.  Thank you, one and all, for sharing your life with us.  We are honoured by your presence, fellowship and partnership.

One heart stirring challenge and burden came from a chorus from the song sung “Here I am, Lord.” as we train Nationals for Nationals:

                         Here I am, Lord.  Is it I, Lord?

                         I have heard You calling in the night.

                         I will go, Lord, if You lead me.

                         I will hold Your people in my heart.

Here are some Praise-notes or Fact-notes:

FAITH AT WORK FELLOWSHIP, PRAISE-NOTES (Nov. 2012)

1.      Begun some 5 years ago, by a group of like-minded pastors and leaders, the Fellowship’s Reaching Nationals for Nationals is now embraced by churches, more pastors and leaders that have provided prayer, teaching, resource and financial partners.

2.     The Fellowship is manned by Rev. Tan Eng Boo, Rev. Tan Choon Seng, Rev. Robert Chew, Rev. Mark Tay, Rev. Simon Nagarajan, Rev. Yap Beng Shin, Rev. Goh Seng Fong, Rev. Andrew Tan, Ong Beng Hong, Michael Lim, Amos Hoon, Jeff Tan and Daisy Koh. Membership is by prayerful invitation. It has two purposes.

3.     One purpose involves community projects in which we have facilitated mercy relief for Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar, goats for 35 pastors and some other widows in Nepal and scholarships for Bible College students. One immediate concern will be the start of an educational centre in Yangon, Myanmar.

4.     The other is the training arm: Asia Seminary for Ministry, registered with Ministry of Education, Singapore, as a religious training school: “Training Nationals for Nationals” for integrity and skills (Ps. 78:72).  It is a seminary without borders, providing cutting edge training for character transformation and ministry skills with personal follow-up and mentorship.

5.     For ASM certificate training, we have trained 143 in Nepal, with 23 already graduated in September, 2011, and 130 in Medan, Indonesia, with 49 already graduated in Sept. 2012.  Some 40 subjects were taught altogether.

6.     Our trainers are also involved as adjunct teachers in countries such as Malaysia (Kuching), Indonesia (Medan, Bandung, Nias Island), Myanmar (Yangon, 2 colleges; Mandalay, 1 seminary, Maymyo, 2 centres), Vietnam, Cambodia (Life University), China and Tanzania.  We also up-grade our trainers.  Four trainers are undergoing Doctor of Ministry training.

7.     Funds (about $45,000 annually) are raised by faith for college scholarships and for board and lodging for the participants of the training.  The volunteer-trainers (pro bono) raise their own support through churches and friends or they pay their own way.  Please visit ourblogspot for further news:

               http://faithatworksfellowship.blogspot.com

8.    Forward into 2013:

(a)  Web-site for the Fellowship – will need prayer and help.

(b)  Start of Diploma of Christian Ministry program in Singapore – 3 modules per year for 3 years.

       Time table for one module: Thur., 7pm to 10pm; Fri., 7pm to 10pm; Sat., 9am to 5pm.

        Project for ministry and mentorship will follow.  We will begin in March, 2013. More details will be forth-coming.  Please pray and indicate your desire. Limited vacancies.

(c) Facilitating an education centre for management in Yangon, Myanmar.

(d) Tie-up or link-up with some Bible college or Seminaryas resource partners.

<><><><><><><><><><><>Thanks again for your prayers and support in so many ways.  Please visit

                               FaithatWorks Facebook

or our blog at

         http://faithatworksfellowship.blogspot.com/

Be sure to bookmark it.

If we can be of any help to you, please let us know. The good Lord bless you and all yours this Christmas and for many more to come!

Yours always in Christ and for Christ,

Rev. Goh Seng Fong
(John 12:24)

Hdphone: 9820 7783

           +65-9820 7783