Being Overcomers
The End Times preceding the return of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ from heaven for His Church are characterized as troubling, stressful and filled with uncertainties. (Mt. 24)
In fact such is the degree of stress and difficulty faced by God’s people – the elect, that: “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” (Mt. 24.22)
New Testament Christianity promises believers more, indeed much more, than mere coping under duress. Paul raises two rhetorical questions in Romans 8.35: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?” “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Rom. 8.37). As we, the Church, go into the battle for truth and righteousness against forces arrayed against us, let us:
1) Hold onto the sufficiency of our Great God especially His all sufficient grace in these tumultuous times,
2) Hold onto the goodness of our Good God, inhospitable circumstances notwithstanding, and,
3) Hold onto the Godly Remnant for fellowship in the things of God – mutual encouragement, prayer support, counsel and prophetic insights, and partnership in the gospel.
In God, we shall prevail. We shall be overcomers. In the short-term, the outlook may be pessimistic. In the long-term and final analysis, we are bright optimists! (Rev. 21-22)
To God be the glory!
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MAP Christmas Evangelistic Preaching 2014
The MAP team of preaching evangelists had a busy time preaching the glad tidings of Christmas in December 2014 in a variety of settings – restaurants, street witnessing in a village, combined services in churches in Malaysia and a youth evangelistic programme in Suong, Cambodia.
We give God the glory for the seeds of the good news sown, fruit in salvation decisions, and ask that you pray with us on the follow up work of new converts and enquirers by the participating churches.
Evangelistic preaching on Christmas Morning, 2014, at the combined English and Chinese services of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Ipoh, Perak. Ooi Chin Aik, Founder and President of MAP, preached in English, with his wife Lydia Ooi, interpreting the message into Chinese.
Part of the crowd of 300 responding to the altar call for salvation and prayers at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Ipoh, Perak.
An entire Chinese-speaking family came forward to receive Christ and ask for prayers and blessings. Praise the Lord!
Dr. Tai Kim Teng, an elder of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Ipoh, Perak gave a feedback summary on the combined evangelistic effort:
“It gladdens all our hearts that about 300 people turned up for this event. Thank you so much for being part of His event. Your ministry with Lydia will continue to impact lives in Ipoh, many days after you have left. Praise God for people like both of you, God’s faithful servants in bringing the Good News. All Glory to God in the highest and to His Son, Jesus Christ, our redeemer.”
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Rev. Albert Tang, our Senior Associate Chinese Evangelist, preached the gospel to Chinese-speaking audiences at Praise Baptist Church, Kuala Perlis, Perlis and at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Bercham, Ipoh besides leading a team in village street witnessing and tracting in Tronoh Mines Village, Kampar, Perak.
Rev. Albert Tang witnessed a part of the Chinese-speaking audience coming forward to receive Christ and prayers at the Chinese Evangelistic service at Praise Baptist Church, Kayangan, Kuala Perlis, Perlis.
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Colin Wong, our Associate Evangelist for Youth and REAP, took a Youth Christmas Evangelistic Meeting at Shalom Life Chapel in Suong, Cambodia and saw over 20 youths receiving Christ. He preached a Christmas message on 25 December, 2014 at the Shah Alam Gospel Centre Community Christmas Celebration.
Colin Wong, preaching with translation into Khmer language, at the Youth Christmas Evangelistic Event in Suong, Cambodia.
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Full Gospel Assembly (FGA) at Langkawi, Kedah, experienced a breakthrough in their Christmas Evangelistic Events for both the Chinese and English-Speaking churches by hosting them in more relaxed and neutral settings – at local restaurants. They were rewarded with a record turnout of over 140.
In partnership with MAP Evangelists, Ooi Chin Aik and his wife Lydia Ooi, the church saw salvation decisions and many interested enquirers. Praise God and pray for the follow-up work to bear much fruit.
Ooi Chin Aik, delivering the Christmas message, with interpretation into Chinese by Lydia Ooi, at a local restaurant to Chinese speaking guests of FGA Langkawi Chinese Church, Kedah
A Christmas carol presentation by the English church of FGA Langkawi, Kedah.
Ooi Chin Aik presenting the hope of Christmas to the guests at the English Christmas Outreach of FGA Langkawi, Kedah. Praise God for salvation decisions at both the FGA Langkawi Outreaches.
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MAP 11th Staff Retreat
(Seated Left to Right: Lai Yik Meng, Low Jan Ni, Persis Lim. Standing Left to Right: Rev. Albert Tang, Matthew Ngoh, Colin Wong, Ooi Chin Aik and Lydia Ooi)
In keeping with MAP Team Building and preparing for the challenges ahead in 2015, MAP Staff gathered in the cool retreat of Genting View Resort, Genting Highlands, Pahang on 10-11 October, 2014 under the theme “Gospel Advance through Pioneering Ventures.”
As with previous retreats, the MAP 11th Staff retreat serves as an occasion for rest, renewal and re-orientation for the new challenges in the New Year. MAP staff at the retreat gave their feedback:
“In His Majesty’s service, it is important to take time to slow down-to come aside together as a team before God, be reminded of why we do what we do, be continually sensitive to God’s direction, and to spur one another in our task of gospel advance. That was exactly what the MAP staff retreat was all about, and it was refreshing in the Lord.”
Colin Wong
Associate Evangelist
(Youth and REAP)
“In this retreat, I can see God directing MAP to an international platform for His ministries and glory. We are preparing for this change and challenge. Let’s look forward to see God’s mighty work in MAP ministries.”
Rev. Albert Tang
Senior Associate Evangelist
(Chinese Ministries) and
Persis Lim
“A relaxing retreat that not only refreshed, and brought all the staff together for fellowship, but also inspired the team for the future challenges.”
Lai Yik Meng
Associate Staff
(REAP Projects)
“I realized that more and more work need to be done. Christians and churches must be together to love one another, to grow our love for the Lord and our passion for the lost.”
Lydia Ooi
Honorary Associate Staff
(Chinese Ministries)
“I am greatly challenged to reach out to the lost while there is still light.”
Matthew Ngoh
Associate Staff
(Special Projects)
“Good time of fellowship and relaxation. God has been good and faithful to us in 2014. God’s shalom and provision be with us in 2015 as we labour for His glory.”
Low Jan Ni
Administrator
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