Merry Christmas!

Ho, Ho, Ho, Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas greetings to you as you celebrate this special time, where all around the world Christians remember the birth of Jesus Christ our Lord, the Saviour of the world. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” That is the best gift we can ever get. Hallelujah!

Another year is coming to an end. As I look back over this past year, I see that God has brought closure for some ministries but opened new doors for me to serve Him in different areas of ministries. I am thankful that God has been blessing me and enlarging my territory, not only in the 4 walls of church buildings, but in the market place on peope’s turf as well!

Personal / Local Missions Outreach

I am continuously building friendship with artists from various circles in Melbourne, including visual artists & buskers in Southgate & Southbank area in my neighbourhood, as well performing artists. Starting from 2007, I am officially part of the crew, serving as the Volunteer Pastoral Care Worker and Front of House Coordinator for Candlelight Productions, which is an arts and entertainment, education, media and merchandising community and theatre company. We aim to build healthy community, nurture creativity and encourage an attitude of service in the arts, whilst striving for a high standard of excellence in our work.

I have also been reaching out to my business circle in my network and tent-making business. God has really taught me a lot through them in terms of personal development, team work, dynamic living and vocational mission. I am very thankful for that.

A new initiative for the Docklands Community in Melbourne is the Docklands Community Choir, which is intended to lead community events and perform at local functions. This Christmas, Docklands will be transformed into festival scenes of celebration. I have recently joined the Docklands Community Choir and have been really enjoying the fun, friendship and fellowship with the members of the community.

As a missionary friend of mine said, “no angel of the Lord this year. No sky full of a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and singing….since that eventful night so long ago, God has given us the responsibility of proclaiming the good news.”

World Team

This year, World Team has organised different trainings and focus mission nights. A number of missionaries have gone to the mission fields, and a few getting ready to go in 2008. It has truly been a humbling, and a great learning experience to journey with these obedient and faithful servants of God.

I have had the opportunity to represent World Team in various missions seminars, conferences and mission networks in different churches and Bible Colleges in Victoria. It was also great to have some World Team missionaries visit Melbourne and share with us about the needs of the harvest fields during our annual dinner in November as well.

World Team, in partnership with many churches & organisations, is also going to participate in the 2008 China Games, which is going to be special historical moments and opportunities for long-term impact in serving China.

My prayer is that the Lord's grace and peace be with you this Christmas season. Also, let us rejoice together as we testify to God's blessings, thanking Him for His continued provision throughout 2007, and look to Him in excited anticipation of further revelation of His glory in the harvest during 2008. Thanks for partnering with me in participating in our dear Lord’s Great Commission.

The following is from the World Team family in regards to looking at Christmas from a different perspective:

How do you celebrate Christmas? Each one of us celebrates the birth of Jesus in a myriad of ways: Some gather with family on Christmas day; some serve at a soup kitchen to feed the poor; others spend the day with elderly parents who live in a nursing home. The celebrations all look different, but there should be one common thread that runs through them all...Christmas is not about us.

The very act of the incarnation demonstrates an "others-focused" perspective. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. So during this season, as you gaze in at the baby Jesus and give thanks for all that he has done, remember to then look out to those who do not know him. Look out to your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth. What part of your celebrations this year will be focused on others?