From time to time God, lets us see something in ourselves or others which brings us genuine encouragement and a new drive to continue being faithful to Him.
A few weeks ago, I revisited my former parish of Christ Church in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. There were many encouragements to thank God for. When I left in 1988, there were about 120 members. Twenty one years later there is a total of 720 members covering three services: English, Chinese and Malay. (They also started a church plant nearby which now has 100 members.) I was invited to preach at the Malay service in English and was interpreted by one of the 8 full time workers on staff. He told me afterward that he remembered me from when I used to take the weekly Christian assembly of 150 children from the primary school next door to the church – 21 years ago. He also wanted to know where my piano accordion was and if I still play it!
Then, whilst travelling through West Malaysia visiting my wife Laylee’s relatives, I received an email, via Rev Bruce Stanley, from a young man who had attended All Saints Waitara (my more recent parish) Kids Club and Sunday school for a few months in 1997-8 and where he made a commitment to Christ. His dad was in the Navy and was transferred to WA where he continued to attend church and grow as a Christian. He is training to be a primary school teacher and hopes to be a good witness in that career. He couldn’t remember the name of the minister or his son (Philip) who took the SS class, but wanted to thank the church for their friendly welcome to him as new kid and introducing him to Christ.
This is great encouragement, particularly to persevere with children’s and youth ministry, to make them feel welcome and introduce them to Christ. This is our aim at St Marks as we develop our Playschool, SRE, Kids Church, Kid’s Club, Holiday Club and Thirst youth group. Pray for encouragement of our leaders and teachers and that in His time we will see great encouragements.
Rev Gordon Boughton