Eusoff Christian Fellowship

2007-04-09T20:01:00.001+08:00

Dear brothers and sisters,

Its the last week of the term, how are u guys coping with the exams? Preparation so far so good? aniwaiz, besides thinking about our exam, lets not forget about our Mongolian ministry and try to sell the cards(though i haven't been doing a good job in that either). add oil for God's kingdom.

And thanks so much for our event last week. Chocolate fondue!thanks Shu yi for the fabulous idea. as for tonight's Narnia movie event, lets keep it in prayer as well =)

Mongolia

Location: Northern Asia
Population: 2662020
Literacy rate: 87%
Capital: Ulaanbaatar
Income per person: US$390 p.a
Official Language: Khalkha Mongol
Other Languages: 12 in total
2 Biblical translations
1NT

Major religions: Non-religious/ Atheism (41.6%)
Shamanist (31.2%)
Buddhist (22.5%)

**Freedom of religion exists in MOngolia through the constitution; Lamaistic Buddhism has since seen a resurgence

Prayer Points:

-Buddhism and Shamanism have been on the increase since the fall of Communism; many ancient spiritual practices are gaining popularity again. Pray that the Mongolian people would search for the Truth of the gospel of Christ

-The Church in Mongolia is relatively new and lacks trained leadership; pray for disciples and teachers among them

-The weak national structure of Mongolia often makes ministry planning difficult with poor travel and communication; pray for an increase of resources.

-adpoted from " A Billion wait..."

Let's pray for this country this week. Amen!

2007-04-02T12:18:00.000+08:00

Dear ECFers,

Hello, sorry for not posting last week. Anyway, heard about the Tsunami at Soloman Islands? Found a little website on Praying for Soloman Islands, and lets bow our heads down for this place this week.

Overview:

The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003, Prime Minister Sir Allen KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the following month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been very effective in restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.

Religions:
Church of Melanesia 32.8%,
Roman Catholic 19%,
South Seas Evangelical 17%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%
United Church 10.3%
Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%
other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%
unspecified 0.3%
none 0.2% (1999 census)

Prayer request

-Unreached peoples. The land has been so exposed to the gospel that only pockets of resistant animists on Guadalcanal and Malaita hold out against the gospel. Yet the continued influence of syncretistic or almost pagan ‘cargo cults’, which have prompted an exodus from churches in the past, shows the need for a personal appropriation of the gospel by each generation.

-Christian support ministries for prayer:

a) Bible translation.
National believers are taking the initiative, and this long-underestimated ministry is now receiving the attention it deserves. Pray for the 17 translation projects by UBS and SIL (20 workers); 20 more languages may still need to be tackled. The major need is for the completion of the Bible in Pidgin (the trade language). Only 10 of the 66 languages have the New Testament.

b) The JESUS film
has been viewed by over half the population in English. Two local language editions are in preparation.

c) GRN
has gospel messages available in 85 languages and dialects — a good resource in a nation with so many small language groups.

d) Christian hospitals
are significant for the country. The Solomons have one of the highest incidences of malaria in the world.

Lets also pray hard for our Chocolate Fondue event on for Wednesday. God Bless.

2007-03-12T11:10:00.000+08:00

Dear ECFers,

thanks so much for the Birthday celebration. it was real cool. first party and first cake into my 21st birthday. thanks so much. love ya guys!!! Thank God for bringing us together.

As we know the Southeast Asian night in NUS is coming up next week, we shall be praying for countries in the SEAsia this 2 weeks.

Laos

Population: 5433036

Literacy rate: 57%

Income per Person: US$400 p.a.

Official Language: Lao

Other Languages: 92 in total
10 Biblical Translations
8 with NT

Major Religions: Buddhist (61%)
Traditional Ethnic (31.2%)
Non- Religious (4.2%)
Christian (1.8%)

**Communists persecution of Christians has been lifted since the 1970's, but churches continue to be watched and evangelism is restricted.

Spiritual Focal Points:

-Wat Phu (Champasak) --> ancient royal location of human sacrifice and continued animal
sacrifice

-Phra That Lung (Vientiane) --> Most important Buddhist monument in Laos

-Pak Ou Caves (Luang Prabang) --> Ancient pilgrimage site

-Buddhist Institute (Vientiane) --> Key regional organization purporting Buddhism

Prayer Points:

-The government of Laos strongly controls all propaganda; Buddhism and socialism have closed ties to nationalism in Laoz. Pray that freedom would be known throughout the nation.

-Foreign missionaries are refused access to the country; pray for open doors and open hearts to receive God's people

-The Hmong people are persecuted for cooperating with the U.S. government during the Vietnam War; Pray for the discrimination to cease

-Christian education of any kind is unlawful in Laos; pray for openness and creativity in the church

Dear brothers and sister, although many times we may not be able to go to these countries on our own, we know that our God has the greatest power. He listens to our deepest prayers...Have a great week ahead! =)

2007-03-06T20:28:00.000+08:00

Photos galore...

Is anyone missing a strawberry cheescake? (Oh and don't forget to pay Tingyu...)

Someone's delighted at the sight of the cake... BUT FIRST...

...some torture before you get to make a wish! (Hope you didn't waste it by wishing to escape...haha!)

Let's have a CG photo before commencing our bible study! (Auto-timer rocks!)

Individual profiles of some of our members: First, we have Ian, our CG leader...

...and "act-cute" Tingyu (joking!)...

...Joshua, our video guy...

...and a pretty pose from Sopphia!

Let's start off with some Worship & Praise...okay, must practice first. Heh.

Then let's study the book of John...

Bible study = FUN!!??

Our 2 pretty birthday gals: Shuyi (16th Feb) and Kayan (6th Mar)

Thou shalt love thy sister as thyself... Thou shalt not murder!!??

Eusoff Christian Fellowship 06/07

2007-03-05T11:39:00.000+08:00

hi ECFers, yesterday was the last day of chinese new year. its also "yuan xiao jie", the chinese Valendines' day. hope you guys had a great time!

Here is my final posting on praying for chinese populated places.

CHINA

Location: East Asia

Population: 1262556787

Literacy rate: 81.5%

Government: Communist state

Income per person: US$860 p.a.

Official Language: Mandarin Chinese

Other languages: 470 in total
13 Biblical translations
13 NT

Major religions: Non-religious/atheist: (49.6%)
Chinese (28.5%)
Buddhist(8.4%)

**The official religion of the communist state is atheism; all other religions are repressed and closely monitored

Prayer points:

- Buddhist missionaries in Taiwan and Japan activity supported the growth of Buddhism on the mainland, often using large monetary gifts to help reopen and expand the influence of temples and other pilgrimage sites. Pray for God to touch their hearts and to add His church daily

-Compared to Buddhism, Christianity usually is considered a "foreign religion" by Chinese; pray that Chinese believers can show how their faith encourages the best in traditional culture (family, social harmony etc)

-The secret police of the Communist government continue to pose a threat to the HOuse churhc movement, raiding and informing. Pray for boldness, protection and safety of the church

-The educational system in China supports the atheistic viewpoints of the government, leaving the Children of the nationed misinformed. In addition, it is illegal to witness to anyone under the age of 18. Pray for open doors of ministry to the nation's children.

-The church has a great need for trained leaders among thier congregations. Pray for rapid multiplication of strong godly leaders.

This is all for China. Lets reach out to our friends here in Hall as well..... =)

2007-03-01T11:36:00.000+08:00

TAI WAN!!!

Location: East Asia

Population: 22,401,000

Literacy rate: 94%

Official Language: Mandarin

Incomer per person: US $13.900 p.a.

Major religions: Chinese (43.2%)
Non-Religious (25.3%)
Buddhists (25%)
Christians (6%)

Spiritual focal points
When Buddhism reached China in the 1st Century AD, it mixed with other Chinese Philosophies such as COnfucianism and Taosm. The Majority of Taiwan's grassroots people, perhaps 70% of its 22M population are believers in Chinese folk religions, but will call themselves Buddhists. Folk religion, which mixes ancestor worship in teh home, offerings to ghosts, temple worship and the use of spiritual mediums, is behind most of teh significant festivals in Taiwan. This syncretism makes it hard to define who is a true Buddhist in Taiwan. Without doubt, Buddhism is growing in Taiwan and Taiwan Buddhist organizations are playing a significant role in the promotion of Buddhism worldwide. Taiwan is the only Asian country where ordination of women as Buddhist nuns is fully accepted and as a result women play a prominent role in Taiwan's Buddhism.

Prayer points:

-Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism continue to dominate and influence the Taiwanese people. Pray for a desire to know the Truth and grace of God's love

-The Mormons and the True Jesus church cults have gained popularity. Pray that the eyes of those involved would be opened to the deception

-The Church of Taiwan contines to lack internal resources, including pastors and lay leaders. Pray that hese needs would be met.

~from "A Billion Wait"

2007-02-27T20:51:00.000+08:00

VICTIM, VILLAIN or VALENTINE?
7pm, Sat 10 Mar 2007, The Pavilion, Far East Square
Organised by RAYS Ministry (Young Adults Ministry) from Covenant Evangelical Free Church.

Contact: Julian 98476552 or Janie 92313362
Email: rayscefc@gmail.com mailto:rayscefc@gmail.com

Soul2Soul is a band of ForeRuner (Campus Crusade for Christ). To find out more, please visit http://www.forerunner.org.sg/soul2soul

Dearest brothers and sisters in Christ,
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. It has been a while since I last posted a blog entry.

Here's some information on this band, "Soul2Soul". Attended the band's performance when it was organised by NUS Campus Crusade for Christ during the valentine's day season. It is an evangelistic event. The lead singer shares her testimony of her personal journey with God and she sings secular songs that appropriately describes different parts of her testimony. It was very ministering and I enjoyed myself very much. In particular, I enjoyed watching the mastery of the female drummer who has a great control of the drum sets and various drum mallets and sticks.

For those band fanatics, I recommend you to go and listen and be ministered. The band covers a wide genre of music for this evangelistic event. Encourage you all to bring your pre-beliving friends to this event as God breathes His words to them through songs and sharing from the singer.
We may even consider planning a CF outing and invite non-christian friends to join us. Sounds great! We could fellowship with them in the most non threatening environment. hee..

In Him,
Sister Faith SY

2007-02-05T11:43:00.000+08:00

Hi ECFers, Chinese new year is coming!!!! excited??? i remember back in Hong Kong, the atmosphere was really great..Coz back there, chinese makes up the majority, and the chinese new year was considered the long vacation winter break for the students in Hong Kong. We used to have at least 15 days of holidays back there... Its a time of celebration...

For these few weeks, we will be praying for places with a majority of Chinese...

Hong Kong Special Administration Region

Location: South Asia
Population: 6965000
Literacy rate: 92%
Income per person: US $24800 p.a

Official languages: Cantonese, English
Other languages: 7 total, 4 with Bible translations

Major religions: Chinese/Buddhist (66.1%)
Non- religious (18.2%)
Christian (10%)

*Secular state with religious freedom prior to PRC's control in 1997.

Prayer points:

-For one branch of Buddhists, salvation lies in good deeds. Pray that the people will know that Christ is the way, the Truth and the Life

-Folk religion is a prominent phenomenon in Hong Kong. Pray that the Chinese Christians will repent for their own former involvement, and confess the sins of their forefathers in folk religion practives. Pray for a clear witness of the truth.

-Ancetor worship is the chinese way of expressing filial piety beyond the grave. Pray that ancestor worshippers come to know Christ as the only source of all blessings, and know that in Christ there is life after death.

-adopted from A Billiant wait..."

thanks for praying for my homeland. on top of that, i think we can pray that God will raise up more missionaries from Hong Kong, into the mainland China. Coz being a S.A.R, Hong Kong has much more religious freedom as compared to the mainland, and it is more convenient for Hong Kong residents to entered China, as compared to other nationalities which requires Visas etc. thanks...God bless...

2007-01-31T23:17:00.000+08:00

Wednesday~~

Thailand - Thai Christian Students Association (TCS)
www.tcs.or.th

Country Profile
Population : 64. 9 million
Capital : Bangkok
Area : 513 115 sq km
No. of people groups : 108 (Dominated by ethnic Thai and Lao)
No. of unreached people groups : 71
Primary national language : Thai
Major religions : Buddhism – 94%
Muslim – 4%
Christian – 1%

Some news about Thailand:
Five people were shot dead and another person was injured in attacks by suspected Islamic militants in Thailand ’s insurgency-torn southern provinces, according to police. More than 1,800 people have been killed in three years of unrest in this region.
(http://www.channeln ewsasia.com/ cna/cgi-bin/ search/search_ 7days.pl? status=&search=thailand&id=255336)

About TCS:
Student ministry in Thailand under TCS includes both secondary school and university student work. We work with around 1,000 students. Secondary school ministry is mainly in Bangkok . There are 11 schools with Bible study groups. There are currently 4 secondary school staff workers. We work with around 20 universities all over Thailand . We currently have 8 university staff. Their work is mainly to build up leadership among students.

Activities:
· Bible study groups during term time.
· Training camps during holidays
o Secondary Schools have two training camps; one in April, one in October
o University
§ Annual Training Camp in during 19th-24th March ’07 . It is aimed to train students to carry out their ministry on campus. This is so that they can in turn disciple their fellow members in their ministry.
§ October Training Camp. The focus last year was on Malachi. The students were trained in godly living in various areas with deeper outlooks such as true worship, being a priest, offering and relationship among themselves. All these are linked to the contexts of student life for application.
§ Training camp for graduating students in December. This camp is aimed in preparing the graduating students to be the salt and light of the earth in their workplace when they step out, as well as to stand firm in their faith in the marketplace.

o We actually do not have as many camps this year. This is because we want to go back to focusing strongly and deeply on the vision of the students being the salt and the light in the university.

Thanksgiving:
1) Thank God for giving the students the initiative to do many things on their own; they have a strong sense of ownership of the ministries they run in their schools and universities.
2) Thank God for sending us student leaders to us for training every year. There will not be a lack of church leaders in the future.
3) The students enjoyed the Bible camps. They love the Word of God! Thank God for the fire and passion that is spreading voraciously among the students!

Prayer points:
1) Many of our student groups are already very strong in fellowship and discipleship among themselves. Please pray that they will begin to be more active in evangelism as well.
2) There are many secondary schools and university that still do not have Bible study groups. The students are trying to start something in their schools. Please pray for the Lord’s hand in guiding them and making it happen!
3) We are currently short of staff, and need about 2-3 more staff workers. Please pray that God will provide people who are willing to serve in our ministry.
4) Please pray also, that we will be financially able to carry out all the things we hope to do.

2007-01-31T23:11:00.000+08:00

Mongolia - Fellowship of Christian Students (FCS)

Sain Bainuu! (Hello!)
Mongolia is sandwiched between China and Russia. It is surrounded by mountain ranges and barren land.

Religions in Mongolia:
Shamanism: 32%
Tibetan Buddhism: 25%
Islam: 4%
Christianity: 0.7%
However, most of the people in younger generation are not
strong believers of Buddhism or Shamanism.
They simply follow the traditions and culture of their families.

Christianity in Mongolia:
- Christianity is not entirely new in Mongolia. Back in 0- 1600 AD, Chinggis Khan (known to us as Genghis Khan) invited several Christian missionaries into the country.
- However, the take-over by the Chinese and the Communist influence eliminated Christianity.
- Only 16 years ago did the country break free from Communism and turned democratic.
- In this short period of time, the number of Christians grew from 0 to 35,000.

However, as the Mongolians are of nomadic background, they are generally non-committal and enjoy trying out new things. Many who profess to be Christians do not stay in the faith for a long time.

Some news about Mongolia:
1) Post-communist struggle for Mongolia: Sixteen years ago, thousands of Mongolians gathered to demand an end to decades of communist rule. However, democracy has not brought the better life that many people hoped for. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6252741.stm)
2) Dalai Lama welcomed in Mongolia: Thousands of people have turned out to greet the Dalai Lama on his first visit to Mongolia since 2002, despite Chinese government protests. (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5275590.stm)

Haadin Haanig bahdan magtya (Let’s praise the King of Glory)

About FCS (Fellowship of Christian Students – is the IFES student movement in Mongolia):

- Started in 1999 at Ulanbaatar College by a Korean Missionary. By 2002 it grew to about 20 students.
- Today, there are about 60 students who are committed members in 3 different chapters, focusing on three different schools.
- There are about another 20-30 non-Christians involved.
- Currently, there are 7 Mongolian Campus Staff and 1 Campus Coordinator. There are also 4 missionary campus staff (Korean & American) and 1 missionary Director (Korean).

Facilities:

- Each chapter has an office/student center located nearby the target university.
- The office is where most formal ministry takes place.
- Here students can come any time during the day to meet with staff, fellowship with their friends, play games, etc.

Evangelism:

- Evangelism takes place in multiple forms: Spreading the gospel in front of the universities, inviting students to weekly large group, 'Open Large Group' where the gospel is shared, picnics, etc.
- The goal is to get students to sign up for an Evangelical Bible Study, where they will study basic Bible truths 1:1 with another student and staff for a semester.
- If one becomes a believer, they will join a "growth" group where they will learn basics of following Christ.
- If they continue on, they will eventually join a cell group where they will study the Bible inductively with others.

Other activities:

- We have prayer nights, visit orphanages, play sports together, do occasional special training sessions in specific areas, summer mission trips to the countryside, etc.
- There is also a developing book ministry where books and other materials are translated from English or Korean to Mongolian.

Magtan duulya, magtan duulya! (Let’s praise, let’s praise!)

Praises:

1) Praise God for the 2 years of fruitful ministry of short term
Korean missionary, Yu Seung-Jin, who returned to Korea
in early January.

2) Praise God for the recent hiring of a new Mongolian staff,
Munhoo. Munhoo is the second male Mongolian staff.
He will work with the FCS 2 chapter.

3) Praise God for His work in students’ lives at our annual
Leadership Training Conference. Many students attended
and were trained for leadership in the coming semester.

Prayer requests:

1) Our FCS 1 chapter has recently moved to a different part of the city and will be shifting its focus to the National University of Mongolia (NUM). Pray for this transition, that God would be sewing seeds in students at NUM, and for the students and staff of FCS 1 as they seek to reach out to this new school.

2) Korean missionary, David Lee and his family will leave for a 1 year sabbatical in February. Also, a new Korean missionary couple, Barnabus and Sophia Lee are coming as the new country directors for the movement. Pray for this transition of leadership and for them to have a good adjustment to the culture and a quick learning of the language.

3) Please pray for a restful couple of weeks for staff during the Lunar New Year, after a busy few months. Pray for a unified and renewed staff team as we go into the new semester starting in March.

4) Please pray for good leadership in the Mongolian government for they are a young democratic nation. Pray for wisdom for the leaders and for Christians to not be afraid to step up and help in shaping the country.

5) Also pray for God to continue to work in Mongolia, to break the strongholds of Buddhism and for active evangelism. Pray that in times of need and burden faced by many of the Mongolians that they will turn to God and realize that He is their God and Saviour.

Missionaries’ sites:

- Chris Loose: Current staffworker at FCS - http://ivcf_sc.typepad.com/the_land_of_blue_skiesTom and Nancy: Ex-staffworkers at FCS - http://www.tomandnancylin.com

2007-01-31T22:55:00.000+08:00

Finally managed to get onto our blog. anyway, lets pray for Hong Kong...

Hong Kong- Inter-College Christian Fellowship (ICCF)

www.fes.org.hk Country ProfileRegion : Northeas Asia
Population : 7 053 000
No. of people groups : 10
No. of unreached people groups : 4 (40% of all groups)
Primary national language : Mandarin
Major religions : Buddhism 28.9%
Christianity -10.0%
(Evangelical – 5.1%)
Hinduism – 0.3%
Islam – 1.5%
Ethnic religions- 38.0%
Non-religious – 18.2% Other – 2.9%

Some news about Hong Kong:Two dead birds found in Hong Kong last week carried the fatal H5N1 strain of bird flu, taking to seven the number of birds found with the virus this year, authorities said on Monday. (http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/255360/1/.html)

About ICCFThe Special Administrative Region is 1.5 times of Singapore in size, inhabiting 7 million people (compared to 4.5m in Singapore). Hong Kong has 9 major universities, including the latest Shue Yan University （香港树仁大学）. Like Singapore, there are Christian fellowship meetings in individual campuses.

Inter-College Christian Fellowship (ICCF) affiliated with FES (HK) is formed by representatives from different campus fellowships, providing a platform for corporate witness among other activities, such as annual Bible camp, mission camp, etc.

Prayer Requests

1) Pray for the follow-up work in January after the Bible camp as we study the book of Exodus, there will be 3 talks about how the themes in Exodus can relate to present day issues.

2) There are also different social response groups formed by students about issues on “Star Ferry” and “suicide of University of Science and Technology students”. Pray that these groups can deepen their Christian faith to respond to the reality. (Star Ferry Pier issue: For over 100 years, the Star Ferry Pier has served commuters and visitors between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island - the CBD of HK. The government has recently dismentled the Star Ferry Pier in favor of yet more reclamation of Victoria Habour, a world renowned natural port. Not only does it cause environmental degradation by reclaiming the harbour and building more highways, the dismantling of the Pier also destroyed one of the most significant landmarks of HK, (image Merlion being pulled down), a cultural icon of HK. It caused a public outcry, thousands of citizens signed petitions, yet the government went ahead with the plan.
These response groups would raise awareness among the student community, and challenge Christian students to think of creative ways they could get involved in making positive changes.)

3) Between 15th June and 19th June, there will be FES mission camp in response to our 50th anniversary. 100 college students are expected and our theme is “City/Urban Mission ". Do pray for the preparation work. And for the adjustments that have to be made for our annual missions camp, Summer with a mission (SWAM).

2007-01-22T11:20:00.000+08:00

Hi, hope u had a good week praying for Sarawak. Shall we pray for Sarawak's "sister", Sabah, this week?

Sabah
Buddhism, and other traditional Chinese religions are overshadowed in Sabah by a majority Muslim population and a dynamic Christian community. Rapid church growth has taken place among the indigenour tribal peoples, but also among the Chinese. Sovereign works of revival have taken place among the interior tribal peoples, and the charismatic movement has deeply affected nearly every denomination, but especially the Anglican community.

Prayer points:

- Pray for the ministry of the Anglican Church in Sabah, especially under it's Chinese Bishop
leadership

-Pray also for the Basel Mission, the Chinese Methodist churches, and the Borneo Evangelical
Church, in gathering harvest among the Chinese still hanging on to their Buddhist or traditional
beliefs

Have a fruitful week ahead...

2007-01-18T14:26:00.000+08:00

Morning Devotion is back!!!

All are welcome to join us as we start our day together with our heavenly Father...

Venue: B2 tables opposite the kitchen (outside Shu yi's room)

Time: 6.30am (you may choose to have breakfast with the CG after devotion or get back to
sleep)

What are we going to do???

- Gather together and have QT together. after which whoever wants to share his or her
reflection can have a chance to do so, and we will pray for one another.

Materials: Read Pray Grow (Jan-Mar 07)
-Feel free to get a copy from me (while stocks lasts =P)
-Or if you want to use your own materials its also ok...

So what are you waiting for? See you in B2!!!

2007-01-18T14:20:00.001+08:00

hi Ecfers...below is an extract from the E&M world prayer request:

Zichun:

Hi,The contact I found from Thailand, Miss Supaporn has replied. Here it is:

It seems that this year we don't have as many camps as before. This isbecause we turn back to emphasize the passing on of the vision ofbeing the salt and the light in the university in a clearer and deepersense for the students. We thank the Lord for we starting to see thatstudents in many universities envision the picture and share thisvision. They realize more that they are the owners of this ministry.Moreover, many institutes that do not have cell group yet start togather together and witness to their friends.There will be only three camps:

1. Training camp: The focus was on Malachi. It was in last October.The students were trained in godly living in various areas with deeperoutlooks such as, the true worship, being a priest, offering andrelationship among themselves. All these are linked to the contexts ofstudent life.

2. Training camp for the senior students last December. This aimed toprepare the graduates- to- be in stepping out to be the light of theirworkplace and stand firm in their faith in the marketplace. We thankthe Lord to see graduates who came back to support the studentministry by passing on their experience and outlooks in varioustopics, applying the teaching of the Bible.

3. The annual training camp. This is going to be during 19-24 March2007. It is the training camp on how to do the ministry in theuniversity. We aim to train the leaders to go back to their campusesand pass on the vision and the skills learned to their members. Theywill learn how to pass on the vision, skills in leading Bible studygroup, how to proclaim the good news and witness, how to study theBible in their daily devotion.

Please pray for:

• The preparation for the teaching and learning in the training campsfor the staff and the students. May God enable the student leaders topass on what they have learned.

• The vision of the university ministry is more deeply and firmlyembedded in the students' heart.

• Thai students to come to Christ for the salvation through theirChristian friends.Thank you very much indeed for your concerns and prayers. We will alsopray for you as well. Please let us know what you want us to pray for.

Apart from this detailed reply, she's also sent 2 pictures of thestudents in their activities, so as to put a face on the people we arepraying for. I'll upload them for everyone to see...

zichun

2007-01-15T11:48:00.000+08:00

Hi ECFers...hope you had a great holiday...

Lets continue praying for Malaysia, as we all heard about the flood there. We can refer to some prayer points for Malaysia in our blog several months ago. For this week, i shall upload a little more about Malaysia, especially Sabah... =)

One of the most fascinationg stories of Chinese emigration to Borneo involves the Reverend Wong Nai Siong leading several groups of Foochow Chinese Christian believers to settle in Sibu,central Sarawak, in 1901. They were fleeing persecution during the Boxer Rebellion. These Foochow established a dynamic Christian community in the heart of what was quite inhospitable terrain, and still today their influence throughout the state of Sarawak is immense.
Unfortunately, such communitites are not as Christian as they were when initially established. Over the years there has been a growing presence and influence of traditional Chinese religions and Buddhism. While half of Sarawak's Chinese population profess to be Christian today, there has been a resurgence of Buddhism and traditional Chinese religions. As you travel the rivers of Sarawak, the landscape is dotted with newly rebuilt, larger than ever, colourfully painted temples.

Prayer points:

-Pray for fresh revival to impact the Chinese Christian community of Sarawak, as it did during
John Sung's ministry in 1936 with consequent hundreds of conversions

-Pray for a new, and Holy Spirit-energized outreach to reach every Chinese with the Gospel

-Pray for a breaking of the enemy's strong control over the lives of these who have been
impacted by the enemy's strong control over the lives of these who have been impacted by the
intricate, binding, permeating influence of Buddhism and Chinese religions.

Have a fruitful week ahead as we number our days and live for the one who reigns forever...

2007-01-07T22:56:00.000+08:00

Collection of Pledges

Hi! It's the time of the month again! First of all, I would like to apologize for my incompetence as a treasurer in getting you guys to submit your pledges. I'm sorry that you guys now have to fork out a formidable sum from your limited allowance! Well, the good news is that I only need to collect the pledges that are outstanding till Dec 06. I will have to hand them over to the VCF Treasurer by next week so I will need you guys to pass me the money by the end of this week (14 Jan 07), ok? If I don't see any of you guys around, be sure that I'll come knocking on your door by the end of the week. Check out the list below for the amount of money that you need to ready:

Chien Huah: Nov & Dec = $30
Shuyi: Dec = $15
Ian: Nov & Dec = $30
Tingyu: Nov & Dec = $30
Rachel: Nov & Dec = $20
Lester: Nov & Dec = $20
Joshua: Dec = $15

If you guys are feeling rich, please do not hesitate to submit your pledges for the month of Jan as well. Heh.

Have a blessed new year and school term!

Luv,
Mel

2006-12-19T12:19:00.000+08:00

This is a combined fund raising effort of Eusoff Hall and Temasek Hall.
Please publicise and help to sell the cards. There are a total of 300 packs.
Each pack (inclusive of all 4 designs) costs S$4.
Cost of your one meal could be a blessing to our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who are labouring for the Kingdom of God in Mongolia. Why not be that blessing?

Thank you for your support. =)

Cards are designed by Shu Yi, specially for this fund raising project.
Contact Shu Yi (92763146) for enquiry and purchase of the cards.

More information of the Mongolian Ministry

Fellowship of Christian Students 1 (FCS1), a ministry which belongs to International Fellowship of Evangelical Students, is set up to advance the Kingdom of God in Mongolia.
The goals of FCS1 are to preach the gospel of Christ among University students, to bring people to the Kingdom of God through the influence of graduates and to send out missionaries.

Varsity Christian Fellowship (VCF) has committed to supporting FCS1 in prayer and in monetary pledging.

Monetary Support
All profits raised will be part of the pledging of VCF to support their ministry in the following areas.
1) FCS1 student center (rent, utilities and maintenance.)
2) Ministry (food during fellowship, outreach events, fee subsidies for students at retreat, etc.)
3) Pioneering effort in another Mongolian city, Darkhan.

Prayer Support
1) Mongolian National University
- Pray for the preparation works that has to be done for the movement into FCS1’s new focus school.
2) Staff and students
- Pray that the staff would serve the students well even in the midst of busyness.
- Pray for the training of the 3 new staff.
- Pray for the discipleship of the students.

2006-12-04T09:32:00.000+08:00

Heard about the Typhoon Durian? Lets continue praying for Philippines this week.

-The mudslide had swept away entire villages, leaving behind a black desert of death and destruction

-Villages around Mount Mayon, an active volcano about 320km South of Maila, were engulfed on Thursday when driving rain and winds of up to 225Kmh dislodged tonnes of mud and boulders from the slope

-Thousands of survivors crammed in to schools and churches as disaster agencies called for fresh water, food and medicine

(Find out more about the current situation through the news... )

Lets pray that

- God to console the hearts of those who have lost their loved ones through the disaster
- The missionaries there, that they will have wisdom in such a situation
- The living survivors will come to know the Christian's Christ, under this situation ( we won't know what miracles God can do =) )

Amen!

2006-11-28T21:20:00.001+08:00

FES Library and bookstore Jumble sale!!!!!!

Good books are going as low as $1!!!

30th Nov (Thur) 10am-6pm

1st Dec (Fri) 10am-6pm

2nd Dec (Sat) 10am to 4pm

Venue:
FES Centre
496 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#04-22
S(678099)

Tel: 63144878

2006-11-28T10:07:00.001+08:00

Hello. For this week, my fellowship in church is praying for a missionary in Philippines. thought it will be good to find out a little more about the situation in Philippines. So shall we pray for Philippines this week? *^_^*

Philipinnes
Although the various people groups that live in the Philippines have similar cultures, there are many small language groups. These are scattered primarily on the islands of Luzon and Mindanao, and are primarily tribal in nature. For the most part, they have remained isolated from modernization and still live a lifestyle based on survival.

Capital: Manila
Population: 75966500
Income per person: US$1200 p.a.
Official language: Filipino, English

Other languages: 169 in total
with 8 Biblical translations
52 NT

Major religions: Catholic/Christian (93.2%)
Muslim (5%)
Non-Religious/others (1.1%)
Buddhist/Chinese (0.1%)

*The Filipino people enjoy freedom of religion; the Catholic church is sclosely linked with the government.

Prayer points:

-Ask the Lord to raise up qualified linguists to complete the translation of the Bible into all national dialects

-Ask God to raise up prayer teams who will begin breaking up the soil through worship and intercession

-Pray that God will give the Filipino belivers boldness to share Christ across cultural and ethnic boundaries effectively

-Pray that God reveal Himself to all Filipinos through dreams and visions

-Ask the Lord to end the violence caused by terrorists operating throughout the country, and reveal Himself as the only One who can meet all their needs and be the Peace they are looking for.

Lets continue praying together for Philippines! =)

2006-11-21T06:42:00.000+08:00

sorry for posting this a day late. coz blogspot had some problem yesterday morning.

Wondering how we can pray for missionaries???

Just happened to chance upon a passage from Colossians 1:9-14 while having QT yesterday. the passage is rather long, so i will just do a little summary of the points..

Pray for them to

(1) Understand God's will

(2) Gain wisdom and spiritual understanding

(3) Please and honor God

(4) Bear good fruit

(5) know God better and better

(6) be filed with God's strength

(7) Have great patience

(8) Stay full of Christ's joy

(9) Always be thankful

-All believers have these same basic needs. When we don't know how to pray for someone, remember Paul's prayer for the Colossians. -

Have a blesses week ahead.

2006-11-15T10:03:00.001+08:00

hi hi!

we will be going down to the Doulos tomorrow morning. meet at Kent Ridge bus terminal at 10am. for those who are interested, do give me a call or send me an sms at 81276011 k? its really a rare chance that we can visit this gospel ship =) cyaz

2006-11-13T10:50:00.000+08:00

haha, just chose to pray for Sri Lanka this week, coz i was watching the G.R.A.S.S video and thought Nips's performance was really cute..(and he is from Sri Lanka)...

Sri Lanka

Location: South Asia
Population: 18827054
Capital: Colombo
Income per person: US $800 p.a.

Official language: Sinhala, Tamil

Other languages: 7 total, with 3 Bible translations

Literacy rate: 90%

Major religions: Buddhist (71.9%)
Hindu ( 12 %)
Muslim (8%)
Christian (7.6%)

*The state religion of Buddhism is promoted among the people. Christianity perceived as a foreign imposition

Spiritual focal Points:

-Anaradhapura -- Ancient centre of Buddha, site of sacred Bo tree

-Adam's Peak -- Major HIndu, Buddhist and Muslim pilgrimage site

-Kalaniya (Colombo) -- Key Buddhist temple located near the capital

-Temple of the Tooth (Kandy) -- Location of the sacred tooth relic of Buddha

Prayer points:

-of the 36 thousand villages in Sri Lanka, just a few have churches or witnesses; few of the urban slums have heard the gospel. Pray for laborers in this field

-Religious freedom is limited for Christians, many are persecuted and a number of pastors have been attacked and a few killed. Pray for God's protection, boldness, and the minimizing of persecution

-Pray that recent progress of peace between battlung Sinhalese majority and Tamil separatist minorities will maintain and genuine reconcilation will be achieved through the Prince of Peace

-A Buddhist monk has been elected into parliament. An international Centre of Buddhism is being developed with Thailand and Burma to limit activities of Christian NGOs in the country

-The church pf Sri Lanka is understaffed and under-equippd; pray for an increase of resources, including leadership

-Praise God for an exciting new initiative by many different denominations to cooperate in bold nationwide church planting effort. Pray for continued vision, increased unity, creativity in entering tough areas, and widespread goal-ownership

2006-11-12T00:23:00.000+08:00

Doulos is in Singapore from 10-19th November 2006 at the Promenade at VivoCity!!!
Grab this rare chance and go down to visit Operation Mobalisation(OM)'s 2nd ship, the world's largest floating book fair which brings the gospel around different places in the world.

opening dates and hours

Fri (10 Nov) 2-10pm

Mon- Sat 10am-10pm

Sun 11am-10pm

Entrance fee: Free
*Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult

(Guided tours)

4-5min

Tours are limited to 7 people and will commence every 15 min

Tour hours: 11am-8pm

Cost: Adults $5
Children (6-12) $3

Tour information hotline 98997170

Special events for the public:

(1) 12 & 19 Nov Doulos open day 2-5pm
-Come and see the different cultures represented onbroad. Hear from the Doulos crew and learn about what they do on the ship!

(2) Professionals in mission (free admission with ticket) 14 Nov
-Are you a businessman, teacher...etc? God wants to use your professional skills to reach the nations for him. Space is limited.

(3) Woman to woman (Free admission with ticket) 16 Nov Thur 10-12pm
-What kind of women does God use, and how can He use you? Hear from some of the ladies onbroad as they share about how God uses ordinary woman. Be encouraged by God's plan for your life. Space is limited.

(4) get_a_life.com (free admission with ticket) 17 Nov Wed 7.30-9pm
-Attention All Young PEOPLE! its time to Get A Life! God has a plan and purpose for your life. Come and hear what God is doing around the world, and how He uses ordinary people to make an eternal impact. Space is limited.

(5) Next Step with OM (Free admission with ticket) 19 Nov Sun 7-8pm
-Explore some of the opportunities for personal involvement in mission with Operation Mobalisation and the Doulos. Come and see how you can be part of what God is doing in world missions today.

2006-11-07T10:57:00.000+08:00

Its our evangelistic stain-glass painting workshop 2nite. lets continue to pray and trust in our Father...
We shall pray for Singapore today. I guess most of us do have understanding about Singapore's background, let me give u a little detail...

Major religions:

-Chinese religions like Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism and Ancestor worship (51%)

-Muslim (14.9%)

-Non-religion (14.8%)

Christian (14.6%)

*Although Singapore offers a freedom of religion, legislation has been passed to limit public profession of religious beliefs

Prayer points:

-Pressure continues against the Christians of Singapore in the name of political unity. Pray that the true unity will be known as they know the love of God

-Pray for the evangelism, compassion ministries, feeding the poor, street evangelism, prayer walks, concerts, children evangelism, and other core ministries that are touching the hearts of the people

-Pray for the deliverance of those sadly enslaved by drug and alcohol addictions

-Pray for a breakthrough for the Singapore Church as they minister at home and abroad

-Idol worship is rampant throughout the country. Pray that Jesus will take the place of the current Buddhist influence.

2006-11-01T02:25:00.000+08:00

A post from my blog:

Almost forgot what God had done for me...until I was reminded of it after a little chat with Shuyi over supper just now. I'll probably tell this story another day...but for now, a movie review! Excited? Hahas...

Left Behind: The Movie

I can't remember when I first watched it -- years ago when I was still a new Christian I think. I watched it again some years later and was equally, if not more, gripped and touched by it. It is a fictitious movie based on the to-be facts of the Rapture and the start of the Seven Years Tribulation. Watching the movie as a Christian is somewhat painful, for it just jolts you back to the reality of the Last Days. Don't be mistaken, our salvation is clear -- but you still can't help pondering on the horror of being 'left behind', can you? *Nervous laughter. (I couldn't stop laughing during the scene when the ex-pastor got left behind. Unbiblical, I know, that's why I laughed - the psychology behind why we laugh is to unconsciously tell ourselves that it is something that is not of threat to us, sort of like an alternative to the "fight or flight" mode.) Still, the plot reminds us to be ever watchful for the Second Coming, as the Bible tells us in Luke 21:36

"Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."

Even so, the movie (part of a trilogy) is a must-watch for anyone. I loved how the movie weaved the plot with prophecies from the Scriptures. Think Dan Brown's bestseller The Da Vinci Code (a little note: Dan Brown claims that he is a Christian). If you are curious about the End of the Age, with all the talk and hype about it, the movie tells you the story from the Christian perspective. For some background, Jesus told us around 2,000 years ago about the signs of the End:

Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and signs from heaven." - Luke 21:10-11

For more prophecies, please visit this site: http://www.xanga.com/MBCKL You might have to search the archives a bit, but not too far, since I saw the prophecies post only a few weeks ago. If you haven't noticed, I had also linked it under the "& Exits" section. (MBC=The Mailbox Club=Who gave me the Good News, which I received through the mailbox. Tell me about getting something ever so precious, in your mail. Thank you, MBC, for that which I am eternally grateful!)

Here's a trailer on the movie from youtube:

Now, thanks to YouTube, you could also watch the whole movie! BUahahaha... Just type in the keywords "Left Behind: The Movie" and voila! Leave your comments about the movie after you have watched it okay?

2006-10-30T17:51:00.000+08:00

2006-10-30T10:03:00.000+08:00

Pakistan's 'Marriage Act'

A law passed under the military dictatorship of Zia ulHaq in 1985 rules taht if a non-Muslim woman converts to Islam, her previous marriageis null and void. Radical Muslims see this law as an inviatation to kidnap, rape and bully Christian women and girls into converting to Islam. They are often forced to marry their Muslim captors, who claim that their parents and husbands have lost all right to the abducted women and girls. Through indifference, aggrement of fear, most local police simply go along with it.

In February 2001, Naira Nadia, a fourteen-year-old Christian girl, was kadnapped and gang raped by a group of Muslim men after she shared her faith with school friends. Then men forcibly converted her to Islam and sent her parents a certificate of conversion. Despite evidence that Naira was under age and therefore could not marry or convert to another faith without her parents' conscent, the presiding judge at Lahore High Court ruled in favour of the abductor. Naira has been mission for almost seventeen months. Her family filed an apeal to the Suprem court in February this year, but they are under increasing pressure from local Muslims to drop the case.

-Adapted from "True Grit"

2006-10-30T09:50:00.000+08:00

I had a dream about Pakistan yesterday morning right before i woke up (not that sure if it really was Pakistan, or Bangladesh, but may be Pakistan ba). And after that in chuch, of all things there was a mission sharing and we were to pray for Pakistan. and when i pray to God about it, i just couldn't stop crying for serious no reason at all at all. i mean i really don't know much about pakistan, why cry for no reason??? really no idea.... but i guess God is prompting me to pray for this land. so ok, i surrender and find out a little more about this place. so brothers and sister, will u join me in praying for Pakistan? =)

Pakistan

Welcome to Pakistan, “land of the pure.” This ancient land boasts some of the oldest cultures in the world. Its Muslim history dates from the 7th century when Muslim sailors first visited. Although Pakistan was a cradle for two of the world's major religions, Hinduism and Buddhism, today the nation is over 96% Muslim. Its official name is the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Unreached People Groups
Pakistan is a mosaic of ethnic groups held together by the common religion of Islam. The major ethnic groups are Punjabis, Sindhis, Brahuis, and Pushtuns (or Pathans). The Punjabis and Sindhis make up about 75% of the total population but are themselves subdivided into many groups. In addition, about 22 other distinctive ethnic groups can be identified

Language
Urdu is the official language, though it is spoken as a first language by less than 10% of the population. English is still widely used in government offices. Other major vernaculars are Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtu, and Balochi. A total of 68 languages are spoken in Pakistan, of which about 20 are spoken by at least 50,000 people.

Religion
The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a mosaic of ethnic groups held together by their common religion (97% of the population are Muslim). The government of Pakistan officially recognized Islam as the state religion in 1956, when the country was proclaimed an Islamic Republic. Freedom of religion was decreed in that constitution and in the constitutions of 1962 and 1973. Recent legislation, however, has raised questions about the future of religious freedom.

-information adapted from SIM's website...to find out more, you may want to check out
http://www.sim.org/country.asp?fun=1&CID=69

please continue to pray for this land where Islamic influence is strong.
Amen!

2006-10-25T21:37:00.000+08:00

AMY SAND EVANGELISTIC CONCERT

Date: 26th October (Thur)
Time: 1415-1515
Venue: PGP AuditoriumFree of Charge
For more details, please refer to the CVCF website at cvcf.org

Pls spread this message and invite your Chinese speaking friends to this evangelism event.
Thank you Basic!

2006-10-25T08:34:00.000+08:00

yoz! i guess we are no longer using song sheets for morning worship. but guess we may need them during CG time. so here are the songs that are in the list. please come and get it from me if u need them. =)

(1) Sweet hour of prayer --- 4 pcs

(2) Magnificent --- 4 pcs

(3) We are here to praise You --- 10 pcs

(4) Through it all --- 10 pcs

(5) Lord reign in me ---105 pcs

(6) I want to be where You are --- 10pcs

(7) Celebrate --- 12 pcs

(8) Still --- 12 pcs

(9) Heart of worship --- 12 pcs

so far we have these songs. some of them may haf a smaller quantity coz they are collected after morning worship where there are fewer people. so its up to u to print a few extra copies for CG time. yup yup... ('',)

oh, and welcome welcome to join us for morning worship at 7am B3 short wing stairs... hope to see u there!

2006-10-24T21:47:00.000+08:00

Are you BUSY?

Life Travel's Planner
LTP talk 3: Confronting Busyness with Tim Liu
this coming Friday, 27th October, 6.30pm @ Engine Bridge.

ANNTIC Registration
Strongly encourage you to take part in ANNTIC. The VCFers who have been last year were very blessed and are taking part in ANNTIC this year again!

If you are keen in participating in ANNTIC, please submit your forms by the end of October as the committee need to confirm the no. of people attending, so that they could arrange the accomodation accordingly. Information on ANNTIC could be found in our blog entry, a few entries ago (See below). Registration form could also be downloaded from the blog as well. (See Right)

2006-10-23T17:25:00.000+08:00

Since Hari Raya is coming, shall we pray for Brunei this week? (",)

Brunei, though a small nation of 328,000 people, holds potential far beyond its size. On of the richest states in SEAsia, it is also one of the strictest Islamic nations in the region. The Chinese account for approximately 15% of the population, although this continues to decrease as Chinese decide to emigrate. Many of the Chinese still follow Buddhism mixed with traditional Chinese religions and unashamedly boast a significant number of temples, together with their tribal brothers and sisters in Christ, play a key role as salt and light, and as a witness to the truth of the Gospel in the midst of the overwhelming majority Malay Muslim population.

Literacy rate: 88%

Income per person: US $25, 160 p.a.

Official language: Malay, English
Other languages: -16 total
-8 with Biblical translatioins
- 1 with NT

Major Religions: -Muslims (64.4%)
-Christians (11.2%)
-Buddhists (9.1%)
-Chinese (5.3%)

*The state religion of Islam is increasingly eroding the practice of other religions

Spiritual Focal Points:

-Kampung Ayer-- sacred cluster of 28 ancient water villages

-Omar Ali Saifuddin Mosque -- Nation's dominant Islamic centre

-Tomb of Sultan Bolkiah -- Mausoleum of former revered leader

-Royal Ceremonial Hall (Lapau) -- Site of traditional and religious events

Prayer points:

-Proselytizing is illegal, resulting in jail or deportation; pray for ways to share the good news

-many Brunei Christians have adopted a laissez faire mindset and experience a lack of boldness; pray for bold, dynamic witness

-All printing in Brunei is regulated by the government; resulting in a lack of Christian resources for the church; pray for proliferation of quality resources

-Materialism is prevalent throughout Brunei, where oil makes the country one of the richest in Asia. Pray that the people would see past materialism to the true wealth of the gospel.

have a fruitful week praying...because we know that our sovereign Father listens to prayer!

2006-10-21T18:32:00.000+08:00

Imitating Christ's Humility
Philippians 2:5 - 11

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God
something to be grasped,
but made himself nothing,
taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.

And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself and became obedeient to death --- even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

2006-10-16T09:18:00.000+08:00

Hi ECFers...
As we all know that its the month where our Muslim friends are fasting..and there are alot of Muslim exhibitions going on at the arts forum area, let's bow our heads down together and pray for the land of Banglidesh where a large portion of the population is Muslim... =)

Bangladesh

Location: South Asia

Literacy rate: 38%

Income per Person: US $360 p.a.

Official language: Bangla (Bengali)

Other languages: - 35 in total
-13 with Biblical translations
-8 with NT

Major religions: -Muslim (85.6%)
-Hindu (12.4%)
-Christian (0.7%)
-Buddhist (0.6%)

* Religion freedom is often undermined by Islamic pressure and legal system

Spiritual focal points:

- City of Bagerhat---City holds 360 mosques dedicated to Khan Jahan Ali
-Temple of Wrath (Natore) --- Dedicated to Radha
-Somapuri Vihara (Pahaur) --- Buddhist monastery south of the Himalayas
-Mausoleum of Ghiazzudin Azam Shah (Sonargaon) ---Key Islamic pilgrimage site

Prayer points:

-The church suffers from inadequate training and materials, as well as severe poverty; pray that God would provide both financial resources and workers

-The church leaders in Bangladesh are easily intimidated by government officials; pray for boldness in leadership

-Pray for evangelism--- that the truth of Christ will be clearly understood and presented

yup yup, so lets continue praying for this country and be reminded of this country whenever we see their workers in Singapore. Amen! =)

2006-10-15T17:51:00.000+08:00

When I was spending time with God yesterday in my cozy little room, back in my hometown, I sensed that the Lord has called us to gather and pray. It has been a while since we've met for a prayer meeting. Hence, I propose that we could have a prayer meeting tomorrow, 16 October, 9.30pm, the seating area outside the reading room. Afterwhich, let's gather for a supper fellowship!! Supper would be prepared. Of course, your contribution is most welcome. =)

Meanwhile, here's some prayer items that you may want to pray for this week, especially our Outreach event is just next week! How speedy does time zoom pass us? It seems like just a few days ago when we gathered in anticipation and excitement while we planned and discussed on the outreach event.

PRAYER AGENDA

1) Pray for the Outreach event.
Pray for great time of fellowship and sharing on that day itself. Pray that God would bring people to the event and may hearts of these people be soft and tender towards the gospel. Also, pray for smooth prepartion as we work towards the outreach event.

2) Pray for names of people whom you could invite to this outreach event.
Pray for willingness on your part to extend the invitation to your neighbours and friends. I know that we tend to take for granted sometimes, and assume that the posters would do all the publicity. Nothing beats your friendly smile and welcoming attitude when you invite them to the Outreach event. If you could save one life through this activity by just asking them to join the event, wouldn't the time and effort invested be worthwhile because you know you would possibly meet this person in Heaven. There's no point in having an outreach workshop when the people that matters most to the event do not turn up.

3) Pray for a Vision for Eusoff Christian Fellowship.
The committee members have been praying for a vision and direction, but we have yet to be conclusive with regard to this matter. Do pray along with us, as a fellowship group, for God to speak to us His Vision, Direction, Agenda, Purpose for ECF.

Let's Pray!
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:1

Faith, Shu Yi

2006-10-15T17:28:00.000+08:00

Asked from God

I asked God to take away my pain
God said, No. It is not for Me to take away, but for you to give it up

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole.
God said, No.His spirit is whole, his body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience.
God said, No.Patience is a by-product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is learned.

I asked God to give me happiness.
God said, No.I give you blessings. Happiness is up to you.

I asked God to spare me pain.
God said, No.Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to Me.

I asked God to make my spirit grow.
God said, No.You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful.

I asked God for all things that I might enjoy life.
God said, No.I will give you life, so that you may enjoy all things.

I ask God to help me LOVE others, as much as He loves me.
God said...Ahhhh, finally you have the idea.

2006-10-10T01:39:00.000+08:00

On Money Matters

I was very encouraged by the fact that everyone took a pledge card (all 10 of you) today, not grudgingly, but with smiles.

If by now you do not have a pledge card or wish to find out more about pledging in VCF, read on:

One of the things that is non-compulsory but nevertheless important part of a VCFer's life is pledging. It is the personal committment made by each VCFer to set aside a sum of money to give to VCF. Seniors commence their pledges from the month of July onward till the month of April the following year. Freshmen commence their pledges from August onward.

Where does the money go to?

(1) The FHS (Faculties, Halls and Standing Committees) budget. Since VCF is student-initiated, we fund all activities out of our own pockets. Grants are distributed to the individual FHS to cover their entire year's expenditures (incurred in running their various programmes and activities). For example, ECF was given a grant of around $300 for the academic year 06/07. This is how we have $$ to buy stuff like refreshments for Welcome Supper, materials for our outreach events, publicity...where else did you think the $$ came from? It would be wonderful if it just dropped from heaven though...

(2) Supporting our staffworkers. VCF is a member of FES (Fellowship of Evanglical Students), which provide us with staffworkers. VCF pledges to FES in recognition and support of their contributions toward the student ministries on other campuses and in our own.

(3) Overseas Mission Work: The Mongolian Ministry. If you would turn to the last few pages of your bright orange CG booklet, a write-up on the ministry is provided for your reading pleasure. VCF gives about $5,000 a year in support of this ministry.

How much should we give?

As your heart leads. There is no minimum or maximum amount, but VCF recommends a guideline of $15. Why $15? This takes into account VCF's total estimated expenditure for the year and our current projected membership. You do the math. You can also do the math on how to save up $15 every month. As we have discussed just now, it equates to going to Fong Seng only 3 times less per month. If you are not willing to forsake your fellowship with the other Eusoffians, you may also try to save $0.50 a day, which means you can buy fruit juice instead of your usual latte, right? Drinking too much coffee is bad for you anyways. Heh.

Who collects the $$ from me?

Yours truly. Pledge collection will take place on the first week of every month, preferably during CG. As for now, all of you have to pass me your pledges (Seniors-4 months worth and freshmen-3 months worth) to me by Thursday, 12th October. This is because VCF has a corporate bank account and there is a minimum sum of $3000 that needs to be in the account, otherwise they will start deducting $30 every month. As it is, we are way under $3000 for the month due to AnnTic needing to pay off the deposits for accommodation and transport etc. (If you don't know by now, AnnTic stands for Annual Teach-In Camp, please sign up to get early bird discount!)

Without the pledges coming in, the bank will keep deducting $30 every month when the amount is under $3000, which is an unwise use of VCFer's money. I will be handing the $$ to VCF's treasurer, Weili, on Friday, so please get your pledges to me by Thursday night!

So...?

As I shared with everyone just now, Sopphia's pastor's story is a very good illustration of the biblical basis of giving. (If you don't remember the story, please go ask your fellow ECFer. Heh.)

I also asked all of you to name one good thing that God has given to you. Many of you mentioned salvation, yes, a gift so precious and yet so free. Some of you shared of other good things (if you haven't noticed, God gives good things to us in abundance), for example, Lionel and his upcoming marriage, Michelle and her family, Joshua and his coming to NUS.

God is an altruistic God i.e., He gives freely to us without asking anything in return, and He won't mind how we spend the blessings that He has given to us. But imagine how God will feel if we give what He has given us to further His kingdom (like how the pastor treasures what his daughter has given him)!

I also understand if any of you have financial difficulties, especially the international students (I, being one of them and totally struggling with $$). Maybe you would like to turn to the following passage on the bible:

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

9 As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever."

10 Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness.

11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

...

If you can feel the Spirit stirring within your heart, do not hesitate and ask me for a pledge card now!

Luv,

Mel

2006-10-09T20:19:00.000+08:00

AnnTic 2006

This year, for the Annual Teach-In-Camp 2006, we are glad to announce that it is a combined camp for both NUS & NTU CF! The theme for this year is Holiness and we will be covering the book of Hosea.

At the same time, we have undergone a revamp! This year, we will not just be having bible studies and listening to the invited speakers, but we will be covering IBS as well! What is IBS? It is Inductive Bible Study! We will be covering 4 levels of study, namely, "Once upon a time" i.e. Narratives, "Ancient Letters for modern readers" i.e. Epistles, "The first Christian Songs" i.e. Poetry and "Back to the future" i.e. Prophecy. In addition, we will be having our standard "Workshops", in which we'll explore specific issues to your interest. The invited speaker for the camp is Dr. Patrick Fung. Dr. Patrick Fung is General Director of Overseas Missionary Fellowship (OMF) International. But be warned, sign up is on a 1st come 1st serve basis! Look forward to a wonderful time this 11th-16th of December 2006, in Port Dickson, Malaysia for AnnTIC!!!

Date: 11-16 Dec 2006
Venue: Port Dickson Ocean View Resort
Theme: Holiness. Other topics covered during the workshops will include Sin and salvation, Hearing God's Voice, Homosexuality and Introduction to Buddhism and Restoration.

Deadline for Early Bird Registration: 14 Nov 2006 (Last FT for the semester)
You're encouraged to register early. Pls fill up the consent form and bring it along with a deposit of $55 at the next FT (17 Oct 2006) at the AnnTic booth.
Early Bird who registers for Anntic would be entitled to early bird discounts. If participant register before 14 Nov 2006, the AnnTic committee would be offering the price of $145.

For more information, you can call Peishan at 98622485 or Shi En 96847771.

" The following are some very attractive reasons to be
signing up for Anntic this year *smile*:

1) The foremost important reason is of course to learn God's word. This will be an excellent time to learn and focus on God just right after our exam tensions.

2)Inductive Bible Study will be included into the camp. Definitely cost worthy because on its own it costs an additional charge of $30?? It will be included into the camp at no additional charge.

3)Fellowship time with the corporate body of VCF

4)A wonderful camp venue, held in a Beach resort.

5)The list goes on..." ---Quoted from Cfer Sophia.

2006-10-09T09:48:00.000+08:00

Pray for Indonesia!

Hmm...recently the haze is a little bad. we're already feeling the effect in Singapore, what about those people in Indonesia?furthermore Indonesia is a land where there is a large population of Muslim..its the month of Ramadan (is it spelt like this?) now...so let us bow our heads down together and pray for these people who our heavely Father has created...

Indonesia:

Population: 212.991,926

Income per Person: US $450 p.a

Literacy rate: 83%

Official language: Bahasa Indonesia

Other languages: -726 in total
-with 20 Bible translation
-38 with NT

Major religions: -Muslim (80.3%)
-Christian (16%)
-Hindu (1.9%)
-Buddhist/Chinese (0.8%)

*Islam is given strong preferential treatment, restricting Christian influence and open evangelism

Spiritual Focal Point

-Mt Gunung Agung (Bali)-- Most actively worshipped mountain

-Mt Bromo (Java) --Volcano through which spirits of the dead must pass into paradise

-Borobudur (Java) --Main Buddhist temple resembling the mythical Mt. Meru

-Pura Besakih (Bali)-- Hindu "Mother Temple", location of Eka Dasa Rudra festival

-Southern Sumatra ruins of old Buddhist Capitals of Srivihaya Era

Prayer points

-widespread evangelism is difficult beacause of Islamic influence. Pray for God's guidance and direction

-Due to Chinese settlement of Borneo, Buddhist continues to thrive. Pray for whole families to accept Jesus as Lord

-The islands of Bali (Hindu), Sumba and Flores are heavily influenced by animism, idolatry and Christian syncretism; Pray for Indonesians to know the truth

-Fewer missionary visas are being granted by Indonesian government; Pray for President staff that the restrictions against Christianity will be lifted. Pray for rapid multiplication of Christian witnesses.

God really works through prayer and He will not slumber, even as He hears us pray. Let's continue to "pray till we are really praying", for these people. Amen!

2006-10-08T21:20:00.000+08:00

Social Actions Committee Discussion Group 2

Topic: "The Media as Social Commentary"
Date: 11th October 2006 (Wednesday)
Venue: YIH Committee Room 2 (near NUSSU Secretariat)
Time: 7pm - 9pm
*Note: Please come on time as we will be watching a Singapore Short Film as our topic of dicussion.

Discussion Group and Teaching topics for next semester:
- Social Actions and National Policy (Feb 07)
- Political Theology (Mar 07)

The Social Actions Committee is a new standing committee (Ad-hoc) of VCF and it aims to inculcate an attitude of social awareness and social responsibility in the society of each VCFer. It is about making our Christian faith practical and relevant in the community that God has placed us in reaching out to the less fortunate and speaking up on injustices for God's people and creation.
For more information on the committee and our activities, or if you are interested in being a part of the committee, you can email http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vcfscactcomm/post?postID=REhfrTvyNYVH6iaV2uxjK6r5KwH2oML3DtWb5dw2To4h3-tkrizQ85r61DRsykdmWrufkycBbzn7wF52.

Evangelism Enrichment Course

Date: 14th October 2006 (Saturday)
Time & Venue: 9am to 5am @ Aldersgate Methodist Church (Besides Fairfield Methodist Sec Sch)
Pls inform Kayan, our M&E coordinator, if you're interested to attend by 10 Oct 2006, Tuesday. You're strongly encouraged to go. Shall we make it an OG enrichment outing? hee... =)

Program for the day
0900: Report
0915 - 0945: Worship
0945 - 1200: Workshop 1 {Topic>>> Apolegetics Questions}

1200 - 1300: Lunch

1300 - 1500: Workshop 2
{Topic>>>Giving a gospel presentation that is clear and comprehensive}
1500 - 1630: Workshop 3 {Topic>>> Follow-up}

1630 - 1700: Dismissal

2006-10-08T01:15:00.000+08:00

A Glimpse of Heaven

I had a short conversation with Justin over MSN a week ago. He told me that he was very blessed and happy for the gathering between EH and TH christian fellowship. He said that it was really good when two ministries gather and become closer to each other. He even suggested that there's a possibility for us to have combined CG meetings or even becoming sister CGs.

I was very moved and encouraged by how such a small and casual gathering could impact and bless others in such a big way. This idea of having a combine gathering started in June when Hui-en, the TH CF hall chairperson, and I felt the need to establish a connection between EH and TH. This is especially necessary because EH and TH have always been known in the hall circle as direct competitiors. In the past, way beyond my time.. (HA!), EH and TH didn't really have a friendly relatioship with each other.

It was a simple gathering when we met at Michelle's place for card games and yummy dinner prepared by Michelle's mama. I arrived late because I had to work. I was tired when I arrived. But, I was truly blessed after I left.I was blessed because I get to meet and befriend brothers and sisters in Christ from the neighbouring hall. I was blessed because it is the beginning of a closer relationship between EH and TH. I was blessed because God has assured me that EH CF is not alone in her service to the Lord, TH CF is serving the Lord with us. We are serving together united in Christ. Thank you Lord for the TH CFers. =)

The gathering gave me a glimpse of what it would be like in the future and onwards when I meet my Lord and other brothers and sisters in Heaven. It was a great time of rest and fun interacting with one another during the gathering. I could imagine that the same would occur when I am in Heaven. In fact, I believe the joy of gathering around our God and worshiping Him would be more intensified than I could imagine. =)

After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:

"Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying

"Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honour and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!"

Revelation 7:9-12

How wonderful is this?

Serving the Lord as a body of Christ

Being part of Varsity Christian Fellowship

Not just being connected to TH CF, it was also an agreement with other hall ministries to stay united as a body of Christ and establish mutual friendships with one another. Hence, inter hall CF gathering was organised.

Having such combined events allow me to see EH CF from a larger and broader perspective. Our ministry in EH belongs to a larger body, Varsity Christian Fellowship (VCF). It is good to have a sense of belonging to VCF because I realise that it is one body of Christ from differents halls and faculties... different "tribes" and "nations"... different "body parts" who come together to serve the Lord our God.

The various ministries are different parts of a body, under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, who is the head of this body. When one part is suffering from pain, the other parts of the body would be affected and feel the pain as well. When that part of the body is becoming healthier, the rest of the body would experience relieve and a lighter spirit as a result of its recovery. Indeed, when one ministry is prospering, I would be happy for them. Similarly, when a ministry suffers, I would be affected, upset and be burdened to pray for them.

As it is written in Ephesians 4:16, "From him (Jesus Christ) the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work."

Faith, Shu Yi

2006-10-04T13:14:00.000+08:00

Right: Dr. Bobby Sng in discussion

Fellowship Teaching 2

-Student Ministry and Its Value
Speaker: Dr. Bobby Sng
Date: 19th September 2006

Passage: 1 Corinthians 16:5-9

5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you --for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you awhile, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

Student Ministry: A great door to share the gospel with students

1. Difficulty in proving truth of gospel is itself only half the truth
- University education ENCOURAGES exploration of different avenues of truth - including religious truth

2. "Now that you have been to university, there must be something universal in your thinking" - Prof A Oppenheim (1956 - 1965) 1st Vice Chancellor U o Malaya

3. As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Prov 27:17)

4. Growth of the Christian population by highest qualification attained
- Primary 6%
- Secondary 14.6%
- Post-sec 20.8%
- Uni 33.5%
- (National Average 14.6%)

5. People are encouraged to think for themselves and more open to gospel

Student Ministry equips people to serve in church

- Student ministry is never an end in itself

- Purpose of student work is to benefit the church

- To pass on the blessings of student ministry

- The Right Revd Dr Joshua Chew Wei Ren (ex VCF/NTUCF?)

Student Ministry equips people to serve in society

- Salt and light - graduates will have influence - with this privilege comes the responsibility to use this influence for God

- St. Luke's Hospital was founded by GCF (1952 batch that graduated in 1955)

The Great Commission

Paul did not go back to Corinth - a "great door" had opened to him :

1 While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"

They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."

3 So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"

"John's baptism," they replied.

4 Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus."

5 On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7 There were about twelve men in all.

8 Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. 10 This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

There were churches in places that Paul never visited (e.g. church at Laodicea). These people could have heard Paul at Ephesus, in the lecture hall.

International students come to Singapore - some from countries that do not have religious freedom. Think of the impact for the gospel when they go back to their home countries. Singaporeans (and Malaysians) will also go abroad!

Student ministry is "forever beginning". Each student coming in to university faces this door of opportunity afresh.

p/s: The sound recording of this session is available under the "Downloads" section.

2006-10-03T23:16:00.000+08:00

Outreach Focus Month

Plans for Outreach Focus Month

Eusoff Christian Fellowship

02 Oct 2006 (Monday) - CG meeting and Outreach Bible Study 1 (9pm @ blue oyster)

09 Oct 2006 (Monday) - CG meeting and Outreach Bible Study 2 (9pm @ blue oyster)

17 Oct 2006 (Tuesday) - Fellowship Teaching 3

23 Oct 2006 (Monday) - CG meeting and Internal Movie Screening (9pm @ blue oyster)
Any suggestions for movies? Thinking of showing a movie that shows the life of a missionary.

30 Oct 2006 (Monday) - Outreach: Stainglass Painting Workshop (Tentative)
There will be a preparation session prior to the Outreach Event. Keep a look out at the announcements!

We need helping hands for the prepartion of the Outreach Event. Please approach Kayan, our Mission and Evangelism co-ordinator. Don't worry of not knowing what to help. We have plenty of opportunities for you to serve the Lord in many different ways. What is more important is your willingness to serve. Be willing because it is a privilege to serve our Lord. =)

2006-10-01T00:44:00.000+08:00

Do you love me?

One day, I woke early in the morning to watch the sunrise. Ah, the beauty of God's creation is beyond description. As I watched, I praised God for His beautiful work. As I sat there, I felt the Lord's presence with me.

God: He asked you, "Do you love me?"

Me: I answered, "Of course, God! You are my Lord and Saviour!"

God: Then He asked, "If you were physically handicapped, would you still love me?"

Me: I was perplexed. I looked down upon my arms, legs and the rest of my body and wondered how many things I wouldn't; be able to do the things that I took for granted. And I answered, "It would be tough Lord, but I would still love You."

God: Then the Lord said, "If you were blind, would you still love my creation?"

Me: How could I love something without being able to see it? Then I thought of all the blind people in the world and how many of them still loved God and His creation. So I answered, "Its hard to think of it, but I would still love you."

God: The Lord then asked you, "If you were deaf, would you still listen to my word?"

Me: How could I listen to anything being deaf? Then I understood. Listening to God's Word is not merely using our ears, but our hearts. I answered, "It would be tough, but I would still listen to Your word."

God: The Lord then asked, "If you were mute, would you still praise My Name?"

Me: How could I praise without a voice? Then it occurred to me: God wants us to sing from our very heart and soul. It never matters what we sound like. And praising God is not always with a song, but when we are persecuted, we give God praise with our words of thanks. So I answered, "Though I could not physically sing, I would still praise Your Name."

God: And the Lord asked, "Do you really love Me?"

Me: With courage and a strong conviction, I answered boldly "Yes Lord! I love You because You are the one and true God!" I thought I had answered well, but...

God: God asked, "THEN WHY DO YOU SIN?"

Me: I answered, "Because I am only human. I am not perfect."

God: "THEN WHY IN TIMES OF PEACE DO YOU STRAY THE FURTHEST? WHY ONLY IN TIMES OF TROUBLE DO YOU PRAY THE EARNEST?"

Me: No answers. Only tears.

God: The Lord continued: "Why only sing at fellowships and retreats? Why seek Me only in times of worship? Why ask things so selfishly? Why ask things so unfaithfully?"

Me: The tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

God: "You are blessed with life. I made you not to throw this gift away. I have blessed you with talents to serve Me, but you continue to turn away. I have revealed My Word to you, but you do not gain in knowledge. I have spoken to you but your ears were closed. I have shown My blessings to you, but your eyes were turned away. I have sent you servants, but you sat idly by as they were pushed away. I have heard your prayers and I have answered them all." "DO YOU TRULY LOVE ME??

Me: I could not answer. How could I? I was embarrassed beyond belief. I had no excuse. What could I say to this? When I my heart had cried out and the tears had flowed, I said, "Please forgive me Lord. I am unworthy to be Your child."

God: The Lord answered, "That is My Grace, My child."

Me: I asked, "Then why do you continue to forgive me? Why do You love me so??

God: The Lord answered, "Because you are My creation. You are my child. I will never abandon you. When you cry, I will have compassion and cry with you. When you shout with joy, I will laugh with you. When you are down, I will encourage you. When you fall, I will raise you up. When you are tired, I will carry you. I will be with you till the end of days, and I will love you forever."

Me: Never had I cried so hard before. How could I have been so cold? How could I have hurt God as I had done? I asked God, "How much do You love me?" The Lord stretched out His arms, and I saw His nail-pierced hands. I bowed down at the feet of Christ, my Saviour. And for the first time, I truly prayed.

2006-09-30T10:40:00.000+08:00

Stepping out of the Boat. Walking on Water.
The Power of Faith - Moving beyond an intellectual Faith, progressing toward to an experiential Faith.

When we trust God and believe in Jesus, we would experience the power of our Faith in Christ.

When Jesus called out to the disciples, "Take courage! It is I", they know and understand Jesus as a kind of intellectual faith.
Peter responded to Jesus' call. He obeyed Jesus and got out of the boat. Peter believed in Jesus that he could walk on water because Jesus has called him to do so. Peter took his first few steps and he remained above the water. This is the power of faith - the ability to walk on water. Peter's intellectual knowledge of Jesus had been transformed into an experiential faith when he took that step of faith out of the boat and onto the water.

In addition, his experiential faith is further enhanced after he met the wind. When Peter feared and his faith wavered with the disturbance of the wind, he began to sink and cried out to Jesus for help. Jesus did not abandon him. He stretched out His hands to save him. Jesus proved to be faithful to Peter and adhere to His promises even when Peter was in the midst of a crisis.
Indeed, Jesus has shown His goodness and faithfulness to Peter. The disciples witnessed His power. "Truly you are the Son of God."

When we first know Jesus, we usually have a simplistic understanding of who Jesus is. He forms in our minds an image of a man of great character who is perfect and righteous. It remains as a kind of intellectual knowledge.

Like Peter, when we take a step further to move nearer to Jesus and know Him as a closer friend, we would experience His reality beyond what we could imagine of him in our minds. Our intellectual faith has now transformed into an experiential faith. Experiential faith convicts our hearts and imprints an indelible memory in our minds. All of a sudden, the words of God become more alive than never before. This is the power of faith - the power of experiencing the reality of our Lord Jesus Christ when one believes and obeys Him.

Hence, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let us take that step of Faith and proceed beyond our intellectual faith so that we could experience the reality of Jesus. Let our intellectual faith and understanding of Jesus be transformed to an experiential faith of intimacy with Jesus.

What then does stepping out of the boat mean to you? What is that boat which you desire to step out?

How does it feel when you realise that Jesus has called you to walk on the water? Would you trust and believe? Would you take that step of faith and inch yourself nearer to your beloved saviour?

Faith, Shu Yi

2006-09-30T10:11:00.000+08:00

Pray for Malaysia

i guess many of our fellowship-mates from Malaysia went home during the holidays. hope u guys enjoyed ur stay back home. as for this week, why don't we just bow our heads down together and pray for Malaysia? sounds good? (^^,)

Malaysia
Literacy rate: 84%

Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Official Language: Bahasa Melayu

Other Languages:
-137 in total
-15 Biblical Translations
-9 with NT

major religions:
-Muslim (58%)
-Buddhist/Chinese (21.6%)
-Christian (9.2%)

*The constitutional guarantee of religious freedom is cast aside and pressure is continually applied to convert to Islam.

Spiritual focus points:

- Kek Lok Si Temple (Penang) -- Key Buddhist temple, site of religious ceremonies

-Shah Alam Mosque (Selangor) -- Largest Mosque in the world

-Serpent Temple (Penang) -- Sacred temple where snakes are worshipped

-Islamic Center (Kuala Lumpur) -- Key government institution propagating Islam

Prayer points:
- Evangelism is strictly prohibited, many Christians have been imprisoned on such charges. Pray for the doors to be open to evangelism and for hearts open to receive

-The Islamic activists of Malaysia have devised discriminatory laws and activists extremism is on the rise. Pray for freedom and protection

-Animism and ancestor worship continue to flourish in Sarawak and Sabah; Pray for God's power and light to be known in these regions

Let's spend this week praying for this piece of land where many of our CG-mates come from. Amen!

2006-09-29T00:17:00.000+08:00

Eusoff & Temasek Christian Fellowship Gathering
Thursday, 28 September 2006 @ Michelle's House.
Thank you Michelle & Mrs Lee for your warmth and hospitality! Love ya yummy dinner. What's Fei-lowship without food? =)

"Bang Bang Bang!" Taken while we were playing 'Bang' cards.

(From Left to Right): Hui en, Andrew, Ian, Justin, Lincon, Michelle, Lester.

Really had a good time talking and getting to know friends, especially the TH people. There were other people who came too besides from those you see in the picture. Kayan and 3 other THCF people were there. They left earlier, while the rest of us stayed on with another 'bang' game. Glad that there's this gathering. Thank God for His provision. It's a good beginning for a closer relationship between EH & TH. May we continue to know each other better and serve the Lord together as a body of Christ. Praise Lord. =)

Joyously Blessed,

Faith, Shu Yi

2006-09-24T16:05:00.000+08:00

dear ECFers...
i've heard that some of u can't download the form. please let me know ur name by tonight (24/9/06), so that i can submit ur names as well. thanks! =)

2006-09-24T00:54:00.000+08:00

This is a picture of a bright yellow smiley amist the blue frowning ones..and behind is a picture of Eusoff taken on Rag Day.

Let us strive to be the light and salt in Eusoff.
Let us be the smiley among the frowns.
Let us brighten and influence the rest of Eusoff.
One day.. We'll come as one community to praise our Father in Heaven!

We shall stand out and be different because our God is exclusive! ;)

2006-09-21T09:22:00.000+08:00

Pray for Thailand

As we know that Thailand is now undergoing some changes in their society, lets put our hearts together and pray for this land:

(A little testimony)
"Lek, born in the heart of Buddhism in central Thailand was very keen to make merit in order that he could be a "righteous man". He found himself sitting in the temple praying, thinking, and pondering. During his late teenage years he recognized a yearning in his heart to know the One who made the creation around him. The trees, flowers, even people couldn't all just come from nowhere.
As he sat before the giant image in the temple he gradually began to pray to the "Creator God," yet he still referred to God as Buddha.
Over a period of about one year he experienced a converstion as explained in Romans 1: 20.

-"For since creation of the world God's invisible qualities-- His eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse"-

One day he received some literature about Jesus, and he read the Scriptures his heart burned within him. This was the same one he had been communication with in the temple and who had changed his life!

Lek's life changed even more dramatically as he left the temple, and found a group of Christians to worship with, He had met the living God in his pursuit to know Him, even in the Buddhist world.

God works in wonderful ways in converting people in a land where the gospel seems harder to reach. we pray that God will also use this opportunity for more Thais to reflect upon life, and be drawn to God. Amen.

Some information about Thailand:

Location: Southeast Asia

Leaders: King Phumiphon Adunyadet
Prime Minister: currently Thaksin Chinnawat (but they may be getting a new one on 2 weeks' time)

Population: 61,399,249

Literacy rate: 94%

Government: Constitutional monarchy

Official language: Thai, English

Other languages: -75 in total
-15 with Bible translations
-9 NT

Major religion: -Buddhists (92.3%)
-Muslim (5.2%)
-Christian (1.6%)
-Chinese (0.4%)

"Although foreign religions are protected under the monarchy, Thailand is possibly the most Buddhist country in the world"

lets pray for this land...God works through prayers! Amen!

-Adapted from "A prayer guide for the Buddhist world"-

2006-09-21T09:07:00.000+08:00

Oct Evangelism Event

praise the Lord for Christians in Eusoff. the heart for evangelism is seen through ur enthusiastic response towards the evangelism event coming up in the last week of October. =)

We have asked several Eusoffians and the idea if stain glass painting (acrylic painting) seems to be fine. Some of you have brought out the idea of shoe painting or slippers painting. we will look into the cost and other miscellaneous detail for that. thanks.

For those of you who have a burden to help out in this event, please drop me a note here, or kindly look for me k?

(1) Publicity---> Tingyu

(2) Marketing---> ? (this person has to help out in getting materials... but don't worry, we'll discuss with you what to get and so on...)

(3) Logistic---> Melissa

They aren't the only ones helping out in their various roles, coz they need help too. so please contact me if u want to help. thanks.

We hope to get some materials and start painting them for testing as well as publicity, done by next week. As we know that next week is our recess week. i know that many of us may be away from school. For those of u who are available, please be here on wed night, 27 sept 9pm to to help out. please let me know by leaving comments behind, so that i can gauge the no. of people that will turn up. thanks.

that's all for the event as for now. thanks. =)

in His grace,
kayan

2006-09-20T12:46:00.000+08:00

Great is Thy Faithfulness

His compassions never fail. They are new every morning.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:2-3

To "fix" our eyes on Jesus literally means to be fervent in prayer, to meditate His promises constantly and to depend wholly on the Spirit to live out a victorious life in Christ. This is a tall order, considering that we are constantly weakened by the plentiful distractions around us. But it is not unachievable.

Many of my Christian friends, even those who have already graduated, tell me that joining VCF or CCC during their tertiary education days have helped them in their walk in Christ immensely. Some of them, I dare say half of them, tell me that without the support from their fellow brothers and sisters on campus, they would have backslided from the faith. I cannot help but concur. Now, I'm not saying that we can all forsake going to Church and just concentrate on the ministry on campus. But it is easy to be a "Sunday Christian" and that explains why many Christians start to backslide when they stay in hall. It is not that we don't love God anymore, but we just don't bother to follow Jesus, given that there are so many other seemingly more important things to do.

In a time when changes are the only thing that is constant -- plunging into new friendships, signing up for too many activities in hall, stepping into the unknown realms of romantic relationships, trying to figure out the tertiary education system and maintain enough discipline to attend lectures and tutorials -- in dealing with all these tumultuous changes, it is easy to go about in own way using all methods but God's methods. We are weak and we are ashamed to admit it. (I'll confess, when things get tough, QT is the first to go to make way for other stuff.)

You may not realise it yet, but it is this fabric of the fellowship that we have with Christians in hall that will help us to continue to be accountable to Christ in all that we do. By the saving grace of God, we have taken the first step by joining Eusoff Christian Fellowship. Our next step is to attend CG on Mondays, Sunset Prayer on Tuesdays, Prayer Meetings once a week, Fellowship Teaching once a month... it may seem too much but these activities help (or would I say, force) us to keep in constant contact with God throughout the week, culminating in greater thanksgiving and praise on Sundays. It is then that we can truly start to fix our eyes upon Jesus in everything that we do.

When God sets standards in the bible, you can be sure that He is faithful to help us achieve it. I would like to challenge you to one more thing -- Morning Prayer&Worship. It's downright early (for us Eusoffians, at least) but it is more important to start the day right with God. I can't believe it myself (ask Michelle) but if I have done it for the past 2 days, so can you. And I feel good too. There's something about lifting up praises to God early in the morning TOGETHER with your friends that miraculously brightens your day and lessens your burden. The half-hour session is also the perfect time to pray as a group regarding God's work in Eusoff. Let our singing and rejoicing be heard in the heavens and in Eusoff.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another --and all the more as you see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

In His love,

Mel.

2006-09-19T01:39:00.000+08:00

Fellowship Teaching 1

Luke 9:18-27

Conviction, Count the Cost, Carry the Cross.

Being a Christian Student, not a Student Christian.

1) Convicted of the Word

What is the conviction? (V3-5)
How many of us will go out with nothing but clothes in our bag to preach the gospel?
Do you have the conviction to believe that our God will provide?

Being convicted of the Word is beyond an intellectual discourse of the bible. It falls short of the application of the Word. To be convicted of the Word, one has to learn to apply the teachings of the written Word in our lives and be transformed by the living Word.

2) Count the Cost of Following Christ. Count the Cost of Discipleship. [V22-V23]
(Luke 14:25-35)

Death of Christ: Son of Man must suffer and die.
Death of ourselves: Denying ourselves, giving up our own sinful desires to pursue after God's desire and will.

What is the cost of discipleship on campus?
It may be at the expense of our time for school work, relationship with friends, family, grades, play time...etc.

A Christian student on campus has various commitments, such as VCF programme, church ministry and family relationships, to juggle with. When we juggle with so many varied commitments on our palette, we would usually struggle with following Jesus and spending time with Him in the midst of the hectic schedule as a student. To follow Jesus and count the cost of discipleship, we have to make priorities and choices. Ultimately, we are called to primarily worship and Follow Him. Things that are apart from Christ's agenda in our lives have to be prioritized so that we would not compromise on our time with Christ and short change Him in the process. The cost of discipleship is high. We proclaim to be Christians which means we also recognize that the cost of following Jesus is high. So why pay the price???

---- Because we know that Jesus worth all the while---- heart, soul, mind and strength.

3) Carrying the cross [V24 - 27]

(Luke 14:25-35)

The cross has been a symbol of suffering of Christ. It's similar to putting convicts today on an electric chair. Do we carry our cross today for the sake of what Christ has done on it for us? And carrying it means we live for the sake of Christ. The cross was the price Jesus paid to purchase our lives. Are we living up to what Jesus has used to bought us for eternity? Do we live for an eternal value or just for the temporal?

Is our identity in Jesus Christ? What is our self worth? Is our self-worth determined by our grades in school, the amount of salary that we are earning or even the friends we have? These are some success markers in our world today. Those we have met the mark are usually deemed to be more successful. However, all of these are temporal. They would cease to exist one day. We ought to have an eternal perspective.

Our self-worth should instead be defined in Christ. We are worth nothing to begin with. But, when our identity is forged in Christ, we are worth everything. We are worth so much that Jesus died for us.

If we are convicted, we can strive to obey and become Christ-like. We have to crucify ourselves daily and learn to our carry our crosses. Hence, we have to deny ourselves, our ambitions, our time... The cost is indeed great.

Conclusion

The world we live in focuses on survival of the fittest. Indirectly, it encourages one to be self-centered, ambitious and result-oriented. Being a Christian student, however, has a conflicting perspective. We emphasize the importance of living holy and righteous lives for God. We could become revolutionary because when we live Godly lives, we are empowered and could change the campus and the world in the process.

We are not just university students.

We are FULL TIME Christians, PART TIME students! :)

2006-09-17T17:10:00.000+08:00

Moving Against the Tides.

Living in the world, but not of the world.

I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

John 12:24-26

You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy.

James 4:4

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2:9

We are His chosen people. We are called to serve Him and follow Him. God reminded us that we are to live holy lives that are pleasing to Him. He warned us against from becoming friends of the world because we would become His enemies and lose our lives eternally.

Here is a timely reminder for all of us in this new semester and academic year, especially for the freshmen who have just begun staying in hall. Hall culture is unique in itself. As much as we are excited and would like to engage in the hall activities and culture, we have to be aware of some of the habits and lifestyle that are directly contradictory to Jesus' teachings. We would come to discover that we are constantly moving against the tides. For the freshmen who have just begun your journey of discovering a new life in hall, it is wise to make a stand and be grounded in Jesus, so that you would not be easily swept by the conflicting hall cultural tides.

Hence, be grounded in Jesus. Be equipped to move against the tidal waves.
Be a witness for Christ in Eusoff Hall. Onward BASIC!

Faith, Shu Yi

BASIC: Brothers & Sisters in Christ

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