On va a Montreal!" :)
Thanks for the 'car plat' guys! :)
Thanks for the 'car plat' guys! :)
BTW, little Gabriel will be celebrating his 1year old birthday tomorrow.
God bless! Leeking
Friday, November 23, 2007
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mr One Year Old Gabriel-24th Nov 2007
BTW, little Gabriel will be celebrating his 1year old birthday tomorrow.
God bless! Leeking
Raising the Bar
Hi all,
How are you doing?
Just thought I might drop in to say hello to all of you and maybe share one thing or two about what I sense that God is doing in the midst of our preparation to go. Most of the things is probably something personal that God is challenging myself but for some reason I believe it will somehow relate to all of us...
Lately while praying and seeking God I really felt the impression that God is asking me to raise the bar to a new level. Just that word RAISING THE BAR keeps coming back. Well actually I kind of got some kind of shock not because I think I'm good already but I really felt the urgency to rise up.
I'm quite a straight forward person (most times ;op) and I think God is challenging me to raise the bar in some areas in my life: intimacy with Him and my relationship with Him, ministry skills in many ways: worship, speaking skills, language, knowledge about the world and the things around about me, knowledge about other churches there is in the body of Christ, health etc. So I'm currently trying to intentionally improve in some areas... It will take a while, I'm a very slow learner but hopefully I'm going in the right direction.
Another thing that I think all of us should really pray regarding Montreal is for PURPOSE. Yes we all know the general purpose and what we all need to do but I'm talking about special specific purpose that God Himself can lay in our hearts. This can only come through seeking Him and His will for our lives... So I hope and pray that each one of us are prepared to seek God individually to receive this purpose with conviction, Amen...
Your sister in Christ,
Mel
How are you doing?
Just thought I might drop in to say hello to all of you and maybe share one thing or two about what I sense that God is doing in the midst of our preparation to go. Most of the things is probably something personal that God is challenging myself but for some reason I believe it will somehow relate to all of us...
Lately while praying and seeking God I really felt the impression that God is asking me to raise the bar to a new level. Just that word RAISING THE BAR keeps coming back. Well actually I kind of got some kind of shock not because I think I'm good already but I really felt the urgency to rise up.
I'm quite a straight forward person (most times ;op) and I think God is challenging me to raise the bar in some areas in my life: intimacy with Him and my relationship with Him, ministry skills in many ways: worship, speaking skills, language, knowledge about the world and the things around about me, knowledge about other churches there is in the body of Christ, health etc. So I'm currently trying to intentionally improve in some areas... It will take a while, I'm a very slow learner but hopefully I'm going in the right direction.
Another thing that I think all of us should really pray regarding Montreal is for PURPOSE. Yes we all know the general purpose and what we all need to do but I'm talking about special specific purpose that God Himself can lay in our hearts. This can only come through seeking Him and His will for our lives... So I hope and pray that each one of us are prepared to seek God individually to receive this purpose with conviction, Amen...
Your sister in Christ,
Mel
Sarah Ching's Prayer Points
My prayer points for 24th Oct 2007:
(1)Spiritual life remain strong and growing for
everyone of us.
(2)Spiritual covering in all areas, physically,
financially, emotionally, ....
(3)Keep our hearts and mind right and live righteous
lives before God and man.
(4)God to provide ways to enter in Montreal.(jobs, PR)
(5)God to prepare hearts of the people in Montreal to
receive spiritual revival.
(6)None of us will give up or change our minds due to
whatever circumstances if we are sure this is God's
calling for us.
Micah 6:8
"What does the Lord require of you but to do justly,
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
sister in Christ:
Sarah
(1)Spiritual life remain strong and growing for
everyone of us.
(2)Spiritual covering in all areas, physically,
financially, emotionally, ....
(3)Keep our hearts and mind right and live righteous
lives before God and man.
(4)God to provide ways to enter in Montreal.(jobs, PR)
(5)God to prepare hearts of the people in Montreal to
receive spiritual revival.
(6)None of us will give up or change our minds due to
whatever circumstances if we are sure this is God's
calling for us.
Micah 6:8
"What does the Lord require of you but to do justly,
to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"
sister in Christ:
Sarah
Saturday, October 20, 2007
London's Hope Church Planters
Dear Montreal Team, Both Mel and i had the honor to meet up with Ps PK and Kim Tse during our previous trip in the US at the North American Annual Camp (NAAC) in Seattle. Back in 1998, i was in Bangkok Thailand for the 2nd time attending what was then called- International Pastors Conference (IPC). During one of the sessions, we were asked to pray for this man who was to be sent out to start a church in London. I looked up and saw an elderly man being prayed for. Some guy called PK. My first thoughts were...hmm...he's kinda looks old enuf to be my dad- that's impressive!! My second thought; interesting name- PK; like the name of the chewing gum we have in Australian :) Ps PK and his wife Kim Tse left their secure and comfortable environment in Hong Kong to pioneer a church in the United Kingdom.
website: http://www.hopelondon.org/about_us.htm
That was almost 9 years ago and the seed that was planted in his heart and sister Kim Tse back in 1998 has flourished and blossomed. Watch and listen in London. Hope London has since given 'birth' to 2 daughter churches- Hope Leeds (2002) & Hope Ealing (2005). We applaud them and are deeply inspired by their commitment and example.
To hear and watch Ps PK and Kim Tse's inspiring story and their growing churches , go to http://petruong.blogspot.com/; scroll down and click on Sightseeing in London(UK)- Hope United KIngdom. It is such a blessing and privilege to be in partnership with God and His faithful servants who are committed to His vision in our Hope Family.
(Mat 13:31-32 NIV) He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. (Mat 13:32 NIV) Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."
Be prepared my fellow seed church planters :) Montreal city, we are coming!! Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and God bless!
warmest regards,
bENG
That was almost 9 years ago and the seed that was planted in his heart and sister Kim Tse back in 1998 has flourished and blossomed. Watch and listen in London. Hope London has since given 'birth' to 2 daughter churches- Hope Leeds (2002) & Hope Ealing (2005). We applaud them and are deeply inspired by their commitment and example.
To hear and watch Ps PK and Kim Tse's inspiring story and their growing churches , go to http://petruong.blogspot.com/; scroll down and click on Sightseeing in London(UK)- Hope United KIngdom. It is such a blessing and privilege to be in partnership with God and His faithful servants who are committed to His vision in our Hope Family.
(Mat 13:31-32 NIV) He told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. (Mat 13:32 NIV) Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches."
Be prepared my fellow seed church planters :) Montreal city, we are coming!! Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and God bless!
warmest regards,
bENG
Monday, October 8, 2007
Voyage d'Exploration de Montréal 2007 (Montreal Exploration Trip 2007)
Montréal Diaries.
Our first and final exploration trip
It was a warm humid day when Pei Shu, Mellyana and I finally landed in Montréal via Chicago. The date was August 20th 2007 approximately 1300hrs Eastern Daylight Time. To our dismay after delays and traveling for almost 10 hours from Seattle, we found out that our luggages were still in Chicago. Trying to claim our baggages back as we discovered, was a very complicated process. We felt utterly helpless at times in this new and foreign French speaking city. It became clear to us that God was reminding us that He is in control, even when things don’t go as planned. From day1, God wanted us to look to Him and depend fully on Him. In the mean time, we improvised and stayed focused on our mission here. Armed with some local knowledge of the city, we embarked on our exploration of this city with downtown Montréal. Our luggages finally arrived in Montréal’s Dorval airport after 3 days of aggravating wait which was pleasantly softened by God given peace. Hallelujah!!
One of the oldest cities in North America, with a population of close to 3.5 million, Montréal is Canada's second largest English-speaking urban centre and the largest French-speaking city of the world after Paris.The downtown area is very well connected by metro and bus system. Montréal is culturally diverse, hip, easy-going, affordable, well informed and very much liberal in their lifestyle and worldview.
During our trip to Montréal, we
1. Surveyed potential suburbs in starting the church and our accomodation
2. Gathered information to confirm our entry vehicles for study and work conditions
3. Visited the local churches and met with Christians in Montréal
4. Initiated friendships with key local Montréalers
5. Studied the local community – culture, lifestyle, living standards, language, migrants, universities, gay friendly environment, spiritual atmosphere, etc.
The two most frequently asked questions to both mel and myself are, ‘Why Montréal?’ & ‘When are you planning to go?’ The answer to the first question is simply because we want to be obedient to God’s vision (Acts 26:19). It is also a strategic move for our Hope movement both in the natural and in the spirit. At present, we have 6 adults and 2 children confirmed as team#1 for Montréal. Our current target month and year to land in Montréal is by August 2008. If you are interested to learn more about our plans or would like to be included in our mailing list-‘Friends of Montréal’, please email me at montreal2008@gmail.com.
In His Service,
bENG CHEAH
Our first and final exploration trip
It was a warm humid day when Pei Shu, Mellyana and I finally landed in Montréal via Chicago. The date was August 20th 2007 approximately 1300hrs Eastern Daylight Time. To our dismay after delays and traveling for almost 10 hours from Seattle, we found out that our luggages were still in Chicago. Trying to claim our baggages back as we discovered, was a very complicated process. We felt utterly helpless at times in this new and foreign French speaking city. It became clear to us that God was reminding us that He is in control, even when things don’t go as planned. From day1, God wanted us to look to Him and depend fully on Him. In the mean time, we improvised and stayed focused on our mission here. Armed with some local knowledge of the city, we embarked on our exploration of this city with downtown Montréal. Our luggages finally arrived in Montréal’s Dorval airport after 3 days of aggravating wait which was pleasantly softened by God given peace. Hallelujah!!
One of the oldest cities in North America, with a population of close to 3.5 million, Montréal is Canada's second largest English-speaking urban centre and the largest French-speaking city of the world after Paris.The downtown area is very well connected by metro and bus system. Montréal is culturally diverse, hip, easy-going, affordable, well informed and very much liberal in their lifestyle and worldview.
During our trip to Montréal, we
1. Surveyed potential suburbs in starting the church and our accomodation
2. Gathered information to confirm our entry vehicles for study and work conditions
3. Visited the local churches and met with Christians in Montréal
4. Initiated friendships with key local Montréalers
5. Studied the local community – culture, lifestyle, living standards, language, migrants, universities, gay friendly environment, spiritual atmosphere, etc.
The two most frequently asked questions to both mel and myself are, ‘Why Montréal?’ & ‘When are you planning to go?’ The answer to the first question is simply because we want to be obedient to God’s vision (Acts 26:19). It is also a strategic move for our Hope movement both in the natural and in the spirit. At present, we have 6 adults and 2 children confirmed as team#1 for Montréal. Our current target month and year to land in Montréal is by August 2008. If you are interested to learn more about our plans or would like to be included in our mailing list-‘Friends of Montréal’, please email me at montreal2008@gmail.com.
In His Service,
bENG CHEAH
Weekly group prayer chain (chaîne de prière) is established
I'm so excited for this that now from Monday the 8th of October we finally start on our Weekly group prayer chain (chaîne de prière). It does sound so much better in French...
Beng came up with this idea which I though was brilliant. And since we have 6 adults (and 2 children of course) and we can have a rather continuous prayer happening almost everyday of the week. But Praise God who provides a complete part of the Prayer chain. Truly when God provides, he doesn't just give us with left overs or second best. He always gives His own children with the best, especially when we are obedient children and desires to do His will... Amen.
God brought Doyin along. She is gifted in the area pf prayer, intercession, and prophecy among a few other giftings and in Hope Brisbane she has established herself as a sister with a strong ability not just to get into the presence of God in Prayer and Worship but also to lead others into God's presence in Prayer.
So here we are. The whole complete team of 7 people praying for 7 days consecutively:
Monday :Beng
Tuesday :Sara
Wednesday :Pei
Thursday :Mel
Friday :Jabez
Saturday : Doyin
Sunday Lee King
I would like to thank everyone for availing yourselves to pray. Your presence and prayer and heart for the Kingdom of God matters... Every bit of thoughts, sweat, tears, efforts that you put into this vision will totally pay off in due time!!! Amen... The things you do will be like seeds that is small in nature and insignificant by itself but when many many many seeds are gathered and planted and watered and grown by God Himself, it is powerful force to be reckoned with...
My heart is filled with joy whenever God reveals to me what can happen in the future of Hope Montreal. Do not fix our eyes just to the things surrounding us right now (with circumstances and situations, problems, preparations) but upon the Lord and let Him take you to dream of the things that can become when He takes us... ordinary vessels into something useful for His Kingdom.
Beng came up with this idea which I though was brilliant. And since we have 6 adults (and 2 children of course) and we can have a rather continuous prayer happening almost everyday of the week. But Praise God who provides a complete part of the Prayer chain. Truly when God provides, he doesn't just give us with left overs or second best. He always gives His own children with the best, especially when we are obedient children and desires to do His will... Amen.
God brought Doyin along. She is gifted in the area pf prayer, intercession, and prophecy among a few other giftings and in Hope Brisbane she has established herself as a sister with a strong ability not just to get into the presence of God in Prayer and Worship but also to lead others into God's presence in Prayer.
So here we are. The whole complete team of 7 people praying for 7 days consecutively:
Monday :Beng
Tuesday :Sara
Wednesday :Pei
Thursday :Mel
Friday :Jabez
Saturday : Doyin
Sunday Lee King
I would like to thank everyone for availing yourselves to pray. Your presence and prayer and heart for the Kingdom of God matters... Every bit of thoughts, sweat, tears, efforts that you put into this vision will totally pay off in due time!!! Amen... The things you do will be like seeds that is small in nature and insignificant by itself but when many many many seeds are gathered and planted and watered and grown by God Himself, it is powerful force to be reckoned with...
My heart is filled with joy whenever God reveals to me what can happen in the future of Hope Montreal. Do not fix our eyes just to the things surrounding us right now (with circumstances and situations, problems, preparations) but upon the Lord and let Him take you to dream of the things that can become when He takes us... ordinary vessels into something useful for His Kingdom.
First group prayer of October 2007
Praise God for the opportunity for praying together at our house in Brisbane.
We organised group prayer dedicated for Montreal once every two weeks and I was in charge for this particular week. We decided after looking at everyone's schedule to have the prayer meeting on saturday nights. It's very hard to find a time that suits everybody because Pei is in the afternoon service and it's hard to find a good time when everyone is available. So I was quite excited when finally we decided on this day and time.
Pei discovered that she double booked herself and had a very important appointment so she couldn't make it. Since it was just three of us left: Beng, Doyin and myself I seriously considered of cancelling the meeting. I should have learnt from past experience that no matter what happens (especially) before a prayer meeting, it shouldn't deter us from going to God in prayer because God is still waiting, availing Himself for that appointment. Thank God for Beng who decided to keep the meeting on. Please someone remind me in the future when this happens again (when something comes up before a prayer meeting) that we should try our best to go ahead anyway...
We had about 50 mins prayer; This was the actual program we did:
1. Worship: Jesus we enthrone you
2. Free worship and prayer, interceding for Montreal and for the effort for church planting there. Asking God to reveal points to pray and scripture for the team
3. Sharing
4. Prayer over the points that God reveal to us
5. Closing
Prayer points/ things revealed by God
- Eph 3:10
(Eph 3:10 NIV) His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
This gave us assurance of God's perfect/ideal/only plan for this world through the church. This really affirms us of our mission in God. That this is God's vision and mission for us, not of our own.
We might be just ordinary people and inadequate in many ways but God is able and He will enable us to fulfill the task ahead. It is not by my might or power but by the spirit of the Lord.
- Eph 3:20
(Eph 3:20 NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
This gave us confirmation/link from the above scripture. That we can do more than what we imagine. We shouldn't be afraid to dream...
- If we do things God's way we will succeed and if we do things our way we will fail
- We need to pray for FAITH to claim for the things God wants to give to us
- Pray for COURAGE and PERSISTENCE. That we'll be people of promise not of circumstances. This is later confirmed by word of prophecy that we are children of promise not of circumstances or our own work. Just like Abraham and Sara waited for Isaac, the child of promise, we shouldn't get distracted with the things that we need to do by ourselves doubting the fulfillment of God's promise (Resulting in the birth of Ishmael)
- Pray for God to reveal to us the BLUE PRINT for the Montreal church
- Pray and ask God for the KEY to the city of Montreal
- Pray against the spirit of FEAR. to guard our hearts against it, because sometimes fear creep in silently and brings darkness to our heart. Rebuke this in Jesus name...
- There will be opposition working actively against us, so the team must INTENTIONALLY put on THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD
(2 Cor 10:5 NIV) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
We organised group prayer dedicated for Montreal once every two weeks and I was in charge for this particular week. We decided after looking at everyone's schedule to have the prayer meeting on saturday nights. It's very hard to find a time that suits everybody because Pei is in the afternoon service and it's hard to find a good time when everyone is available. So I was quite excited when finally we decided on this day and time.
Pei discovered that she double booked herself and had a very important appointment so she couldn't make it. Since it was just three of us left: Beng, Doyin and myself I seriously considered of cancelling the meeting. I should have learnt from past experience that no matter what happens (especially) before a prayer meeting, it shouldn't deter us from going to God in prayer because God is still waiting, availing Himself for that appointment. Thank God for Beng who decided to keep the meeting on. Please someone remind me in the future when this happens again (when something comes up before a prayer meeting) that we should try our best to go ahead anyway...
We had about 50 mins prayer; This was the actual program we did:
1. Worship: Jesus we enthrone you
2. Free worship and prayer, interceding for Montreal and for the effort for church planting there. Asking God to reveal points to pray and scripture for the team
3. Sharing
4. Prayer over the points that God reveal to us
5. Closing
Prayer points/ things revealed by God
- Eph 3:10
(Eph 3:10 NIV) His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
This gave us assurance of God's perfect/ideal/only plan for this world through the church. This really affirms us of our mission in God. That this is God's vision and mission for us, not of our own.
We might be just ordinary people and inadequate in many ways but God is able and He will enable us to fulfill the task ahead. It is not by my might or power but by the spirit of the Lord.
- Eph 3:20
(Eph 3:20 NIV) Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
This gave us confirmation/link from the above scripture. That we can do more than what we imagine. We shouldn't be afraid to dream...
- If we do things God's way we will succeed and if we do things our way we will fail
- We need to pray for FAITH to claim for the things God wants to give to us
- Pray for COURAGE and PERSISTENCE. That we'll be people of promise not of circumstances. This is later confirmed by word of prophecy that we are children of promise not of circumstances or our own work. Just like Abraham and Sara waited for Isaac, the child of promise, we shouldn't get distracted with the things that we need to do by ourselves doubting the fulfillment of God's promise (Resulting in the birth of Ishmael)
- Pray for God to reveal to us the BLUE PRINT for the Montreal church
- Pray and ask God for the KEY to the city of Montreal
- Pray against the spirit of FEAR. to guard our hearts against it, because sometimes fear creep in silently and brings darkness to our heart. Rebuke this in Jesus name...
- There will be opposition working actively against us, so the team must INTENTIONALLY put on THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD
(2 Cor 10:5 NIV) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
On the last note, I just want to extend my welcome again to Doyin that has committed for her heart, time, support and friendship towards the fulfilment of the plans of God for us as a team and for Hope Montreal.
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