letter from the director-2011-05

4
May 2011 Dear mission partners, A young student, from Mainland China, came to study in England after he finished his first degree in Singapore. Be fore he came to the UK, he labeled himself as a free thinker and knew nothing about Christianity. Through a Chris tian friend on his course, he signed up for COCM Mandarin Easter Conference this year – Life Empowered, expect ing nothing but making some Chinese friends in this foreign land. As soon as he arrived at the conference, he was assigned to a small group. He did not know anyone in the group initially and was overwhelmed by some group members’ and STM members’ impressive achievements. But as time went on, he began to notice though these Christians have impressive worldly qualifications, they seemed to be very different and did not boast about it. Sur prisingly, when he started to share his past experience with the others in the group, he felt that he was warmly ac cepted by all in his group. It was such a relief so that he started to enjoy the teachings, the music and the outdoor activities with the others in the following days. It was through a long chat with a STM team member from the USA that he began to understand Christianity. On the last day, he decided to receive Christ as his God and Saviour. Later in his testimony on the last night, he shared with us that it was the sincere love and care from the other Christians that made him feel the love of God. His friend, who brought him to this conference, went up to the front and the two boys hugged in tears! This is only one of the lifechanging stories among many others. Although this Easter conference was mainly for strengthening the faith of the young Christians, yet still many brothers and sisters were eager to bring their non Christian friends. I was impressed to see that most of these young people openly discussed their pains and struggles with their group mates, and the Holy Spirit was freely working among them to touch, to heal, and to transform their young lives. Please join me to pray for these young people, who will continue to open themselves to God and allow Him to build up their lives! I am also grateful to God for sending a STM team comprising of 15 people from the USA to work with us in this con ference. Although many of them have impressive qualifications, they came here with a servant attitude. Because of this, they went back home encouraged by God’s amazing work among these young students and blessed through the lives of those they served. Meanwhile, we should not forget that many of our staff workers had been silently labouring at the backstage throughout the years in different places. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy (Psalm 126:5). I believe that whatever we do for the sake of Jesus will be remembered in His kingdom and I pray that the Lord of the harvest will send out more workers to His harvest field. On 14 th May, COCM will organize a Mainland Chinese Student Ministry Consultation at the mission centre. We invit ed those who are involved in this ministry from the Englishspeaking churches along with the Chinese churches. We pray that this consultation will be a fruitful one, through which we will partner with the likeminded churches and organizations to reach out to one of our priority target groups – Mainland Chinese students, and to advance His kingdom together! In this Easter season, our missionary Mary Ma who is based in Brighton helped to organize the play The Passion of Christ depicting Jesus’ ministry on earth, and his crucifixion and resurrection. It is particularly meaningful that it was the first time that the play was shown on the Brighton beach where Hudson Taylor received his vision from God to start China Inland Mission in 1865. During the show, hundreds of thousands of people were passing by and staying around the beach. Like many other European cities, the Christian messages are also very much needed in Brighton. By organizing this show, we saw a wonderful way for our Chinese people to return the spiritual debt to the early missionaries who sacrificed their lives for our ancestors. We pray that COCM, as a Chinese Christian mission based in Europe, will not only witness to the Chinese diaspora living here but also share God’s love with the local people. We pray that the scene of Jesus being crucified on the cross for our sins will have a lasting impact on people’s lives in Brighton and beyond! Serving together in Christ, Rev. Henry Lu General Director

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study in England after he finished his first degree in Singapore. Before he came to the UK, he labeled himself as a free thinker and knew nothing about Christianity.....

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Page 1: Letter from the Director-2011-05

   May  2011    Dear  mission  partners,    A  young  student,  from  Mainland  China,  came  to  study  in  England  after  he  finished  his  first  degree  in  Singapore.  Be-­‐fore  he  came  to  the  UK,  he  labeled  himself  as  a  free  thinker  and  knew  nothing  about  Christianity.  Through  a  Chris-­‐tian  friend  on  his  course,  he  signed  up  for  COCM  Mandarin  Easter  Conference  this  year  –  Life  Empowered,  expect-­‐ing  nothing  but  making  some  Chinese  friends  in  this  foreign  land.  As  soon  as  he  arrived  at  the  conference,  he  was  assigned   to   a   small   group.  He   did   not   know   anyone   in   the   group   initially   and  was   overwhelmed   by   some   group  members’   and   STM  members’   impressive   achievements.   But   as   time  went   on,   he   began   to   notice   though   these  Christians  have  impressive  worldly  qualifications,  they  seemed  to  be  very  different  and  did  not  boast  about  it.  Sur-­‐prisingly,  when  he  started  to  share  his  past  experience  with  the  others  in  the  group,  he  felt  that  he  was  warmly  ac-­‐cepted  by  all  in  his  group.  It  was  such  a  relief  so  that  he  started  to  enjoy  the  teachings,  the  music  and  the  outdoor  activities  with  the  others  in  the  following  days.  It  was  through  a  long  chat  with  a  STM  team  member  from  the  USA  that  he  began  to  understand  Christianity.  On  the  last  day,  he  decided  to  receive  Christ  as  his  God  and  Saviour.  Later  in  his  testimony  on  the  last  night,  he  shared  with  us  that  it  was  the  sincere  love  and  care  from  the  other  Christians  that  made  him  feel  the  love  of  God.  His  friend,  who  brought  him  to  this  conference,  went  up  to  the  front  and  the  two  boys  hugged  in  tears!    This   is   only  one  of   the   life-­‐changing   stories   among  many  others.  Although   this   Easter   conference  was  mainly   for  strengthening  the  faith  of  the  young  Christians,  yet  still  many  brothers  and  sisters  were  eager  to  bring  their  non-­‐Christian  friends.  I  was  impressed  to  see  that  most  of  these  young  people  openly  discussed  their  pains  and  struggles  with  their  group  mates,  and  the  Holy  Spirit  was  freely  working  among  them  to  touch,  to  heal,  and  to  transform  their  young  lives.  Please  join  me  to  pray  for  these  young  people,  who  will  continue  to  open  themselves  to  God  and  allow  Him  to  build  up  their  lives!    I  am  also  grateful  to  God  for  sending  a  STM  team  comprising  of  15  people  from  the  USA  to  work  with  us  in  this  con-­‐ference.  Although  many  of  them  have  impressive  qualifications,  they  came  here  with  a  servant  attitude.  Because  of  this,  they  went  back  home  encouraged  by  God’s  amazing  work  among  these  young  students  and  blessed  through  the  lives  of  those  they  served.  Meanwhile,  we  should  not  forget  that  many  of  our  staff  workers  had  been  silently  labouring  at  the  backstage  throughout  the  years  in  different  places.  Those  who  sow  with  tears  will  reap  with  songs  of  joy  (Psalm  126:5).  I  believe  that  whatever  we  do  for  the  sake  of  Jesus  will  be  remembered  in  His  kingdom  and  I  pray  that  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  will  send  out  more  workers  to  His  harvest  field.    On  14th  May,  COCM  will  organize  a  Mainland  Chinese  Student  Ministry  Consultation  at  the  mission  centre.  We  invit-­‐ed  those  who  are  involved  in  this  ministry  from  the  English-­‐speaking  churches  along  with  the  Chinese  churches.  We  pray  that  this  consultation  will  be  a  fruitful  one,  through  which  we  will  partner  with  the  like-­‐minded  churches  and  organizations   to   reach  out   to  one  of  our  priority   target  groups  –  Mainland  Chinese   students,  and   to  advance  His  kingdom  together!    In  this  Easter  season,  our  missionary  Mary  Ma  who  is  based  in  Brighton  helped  to  organize  the  play  The  Passion  of  Christ  depicting  Jesus’  ministry  on  earth,  and  his  crucifixion  and  resurrection.  It  is  particularly  meaningful  that  it  was  the  first  time  that  the  play  was  shown  on  the  Brighton  beach  where  Hudson  Taylor  received  his  vision  from  God  to  start  China  Inland  Mission  in  1865.  During  the  show,  hundreds  of  thousands  of  people  were  passing  by  and  staying  around  the  beach.  Like  many  other  European  cities,  the  Christian  messages  are  also  very  much  needed  in  Brighton.  By  organizing  this  show,  we  saw  a  wonderful  way  for  our  Chinese  people  to  return  the  spiritual  debt  to  the  early  missionaries  who  sacrificed  their  lives  for  our  ancestors.  We  pray  that  COCM,  as  a  Chinese  Christian  mission  based  in  Europe,  will  not  only  witness  to  the  Chinese  diaspora  living  here  but  also  share  God’s  love  with  the  local  people.  We  pray  that  the  scene  of  Jesus  being  crucified  on  the  cross  for  our  sins  will  have  a  lasting  impact  on  people’s  lives  in  Brighton  and  beyond!    Serving  together  in  Christ,                                                                                                                                        Rev.  Henry  Lu                                                                                                                                                                                                      General  Director  

Page 2: Letter from the Director-2011-05

   二零一一年五月    親愛的宣教夥伴們,            有這樣一位年輕的學生,他來自中國大陸,曾在新加坡求學,之後來到英國。在來英國之前,他信奉宗教信仰自由,對基督教沒有任何了解。來到英國之後,通過一個基督徒的朋友,他報名參加了

COCM 復活節國語營會——“給力青春”,他來參加這個營會的唯一目的就是想要在異國他鄉結識一些中國朋友。他剛來營會,一下見到那麽多陌生的面孔,有些拘謹;當他聽到這些同齡人的學歷成就之後,

更讓他產生了強烈的自卑感。可是出乎意料的是,當他開始與人分享他的經歷時,非但沒有被人看低,

反而得到大家友善的接納。這樣的接納讓他在之後的幾天時間中自在地參與營會的各種講座,跟大家一

起唱贊美詩歌,並且一起參加戶外活動。在跟一位美國短宣隊員長談後,他對基督教有了更深的瞭解,

並在營會的最後一天接受了耶穌基督作為他個人的救主。在最後一個晚上的見證分享會上,他說正是因

為弟兄姊妹們真誠的關懷和愛心讓他看到神的愛。最後,那個帶他來營會的弟兄跑到臺前,兩個大男孩

緊緊擁抱在一起,淚流滿面,臺下一片掌聲!          這只是眾多改變生命見證中的一個片斷。雖然這次復活節的營會主要是為了幫助那些初信的基督徒在靈命上成長,但是一些熱心的弟兄姊妹們還是帶來很多他們未信主的朋友。我看到在營會中,很多年

輕人都在小組中分享他們過去生命中的創傷和掙紮,如此敞開的分享令我印象深刻。我也看到聖靈自由

運行在這些年輕人的生命中,做醫治和改變的工作,請跟我一起為這些年輕人禱告,當他們離開營會之

後,仍能繼續向神敞開他們的生命,並讓神在他們的生命中成就奇妙的工作。          我要特別感謝神差派了 15 位弟兄姊妹,組成短宣隊從美國遠道而來。他們每個人都帶著一顆仆人的心來到營會中謙卑地服事年輕的弟兄姊妹。因此,看到神在營會中的工作,他們自己也受到鼓舞,並

借著他們所服事的弟兄姊妹從而祝福他們自己的生命。我禱告求神讓更多在歐洲以外的弟兄姊妹看到歐

洲宣教工場的需要,並願意加入到歐洲宣教的行列中。同時,我們也不應該忘記那些常年在歐洲各地默

默耕耘的宣教同工們,那流淚撒種的必要歡呼收割(詩篇 126:5)。我堅信,今天我們為主所擺上的一切都將在神國被紀念,同時我也禱告,那莊稼的主必會打發工人去收他自己的莊稼。           5 月 14 日,COCM 在宣教中心還將舉行中國大陸留學生事工研討會,我們邀請了很多正在從事此項事工的弟兄姊妹參與其中,他們中不但有來自英文教會的,也有一些從華人教會來。我禱告此次的研

討會能大有果效,求神能借著這個機會讓我們與志同道合的教會和宣教機構攜手合作,將福音帶給我們

的優先布道群體之一——中國大陸留學生,讓我們在主裏一同拓展神的國度!          此次復活節期間,COCM 在布萊頓的同工馬艷華宣教士與當地的教會一起合作,將描寫耶穌受難復活的露天話劇 The  Passion  of  Christ搬上舞台,這部前後長達三小時的話劇於復活節主日,在布萊頓的海邊上演。1865 年,戴德生正是在布萊頓的海邊得到了從神而來的異象,從而創建了中國內地會。在話劇表演的過程中,我們看到成千上百的人從旁經過,並在海邊嬉戲。跟很多其他歐洲的城市一樣,布萊

頓也十分需要福音,通過這個話劇的籌備和演出,我們看到,華人如今也可以在歐洲這片土地上來償還

福音的債,來償還那些早期去到中國的宣教士為著福音的緣故為我們的同胞所擺上的一切。COCM 作為一個由中國人在歐洲創建的宣教機構,不僅僅要向散居在此的華人傳福音,同時也要將神的愛帶給居住

在這裡的歐洲人。我們禱告,願耶穌的十字架和赦罪的恩典能長久地烙印在人們的心中,不僅僅影響布

萊頓這個地方,更要影響和改變整個歐洲的面貌!    在主裡與你們同工的,    呂子峰牧師  總幹事    

Page 3: Letter from the Director-2011-05

   二零一一年五月    亲爱的宣教伙伴们,            有这样一位年轻的学生,他来自中国大陆,曾在新加坡求学,之后来到英国。在来英国之前,他信奉宗教信仰自由,对基督教没有任何了解。来到英国之后,通过一个基督徒的朋友,他报名参加了

COCM复活节国语营会——“给力青春”,他来参加这个营会的唯一目的就是想要在异国他乡结识一些中国朋友。他刚来营会,一下见到那么多陌生的面孔,有些拘谨;当他听到这些同龄人的学历成就之后,

更让他产生了强烈的自卑感。可是出乎意料的是,当他开始与人分享他的经历时,非但没有被人看低,

反而得到大家友善的接纳。这样的接纳让他在之后的几天时间中自在地参与营会的各种讲座,跟大家一

起唱赞美诗歌,并且一起参加户外活动。在跟一位美国短宣队员长谈之后,他对基督教有了更深的了解,

并在营会的最后一天接受了耶稣基督作为他个人的救主。在最后一个晚上的见证分享会上,他说正是因

为弟兄姊妹们真诚的关怀和爱心让他看到神的爱。最后,那个带他来营会的弟兄跑到台前,两个大男孩

紧紧拥抱在一起,泪流满面,台下一片掌声!          这只是众多改变生命见证中的一个片断。虽然这次复活节的营会主要是为了帮助那些初信的基督徒在灵命上成长,但是一些热心的弟兄姊妹们还是带来很多他们未信主的朋友。我看到在营会中,很多年

轻人都在小组中分享他们过去生命中的创伤和挣扎,如此敞开的分享令我印象深刻。我也看到圣灵自由

运行在这些年轻人的生命中,做医治和改变的工作,请跟我一起为这些年轻人祷告,当他们离开营会之

后,仍能继续向神敞开他们的生命,并让神在他们的生命中成就奇妙的工作。          我要特别感谢神差派了15位弟兄姊妹,组成短宣队从美国远道而来。他们每个人都带着一颗仆人的心来到营会中谦卑地服事年轻的弟兄姊妹。因此,看到神在营会中的工作,他们自己也受到鼓舞,并借

着他们所服事的弟兄姊妹从而祝福他们自己的生命。我祷告求神让更多在欧洲以外的弟兄姊妹看到欧洲

宣教工场的需要,并愿意加入到欧洲宣教的行列中。同时,我们也不应该忘记那些常年在欧洲各地默默

耕耘的宣教同工们,那流泪撒种的必要欢呼收割(诗篇126:5)。我坚信,今天我们为主所摆上的一切都将在神国被纪念,同时我也祷告,那庄稼的主必会打发工人去收他自己的庄稼。           5月14日,COCM在宣教中心还将举行中国大陆留学生事工研讨会,我们邀请了很多正在从事此项事工的弟兄姊妹参与其中,他们中不但有来自英文教会的,也有一些从华人教会来。我祷告此次的研讨

会能大有果效,求神能借着这个机会让我们与志同道合的教会和宣教机构携手合作,将福音带给我们的

优先布道群体之一——中国大陆留学生,让我们在主里一同拓展神的国度!          此次复活节期间,COCM在布莱顿的同工马艳华宣教士与当地的教会一起合作,将描写耶稣受难复活的露天话剧The   Passion   of   Christ搬上舞台,这部前后长达三小时的话剧于复活节主日,在布莱顿的海边上演。1865年,戴德生正是在布莱顿的海边得到了从神而来的异象,从而创建了中国内地会。在话剧表演的过程中,我们看到成千上百的人从旁经过,并在海边嬉戏。跟很多其他欧洲的城市一样,布莱顿

也十分需要福音,通过这个话剧的筹备和演出,我们看到,华人如今也可以在欧洲这片土地上来偿还福

音的债,来偿还那些早期去到中国的宣教士为着福音的缘故为我们的同胞所摆上的一切。COCM作为一个由中国人在欧洲创建的宣教机构,不仅仅要向散居在此的华人传福音,同时也要将神的爱带给居住在

这里的欧洲人。我们祷告,愿耶稣的十字架和赦罪的恩典能长久地烙印在人们的心中,不仅仅影响布莱

顿这个地方,更要影响和改变整个欧洲的面貌!    在主里与你们同工的,    吕子峰牧师  总干事  

Page 4: Letter from the Director-2011-05

 

 

   We  lifted  up  our  hands  to  praise  our  God.  我們高舉雙手來敬拜我們的主!  

Good  weather  and  good  mood  好天氣,好心情  

   Commit  ourselves  to  bear  the  cross  

獻上我們年輕的生命來背起耶穌的十字架  Practicing  our  servant  attitude  操練我們僕人的品格  

 STM  team  members  from  the  USA  and  COCM  staff  workers  

美國短宣隊成員及COCM同工  

Many  people  standing  and  watching  the  Passion  play  on  Brighton  beach  很多人在布萊頓的海邊觀看了這部描寫耶穌受難復活的露天話劇  

May  the  power  of  the  cross  have  the  lasting  impact  on  people’s  lives  願耶穌的十字架在人們心中留下長久的烙印