God Has Called Me To Do Something For Others - Kerrhui

Today, one of the questions that we were supposed to think about was "How has STEP help you in discovering God's calling for you", and I was stuck. Initially I kept thinking that I did not really discover any calling from God, but I guess I was hoping for God to give me a very clear and definite feeling that He is calling me to do something. 

But our God works in all sorts of ways. Now after reviewing the 3 weeks of STEP, I kept remembering Abigail's phrase, "We are here not by chance," and I thought that it makes a lot of sense. There must be a reason why all of us are here at this point of time. Then I thought of the time at Healthserve. 

Most of the time during STEP, I was passive and just let others voice out their doubts and thoughts while I sit down listening without responding. It was only that day at Healthserve where I was participating more actively. As each group was assigned to a foreign worker, my group had Uncle Yan Ming, who has become a brother in Christ after he came to Healthserve. He is a great testimony who has experienced peace and joy from God at the lowest point of his life and is so passionated to spread the good news to his family back into China. When we asked him his favourite church song, it was so touching to hear him say it is '这一生最美的祝福', which means 'knowing God is his greatest blessing in life'. Though he wants to spread the gospel to his friends and family back in China, he told us that he is worried that he do not know how to spread it since he does not know the Bible well. However, he is willing to try by sharing his testimony.

This made me realised that I should be ashamed for not spreading the gospel when I have the means and reasons to do so. Spreading the gospel can also be done through simple ways like sharing one's testimony yet I do not even do that. As we closed off with a prayer for his issues like injury compensation and family's salvation, I felt the need to keep on prayer for him. I believe God uses Uncle Yan Ming to place a burden in my heart and let me see things differently. God let me hear the heart wrenching situations of migrant workers' lives and see the need of hope and gospel in their lives. After knowing all these, there is no way I could close one eye and do nothing about it.

We do not always have to do great things, but simple things like talking to them, encouraging them and praying for them can also be a form of ministering. Especially praying. I always believe in the power of prayer and how we should always have the burden to pray for others. 

As I thought about the migrant workers, I was reminded of how I have a mission field right at the place I lived. I may not have to talk to them all the time, but at least I could pray for them. There are so many things to pray for: their safety, health, family, salvation... I see plenty of workers every day and it is little things like smiling at them, giving them recognition that could make their day better and be a living testimony of Christ to them. Remember, you may be the only Bible that others read.

Kerrhui

Need To Put Theology Into Action - Kerrhui

Initially, I was quite skeptical of the trip to the farm and Healthserve, and I thought what could I learn from these programs when we will mostly be doing labour work instead of learning? However, it turned out that week 3 has been the most impactful week in STEP for me. This is because we saw many living testimonies right in front of our eyes and even have a first hand experience with God's mission fields in Singapore. 

The trips to Onesimus Garden and Healthserve were definitely an eye-opener for me and I realised how oblivious and ignorant I had been towards social issues and needs in Singapore. Indeed, as Pastor Andrew Choo exhorted, we often see and hear the problems, yet do not take any actions. No matter how much we hope to help the needy, without action, nothing will be done. 

I have been thinking, even though we have been gaining a lot of information and theological education in the first 2 weeks, if we do not integrate the learning into our lives and put the learning into use, then what is the use of the newfound knowledge? Actions really speaks louder than words.

Another important factor when it comes to doing God's mission, is the intentions behind doing 'good'. Many speakers pointed out how most of the time we are doing 'good' to benefit ourselves, to make ourselves feel good and seems saintlike instead of actually thinking of the ones in need. Mr. Timothy from Healthserve gave us a wonderful example of 'wrong intentions': he mentioned how some students came proposing big ideas to him for CIP and he would immediately reject them. It is because such 'supposedly great ideas' are meant to benefit the students by allowing them to complete their CIP hours and it is often a one-time off project that does little in aiding the needy in the long run. So when we do this, we are not actually thinking of the needy, but rather ourselves. 

The lesson learnt is that we also need to have commitment in doing mission. We should commit ourselves to such ministry for a long term, and not just pass and go. I would want to help out, but for how long, I do not know. I think that there is a need for me to rethink my motives and pray about it.

Kerrhui

Continue To Learn As Our Faith Grows - Kerrhui

Being a cell group leader, I always thought I knew enough to teach and that alone was sufficient. However as I listened to more talks, the more I knew I was lacking. As the speakers mentioned about different books, writers or names, I was shocked at how people around me seems to know most of them yet they are about the same age as me. This shows that it is either they are too passionate about knowing things related to Christianity or that I am lacking behind. I think the latter would be more true. 

Other interns show me that I should not be satisfied with the little knowledge I have towards our faith and God, but actively seeks to understand Him more. It might be easy to profess ourselves as Christians, but it will need much more to maintain and uphold our faith. Even our current level of knowledge is not enough. We might not be able to remember things we have learnt after a year perhaps, and thus there is a need to constantly read up to enhance our understanding of God and be constantly reminded of the life God wants us to live out. 

It is just like how our faith works. There is never a point where our ministry or our knowledge of God is enough. We are like a car driving up a slope. As we learn God's word continuously, we will have growth (move up the slope), but once we stop yearning for His word, it does not mean our growth can be maintained at that level. Instead, we will backslide. We should always aim to progress when we are running our race of faith.

Also, without reading and studying more, we could interpret things wrongly and preach the wrong teachings. As Rev. Tan Tiong Ann mentioned, 'If you deviate a little now, in the long run, it will make a BIG difference'. This is especially important for everyone who are being leaders, role models or teachers in church. We might think what we know is right and spread the knowledge to our peers. But once we deviate from the truth, even if it is only by a little bit, it could spread wrong messages to those learning from you, and it might continue to be pass on and on and on...

Kerrhui

You Have Been There For Me - Kerrhui

I think I had been acting pretty reserved during the 1st week of STEP. I was being socially awkward as I'm facing a lot of personal issues which are making me emotionally tired and thus it was hard for me to talk much to others. Initially, I thought I would just leave STEP with lots of theological knowledge and not much strong bonds with the other interns because of my quietness and since we are listening to talks most of the time and not interacting. 

However, things changed in the 2nd week. I am very glad that STEP has meticulously planned a fellowship time for us (Botanical Gardens). I could have chosen not to join the fellowship since the venue was far and frisbee wasn't really my thing. But our God works in miraculous ways and He saw the need in me. As I was really busy with STEP and some church ministry this month, I couldn't fellowship with my church mates. God knew that I needed fellowship and He provided for me. Somehow I just ended up in Botanical Gardens and had a great fellowship time. Though I might not have shown out my feelings, I truly enjoyed the fellowship time with everyone, even when I'm just being a listening ear. 

Once again I'm being reminded of the importance of fellowship, how it is not something we should neglect or overlook. According to Hebrews 10:25, "And let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another-- and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

I had almost forsaken the fellowship time with STEP interns, and I'm thankful that God brought me back to show me His love through His people. It's great that STEP is not just all about knowledge and learning, but also caring and ministering. 

Remembered the story Jean Chiew shared during the Youth Sharing, where she saw this girl among the crowd and just asked 'are you okay' and stood beside her in awkward silence? The girl ended up asking for a hug and cried. Now I feel like I'm that girl and you all have been the one comforting me. Your presence alone is sufficient. You might not know what you have done, but I just want to let you know, you have been there for me.

Kerrhui

All Christians Need Theological Education - Kerrhui

My church's notice board showing the different sectors of my church's ministry and the church's mission: To lead people to Lord Jesus, and enable them to become a member of God's family, be involved in ministry and mission, and glorify God's name. (Translated from Chinese to English.)

Through the first few days of STEP, I realised the importance of theological education for every single Christian. It does not only teach us more about faith and strengthen our faith and understanding of our God but more importantly it enables us to think, face, and solve problems in lives in ways that are pleasing to God. Even though I am just a young adult in church, I need to be theologically educated. 

In fact, all Christians have to be theologically educated. Only when our foundation is based on God's word and teachings, we can grow in Christ and be more Christlike. Furthermore we should always strive to learn more, so that we can be the salt and light to the people and fellow Christians among us. As Prof. Simon Chan have shared, there are both 'farmers' and 'chemists' in churches. With theological education, we can be sure that we are there to guide other fellow Christians in the correct path through the use of God's teaching and not by our own actions and thinking.

I enjoyed the talk on 'Youth Ministry in Transition' by Dr. Calvin Chong as I felt that the topic is very relevant to me. It highlighted the problems of many churches which I am much familiar with, so it connected to me on a deeper level. 

One point he mentioned was about how youths are leaving to join mega churches, which are said to be engaging, fun and interesting. I always knew that we should avoid attending such churches, but I never knew the exact reasons, so I did not know how to encourage people to join other churches instead. However the talk had shed light on how the "contemporary gospel" focuses differently from ours, making them more 'appealing' to the public. Perhaps we have been trying too hard to engage the youths by making our programs fun like what the mega churches are doing, and by choosing our 'vehicle' first, we lose track of our values and visions. 

Again, there is a need to build our foundation on our Christian values and God's teachings, so that that what we do would be pleasing in God's eyes. So far I have been learning many wonderful teachings and there are definitely many learning points which I can bring back to my own church to share with my fellow friends.

Chau Kerrhui

Becoming An Unexpected Leader - Kerrhui

I joined STEP with the notion that I'm just here to learn more about the history of Christianity and about the faith I believe in. It was purely out of interest and the yearning for more answers and knowledge. 

However, on the first day, I felt pressured with the expectations STEP had for us: as future leaders of the church, etc. pastors, deacons or elders. I have never thought that I would become one but I guess it pushes me to think more about God's ministry in the future and how I should play a part in it too. 

As a young adult, the thought of serving a big role in church may seem daunting and far-fetched, but I guess it might be that sometimes we are just unwilling to commit the time and effort and make excuses that we are still too young or unqualified. However, as one of the devotion team shared, we should not feel unqualified as 'God does not call the Qualified, He qualifies the Called'. Even though we have nothing to offer to God, God enables us to do His work. Also, as Pr. Gideon mentioned, we are young and unexperienced, but we can still play a part and make a difference to the church. Therefore, since we are the Called, we can and should do things with the help of God.

I also didn't know that STEP would be conducted primarily in English, since I'm from a Mandarin congregation and the STEP ppt shown to me was in Chinese. I was having difficulties absorbing from the talks initially since my English is not as good and the speakers are pretty eloquent and profound. Therefore when questions were asked, the way I have understood it may differ from how the others have understood it, making me hesitant to sharing answers and ideas. 

However, I did enjoy the talks even though I might have missed out some points here and there. One important thing I have learnt about Presbyterianism is its characteristics: focus on mission and church planting, literacy and education, and reform based on Scripture. At least now I know Presbyterian churches' emphasis on God's word, total acknowledgment of God's sovereignty in the Church and regard of Jesus Christ as first priority should also become the values I hold on in life and impart to the future generations.

Chau Kerrhui