Church Building First Anniversary and Baptism 2003

Date: 7th December 2003
<Snap Shots>

見證 Witness


 

陳永昌牧師

「若不是耶和華建造房屋，建造的人就枉然勞力。
若不是耶和華看守城池，看守的人就枉然儆醒。」

詩篇127﹕1


時光飛逝，轉眼間我們入伙已近一年了。回想當初，我們為著購堂的決定，曾經開了多少次會議；特別是當Tempe教會在去年七月出售時，我們一方面在會議中商討，另一方面發起全面禱告，看看神的帶領。不久神就啟示衪的心意，在會員大會中我就向全會眾分享，讓大家知道神要帶領我們離開舊堂去到一個「踏腳」的堂舍，然後返回本區，至於何時返回，神卻沒有啟示。

事後回看，神的作為真是奇妙﹗衪先藉Tempe教會的出現，使有嫌隙的肢體和好，令會眾更同心和合一。大家雖然明白到遷往Tempe是艱辛的，但大家仍願意擺上，神就悅納這點心意。於是基於神的憐憫，免卻我們奔波到Tempe，就立即將一所更合宜的堂舍賜給我們，這就是現時我們聚會的地方。原來Tempe教會就是那一塊踏腳石，然而踏腳的時間非常短，會眾便以合一的心從舊堂遷到現時的新堂。神那奇妙的計劃及美善的作為實在令人讚嘆不已﹗

接收新堂舍的第一天晚上立即舉行感恩祈禱會，有多位肢體參加，當晚Lyman弟兄受感動即時決志信主，神就這樣給了我們第一顆福音果子；使我們高興萬分，更藉此鼓勵我們繼續傳揚福音。Hallelujah！讚美主！其後兩週內教會上下眾肢體齊齊努力裝修堂舍，出錢出力，就在０２年１１月開始了第一次崇拜。

遷堂後第一件最緊迫的事，就是開展第二代的英語崇拜；讓第二代能在屬於自己的地方自由地敬拜，這也是急於遷堂的其中一個主因。於是立刻組識了崇拜核心小組，進行了數個訓練後，就立即開展新事工。開始時已頭頭是道，不久，還得到其他教會的讚許。年青人的投入感及歸屬感大大提升了，他們的恩賜也得以發揮。其後主也帶領了英語牧者Megan協助英語事工，以建立及裝備年青信徒為主，期望訓練他們成為有質素的領袖，繼續推展英語事工。

在這一年內，感謝神的恩典，神在教會中不斷工作，祂使各部全力以赴、盡心盡力地事奉，使教會弟兄姊妹在屬靈生命方面更趨成熟，正如保羅說﹕「我栽種了，亞波羅澆灌了，惟有神叫他生長。」林前3﹕6。神又顯著地加增年青人及兒童的人數，又讓教會的領導步向年青化。種種現象都表明神正在塑造及建立我們的教會。我們相信神會使用我們的教會，在這充滿憂傷及苦難的世代中，要傳揚衪那美善的聖名和衪那全備的救恩。願神親自祝福及賞報服侍祂的弟兄姊妹。

展望未來，第一，教會要強調一整體的大家庭觀念，我們現時有中文堂（成人為主），英語堂（青年為主）及兒童崇拜（兒童），雖然有三大組，其實是一家人，不分彼此，在互相愛護及彼此支援合作的氣氛下，更有效地推展天國基業。第二，教會必須不斷地發掘、栽培及訓練領袖。因為神盼望教會能擁有一群有屬靈質素的領袖，他們不會高舉個人的才能和經驗，不會擴展個的野心和意慾；乃是高舉耶穌基督，追求明白聖經真理，有飢渴慕義；願意尋求神的帶領，敏感於聖靈在教會中每一步的推動，並且願意調整自己以配合神的計劃，好讓神的工作得以成就。這樣教會才能活起來，有生氣及動力，信徒亦能享受到與神同工的美妙。

第三，教會要不斷擴展，以滿足主的心。植堂是現時讓教會增長的其中一個很好的途徑，一方面可激勵更多信徒接受裝備及有參與事奉的機會，使教會的質素提高；另一方面，一開為二後，各自教會在人數上的增長也比較快，而且在關顧方面也比較週全。我們必須全心仰望神，讓衪來帶領教會前面的發展。

但願施恩的神憐憫教會，潔淨及鍛煉教會，使教會成為衪貴重合用的器皿，來榮耀衪的聖名，直到主耶穌再來接我們到衪的永恒裏，啊們！


「所以神將他升為至高，又賜給他那超乎萬名之上的名，叫一切在天上的、地上的，和地底下的，因耶和華的名，無不屈膝，無不口稱耶穌基督為主，使榮耀歸與父神。」腓立比書2﹕9


Pastor Megan
As the church celebrates its first anniversary in its own church building, I have almost been with the church the same amount of time, so it’s an important anniversary for me as well.

It has been an exciting year. How wonderful it is that one of the biggest problems facing the church at the moment is that already we are too large for this building! That is the kind of problem it is good to have. So we have to thank God for how he is using this church to both reach people and to grow them as well.

The English service has had a good first year as a “proper” service in the sanctuary. We have seen attendance almost double in that time, and many of us grow in our gifts and skills in serving in worship.

GJs, our english speaking youth ministry, has undergone a significant amount of change, as we have added more variety to our program, so that we can fulfil the different purposes of such a program, such as fellowship, evangelism, worship, teaching, discipleship and so on. We have had several new people join this group during the year. Next year we look to even more change as we try to widen the English ministry to include people of Uni age. Please pray for us as we make this change.

The adult English bible study has had a very stretching but fun year. We have managed to study Deuteronomy, Hebrews, New Testament Overview, Prayer, Decision Making and How to Read the Bible. We have also had some times of sharing, of both seriousness and laughter, and it has been good to share our journeys with each other and encourage each other on the path.

The English Sunday School and Bible Study will also undergo some structural change next year as changes in numbers in different age groups means it is time to put some new and more formalised structures in place.

Thank you to all those who have served in all these areas of the English Ministry. All of you have been encouragement to me in your faithfulness to God and willingness to serve him.

One of the highlights for me of this year will occur with the baptisms of several people I have pastored and also taught in Baptismal classes this year. What a privilege it is to witness these people commit themselves to following Christ. I have been humbled by their willingness to be humble before God and allow him to work in their lives, even when that has been difficult.

Another highlight has been for Anton and myself to feel real belonging and community at this church when we come from a different cultural background. Thanks so much to all of you for welcoming us. We specially felt this when we lost our unborn baby this year, and so many many people supported us and loved us in so many ways. Thank you.

I have mentioned some programmatic changes for next year, but of course these are only important as they help us to achieve our more fundamental purposes. I have used a prayer of the apostle Paul’s several times this year as a benediction, and I would like to share it with you here as my vision for the church – one which helps both those who know Jesus and those who don’t yet know Jesus, know his love more and more:

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
(Ephesians 3:14-20)

I really do believe that God can do with our church so much more than we could even ever dream of, and it is my prayer that as a pastor I will be open to the leading of God’s Spirit.

Your sister in Christ,
Pastor Megan

Gilbert Ho

好管家

耶穌在馬太福音廿五章的比喻述及主人遠行, 把他的家產交託僕人們代管, 這個教訓大家都耳熟能詳, 若從不同的角度探討, 便有不同的領受, 為配合這篇短文, 姑且從簡單的層面觀察, 好管家有兩方面明顯的特質, 第一他對主人絕對負責, 忠心擺上, 第二他善用所受託的錢財, 獲得最大的成果向主人交賬。

教會在過去一年, 從物業產權角度來看, 已經由”租戶”提升為”業主”(準確一點是半業主, 因有負債待還), 不同身份帶來不同的權利和責任, 一方面我們可以自由地使用地方, 不受外來牽制, 另一方面我們有責任處理新的事務, 解決新的問題, 因此我們管家的職責加漆了新的一環, 神給我們力上加力, 完成了轉型的第一年, 我們繼續仰望在新的恩典領域中邁進。

首先, 神設立了教會, 祂把管家的職事交給主內的所有肢體, 我們都是被揀選的族類, 是有君尊的祭司, 是聖潔的國度, 是屬神的子民(彼前2:9), 按照浸信會的行政架構及辦事模式, 會員大會是最高的負責單位, 審核和通過一切重要決定, 其他單位都是大會之下, 因此整個教會的守望責任自然集體地落在眾會員身上,我們必須珍惜這一份寶貴的職事, 鞏固守望教會的功能, 在這一項事奉上向神盡忠。

其次, 我們要善用斤神所託付的錢財。若干年前我有機會參加坐落於加拿大多倫多市北面的”民眾教會”(People’s Church)主日崇拜聚會, 更早期我在香港居住時, 已久仰其大名, 當時”民眾教會”創辦人史密司博士的著作中文譯本已經在香港浸信會推廣, 他們的教會正堂可容千餘人, 主日崇拜座無虛設, 我親歷其境留心觀察, 牆壁的批盪十分粗糙, 好像工程尚未完成, 座椅是硬木條做成, 看來不似油過漆, 坐在上面不太舒服, 講台空洞簡單樸素, 根據這種跡象推測是否他們的財力資源有問題? 當然不是, 他們隨時有充足的基金可以將正堂裝修得美輪美奐, 但是他們選擇以節省實用為原則, 每年的財政預算大部份撥款差派宣教士百名上下之用, 只留下小部份財源為自己堂會使用, 我們可否學習他們理財的精神, 開拓未得之民的投資, 比重按年增加? ”民眾教會”的實踐可否成為我們教會明日的異象?

願意在購堂一週年感恩之餘反思如上, 彼此共勉, 作神百般恩賜的好管家。(彼前4:10)

 

 

Simon Lee
I used to go to a catholic primary school in Hong Kong when I was young. I remember that there was a subject called 'The Bible'. This was my favorite subject as well as PE (Physical Education). When I was young, I really enjoyed listening to what Jesus did and other biblical stories, and I also believed that there's a God and believed in creation.

When my family including myself migrated to Australia, I didn't get much chance to learn more about the Christian doctrine until in year 8 when my cousin came to Australia from New Zealand. We both couldn't fall asleep one night and ended up having a little but impacting chat. My cousin is a Christian and she told me a lot of stuff on the book of Genesis. Unfortunately she had to go back to New Zealand after a short while so I didn't get a chance to know a nearby church.

In 1998, a friend invited me to this church (Kingsgrove-Beverly Hills) and I really enjoyed the times I had. I also want to give thanks to God how He solved most of my problems deep in my heart by preparing 2 great mentors giving advices. They taught me how to pray and to rely on God.

I was raised in a very money-focused family, they have high expectations from me and I was really pressured by them. I remember once when my mum told me to try out the selective high school test, I was really upset and pressured because I didn't want to change school again (because I have changed couple of times) and I didn't want to get into a selective high school. I didn't like sharing with my parents because they don't really understand me and also from my childhood. When I did something wrong and told my parents with honesty, they told me off without thinking by my side and soon, I had built this barrier and became very self-protecting.

Half a year later, our church organized a church camp and it was in that camp that I decided to follow Jesus and converted to become a Christian. I started reading the bible and I remember that I finished reading 'Luke' in one week's time. I also want to thank God that he prepared a bunch of brothers and sisters to support me when I was still a baby in spiritual terms. From talking to a mentor of my fellowship, I have learnt how to forgive other people. Thank God again because He changed me, I was not an easy-going person and was very strong-minded. I remember once when my parents and I had an argument over something and we didn't talk to each other for few days. To be more correct, I should say I avoided talking to them for a few days. After sharing with one of the mentors from my fellowship, I apologized to my parents and I am sure Holy Spirit told me to do so. There are more gradual changes in my life and I believe I am still changing because of God. I have stopped swearing, littering and stealing, etc.

I know God is with me, when I was upset and felt hopeless about the car accident 2 years ago, He was with me and experienced Him during the hard times. After that car accident, I have decided to follow Him for the rest of my life because I know He does love me and care for me.


Chris Wong

我自小生活在一個比小康之家還富裕一點的家庭裡, 家中有一個哥哥和一個弟弟, 父母也會盡量滿足我們的所想所求。從幼稚園到中學都在基督教背景下成長, 我對神已有一定認識, 但只局限在宗教科上拿取好成績時而強記一些金句和故事而已。以我這種好勝、硬頸又自私的性格, 真的很難相信有機會作主的兒女。我為人率直, 想什麼就說什麼, 身旁沒有多幾個知心朋友。
一個偶然的機會下返了團契, 主要原因是為了打籃球。但當我參加完一個宿營之後, 發現原來這裡還有一班弟兄姊妹是關心我的, 我也發現我的價值和位置。 神是聽禱告的, 因為很久以前我已祈禱求神教導我如何改善我的人際關係和怎樣結交一班知心朋友, 就這樣我的基督徒生涯就開始了。但我仍是這麼貪玩, 沒有認真對待這個名份, 直至另一個宿營。我再一次見證神的大愛, 祂令我了解到自己的不是, 我不應該粗言穢語, 不應記仇, 不應說謊, 聽了別人的見證後, 他們分享以前與現在的不同, 從沒想過原來也有人曾有過這痛心的經歷, 更難想到他們能在我眼前分享。還有一個是我親眼見證他的改變, 令我更深深相信我的主, 於是在那夜我決志信主。信主以後, 雖然仍有犯錯, 但已學會認罪悔改, 求神寬裕。又學會怎樣待人, 特別是對待朋友, 明白怎樣去愛護和關顧別人, 怎樣去分享, 令我有一班知心及要好的朋友兼弟兄姊妹。還懂得去孝敬父母和與兄弟怎樣相處, 不過仍需加倍努力。來澳只有短短一年多時間, 當中經歷很多, 要面對一個新環境, 從新學習怎樣與我的哥哥一起生活, 要從新去認識一班新朋友, 起初有點迷網, 不知怎樣辦, 覺得自己是小人物, 直至退修營, 我再一次感到神與我同在, 祂給我一班新的弟兄姊妹及一些事奉崗位, 令我不能不跟從祂, 真的很感謝神給與我的一切。全因為你, 令我一生都佳美, ?令我生命從空虛化做傳奇, 無論我壯如紅日, 或如黃昏般漸漸老, 是?令我如鷹般高飛, 唯獨?是我拯救, 我總不至死, 直到永遠, 從心底讚美!

Leslie Luk

我的見證應該從小學說起……我讀了兩次小一, 原因並非成績不好, 而只不過是我比一般小朋友早了一年讀小學。(而這一年教處是沒有記錄的!) 當我在北角一所小學完成了一年的"小一試驗班", 我便從"正確途徑"-教育處, 派位到中西區一所基督教學校, 並在該校渡過了十一個寒暑。在那裡, 我初次接觸到基督教, 亦吸收了不少基督教的知識, 愛上了唱詩歌(但其實只是愛唱歌), 亦有祈禱(特別是考試前那晚……)。說真的, 對基督教認識並不深入(除了會考前那三天, 我不停把五年中學課程應讀的都讀了……)
說說我的家庭吧。我的家並沒有宗教信仰, 但像一般香港人一樣, 他們都信有鬼神。在香港長大, 又受家人影響, 我也是比較迷信的。什麼算命、風水全都"信到十足"。雖然自己不懂, 但亦可說十分沉迷。
中五會考, 拿著那張只有十三分的成績單到處找學校, 但找不著, 加上和女朋友分手, 那時候可說是我一帆風順生命中的第一個打擊。為了不想見到那剛分手的女友, 我便選擇了到悉尼升學。
二千年時, 當年的女朋友被朋友邀請返教會, 我便和她一起上了數次教會, 那時候不太認真, 只是"陪人?"返。人就是這樣, 一帆風順的時候你不會去想神, 就算神來找你, 你亦不會想理祂。接著那個月, 又被女友甩掉, 成績亦創了一個新紀錄 - 七科裡有五科不合格! 心情跌進谷底, 更想到自殺, 那樣的心情維持了一年多。
到了2002年中秋節, 我和一班朋友相聚, 沒有什麼特別節目, 坐著打算又無無聊聊地過一晚。閒談間, 我們一班香港人的 "神怪迷信神經系統"又再發揮功用, 談起一些神怪的東西來。神就利用了這個機會, 透過一位弟兄的口, 解釋了這一切我一直以來覺得很神祕的事! 之後, 那位弟兄更邀請了我們一班朋友返教會, 而從教會的弟兄姊妹中得到的那份愛, 正填補了我心裡一直以來那種空虛。2002年11月3日, 我決志接受耶穌基督成為我的救主。
2002年年尾, 我放暑假回香港。沒有經常上教會, 只有讀聖經和祈禱, 每晚也玩至三更半夜。雖然好像什麼都有 - 一份很好的暑期工, 一班好朋友, 每天也打機, 唱卡拉OK和逛街, 但心中有一種很強烈的空虛感, 我記得我剛上教會時是曾被醫治過的。是只能被愛醫治的, 並不能靠物質。
暑假過了, 我回到悉尼, 再次上教會, 對主的認識和信心亦一天一天的增加。認識是可以從理性方面, 透過閱讀和弟兄姊妹的見證中增加, 但信心, 則多是從經驗中?加的。慢慢地, 我開始對罪有更高的警覺性。
到了四月教會的退修營可說是我靈命上一個轉捩點。那次退修營除了開心,好玩外, 更重要的是改變了眾弟兄姊妹。在退修營之前, 我心目中的弟兄們都比較害羞, 除了團契以外比較少溝通的, 但在退修營後, 大家也變了, 大家比以前更關心對方。
在退修營中最後一天唱詩的時候, 我哭了。我哭並不是因為大家唱歌動聽, 而是因為在慈愛的神前, 我為我以前所做的而哭, 回想起來, 父母給我預備了最好的, 但他們預備不到的, 在天上的父已給我預備, 更是在我還未認識祂的時候已預備的! 我雖然當時不知道, 但我肯定神給我的挫節是有建造性的。例如, 如果中五時並不是會考中文不知為什麼不及格而令我找不到中學, 我不知我會不會還有機會讀大學, 亦不知有沒有機會讀我最喜愛的科目。如果不是大學一年級時被神拆毀, 那時候我以那種'釣兒郎當'的心態讀書, 應該不會有今天的成績。
記得我初信的時候, 曾經想用自己的方法去改變自己, 改不了, 心情亦受影響, 幸好一位姊妹告訴我, 我們得救, 並不是靠行為, 乃是靠著信, 因信稱義。靠自己是做不了, 修不回來的。曾經犯錯, 你做一萬件好事, 你仍是做錯過, 亦唯有主耶穌可以幫助我們。有人問我, "邊有這便宜的事? 不用做什麼, 只有信就可以?" 是的, 世上一切乃是出自主的, 祂需要向你要什麼嗎? 祂本就擁有這一切, 而且, 我們現在所有的, 是真的屬我們嗎? 我們真的擁有嗎? 一天當我離開這世界的時候, 我根本什麼都帶不走, 只有在主裡才有那永生的盼望, 是到永恆的。
在我接受主耶穌後, 祂帶我離開那迷信的思想, 心中知道祂給我的是最好的, 再不須要擔心什麼。雖然有時祂成就的方法與我的想法不同, 但我相信祂給的是最好的。祂給我機會去向我最愛的人傳福音, 就算他們在別的國家。我向祂祈禱, 求祂教我怎樣去愛別人, 祂就藉與我同住生病的舅父, 教我怎樣去關心和照顧, 幫助別人, 這些是我未信主前極少做的。還記得我得知舅父有病那天, 我躲在房內哭, 怕給他聽到, 便開著音樂, 隨便亂選了一首歌。神真的是無處不在, 祂透過那歌的歌詞安慰我說:「神了解此時你心, 眼淚從未輕看, 從最初, 一如最初, 從來都不變不改。」今天雖然我的舅父仍未痊癒, 但我可以看見主沒有忘記祂, 我仍然深信主將最好的安排給我們。


Grace Ma

本人於2002年11月24日(星期日)在比華利山華人浸信會由Aunt Maureen 替我正式決志歸主。
我實由02年9月底開始返教會。認識這個信仰乃來自本教會一位弟兄 - 梁仲達。他於去年中秋節一個表面上很普通的朋友聚會中偶然跟我和幾位朋友談論有關他的信仰, 當時我們全都未信主。在當晚的聚會中, 奇妙的神帶動起各人許多的反應, 我們當中, 有耐心聽道的, 有很挑戰性的, 有懼怕驚慌的, 又有感興趣多疑問的, 總之這個普通的聚會因神的緣故而變得不平凡了, 因此我們都在這個聚會中認識了神, 那夜的討論可算是通宵達旦。中秋夜之後, 一班朋友都很感興趣繼續追尋究竟, 仲達弟兄不斷去解答我們的疑問, 又借了一些關於基督教的書籍及VCD給我們傳閱。大概一兩星期以後, 我們都決定跟仲達弟兄一同返他的教會看看。當初返教會之際, 自己本身也沒有想過自己會決志成為基督徒, 但神的確有祂奇妙的安排, 正如祂所說: 「若你們祈求, 就給你們, 尋找就尋見; 叩門的, 就給他開門。」(馬太7:7)
回想起來, 不得不歎慰神的安排巧妙, 我們當中有三人前後正式決了志, 其他有繼續尋求的, 有的雖然沒有經常返教會, 但心裡都相信有神的。我們都來自不同的背景(儘管決了志的三人都是來自香港念設計的, 不過就讀於不同大學), 也在聽到福音前分別經歷過某些大起大落的事情, 使得我們會去回應神的呼召, 神掌管著祂的完美計劃, 我們的每一個經歷、起跌及仲達弟兄的出現都在於祂的計劃之中。大膽地假設, 若果仲達弟兄一早便回港發展或一早便在澳洲找到工作, 他還會不會有機會或有時間向我們一班朋友傳耶穌基督的訊息呢? 又若果我沒有經歷過之前的所有, 我會否立志信主呢? 我想肯定不會了。
我所經歷過的是什麼呢? 轉捩點其實發生在九月初, 即是聽到福音前若兩星期, 我因為出席一個朋友的生日派對而食物中毒致心律不正常入院留醫四天, 留院的四天雖然不長, 但這次生病的經歷卻影響了我對人生及生命的很多看法, 那四天過得很辛苦, 我有一種很強烈的感覺, 感覺到人的身體如一副皮囊, 很軟弱, 生命也很脆弱。因為發覺自己的精神和肉身真的可以很抽離, 當面對疾病或死亡的威脅時, 自己真的沒法可以去控制那副皮囊, 雖然我自小便患有先天性心漏症, 但這種感覺從來沒有試過這麼強烈。
儘管身體受著痛苦, 但生命的那段日子我也過得蠻愉快, 病痛改變了我對人生的許多看法, 我感到人生除了健康以外, 不該再存有太大的苦惱, 我為自己喝水不再嘔吐高興, 我為自己可以轉身, 可以下床, 可以不用插太多醫療器材身上, 可以嚥得下一塊麵包而高興, 生命裡的很多很多憂愁都不再要放在心中, 我只想著如何讓自己快些康復, 最高興的, 當然還是見到一班身邊的朋友來關心自己, 來探望我。隨著身體的日漸康復, 這副皮囊裡也不再抽離, 那時候的我, 的確感到自己很「實在」, 直至我出院後有一晚接到媽媽的來電, 我才發覺在我的生命中有一些東西失去了, 當我在電話的一邊向媽媽陳述生病的經過時, 一邊忍不住流淚, 當然, 我沒有讓她知道她親愛的女兒哭了, 由病發到出院, 我沒有下過一滴眼淚, 但這次, 電話掛斷了後, 我把自己關在洗手間裡很崩潰地痛哭了半小時, 原我一直都枉作堅強, 這次的大病, 媽媽的關懷觸動了我自小到大那個壓抑了很久對生命的無奈感, 但是當自己見到身邊的人比自己還要緊張病況時, 我都壓抑了自己的悲傷, 不敢表露出來。
自小心臟有缺陷, 在還未明白什麼是生老病死時, 就要面對, 家人沒有對我解釋我患病的原因, 年紀小小的我不明白何故我要年年往醫院讓一班不認識的醫生圍著我講一些不懂的事, 或者為何當其他小朋友上體育課堂開開心心的玩樂時, 我要坐在一旁的長椅子上, 小時候父母都忙於工作, 我和兩個弟弟都由祖母照顧, 但我跟她的感情不算太好, 沒多幾句說話; 我有一個讀書很厲害, 致力做學術研究及執教鞭的爸爸, 一個對子女期望很高, 會對我說拿不到A就是B也不錯的父親, 他圈子裡的朋友, 他們的子女自小能背誦唐詩, 習書法, 長大了會入讀最好的大學, 甚至讀Master, P.H.D., 出來社會成為甚麼「師」甚麼「師」的人。小學時候的我好靜, 好自閉, 沒幾個朋友, 我的童年彷彿在病痛和抑鬱中不愉快地渡過了。自小讀了十多年天主教學校, 間中也許也會在天父中找得著半點慰藉, 但天主教終歸也沒有讓我信服。
情況直到中學以後漸有改變, 因為身體好了許多; 我有上體育課, 雖然人家跑三圈我只跑一圈; 我認識了好些可以傾訢的朋友; 又發現了自己或者也可以成為一位「師」級人馬 - 設計師。初中開始對美術產生了濃厚的興趣, 有一段頗長的時間我很喜歡文藝復興時期的達文西和米開蘭基羅, 喜歡他們所畫的聖經故事, 藝術給了我很多信心, 充實, 讚賞, 獎項, 甚至自負, 我中學時候已立至將來要做有關藝術的工作。
經過了好些困難, 在香港完成了高級程度會考後的99年9月, 我來了澳洲讀設計, 三年之後的某個月份認識了主, 信仰改變了我, 「我已與基督同釘十字架, 現在活著的不再是我, 乃是基督在我裡面活著; 並且我如今在肉身活著, 是因信神的兒子而活; 祂是愛我, 為我捨己」。在主內我應該明白到生命真正的意義, 曉得為誰而活, 好多好多以往的迷惑和疑困都一一被神透過祂的教會、祂的說語和祂所安排的弟兄姊妹解答了。從前的憂愁, 不快的回憶都被神所融解了, 然後被祂的大愛充滿, 我很記得去年在教會第一次崇拜的低頭禱告, 求神的指引, 我彷彿感到有一隻手輕撫我的頭, 似說女兒終於回家, 那一刻像電影回顧片一樣, 快速回憶了我們一生所有的起起落落, 原是主的一手安排,都有美意於當中, 沒有以往的一切, 就組不成今日的我, 那一刻我沒有感到懼怕, 反而出奇的平安和喜悅, 因為我知道, 神已把我的心釋放, 對於以後的困苦患難, 我覺得不再要害怕, 因為我知道有神作我腳前的燈, 「不但如比, 就是在患難中, 也是歡歡喜喜的; 因為知道患難生忍耐; 忍耐生老練; 老練生盼望, 盼望不至於羞恥, 因為神所賜給我們的聖靈, 將神的愛澆灌在我們心裡。」
蒙主的恩典, 天上的父一直很看顧我的屬靈成長, 很感恩祂安排了很多好好的弟兄姊妹、教會、團契、聖經和事奉崗位去讓我去謙卑學習和經歷神。
感謝神的厚愛, 有感我原是不配, 信主的日子尚淺, 我還在努力學習主基督的樣式, 去盡心、盡性、盡意、盡力的愛神, 當然還有要愛人如己, 如經上所說:「你們要慈悲, 像父慈悲一樣。」要達到如此, 我知道自己還有頗長的一段路去走, 終歸自己身上還有很多罪, 但我相信凡依靠著神, 我所經歷過的神, 凡事都能。如保羅所說:「人若自潔, 脫離卑賤的事, 就必作貴重的器皿, 成為聖潔, 合乎主用。」(提後2:21) 能夠用我的生命去榮神益人, 將救恩的福氣傳給未信的家人和朋友。
「我求了是叫人得生命, 並且得的更豐盛。」(約翰10:10)

Alice Szeto

從小心裡就總是覺得這個世界冥冥中自有主宰, 但就不懂得去尋找, 亦不知道神在那裡, 記得有一次一個晚上我問哥又為什麼日子重複又重複的過, 一日復一日, 到底生活為什麼? 人活著又為什麼? 當時我可能只有十歲。當媽又病重, 我亦曾求神奇(不知名的神)救我媽, 我什至求神減少自己壽命去保住媽媽的性命,但我的祈求沒有受到應允, 母親就在我18歲那年離世, 我家從那年開始就失了重心, 可以說家都散了, 父親整天都打麻將去放縱自己, 哥哥就忙著自己的工作和事業; 而經濟上也是由他一人獨力承擔, 而我更無心上學, 中學畢業後便出外找工作做了。
中學時期是讀天主教學校, 老師們有些是基督徒, 中一時也曾跟英文老師或班主任上教會, 參加團契, 但對耶穌的事蹟都聽不入耳, 隨著老師的離去, 到中二時教會的生活亦停止了, 雖然如此, 但這個也界有沒有神, 人死了又往那裡去等問題一直存留在我心底裡。
其實回想起來, 神一直在我身邊沒有離開, 祂藉著環境及某些人物把我看顧, 祂賜給我一個很痛愛我的哥哥, 祂是一個很剛強的人, 他自小就對我呵護有加, 沒有他的鼓勵和照顧, 當年的我可能已經變了不良少年或離家出走的少女。
母親離世後, 我們的生活有很大的改變, 有家等如沒有家般。中學畢業後, 很幸運地在航空公司裡找到一份工作, 後來還有機會來到澳洲讀書和結婚, 在這裡落地生根, 其實這一切都是神的安排, 祂並沒有離開我, 祂有祂的計劃。
在2001年是我人生的今一低朝, 我們的家庭出現了很多問題, 一向熱愛運動, 擁有健康身體的丈父卻在一年多前患上了脊骨神經痛, 我們尋遍一切的方法去醫治他的病, 但結果都是沒用, 因為這種病是不能根治的, 他要在以後的日子裡忍受著痛苦。又因為這個病, 他就失去了以前開朗的性格, 每天忍著痛苦工作, 再加上工作的壓力, 他變得很消沉, 脾氣更暴躁, 有時把自己的不快放到孩子身上, 雖然如此我也只有??的忍受, 但夫妻抄架也難免。就在這一切不如意的事發生時, 公司又要辦丈夫去Kiama工作一年, 因為在悉尼的公司再沒有工程, 要保住份工, 就要搬到Kiama, 他就只有接受, 在這年又適逢我的兒子正賢秀初中的一年, 一個暑期要去補習社三次, 要接送, 又要上班, 自己一個人獨力照顧一個家, 當時真的覺得好無助, 向人訴苦, 又有誰真正明白和了解呢! 我開始學習祈禱, 找這個曾經接觸過又不認識的神, 求祂為我解決當時的困境。神就在這時為我開路, 祂感動了的兒子去尋找祂, 要須要know more about God, 第一時間就想起了多年的老同學Christina, 她是基督徒, 英文聖經兒童版立刻送到, 又送我一本Goodyear bible, 又介紹陳牧師和師母給我認識。陳師母打電話給我說希望來探訪我, 我當時好奇怪, 我沒有大問題為什麼他們要來探訪我, 還替我祈禱, 師母介紹正賢返團契, 本來我只想放下Ryan便回家, 因為小女Jasmine沒人照顧, 我不能放下她, 當時她只有六歲, 但神的計劃是無微不至的, 團契裡的一位姊妹也有兩個年紀相約的女兒, 她就因為我就帶動她們來陪我的小女孩, 好讓我安心去參加團契。
我開始學習禱告, 找這個我曾接觸但又不認識的神, 求祂為我解決當時的困境。當我閱讀聖經, 看到羅馬書1:19-20「神的事情, 人所能知道的, 原顯明在人心裡, 因為神已經給他們顯明。自從造天地以來, 神的永能和神性是明明可知的, 雖是眼不能見, 但藉著所造之物就可以曉得, 叫人無可推諉。」神給了我答案。
數個月來的團契生活, 我終於決主, 接受耶穌基督成為我的救主。聖經裡記著「當信主耶穌, 你和你一家都得救」(徒16:31)一句好實在的說話, 我的丈夫在兩個月後決志信主。神雖然沒有醫治他的病, 但祂醫治好了我丈夫的心。祂拯救了我們一家的靈魂, 使我們有永生的盼望, 更加可以在有生之年去享受神的恩典, 去經歷祂。
在信主之後, 神賜我平安, 有滿恩的心。對死亡的`態度改變,從前最怕死和恐懼, 不知死後如何, 人說人死如燈滅, 但這豈不比死往地獄更可怕, 永死不再存在, 但現在有主耶穌給我的盼望, 認識獨一真神, 有永生不再怕面對死亡。對價值觀的改變, 不再看重屬世的事物, 本來是赤身的來, 也要赤身的離去, 我們不能帶走一分一毫, 只要有主同行, 心裡平安, 主說祂的擔子是輕省的。祂讓我看到很多美好的事情, 使我懂得凡事感恩, 願未信主的朋友都能分享這份喜樂。

Lyman Szeto

1. 相信主耶穌之前
在未信主之前的我, 是個為工作而死的人, 我不是完全的熱愛工作, 但當工作來到的時候, 我是不放過的, 盡量地去做, 可能工作的壓力, 自己總是放不下, 有時候很多的事都是自己過於緊張而成的, 有些可能是做了不重要的東西, 有些是過份憂慮的事。
在未信主之前的我, 覺得所有得到的東西都是由自己努力取到的, 而容易的是因幸運得來的, 很多事都巧合的。
在未信主之前的我, 只明白到錢不是萬能, 但是十分重要, 無論是現在或將來, 是不可缺乏的, 自己也盡量的去找, 想辨去投資, 很希望用小小的金錢能找到多多的錢。
在未信主之前的我, 世上的人都是自己顧自己, 但毛自己就不是, 我也顧及他人的利益, 雖然要找錢, 但也是以自己的良心作首位, 不會傷害他人, 但也常常會對人有誡心, 可惜自己很容易相信人, 很易被騙。
在未信主之前的我, 不相信有世界末日, 就算是有也只是大自然而造成的, 也從沒有想過這世界是怎樣來的, 山、火、空氣、光、太陽、行星等等的東西, 也沒有深深的去找。
在未信主之前的我, 工作時和其他同事們一樣, 放工後飲酒, 高聲說粗言穢語, 大談女人經等等的地盆習慣。與許多人一樣, 對宗教認識不深, 又沒有去尋找, 都覺得所有宗教都是一樣, 導人向善, 沒有太大分別。

2. 尋找主的原因
和很多人一樣, 我是沒有宗教信仰的, 只是跟著父母拜下偶像而已, 但不知宗教是什麼。
當接觸到基督教後, 在這裡看到和聽到的與其他宗教不同, 更重要的是一向在我們身邊出現而又看不見, 又出現在聖經, 自己始終要看看祂, 為什麼是全世界永存不朽的書, 也為到要尋找這位真神的存在, 祂又在我生命中做了些什麼。

3. 褔音的內容
主耶穌基督的福音, 是叫人放下自己, 承認自己的罪, 信靠主基督為我們的救主, 愛祂, 祂也愛我們, 時常向主禱告, 把自己所想的都告訴祂, 將自己擔心、開心和想不通的都告訴祂, 交給祂, 祂是我們在天上的父親, 偉大的神, 全能全知的, 當然祂是明白所有我們告訴祂的事, 最重要的是「我們要先求祂的國和祂的義, 我們所要的東西, 都會給我們。」(太6:33)

4. 接受主耶穌的經過
神真是尋找人的, 信主的經過是從前自己當童子軍時在YMCA裡, 當時也接觸到一些基督徒的朋友, 但一直都沒有人向我傳福音, 直至在八月, 當 Ryan 10 歲時, 他主動向Alice說想認識更多耶穌的事, 從朋友中, Ryan, Jasmine 和 Alice 便到貴教會來, 當時還在鐵路的另外一邊, 不久之後, 我有時跟他們返星期五團契, 起初自己覺得只要他們信我也很開心, 但我還未下定決心跟隨這位救主, 當第一次牧師向我傳三福時, 自己都未有決志的信心, 直到貴教會購置新堂時, 我心想以前貴教會在比華利山立足多年, 而自己也在澳洲有22年了, 一向和教會拉不上關係, 為何現在突然被神找到呢? 還愈來愈近呢? 想到這些事, 是否神真的要我回到祂身邊嗎? 祂藉著Ryan的開始, Alice的決志, 教會的搬遷, 將我帶到祂的面前認罪。

5. 相信主耶穌之後
信主之後的我, 開始明白自己的渺小, 很多事我都做不來的, 就只有神的幫助才能做到, 現在我也不再把工作放在第一位, 盡量放多點時間陪伴家人, 把工作的壓力放下, 把一切交詫給主。有時做了很多事情, 其他人都不明白, 但現在知道神還是會明白及知道的。
信主之後, 開始學會禱告, 有時在駕車時, 工作時或在晚上睡前都會禱告, 雖然說得不太好, 但也盡力想著神, 我們的天父, 祂當然聽兒子的要求, 而信靠和愛我們的父神也是必然的, 正如經上所說"信是得著的, 就必得著"(可11:24)。
回顧我的上半生, 主不停的看顧著我, 我是家中排行第七, 也是家中最小的一個兒子, 對下是我的妹妹。神的看顧可以說是從中學時開始, 自己的成績不太好, 中學時投考了兩間公司做學徒訓練, 都被接納, 這兩間公司是星島報業和China Gas, 但自己最終沒有接受, 完成了中學, 父親便安排我與他工作, 起初也很辛苦, 因父親在旁指導, 都變得比較容易, 而且學到很多東西, 不久有機會在M.T.R.工作, 都是得到日本公司的同事幫助的。主就是這樣安排我開始這二十多年的工作生涯, 在M.T.R.工作不到一年父親去世, 自己也胡里胡塗地移民到澳洲來, 那是1981年6月17日, 原本打算不再做有關Survey的工作, 但最後又做回Survey, 後來更報讀TAFE, 起初完成了TAFE課程後找不到工作, 就算願意做免費勞工都沒有公司聘請。但神再次安排我在現時的公司工作, 回想起有一天忽然有一個面試的機會, 是數月前申請的, 後來這間公司聘請了我, 還給我時間完成未完成的科目。除了這份正職外, 還有兩份兼職, 老闆都是很好的人, 從兼職的工作中又看見神看顧著我。更奇妙的是在2000年神更實現了我在小學時的心願, 想也想不到在澳洲當起的士司機來。就這樣一直被神看守我的生命, 直到我信主的時候(2002年11月29日), 在這新的會堂中, 我看到神真的要我回到祂的身邊。祂的計劃和做事的方法我也看到了, 信主的多月來, 與弟兄姊妹分享的只是生命的平淡, 除了我的背痛, 神一直很看顧我, 但並沒有什麼特別的見證。直到2003年6月11日星期四中午, 神再次在我身上顯出祂的大能, "復活在我, 生命也在我, 信我的人雖然死了, 也必復活"(約11:25), 這是當作門徒訓練的功課之一。當天中午, 我的助手不小心跌進一個六米深的坑洞中, 我望向那漆黑的坑中, 只見他那件反光的安全背心, 但他在坑裡動也不動, 當時心中不妙, 十分恐懼, 於是大叫他數十秒, 這數秒真是又長又難過, 不久看見他開始有點反應, 並且站起來, 由於傷了腳不能站起來, 電話又打不出, 心中很焦急, 後來召了救護車、警車和消防車, 用了兩小時多才能把他救出送往醫院去。
在我叫他的數秒中, 心中感覺到生命的短暫, 若他剎那間死了, 我什麼也做不到。當日助手晚上從急証室步出回家, 他並沒有骨折, 數日後正常工作。
我看到神的偉大, 祂告訴我, 有祂和我一起, 不但救了我, 也救了的助手, 生死之權也是由祂操縱的。如果我助手有什麼不測, 我一生都會內疚, 但神讓我助手仍然生存, 要讓我知道"復活在我, 生命也在我。"(約11:25)


Bill Chan

我正如一般典型的香港人，生於一個拜偶像的家庭，甚麼關帝、觀音、門口地主等等都在參拜名單之內，總之滿天神佛。
但我的父母又相信宗教學校教出來的學生，不論學術成績或自身修為都比較好，所以我便被送進一所天主教學校讀小學，聖經是其中的一個學科。思想單純及年少無知的我，在小學階段完全相信世界上有上帝及耶穌的存在，在幼小心靈中決定長大一點要洗禮成為天主教徒。
及後我升上了一所官立中學，學校並沒有聖經此學科，而學校也只掛出無處不在、人所謂「事頭婆」的英女皇照片。理所當然在沒有聖經的薰陶下，在我腦海中上帝及耶穌便慢慢地煙消雲散了。
踏足社會工作之後，在社會的大氣候影響下，信耶穌好像是一件很OUT的事，信耶穌的人被人稱呼為「神婆」或「神佬」。雖然在我身邊還有不少基督徒朋友、同事和上司，甚至因工作關係要參與大大小小不同型式的佈道會及見証會，但他們身上，我看不到他們和一般人有甚麼分別，因為除了食飯前要祈禱之外，他們一樣會發脾氣罵人，一樣會講大話，使我覺得似乎耶穌並沒有改變他們，口口聲聲的聖潔及虔誠的生命，都不外如是吧。有時反而覺得他們比一些非信徒更差。當然我現在明白這些失見証的行為是信徒的一時軟弱。
及後，我這個無神論者的信念就更加堅定，相信人定勝天。因為經歷金融風暴，我所有的財富都蒸發了；又因身體不適，需要入院治療；再加上感情上的挫折，災難接踵而夾。但在這個屋漏兼逢夜雨的景況下，我都能咬緊牙關一一渡過，有沒有一個生在兩千多年前的耶穌在我心中，對我有何相干、有何幫助呢？

在1999年10月，我隻身移居澳洲，我所有的家人都是在香港的，當時我只有兩個朋友在這裡。正如其他的移民一樣，找工作有一定的因難，只有跟朋友一同做小生意，但卻是入不敷支。
一年後Macy抵達澳洲與我相聚，當時真是又喜又驚；喜是不用再受相思之苦，驚是不知能否維持兩口子的生活。
因為工作的關係我需要領取執照，但當局並不承認我在香港的工作經驗，申請遭駁回，而帶夾的儲蓄又差不多用完，時我感到非常徬徨及不安。
2001年10月牧師及弟兄們安排了一個聚會跟我談及神的存在及得救的問題，在那一刻我的心被感動，我覺這幾年的經歷實在使我非常灰心及感到無助，對前景完全失去信心，我只覺得我需要有人帶領我的前路，這個可能便是「神」了，所以我便決志了。
不久，我向當局申請上訴，在弟兄姊妹及Macy的禱告及神的保守下，我終於上訴成功。
可是人的軟弱和驕傲使我沒有專心依靠神，正如舊約時的以色列人一樣，雖然我經歷了神的保守，但很快我又故態復萌，我覺得一次的成功可能是我幸運，並不是神為我開路，於是我又回復從前的我。
但神並沒有放棄我，祂總有辦法使我相信祂。
我因一時的衝動犯下錯誤以至需要上庭，我感到非常後悔和難過，又感到很無助，在這樣的光景下我再想起神，我向神認罪，又向牧師、弟兄姊妹及Macy認罪。如詩篇51篇17節所說：「神所要的祭，就是憂傷的靈。神啊，憂傷痛悔的心，你必不輕看。」我明白當我願意真心悔改，神必為我開路。神安排了一個很好的基督徒律師幫我，律師樓上下各人都當我並不是普通的一個客人，而是一個熟悉的弟兄一般。在上庭當日早上，律師樓的老闆也出現為我祈禱，使我非常感動。感謝神，祂並沒有因我的不順服而向我掩面，在神的保守下，案件奇蹟地撤消了。
我真正經歷了神是公義的神，神又是慈愛的神，祂是掌管和帶領我一生的神，我願意誠心順服於神，求神繼續使我這個市井之徒變成一個市井聖徒。


Alex Chung

在我有信主之前，我是一個任何事都要掌握在自己手中的人。我懼怕失敗，更不曾想過死亡.從我小孩的時候，差不多我作的每件事都很順利，每都我被人點出我的錯誤時，我都只會否認，甚至會責對方。自此，我慢慢變成一個自以為是和自負的人，同時我亦開始變得沉默寡言.

感謝主，衪給我有改變的機會。衪賜給我一個基督化的家庭，使我從小便有機會接觸主耶穌。當我慢慢地長大，我認識衪更多，但都只是頭腦上的知識。直到九三年中的一個主日學，我被分享了福音，自此，主在我生命中起了很重要的改變.

我開始變得開朗，懂得去表達自己的情感，也開始接受別人的批評。主藉著不同的經歷，不單使我見到衪的完備，衪的恩典，更使我那自以為是的性格作出轉變。最大的經歷便是我第一年中五放榜，我從沒想過會升不上中六，就是連基本要求也達不到，這對當時的我來說是一個很大的打擊。但是當我回頭看時，我見到是主給我一個經歷，叫我知道誰是主宰，從而學懂謙卑。同時主叫我見到衪的愛，衪給我預備了一間基督教氣息更濃厚的中學，使我比以前有更多機會去為衪作見證。因此，我便在九九年十一月七日受浸加入教會，在眾人面前見證神在我身上的作為。願一切榮耀頌讚歸給 神。


GRACE

I grew up in a Christian family and I've been going to church and Sunday school for as long as I can remember. I knew that God created this world and everything in it, including me. I knew all those famous Bible stories and all those great Bible characters. I knew I was a sinner and that the result of sin was death and separation from God. I knew that God loved the people in this world so much that He gave His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins so that we can have everlasting lives. Yes, I believed, but this God was still only a God who appeared in the Bible.

When I was about 10, my dad challenged me about whether I was sure about this God that I say I believe in, whether I was sure I would get to heaven. I realised that I can't go to church just because my parents are going, I can't say that I believe just because my parents believe, and I can't assume that I'll get to heaven just because my parents are going. Dad told me that I needed to have a personal relationship with God, to experience this real, living, loving God myself. At that time, I didn't understand why he asked me those questions, and I didn't feel the need to know the answers to them.

But this changed when my family and I migrated to Australia 4 years ago. There were so many new things I had to adapt to, so many things I had to learn. My greatest trouble was making new friends. I began to feel true loneliness, sadness…I didn't tell anyone about how I felt, because I didn't think that anyone would understand, and no one seemed to care. But through that period of time, God worked within me. Although I was alone, I knew God was with me. He always answered me when I asked, and during times of desperateness and loneliness, He was there to wipe my tears dry and comfort me. When I did something wrong and felt as if I didn't deserve His love, he showed me grace. At times, it even seemed like the whole world was against me, and Jesus became my best friend. He taught me to forgive, He answered my doubts and He guided me through the difficulties in life. I experienced the love and peace that He gave me, and it was truly something that no one else can give. God became real in my life. There were so many times where I did not follow what God wanted me to do, or made the wrong decisions, but the Holy Spirit was always there to guide me back to God. I realised that I'm a sinner who didn't deserve all the good things that He has given me. I was unworthy even to talk to Him directly. I made a choice to repent for my sins, ask for God's forgiveness and accept God's gift of salvation. Because Jesus sacrificed His life for my sins, God has forgiven me and accepted me as His child. I realised that I am nothing without Jesus, but with Him, everything is possible.

And in return for His love for me, the least I can do is to devote my whole life to Him. That's why I want to get baptized. I hope that through this, people in my life will be witnesses to the fact that I am willing to offer my life to God. Jesus himself was baptized too and I want to follow His example. And most importantly, I want to be baptised because God wants me to.

Joey

My first contact with God began at the age of 6 when my grandma took my mum and me to her church in HK.

In 1992, my family and I moved to Sydney. It so happened that after a few weeks of settling down...my " Auntie" invited our family to Beverly Hills Chinese Baptist Church and it was in year 8 that I went to my first YOUTH FELLOWSHIP.

During the years in fellowship, I was able to truly understand who my Heavenly Father was and I was given the chance to make the first important decision of my life. The chance for me to leave my old life behind and receive a new one from God was something so great that I didn't know why I had such blessing. The fact that He sacrificed his own son Jesus for our sins, I really didn't know how to repay this great gift and I knew God didn't want me to repay him with deeds but to follow him and have faith in him. Therefore, I want to acknowledge my need for forgiveness from God and to show him my submission and obedience (which have always been my hardest lessons and still are). I was converted in year 9. During these last few years, I have been able to know more about God and what it means to have God in my life. Growing up under the guidance of God through our teachers in fellowship and Sunday school has been very rewarding! However, as I became older and with a fair bit of commitments in my life, my spiritual life has deteriorated. God used to be my first priority but he became the last.

My pride and my own hypocrisy were my biggest trouble. I always believed I knew everything and had the right to say certain stuff, but in fact I didn't. I had gotten used to the idea to always pass on certain knowledge of what I knew to my family and friends because I thought my opinions were important and they should listen to me. However I never realised what I was doing was wrong! I was so enclosed in my own world that I could not even admit to myself that I was on the wrong side of the track. I was too proud. I had the desire to change my family when in fact the person who most needed to change was me. It took me a while to let that sink in. I have learned that no matter how bad the situation was, it wasn't up to me to fix it up or pass on my judgment. It was up to God. The idea of responsibility had gotten a bit too big in my head. I might have overused it. However, I knew God didn’t give up on me. The situations that he allowed me to be in at times gave me the opportunity to see what I have been doing wrong all along. I realised that I needed God more than ever. I have no control over my life and I needed guidance. God was definitely there all the time even though sometimes I was too blind and stubborn to hear him but I had faith he was there looking over my shoulder.

It’s always something that I couldn't figure out, why it took me so long to get baptised. But the fact that I am doing it now, I really appreciate God has given me this chance to show him how much it means to me to get baptised. God made me realise that I should never be a hidden Christian and should use this opportunity to show others who are not yet Christian of what a great gift I have received. Especially this year, which has been the most traumatic, I have experienced a lot and I have seen how God was really there. Without him, I might not have made it through. When I was most vulnerable, God was taking care of me, he made me realised how truly weak I was and I could never rely on myself. God's love was there all along and no matter what I did, he still loved me.

And now, the disease that I have got will always be something that I try to figure out. Why has it happened? But then again, there are so many things in the world that happen, but no one can provide answers! I have cried for help and asked God for answers and I know he is already really patient with my never-ending questions and hesitation. Things could have been worse but they are not and I need to thank God for that. I don't think I have fully grasped why I am going through this, but one thing for sure, I feel really blessed that so many people are walking this long journey with me especially my family and friends from church. In a way, I have learned that God is giving me this opportunity to really believe in him and have faith in what he has prepared for me and to overcome the obstacles that he had prepared for me to develop my endurance and inner strength. Brothers and sisters from church have done a lot for me and through them, I can see God is constantly always beside me. Even though times might be hard at the moment, they make the whole situation a lot easier for me to live through it.

God has been really good to me even though I have sinned so much. He is always there for me. I don't know what else I can do to show my appreciation but to let him know my commitment and love to him. I feel really blessed that God is in my life and will always be.

Daniel Kwong

My testimony is probably not as spectacular as the events that the apostle Paul would recount on his testimony, but my motive here is not to entertain but to testify that I have witnessed the Lord and feel the urge to become baptised. I will explain how God has reached into my life, which began in a non-Christian family.

My father grew up in Malaysia while my mother grew up in Communist China, both which are countries not too keen on Christianity, so as a result my grandparents practised a primitive form of Buddhism meaning that my parents had no form of religion at all. This meant that they brought up Gary and I were in the ways as they saw were correct and in the customs and culture of the Chinese.

My parents at the time were constantly working hard. Although we looked like the average happy family, it was certainly not the best without Christ ruling over our family. My parents had the usual arguments while Gary had our brotherly fights.

As God planned everything in the beginning, his plan was revealed to our family very early when I was a few years old. This was not a “formal” plan but started his plan to save our family from sin. When I was a few years old, my parents having no knowledge of religion, decided that I was to be baptised as a Catholic if the need arose that I needed to attend a Catholic School. From then on, my religion was stated as Roman Catholic but due to my parents’ motive for my baptism, I was only a Catholic in case I needed to go to a Catholic school.

My Christian life was soon to be transformed when in 1999, the most bizarre chain of events led me to Christ. On a normal Sunday, in which most Christians went to church, our family spent its usual time at home, doing nothing and waiting to go see Star Wars with my cousins as planned by my Aunt. However, Gary and I had an argument and our father punished us by not allowing us to see the movie. As Gary was on the phone with my Aunt, my Aunt also said she had wished to cancel the movie as her daughters both had a dispute.

My Aunt thought that there was something definitely wrong in both our families, so she decided to seek a solution, the one that has changed all of our lives, going to church, Beverly Hills Chinese Baptist Church.

My perception of BHCBC was very different, although I had not regularly attended a Catholic Church, still I had a deep sense that there were many things that were different. I was greeted by very cheerful people, who I call brothers and sisters now.

When I completed my first year of highschool, and after I had been at BHCBC, I decided to leave the Catholic Church as I saw that there was hardly any relationship encouraged with God as most of the time people spent there time talking to the Catholic priest and people were not able to have a relationship with God as they often needed to pray to Mary or saints who would pray to God for them. I also left the Catholic Church as the significance of God was constantly covered by traditions such as the sign of the cross before prayers and kissing the Bible. In summation, I left the Catholic Church, as it did not follow the Bible, which God commands us to, and I saw the Catholic Church was a way in which people lived a life worthy to the Pope and Priests.

While this transition occurred, my family was drastically changed when we came to change, as Christ worked in our family.
· My father – who was the angry figure in our family, began to show compassion for his children in different ways. Previously he had used physical discipline and said it was out of his love, but I never saw it that way.
· My mother – Christianity seemed like it was going to fail in our family, as my mum had difficulty in accepting Jesus as her Saviour. Our whole family was divided and it was the first time our whole family prayed together, for the acceptance of Christ by our mother
· Gary – we had fewer fights, although we may have had fights, they were not physical and as the sun set, we would forgive and let go.

I changed along with my family. I felt God calling me to be a follower of the Baptists and reminding me that he had given us the Bible for us to follow on earth. The Holy Spirit guided me through my spiritual battle, although I was unaware of it. God’s promise of the Paraclete helped remove my hard heartedness and allowed me to see the plan he had for me and that was to be a proper child of God and obey him through his words. Since following the Baptist Church, I have seen that all that God commands us to do is in the Bible, no need for stupid traditions and praying to Mary and the saints. I have also learnt to have a closer relationship with God, that is, a relationship that does not need me to ask someone else like Mary to pray for me or go to confession to have my sins forgiven by a priest.

My parents were quickly baptised in 2001 and I knew it was a fresh start that God had given our family. I felt a strong urge to be converted in the Baptist Church but I was like most people as I was too afraid to speak up. God opened the door to me early 2002, when Annie Shum, Andrew Wong and Vincent Tang asked whether I would like to be confirmed as a Baptist. My conversion made it clear to me that I was saved by the grace of God, which continuously amazes me, not by the works I have done or whether I have committed a serious sin such as murder, as I was taught at a young age.

In summation, God has not only transformed me but he did this as a result of transforming our whole family. As God discretely revealed his plan to our family through my Catholic Baptism, I had a “passport that allowed me to enter a Catholic School, however my salvation as a Catholic was one that was you could say as treading on thin ice as it had no concordance to the Bible. Today, as a result of my own FREEWILL, I have already accepted Jesus Christ to be my Saviour for God’s eternal plan for myself. I was baptised as a Catholic without FREEWILL and had no understanding of its significance. Today, I feel it is God’s plan and have a strong desire to be baptised as a result of my own decision to show that I want to start a new life and follow the Bible as Jesus commanded it.

 

Lucy

Good Morning/Afternoon Everyone,

My name is Lucy and I’m 19 years old. I was born in China, in the city of Shanghai and now I study Computer Science at the University of New South Wales. This is my testimony to the living God who has loved me, called me and forgiven me through the grace of his son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

I grew up in Sydney, in a supportive and accepting family of four with a sister who’s currently attending high school. My parents are Buddhist. We have a huge, custom redwood worship stand in our living room built especially for the Buddhist statue, the glass bowls of fruit, 50cent sized ceramic cups always filled with water and the golden incense holder. Although the stand reaches up to my shoulders, I’ve never felt anything behind its significance. Something about talking to a statue, cleaning the yellow smoke stains off the ceiling and positioning the furniture in wind positions, which did not coincide with my inner conviction that there is an intelligent creator and a higher force, which governs this world. Yet growing up without God, I had put my faith in my studies, human effort and at times, I felt like I was enslaved to conform to the expectations and fashions of this world.

I first experienced knowledge about God when I was in the 9th grade. My girls’ high school had weekly Christian Ed classes taught by this red-haired lady who was also my geography teacher. My Christian Ed teacher spoke as one with honest passion, logical reasoning, and a controversial sense of humor. She told us stories of this creator and a universal cohesive force, which we call God. She spoke of heaven, of her own revelations and conversion and of the significance of Madonna videos in Italy during the late 80s. She lifted up her leg on the table to show us the boots she wore when trekking up Mount Sini and through Mecca. Her words were earnest, powerful yet humble and she backed them up as one with experience. She once boldly declared that Christians have the freedom to drink and spoke of the time she shocked one of her ex-students by buying her a bourbon and cola in front of her friends. She also emphasized that diet cola, chocolate and Greek plate smashing is more fun than getting drunk any day. But truly the most significant thing she talked about was this man called Jesus. She declared that he is God in the flesh and was sent by his father to die by crucifixion as to atone for human sin. That even though Jesus was holy, he was human and had experienced pain and human emotions. He was one of those people, who when he talked, everyone listened and were amazed and I believed her, because that was the type of influence she had over her students. She said Jesus was the promised messiah and it’s not by our own works but the grace of God that we are saved.

Sometime during the next few years, I prayed for this God to reveal himself to me and show me the richness of a Christian life. At the time, I didn’t know any churches I could attend or even where to obtain a bible but God had provided me with some close Christian friends and his Holy Spirit. My first bible was a devotional bible and had an inscription on the cover: “Lucy, May the word of God influence you in many ways.” I was given this bible after my car accident in the 11th grade when I got hit outside my high school in the rain. I flipped in the air, landed face down on the road, with one of my shoes nearby. God recovered me to full health, but he also cemented my trust in him, and hope in relationships at the same time.

When I started university, one of my close friends, Renee, had filled in an application for me to attend a Mid-Year Conference UNSW church camp with her. She didn’t hand the form in, but sort of pointed to it with a toothy grin. This camp was unique from all the other camps I’ve been to throughout high school.
Pervading our surroundings, there was this sense of inclusion, enthusiastic energy and a harmonization of spirits. The first years sat with the post-grads and seniors during lunch and discussed the food, study and how God had worked in their lives. I cannot fully describe it, but these people were genuinely friendly, passionate, and possessed this zeal to love God and his creations. We were all united and ignited under the Holy Spirit, and for brief moments, I experienced this sense of what heaven would be like. We all wore nametags and everyone introduced themselves to everyone else. The 3 most asked questions were: 1. What course do you do? 2. Which year are you in? And 3. Which church do you go to? I could answer the first two, but had trouble explaining the last one. I prayed about this and once again God delivered. This church moved and now celebrates its 1year anniversary for being 10 minutes away from my house.

I often get asked, how do I know that God exists and is intervening in my life? It’s hard to give a one-dimensional answer.
How do you condense to 50 words or less, every living day when God speaks, guides and gives meaning to life, answering your prayers through his love, sacrifice and promise? It is not through blind self-reprimand or convoluted logic, but an active relationship that possesses a power to bring everything, even suffering to one’s advantage so that we may become ‘kings and priests’. Romans 5: 2-4 affirms “… And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” In essence, it is a relationship that flourishes upon submission and obedience. It is an odd thing to do, baptism is odd, it’s a celebration where you witness seemingly reasonable people get dunked underwater in front of strangers, friends and family. But Jesus has commanded this and so we do it, for he has looked upon his children and said, “Trust me.”


Hayden Chan

Looking back, I have been, and still am, so blessed in all aspects of my life, even though some of them were fairly well disguised at the time. There have never been any great ups or downs, perhaps because God understands that change and I are not good friends.

I first attended church with my parents shortly after emigrating to Australia, when I was about 7 years old. Every Sunday was filled with Bible stories, hymn singing, great friends – it was all very comfortable. Questions such as “Who is Jesus?” were easily deflected by my well-versed answer of “He is the Son of God who came to the world to save us from our sins by dying on the cross and rising again on the third day.” Prayer was something you should do at church and just before meals.

By around the middle of high school, however, the questions became harder to answer. How can a 2000 year old cross save me? I had no idea. Nevertheless I did not dare to ask. People like me were supposed to know the answer! I had Christianity down to a fine art, but at that time I started to feel exactly like the fool who built his house on the sand. I felt the pressure and hated it, I was angry that God never seemed to reveal Himself to me, never had any dramatic life changing moment. At the same time I never thought that I needed Him, since I did not really need help with anything.

But thankfully I was never brave enough to completely let go. I’m sure that was God working, and I am so thankful He never let me go. He gave me the determination to instead go the other way. Unfortunately pride still made me wary to ask questions, but God mercifully provided answers through speakers, books, teachers, friends and a loving, patient family. At one evangelistic night when I was in year 11 the speaker especially spoke to those who have been to church for a long time, but never really received Jesus as their Lord. Yes, that was me!

The more I learnt, the worse I felt. In this new light I was proud, envious, impatient, ignorant… I was a sinner. But at the same time I thought it was OK since according to my half learnt theology, God somehow works everything out. I prayed, I read the Bible, and tried to “be good” but I did not achieve the joy and peace I was expecting. But God wasn’t ignoring my cries, even though it felt like that at the time. He answered it simply by bringing me back to the foot of the cross. At a summer youth camp the whole plan of salvation was explained to us. God gave me the wisdom to finally understand the answer I thought I knew. I realized the grace of God is bigger than I ever imagined – as the Bible says, where sin increased, grace increased all the more. This brought me a new purpose, a new hope, and certainly the peace and joy of God filled my void as He promised.

This doesn’t mean life is plain sailing from now on. Actually there are still times of doubt, of sadness, of tiredness, of laziness. But by the mercy of God my sins are now carried by Jesus – that’s what He did 2000 years ago. “God showed His love for us in this: while we were still sinners, He died for us.” I pray that everyone can come to know this God that I know, to experience the same joy and peace, and live with the same hope of eternal life! Praise and glory be to Him who loves us and calls to us, and I pray that we can respond to His call by accepting Him as our God and Saviour!

EDWIN

Many of you have probably known me since I was in Year 4, when I first came to this church, small, immature and naive. Not much has changed since then, but I have grown in one aspect, which is my faith. As I was raised in a Christian family and background, most of my teenage life I’ve been sheltered under the caring wings of my parents. As Aunty Tiny, one of my bible study leaders, challenged me last year to experience God myself, I began to think about my relationship with God, and started to consider and think about what it is like to be baptised. I was slightly put off being baptised initially, as I thought it was just something for older people, and that once you were baptised, you had to be really obedient.

Nevertheless, I decided to start talking to people about it, what it involved and how I should approach it. There probably was no exact time when I could say that I was converted, but more of a realisation of how God has played such a great role in my life, especially during this year through the HSC and stresses of leaving school.

One incident which I remember was during my trials before a maths examination, in which I was really nervous, unprepared and stressed. I was emotionally, physically and spiritually drained, and I felt so weak and powerless. On the verge of breaking down, I sat down and prayed to God, telling Him all my problems and asking Him to help me through this difficult time. After prayer, I felt an overwhelming feeling of peace inside me, one which I’ve never experienced before. It was then when I truly realised how much God loves me and cares about me, completely understanding what I’m going through, as He came down as a man once before. It was then when I realised that God is in control of everything, and He has the ultimate plan for everyone of us. From then on, I was strengthened in my faith, in trusting in the Lord to carry me on His shoulders. All I need is to have faith.

When Pastor Megan presented the opportunity to become baptised just a few months ago, I decided to really consider baptism and take it as a serious step in my spiritual journey. Not just a thing for old people, but an acknowledgement that we are all sinners, fallen short of being called righteous in the eyes of God. But because of His incredible love for us, He sent Jesus Christ to die for us, so that all who believe in Him, will not perish, but have eternal life.

Although I’m not a perfect Christian, actually, I’m very far from it, but I hope to grow in spirit and in truth as I walk alongside Jesus in my spiritual life. I’d just like to thank everyone who have supported me spiritually through the years, pastors, bible study teachers, friends, and of course my loving family. For those who haven’t been baptised yet, I urge you to consider it as a serious commitment, but one you will never regret. Thank you for allowing me to share my testimony to you all, and I’d like to end with my favourite passage from the Bible, from Isaiah, 40:29-31.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles
They will run and not grow weary
They will walk and not be faint.

Jeoffrey
I had started to go to church on a regular basis, when I came to Australia in 1992. I was 5 years old, so, I wasn’t really there for worship of any kind. Just to play. It was like that for a number of years. Soon after, I started Sunday School. I knew Sunday School was a place to learn about Jesus and God. Before we started Sunday School, we had to sing praise to God, but I never realised that. And so, it was the worst part of my day on Sunday, mainly because I can’t read Chinese. And there was one teacher, who had always noticed us boys not singing, and we got punished by her for not singing, standing up and singing solo, singing as a group of boys in front of everyone. But that was always over after a while. I gained knowledge about the bible through Sunday School, but it was more as a story rather than a religious belief. Then in yr 6, my friends had grown by another year, and moved to the youth service. I felt kinda lonely during the Sunday School, because it was me, and 3 other girls. I was very intimidated, outnumbered by 3 to 1. The Auntie in charge of Sunday School saw that, and gave me the choice to move up into the youth service. I knew it was the wrong motive to move up, but it was much better than being with 3 girls. So, I moved up.
It was mainly in yr 7, where I had started to believe the stories I had learnt in Sunday School. I realised they were more than just stories, but was a belief. Throughout yr 7 and 8, my mind grew spiritually, and I understood the messages the mentors were giving. I knew what I was believing in, and who I was believing. It was Jesus. I knew that to believe, I had to accept Jesus as my personal saviour for my sins.
Within my heart, I accepted, but, I was too scared to walk up to a mentor and tell them that. For a few weeks I didn’t make a move, until Auntie Maureen approached me and said she’d like to talk to me after I came back from soccer. I thought that this was my chance to tell her. And when I went back to church, I finally found Auntie Maureen… but along with 2 others. I walked into the room and I was really nervous. And they started to talk to me about my belief. At the end of it, I was a Christian.
The past few years have been the most hectic of my life. Not my whole family is Christian, because my dad isn’t. He has affected me the most in my life, probably because every few days I would get into trouble. Even up until now, I still get into trouble, for mainly minor things like not helping out or house chores and when I did, he never said anything. Throughout my high school life, he was harsh on me. Conversations never came up when it was just us, or when our family is there. It was just my sister and mum who I would easily start a conversation with. My mum always told me that, no matter what he is still my dad, and I should at least try and do the things he wants me to.
I knew my dad wanted the best for me. But his method for doing so, I thought was harsh. It was him who brought me closer to God. There have been countless arguments over the years. All of them I would end up crying. My mum always saw me sad when these arguments occur. And the next few days after the argument I would be silent, not talking to anyone. My mum would talk to me and encourage me that my dad isn’t Christian, we have to accept him and try to be a living representation of what a Christian is like. I tried, but I would always end up in trouble. The reason I disliked my dad is most probably because of the way he teaches me, by way of scolding me, not caring for my feelings. But I never showed it. Though I know the 10 commandments tell me that I have to honour my father and mother, most of the time, and I can only do half. I tried hard, but never worked. There have been times where I blame God for doing this to me, I always ask him why he puts so much pain in my life. And then I think back to what Jesus has done for me. And my faith in Him grows.
The past few months, I have only got into trouble a few times. And I thank God for it. I know that my dad wants the best for me, and recently I have improved into being the son he wants me to. I realised that my improvement is God's doing. And that without him I know I can’t handle things that come into my life. Also, I think that God has begun to change his heart, as arguments within the family have decreased dramatically.
I'm here because I want to get baptised. My dad has actually helped me rely on God more than ever and has helped me realise God's power in everything. After every argument I would pray as hard I could to Him, to get me past these things, and to change my dad’s heart so that he could become a Christian. For the past 5 years I have been praying for him to be changed and become a Christian. But it hasn't changed yet. But I believe God can do it. And through these hard times I have gone through with my dad, I have learnt to trust God with all my things, and not trying to do all things by myself. I know that God will be able to change my dad’s heart in his own time. God's care of me has made me realise that he can do anything and everything.