Last Sunday Service at Tsuen Wan Hope Centre 

February 12, 2023

Thank God for the miraculous leading over the past 15 years !

It was a memorable day as we would move to the new venue after this combined Sunday Service. We gathered together at 10:30am and carried a mood of anticipation to experience this historical moment !

In the “Refreshing Moment”, interpreted by sister Ivy, Pastor Gavin shared Psalm 100. It tells that the greatness and goodness of God are the fundamental truth. These all come together in our Lord Jesus Christ. He demonstrates the greatness of God via miracles of healing and forgiveness; and His goodness via compassion and preaching the good news.

Chair-person sister Rosanna and interpreter sister Julia delivered a big welcome to all participants with joy. And sister Gloria led the congregation to dwell into a powerful Praise and Worship. After taking communion, over 10 brothers and sisters marched onto stage and announced the slogan of year 2023 – “Let Us Embark on this Life Adventure, with Faith We Sow and Take Root in Him” – which was inspired by the Bible story of crossing river Jordan to the Promised Land in Book of Joshua. Then small paper plates were distributed to all brothers and sisters for painting their beautiful pictures in mind towards our new home, and these painted plates would be used to decorate the new venue.

In the testimony session, brother Jun testified God’s goodness, and his graceful growth journey in the past years. He shared that with a tendency to think negatively, he was easily pressurized by focusing on the risks and imperfections in all aspects of daily life. Nevertheless God helped him to have a breakthrough and to put his hope in God. He quoted the process of choosing the new venue to manifest God’s miracle because the new landlord eventually offered us a larger venue. God reigns and He is in control of everything ! God inspired him through making the impossible possible, and his sharing encouraged us as mentioned in Psalm 27:13-14.

Then Pastor Gavin continued the preaching on Psalm 100 and expressed his thanksgiving over the past 15 years. God gave him a vision in November 2021 that the rain of abundance would come in year 2023. It was impossible to comprehend amidst the lingering of pandemic at that time, but the vision was eventually realized. In God everything is possible ! We all could have the intimate relationship with Him through first-hand experience. To echo this part, four brothers and sisters came on stage to share their testimonies:

1. Brother Alex concluded his life journey in Hope Centre by two words “Build-up”. He shared the challenges of his mission to develop young leaders in Tertiary Group. Even he was so passionate, spiritual attack including misunderstanding and separation amongst brothers made him depressed. He doubted himself the suitability of being a leader during that time. But he overcame the difficulties by taking root in church via worship service, taking part in ministry, devotion, gathering and praying. He also shared that, in God’s love, he had grown up. Just as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:6, God helps the growth when we do the planting. He finished the testimony by expressing his hope of being greatly used by God.

2. Brother Lai thanked God for the 3 stages of learning. First stage : he learnt from God’s word by listening to the preaching in the Sunday services, and guidance of shepherd and Pastors. Second stage : learning by serving in pastoral and ministry areas, by seeking God and His kingdom first and the unity and discipline were gained. Third stage: learning from suffering, in the past three years, he experienced the passing away of his father and youngest sister, the crisis of church, social unrest and the pandemic. It was so tough that he cried out “Jesus save me”. Then he found a book “Why Bad Things Happen to God’s People?”, which directed him to read the book of Job. After the reading, he learnt that God’s will is higher than his; and he was clear that he would keep seeking God thought he did not know the reasons why bad things happen to God’s people.

3. Brother Wai Hong shared his blessed life journey and growth by taking part in Musical. Around 10 years ago, it was a short worshiping activity to sing the published songs with altered lyrics after Bible Conference. Since the second year, the team had launched the own CD album and Musical had progressively become an evangelistic event by adopting various Bible stories. He stressed that it was very challenging as he did not have the relevant knowledges and skills. It required a lot of preparation time and a wide range of knowledge. He had to study Bible again and again as Words of God were quoted. He concluded that even though it was the most challenging ministry, he could join hands with brothers and sisters to experience God, to grow up together, and to enjoy the processes of producing Musical.

4. Sister Lolita shared that she could draw near to God via Medical Relief. By taking part in it, she had a break-thought of life. She was full of joy and energy, and mission-oriented. This ministry let her rely more on God, better understand her own self, and overcome her weaknesses. She also learnt to cherish what she had, and to minimize complaints and comparison after repeatedly witnessing the sick being healed and saved. She successfully encouraged her mother and son to join regularly and to experience the caring amongst brothers and sisters. In this ministry, she understood that God is speaking to and leading her. From the first trip till now, she is clear that she will keep taking part in Medical Relief.

After the wonderful testimonies, Pastor Gavin introduced the name of our new home in Kwai Hing. It is Hope Oasis, stands for God’s unlimited supply and miraculous provision. Furthermore, sister Pak Sai led a special activity for our new home. By following the Bible story that Joshua put up the stones of remembrance for the Twelve Tribes of Israel while crossing river Jordan, she invited brothers and sisters to pick their own communion cup, to write down the names, and to put them into a colourful house shaped box that would be brought to the new venue. Then we all had group photos, came on stage to leave words on the backdrop, and celebrated the birthday of Pastor Gavin.

The moving began immediately after the lunch. A group of brothers and sisters together with Pastor Gavin came back to do the packing of musical instruments, AV equipment, and the furniture for the transportation scheduled in coming weeks.

Praise the Lord that we are moving to the Hope Oasis !

Let’s keep following Jesus and start a new page !