COVENANT B-P CHURCH

Park Jung Il

I am glad to share the latest news with you about Covenant Bible-Presbyterian Church (CBPC) in Korea. In December last year, we bought a new place for worship service and decorated and equipped the place as needed. This was an answer to our long prayer. The church started 2019 with this theme verse: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

I attended the Youth Camp of True Life BPC in December 2018. I greatly benefited from the messages and meditated on them back in Korea. The following is my personal meditation and observation.

How can I abide in Jesus Christ? “Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.” (1 Pet 1:11). The Holy Spirit is called “the Spirit of Christ”. I concluded that today to abide in Jesus is to be guided by the Spirit.

How can I be guided by the Spirit? “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13). Here, “guide” means “teach”, “instruct”. I decided to make every effort to grow in God’s words and to preach and teach. Secondly, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Rom 8:14). The word “led” (Greek ago) means to walk with the help of another. I confess that without being led by the Holy Spirit, I cannot step forward. This fact led the church to pray earnestly.

What fruit do I have to bear? Firstly, to cultivate Christian character: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” (Gal 5:22–23). Secondly, to realise my mission and walk with God: “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:” (Matt 7:7). The mission committed to me by God is to preach and teach God’s words. To do this, I have to diligently study God’s words. Church members must each ask and seek and find what mission God has given to them. After finding it, we have to live faithfully not before man but before God.

Preaching and Teaching

In the Lord’s Day morning worship service, we learned the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5–7. Through this, we came to know well God’s kingdom in our heart and as God’s people how we should live and what we should live for. After the Sermon on the Mount, we have been learning from the book of Genesis. Through this, we can understand well God’s covenant. God chose His people from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Although they made many mistakes like us, yet God was with them and finally made them grow in their faith. They were used by God to fulfill His covenant. We cannot have any hope because of our weaknesses but we put our hope in God who is changing us by His grace and His power.

Lord’s Day Bible Study

We studied the book of Romans and speedily reviewed the book once more. This study of Romans helped the church stand firmly on the doctrine of salvation. In our doctrinal study, we have been learning from the Westminster Confession of Faith. This helps us to understand the doctrine systematically.

Prayer Meeting

Every Wednesday, we gathered and prayed to God for our needs and wait for God’s answers. We prayed especially about relocating the church. We rented a place for three years and the contract ended in 2019. Furthermore, the place was too narrow and small. In December last year, God showed us the place for worship service and helped us to buy at a very cheap price. We no longer need to pay rental fees, which is a big help to the church. We believe this is God’s answer to our prayers. The church experienced God’s guidance and power. We all praised God who is listening to His children’s prayers.

Evangelism and Growth

We have been preaching the gospel to a woman for three years. Every Friday I visit her. She encouraged me to move the church near her place and even reached out to others for me. Although she does not attend worship service currently, I see God’s grace in her and I believe God will open her mind in His time. I pray for her that she will become Lydia of the Philippian church. We also pray and invite our relatives to our worship service. Now, there is no visible fruit but we will sow and pray to God for the church’s growth without discouragement.

My two sons are growing in God and becoming my good coworkers. They give me many helps such as moving things and painting. My first son will go to the air force for national service. My second son graduated from high school and is praying for God’s leading. I teach him English and encourage him to read the Bible diligently.

Encouragement by God

Last year was the third year since I started the church. Because of the number of church members, I used to be frustrated and discouraged. Whenever I felt that way, God encouraged me in various ways. When I prepared a sermon, I felt God’s encouragement. When I felt I was alone, I received calls from a bank that True Life BPC sent love gifts. I am not alone. There is the church and those who support and pray for me.

Last year, we had visitors from True Life BPC. One family and some sisters came. Because of them, my family was so encouraged. My wife said to me that she once again knew how important fellowship is among saints. I really thank my principal and pastor and True Life members. In spite of this small BPC in Korea, I and my church will not compromise and will do our part here in Korea. (Email, 30 January 2020)

AVIARI MISSIONS REPORT

Shobastian

Greetings in the blessed name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I would like to thank God for His mercy and blessings upon His work here in Aviari.

Evangelism and visitation are still our priority each day. Starting at the beginning of this month, I spent some time teaching the Bible to the children in Efata Christian School. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday morning I go there. On Tuesday I spend time with them till the afternoon to give them Christian education. I do not do evangelism and visitation here in the morning because people are busy with their work. So I just try to spend my time in the morning usefully for my own personal studies and preparation.

This month was actually quite a tough month for me, especially concerning health. About two weeks ago I was down with fever and sore throat for a few days. But thank God, I was healed. However, these last few days I am down with flu. Thank God this morning I feel much better after resting and taking medicine. Please pray for good health and strength.

Evangelism is not an easy task here. After a few months doing it here, I realised that it is not going to be easy. Many of the unbelievers are not interested at all in religion. They do not appreciate talking about religion, even rejecting to receive tracts. Many young people call themselves Christians but they live unholy lives. I am trying to help them, inviting them to church for fellowship and worship. Thank God, two to three persons come, though not regularly. Hopefully by much prayer and persistency, others would come and listen to the Word of God.

Thank God for the fellowship, children’s ministry, and worship service each week. Some of the children have grown up to become teenagers. I invited them to join the teens and young people’s fellowship. Hopefully they will come, starting tonight.

Please continue to pray for the ministry here in Aviari.

1. Please pray for the work of evangelism, that the people will open their hearts to receive the good news of Christ.
2. Please pray for those who have been fellowshipping and worshipping with us (Harianto, Febri, Yosef, Adrian, Yoniman, Jumdes, Ian, Dewi, Paskah, Elvin, Bobby, Tania, Tania’s mother, and Mrs Marulia), that they will continue to come regularly.
3. Please pray that I might recover fully from my flu.
4. Please pray for Mr Simamora. He has heart disease. He was hospitalised and thank God now at home in a much better condition. I have been visiting him to encourage and pray for him. He and his family are Christians. Hopefully he can recover fully and be strong enough to come to church to worship with us. (Photo below)
5. Please pray that God will put the burden upon one or some of the young people to join me in evangelism and visitation.

Thank you for your prayer and support for us. Please send my greetings to FEBC and the True Life BP Church. You are in my prayers too. (Email, 1 February 2020)