Berita NECF Newletters

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Healing War Wounds

"FOR over 50 years, my whole being was full of hate for both Japan and its people. Then things began to change after Kate and I decided to join the Agape pilgrimage to Japan in October 1999 organised by Keiko (Holmes). During the trip we spent one night at a Japanese home and in the morning the little daughters took us to feed the fish in the river.

"As we walked along, I felt a little hand in mine. I looked down and saw the happy face of the seven-year-old looking up at me. Then I felt a warmth go through me. I felt so at peace! Then I thought ‘I cannot go on with this hatred in my heart, these were not the people who tortured us.’ I shall never forget those little girls. They brought peace to my heart and the power to forgive." – Syd Brewis, former Thai-Burma Railway Far East Prisoner of War (FEPOW).

Syd is just one of the many FEPOW that has found release from his dark past through Agape, a London-based ministry that helps bring healing and forgiveness between former FEPOW,their families and the Japanese people. Keiko is the founder of Agape and for her work, she was awarded the OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998.

Keiko will be in Kuala Lumpur on Nov 18 to conduct a reconciliation meeting organised by the NECF Malaysia Prayer Commission. During the meeting, she will, on behalf of the Japanese people, ask for forgiveness from Malaysians for all the atrocities committed by the Japanese during the Second World War.

A separate meeting will be held in Rawang on Nov 19. For more information, contact Ann Low at the NECF office.

Chinese Conference for Pastors, Full-time workers and Elders

DR Ernest Chan’s rousing messages and clear teaching at the recent Merdeka Prayer Rally for the Klang Valley Chinese churches and two conferences made a big impact on all who heard him.

The NECF Malaysia Chinese Commission has invited him back to conduct a conference for Chinese-congregation pastors and leaders from Dec 1 to 3 at Vistana Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. Dr Chan will impart his experience and knowledge on how to inspire and lead congregations to better serve God together.

Stay-in participants will pay RM320; others will pay RM160 (inclusive of lunch, two tea breaks and material). Subsidy of RM100 per person is available to stay-in participants (limited to two persons per church).

For more information, contact Hoong Eng at the NECF office.

Biblical Illiteracy - Discovery Workshop

"WE teach children and play with adults. Jesus taught adults and played with children." That was the insight of Rev Dr Harry Wendt, an Australian Lutheran pastor, who observed that few Christian adults had a good understanding of the Bible and how to read, study and live by it.

Their systematic biblical education ended when they left Sunday School. What they needed was a well-planned teaching programme that, in CONTENT and METHODOLOGY, presented a comprehensive overview of God’s revelation in the drama of Israel’s history and its fulfilment in Christ as recorded in Scripture.

And so he came up with a teaching programme of Biblical Theology suitable for the average church attender – with a big difference. Dr Wendt engaged an artist to prepare full-colour visuals in the form of overhead transparencies that reinforce the truths being taught. This venture back in the 1970s has grown to become a ministry, called The Crossways Foundation, that is equipping churches in many countries.

NECF Malaysia will, jointly with Crossways, conduct a two-day Discovery Workshop on Nov 5 and 6. Workshop participants will explore and be equipped to teach seven short courses.

The workshop will be held at the NECF office and the registration fee (inclusive of lunch and materials) is RM50 per person For more information, contact Rev Lai at the NECF office.

Mass Christmas Celebration

BM churches in the Klang Valley will come together on Dec 14 for a mass Christmas celebration in the first-ever gathering of such kind. Over 35 churches are expected to participate in this event organised by the NECF Malaysia BM Commission.

The night’s programme will be packed with musical and drama presentations, culminating in a message that will challenge participants to share the gospel.

To make the gathering more eventful, time will be allocated to honour pastors, workers and leaders in line with the NECF’s Appreciation Day initiative.

More details in the next Berita NECF issue.

 



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