Pastoral Letter - June 2009

Dear Fellow Salvationists,

This Pastoral Letter comes to you with my warmest greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ and with my prayers for each of you. The Lord is using the Army in wonderful ways. We seek to be faithful to the divine impulse to go out into the world representing Jesus Christ to all we meet. My constant prayer for you is that God will use you, just as he uses all who are faithful to him regardless of their denominational affiliation. My Fellow Salvationists, you are key players in a mighty Christian host of believers scattered across the globe. I hold you all before the Lord in prayer as I write to you. God has a part for you to play in his great plan of salvation.

The theme of this letter is Leadership.

There is a deep and true sense in which all Christians are leaders. Often we use the word 'leader' to mean a person in high position or with authority over others. This is a legitimate use of the word, but for now let me suggest that we can use it with a wider, more inclusive, meaning.

You are a leader just where God has placed you. You can influence other lives, leading people to consider the things of Christ. You can lead others into the realisation there is more to life than selfishness or the pursuit of pleasure. You can be the sanctified leader when someone suggests that you engage with them in some doubtful activity. You can lead when others do not sense someone's hurt, or another's need. You can take the lead when others stand by idly or are in confusion as to the way forward in a time of crisis.

To be a leader like this does not require a special rank or position, or any kind of formal authorisation. Each believer in Jesus is called to be a leader like this. All Christians are called to be leaders.

The very fact that we are known to be in the Army can sometimes make other people have expectations of us that mean we will often need to show initiative and leadership more than others. Our uniforms can result in expectations like this. There is a deep sense in which the wearing of Salvation Army uniform says to others that the wearer is ready to take responsibility in the unexpected moment, to take the lead in the unlikely situation.

In fact, there is a sense in which we are an Army of leaders. We each have a leadership function to carry out. Let us not minimise this or shrink from it out of shyness or fear. The Lord who calls us is able to accomplish through us everything he wills and wishes. The Holy Spirit is our guide and our helper.

Without diminishing in any way this 'leadership' role of all believers, let me also mention those who hold heavy leadership burdens in the Army because of their rank or appointment as officers. On Tuesday, 7 July 2009 London will host a gathering of the Army's most senior officers. An International Conference of Leaders like this takes place every few years. I seek your prayers for those who will gather with me. They are spiritual leaders like you, in the deep sense I have tried to outline above, but they are also leaders in the organisational sense in terms of the senior responsibilities they carry within the Army.

We shall number about 140 and will be together for seven days. Let me mention the two most important things we will do in that week: we will pray together, especially for you and your fellow Salvationists, and we will study the Scriptures together, waiting upon God for his divine direction and impulse.

We will also take a warm-hearted but hard-headed look at the state of the world, at the readiness of the Army in 118 countries to engage with the modern world, and at the need to see far into the future to discern God's way forward for his Salvation Army.

Please, please pray about this gathering. Let me give you the dates again: 7 - 13 July 2009. Perhaps you can enter these dates into your prayer diary or into your devotional schedule so that you can influence the deliberations through prayer. That would be wonderful! Perhaps you could covenant with the Lord to hold a particular participant, perhaps your own leader, before the Lord each day of the conference. What a difference you could make in that way!

God bless you in your own local leadership, both in your community and in your corps. Every soldier is a leader for God and the gospel. I pray that you will be used to lead others into faith in Jesus as their Saviour. I pray that you will be used to lead others eventually to their eternal reward when we shall see Jesus in Heaven. What a day that will be!

I commend you to the perfect love of Christ.

I pray for you daily.

Sincerely in Jesus,

Shaw Clifton

General

2009 June NewsLetter

Daniel Hor’s Story...

My name is Daniel Hor Chee Leung and I am 19 years old. I was born in Ipoh, but dur-ing my early childhood years, I lived with my parents in Johor. I have a younger brother and sister. When I was 8 years old, I started help-ing my parents at a Dim Sum shop in Johor Baru. When I was in Primary 4 (10 years old), someone from the So-cial Welfare Department came by and upon inspecting me, found cane marks along my back. My parents were reprimanded for this, and after that, my aunt from Penang brought me home to live with her. After staying with my aunt for a year, we were visited by Captain Leong and Mrs. G from the Salvation Army. After the visit, my aunt decided to place me in the Salvation Army’s Penang Children’s Home.

Read More ...

Freedom above all

Freedom above all

The mystery of the world abides in freedom: God desired freedom and freedom gave rise to tragedy in the world. Freedom is at the beginning and at the end. I might say that all my life I was engaged in hammering out a philosophy of freedom. I was moved by the basic conviction that God is truly present and operative only in freedom. Freedom alone should be recognised as possessing a sacred quality, whilst all the other things to which a sacred character has been assigned since history began ought to be made null and void. I found strength to renounce many things in life, but I have never renounced anything in the name of duty or out of obedience to precepts and prohibitions: I renounced for the sake of freedom, and, maybe, also out of compassion. Nothing could ever tie me down, and this, no doubt, has to some extent weakened my efficiency and diminished my possibilities of self-realisation. I always knew, however, that freedom gives birth to suffering, while the refusal to be free diminishes suffering. Freedom is not easy, as its enemies and slanders allege: freedom is hard; it is a heavy burden. All things in human life should born of freedom and pass through freedom and be rejected whenever they betray freedom. The true meaning and origin of the fallen condition of humanity is to be seen in the primordial rejection of freedom.

From Dream and Reality by Nicolas Berdyaev

Announcements

1. Pray for the following young people who have started the Junior Soldier’s Preparation class, Beyghan, Dennis, Jia Wei, Eng Chai, David. Ah Choong, Thomas and Raymond. They will be enrolled next Sunday 31 May.

2. Pray for Jack, Steven & Ash as they depart for Vocational training in Montfort Boys Town on 13 June 2009.

3. Pray for outreach program where an Art Class will be held for primary school children which will be conducted by Bro Samuel Ooi in June.

4. Bintulu Corps Youth Service team (24) visit to Penang 3-8 June 2009.

5. There will be an exciting children’s Holiday Program 4-6 June 9.00 am-4.30pm.

6. Youth Councils 6 June 5.00 pm-11.00pm, Sat.

7. Special Sunday meeting 7 June led by the youths with their corps officer Captain Tan Guat Hai.

2009 May NewsLetter

My Story...by Steven Ch’ng

My name is Steven Ch’ng, and I am originally from Sabah. When I was 7 or 8, my mother passed away and my father brought my elder brother, my sister and me to stay with a relative in Ipoh, while he went to Penang to work. He also placed my younger brother who was 2 or 3 at the time, in a day care in Penang. My father would visit us for 2 or 3 days each month at the time.

In Ipoh, we were placed under the care of an uncle who was taking drugs at the time. My uncle wanted us to work as panhandlers, but we refused.

... Read More

Announcements

Here are some updates:

1) Thanks to all who helped in the jumble collection for Uganda project which brought in a total of RM1,400

2) We are pleased to announce a warm gross income of RM37,000 from the TSA Children Home Open Day 2009

TSA Children Home Open Day 2009

Few photos taken from the TSA Children Home Open Day 2009

Album

2009 April NewsLetter

For this month release, we have a long list of events happening. From testimonial, good friday, new soldiers enrollment, TSA Penang Boys home open day, more.

Read more...

Announcements

2 May 2009:
Jumble collection, 2009 Helping Hand Appeal for Uganda

8~10 May 2009
Young People Worker Retreat 2009 @ Praisehaven 500 Upper Bukit Timad Road, Singapore

2 ~ 8 June 2009:
Visit of Bintulu Corps Youth Service Team to Penang Corps

5 ~ 7 June 2009:
Territorial Women's Minitry Camp @ Hotel Sri Malaysia Melaka.
RM240/pax excluding transport.

Contact Major Francis for more information.

Helping Hand Appeal for Uganda ~ 2 May 2009

We are having a jumble collection on 2 May 2009 for the helping hand appeal for Uganda.

We are looking for volunteer from all areas to help us in this project.

You may also want to donate your old usable items for this helping hand project.



Kindly contact Major Francis and Major Mary for further information.

New Year Eve 2009 Celebration

Picture of New Year Eve 2009 ~ Celebration
(-- delayed publication --)



Click here for more photos

Christmas 2008

Picture of Christmas 2008 ~ Celebration
(-- delayed publication --)




Click here for more photos @ Penang Corps




Click here for more photos @ TSA Boys Home

Carolling 2008

Picture of Carolling 2008 by SA Penang Corps and Boys Home
(-- delayed publication --)



Click here for more photos

Quit Time Seminar

Venue:
The Salvation Army, Penang Corps
53 Perak Road
10150, Georgetown, Penang

Date: 25th April 2009
Time: 8pm ~ 10pm

No Registration Fees!
Only need to purchase a Devotional Guide





Material's Cost:
Scripture Union Bible Bytes Vol 12 - RM4
90-Days Devotional Guide for Youths

Scripture Union Asian Reflections Yr. 4 Vol 1 - RM18
Devotional Guide for Adults (Jan-Jun)

For more information, contact:
Major Francis Ng
012 - 405 2430 / 04 - 229 0921
penang_corps @ smm.salvationarmy.org

Announcements

We look forward to you joining us as one family of God.

Immediate

Our condolences and prayer request for sister Fiona Loh & her family on the passing away of their mother 2 weeks ago.

April 2009

1) CCM Combined Good Friday Service 10 April 8.00 pm @ Wesley Methodist Church.

2) This year’s Open Day will be held on April 18 from 9am-3pm, at the Penang Children’s Home. Coupons are available for sale, and we are looking for sponsors for the stalls.

3) We will be having a Quiet Time/Devotional workshop by SUFES on April 25 at 8pm, Jimmy Wang conducting.

May 2009

There will be a jumble collection on May 2, for the 2009 Helping Hand Appeal for Uganda.

Young People Worker Retreat from May 8-10, venue PraiseHaven, Singapore.

2009 March NewsLetter

On Being a Sunday School Teacher… By Loo-Thoe Tan.

About 5 years ago, I signed up as a Sunday School teacher for the Penang Corps. I felt that I could contribute in this minis-try and that the task would not be too formidable. Was I in for a big surprise! Here is the description on the role and respon-sibility of a Sunday School teacher, that I have learned from the Bible (quotes taken from NIrV version).

Sharing God words by Brother Jimmy - Love (1 Corinthians 13)

Read More..

Announcements

Events & High-lights

• Major Francis is cur-rently away on assign-ment in Myanmar. Please continue to pray for a safe and fruitful mission for him.



• Feb 14-15: Majors Bob and Wendy Lee conducted a Bible Study with us on Val-entine’s Day, and also led the Sunday Ser-vice & sermon. Thank you, Majors !



• Feb 22: Brother Paul Ong preached on our need for God’s Holy Spirit to keep the fire burning in our hearts and grow the church. Thank you, Paul!


Commissioners David and Grace Bringans, our territorial commanders, were with us on Feb 8 and announced their upcoming (July 1) appointments as territorial leaders of the Mexico Territory. Comm. David Bringans shared with the congregation that we are not only to do good, but to obey God. Comm. Grace Bringans urged the congregation to be a blessing to others even in little ways, in line with our vision this year to “Go and Make Disciples NOW!”. We thank our leaders for their love and teachings over the years and wish them every blessing in Christ Jesus. God bless you, Comm. David & Grace Bringans

2009 February Newsletter

Jack’s Story...

At age 17 and going on 18, Jack is among the oldest boys staying at the Penang Children’s Home. Shy and soft-spoken by nature, his congenial personality has also added to his many like-able traits. In this issue, Jack shares with us his family history, his experience with God and his aspirations for the future...

Read more...

Pastoral Letter - Feb 2009

MIRACLES

Dear Fellow Salvationists,

Greetings in Christ from London!

As this is the first Pastoral Letter of the New Year, Commissioner Helen Clifton joins me in wishing you all a very happy and blessed 2009. May it be a year when God draws very near to you, and you to him.

Do you believe in miracles? I most definitely do. Miracles take place all the time, but often we miss them or fail to recognise them. Recently I held a new born child. His name was Oscar and he was perfectly formed. He felt soft, tiny, and vulnerable. He was a miracle of new life. Everyone around him grew softer in their spirits and even in their body language - another everyday miracle.

At Christmas we met in person our youngest grandchild, Lincoln, in New Zealand. He had never met us during his 16 months of life. His first smile to us was a miracle of beauty. It communicated things to us no words can convey. It touched us deep within ourselves in ways that cannot be explained - another miracle.

At the other end of life there are miracles too. When my father was promoted to Glory in 2006 we witnessed the miracle of 'dying grace' as the Lord ministered to him in his final hours. Just a week ago a good family friend and fellow Salvationist related to us the evidence of the same 'dying grace' that fell upon her dear husband at the end. Miracles of grace!

We need never wrestle with the accounts in Scripture of miracles. We need never doubt the truth of what is recorded for us about the actions of Jesus. Once we know who Jesus is, instead of doubting the miracles we ought to be positively expecting them! It is just the same today. We know who he is, and we ought to expect miracles as an everyday thing.

Every coming to faith in Jesus Christ is a miracle of grace. Transforming a rebel against God into a prayerful, loving child of God is a miracle beyond compare. Then there are the continuous miracles of growing in grace: letting go of anger and embracing peace; rejecting the temptations of the world and preferring purity; dethroning self and living for others; replacing old, worn out ambitions with the perfect will of God for our lives.

Let me share with you what General Bramwell Booth once wrote about the miracle of a changed life:

The change of nature or character, which we undoubtedly see in some of God's people, is a true miracle. Here is one of the permanent wonders of God's dealing with us. We are not only made correct in outward acts, but changed in tastes, in desire, in preference - that is, in our very nature. When we see those who have from their youth up been accustomed to do and be evil, changed to do and love what is good, we are compelled to exclaim: 'This is none other than the work of the Holy Spirit! Behold, God is here!'

Exactly so - God is here - and therefore miracles are present too.

A prayer we can all use:

'Loving Heavenly Father, you have come among us in the person of Jesus Christ, your Son. Please stay with us. Do not abandon us to the world. Reveal yourself in love among us. Graciously indwell us by your Holy Spirit. Open our eyes to see you constantly at work. Help us to recognise the miraculous amid the everyday. Father God, please go on working your miracles of grace in me, using me more and more to your glory. Let me be one of your miracles of grace, and please do not ever cease to work in me to change me more and more into all you want me to be, so that one day I will be made ready to live with you in Heaven and to hear you say, Well done! Amen.'

I commend you all to the perfect love of Christ.

God bless and keep you.

Shaw Clifton

General

February 2009

Announcements

Happy Chinese New Year to all our Chinese parishioners & visitors !

Candidate Andrew Lo leaves us after a stay of 6 months to attend SFOT in Singapore. Our thanks and praise to God for his service of faith in Penang. Take care Andrew !!!

Please pray for Major Francis as he awaits his visa approval for his upcoming Myanmar visit to assist with the reconstruction effort after the recent cyclone devastation.

January 25 : Bro. Paul Ong will be preaching at Sunday Service. Our big “thank you” for coming all the way from Melaka for this.

February 7-8 : TC Commissioners David & Grace Bringans will be visiting Penang, a very warm welcome to both of them !

February 8 : Invitation to brother Chin Kheng’s CNY open house, our favorite church tradition... :)