For the first time, the 3 Eaglepoint churches in Malaysia located in Puchong, Damansara and Penang gathered for a combined service in KL a week ago. On October 23 (Saturday) more than 50 people (including kids) traveled to KL by bus (chartered by the church) and private cars to attend it.The bus carrying 36 people left Penang at 7am and arrived at Sunway Pyramid shortly before 1pm; we had lunch there.
By 3pm, we were ready to go to Eaglepoint Puchong church for the Leaders’ Meeting with no less than Pastor Steve Murrell, the President of Every Nation Churches and Ministries, as the speaker. Pastor Steve is also the Senior Pastor of Victory in Manila, Philippines. I always look forward to Pastor Steve’s speech/preaching because his messages are simple, yet very powerful.
Upon reaching the church in Puchong, we looked around and met new people. It was like stepping into a familiar but bigger church. I felt welcome immediately. Then the man we’ve been all waiting for arrived.
His talk centered on how to make disciples using the "same ole boring strokes". Wow, another great learning experience for me! (key takeaways below)
1. We think of making disciples as a course to make believers become better Christians but when Jesus issued his mandate “The Great Commission”, he was referring to reach out to lost people (those who don’t know Jesus) so that they would know Jesus and follow him.
2. Build relational bridges strong enough to bring the TRUTH across. We should be sensitive about where people are in their relationship with Jesus, that is, speak the TRUTH in love.
3. There is not one method (no master’s way) in reaching out to people.
4. Jesus made his guests (tax collector, sinners) felt welcome. We can do the same. Let’s make our guests feel welcome (not feel weird) to build relationship.
5. The souls of our neighbors are more important than our curtains (welcome smokers into our homes). We’ll never know where our friends’ visits will lead to – another birthing place!
6. Stick with relationships until. Don’t give up. Believe that God can break through.
7. Build bridges. We can’t be like the older brother in the Parable of the Lost Son who didn’t run after his younger brother.
8. Somebody left the 99 in the Parable of the Lost Sheep to engage your world. Are you going to do likewise?
Pastor Steve also reminded us to keep walking with Jesus. It’s a common thing these days that in our quest to do religious routines/good works we lost track of Jesus. Or look for things in our relatives or loved ones that only Jesus can give.
After that inspiring message, we were introduced to our hosts for the night. Our KL spiritual families welcomed 34 Penang guests into their homes.
The following day, Sunday, was the combined service at Taylor’s University College Lakeside Campus. It was heartwarming to see so many people gathered in one place to worship God, fellowship with one another and shared the stage.
Once again, we’re blessed to have Pastor Steve preached that day. He gave another moving message. I like his story about Saul’s transformation (Acts 1) from being a sinner to becoming a great preacher and disciple with many followers. He received God’s power to be a witness. Pastor Steve’s illustration of how we can have a wiki-Life Group or wiki-church was also an eye opener. I looked up the work “wiki” and learned that it’s from Hawaiian word wiki-wiki ‘quick-quick’.
1) A life-changing encounter with Jesus.
2) An encounter with Ananias (an ordinary person) who will build a foundation in our lives.
3) An encounter with Barnabas (an apostle) who will mentor us beyond the basics.
So let’s encourage one another and just minister until someone taps us on the shoulder (either Ananias or Barnabas). God could use anybody who has the Holy Spirit in him. It’s really simple according to Pastor Steve – just talk about God.
Remember that what’s important to God is not what you were but who you are becoming. I choose to become someone to God!
After the combined celebration, we joined the Satay Party Fellowship. The day was capped with Eaglepoint Penang's souvenir photo with Pastor Steve and his wife Deborah and Pastor Tim.
Thanks to everyone who made this trip memorable!
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