Newsletter #4

(I have removed some photos from this blog version of my newsletter, either because I've already posted it somewhere else on my blog, or didn't want some photos to be public. So, if you want to see the photos and read the slightly "fuller" version of it, please read the original pdf version)
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Dear friends,

Time sure marches on when you are having fun! The past few months have been fairly enjoyable, despite the constant challenge to weigh up the different opportunities and needs that one should answer to!

Overseas Christian Fellowship
Starters group for young or non-believers: I have recently started leading a group of 3 students, exploring some basic beliefs of Christianity from the Alpha course. It’s been very challenging due to the mix of the group (& my lack of ability!) – two (not very inquisitive) young believers and one non-believer. The (unfortunate) outcome of the discussion is that the one non-believer feels as if he is the focus of the group!

The annual Winter Camp is coming up soon! This time I will be running a workshop with the girls, on the topic of “Being Single”! Please pray for the preparations of this workshop and faithfulness to challenge the girls as to how they can best use their lives for the glory of God.

As you may recall from my e-mail, I gave my first public talk at the OCF Murdoch Quiz Night. Here are some photos from that event!

The church is painfully in need of leaders...

~William Sangster~

So is OCF... especially Murdoch and Curtin. Please pray for God’s provision for students who will answer God’s call to serve Him in their campuses.

People I meet with

(V - my Cambodian non-Christian friend; as I mentioned in my other blog post)

I haven’t been able to catch up with her regularly this past month. Please pray that she will continue to hunger to know Jesus.

J - my “disciple”

She is a friendly, bubbly girl from Singapore studying Media Studies at Murdoch Uni.
I meet her weekly and we think about what it means to be Christ’s disciple.
She’s keen to grow in her relationship with God, which is encouraging!

Please pray that she will seek God’s kingdom first!

Vose Seminary (Formerly BTC)
*It is named after the college’s founding principal, Noel Vose.

Did you know that the word Seminary
means “a seed-bed”,
a place to be nurtured & to grow?

My Bible College has changed its name! This name change from a “theological college” to a “seminary” has been very significant for me. Theological training is so much more than learning doctrines and quoting theologian after theologian! More importantly is the shaping of one’s life in light of God’s character through the study of theology and to GROW in all areas (mind, heart, soul) as a disciple of Christ. Current challenges include not just how to think and act theologically, but also pastorally (i.e. with caring for people in mind).

DISC profile - the verdict! According to the test, I have an Influencer-Steady personality. Some attributes are: possessing a casual poise in most social situations; tend to withdraw in a serious conflict; need compliments for assignment well done. Did you think the test got it right? :)

One interesting assignment has been on a case study providing pastoral support to someone in crisis & evaluating the actions taken. Plenty of things to learn in retrospect! To be a better listener is top on the list!

Pray, Pray, Pray!
Due to the increasing (though very slow) awareness that ministry without prayer is futile, coupled with my own foolishness in persisting in ministry without prayer (!), I’ve recently enlisted two of my good friends from Canberra as prayer partners. So they call me on alternate fortnights (so I get a call once a week!) to pray together using our mobile phones. Thank God for technology and free calls! This has made prayer more intentional in my life, both in the time set aside and the things prayed for. Thank God too for another bunch of friends in Singapore who have also agreed to pray for me and my ministry here regularly!

As I’m nearing the half-way mark of this two-year traineeship, the “What’s next?” question is becoming more pertinent. No answers yet, but would appreciate your prayer for discernment of God’s will! Love to hear from you too!

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers & requests.
With this in mind, be alert & always keep on praying for all the saints.
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me
so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel...
Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
Ephesians 6:18-20