Twentieth Partnership Newsletter- January 2015

Twentieth Partnership Newsletter- January 2015

Love and Peace to you in 2015 from Lord Jesus!

News: As I was about to write this newsletter to you in a McDonald while waiting for Eva to get off work tonight, two drug-abused men shared life with me for almost an hour. One was interested in the book I was reading and asked me to read to him from The Reformed Pastor. Another man had stared into my eyes and held my hands warmly for many long moments. At first I was not intended to interact with them but at the end they sat next to me as friends. I listened to their stories and shared my testimony and Gospel with them. Please pray for them that they can experience the new life in Christ, able to quit their drug use and to stay warm in this bitter-cold weather. Thanks God for this experience to be present and pastor to the least cared.

Thanksgivings: Many things to give thanks. During the Christmas I went to New England Winter Students Camp witnessed many graduated students born again and made good friends from other churches. After the camp, I celebrated the New Year with my family-in-law in Quebec City. God has “miraculously healed” my teeth before the end of the year. He had also held me through four courses from last semester, PTL!

Prayer Request:

1. Shalom to our world that in midst of extreme terrorism, natural disasters, deadly epidemics, and political turmoil, more people will find peace and hope in Jesus Christ.

2. Thanks God to bring a senior pastor to CBCGL (my current church). May God also call a senior pastor to GCAC (my home church). May God raised up the spiritual leaders and committed disciples in both churches.

3. Please pray for an internship opportunity upon my graduation in the summer, so I can finish the MA in Spiritual Formation and Discipleship in Gordon-Conwell in one more year.

Words from Philippians as To My Partners: “Standing and Working in Unity against Adversaries”

“Just one thing: Live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance—and this is from God. (Phil. 1:27-28 HCSB)

This passage exhorts on the same “one thing” that Jesus interceded for us, “that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me” (Jn. 17:20-24). Unity is an outward expression of the union with Christ. “Live your life (plural) in a manner (singular) worthy of the gospel” is every Christians’ lifelong practice of “keeping the unity of the Spirit” (Eph. 4:3). God put us in relation to each other so that we stand and work together growing into the maturity and fullness of Christ (Eph. 4:13).

As always I am thankful for your partnership with me, and with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to a great multitude of needy people throughout the earth.

With Gratitude in Christ,

Tom Chow               

p.s. Please kindly reply, I hope to hear any news and prayer request from you!

Nineteenth Partnership Newsletter- November 2014

Happy Thanksgiving Our Partners, 

Thanksgiving is a season to say thanks to God and people. This year, I want to practice “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Th 5:18) in my study, ministry, and family. Sometimes seminarians joke about being “tortured” by the workload, but truly we are thankful for all the professors and staff’s dedication to GCTS. I am thankful for the local church here, my mentor, my small group, the leadership, the Cantonese and Children congregations, and the families who welcome us for dinner and stay. Lastly, I am truly thankful to have Eva, my family, and your support to the call of my life. I thank God to put me in different circumstances and relationships so that I can have countless encounters to be thankful for. 

Words from Philippians as To My Partners: “I wish to celebrate Thanksgiving with you.”

“So I plan to be around awhile, companion to you as your growth and joy in this life of trusting God continues. You can start looking forward to a great reunion when I come visit you again. We’ll be praising Christ, enjoying each other.” (Phil. 1:25-26 Message)

Paul often expressed his wish to visit the churches he planted shows how much he cared and loved them. He hoped to witness their growth and rejoiced with them. When we gather with family and brothers and sisters, let us praise God’s works in our life and treasure each other. I wish I could celebrate Thanksgiving with you!

As always I am thankful for your partnership with me, and with Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to a great multitude of needy people throughout the earth.

With Gratitude in Christ,

Tom Chow               

p.s. Please kindly reply, I hope to hear any news and prayer request from you!

Eighteenth Partnership Newsletter- September and October 2014

Dear Our Partners, 

Thanksgiving:

1. After "long-summer", a 30 pages Hebrew Exegesis paper is done!

2. A sermon on Isa.61:1-3 is preached!

3. Participated the TM evaluator context and was the runner-up after Eva (Yes, my wife won)!

Excerpt of my paper:

On applying Isa.61:1-3

It is a powerful testimony of how Missionary Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol followed the steps of Jesus with the mission organization SIM to serve the Ebola patients in West Africa. Although they both contracted the disease while working there their recovery is a sign of victory and hope for the world. A lot of similar mission work is going on around the world, and this is the best illustration of how the passage can apply. The local church should support the global mission by partnering and sharing their resources with mission organizations for crisis relief, praying and helping for people of poverty, hunger, and those being prosecuted in the Islamic countries.

Started this semester, I had the honor to preach the word of God in GCAC English congregation and CBCGL Cantonese congregation and Children congregation. Preaching is a honorable ministry, requiring the preacher to hear well from God and delivering carefully to God's people.

Here is my sermon big idea:

"Matt. 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matt. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Matt. 11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

EXEGETICAL IDEA- Jesus invites the heavy burdened to receive rest by coming and learning from him.

HOMILETICAL IDEA- Receive rest and be gentle

PURPOSE- As a result of hearing this sermon, I want my listeners to receive Jesus’ invitation to rest, and to spend a quiet time with him everyday, so that our life will be transformed in his likeness and bring glory to God.

Please pray that I will listen and obey God and be able to make disciples and teach all that Jesus has commanded us. Thank you.

With Gratitude in Christ,

Tom Chow               

p.s. Please kindly reply, I hope to hear any news and prayer request from you!