Report on WIN-SYD By Pastor Butch & Manju Yu (July 25, 2008) Regional Director for Asia & Oceania
Without really knowing it, our recent visit to Sydney coincided with this year World Youth Day (WYD-SYD’08). There were about 500,000 pilgrims from 170 countries, who traveled to celebrate this historic event. It was a global call for the youth to come together as one people, and to challenge them of their role to continue in their faith and hope in God. It is still a marvel to witness the magnitude of such event to happen in the 21st century. We have seen them marched around the city, holding their national flags, singing and proclaiming God, the hope of everyone. Pope Benedict XVI, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, in his homily reminded his audience the sacrifice of those who brought the faith to Australia. He asked the pilgrims to reflect on their lives and what will they leave behind to the next generation, and to build their lives on firm foundations – that will endure. What a timely message for all of us. We thought if God can move in such a large scale as this, could he not bring our people to come together as a church? This was our inspiration that our God is the God of all nations and He is at work today.
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We have witnessed how God orchestrated everything from the day we arrived. On that same night, we had our first meeting at Lane Cove with all of our former WIN-SQ members: Arnel & Anna Gomez and their two sons; Marline Yap; Jack & Mita Kewalram – our generous hosts. Pastor Joseph and his son Mike were also there to support. We shared with them our intention of starting a church and asked them to pray with us. Indeed, our prayers were answered because that Sunday we had our first “mini” service at the home of the Kewalram’s. A family from WIN-Ireland, Art & Espi Rivera, their two daughters and their friend came. Another family from WIN-Naga, Cherfield & Doreen and their three sons, also joined. Mike & Aileen were also present. We had a wonderful time of fellowship, sharing the same burden and vision of putting up a WIN church in Sydney. Everyone was overwhelmed on how God has moved in advance. |
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As a result, the following Monday, another Bible Study was held in Hornsby at the home of Art & Espi, who committed to be our contact couple. They have not only invited their neighbors and friends but also their colleagues. They also agreed to use their place as the temporary venue for the weekly Bible Study and Sunday Service. Pastor Joseph volunteered to stay until August 11 to follow up on the work we have started. We had our final meeting the day before we left, where we laid our goals for the coming months: That is to register WIN-Sydney as a church, open a bank account and send an interim pastor who will continue the ministry while we are waiting for the entry of the resident pastor. |
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In spite of our hectic schedules, we were blessed to tour the beautiful outer and inner city of Sydney. We have seen the Blue Mountains and other tourist spots of the New South Wales. We also met old and new friends, Pastor Rey & Angie Luciano, and Francis & his wife. We really enjoyed our time meeting all of them. Thanks to our faithful and tireless brother Arnel who offered his precious time to bring us around. We also appreciate the generous hospitality of Jack & Mita for sharing their home with us. And to everyone, our heartfelt thanks. Just like the Pilgrims of WYD-SYD, we, too, were there at the right time, to gather and connect our brethren, and to remind them that we have been mandated by God to go into the entire world and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). This is the birth of WIN-SYD. Glory to God! |
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