GracePoint Presbyterian Church Lidcombe | Trainer: Elliot Ku

“The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send
out workers into his harvest field.” – Matthew 9:37-38

“Lord, wherever you want me to go, I will go. Whatever you want me to do, have me do it.”

This has been a prayer on my heart for the past few years, and I believe the Lord has answered – the Lord answers our own prayers sometimes through ourselves.

I am a young man who came from Hong Kong when I was a child, brought up in a Christian family, and became certain in my faith at NextGen conference – through a sermon on Romans 8. I became convinced during my university days that the world needs to hear the gospel of Jesus. 2 billion are unreached with the Bible or churches or Christians around them in this world. The vision is always Revelation 7 – when people from every nation, tribe, people and language will worship our God before His throne. If the Lord shall use me in any way to bring that about, I pray that His will be done.

******1st Year Update******

1 year into my apprenticeship, God has taught me so much about ministry, but also about myself. I found that the area of character is where I’ve been most convicted in. By the grace of God, even if I find myself more sinful than I thought, the gospel of grace is also experienced like never before. Romans 5:20 says, “where sin increased, grace increased all the more.” The more sinful I find myself to be, the more gracious I find my Lord to be. So now I really know, when pastors say they need our prayers, they really mean it. And here I am appealing for the same – please be praying for me.

In terms of conviction, Christ College principal Ian Smith told me, I can speak English and Chinese, that would make me able to minister to literally a large part of the world. There’s massive opportunity everywhere. Where will God send me? But before I get too excited, he also gave me this warning. You’re not going to minister to 7 billion people, you’ll care for 70. How will you be faithful in your patch of the garden? How will you be faithful in what you’ve been given?

Lastly, we’re onto competency. One major aspect I have grown in is my conviction and ability to preach God’s word. Going to weekly preaching class at Cornhill trained me to prepare and deliver sermons well. We preach to our classmates and get their feedback, so that we can improve next time. I’ve also been reading a book on Reformed Preaching – that has really shaped my conviction to preach. Preaching is to the heart. Preaching is to be applied to the hearer. Preaching is about God’s authority and not my own. May God continue to grow me as a preacher.

Prayer Points

As I update my prayer points, the first one has not changed. Godliness and holiness really is key.

1. Firstly, pray for my godliness and holiness. Full-time ministry has certainly exposed my sins and selfishness. Pray for humility before God and others, and daily repentance and faith.
2. Pray for God to solidify my convictions – what he wants me to do for the rest of my life – giving more clarity to my gifts, passions, and strengths.
3. Pray for God to grow me as a preacher of God’s word and many competencies like leadership, pastoral care, vision, strategy, and cross-cultural ministry.
4. Pray God will sustain me and my family as I undertake this apprenticeship over the next 2 years.