July 2009 Update

[seilamgoh]

Dear Prayer Supporters,

I just come back from the farewell lunch for my colleague May, who has
been serving with me at AFC for the last 6 years. She will be
relocating to Hong Kong with her husband Jimmy, who was called to be
equipped in a seminary there. All the staff members were there,
including the several associate staff members who usually are not in
the office but tried hard to join the lunch, as well as Jodie who is
on maternity leave. Seeing the whole team there on the table was a
rather emotional thing for me. We are here to fight the same battle
together, and I really treasure my team. They are blessings to me and
many others.

July is a month of change. Besides May leaving us, I have also started
working part time at my home church this month. Frankly, there isn't a
lot of difference preparing for sermon at AFC or at Westside Baptist,
but their implications in my life are dramatically different. A few
years ago, I would have refused to work in the pastoral position at a
local church. But God has changed me and prepared me for the pastoral
challenge. Or maybe "propelled" is a more appropriate word for my
case.

Some times I will question myself, do I really want to move in the
pastoral direction? Am I really called to move from AFC to Westside
Baptist? This is an unsettling doubt in me for the last couple of
weeks. But God is gracious. In a recently conversation with a student
about the ministry of AFC, I suddenly come to a moment of clarity
about my ministry at AFC. It will not do good to both AFC and me if I
remain here for another 20 years. AFC needs someone who is younger and
dynamic to lead its ministry forward. From that moment on, I was
certain that I must move on.

I thank God for my 10 years at AFC. And in the follow 3 years at AFC
(and my last 3 years), I will focus on bringing up the next generation
of leaders in AFC and prepare this organization for the long run.
Revival is coming soon, and I hope the young generation will be well
prepared for the great work of the Lord.

God is preparing me too. It seems like that God is challenging me
recently to be more broken to allow his hand to work more in my life.
Intellectually I understand the rationale of it all, but it is
difficult to pray for being broken. What will God do? How will he
break me? The uncertainty is terrifying. But I know this is the only
way out for true spiritual satisfaction, and I trust that Jesus will
guide me through.

Please continue to pray for me and my team at AFC. We need your every
prayer support in this battle.


Blessings,
Alan Yu


Alan's Engagement in August:
Aug 2, 9, 16, 23, 30: Sunday School at Westside Baptist Church on "The
Ten Commandments: Manufacturer's Specification"
Aug 6, 20: leading training sessions for CCF leaders
Aug 8: preaching at a wedding
Aug 9: leading Worship Discipleship program for the Jubilant
Aug 16, 30: preaching at Sunday service, Westside Baptist Church
Aug 16: leading workshop on Sexuality at Westside Baptist Church
Aug 28-29: preaching at Gospel Camp, New Life Lutheran Church
Aug 30: preaching at Restoration Worship at AFC