September 2009 Update

[Alan Yu]

Dear Prayer Supporters,

Yesterday I received the approval for my thesis from my thesis
director. It implies that my doctoral program at the Institute for
Worship Studies has finally been completed, and I am granted the
doctoral title. It even amazes me that I can finish the thesis
writing process on schedule. As I said in my Acknowledgement section
in my thesis (http://readingreport.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-
post_29.html), I am indebted to many many people who contributed to my
thesis project in different capacities. Among them I would have to
particularly thank my wife. Her wholehearted support for me to
selfishly and willfully engage in this academic endeavour and in my
ministry, which often translates into her lonely effort in raising the
family and running her race, is a sacrifice that I can never repay.
She has been, is, and will be my most treasured partner in serving the
Lord together.

When the news was made known, I received overwhelming congratulatory
responses on Facebook, Twitter, my blog and through e-mail. I feel
cherished and am grateful. Some of you reminded me that my education
is for a reason, and I must use it for the glory of the Lord. Thank
you for your reminder and I shall keep it prominent in my heart.

Just in this same week my DMin program at Fuller finally starts with
on online course. I am already a bit overwhelmed by the amount of
reading I am required to commit to. But fortunately, all of them are
interesting reads, giving me timely and much needed encouragement and
reminder as I transition into more pastoral work both at AFC and at my
church. I need your prayer support as much as when I was in my last
program. Please do continue to pray for me.

Some update about AFC. During September, the staff at AFC Vancouver
together with Gabriel and Kelvin from our Toronto office went to our
annual staff retreat in Whistler. One new team member was misled by
the name "retreat" and thought that we were going to relax for a few
days. The truth is, we were at the exact opposite end of relaxing.
During the 4-day stay, we met day and night discussing the future
direction of AFC's ministry. We had some honest self-critique and
made some critical decisions about the ministry line up for the years
to come. You will soon be hearing exciting new ministries being
launched at AFC as they are becoming more comprehensively planned,
while some old ministries will come to an end as they had finished
their mission. I hope that you will continue to support AFC in
serving the ever-changing Chinese student population in Vancouver.

At the end of October I will be flying to Hong Kong to attend a
training on prayer for pastors. I have been looking forward to this
opportunity for self reflection and revitalization. Please pray that
the Lord will touch me through this training camp, and open up places
in my heart that He must enter and shine His light upon.

Thank you and may God bless you.


In Christ,
Alan Yu


Alan's Engagement in October:
Oct 2: leading workshop on team building at AFC Student Centre
Leadership Program
Oct 2 & 4: preaching at Jubilization event at AFC
Oct 4: leading worship discipleship program at Westside Baptist Church
Oct 11: hosting Jubilant monthly gathering
Oct 15: giving seminar on sexual abuse at UBCCCF
Oct 18: preaching at Sunday service, Westside Baptist Church
Oct 18: leading workshop on pornography and masturbation at Westside
Baptist Church
Oct 18: leading Restoration Worship at AFC
Oct 25-30: attending Pastoral Care School in Hong Kong