26 December was a day off for the church staff, and I used the quiet morning to reflect on the year. To say the least, it has been a very eventful year. My brother passed away in May, my mother in August. At that time Suet Ling and I were in Chiang Mai, on a teaching-missions trip; and we had to cut short our programme and return home.

In May and June we had the series of Zone Camps—to regroup, realign and renew the church. And in the midst of that full and exciting time my family shifted house. Later, in September and October we had the series of Membership 101 classes to get everyone on the same page; primarily in regards to what the Lord was saying about the direction of the church. Hot from the oven, as this largely came out from the pastoral retreat in July, we shared with you the Lord’s vision for the church to Empower Generations for Global Reach.

I believe we are on the verge of a significant move of God in PJEFC, and I like to believe that all of us, personally and corporately, are ready and praying for this new shift in gear. The fact may be that next year we will be facing an economic and financial downturn, but the truth is that we will be riding on a spiritual upturn. You wouldn’t want to miss out on that.

A BIG THANK YOU is in place, as many of you have been so much a part of what the Lord is doing in and through PJEFC. You know I can’t list all your names… but on behalf of the Church Board and the Pastors, let me say, “Thank you” for your partnership, sacrifice and service.

With so many things going on, there was not a dull moment in 2008. We had the Missions Week, Prayer Week and CG Week; EFCM Conference; Easter, Christmas, Project Harvest and VBS. Besides these, the on-going week-in week-out Sunday Service, Children’s, Youth, College-University, Men’s, Ladies’ and Seniors’ Ministries; Prayer and CG meetings; BK and ABS classes, Alpha, Pre-Marriage & Marriage Courses; EIP, Tuition Centre and Community Talks; PWI and SEMOA; and the newly formed Creative and Shalem (Healing & Deliverance) Ministries.

All these ministries and programmes would not run nor accomplish anything without you. Thank you for committing yourselves to these church ministries. You worked, taught, played in worship band, danced, acted; counselled and interceded….. All of you put in a lot of hard work. Thank you.

Now, don’t forget about the Watchnight service. I am sure you have many things to thank the Lord for, and I want to encourage you to come and share your thanksgiving with the whole church, and to rejoice together with the thanksgiving of others.

PrSH