Great Fellowship and a Time of Inspiration

Posted on 15 June 2009.

"A great time of fellowship, teaching, refreshment and relaxation." - ‘A & L'

"It was a really great time of inspiration for me. I hadn't realised how much I missed corporate worship. It was brilliant to have fellowship with all of the others in the company and encourage and pray for each other. I love the fact that God uses ordinary people who just make themselves available to Him. That encourages me a lot as sometimes I can't possibly believe that I can be useful out here!" - ‘L'

"The gathering was a great time for us to recharge our batteries and give us renewed focus for our work here in China. We were also really thankful to be able to hear about the amazing work some of our other co-workers are doing in some of the different areas of the country." - ‘M & J'

"This was the first time that we had met some of the other in-country company members, so we spent a lot of time talking with them, finding out what they do, asking questions about what it's like, etc. We had really good fellowship, but it was also a good learning time." - ‘T & J'

These were some of our China-based co-workers comments on their annual conference, which took place in a neighbouring country. Below another co-worker explains more about what was involved:

In February, AM-CCSM's China-based co-workers met together for our annual conference. It was held over four days. It was pleasantly warm, the skies were blue and the air was clean. Hallelujah! We shared comfortable rooms in a hotel with friendly staff. An adjacent shopping mall was well stocked with items not seen for many months. Cheap restaurants catered to our culinary requirements, and transport was readily available to ferry us to other venues in the city. Thus, with all our immediate physical needs catered to, we were well predisposed to participate in the much anticipated corporate fellowship.

Geoff and Pauline Williams, long-serving missionaries to India, were the guest speakers. They inspired us by blending anecdotal humour with practical advice, mixing Scripture with common sense gleaned from their own wealth of experience. We were blessed by their message and fresh insights brought each day.

AM-CCSM's international director Ross Paterson spoke from Acts 11 about his vision for the company "of an army of ordinary people raised up to make a difference in every area of China's life: because they walk with Jesus and bring His incarnational light into every dark place; because they have Jesus' love for one another and the people of China; because they understand that success is plural; and because they believe that ordinary people can make a difference." He acknowledged that this would require changes in how we do things, and quoted C.S. Lewis who said, "History is a story being written by the finger of God."

We heard too from an organisation that offers pastoral care for overseas workers who are burnt out and in need of a rest from the field. Counselling is also available for those who are in need, to help refocus and restore one's walk with Christ while not neglecting physical and emotional wellbeing. The organisation offers a place of retreat away from the usual stresses of life overseas.

"How do we want to be treated by each other?" was an issue reviewed and discussed under a social contract. Christine Paterson followed up by speaking on member care, reminding us of the need to look after one another in love, keep each other accountable and be accountable in turn.

Each co-worker had an opportunity to briefly state what they had been doing in China, where they were in their walk with God, and whether they had any specific needs, after which the group prayed for them individually. Some received a prophetic word whilst all received affirmation, love and encouragement. It was a time for the Holy Spirit to have free reign.

The conference highlighted two key issues for me: firstly, that communication is a dynamic, two-way flow between field workers and leadership where accountability and responsibility is vital. Secondly, the emphasis was on pro-active member care whereby we each look out for our brothers and sisters. This process always encompasses prayer but may at times include confrontation. We need to be sensitive to and obedient in the application of both.

Contributions were invited from attendees as to any areas that they felt more information should be forthcoming. Some of these issues were addressed during the conference whilst others were carried over for the Operations Team discussions held after the conference. Other items discussed were succession planning, inspiring future ASM students, health matters and other projects underway within the company.

It was a week in which a stronger sense of unity was developed amongst all the delegates and a wonderful sense of friendship and of close family was birthed.

Please do pray for these co-workers, who continue to serve and witness to the Lord in a number of cities across China. You can read more about the ministries in which they are involved in other articles on this website.