LEAVING THAILAND AND GOING FURTHER FOR GOD'S MINISTRY

Shalom All,

Greetings in the Lord’s Name as Our God is the Great God! Amen to All!

We will depart from Thailand on Sunday, 1^st March 2009 and travel to Cambodia for a month mission. We will not be able to access the internet regularly for the next couple of months. After a month in Cambodia, we will continue our mission journey to Vietnam for a 3 - 4 months period. Once the mission is complete, we will move on to China to continue our mission there. We will carry out our ministry in Harbin City, China (Harbin is between North Korea, Mongolia and Russia) for a year plus.

Last Wednesday, I completed the TESOL course (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) after one month of study. I now have a license to teach English anywhere around the world. Praise the Lord for the Lord is the Refresher of our spirit. Obtaining a TESOL license is essentially one of the few ways to gain a longer visa in China, therefore I plan to teach English in the school and Jenny will be doing an online course on “Child Care Management”. The course will help her to enhance on developing the Christian children and also draw close to God.

I would like to thank all the brothers and sisters who sent me birthday messages on 4^th February 2009 (as I am far away from my home, yet you still remember me). I pray that Jesus' light will continue to shine upon your heart everyday. It is Glory to the Lord. Today, I made “Malaysian Bak Kut Teh” for my wife and her ex-colleague, just to share some happy moments together!

To give you a sampling of what lies ahead In Harbin City, the stronghold religion there is Russian Orthodox which claims to be Christian belief, however, when they end their prayers, rather than saying “In the Name of Jesus, God or Lord” they instead end with “In the Name of all Saints. As well, many of their doctrines are very different and not in line with what we now understand as fundamental Christian beliefs. There is still much more to learn about this religion though, before I can really share with you all in detail. Pentecostal Christians are not strong there so we need more prayer to breakthrough the city itself. As you may know, China has restrictions over evangelism, published Christian websites or anything related to it, so as such I may be unable to update my website/blog or send my monthly mission report regularly as the Chinese Government monitors all websites within China.

Below is my Financial Report from October 2008 to January 2009.

We would like to update you with our Report for January and February 2009.

On the December 30^th, 2008, the Jaisamarn Full Gospel Bang-Pa In Church invited us to the church camp for 3 days and the pictures is above. It is a real church camp as we were living in the virgin jungle and not like my home based church that we go to the nice resorts. We have to use woods to made fire to cook and to made camp-fire. Moreover, the water in the bathroom is real cold. During the church camp, we have to made into group and prepare the theme action for every game. Therefore, I designed my theme for my group is “We love God, We Love You and We Love Everybody” with the action too. On the next afternoon, we went to the evangelism at another village whereby each team take care one area. One of the families was touched by our prayer and felt so joyful. During the midnight also a New Year Eve, a few people include me went to the jungle to find the wild animals till 3 in the morning. Before we return back to the church in the noon, we had lunched with the local pastor and pray for the district. In the sudden, one brother who also a part time evangelist came out and ask me to lead the pray as he know that he did mistakes during the church camp. Amazing, the Lord had change his heart and Glory to the Lord!

On the January 18^th, 2009, we were invited to come to Jaisamarn Full Gospel Bang-Pa In Church by the elder, Bro. Somdech. In a very big surprise, the church decided to support our mission field in Cambodia, Vietnam and China as they feel the Great Joy, Love and Faith from the Lord in me. Praise the Lord for All! Right after the church service, we went to distribute the Christmas Gifts to the children in their home and they had attended the Christmas Day function. When we give the present to them, they are so surprise with the gift with joy. There will be more young people to win for Christ as Jesus Christ won us too. Halleluyah!

On the January 25^th, 2009, we went to the nearby church that is Laksi Church that runs by the Korean missionary. Before the service end, I took the opportunity to come out and share a short sermons about “Being a missionary” to the small congregation. Then the Korean missionary invited me to share the Word of God on the next following Sunday as Jenny became my interpreter in Thai.

On the January 29^th, 2009, I went to Nakhon Luang together with Bro. Somdech and attended the cell group there. We visited a few homes and spent some quality time with the local people as we also went to evangelism the people. Four people accepted Christ and became Christian as I lead the prayer. I also visited an old lady and I laid the hand upon her who unable to walk and fill evil spirit. I called upon the name of Jesus Christ and the evil spirit came out from her body. Few days later, I was informed that the sister had recovered and then she able to walk again slowly with the Lord’s strength. Praise the Lord as Our Living God is real and Jesus is the Healer! Give thanks to Jesus Christ!

On my birthday also February 4^th, 2009, we met Bro. Kamjorn Chaowrat whom is also the former Senator for Bangkok and founder of the Channel 3 TV. His testimony is amazing how he accepted the Christ 7 years ago. He used to be strong Buddhist person and the only person who donated USD 15 million for the building the temple and hospital before knowing Christ. He is now sharing his testimonies everywhere around Thailand as how God use him. Praise the Lord!

After a day of Valentine Day that is Sunday, we went to Nakhon Luang to attend the “Family Valentine Day”. Many local people turns up for the programme and I was invited to present the Valentine gifts to the lucky draw winner as everyone also get it.

On the February 22^nd, 2009, I was invited to preach the Word of God on the topic “Wounded Heart” in our home church. After the church service is over, we went to the river side to do water baptism. Pastor Saksun and I perform the water baptism for the 9 sisters in Christ. As Jesus said “Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” in the Matthew 28 v 19. Praise the Lord for the new born Christians.

We do need your prayer support and also your provision support as our journey is getting longer this round. I hope that all reports that I send to you all will encourage you as the Lord lead all of us. Our God is Good, Amen!

For the translation in Thai Language, it will be update at http://faithwithyou-thai.blogspot.com.

God Bless!

Blessing,

Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok and Sister Jenny Kok

CHRISTMAS 2008 REPORT

Shalom All,

Greeting in the Lord’s Name!

Firstly, before I begin, I would like to wish all Chinese people a “Happy Chinese New Year!”, or “Gong Xi Fa Cai!” in Mandarin! In the Chinese tradition, we gather together for the customary Family Reunion Dinner on the eve of Chinese NewYear! During the festivities, married couples will give the “red packet"containing a small sum of money (also known as “angpow”) to children and unmarried adults. There is a brief story about Chinese New Year culture that you may not have hear, you can browse the internet at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Yearfor more information.

Secondly, I would like to give thanks to the Lord as the Lord has opened the door for my future mission service. Last Sunday, we went to Jaisamarn Full Gospel Bang-Pa In church service where I used to preach regularly once a month for a term. It was a big surprise, the Elders and pastor of the church asked my wife and I to become their mission representative for overseas mission. The church plans to sponsor us for our missions. Praise the Lord for everything! Although the church is only able to contribute a small portion of the support required, more importantly, they are committed to cover us in prayer! During the past 1 year and 5 months in the mission field, I have been mostly supported by individual contributions from Christians and Non-Christians who had been touched by the Holy Spirit and believe in my calling. I would like to give thanks to all supporters and I pray that you will continue to uphold this ministry.

Thirdly, I am currently doing a lot of personal counseling with Christian brothers and sisters from Malaysia, Thailand and elsewhere around the world. Many people have come to me with their problems, seeking advice and prayer. The Lord has used me throughout the discussion and many are being blessed by the Lord as their great testimonies are being shared with others. Praise the Lord once again!

Fourthly, in addition, I am also taking the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) course online so that it will allow me to obtain longer visas in Vietnam, China and other countries. There are a few ways to get longer visas while doing Christian mission, either you are a nurse, a doctor or a teacher of English language. Therefore I will fall into the category of teacher. It is not easy to get a teaching job in China however, as they generally prefer Europeans over Asians, thus need to pray forexception to be granted! The probability to secure such a job is slim, however with faith I request your prayer to intercede on this.

Fifthly, God willing, we plan to depart from Thailand by middle of February 2009 once I have completed my TESOL course. We will travel to northern Cambodia to train the pastors there as we were invited to do so by a pastor from Sa Kaew, Thailand. After that we will proceed on to Baray, a place I went to in October 2008. As such, I will have only limited access to internet for the one month period there, thus you will need to check out my blog for updates and new contact numbers. We will be on our mission move to Vietnam for 3 - 4 months and then China for a year plus.

Following the Mission to Cambodia, we will continue our mission in Vietnam for the next 3 to 4 months, followed by at least one year in China.

We would like to update you with our Report for December 2008.

On December 6^th, 2008, at the Lumpini Park, I chose to speak on the theme "Jesus washes His Disciples' Feet taken from John 13 v 1 – 16. As the Lord Jesus moved me to do so, I began to wash each co-worker's and each member's feet. By doing so, we were filled with tremendous joy of the Lord. One member also humbled himself to wash my feet in turn. Yes, Jesus asked us to humble ourselves in serving Him, as well as one another before God, whoever will do so, God will bless us in His work - John 13 v 17.

On the December 19^th, 2008, I went to Lumpini Park again, as we were having Christmas celebration there. Many people turned up for the Christmas celebration there, as well as to hear the Gospel from two speakers- one by a former senator, Dr. Kamjorn and another by a close brother-in-Christ, Pastor Pawpon. Christmas gifts were distributed to everyone present.

On the December 20^th, 2008, Pastor Pawpon, my wife and I went to Sa Kaew that is near the Cambodia border. We also celebrated Christmas at this village. There was a drama performance on the birth of our Jesus Christ as well as a beautiful dance performance by the children, youth to adults. The next day, we attended a church service where there were exchanges of Christmas gifts. We also gave chocolate to the children.

Dear readers and friends, if you happen to live in India, Thailand, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, United Kingdom or United States, and would like to support us in our ministry work, may we request you to send us your contribution by following the instruction explained at the below or you can browse at the website : http://faithwithyou.blog.com/2822017.

A sowing today will bring us a plentiful harvest for the Lord in the years to come...... and such is the beauty and wonder of the HARVEST!

God Bless!

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok

WHO SEND THE HOLY SPIRIT : GOD OR JESUS CHRIST

Dear All,

Someone asked me this question just two hours ago and I decide to reply back as the Holy Spirit is leading. Praise the Lord!

In the Bible, the Holy Spirit had been described about 98 times from The Old Testament to The New Testament that is starting at the Book of Psalm 51 v 11 and ending at Jude 1 v 20.

There is nothing to argue and don’t make enemy out of it instead to be unity. If the Word is from Holy Spirit, therefore we rather keep silent and if the Word is from Man, therefore we need to correct them by using the verse of the Bible. In every theology school or seminaries, students have full ideas about God’s Word as well making up a story include today ministers of God too. Let us put example, who know how Jesus look like? African students will said that Jesus look like African (short hair, curly hair), Chinese students will said that Jesus look like Chinese (short and intelligence), Western students will said that it look like White Man (Christian being there), etc. Even Time Magazine always put difference outlook of Jesus during Christmas edition in every year…for example: this is year Jesus look like CEO, last year Jesus look like General and etc. In facts, we know that the Bible is come from Israel except Paul’s mission, therefore Jesus should be look like a Jewish and moreover He is from the throne of King David also Israel.

Whatever, it is not important how Jesus look like, it is important to refer back to the Word of God as Living tool of our Daily Life then wrongly interpret the Word of God otherwise they will be a break of division mean coming their own doctrine that led to separate from unity of Christ.

Who is the One who send the Holy Spirit? It is better to refer to the Word of God.

1. Psalm 51 v 11: Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.

2. Isaiah 63 v 11: Then they remembered those days of old when Moses led his people out of Egypt. They cried out, “Where is the one who brought Israel through the sea, with Moses as their shepherd? Where is the one who sent his Holy Spirit to be among his people?

(This is one of the verses I chosen to let you understand…the Holy Spirit was sent by “The Lord” also called we called it “The Father” in The Old Testament.)

If Jesus send the Holy Spirit to us “why” does Jesus need to baptism by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3 v 11 : “I baptize with water those who repent of their sins and turn to God. But someone is coming soon who is greater than I am so much greater that I’m not worthy even to be his slave and carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire) because God is with Holy Spirit and God will decide who will get the Fire of the Holy Spirit.

When Jesus warns the people who speak against the Holy Spirit but you can speak against Jesus (Matthew 12 v 32 : Anyone who speaks against the Son of Man can be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come). Who is the Son of Man? Jesus Christ is the Son of Man. Who is the Holy Spirit? You need to ask yourself on that.

Read at Luke 10 v 21 : At that same time Jesus was filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and he said, “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding these things from those who think themselves wise and clever, and for revealing them to the childlike. Yes, Father, it pleased you to do it this way. Who is giving joy to Jesus…it is the Holy Spirit.

The final part, it is at John 14 v 15 - 17 : “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you”. Who ask the Father to give us the Holy Spirit or Advocate? It is Jesus Christ who ask his Father and it is stated very clear in this part. Jesus Christ also said “I will” mean if you follow the Commandments as well Trust + Faith with the Jesus Christ, you will get it.

In the conclusion, it is the Father who give the Holy Spirit to us and not Jesus Christ as Jesus Christ request from His Father.

God Bless!

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok