During our Missions Emphasis weekend on 13 and 14 January 2024, we were blessed to have Reverend Jonathan Munshi of Bangladesh Assemblies of God(AG) Church, Khulna to share with us three aspects of the “Heartbeat of Missions”. 

Reverand Jonathan Munshi shares on The Heartbeat of Missions

The first is to pray. He focused on Matthew 9:38 as he called us “...to pray to the Lord of the harvest”. Though 99% of Bangladesh’s population are non-believers, there is freedom of choice as to personal faith. Therefore the potential for a plentiful harvest is great.   He emphasized prayer with fasting for it is the key for God to pour forth His blessings. Many signs and wonders took place during the outreach festivals his church held.

The second heartbeat of Missions is to give cheerfully and to honour God through our giving. It is not about the amount but the motive of the heart like how the Macedonia church gave out of poverty (2 Corinthians 8:1-2). With Luke 6:38, “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you,” he highlighted the importance of tithing. Giving to God what He has blessed us with results in His blessings upon us.

A special number jointly performed by the choir and the Chinese Ministry

To conclude, the third heartbeat of Missions is to go. We were reminded of Matthew 28:19-20, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...”. He reminded us that we are God’s hands and feet to go to the harvest field for Him.  The time is now for there will come a time when the night comes and we can no longer work.

(To those who are not familiar with the blessings of the Faith Promise, click here)

Calvarites worshipping in the auditorium of Calvary Convention Centre

Missions Pastor, Pastor Steven Kum and the choir at Calvary Church Damansara Heights

On the following weekend, 20 and 21 January 2024, the Watoto Children’s Choir from Uganda ministered to us through music, dance, and testimonies; sharing the love of Christ in their lives, touching the hearts of many. 

They sang of praise and testified about God’s goodness to them -

• Cole, who is now 11 years old, shared his testimony on how his life began with being born prematurely and abandoned at the hospital where authorities sent him to the Watoto community. Through that, he knew God loves him and has plans for his life.

• Helen, one of the leaders of the group, was abandoned by her own family and abused by her foster family. How grateful she was when she found a new family in Christ through Watoto. Every child at Watoto has a dream and many can fulfill it whether as lawyers, pilots, teachers, or businessmen. As for Helen, she graduated with a bachelor's degree in Human Resource.

• Vivien shared that when she accepted Jesus, she was no longer afraid of anything as Jesus is bigger than any of her greatest fears in life. They then sang a song based on Joshua 1:9, “Pe Ilwor, Bed Ki Tek Chwiny” which translates to “Do not fear, be bold, be courageous.” 

Calvary Youths joined in the fun and danced to their last song "We Will Go"

 

Aside from the upbeat dancing and singalongs, many were touched and worshiped God during the song “In The Name”. The Watoto kids then prayed for our healing, restoration of our relationships  and a greater passion for God.

 

We were edified to hear God’s work in Bangladesh and Uganda. Let us do what the Watoto Children’s Choir has sung, “We will go, we will be your hands and feet.” 

 

The time is now. Let us pray, give and go!