2024年年報

(September 2023 to August 2024)

(2023年9月至2024年8月)

Ps. Eric Lai

NSY (North Side Youth) is our youth group for high school students and high school-aged youth that meets on Friday nights during the school term. Over the last twelve months, NSY has been able to meet in person. Since the end of 2023, we have had a new addition to the leadership team with Ray from CS2 joining out NSY leadership team. Ray is involved with leading the year 7-9 boys in Bible study and disciple training.

Over the past four terms, we have focused on encouraging the youth to know, grow, show and sow Christ in their daily lives. In term 1 this year, we explored God’s characteristics through Exodus 1-20. In term 2, we did a series on “joy” with the Philippians letter. This series aims to look into Christian growth and what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

At the beginning of term 2, we were also to invite LOGOS HOPE for a mission sharing at NSY. It was a one-night event to help youth understand the purpose of cross-cultural mission. This took place at church and we had a team of 3 missionaries to share with us. We’ve also conducted youth service for MES at the end of term 2 where youth are encouraged to serve in various roles for leading the service. We also had Adrian and Gabriel as speakers for our services.

In term 3, we have the privilege to invite David Perrott from CRU to share about youth ministry and camps for highschool. This is a promotional event for youth to discover various CRU camps available throughout the year. We hope that our youth will be eager to join and connect Christians from other schools and grow together as fellow brothers and sisters. At the end of term 3, a group of NSY youth and leaders also went on went to Katoomba to attend the KYCK youth conference held by KCC. The theme is “Creation”, which encourages the youth to discover God in His creation. We currently have 21 youth coming and we will have 6 talk sessions with time in between for bonding and relationship building. Throughout this year, we have continually seen God’s work and love in this ministry. There have been challenges along the way, such as in the influx of new youth (in particular youth with special needs) and planning for leadership development and the future of NSY. But, we thank and praise God, who has been carrying us through each step and growing the ministry, the youth, and their relationships with one another.

Chris Tu

As Men’s Ministry reaches its 1-year anniversary, I thank God to have given me this opportunity to start this fellowship. I am grateful for the men around me who similarly see the need for a group to support guys to recharge, get to know more about each other and develop their understanding of God’s Word.

Over the year, we have held numerous topicals and sessions delving deeply into the Bible. We started with topics that we felt were important to friendships and fellowship, before moving into a series which looks at several disciplines of a Godly Man, based off the book by R. Kent Hughes. We have also had a few socials, including a BBQ and attended BASECAMP 2024, an event run by KCC for men to build brotherhood. It was a convention that reinforced what we knew about friendships and hopefully we can bring back the learnings and apply it effectively within our congregation.

As we move forward into the end of 2024 and the start of 2025, I continue to pray for the maturation of Men’s Ministry. The development of this group is an iterative process, where there will be challenges and opportunities to support the needs of the men of English Ministry. Nevertheless, I know with God’s guidance that Men’s Ministry will continue to grow not only in head knowledge but also in fellowship with one another, where our brotherhood will reflect the relationship Jesus has with us and has called us His friends.

Hayley Cheng

Following on from 2023 AGM report, we ended the year with two events, (1) ‘Growing Together’ workshop by Sophia from AFES in September 2023 and (2) our End-of-Year evangelistic social in November.

We had a good turn out in September, learning from Sophia on how important it is to be growing together and supporting one another in our communities. Sophia shared with us passages from the Bible as well as practical tips on how to do this, encouraging us to not be burdened by our meet ups due to life stage, age, or time – but to share life candidly, remembering to pray for one another and to always communicate a time frame to set each other’s expectations. Feedback was positive and we cannot wait to hear from her again this year.

We ended the year with a bring-a-friend and DIY Christmas Bauble crafts night, with a mini evangelistic talk from Christy Or on why we celebrate Christmas. It was a fun event, with a few new faces and friends! Unfortunately, not many of these invitations/faces were seen again at Carols 2024 – but we are praying for the softening of our friends’ hearts, to come to know Jesus as the true reason for the season.

This year our Ladies Fellowship kicked-off in March 2024 with a session to reflect on recent sermons by both Andrew Tibbs and Eric Lai on our church theme ‘renewal’ – a focus on living a ‘renewed’ life (“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.” – Romans 8:13) and to keep running the race before us, being transformed by the Spirit and ‘renewing’ (or continuing) our relationship with God, as Paul reminds us that many may run the race with us but lose sight of the real goal in the end (“…Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus…” – Philippians 3:7-21). To achieve this, we were encouraged to KNOW God, KNOW self and KNOW others – in practical terms, this encouraged the Ladies to start Prayer Partners to meet once a month during the months of March, April, May (as a trial) – the vision is to share life, listen and carry each other’s burdens and joys of life and to pray for one another (in the form of a phone call, video call, meet up or over a meal).

In May – we held our first combined Ladies’ and Men’s event on “You, Me and Jesus” – we had the help of both Andrew Tibbs and Andrew Choy for this event, as we ran a mini workshop day to equip MES members with the skills, and encourage each other to reflect and share their God-filled story aka testimony, in various scenarios. It was a very successful event, where we were able to learn from one another! A big thank you to the early morning brothers and sisters who helped serve breakfast; it made the early morning worthwhile. We have collated feedback and will review on how to make use of these events moving forward.

EQUIP is an annual women’s conference, made by women for women, to explore the word of God together. It is held in June each year and this year we had 22 ladies attend – Praise God! We streamed the conference from Hall 2, learning from the book of Revelations; HOPE FOR THE WEARY. It was full day from 9:30am – 3pm (thank you to the men who helped bring us lunch – this is very helpful as it allows us to focus on the conference uninterrupted!), singing songs, hearing testimonies and being challenged on how we are to live in these last days, knowing the full weight of Jesus’ promise to us that he has already conquered death once and for all. We look forward to hearing more about Revelations as they continue this series into 2025.

Due to clash of dates and low numbers, our July 2024 in-person event was cancelled – but we were still able to organise Prayer Partners for the remaining of 2024 (August – November). Praise God for the success of the trial run earlier this year, that we now have 15 ladies committed to meeting up once a month to share life and pray together! Please pray that we may stay focused on sharing life in a way that encourages and builds up one another to glorify God in our actions and thoughts, and that it may be a fruitful time to deepening our sisterhood at MES 🙂

For the remaining of the year, we have a workshop session with Sophia from AFES again in September (she came last year and ran a session on ‘Growing Together’ which was very well received!) and an End of Year social in the works for November. Please pray that we may learn lots from our September workshop and for God to use each one of us in our lives to be see the opportunities to share Jesus, be courageous to take hold of these moments and invite them to our end of year social and subsequently carols at the end of 2024, that they may come to know Jesus.

As I reflect on 2024, I am thankful for God’s sustenance and all the helpful, enthusiastic and caring ladies in this fellowship who are always checking in on me, providing suggestions and a helping hand, it makes my coordinating job a lot easier – let’s end 2024 well! As we move forward, approaching 2025 – please pray for direction for the Ladies Fellowship; that we may stay faithful in encouraging, sharpening and praying for each other and also pray for support as the Ladies’ group grows.

Annual Report – 09/2023-08/2024

When I was studying at Theological College, the Principal at the time had a quote on his desk. The quote? “The main thing is that the main thing remain the main thing.” He had this quote on his desk as a reminder to keep his focus on what was most important. To focus on what was most important was the ultimate measure of effectiveness. Distraction from what is most important leads to ineffectiveness – even (or possibly, especially) if the distraction is potentially worthwhile.

What is the “main thing” when it comes to ministry? The “main thing” of ministry is a focus on people. God is at work in the lives of people, in order to build a community from among the nations that will submit to Jesus as King, and become more like Him each day. The activities, events, and structures of ministry are there to achieve the purpose of building people up in this purpose.

As I reflect on the past year of ministry at North Side Chinese Alliance Church (and, indeed, on my eight years serving as the English Pastor), I am thankful that God has been working in and among us to continue to grow His kingdom and glorify His Name. I have been blessed to serve here at North Side, and am deeply thankful for the journey on which God has led me.

I am thankful that God has brought Rev Andrew Choy as Senior Pastor at NSCAC, and for the blessing that he, his wife Zoe, and his daughters Verity and Karis, have been to our church over the past 1 ¾ years. I have greatly appreciated the opportunity to serve alongside Andrew Choy, and have been thankful for his support, encouragement and brotherly care, especially with the external challenges related to caring for aged relatives over the past 12 months. I know that God will continue to bless NSCAC under his servant leadership.

I am thankful that Pastor Eric Lai has continued to settle in well as Youth Pastor, and I enjoyed the opportunity of serving with Eric over the past 19 months. It has been encouraging to see Eric developing effective relationships amongst the Youth Ministry, as well as with key leaders in the wider English-language Ministry. I have also appreciated Eric’s vision for ministry, as well as his willingness to preach regularly in MES over the past year. I am sure that Eric, his wife Ruth, and his children Jax and Lexie, will continue to be a blessing to our church community as they continue to settle in and grow deeper relationships with the various members of the wider church community.

It has been a privilege to serve on the Board of Elders over the past eight years. I am thankful that God has raised up many godly leaders at NSCAC over the years – not just as Elders, but those who have served as true servant-hearted leaders across a wide variety of ministry areas and levels in all three language groups in NSCAC over the past 36 years. I appreciated the opportunity to work closely with several Elders, Deacons and Ministry leaders over the years, and have valued the partnership we have had in the gospel.

I am thankful that God has been working in the lives of various individuals in North Side. It has been a great encouragement to see individuals growing in spiritual maturity, and willing to allow God’s Spirit to change them as they listen to God’s Word.

It has been great to see new people attending MES, and it has been encouraging to see people making an effort to make newcomers feel welcomed into the community at North Side. It is also exciting to see young people taking ownership of MES, including by actively serving in various roles (including in the MES Youth Service in July).

Our English-language Growth Group ministry is a place where people are able to meet together to support one another, pray with and for one another, and to develop deeper relationships with God and one another. I am thankful for the Growth Group leaders who give of their time to serve their respective groups. Please pray that God will continue to raise up additional Growth Group leaders, especially as several leaders will be stepping down at the end of 2024.

I am also thankful for the English-language Ladies’ Fellowship and Men’s Ministry, and for the leaders of both ministries. I pray that men and women continue to build healthy relationships with people across generations, in order to encourage one another to remain faithful in their walk with God over the years to come.

I want to thank everyone that has volunteered to serve over the past twelve months, across all areas of ministry. The English Ministry (and the church) is unable to grow effectively without people generously giving of their time and energy to serve others within the church. To avoid the possibility of leaving out anyone, I will mention the areas of service here (in alphabetical order, as there is no favouritism):

• EM Committee/Vine Project team
• EM Growth Group Bible Study writing team
• EM Growth Group leaders
• EM Ladies group team
• EM Men’s Ministry team
• MES Bible readers
• MES bulletin team
• MES IT/AV/Livestream team
• MES Morning Tea team
• MES Music team
• MES Outreach planning team
• MES Service leaders
• MES Welcoming team/ushers
• NSY leaders

I also want to thank those who have served “behind the scenes”, either in a voluntary capacity, or to support those on the front line.

I depart my time at North Side with a mixture of sadness, contentment and peace. I am sad that I am saying goodbye after eight years of investing in this community. However, I am content with what God has been doing in me, through me, and despite me over the past eight years. I have always had the aim to finish any ministry role in a better position than where it was when I started in the role. By God’s grace, I believe that He is continuing to draw people to maturity in their relationship with Himself, and is continuing to equip people to serve one another in love. I am also at peace that God will continue to use all circumstances to work for what is best for His people here at North Side, and throughout the world – drawing a people to Himself who are growing more like Jesus each day (Romans 8:28-29).

As North Side enters your 37^th year, I will continue to pray that God will continue His work in you all. I continue to echo Paul’s prayer for the Philippian church (as recorded in Philippians 1:9-11) for each individual in the English Ministry, and each individual in NSCAC:  

⁹ And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰ so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, ¹¹ filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

In Him

Rev Andrew Tibbs

Pal Dou 杜駿驊執事

親愛的弟兄姊妹，是時候匯報執事會在北宣家教會的事情了。

蒙　神保守，在2023 年教會選出九位執事：三位來自廣東話事工、四位來自英語事工、兩位來自國語事工。我們持續教會管理改進工作，並更加透明地與弟兄姊妹溝通。執事們希望父母們喜歡為2024年母親節和2023年父親節準備的禮物。我們評估了行政人員的工作量，以平衡他們在教會行政管理上花費的時間。我們還開始了季度財務簡報，希望弟兄姊妹能了解北宣家的財務狀況以及奉獻款項用在何處。我們感謝　神，有一位青年執事加入了團隊。執事會很高興看到越來越多的年輕人願意站出來，在教會的行政管理事務上服事神。

2024年對於執事會來說也是一個充滿挑戰的一年。NSCAC的會眾人數大幅增長。我們在2023/24年初遇到了現金流困難。藉著神的恩典和弟兄姊妹的愛心，NSCAC成功償還了臨時現金流貸款和大部分發展基金貸款。執事會正在2024年進行多個項目：

• 引入教會季度財務簡報機制
• 實施Elvanto系統，有效管理會員信息、新來者、兒童主日學管理和服事名單

在此感謝各位執事委身服事、互相補足。執事們也感謝弟兄姊妹的禱告和持續不斷的支援，尤其是我們的教會在人數增長、越加興旺的時刻，我們真的需要　神的恩典，讓北宣家成為合神心意的教會。

Elder Wayne Ng吳劍榮長老

感恩

感謝神，讓北宣教會在過去一年中，看到神豐富的供應，和弟兄姊妹忠心在信心認獻的回應，雖然在經濟不明朗的情況下，我們在大使命和北宣差傳基金的奉獻中，沒有欠缺，使我們在金錢上，能繼續支持在前線宣教的工人和事工。

每年的差傳年會，神都差遣祂忠心的僕人來鼓勵我們，令我們感受到祂愛人的心。去年Susanna姊妹，讓我們看到神，在每一個願意將生命擺上的人，顯出祂的榮耀。縱然在人看來，她是年長和身體有多方面的限制，卻無阻她長達十年在泰國宣教的服待。她努力不懈的擺上，留下很多佳美的腳蹤。今年年會主題：「認識伊斯蘭教，向穆斯林分享主愛」。講員是Edward和Sandy，他們服待穆斯林羣體二多十年，為了福音的緣故，受到逼迫，經歷生命危險, 被監禁，身患絕症，但他們不以生命為念，看為寶貴。相反，卻把握時機，珍惜餘下的光陰，竭力為主，用生命感染與他們接觸的人。

北宣差傳基金支持的宣教士，今年有兩個家庭回到澳洲述職。在亞洲服侍的M&L，他們六月初到教會分享，讓我們親身聽到神在他們工場上的作為。透過他們在家庭、工作和網絡關懷的事工上，都能夠幫助當地人認識耶穌基督，讓我們從他們身上，看到神是奇妙的大能，祂的作為遠超過我們所想所求。在12月初，在非洲服侍的M&L （Martin & Lisa)，將會來教會分享他們在工場的見證，期望弟兄姊妹預留時間參加。

我們感恩，神感動Christy姊妹，在今年一月開始，放下工作，回到大學校園，服侍海外留學生，傳講福音，帶領他們查考聖經，訓練他們作主門徒。求神加力，使姊妹在二年的服侍中，能夠經歷神的恩典，引證她將來作全時間服侍神的呼召。

挑戰

D&E出工場的計劃，不斷的延遲，求神讓他們在等候的過程中，把握時機裝備自己，滿有信心、忍耐，等候神的帶領。請大家為他們出發到工塲祈禱，使他們能夠順利取得簽證，可以在今年底成行。

明年的城鄉宣教，將有一些變動，由於Dubbo事工在組織上的變動，我們從明年開始，將不會以教會名義支持Dubbo短宣。這並不代表教會不再關心城鄉福音的需要，我們鼓勵弟兄姊妹以個人身分參與，Dubbo的WhatsApp祈禱小組，仍然如常運作，參與短宣服待的機會，將會在小組中發報，如有關心這事工的肢體，可以向差傳部查詢。另外，宣道總會現正計劃在Maitland植堂，向當地華人傳福音，成立教會，有感動參與的肢體，可以向易慶初弟兄或差傳部聯絡。

展望

求聖靈感動弟兄姊妹宣教的心，首先從個人傳福音的心開始，關心我們身邊未認識耶穌基督的朋友，為他們的得救祈禱。進一步關心普世福音的需要，為未得之民祈禱，使他們有機會聽聞福音，認識真神，決志跟隨耶穌基督。嘗試參與教會和不同差會的祈禱會，為前線的宣教士代禱。除祈禱之外，也挑戰大家參與街頭佈道和短宣，直接與未信主和跨文化的朋友分享福音，從而體驗宣教士的難處，和經歷神的大能。最後，讓我們學習保羅的榜樣，「不以福音為恥：這福音本是神的大能，要救一切相信的。」 (羅1:16)

Thanksgiving:

We are grateful and thank God for allowing NSCAC to witness His abundant provision over the past year through the faithful responses of our brothers and sisters in faith. Despite the uncertain economic times, we have had no shortage in offerings for the Great Commission Fund and the NSCAC Mission Fund. This enables us to continue financially supporting workers and ministries on the frontline.

Each year, God sends His faithful servants to our Mission Convention to encourage us, reminding us of His heart for the unbelievers. Last year, Susanna showed us how God’s glory shines through anyone willing to serve Him faithfully. Despite being elderly and her physical limitations, she had served as a missionary in Thailand for ten years. Her persistent dedication has left behind many beautiful footprints. This year’s speakers, Edward and Sandy, have served Muslim groups in various countries over twenty years. They have faced persecutions, life-threatening situations and imprisonments for the sake of the gospel. Even though Sandy has terminal illness, they do not value their lives above their mission. Instead, they seize every opportunity to make the most of their remaining time, serving the Lord wholeheartedly. Their lives are reminiscent of the Apostle Paul, inspiring everyone they meet.

Two missionary families supported by the NSCAC Mission Fund have returned to Australia for home assignment this year. M&L, who serve in Asia, visited our church in early June to share firsthand how God is at work in their mission field. Through their ministry in family, work, and online outreach (Digital Response), they are helping locals come to know Jesus Christ. Their testimony shows us how God’s power far beyond our expectations. In early December, M&L (Martin & Lisa), who serve in Africa, will come to our church to share their testimonies from the field, and I hope brothers and sisters can set aside time to attend.

Finally, we are also grateful that Christy was called by God to leave her job and begin serving in the university campus and among overseas students since January. She shares the gospel, leads Bible studies, and equips students to be God’s disciples. We pray that God will strengthen her and let her experience His grace over the next two years. Through this journey so that Christy is able to affirm her calling to full-time ministry.

Challenges:

The plan for D&E to go to the mission field has been continuously delayed. We pray that during this idle period, they can seize the opportunity to prepare themselves, remain faithful and patient as they wait for God’s guidance. Please pray for their visa process to go smoothly so that they are ready to go by the end of the year.

Next year’s urban and rural mission will undergo some changes. Due to organizational changes in the Dubbo ministry, starting next year, we will no longer support Dubbo short-term missions under the church’s banner. However, this does not mean that our church is no longer cares about the gospel needs in rural areas. On the other hand, we encourage brothers and sisters to participate personally. The Dubbo WhatsApp prayer group will continue as usual, and opportunities to serve in short-term missions will be announced in the group. Those concerned about this ministry can inquire with the Missions Department. In addition, the Christian and Missionary Alliance Australia is planning to plant a church in Maitland to evangelise the local Chinese community. Those interested can contact Thomas Yick or the Missions Department for further information.

Looking Forward:

We pray that the Holy Spirit will stir up our hearts to share the gospel with others. May we care for our friends who do not yet know Jesus Christ and pray for their salvation. Further, may we care about the need for the gospel around the world, praying for the unreached people so that they have the opportunity to hear the gospel, know the true God, and commit to following Jesus Christ. We encourage everyone to participate prayer meeting organised in our church and other mission organizations. Besides praying, I also challenge everyone to take part in street evangelism and short-term missions. Through directly sharing the gospel with those who have yet to believe both locally and cross-culturally, we will experience the challenges missionaries face and also experience God’s power first hand. Finally, let us learn from Paul’s example, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)