Apr-Jun 2001

In the worship session, our Asia President, Bro Hugo Chan saw a vision of an airplane. The Lord said  … “  not to treat the FGBMF as your own ministry but be like the wings of the airplane, fly according to its design and purpose. The airplane just lifted up by air. Only God can lift you up, FGBMF is God’s ministry, just be like the wings of the airplane. Humble yourself, God will carry you.”

Another saw big cities, tall buildings - huge and cramped in the cities. The Lord said, “Don’t be afraid of the gates of the enemies. My peoples take them from the enemies, God is not lack of resources, do it even with your little resources.”

Bro Khoo Oon Theam saw a vision of peoples out in the world, just like the vision Demos Shakarian received, to reach out to the peoples in the market places. God will remove the veil off your eyes and help you to see the vision. Polish yourselves like mirrors and reflect the glory of the Lord. See the vision of the cross and peoples. Peoples are to be touched. The promise of the Lord in Isaiah 43:4 “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give man in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.”

Bro Khoo confirmed again that the FGBMF Mission Statement, “To reach men everywhere for Jesus Christ” is fulfilled the Scripture in Isaiah 43:4. When we touch the men first, God will give us peoples and nations for our lives. Our priority is men’s fellowship.

The Task Force Meeting discussed the Asian network, e.g. to renew fellowship with Philippines and Indonesia FGBMFI brothers. Both these countries are having their National Convention on 24-26 May and 20-22 June respectively. Bro Khoo often visits Philippines and Indonesia for business meetings and will try to re-link these countries to FGBMFI Asia. He went on to exhort the Board members to press on for the Baptism of Fire, stressing on the 7 principles.

Bro Tan Tek Seng (Second Asian Chinese Convention Director) gave a briefing on the proposed programme and proposed to target 2,500  participants this year.

FGBMFI’s Vision was followed with signs and wonders and Bro. Gilbert Hoosang questioned where are the signs and wonders now and challenged all brothers to re-think on this. He went on to say if leaders do not seriously  expect God to do great things, we will see nothing.

In agreement, Bro Benny Ong said if the leadership has no expectations, nothing would happen.

Malaysia’s Report
Dr Tong reported that we are just like an army going from victory to victory. Truly we are a people movement – more and more people are being touched by the Holy Spirit.

Dr Stephen Goh reported a great rejoicing to see unity among the brothers, a new focus towards working together as a team. More banquets in Chinese are being organized. Road shows for the Second Chinese Convention will start in April.

Bro Tan Tek Seng also reported that after the First Chinese Convention, 10 more new Chinese Chapters are in the process for affiliation with the National office. Malaysia will organise monthly pastor fellowship meetings to bring the churches together. He also said FGBMF Malaysia is like a nation with two systems, the chapters in English are attended by brothers and sisters and the Chinese chapters are attended by brothers only.

Wong Hong Meng reported again on the eight issues, which would have an impact on the strategic direction of the Fellowship (see Regional News clips).

[Hugo Chan encouraged the Malaysian brothers to re-look at Brazil’s system. The Brazilian Women Support Group helps in the chapter growth with prayers. It is also good to allow young members who are zealous and with good testimonies and to serve for God’s glory.

Johnny Ong re-emphasised to the Malaysian brothers the vision received by the late Bro Demos Shakarian to reach out to the men in the market place.]

Taiwan’s Report
Tony Tseng thanked the Malaysian brothers for organising the First Chinese Convention. A 74-year old man (a non-Christian) who came with the Taiwan group gave his life to Jesus during the trip.

On 6 April 2001, the FGBMFI Taiwan brothers will serve as ‘waiters’ at the President Breakfast Meeting. They had established two Mandarin-speaking chapters in the US (one in New York and the other in Seattle) and will start to equip the members through a proper eight-session weekend training programme.

The new members (about 95% men) will also be taught the foundation truth. The training session will be recorded on audiotape, video  and VCD to be used later for new members. They also held a FGBMF Night to motivate members and recruit new members with teaching by FGBMF in house-trainers. A morning prayer meeting from 5am – 7am has started.

Singapore’s Report
Benny Ong reported FGBMFI Singapore’s main task is to recruit new members and ‘re-recruit’ the old members for involvement in FGBMFI work. They planned to hold a banquet in May with testimonies only and will continue to work with the local churches, especially the Chinese churches.

Hong Kong’s Report
Gilbert Hoosang, the in-house trainer for FGBMFI Hong Kong, said two type of training are provided: for mature members and young members. The goal is to train younger members to achieve more for God.

The unity of the leaders forged had brought about good results and friendship. The harvest field is ripe and we need to work in unity.

China is a tough territory and they do not really know how to reach out to China. After all these years they were not able to set up chapters officially. The decision is ‘no more underground’, so there is a need to connect with the official churches with the target of setting 200 chapters in China.

Currently, Hong Kong organizes 30 weekly meetings and at least two banquets a month. All FGBMF members are encouraged to participate in the banquet even though they do not buy any seats but are there to serve ‘as waiters’ to the guests. Their concept is servanthood – people power.