Praise God for committed men such as the Central Region Director Tan Tek Seng who is responsible for the Chinese chapters; Tan Koon Swan, Lee Wei Min, David Chiang and Jeff Ng (Central Region); Jimmy Leong, Ang Poh Khim and Paul Chan (Northern Region); Alfred Ng, Y T Khoo and Samuel Tan (Southern Region); David Fung, Alex Sham and Yeo Hock Hian (Sabah); Yeo Thiam Bah (Sarawak); and Tan Kin Nam and Vincent Ong (East Coast). They were led and inspired by the Holy Spirit and went to the length and breadth of our land to share their personal testimonies.

Mayang Court Chapter's Dato' Lew Sip Hon points to the mental block that had existed for those steeped in the Chinese culture. The Chinese mindset, he says, is materialistic and traditionalistic and they had always perceived Christianity as a `western contaminant' (huáng jiao). Such a situation makes it all the more remarkable the many Chinese who are coming to Christ. This surely bears testimony that this is indeed the work of the Holy Spirit.

In the first half of 2002 alone, God had worked through the Chinese-speaking chapters to bring in a harvest of over 400 souls. The zeal of the Chinese-speaking brothers is further reflected when they organised the first Asian Chinese Convention (ACC) in 2000 during which 700 souls came to Christ. This rich harvest was followed by another 600 souls at the second ACC last year.

First Asian Chinese Convention

David Chiang and Tan Tek Seng...
both mightily used by the Lord

Second Asian Chinese Convention

However, even more notable than the statistics, is the fact that at a time when chapter attendance is generally declining and the fervour 'to reach men everywhere for Jesus Christ' and to 'call men back to God' seems to have dissipated, the Chinese-speaking FGBMF men are being infused with a burning zeal to testify, sing and dance to bring the unreached into the Kingdom of God. Such is their zeal that they are prepared to travel throughout the country to support the many Chinese banquets organised.

Bro. Tek Seng says that character-building and the fostering of more intimate fellowship at chapter level are two outstanding features of the Holy Spirit's work.

He says, "The Chinese-speaking brothers are beginning to relate to their fellow men and to accept their God-given role in developing the character of Christ in them."

The unity and closeness in fellowship is evident in the openness of sharing, the uninhibited worship and the intimate prayers for one another, things that are rare even in church cells and home life groups. It is therefore not surprising that the `men only' character of Chinese-speaking chapters is jealously guarded and that meetings usually exceed the one-hour allocated.

Bro. Tek Seng says that the brothers are able to relate more easily is primarily because many of the Chinese-speaking brothers are self-employed businessmen and share the same values, problems and needs and they had the same colourful pasts where drinking, gambling, womanising and other vices you could name were the norm.

Central Region Deputy Director Wong Hong Meng believes that the excitement and zeal of the Chinese-speaking brothers spring from the impact the gospel has had on their lives.

The Chinese-speaking brothers are devoting their energy into telling others not only the good news of Jesus but also the righteous way of doing business, one that will not harm but enhance family relationships. They have found happiness as men, as businessmen, as husbands and fathers. They are indeed happy men.

Take for example, Bro JJ (not his real name). He was a contractor who suffered heavy losses during the 1997 financial crisis. In 1999, he came to a FGB banquet where he accepted Christ. His financial woes were compounded by family problems but he doggedly continued to attend chapter meetings regularly and to share his problems with his fellow brothers. He constantly requested for prayer that God should guide his life. Consequently, his wife and children accepted Christ and his new business venture prospered.

Bro. JJ cherishes the prayers and support given by his chapter members in times of hardship and is now an active member of the Happy Men's Club and his church.

In contrast, many in the more established English-speaking chapters seem reserved and lacking in motivation. Their leaders admit to a feeling that members are contented to stay within their comfort zone and lacked the zeal to do great things with God. Meetings are described as staid and predictable - too much 'like church' and too little like a dynamic men's fellowship.

One point on which there seems to be broad agreement, however, is that while the enthusiasm of the Chinese-speaking brothers for souls must remain strong and undiminished, discipleship and spiritual maturity must also be developed. This, in particular, calls for the involvement of many more mature Christians to join the Chinese work in order to help lead and disciple the younger ones.

Bro. Tek Seng says, "The Chinese speaking brothers are presently high in spirit but not strong in the Word. They are good kingdom soldiers and, therefore, must be properly equipped to sustain their zeal and enthusiasm."

As with the early church, there have been instances of bickering, backsliding and the watering down of the demands of the faith.

Bro. Hong Meng uncompromisingly states, "The old ways must be replaced by Godly ways. Male-centred beliefs must be moderated. Men must not just use their time to shout `Hallelujah!' in FGBMF banquets while their wives go 'Aiyahyah!' at home. They must learn to be godly husbands and godly fathers."

Bro. Tek Seng asks the FGBMF to intercede on behalf of the Chinese-speaking brothers so that they will not be tempted back into the world by the evil one and that God will extend their territories physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially.

All glory to God for the work He is doing in the Chinese-speaking chapters but the work is not yet completed. Let us pray that our Chinese-speaking brothers will grow strong and in the fruits of the Spirit and as they grow in the Lord, the harvest they bring in will be plentiful - that the hundreds they have brought to Jesus Christ will grow to become thousands and to tens of thousands.

Some of the recent activities organised by Chinese chapters:

•	June 27: Chinese banquet organised by Telok Intan Chapter with Bro Tan Koon Swan as the speaker. Over 20 people accepted Jesus.	A Time of Worship and Praise prior the Banquet The Happy Men’s Dance Chinese Training session
•	July 5: Chinese banquet organised by Johor Bharu Chapter with Bro Tan Koon Swan as the main speaker and personal testimonies from Bro. Ricky Chin and Julian Ma. Fifty people accepted Jesus.
•	July 6: Chinese luncheon meeting and setting of a pro tem committee at Kota Tinggi with Bro Tan Koon Swan as the main speaker and testimonies from Bro Yong, Choong Lan Chu and Michael Tay. Thirty people accepted Jesus.
•	July 6: Setting up of a pro tem committee and Chinese banquet at Pontian with Bro Tan Koon Swan as the main speaker and testimonies from Bro K T Soong, David Chin and Samuel Tan. Sixty people accepted Jesus.
•	July 12: Banquet organised by Ipoh Greentown Chapter with Bro Enoch Lim as the speaker. Seventy people accepted Jesus.
•	August 11: Banquet organised by combined Kuantan Chapters with Bro Tan Koon Swan as the speaker. Over one hundred twenty people gave their lives to Jesus!

The Johor banquets (above) were the combined effort of all the four chapters in Johor Bahru - JB City Square, JB Pelangi, JB Perling Chinese and JB Mount Austin Chinese Chapters with Alfred Ng as the coordinator and assisted by a working committee comprising members of all the chapters.

Southern Region Director Samuel Tan observed some interesting features of these series of Chinese banquets which were as follow:

Tan Koon Swan testifies

•	The cooperation of main line churches in all the banquets.
•	The formation of a pastors' fellowship in Kota Tinggi as a result of the banquet.
•	Pastors in smaller towns were encouraged and challenged to reach out to the business community and the community at large
•	The intensive involvement of FGBMF members with more conservative backgrounds to reach out to churches of similar nature
•	Road shows were effectively organized to inform and to fellowship with the local pastors and leaders of Skudai, Kota Tinggi and Pontian. This approach not only gave them a preview of the banquet but also assured them of our ministry.
•	The cooperation given by all the chapters, Chinese-speaking and English-speaking is a good sign of unity.
•	New members were encouraged to be involved including giving testimonies.

Please pray for the following banquets:

1.	August 24, Malacca - FGB brothers giving their personal testimonies
2.	August 29, Sungei Petani - with Rev Oh Beng Khee as the speaker (in Hokkien)
3.	September 6, Batu Pahat - FGB brothers giving their personal testimonies
4.	September 7, Kluang - with Bro Tan Koon Swan as the speaker
5.	September 16, Seremban - FGB brothers giving their personal testimonies
6.	September 19, Klang - with Rev Oh Beng Khee as the speaker
7.	October 4, Bentong - with Bro Tan Koon Swan as the speaker
8.	October 6, Raub - with Bro Tan Koon Swan as the speaker
9.	October 26, Penang - with Bro Hugo Chan as the speaker
10.	October 27, KL - with Bro Hugo Chan as the speaker
11.	The formation of Mandarin-speaking chapters in Miri, Alam Jaya and Air Tawar.

The Traditional Welcome by the Chinese-speaking brothers