Prayer Letter Jan. 2017
Dear Friends of SAGOS, Greetings!
The New Year is just like a new friend waiting to befriend you and I. At any time, this friend will welcome us and accept us, but our response is the key to all things. If we welcome him with faith and courage, this new friend will become our best friend, and bring forth new vision, challenge and experience. It is with this attitude that SAGOS welcome the coming of the year 2017.
The “Church History” tour to held from 4/18 to 5/1 will have two tour buses for Mandarin and Cantonese members, respectively, and with Rev. Au, our President Rev. Johann Lai, Vice-president Rev. Samuel Ho as tour lecturers.
During last year’s Christmas to Year end time span, Rev. Lai spoke at the Mid-west Winter Retreat (held at Kansas City, with about 2000 attendees), and Chicago Christian Conference (about 1200 attendees). Thank our Lord that many were converted to trust Christ, and from each conference there were over 20 people committed to full time ministry.
Rev. Robert Shen and Elder Winston Shu will be leading a Mandarin Bible Study camp at the Gilead Bible Church in 2/18 – 2/19, the topic is “A suffering but not bitter life – study of the book of 1 Peter”. Please visit our web site www.sagos.org for registration. Further, drafting of the book “10-step Bible study of the book of 1 Peter” co-authored by Rev. Shen and Elder Shu will hopefully be completed in the coming February.
Rev. Samuel Ho is in the process of writing a book about “Expository Preaching” planned for publication this year. Please pray for strength and wisdom in writing.
The Executive Board has determined this year’s budget to be $ 620,000. In addition to the various training and publication ministries, we will establish the following ministries: 10-step Bible Study fundamentals classes; 10-step Bible Study certified teachers forum; Bible Study camps; expositional preaching practice classes; in-depth expositional preaching lectures; etc. These will be held in Mandarin and Cantonese, respectively. For attendance to these meetings or lectures, please visit our web site.
We thank the Lord’s abundant provision, the balance from last year’s balance sheet is positive about $ 7,000.
Rev. and Mrs. Lai will take a sabbatical vacation from 1/4 to 2/18 (one and a half months). They have decided to stay in the Bay area in order to complete the writing of the “Church History Tour Manual” and other writing plans for this year.
Please continue to pray and give thanks for the following:
- Preparation for the Church History Tour 4/18 – 5/1;
- Pray for the Lord’s provision for this year’s budget of $ 620,000;
- Preparation of our full time co-workers and teachers at large for the upcoming training ministry in Asia from March to April;
- The inauguration of the US president and vice-president, the political future of the USA;
- The sabbatical leave of Rev. and Mrs. Lai from1/4 to 2/18;
- The latest “SAGOS Newsletter” to be published in February.
May the New Year bring to you His abundant blessing and grace!
Your Co-worker,
Johann Lai
January, 2017