Last year, God moved the hearts of brothers and sisters in the Mandarin congregation to organise the 920 Gospel Outreach (on 20 September). Through drama, songs, and a short gospel message, the event shared the message of the gospel, and church members made every effort to invite newcomers to come and hear the good news. Building on this encouragement, the Mandarin congregation is planning to hold another Gospel Outreach on 29 August this year.
Sharing the gospel with the Chinese community in Sydney has always been one of CPC’s key visions. Although the church is not perfect and our brothers and sisters face many challenges in life, as Christians, proclaiming the saving message of Jesus Christ remains the responsibility and calling of every believer. This year’s event will be slightly different from last year’s. We have simplified the format of the programme while inviting students to participate in the planning and organisation. This will provide them with opportunities to grow through serving, while also bringing more creativity and energy to the event. We also plan to provide a free dinner, allowing brothers and sisters and newcomers more time to interact, build friendships, and develop meaningful connections.
The purpose of a Gospel Outreach is, of course, to see more people come to faith in Christ. However, organising such an event is not simply about achieving a desired outcome; in fact, the process may be even more important than the result. Coming to faith is not the result of human effort, but the work of the Holy Spirit in people’s hearts. If newcomers who attend the event come to believe in Christ, it is entirely God’s work and blessing.
For many brothers and sisters who participate in serving, this is also an opportunity to be trained and to receive God’s blessings. Throughout the planning and preparation process, we learn to offer our time and energy as a sacrifice; we learn to support and encourage one another, and to work together across different services; we engage in spiritual warfare through prayer; and we are challenged to step out in faith by inviting our family, friends, and even strangers to hear the gospel. This is a practical opportunity for us to learn what it means to be disciples of Christ, and to experience God’s presence and the fellowship of His people.
We do not have a perfect plan or strategy that can guarantee how many people will attend Sunday worship or come to faith in Christ after the Gospel Outreach. What we can do is, as Paul said, “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 3:13b-14) May God help us to experience His mighty power through these seemingly small and humble efforts. That experience itself is already a blessing from Him.
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去年，國語堂的弟兄姊妹蒙神感動，舉辦了920福音聚會（9月20日），以短劇、詩歌和短講的形式傳遞福音信息，竭力邀請新朋友來聽福音。延續這一感動，今年國語堂計劃在8月29日繼續舉辦福音聚會。
向雪梨的華人群體傳福音一直是我們教會的主要異象之一。雖然教會並非完美，弟兄姊妹的生活也有許多挑戰，身為基督徒，將耶穌基督的救恩信息傳遞出去，仍然是我們每一個基督徒的責任和呼召。今年的聚會，我們的計劃和安排與去年略有不同，我們簡化了節目的形式；同時邀請學生們參與策劃和組織，提供他們機會在服事上成長，同時也為我們帶來更多創意和活力。我們也打算提供免費的晚餐，讓兄弟姊妹和新朋友有更多交流的時間，建立友誼和彼此連結的機會。
福音聚會的目的當然是希望有更多人來信基督。然而，籌辦這樣的聚會並非只為了一個美好的結果，甚至過程比結果更重要。因為能夠信主不是靠人的努力，而是聖靈在人心裡動工，來參加聚會的新朋友如果能夠信主，全然是神自己的工作和祝福。而對許多參與服事的弟兄姊妹來說，這是一個操練並領受祝福的途徑。在計畫和籌備的過程中，大家需要操練付上時間和精力的代價；需要學習彼此扶持和鼓勵，在不同堂會之間也可以發起合作；需要透過禱告來進行屬靈爭戰；需要挑戰自己的信心，向親友甚至陌生人發出邀請；這是我們學習作主門徒的實踐機會，也是經歷神的同在和團契合作的機會。
我們沒有完美的計劃和策略，可以保證福音聚會以後有多少人來參加主日崇拜並信主，我們能做的，只是像保羅所說的，忘記背後，努力面前的，向著標桿直跑，要得神在基督耶穌裡從上面召我來得的獎賞（腓3:13b-14）。願神幫助我們，在這些微不足道的工作中經歷到祂的大能，這就是我們的祝福了。
