U Matters

Saturday night I joined a Global Launch with about 185 leaders and pastors from around the world - from Sabah, Jakarta, Ghana, South Africa, Kansas City, Seoul, and the Philippines - to name a few, to launch the ONE2021 Hearing the Word campaign. On Zoom we heard what God was doing in various cities and prayed together. Like us, churches from around the world are joining to listen to the Gospel of Mark this Lenten season. It is exciting to see this type of unity - in language, denomination and country. I look forward to the next 40 days as we journey together listening to and reading the Gospel of Mark.

The word of God is powerful and can change lives. I had an opportunity to speak with Vivian Teu, a member of the Faith in the Marketplace ministry team, asking:

How has your faith been challenged in the marketplace? How have you dealt with the challenges? 

Vivien replied: 

"I didn’t grow up as a Christian and came to faith during a difficult period when I was trying to balance a demanding legal career and being a mother of two young children. Overwhelmed by challenges in everyday life and the marketplace, I was touched when I read Matthew 11:28-29: 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.' Although my faith was in its infancy, I was grateful for the blessed salvation and saw this as the one true way, and I decided to follow Christ and was baptised in 2010 at Union Church. It was actually challenges in the marketplace that brought me to faith, and perhaps this 'discovery' prompted me to ask questions about the differences that my newfound faith should make in my life and the significance of my work.  

"In March 2010, I wrote this in an email to Union Church's pastor at the time:   

'As you know I have been thinking about questions of significance and what I should do - and often it is a challenge to cope with work, find time for the children and time for my personal mental, physical, spiritual well-being and growth! I am conscious I need to re-evaluate my life carefully, though I am not entirely sure yet how, what and when. I am reading the book 'Halftime' thoughtfully and thinking about the 'one thing' that I should place in my 'box'. I need the courage and God's guidance on needed change!' 

"Subsequently I attended the Halftime course, felt moved to pursue a passion in writing, and went on a career break that has seen me through an incredible journey of completing a Master’s degree in journalism, then establishing and running a law firm for the past 6 years. I have been through many more difficulties and challenges in my career that have tested my faith and brought me closer to God. Throughout, I learned to lean on God’s Word and provision for everything. I now realise that although I had the heart to serve, I was far from ready and needed to be pruned. Many of my old ways needed to be shed, and I had much to learn as a Christ follower.   

"John 15:1-4 'I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.'

"I am a poor example, and I am still far from ready today, but I always believe God calls on each one of us to serve, with our unique skills and abilities, in different circumstances, or in big or small ways.  

"Romans 12:6-8 'We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.'

"God is bringing me into a new season of my career, in my growing focus on sustainability and purposeful capitalism, and at the same time, God has unexpectedly called me to serve in the working group on Faith in the Marketplace at Union Church.  While we may not be sure what we may actually be called to do for God, by turning to His Word and opening our hearts and minds to serve, God will show us how and when.

"That’s why I was so excited when Pastor John Snelgrove said during his sermon on the 14th of February: each of us is called, and each of us has a specific calling, quoting Os Guinness from the book, The Call: 'No idea short of God’s call can ground and fulfil the truest human desire for purpose and fulfilment.'

"May more be fired up to serve God every day and in the marketplace. Amen!" 

We hope you will join us for the journey through the Gospel of Mark as we grow together in His word and in His mission.

Blessings on your week - Pastor Michele