弟兄姊妹平安：

在主裡向你問安！願主復活的生命與得勝的力量，不斷的臨到你！

分享：有效的校園事工

今年美中的春天特別溫暖！學生放春假時，也是我們傳福音的好日子！三月十六至十九日學生們從美中各地來中心參加春假福音營，近三百人把中心能使用的空間都塞得滿滿的，聚會的人數再一次打破中心的記錄，祂的恩典帶領七十多位福音朋友來參加，在神恩典與聖靈大能的帶領下，有二十六位弟兄姊妹接受耶穌作他們的救主，願榮耀歸給祂！

眼看留學生不斷地增加，校園事工在各地蓬勃起來，有人主張校園事工可採用「創意」的方法，就是用各種新的方法帶領學生，例如用較活潑的方式傳福音、舉辦營會時要有創意，不要一開始就講道，這樣會嚇跑福音朋友；他們建議可從活動開始，藉著打球、爬山、騎馬等活動預備人心，一個週末的營會，前一部份可以不提福音，等到最後一天才講福音。

中心過去的營會，都是以傳統的佈道與造就為主，營會中極少活動時間。感謝主！參加營會的人數卻是越來越多，近一年來甚至要拒絕晚報名的人，信主的人與得造就的也越來越多。中心聚會前的宣傳工作，比起其他各地的營會，實在少得可憐；中心的冬令會，每年報名單到十一月份才能發出去(同工太忙了)，表格上密密麻麻的大會規則，更註明大會費用是採自由奉獻，但營會期間每一聚會都要參加，若違規就要自付當晚旅館房間的費用，雖然可能有一些人會止步不來，但去年卻多達2000人來參加，感謝主！

為什麼會有這樣的情況呢？因為聚會不能靠活動來吸引人，乃是要靠神的話去滿足人。用活動去吸引人，只會將主辦單位的同工忙得疲累不堪，但往往只能建立一些軟弱的基督徒，很難將他們建立成有效的同工，到下一次聚會時，同工們又要忙碌起來，被建立的人卻不多。但聚會若是以神的話語為中心，弟兄姊妹或福音朋友來聚會時，就預備好自己的心領受神的道，聖靈的工作在聚會中很快就會臨到，他們被神的話所滿足，生命就會被改變，就能在校園事工產生影響力，他們被神的話所滿足，聚會就成為他們的吸引，他們不單自己來，也邀請別人參加營會，在營會中被主滿足與改變的人，就是營會最好與最有效的「廣告」，營會就必充滿參加的人。

中心的創辦人于力工牧師是一位非常有創意性的人，一生有很多「第一」：他建立北美第一間華人神學院，編輯了第一本中英對照聖詩、中英對照聖經、第一本中文聖經助讀本等，他一生的事奉是以校園事工作開始，也以校園事工作結束，(最後的講道是在2009年的美中冬令會)。這位有創意性的主僕，在他六、七十多年的學生事工中，卻以傳統的門徒訓練與靈命造就為主力。他在這方面實在對我的影響很大，我也喜歡有創意，靠著主的恩典，我是中國傳道人中第一位自行駕駛飛機往來各地傳福音，也是第一位用Power Point 傳福音的傳道人(當年投影機要由兩人來抬)，但在學生事工與校園同工建立上，數十年來都守住傳統的方法作門徒訓練來建立同工，每次在比較各類校園事工的方法後，仍然覺得最有效的校園工作，就是二千多年前主耶穌所用的門徒訓練方法，離開此方法，其他的方法往往只帶來「白累」！

記得二十多年前，每年五月在密蘇里州有我們的門徒訓練營，在離我們「附近」的一州同時也有生活營，內容有騎馬、射箭、球類等的節目，整個營會只有一點點的福音與造就信息。但在他們附近數州有心追求的弟兄姊妹與同工，卻捨棄生活營，覺得不能滿足他們靈裡的需要；千里迢迢來密蘇里州參加中心的訓練營會，因為能幫助他們在主裡成長，在神的話語裡得激勵。生活營辦了幾年後，現在已不再聽到那個聚會了。可見「創意」也不一定是「創新」；「Creative」卻不一定是「Effective」。要將不斷流動的學生事工帶動起來，必須要用最有效的方法，那是主耶穌所用的門徒訓練法，我們若能腳踏實地去栽培學生作主門徒，快快的建立門徒作有效的同工，用神的話去滿足人與挑旺人心，學生事工也必被興旺起來。

禱告：

1. 為福音營感恩，為初信弟兄姊妹的成長禱告。
2. 為各地的初信栽培事工禱告，求主加添弟兄姊妹同工愛心與力量做跟進工作。
3. 為新宿舍的建立禱告，求主賜下經費(約8-10萬美元)加蓋一可容40人的宿舍，可應付人數急速增加的學生訓練事工。
4. 為中心同工忙碌的工作禱告。

聚會消息：

1. 五月門徒及同工訓練營 (五月廿至廿五日)
   感謝神，越來越多的人願意接受裝備並報名參加五月門徒訓練。有些弟兄姐妹表示，他們原計劃學期一結束就回國；但後來決定先來參加五月門徒訓練再回去，並且會提早返美參加八月讀經營。他們有異象要向家人和朋友傳揚耶穌的好消息，因此希望回國前能更好的在神的話語和聖靈的能力上裝備自己。感謝神使用這個機會預備人心，將福音帶到中國及世界各地。門徒訓練的講員為蘇文隆牧師和吳繼揚牧師。請為此一聚會代禱。聚會將於五月廿至廿五日舉行。詳細資訊及報名表請上網查詢。
2. 國殤週末帶職同工訓練營(五月廿五至廿八日)
   這不是為全職傳道人舉辦的訓練營，而是為全職工作的基督徒舉辦的訓練營。全職學生必須先參加五月廿至廿五日舉行的五月門徒訓練後才能繼續參加此一聚會。求神使用這個聚會，裝備更多的基督徒教授及專業人士為主贏得學生，並且在自己的教會中服事。請參加由蘇文隆牧師、吳繼揚牧師，以及從華府來的袁曉牧師所帶領的聚會。中心將提供兒童節目，歡迎全家同來參加。報名截止日期為五月十八日。詳細資請訊上中心網站查詢。
3. 青少年門徒訓練營 (六月三至九日)
   這個營會是為裝備青年人成為基督的門徒而舉行的。參加者必須是重生得救，並願意全程參加的基督徒。雖然在營會中會有一些輕鬆的活動時間，但這個營會的主要目標是裝備年輕人在未來成為同工及基督的見證人。感謝神預備Pastor Peter Fong及其他多位講員來帶領聚會。報名截止日期為五月廿日。更多資訊請上中心網站查閱。
4. 八月讀經營(七月廿九至八月四日)
   感謝神! 許多弟兄姐妹已報名參加讀經營。他們都非常渴慕神的話語。這次我們將研讀基督生平– 四福音。對基督徒而言，認識基督的生平並學習跟隨祂的榜樣而行是非常重要的。我們的講員是李玉惠姐妹及諶志豪牧師。來參加讀經營之前有要先完成相當多的作業，請您及早報名以便早早開始準備做功課。報名截止日期為六月十五日。請為此一聚會代禱。更多資訊請上中心網站查詢。

再次謝謝您對中心的愛心、財務上的支持並在禱告中記念我們的事工與同工們。願神繼續賜福您和您的一家。

在祂的榮耀裡與您同工的,

高榮德（牧師）

 

 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Peace to you.

Greetings in the Lord! May the resurrecting life and victorious power of our Lord be upon you!

It has been a warm springtime in the Midwest this year. Students enjoy their spring break. Spring break is also a good time for us to proclaim the Gospel! Nearly 300 people came for the Gospel Camp from March 16 to 19. Every possible space was occupied, with once again record-breaking attendance! God brought about 70 nonbelievers to the meeting. By His grace and the power of the Holy Spirit, 26 of them accepted Jesus as their personal Savior! May all the glory be to Him!

As the number of students from abroad continues to grow, campus ministry has been flourishing in every campus. Some have suggested that we should consider conducting campus ministry with new techniques to reach out to students. Suggestions have included finding a more active way to preach the Gospel; being more creative in our program arrangements; or to not preach the Word in the beginning, lest the nonbelievers be scared away. They suggested that we could begin with sports activities such as ball games, mountain climbing, or horse riding to prepare the hearts of the attendees. This proposal would refrain from mentioning the gospel message for the first part of a weekend meeting, and leave the sharing of gospel to the last day.

In the past CWC meetings, we have always been using the simple, Bible-focused way to evangelize and edify the attendees. We have not had much recreation time during the meetings. Praise the Lord! Even in this kind of traditional meeting program, more and more people have come to the meetings Sometimes we have had to turn down those who applied late! More and more have believed the Lord and have been edified in the Lord. Compared to other organizations, CWC’s meetings have hardly any promotion in print or other media. For example, we sent out the application forms for the December Winter Conference about five weeks before registration was due. Our co-workers were too busy! The forms included many rules. For example, we admonished that all attendees must attend all classes or else pay that night’s full hotel fee. Perhaps some did not come because of these tough rules, but we continue to have full meetings. Attendance grows! Two thousand came to the December 2011 meeting.

We believe that a meeting that aims for lifelong commitment cannot rely on recreational activities to attract people. The many people whom God has readied for that commitment are not satisfied with tennis. They find satisfaction in the Word of God and the love of God. Preparing activities will only exhaust and distract coworkers. Though a few people might be attracted by sports and games, more people are served by presentations focused on the Bible and God’s work. If a meeting focuses on the Word of God, brothers, sisters, and nonbelievers will prepare to receive the Word of God. The power of the Holy Spirit will be filling the meeting soon. Once they are filled with the Word of God, their lives will be changed and they can influence their campuses. They themselves will come back again and invite people to the next meeting. The people who have been to gospel, discipleship, and other trainings are our best advertisements!

Rev. Moses Yu, founder of Christian Witness Center, was a person of great innovation. He held many “firsts” in his lifetime: He established the first Chinese seminary in North America, edited the first Chinese/English Hymnal, the first Chinese/English Bible, and the first Chinese Study Bible. His life ministry started in campus ministry and ended in campus ministry. (He gave his last sermon at the CWC 2009 Winter Conference.) In his 70-plus years of student ministry, this creative servant of God served the Lord by using mainly the simple, Bible-focused program of discipleship training and spiritual edification. Rev. Yu had great influence on me in how I influence people for Christ. I like creative solutions. By the protection of the Lord I fly an airplane to different places to preach the Gospel, apparently the first Chinese preacher to do that. I think I was also the first to preach the Gospel in Chinese using Power Point. In the old days, we needed two people to carry the projector! But in student ministry and the preparation of campus co-workers, we have yet to see significant benefits of program changes for discipleship training to equip co-workers. I keep my eyes open. Yet, every time when I compare the options for an effective student ministry, I have always come to the conclusion that the method of discipleship training our Lord Jesus used over 2,000 years ago is still the most effective way, and all other agendas would only end as wasted effort.

Twenty-some years ago when we had our May Discipleship Training Camp in Missouri, there was a “Life Camp” held in a neighboring state at the same time that offered activities such as horse riding, archery, and ball games, with a little gospel and spiritual message. Brothers, sisters, and co-workers in that state and surrounding states who desired spiritual growth chose instead to travel a long way to attend the CWC Discipleship Camp. They felt the CWC camp would help them grow in the Lord and be encouraged in God’s Word, but the Life Camp could not satisfy their spiritual needs. After a few years, we did not hear of Life Camp. We find that “creative” does not necessarily mean “effective.” We want to maximize the opportunities we have in the constant flow of student ministry. The discipleship training method the Lord Jesus used and the one we see in the book of Acts has repeatedly proven to be the most effective strategy. If we challenge students to become disciples of the Lord, and give them knowledge, skills, encouragement, and prayers to help them to be effective, if we can satisfy them with God’s Word, then the student ministry will flourish.

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Give thanks to God for the Gospel Camp. Also pray for the spiritual growth of the new believers.
2. Pray for the new believer follow-up ministry in every area. May the Lord bless the co-workers with love and strength to help these brothers and sisters to grow in Him.
3. Please pray that the Lord will supply the needed new dormitory to house 40 people. This will cost about US$100,000. With this added facility, we will be able to accommodate the fast-growing student training ministry.
4. Pray for each of the CWC’s busy coworkers.

MEETING INFORMATION：

1. May Discipleship and Coworkers Training Camp [May 20 – 25, 2012]
   Praise God, more and more people are willing to be equipped and have turned in their May Discipleship Training forms. Some of them told me that they had planned to fly back to their countries as soon as school closed; but they decided instead to attend the May Training Camp, then fly home, and then come back early for the August Bible Camp. They have a vision to share the good news of Jesus to their family members and friends back home. They want to be better equipped with the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit before they go back. Thank God for using this opportunity to prepare people to bring the gospel to China and other parts of the world. Discipleship Training speakers are Rev. Wilfred Su and Rev. David Wu. Please pray for the camp and the speakers. The due date for application is May 15, 2012. Please visit out website for more information and application.
2. Lay Minister Training Camp [May 25 – 28]
   This is not a training camp for full-time ministers, but a training camp for full-time working people. Students should attend first the May Discipleship Training May 20 – 25. We pray that God will use this camp to equip many Christian professors and full-time working people to reach out the students for Him and serve in their churches. Joining Rev. Wilfred Su and Rev. David Wu, Rev. Xiao Yuan from Washington DC will also share with us. A children’s program and child care will be provided. Families are welcome. The due date for application is May 18, 2012. For additional information, please visit our website.
3. Youth Discipleship Training Camp. [June 3 – 9]
   This is a discipleship training Camp to train teenagers to become disciples of Christ. Attendees must be born-again Christians who will attend full time. The main goal for this camp is to equip young people to be future workers and to witness for Christ. Thank God for bringing Pastor Peter Fong and other speakers to teach in the camp. The due date for application is May 20. Please visit our website for additional information.
4. August Bible Camp [July 29 – August 4]
   Thank God! Many brothers and sisters have already applied for the Bible Camp. They are eager for the Word of God. This time we will study the Life of Christ – The Four Gospels. To know the life of Christ and follow the example of Christ is very important for Christians. The speakers are Sister Grace Lee and Pastor Chihhao Shen. Significant homework must be completed in preparation for this camp. Please apply earlier so that you can start the homework earlier. The due date for the Bible Camp is June 15. Please pray for it. Please visit our website for additional information.

Once again, thank you for your love, for your financial support, and for remembering our ministry and the coworkers in your prayers. May the Lord continue to bless you and your family.

Serving together for His Glory,

Billy Ko (Pastor)