Dear brothers and sisters, peace to you in the Lord!
When you receive this letter, it will be around the Lunar New Year. Wish you a blessed New Year with strength upon strength and grace upon grace from our Lord.
The three busy meetings in the winter finally ended on the afternoon of January 8th. We pray that in the new year and the new semester, brothers and sisters will respond to the Lord by living out what they have learned from the Winter Conference, Discipleship Training, and the Bible Camp. As James 1:22 said: “Be doers of the Word, not only hearers of the Word.”
“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits;
Who pardons all your iniquities; Who heal all your diseases;
Who redeems your life from the pit;
Who crowns you with loving kindness and compassion.”
(Psalm 103:1-4)
Thank the Lord, although I have been undergoing treatments for cancer in the past and a half year, I have continuously experienced God’s grace and mighty work in the process of treatment, and always started my day with a grateful heart.
When I was first diagnosed with stomach cancer, the doctor’s plan was to do eight rounds of chemotherapy: four times to shrink the tumor, and then four more times after surgery removing the tumor. After four rounds of chemotherapy, I went to the doctor’s office to schedule a time for the operation. After a long wait, the doctor came and told us that the CT report found that because the blood vessels of the aorta next to the stomach were also infected by cancer, they are unable to do the surgery. I asked him how long I would live without surgery? He said “maybe about two or three years”. I then asked to go for a second opinion, and he referred me to St. Louis Barnes & Noble Hospital. Praise the Lord, after studying my case the doctor there would accept me but asked me to complete eight rounds of chemotherapy before going for surgery. After the operation, the doctor said that he was worried about the cancer on the blood vessel in the aorta at first, but amazingly he found no cancer cells on it during the process, and he was able to remove the stomach and duodenum smoothly. Thank the Lord, this is the Lord’s healing work, and it is because of the Lord’s mighty power over me that I can go through this operation successfully.
In mid-August of last year, I had a hard time breathing and went to the ER at Columbia Hospital. after determined the breathing difficulty was not caused by COVID-19, and the test showed that there were blood clots in the lungs and doctor immediately prescribed a blood thinner medication, but my condition got worse after taking the drug, my skin over the body became bruise caused by ruptured capillaries especially on my legs which made walking very difficult. Again, I was transferred to the hospital in St. Louis, and after further CT scan, no blood clots had been found in the lungs, and I knew that this was also the Wonderful Healing of the Lord. Thank the Lord, since there are no more blood clots in my lungs, the doctor quickly stopped the blood thinner medicine, and then my body got better and better. Originally, the doctor at Columbia Hospital said that I need to take the medication for at least three months to dissolve the blood clot, but the clot disappeared in three days. With powerful prayer support from many brothers and sisters everywhere, including St. Louis Baptist Church, God did wonderful and great things and did the healing work Himself.
Since I’ve had pulmonary edema in the past year, which often affects breathing and I need to go to the hospital to have it drained out, the doctor had scheduled a procedure in October to install a drainage tube to drain the water every three days from home. I remember that day when I was pushed to the operating room, everything was ready, only to wait for the doctor’s order the anesthetic to proceed the operation, the doctor decided to check the lungs again with ultrasound, and out of surprise, no fluid was found in the lungs, since there was no more fluid, no need for surgery and the doctor canceled the surgery at the last minute. Thanks to the wonderful grace of the Lord, my lungs have been fluid for more than a year. It has been the Lord who moved the doctor to decide to check again before the procedure, found that the water had dried out, and canceled the operation at the last moment.
From these experiences, once again we have seen that God has done wonderful work which doctors cannot do, it’s all because He is the Mighty God. God also reminded me to keep all these things in mind, to ponder in my heart, and to share them with other brothers and sisters. The Lord is the Lord who watches over us every day, and He can do many wonderful things more than doctors can do. The more we share, the more our spirit is uplifted, and so can brothers and sisters be edified. God also urges me to share my experiences with the younger generation. It is already difficult to communicate with young people today, but by sharing the wonderful things that God has done in our lives, they will not only be interested in listening to it, but will also be encouraged to be a follower of Jesus Christ. I pray that our sharing not only brings blessings to our lives, but all who hear it will be edified, and most of all, God be glorified.
(The following ministry part was written by Sister Cindy Chiang)
Pastor Ko’s update and online Sunday Bible Study and Prayer meeting
Starting from November, Pastor Ko undergoes chemotherapy treatments every two weeks. Each treatment takes nine hours of injections in the hospital and 46 hours of injections at his residence. According to Pastor Ko, by the grace of God, he is able to tolerate the discomfort of chemotherapy more and more. This treatment seems effective. He came to the Winter Conference immediately after completing the treatment on December 23. Brothers and sisters were all very touched and encouraged by seeing him. Pastor Ko also joined the following Discipleship Training full time. Yet, due to the chemotherapy schedule, he could not participate in the following Bible Camp. In mid-January, he underwent a radiotherapy and continued on with his two weeks treatment. Although there was discomfort caused by painkillers, the effect was still visible. However, on January 27, the doctor informed him that his brain MRI showed that the cancer cells had invaded the head. The radiation oncologists would discuss a new treatment plan for the brain, so the current chemo treatment will be changed. Mrs. Sylvia Ko asked brothers and sisters not to be distressed but to ask the Lord to fulfill His will and to manifest His glory. Please continue to pray for the wisdom of the doctor team to properly arrange Pastor Ko’s treatment, and to pray that Pastor Ko can withstand the treatment.
Please check Pastor Ko’s most up-to-date situation on https://rb.gy/2m3v1a. We also welcome you to join this 24 hours unceasingly prayer chain.
Please also join our online Bible study and prayer meeting every Sunday at 6:30 pm Central time on Zoom. The Zoom ID is 8110999917 and the passcode is 737903. Let’s study the Bible and pray for Pastor Ko’s health together.
Remark:
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- (1) For this Sunday online Bible study and prayer meeting, we also match the schedule of the August Bible Camp. Currently we are studying the Book of Genesis. Brothers and sisters who have applied for the August Bible Camp are encouraged to join this meeting to prepare for it step by step every week.
- (2) This is a good opportunity to meet Pastor Ko online. Seeing you studying the Bible and praying diligently is his greatest comfort and satisfaction. Please do not miss it.
Pandemic and the church meetings:
Although omicron has widely spreaded, the US government has lifted the “Stay Home” order from May of 2020. The Chinese churches in the United States have opened gradually (although it is a pity that less than half of the people have come back to the church for the in-person meetings). For those churches that have opened should not be closed again. The Word of God reminds us: “Do not stop meeting together with other believers” (Hebrews 10:25)! Some people said, ‘do not go to the in-person meetings to void getting infected!” However, all the students from elementary schools to colleges are back to in-person classes. Most people have gone back to work, grocery shopping, and some even take advantage of the holidays to travel. The American churches are completely open without even forcing social distancing either (Because it is not mandated by all the states. Missouri is one of them). Therefore, the Center decided to hold in person meetings. We would like to quote what Pastor Johanne Lai said to encourage one another: “Be cautious not anxious! Have faith and not lose heart!”. One way to be cautious is to proactively screen. In mid-January, the U.S. government issued four boxes of free test kits to each family, please order it. The website is: https://special.usps.com/testkits. If you have extra at home, you are welcome to donate them to the Center for our meeting use.
Upcoming Meetings
(1) March Gospel Camp (3/11 Evening to 3/14 Noon)
Since the outbreak of Covid-19, many churches have switched to online meetings resulting in a significant drop in numbers of people attending church meetings and loss of gospel friends. Because staying at home, the brothers and sisters lost the motivation to go out and serve in the churches. This is a worrisome situation. Has the house of God been bitten by the epidemic? How should we overcome the difficulties and stand for the Lord courageously? Our co-workers prayed and seeked before God and came to a decision. In the new year, we will call for a group of brothers and sisters, not just satisfied with the online messages, but to be good soldiers to go out with us weekly to share the gospel. If God has also placed this burden in your heart, please contact our local coworkers.
This year’s March Gospel Camp is a good opportunity to invite your gospel friends to hear the gospel. As an example of the importance of holding gospel camp in person: In the 2020 Winter Conference, due to the limitation of 10 people in person rule issued by the Kansas City mayor, we held the meeting online. About 30 out of 400 people attending were gospel friends but they did not show up regularly. Only 16 of them attended full time and 6 decided to believe. In 2021, nearly 40 gospel friends out of near 500 people attended. Because we were physically present in the Conference, 11 people have decided to accept Jesus as their Savior.
This March we invite Pastor Xiao Yuan from China and Pastor Puong Ong Lau to be our speakers of the Gospel Camp. Pastor Yuan graduated from the school of Software Engineering, Beijing University of Technology. He came to the United States in 1987 to do biomedical research at John Hopkins Medical School. He was once an atheist, but when he came into contact with Christianity, he was deeply touched by the truth of the cross and the love of Christ and Christians, then he became a Christian. Gospel camp is a great opportunity to lead people to find the meaning of life. Please start praying for your gospel friends and invite them to come. Pastor Lau’s messages are for the brothers and sisters. So everyone who attends the camp will gain greatly.
(2) Holy Land Study Trip(6/20 to 6/30): Theme: Exodus of Egypt to Canaan, The Footprint of Jesus
For many years, brothers and sisters love to attend the Bible Camp to study the Word of God. If we can actually visit the Bible places, we would have more profound impressions. For this reason, the Center holds the “The Holy Land Study Tour” every 3 years. Since we will study the Pentateuch in the August Bible Camp, therefore, this holy land trip in June will be very meaningful. Let’s make an advance notice now and get ready to join us. We will take the route of the Israelites out of Egypt, enter into the Kingdom of Jordan, cross the Jordan River into Jerusalem, travel the desert of Judia, then Samaria (very few tour groups will arrange this route), enter Galilee and fly back to the United States from Joppa (now Tel Aviv).
Some asked us about the current situation of Israel. We have contacted the travel agent in Jerusalem. They indicate that the Israeli government has opened the border. (The government knew that it IS the time to open the air again. Otherwise the second biggest income which is tourism in this country is greatly influenced. Those related businesses have come to a desperate situation). Their vaccinated rules are similar to most of the countries. They welcome tourists and pilgrims. I also contacted our Pastor guide who lives in Jerusalem and led our tours in the past so many times. He told me Jerusalem is back to normal and their Chinese church in Jerusalem is having services in person. There is nothing to worry about, he said. Now we are evaluating how many people will join us? If we have enough people, we will be the only church or organization to organize this Holy Land study tour this year. If you would like to join, please email us. And let us make the final decision. Actually nobody knows the future pandemic situation. While the pandemic is being controlled, this might be a good opportunity to go to the Holy Land and learn.
(3) May Discipleship Training (May 22-27), Lay-Minster Disciple Training (May 27-30), August Bible Camp (July 31-Aug. 6).
Information has been posted on the website. Please reserve time and prepare your heart to attend. Details will be announced in the next month’s newsletter.
Past Meetings Recap and Thanksgiving
(1) 2021 Winter Conference
Even at the end of November, we started hearing about the Omicron, but we gave thanks to God, there were nearly 500 brothers and sisters bringing their children to the meeting. God spoke to us through His faithful servants. Every message touched our hearts. As long as we are willing to come before God, He will reveal us His glory and greatness. We are especially grateful to the 30 plus short term mission team members from 5 different churches to serve with us. They worked tirelessly in the kitchen and nursery while we were hearing the messages. And after the meetings and at the divided group meetings every night, they shared this precious gospel to the nonbelievers. Most of these members are from the east and west coasts. The airfare was very expensive last winter. May the Lord remembers them for their ministries.
(2) The following 2021 December Disciple Training and January Bible Camp
Nearly 70 brothers and sisters with their 20 children participated in the training without being disturbed by the epidemic. God taught us through Pastor Larry Wong how to accurately handle the Word of truth, how to effectively teach the Word of God, and how to equip ourselves with the Word of God. Mrs. Alice Chin taught the inductive bible study method from the Book of Mark and how to have a God’s pleasing worship life and how to serve, etc. All brothers and sisters have been edified a lot.
After the December Discipleship Training, the January Bible camp followed. 57 brothers and sisters brought their 9 children to attend. Although the books of the Minor Prophets are rather difficult to understand. But through the book survey, Bible Study method, the reports written by the brothers and sisters, the evening revival messages and even the test on the last day, we finally had an understanding of those books. Some responded to us: “Thanks to be God that I came”. The next time we will study the Pentateuch (Five Books of Moses). This is another big mountain. If you have the heart to study the Bible, please do not miss the August bible camp.
Thanksgiving and Prayer Requests
(1) For CWC Co-workers
- Pastor Ko and Mrs. Ko: Your continuous prayer is Paster Ko’s biggest support. Please keep praying earnestly for God’s healing be upon him and for Mrs. Ko’s thyroid problem. They need all your prayers. Continue to pray for Pastor Ko’s eldest sister in Hong Kong that she will experience God’s peace and healing through chemotherapy for her lung cancer.
- Sister Cindy Chiang: There is no time to rest after the heavy work of the winter meetings. She plans to use one month to clean the necessary office works, accounting, tax, the brothers and sisters offering receipts, etc. At the same time, she needs to prepare for the March gospel camp, Discipleship Training in May, the Holy Land trip planning and August Bible camp. Please pray to the Lord to give her wisdom, good health, effective time management skill and a heart to trust God to serve.
- Brother Qing-Long Liang: Pray that God will help him to establish a stable personal prayer life, to lead his family to pursue and serve the Lord in unity, to accompany brothers and sisters to build a regular spiritual lives, to have wisdom to co-work with brothers and sisters to serve in various campuses, and to better care the people God has placed around him, and to take the initiative to share the gospel everywhere.
- Rev. Charles Huang: Pray for Pastor Huang and his wife’s student ministry in Champaign, Illinois. Please pray to God to give them wisdom to work together with the Champaign Chinese Christian Church on developing student ministry, to evangelize and to build disciples during this pandemic period. Also Pray for his family life in Champaign and his 3 children’s adjustment to schools.
- American coworkers Scott Jerome: Please pray for his whole family’s spiritual lives and ministry. And also remember him in the prayers while he starts to prepare for the Gospel Camp and his wife starts to prepare for the children ministry.
(2) For Expansion Project
Pray for the construction of the children’s activity center. Pray for Pastor Harold Shull’s safety, construction progress, and the required funding. Also pray for his health, ask the Lord to heal and protect.
(3) For Financial needs
Pray for the monthly fund needed by the Center and ask the Lord to show His abundant supply and let more brothers and sisters experience the blessing of offering.
(4) For CWC
Pray that the Lord will bring more co-workers to the Center for the furtherance of the gospel ministry in the MidWest.
(5) For churches in the MidWest during the Pandemic
Pray God to give brothers and sisters brave hearts to serve him diligently, resume the in-person meetings, and share the Gospel to the nonbelievers earnestly. May the Lord use the vaccines to effectively control the pandemic around the world. Although Omicron is still spreading, we ask the Lord to give church coworkers wisdom to know God’s will and lead the church during this time. Pray the Lord to heal those who have been infected, not only be healed physically but also to walk in victory with joy in the name of Jesus.
Emmanuel!
In Him,
Billy Ko (Director)