Melbourne University OCF
Reach Out, Build Up, Send Back

Scripture reading: Acts 8:30-31

Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked.
“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

The Word of the gospel is the primary way that can bring a seeking soul closer to the Redeemer.

Hong Kong

Population: 7,333,000
Religion: Chinese/Buddhist 66.13%, Non-religious/other 22.05%, Muslim 1.5%, Hindu 0.25%, Christian 10.05%

Hong Kong has a land area of only 1042 square km. There are three main regions: Hong Kong Island, the mainland Kowloon Peninsula, and the New Territories/Lantau Island.

Challenges for Prayer:

• Pray for the ongoing working out of ‘One Country Two Systems’. The people of Hong Kong continue to desire greater autonomy, including full and direct election of its leaders.
• The Christian community grew rapidly in the 1960s, but growth has slowed because of emigration and a high dropout rate among young adults.
• There is increasing opportunity for ministry among Mainland Chinese in Hong Kong as well as ministry across the border to the southern provinces of China.
• Pray for godly leaders and Christian leadership training, with students committing their lives to holiness and missions as well as theology and pastoral work.
• There are many Christians from Hong Kong now serving abroad, often with Western-based mission societies.
• Pray for the Hong Kong Church’s interest in mission to grow, unhindered by fears for the future, with churches looking to China, Asia and beyond.
• Pray for the less-reached sections of the community:

o    Blue-collar industrial workers
o    Wealthy businessmen
o    Immigrants from Mainland China, many of whom live in crowded settlements on boats in the harbour.
o    People in the farming and fishing industries
o    The Muslim and Indian minorities.

• Student ministries, which show dynamic growth through programmes in evangelism and Bible teaching. For the many students studying abroad, where the conversion rate is high, and for the influence of Christian graduates on society.

OCF Canberra

President: Willy Febrianto Kurniawan
Theme: Colossians 2:6-7
Campus: Australia National University

Attendance:

2004: 25
2005: 20
2006: 25
2007: 35
2008: 35-40

Description:

OCF Canberra is made up primarily of Malaysians and Singaporeans, although we currently also have members from other countries like Australia, the Philippines and Indonesia. Despite such diverse nationalities and cultures, we are thankful that God’s love knows no boundaries, and that we can relate with one another easily and readily.

Over the past few years, our centre has seen a general increase not only in attendance, but also in the number of people who have stepped out to serve in areas like worship or bible study leading. However, this year many of our old and more senior members will be graduating and may leave Canberra. So this year, we are praying for God to rise up new leaders and new people to step out to serve in OCF, and that the current committee will be obedient to God’s will as it passes on the torch.

In addition, as the centre grows for the past few years, it appears that they are clique being formed. The committee has tried many new things to minimize these by introducing more social event. Praise God that it slowly working out. We would also to thank God for Ps Dom Fiocco who is willing to be our new OCF Canberra advisor and Ps Lyn Thow for his wealth of wisdom and guiding OCF Canberra for the past few years.

Praise God For:

• The conclusion of the first half of the Romans bibles study, and the positive impact it has on both the leaders and members in terms of their spiritual growth and development.
• God faithfulness in making OCF Annual Camp 2008 a successful one as well as the servant heart of the Camp Committee.
• The increase in the number of people that have stepped up to serve and lead, and also for the discipling and guidance that the older leaders have given to the newer ones to help them grow
• Our new OCF advisor.

Please Pray For:

• For this year and following year’s committee, that God will continue to provide strong guidance and wisdom for them as well keeping them in unity.
• That the committee will not rely on human strength or wisdom, and to recognize that God should be the source of all our strength and hope. This is especially important as this year, we might see the departure of several key people in the OCF Canberra structure due to graduation or work, and as a result, we need to trust that God will provide for us throughout this period.
• The upcoming AGM, as we conclude the year for OCF and appoint the committee for 2009.
• The upcoming semester, that God will provide wisdom to the new committee in deciding on which book to study so that our members’ need will be met.
• For our upcoming evangelistic E-nite event, as well as our Market Day ‘recruitment’ booth.
• For Ps Dom Fiocco and Ps Lyn Thow, that God watch their health and always be with them

Scripture Reading:  Acts 6:5-7 (also read Acts 6:1-4 for context)

This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

Genuine church growth and Christians growing in the Word of God go together.

Indonesia

Population: 228,437,870
Religion: Muslim 87%, Christian 9%, Buddhist 1%

Although there are many strict Muslims in the country, for the average Indonesian, religion involves a mixture of animism, superstition, and Hindu legends, where demons and mortal men struggle endlessly in horrific battles. Life is a struggle. And behind it all is the inscrutable, inescapable will of Allah.
Indonesia is home to over 100 unreached people groups including the world’s largest, the Sundanese (32 million). Pray for one of these ethnic groups, such as:

• The Madurese: historically resistant to the gospel (population: 20 million)
• The Malay: easygoing with strong cultural roots (12 million)
• The Minangkabau: creative and flexible (eight million)
• The Bugis: independent, fierce, but friendly (seven million)
• The Acehnese, who number four million, and whose province was devastated by the earthquake and tsunami disaster.

Pray about national issues:

• Endemic corruption affecting every level of society including the Church
• Fanaticism breeding ethnic and religious hatred
• The President and his government as they seek to tackle these issues.

Pray for the Indonesian Christians:

• For victims of violence, church-burnings and persecution, particularly those in the Maluku islands and Central Sulawesi.
• For a vision and a willingness among Indonesian Christians to go to others in their country who have not heard the gospel.
• For Muslim background believers who need great wisdom to know how to express their faith in Christ and great strength to persevere.

OCF Melbourne Uni

President: Tony Lim
Theme: To be a light to the Gentiles and bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Isa 49:6)
Campus: University of Melbourne

Attendance:

2006: 120-140
2007: 130-150
2008: 140-160

Description:

Melbourne Uni OCF aims to be the light on the campus of Melbourne Uni, to exist as a group of Christ followers/students who brings God’s message of salvation, hope and peace to the people on campus. After prayerful consideration, the leadership of Melbourne Uni OCF has decided to rediscover the vision of ‘Reach out, Build up, Send back’ given to our predecessor 50 years ago. The aim this semester has been to reach out to the campus through building up intentional relationships and cell groups. To supplement that, we have our leadership training program and an expository study of the book of Matthew this year. Throughout the rest of the year, we are focusing on cultivating evangelism, prayer, good exegesis, accountability/discipleship as a integral part of our lives, rather than making them events based/triggered. The general population of MUOCF is becoming younger, with the average age being 19, and hence we see the need of cultivating these skills and disciplines. In the long run, we are hoping to pave the way for change, that MUOCF will maximise its presence on campus, and function as the outreach arm of the church on campus.

Praise God For:

• The opportunity that MUOCF has to bless the campus
• Growth in numbers and the passion for God which is seen evidently in the life of the members
• Favour with the university authorities, that we have a permanent venue every week
• Blessing us with a new advisor
• A clear focus and direction for the year, and improved collaboration between ministries

Please Pray For:

• The holiness of the members of MUOCF, that we will know and love God
• The cultivation of spiritual disciplines such as prayer, proper study of the word, discipleship in the lives of the members
• Melbourne University, that there will be revival inspired by the Holy Spirit, where there is true repentance and conviction of sin.
• God’s love to overflow in our lives as we reach out and build God’s kingdom here on earth, starting with our campus!

Scripture reading - Acts 6:1-4

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Grecian Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

The importance of God’s Word in the church can be seen in the apostles’ request that they be relieved from some housekeeping responsibilities in order to have more time for “the ministry of the Word”.

Brunei

Population: 381,371
Religion: Muslim 64.39%, Christian 11.25%, Buddhist 9.09%, Traditional 7.6%, Chinese 1.2%

The Sultan rules as an absolute monarch. No criticism of the government is allowed; all democratic structures were suspended in 1962. The same family has ruled Brunei for over six centuries. Brunei benefits from extensive petroleum and natural gas fields, the source of one of the highest per capita GDPs in Asia.

Challenges for Prayer:

1. Muslims aim for a ‘pure’ Islamic state by 2020. Islamization by offers of houses, jobs and favours and by intimidation of Christians has yielded a slow but steady trickle of converts from among the tribal and Chinese minorities. Pray for both the thwarting of these designs and the re-instatement of constitutionally guaranteed religious freedom
2. The king is reputed to be one of the world’s wealthiest man. Pray for conversions to Christ in the large royal family. Pray also for political liberalization in the country.
3. The Christian Church is under much pressure. No foreign Christian workers are permitted - even to visit, and all Catholic priests and nuns were expelled in 1991. No Bibles or Christian literarture may be imported legally. All schools, including the 6 Christian schools must give instruction on Islam alone. There are 3 registered churches but many others’ applications for registrations are ignored, and they must meet secretly. Pray for:
   • Unity, courage and a wise boldness. The pressure has increased the earnestness of many and a moving of the Holy Spirit among locals and Filipinos is reported
   • Provision of mature Christian leaders and teachers of the Word
   • Further growth despite the restrictions. Most of those converted are local tribals and Chinese.
4. The unreached
   • The Malay majority is Muslim with no known Christians. Witchcraft and materialism are strong
   • The Chinese feel insecure and are still treated as foreigners even if born in Brunei. Most still follow the traditional religions of China or are secular. Only 15% are Christian, but fewer are committed to Christ
   • Tribal peoples. Pray for the evangelization of each of these communities.
   • The expatriate workforce continues to grow fast. The Muslim Bangladeshis, the Hindu Indians and Nepalis and Buddhist Thai are the largest and most needy spiritually
5. Brunei students usually complete university education in Malaysia, Britain, Australia or other lands. Pray that they may come into contact with a vibrant Christian witness, be won for Christ, and ultimately return home as witnesses to their Saviour.

OCF Parkville

President: Soo Ka Faii
Theme: Crossing the Jordan
Campus: Melbourne University

Attendance:

2005: 70
2006: 70
2007: 70
2008: 60-65

Description:

Our centre consists mainly of Malaysians, Singaporeans and some Chinese. This year we have a strong committee and things are more organized and structured. We’re focusing on building up our members before “crossing the Jordan”. This year we tried DG and it was amazing. We have an average of 18 regulars for DG. Praise God for it. Our advisor, Ps Stewart, just had a successful triple bypass operation and he won’t be able to be our centre’s advisor. We’re looking for an advisor in the meantime. Our outreach ground is still Melbourne University but we’re looking for a campus that could be our base for outreach. We’re looking into the upcoming La Trobe University in the city and we pray that our direction is according to God’s direction.

Praise God For:

• Praise Him for a successful start of the year with many newcomers coming to OCF Parkville and a refreshed atmosphere in those meetings
• Praise Him for the newcomers this year and for our bible study. Both bible studies in DG and CG went well.
• Praise Him for the openness in DG where non-Christians were open to His Word and we are comfortable with one another.

Please Pray For:

• Pray for members to grasp the vision as we move forward to His ‘Promised Land’
• Pray for a clearer direction in regards to Parkville’s venue as we are currently unsure of where God is leading us in the near future, that He will show us our “niche” and ground to reach out to.
• This year will be a year of building up and rising up. Pray for passion and the desire to grow. Pray for everyone in Parkville that as we grow in Him, our heart for prayer and reading His Word will increase.
• We have new changes in Parkville. (Guys/Girls Group, Cell Group system, Punctuality, Discipleship). Pray for guidance as we lead such ministries.
• God will bring people or convict members to step up into serving in a ministry in Parkville.
• Pray for a heart for outreach in Parkville. That we’ll learn to love one another and especially those unsaved non-judgmentally, be it in or outside of OCF.
• Our ex-advisor, Ps Stewart for his health and direction in looking for our next advisor.

Scripture reading:  Acts 5:42

Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

A true church is a biblical church - a church which believes the Bible, honours the Bible, teaches the Bible and lives according to the Bible.

Malaysia

Population: 21,793,293
Religion: Muslim 55%, Chinese 18%, Christian 8.6%, Buddhist 7%

Malaysia, formerly Malaya, is developing rapidly and is influential in the Islamic world and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It faces challenges with its peoples’ racial and religious mixture. To be Malay usually means being Muslim. The constitutional guarantee of religious freedom is being ignored.

An extremist Muslim minority has been pressing for radical Islamic reforms and the formation of an Islamic state. This has brought stress to the whole country and an acceleration of Muslim missionary activities.

Non-Muslims are suffering a creeping erosion of religious freedom. Pray for:

• The restoration of full religious liberty.
• The restrictions on Christian meetings to be removed.
• Unity among Christians in the face of persecution.
• Courageous Christian leaders who are willing and able to present the needs and rights of the Christian community to the authorities.

Since Malay became the only national language, Christians have been pushed into a series of crises. The Bible in Bahasa Malaysia and Bahasa Indonesia is available in Christian bookshops. However, the government requires that it is made obvious that it is not for Muslims.

There is a need for Christian literature in the Malay language.

Some states have strongly discouraged the use of Malay in church to inhibit the conversion of Malays to Christ.

Pray for missions to and from Malaysia:

• Many Malaysians are studying overseas. Pray that they would find Christ and be able to maintain their faith back at home.
• Pray for Malaysian Christians to rise to the challenge of cross-cultural missions both within Malaysia and beyond.
• Malays who have believed have suffered social ostracism and the loss of legal rights, privileges and jobs; some have had to leave Malaysia. Pray for supportive fellowship for Muslim background believers. Pray for Christians to tactfully, but fearlessly, share the gospel.
• In East Malaysia, 23 per cent of the Chinese and the majority of the indigenous peoples are now Christian. However, there are some unresolved problems for the churches, including nominal beliefs, materialism, the drift to the cities and a lack of full-time workers.
• Pray that the Malaysian Church will be a reconciling community through genuine care for all.

OCF Berwick

President: Voon Zhen Yi
Theme: Steadfast in Faith
Campus: Monash University, Berwick Campus

Attendance: 2008: 3-11 (Average 7)

Description:

In 2008, OCF Berwick begins their first year as an official club registered under Monash University, Berwick. Meetings have been held consistently every week for the first semester though attendance still can be improved. As a new club, we are careful in laying its foundations - to be God centered (not merely a club for people, but for Him). Embarking into the second semester, we a praying for more divine appointments where key individuals will be discovered and called to serve in OCF. Our members come from a diverse background (Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, Egypt, Pakistan, Egypt), and God willing, that diversity will continue to build.

Praise God For:

• Official recognition from the university
• Excellent bible study sessions
• Unity among the regular members
• Support from a local church (Casey Life International Church)
• Support from other OCF centers (especially OCF Clayton for manpower)

Please Pray For:

• Continued growth in membership
• All members will develop a personal relationship, deeper intimacy and a heart of service
• God guidance as members take up more responsibilities and challenges to impact the campus
• Divine appoints - people called by God to serve His people and purpose through the OCF ministry
• Sustained faith - that things will fall into place as long as we do our best, God will do the rest

Scripture reading: Acts 2:42

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

The first Christians were eager to learn, and gave themselves wholeheartedly to the task of assimilating the truth and principles which were expounded by the apostles.

Singapore

Population: 4,492,150
Religion: Buddhist 42.5%, Muslim 14.9%, Non Religious 14.8%, Christian 14.6%,

Singapore has one of the highest standards of living of any country in the world. It is a key trading centre for Asia, with the world’s busiest harbour. Industry is strong, and its commercial influence continues to grow.

Challenges for Prayer:

• Church growth was very strong from 1970 to the 1990s. The responsiveness of Singaporeans, active evangelism of churches and agencies and the concentration of committed, giving Christians played a big part in this. Church growth has since slowed.
• Major challenges facing the Church:

o    Coping with affluence, materialism and commercialism.
o    Handling restrictive government legislation limiting outreach.
o    Maintenance of adequate family life and witness.
o    Unity among the various churches and denominations.

• Young people:

o    Young people are open to the gospel and a significant number of students are Christians, yet the dropout rate is high.
o    Pray for the effective integration of young people into local churches and for their mobilisation for world evangelisation.

• The less-reached:

o    The Malay population.
o    There is little consistent outreach to the older Indian community.
o    The lower-paid and non-English-speaking Chinese.
o    Migrant workers: Filipinos, Thai, Indians, and others. There are some lively congregations of Koreans, Filipinos and Indonesians.
o    Drug addiction is a growing problem with young people, notably among the Malay population.

• Singapore’s seminaries and missions training schools are becoming a key ministry for Christians all over Asia. Many churches run their own theological training programmes. A high number of churches run an active missions programme.
• Christian books are widely available, and much Christian literature is printed in Singapore for worldwide distribution.

OCF Swinburne

President: Steven Choong
Theme: To build intentional relationship among members
Campus: Swinburne University of Technology

Attendance:

2006:10
2007:15

Please Pray For:

• Pray for new leaders to rise up
• Pray for the new guy/girls discipleship groups
• Pray that God will provide a meeting venue on campus.
• Pray for the partnership with other Christian Group and Churches.