Encounter With CNL-Asia
Steven Teo visited CNL-Philippines and CNL-South Asia for a roving time of ministry and teaching. He shares his exciting encounters with LEAF.
CNL-PHILIPPINES
3 – 15 January 04
CNL-TACLOBAN
I spoke at CNL-Tacloban on Sunday 4th January 04. Next was a 4-day Pastoral Conference in Tacloban City where 12 Bible students and 11 pastors attended. The morning sessions were about 'Strategy and Planning' how to be 'effective and efficient' and the afternoon sessions were inspirational messages. I taught on 'Relationships'. I was also the speaker for a combined Power & Glory service organised by CNL-Tacloban and Burauen Community Church on Friday night.
During the first service, 5 people accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. Most of them were young but poor people. This is really good as I believe I am anointed to preach the good news to the poor.
The Pastoral Conference was a great time of ministry. The morning session was a time of teaching on what it means to think strategically; to think purposefully so that we maximize our potential for the ministry and the Lord's work. It was hands-on stuff as I have probably one of the best frameworks for strategic thinking and implementation models to share. I was thrilled to see pastors keen to think bigger and methodically and to see them arriving at clarity with regards to their focus and vision.
Following each afternoon session we had a time of ministry which usually lasts over an hour. Ministry to pastors and potential leaders is always a privilege as I am able to speak into many lives.
The combined P&G service was a wonderful time of seeing God ministering healing and touching lives. Many were at the altars and prophetic words were being given to many. Many more believers were weeping at the altar as the word of knowledge struck home. That night 4-5 people also accepted the Lord. Hallelujah!
CNL-CALBAYOG
We conducted another Pastoral Conference where more pastors and leaders joined us at various sessions. I taught on "Lessons in Faith" over 6 sessions.
I ministered during the Sunday morning service at Calbayog City and more than half the church was at the altar. Although the church building is incomplete (open-sided all round), this did not detract us from the presence of the living God!
We had 3 nights of Crusade in the 'barangay' what an experience. It was very difficult to preach when people are not within your eye contact (they were mostly sitting around the parameters of a basketball court and the bright lights were shining at my eyes). For some reason the court was double booked, so we had to contend with ongoing competitive basketball games. The first night I preached concurrent with the games. The second night I preached in-between the games and the third night I preached before the games! Still the Lord was good. We have had 142 decision cards with more than 25% of these for salvation. We prayed for the sick & nothing happened. I came away wanting earnestly to seek the gift of healing in my ministry. Watch this space.
During our conference, God moved in a special way. His presence was very real. We all could feel the strong anointing. I was privileged to pray for a few other pastors but in particular the Chief Judge of Calbayog City. His wife (who is a lawyer herself) was so inspired by the sessions that she got her husband to attend as well. In fact she was so thrilled by the teaching of the Word that she took the complete set of notes off me!
Had a great time with Dennis and Daisy, our missionary couple. We renewed our fellowship (I was there in August 03). Dennis is beginning to achieve clarity in his strategic purpose and focus. I believe the San Miguel Hub (Bible School and an additional church plant) will be a reality soon & in phases over the next few years. Also Dennis and Daisy are now keen practitioners on spiritual giftings. I have seen Dennis minister in the word of knowledge and the prophetic word and he is highly accurate. The joy is that many of his students and pastors will be practitioners as well.
CNL-SOUTH ASIA
12 - 24 February 04
This is my first ministry trip to the country. It is good to see God moving me to an even higher level of ministry. It certainly feels good to be a blessing to God's people, particularly those in leadership.
J and his wife, C were great hosts. It is indeed a pleasure to serve alongside them. Praise God. Throughout the trip, I again saw the wonder of God's power to save, heal, deliver, comfort, encourage, inspire and strengthen individuals as I spoke by the Holy Spirit into their lives. There is a clear and definitive window for the Gospel in this nation even as it grapples with being one of the world's poorest economies and an increasingly violent insurgency problem. I came back exhausted but deeply satisfied that God moved once again through a beginner like me albeit a willing one.
I spoke in two services on Saturday (in this country, church services are held on Saturdays instead of Sundays) at an A/G church. I spoke on "Being a Giving Person" as it was Missions Saturday.
Next was a 2-day Leadership Seminar for over 50 pastors and lay leaders from 5 valley churches. Four teaching sessions on the topic 'Relationships'.
I was also the main speaker at the A/G Annual Regional Conference where over 100 pastors and leaders attended. In the day, I had four teaching sessions on 'Abundant Life' and an inspirational message for the evening service. Each time an altar call was given, more than half of the congregation would respond, giving me the privilege of praying and speaking into many lives. Ministry time would usually last over an hour.
This is a nation where conversion is still not legal. The dominant religion is both oppressive and demonic in nature. I have had a first-hand lesson on evil spirits manifesting during one of my ministry sessions. A lady who was being prayed for by me (with anointing oil) had a manifestation of an unclean spirit. The evil spirit made her a grotesque caricature of a human being ugly, evil and frightening. She looked like a fierce local god; big white rolling eyes, gnashing teeth, twisted fingers, rolling arms and a really contorted face. She then came charging at me. My instinctive response was to back-off a few paces (what a brave preacher!!??). The local pastors were great highly experienced in handling these evil manifestations. They came to my rescue and the lady recovered to join us for all sessions the next day.
Apparently it is common to see believers requiring deliverance from unclean and evil spirits in view of the oppressive and demonic nature of their religion. I went away learning heaps for one I no longer fear the presence of such evil spirits as I behold the authority and power of the name of Jesus. God loves us with a perfect love and that perfect love removes all fears.
I was thrilled to see pastors and leaders greatly inspired and encouraged by the preaching of the Word. Now there is a request for J to summarize my messages into the local language.
I taught in Harvest Bible Centre over a 2-day period. Conducted a Holy Spirit clinic on spiritual gifts. Had a wonderful time & I know now that J and others would be practitioners soon.
Spoke in CNL-Berry after trekking for about an hour (one-way), up and down hills. It was a blessing to see God's faithfulness in the lives of simple village people.
I had a great time with J and friends, helping the missionaries achieve clarity in their strategic purpose and focus as well as improving their implementation (of plans) competency. J felt it was timely and he expects that his ministry would make a turn upward & exponentially!