Hebron Church, Johor Bahru. An EFC Project.

Bro. Steven Woo, our Men's Champion shares a report on an EFC ministry undertaken by his church. This is for our edification and possible participation.

Dear all,

We rolled out Hebron EduCARE campaign "Redeeming Your Time" since November 2008, up to date, we have recruited 11 dropouts and 1 game addict (besides 2 self paid students). The composition of these students are as follow:

1. Number of Dropouts: 12
2. Name: Wan Ting; Justin; Kwok Boon; Kwok Seng, Run Fu; Hui Fang; Tham; Charles; Tong; Luke Teo; Wei Hao; Shu Pei. (Kai Ling & Tian Yuan-self paid)
3. Number of graduates: 7 (+1)
4. Name: Wan Tin, Justin, Kwok Boon; Kwok Seng; Run Fu; Hui Fang; Tong (Tian Yuan-self paid)
5. Working: Justin and Wan Tin
6. Freelance: Kwok Boon, Kwok Seng, Hui Fang & Run Fu (also sitting June/July SPM paper this year).
7. Further Education: Tong (LCCI)

To build and shape a strong personality and good character are among the long term goals of EduCARE. Most of our students are currently going through MLM Leadership Training lessons (Book 1 & 2). We hope Christian Education can be imparted via CG, fellowship outing and game.

Media Production center is a place where graduate students can enhance their skills (in term of quality & production) via outsourcing and marketing activities. A new powerful PC and a scanner serve this basic requirement. In time to come, a LCD will be installed to showcase their portfolios, design and artworks.

Internship & Employment: To prepare our graduates capability & employability in the market place is the eventual goal of EduCARE. Which such, a new phase of intensive campaign is required to achieve such goal. This new campaign adopts a kind of "social entrepreneurship" program which will allow EduCARE to approach corporate companies/NGOs to join effort to shape and to prepare these graduates to finally adapt to a new working environment and hence forth become part of the working force and good citizens of the community..

Thus, we have initiated the following INTRO Letter:

Corporate Charity Adoption Program
Hebron EduCARE Campaign "Redeeming Your Time" - Battle To Save The Dropouts 「搶救青春，分秒必争」：搶救輟學者大作戰 is a youth community project specially designed to reach out to school drop-out youths of ages between 10-25 in Skudai area especially in the vicinity of Taman Ungku Tun Aminah/Taman Sutera 1 through life skills training, leadership training (Million Leaders Mandate) and Christian education.
To date, we have recruited 12 dropouts and 7 had graduated from this campaign since November 2008. We believe we are able to achieve our goal to train at least 40 students by the end of 2009.
On Sunday (13th June 2009), Hebron EduCARE presented special awards to our 2nd batch of dropout students. Most of them underwent training and are equipped with special skills in Graphic, Web, Photo, Video & Sound Editing, Flash and 2D Animation. Our trained graduates form the special backbone and human resource to businesses and industries such as printed media-publication, advertising and events management; eMedia, Web design, Web development, multimedia advertisement, Sound and Video. digital photo stereo, PA and broadcasting stereo, visual sound production etc.
In this uncertain economic climate, we firmly believe that with the success of these trained "school dropouts", we can make your generous contributions even more rewarding. Having an esteemed organization such as yours participating in this corporate charity adoption program will ensure the success of this noble mission, your effort in community service will surely win recognition and appreciation from the community. Our students can handle most of the design works involving A&P, event management/education/career fairs, sales & marketing activities.
We would like to seek your kind cooperation in allowing our graduate students to join your organization as interns/trainees for a period of 3-6 months.. Such market exposure will definitely enhance and further strengthen their confidence and entrepreneurship despite they being school drop-outs. At the same time, your organization stands to gain from reducing operating cost with their input. There is nothing more satisfying in giving "a second chance in life" to these kids and helping them to become useful citizens of the community.

Your prompt response is much appreciated. May God bless you richly.
Yours faithfully,
Tang Wai Kee
Principal

Lastly, through this campaign, we pray that more funds & jobs can be created; Hebronites and more churches can join hands (taking ownership) or initiate more EFC programs within and beyond Skudai areas. We sought your support and prayers in our attempt to complete this campaign with a perfect score. Glory be unto His Name. Amen!

God bless,

Sin HF
On behalf of EduCARE Campaign Committee

"Leadership Summit" by Ninan

15th June

What I saw and felt:

I felt that it was a historic occasion – to see representatives from small groups from around the country coming together with a new vision and a common purpose - to work towards nation transformation.

It seemed that it was a simple thing but even as we were preparing for the trip, we knew that the hindrances from the enemy were there for the trip. It was not easy to get all the leaders to meet in a church all the way up in Penang. We ourselves (the CareLink champions) had to endure a 10 hour bus ride. Sadly only 3 of us could go though we are so glad we made it. It must have been the fervent prayers and fasting of our leaders and many others within the group that would have made this possible. The faithful and tireless work of Richard, Piek See and also Simon came to fruition. May God bless them and continue to use them.

Apart from making the connections with the other EFSGs in the country, I also had a few impressions.

The testimonies of those involved in the community were an eye opener and encouragement. I came to understand that that small groups may come together from a particular church where someone (Pastor, leaders etc) has a vision to provide a service to the community or it may come as an inter-denominational group, as in our case. Even an individual who sees a need in the community may mobilize a small group to work together on a community project. All these are a part of the Externally Focused Church movement.

Suddenly, I see the ministry of the church as an exciting one. Getting involved in the community and being relevant to the needs of the community is part of the outreach programme of the church. Although we have evangelism as an ultimate motive, it is not the ulterior motive in our ministry to those in need. It is sharing the love of God in an unconditional manner. As for the other vital church ministry of disciple-making, these small groups involved in community service, provide an avenue for believers to have the same compassion and servanthood as our Lord Jesus. Thus evangelism is not so much dragging people to the church but rather that people naturally come in after having received the ministry of the church.

Thus EFSGs have the privilege and responsibilities to be a pioneer in this externally focused church movement. I believe God has given His people a new vision to once again provide leadership in society and nation. It was good to hear from our visiting pastors and leaders of the various ways, God has used this movement in the United States and other places. It was also good to hear of what has been done in our local context.

Ninan Cherian
Growth Champion