MESSAGE FROM DR WILSON LIM

IMMERSED YET DISTINCTIVE

Familiar yet different. He looked like a typical Jew and spoke with a slight accent that belied his Nazarene heritage. He was clad in garments typical of the style of the Galilean region and would have blended with the many Galileans around him. Nothing out of the ordinary about him. Familiar. Yet somehow different. John burrowed his eyebrows in thought....

Yet as the man approached the river, there was something about the way he carried himself that struck John. The confident sureness, the aura of calmness and of authority. As he got close to John, he looked into his face. The face almost shone with a peace and gentleness John had not seen before in another man. And the twinkling dark brown eyes. Their eyes locked and it felt like his gaze penetrated into his soul, yet seemingly full of compassion. Then it dawned upon John the Baptist. This is the Messiah!

OC 08 PROMOTIONAL VIDEO (PS SIMON ENG)

As the Messiah stepped into the Jordan River beside John the Baptist, he fumbled in his surprise, “I need to be baptised by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus smiled knowingly, as he laid his hand upon John’s shoulder, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfil all righteousness.” (Matthew 3:13-15)

Jesus, the Son of God, came from heaven. Incarnate as a man, taking on flesh in human form. He immersed Himself into humankind, contextualising Himself in the Jewish culture. God is the ultimate missionary, crossing the chasm of eternity and the temporal.

Philippians 2:5 - 8 (NIV) 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!

A CONTEXTUALISED CHURCH (Website)

God demonstrated by His own living example, the value of immersion so that He might bring the greatest news of all! In the same way, the Church of Jesus Christ is to immerse itself in the world yet remain distinct from the world (Jn 17:14-18). To truly be effective salt and light unto this darkened world, the Church has to be relevant in order to engage the world. Our message, our means must be contextualised to our different cultures and norms that the Good News may be understood by many.

Our coming Oceania Convention 2008 in Brisbane brings this theme “Immersion: A Contextualised Church” to the fore. It will be an exciting and inspiring convention where we will be enlarged in our understanding, inspired and challenged to apply and live out biblical truths. It will be an incredible time of seeking and encountering God as a thousand delegates lift our hearts unto the throne of God.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN GOLD COAST

OC 08 SPEAKERS

Besides our well-known guest speakers, Ps. Pitsanunart, Ps. Simon and myself, a number of other guest specialists will thrill us with their insights.

• Ps. Jeannie Mok and Ps. Ngar Fei from International City Church:

Experts in the field of multicultural ministry. Ps. Jeannie Mok leads the Multicultural Community Centre in Brisbane, is Founding Principal of Asian Pacific Institute (API) and sits on a number of high level committees for multicultural affairs, such as on the Premier’s Council for Women (Queensland). Ps. Ngar Fei leads a Chinese congregation and lectures in multicultural topics at the API. They will be conducting a seminar on Multicultural Leadership.

• Dr. Stephen Beaumont is principal of Garden City Bible College:

As well a director and counsellor with Briswest Care Association. He is an AOG minister and has 20 years full-time pastoral experience in multicultural congregations. He has degrees in counselling, theology and education. He will be conducting a seminar on cross-cultural counselling.

• Dr. Daniel and Mariat Scot:

Have extensive experience courageously reaching to Muslims, particularly in Pakistan. Dr. Scot has a deep understanding of the Koran and has an immense love for the Muslim people. They will be conducting two seminars on understanding the Muslim faith and reaching out to Muslims.

May I encourage you to sign up for the convention and be prepared for a wonderful time in Brisbane! Soak up in prayer now that we may see the heavens open during the convention.

We hope to see you there in the wonderful venue of the Greek Club and Convention Centre. For more details, please see your OC2008 liaison coordinator.

Immersed for Jesus,

Dr. Wilson Lim
Chairman of Hope Oceania Churches