Farewell, 2023! Looking back, there were many significant milestones for Talent Beacon last year.
#RIOY – Reflections in one year (or more like the 5 years, 4 months and 28 days)
As a church, we completed #RIOY – where we read and reflected on the Bible, chapter by chapter, with different people posting reflections on FB. This endeavour began on 2 January 2018 and was finally completed on 29 May 2023. The reflection writers encountered, on more than a few occasions, the same contents or recurring theme in the different passages that we were rostered to write on. It felt like God had a lesson for us and really wanted to make sure that He got through! He speaks through the Bible. I experienced what it means to be rewarded by God, with His manifest presence, when we earnestly seek Him. Through diligent study, He grants understanding.
1st Church Camp – Homecoming
This camp was delayed by four years because of Covid-19. The pandemic grew our church. It forced us to keep to our vision to establish a network of home fellowships. Attendance at meetings doubled over the four years and each person has become more mature. While Zoom meetings became the norm, we missed being physically around one another and Church Camp was the perfect opportunity to rest, relax and be refreshed by one another and God’s presence. No one left the camp unchanged by His presence. Some spoke in tongues for the first time, some saw visions and there were many healings. God came to cleanse and empower His children. He set us free so that we can run towards the destiny that He has planned for us.
Homecoming was not a mountain-top experience, but a turning point. Through Ps Angela’s faithfulness, we saw God move. We did not want our encounter with God to be limited to the camp and since then, God’s presence has been more keenly felt at all our meetings, even during the times when we pray and worship in smaller groups. We cherish you, Holy Spirit.
Move to Metropolitan YMCA
We celebrated our 6th anniversary with our first meeting at the M YMCA. We are grateful for the hospitality shown to us by PraiseHaven since our first gathering in July 2018. However, we felt led to meet at a more central location. Our meetings start at 5:30pm, and even earlier for those involved in the set-up. Yet many are reluctant to leave even at 10pm and adjourn to supper!
The young ones
God continued to send young people to us. Many come broken and we are glad to be a safe place where they find acceptance and experience God’s love and healing. We are so encouraged when they choose to be equipped so that they too can help others who are struggling.
Father, we ask that you continue to send the young ones. Raise up parents in our midst who will love, nurture and reflect your nature!
Ps Ben
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