Parcels of Joy

Hi. Well this is our first update for 2024, and in this episode, we’re going to focus on what we’d like to do here in Zambia during the Christmas season. Well, you and I both know Christmas is a time where many of us, we overeat. This time of year, many of us are looking at ways where we can shed a few kilos because of all those meals we had at Christmas time- those too many meals. 

In this part of the world, it’s a very different story. Most families are not thinking about how they can shed kilos, but most families at Christmas time are thinking about, ‘How can I afford to put one meal on the table just enough to feed my family?’ And when you’re struggling to think about how to feed your family, it’s very difficult to think about extras like Christmas gifts and school supplies.

So that’s why at Christmas time in this part of the world, we love to go into those tough areas, those towns and the villages, all the high density residential areas where people are struggling. And we love to bring some Christmas joy, some fun and some games. The Christmas message about Jesus Christ coming as the Savior of the world.

And then we also like to deliver some practical help. In the Christmas parcels, we love to give the children some Christmas gifts, like some hygiene products, soap and toothpaste and toothbrush. Right now, Zambia has a cholera outbreak, which is deadly. So just a bar of soap and some toothpaste and toothbrush can actually save a life.

And then on top of that, we give them some school supplies, which might just be a pencil and an eraser, but that can make a huge difference to a child who’s going into school. When the teacher says, ‘Okay, children, pull out your pencil.’ It’s not embarrassing for them. They can pull out their pencil. I’ve got my pencil. I’ve got my eraser. And then on top of that, we give them a toy. For the boys, we give them an action figure. For the girls, we give them a doll. And you should see the children’s faces light up when they receive that toy and they start comparing it with one another. And they’re so happy. 

So many times you’ll have these children lining up one after the other coming to show you, look at the toy I got. And it’s so wonderful to see that just a few dollars can make a huge difference in a child’s life at Christmas. They feel love. That toy means someone in the world loves me. Someone remembered me. Someone was looking out for me. And on top of that, it also means that they have something to play with. It means that they’ve got something to take to school with them. And it also means that they’ve got something that’s going to save them from catching a deadly disease. 

On top of all these things, the most important reason we go and do these things is the opportunity to share the gospel in a way that is relevant to a child, but also in a language that the parents can understand, where they can also receive the gospel and get saved and have an eternal life with Jesus.

We want to thank you for supporting us and giving us the opportunity to do these outreaches. This year we did them in two areas. One was down south in an area named Kafue and a second area named Matero, which is closer to Lusaka City. So those two areas were touched because of the help that you give us, for the prayer support you give us, and for the encouragement you give us.

We thank you so much. Bless you.

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Ps Brendan Kirby

Brendan and Helen Kirby are the founding pastors of Hope Church in Adelaide. Brendan became a Christian in 1984, and joined Hope Melbourne in 1991. In the 80’s Brendan trained in physics at The University Of Melbourne, and graduated with a PhD in 1989. Since then he has worked as a post doctoral fellow and research scientist for about 23 years in various government research organizations. He married Helen in 1994, and in early 1998 they moved to Adelaide plant the Hope Church together while they both were working. He resigned his job as a research scientist for the Australian Defence in 2012 to work full time as a pastor.  Brendan is passionate about building and planting churches, and oversees churches in Perth, West Africa, Central Africa and India.

Ps Lance Wolter

Ps Lance & Belle were married in 2006 while pioneering Hope Church Gold Coast. As time went on they began to also become more and more involved helping with other churches in Australia and missional work (especially in Africa). In late 2018, they both took a leap of faith and relocated to Southern Africa to help churches in that region to become more fruitful in discipleship and the multiplication of churches. They are currently serving over 180 churches in Southern and Eastern Africa as well as churches in Gold Coast, New South Wales and ACT (Australia). Lance and Belle are passionate about pioneering community empowerment and social justice projects for the poorest of the poor. The family is also blessed with two beautiful children, Michael and Hadessah.

Ps Chaiyapruck Pewruangnont

Pastor Chaiyapruck Pewruangnont came to know Jesus Christ in 1988 at Hope of Bangkok church when he was a high school student. After he graduated with a Bachelor Degree of Architechure from KMITL Bangkok, he was trained and sent out to be the pastor of Hope of Hatyai church in 1996. He then moved to be a regional pastor at Hope Nakornrachasima and oversaw the North East region of Thailand. In 2000, he moved to Hope Bangkok church to join the pastoral team and oversaw the North region of Bangkok. In 2002, he moved back to Hatyai again and oversaw the Southern and North East of Thailand. He is currently the Vice President of HIM Thailand. Pastor Chaiyapruck is married to Pastor Patcharee. They have 2 daughters.

Ps Chuchat Chaisombat

Pastor Chuchat Chaisombat grew up in Payao, Northern Thailand.  After graduating in Economics, he started to serve God as a full-time pastoral staff.  He now lives with his wife Siriphorn in Chiangmai. He graduated in Master of Ministry from Bangkok Bible Seminary (BBS). He is currently the President of HIM Thailand, and leads the HIM churches in Thailand. Chuchat enjoys pioneering churches and discipleship.  He has a deep desire to inspire and help Christ-followers to be passionate for God and to serve Him until their last breath.

Ps James Loke

James Loke graduated in economics and worked in the central bank in Singapore. He then received a sovereign call to serve God in the mission field whence he travelled widely to preach and teach the Word of God. He is based in Singapore, where he serves God with his wife Christine. He oversees HIM churches in Thailand and the Philippines.  James believes that God wants His people to know Him well and to have a close relationship with Him and with fellow believers.  James desires Christ-followers to be passionate for God, mature in Christ and live pragmatic lives honouring Him.Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.

Ps Prakich Treetasayuth

Pastor Prakich Treetasayuth received a Bachelor’s Degree of Science, majoring in Biochemistry, from Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. He was awarded a Master’s Degree of Philosophy in Theology from the Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society. After receiving Christ in Hope of Bangkok Church in 1988, he was committed to the church and its ministry in many areas including biblical studies. In 1995, he became a regional pastor and the Head of Publication, in charge of the church’s teaching materials. He was appointed as the Pastor over Student Ministry in 1999 until he relocated to Europe in 2004 in his new role as the Regional Pastor over Hope Europe. God called him back to Thailand in 2021 for an additional role as the General Secretary for Thailand Bible Society. Pastor Prakich is gifted in leadership, word of encouragement and as a shepherd and a teacher.

Ps Kwong Lie Ong

Pastor Ong Kwong Lie pioneered Hope Johor Bahru (in Malaysia) in the year 1993. With a humble beginning of 1 person, today the church consists of more than 200 members and is still growing. Besides pastoring Hope Johor Bahru, he also oversees daughter churches in the state of Johor and Malacca. God has also entrusted him to oversee churches in Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia and India. Pastor Kwong Lie graduated from Harvest Bible College in Melbourne with Diploma in Christian Ministry in 1991. He is married to Pastor Swee Min and they have 2 sons. Pastor Swee Min supports him in his pastoral role locally and internationally.

Ps Denis Lu

Pastor Denis Lu was one of the pioneering members of Hope Kuching with Pastor Simon, in 1992. He is currently the Senior Pastor of Hope Kuching. He oversees HIM churches in Malaysia. Denis graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 1991 from University Newcastle, Australia in 1991. He returned to Kuching, lectured at Stamford College and later became the College’s principal in 1995. He moved on to be an education counselor for Taylor’s College before entering full-time ministry in September 2001. Denis is married to Pastor Chong Hai Eng, who is also the Senior Manager in the HIM Elders’ Office. They have a son.

Follow Pastor Denis on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter)

Ps Simon Eng

Pastor Simon Eng is a Civil Engineer by training. He has been ministering for over 30 years. His experiences include pioneering Hope Kuching, mentoring leaders and pastors, and ministering in cross-cultural Regional Conferences. Pastor Simon is married to Pastor Lai Eng and they have 3 wonderful children, who are active in their faith as well. Pastor Simon is currently serving as the Senior Pastor of Hope Kuala Lumpur and an Elder in Hope International Ministries. He loves to build God’s people and travels extensively to minister and care for God’s churches.

Follow Pastor Simon on Facebook!

Ps Wilson Lim

Wilson and Lai Ling are founding pastors of Hope Church, a thriving multi-site church with its headquarters in Brisbane. Wilson is currently serving as President of HIM and oversees Hope churches in Oceania and North America.  Wilson is known for his lively, engaging expositional preaching, theological and leadership insights as well as apostolic father’s heart.  His passion is teaching, equipping leaders and building the church.  Wilson holds a PhD in Civil Engineering (Monash University) and a MTh (The University of Manchester). He was a research scientist with CSIRO. He also formerly served as a Bible College director and is currently the chairman of Australian Care & Trauma Services.  Lai Ling complements him in ministry with her passion in the areas of prophetic, intercession, pastoral care and counselling.  Together, they minister widely around the world today and founded a ministry equipping website wilsonlailing.com.  They have three adult children and 1 daughter-in-law.