Hope International Ministries

Hope International Ministries

Elder’s Message: Lessons I’d Tell Myself

Paraphrased from Ps Simon’s message for March 2025. For more, click the video above to watch Ps Simon share his heart on our YouTube channel.

Do you remember the moments where you say, “I wish I knew that before!” We’ve all exclaimed this phrase every once in a while as we go through different stages of life. We often find ourselves wondering how we could have done things differently in the past if only we know what we know now. Now, we cannot change the past. However, we can definitely try to live a better future by learning the lessons from our elders. And what better way to learn that to hear from our very own HIM elder, Ps Simon as he shares the lessons he would tell his younger self.

Invest your talents fully

Knowing what he knows now, Ps Simon encourages us to start by investing our time and God-given talents fully. This means we should excel in our career, let it be our business or anything we are doing at the moment. Because when we excel at our jobs in the marketplace, we are being a blessing to the company, which is a testimony that glorifies God. But this call for investment goes beyond our lives in the marketplace. We should also invest our time and talents into ministry. Serve the church, serve the people, and serve God. Ps Simon speaks from his experience on how fulfilling it can be when we choose to invest in our churches. Another area that is critical for us to invest ourselves in is our family. Always have quality fellowship and enjoy your family time. The more you invest in these areas, the more you will enjoy the season of life you’re in, and the years coming.

Dare to say yes to opportunities

We all have been in the situation where an opportunity may arise, but we hesitate to take the leap. Sometimes we come up with all kinds of reasoning, and we think we are not able to do it. However, Ps Simon encourages all of us to dare to take new steps. We should be able to explore and learn new things along the way as we live our lives to the fullest. Let’s start saying yes to new opportunities!

Build a healthy group of friends

Another important aspect in life is the group of people surrounding us. It is vital to build a group of healthy friends around ourselves, especially if we are still young. For these are the friends that will last with us, friends for the long haul. These are the people we can do life with. Fellowship is an important part of ministry, and having a healthy social group will only elevate your ministry to greater levels.

Be of good support

For the ladies reading this, Ps Lai Eng adds to this with some of the lessons she has learnt in her days, especially for those in their younger age. It is absolutely crucial to have a good support system in our lives. Ps Lai Eng has always been an amazing support to Ps Simon in the past 40 years that they have been married, and through her support in every aspect of their lives, let it be spiritual or natural talents, that Ps Simon was able to accomplish as much as he did. So let us all be of good support to those around us. Invest our time and talent to support your spouses or those you do ministry with.

Find an area of fulfilment

One more lesson here, particularly for the ladies, is to find an area of fulfilment for yourselves. Let it be our families which lasts until the children leave home, or ministry and church, or even a career or any job. Every woman, especially young women, should find this area in your lives as they get to the different stations of life. In putting your time and effort into growing, you will be able to find joy. And in the long term, we can all see the results of your investment into these areas in your life.

We hope that these lessons from Ps Simon and Lai Eng will help us all as we grow together as a family. Let us all invest what God has given us today to be able to do greater things for His Kingdom tomorrow! Amen!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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