Hope International Ministries

Hope International Ministries

Youths need an Upper Room!

There are so many individuals in the Bible who are young people. In fact, it is widely believed that most of Jesus’s twelve disciples were in the age category of 15 to 25 years, the same age group that most of us consider to be youths. It was these young people who gave up their worldly possessions to follow Jesus, their comfortable lifestyles to be a disciple. It was this surrender that led them to do great things, as we see it written in the Scriptures.

The moment it all changed…

However, there was one pivotal moment for these youths. When they obeyed Jesus’ command to wait for the Holy Spirit, they had no idea how God would be using each and every one of them to change the course of history. The upper room in Acts 2 changed them, from being just a follower of Christ to being someone sent for Christ. This one moment changed their lives, and in fact changed the world in such a drastic way!

This upper room experience is the desire behind the recent Hope Brisbane’s Youth Camp. This was an annual event at Hope Brisbane and with 66 young people from St. Lucia, Willawong, and Gold Coast, this camp was set to be yet another highlight in the church’s youth ministry. The theme of this year’s camp was “Wind and Fire”, inspired by Acts 2, aligning with their 2026 church theme, “By His Spirit”. It became a gathering of young people focused on waiting, just like the disciples in the upper room, for a spark of revival amongst the youth!

A God that goes beyond

Their prayer was to see young people encounter God personally and grow in their faith, convictions, and relationship with Him. Ps Chris Bee, Ps Joshua Chee, Ps Lance Wolter and Ps Belle Wolter were invited to minister to the young people throughout the weekend. Glory to God, for the youths shared with us joyfully that God exceeded all their expectations during this camp! His presence filled every session from Friday through to Sunday. Many young people testified that they encountered God for the first time, prophetic words were released, convictions were strengthened, passion was reignited, and some were baptised in the Holy Spirit. It was truly an upper room moment for all of them!

However, God’s goodness did not end when the camp did. The youths continue to share their stories that since camp, they see lives being transformed. Young people are taking greater ownership of their spiritual walk, valuing kingdom friendships, and making changes in their lifestyles to honour God. Halleluyah!

A call for us all

If you are a youth reading this, we would like to congratulate you for choosing to serve God. This is the best time in your lives to go the distance and truly glorify His Kingdom. And for the rest of us, thank you for supporting the youths in your local churches, whether in prayer, time, finances and more. We pray that God will continue to bless you abundantly as you bless the youths around you!

Thank you to Yoyo, Lindsay, Ethan Chee, Yvana and the rest of Hope Brisbane’s youths for sharing about this wonderful encounter with the HIM family! Let’s keep our youth in prayer for more experiences like this to spark across the nations, amongst our youths who are called to do great things!
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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 Architecture 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.

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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