President's Report 2005 by Michael Chew

The GCYF President’s Report for Anniversary 2005

I bring greetings on behalf of the executive committee in the name of our risen Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

As the Youth Fellowship turns twelve this year, shining forth to the unsaved will remain as our paramount concern. As such, our theme for the year 2005 is “Beacons for Christ”. This theme is similar to last year’s theme, “Reaching Out to Others”. This parallels our church’s theme for this year, which was the same as last year, “Lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes” (Isaiah 54:2). God has laid upon our hearts also the verse, Matthew 5:16 – “So let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” To further drive this theme into the hearts of the YF members, the song “Send the Light” (composed by Mr. Charles H. Gabriel) is chosen as our theme song.

I thank God for my first three eventful months here at the YF. In January, the executive committee members attended the annual day of prayer together with the other leaders of the church, where we committed the year in prayer to the Lord. We also welcomed the new comers to the YF who have left the Children’s Fellowship through our “Welcome to the Family” activities. The YF saw several new comers and youths who had never joined us before. In the same month, we embarked on our journey through the book of Ephesians in a Precepts-based bible study entitled, “How to walk the walk you talk”. This study, as it is named, allows us to discover what God has to say about our walk with Him. What I like about the Precepts system is that instead of reading what others have to say about God’s word, we discover God’s truths for ourselves, allowing our hearts to be touched by God individually.

In February, we organised our own reunion dinner where the YFers are given the opportunity to fellowship over dinner prepared by our youths. It was an excellent chance for bonds to be fostered and new friendships to be formed amongst not only youths of the same age. We went tracting, in the same month, to three blocks opposite our church. It was good to see our young members trying their hands at tracting, some for the first time. This opportunity is not only fulfilling our vision obeying God’s command to be bacons for Christ, but also helps us see the need for sowing the seed. I pray that it will continue to lay a burden in the hearts of our members to go further than to just give out tracts.

March saw the screening of the Jesus Film in conjunction with Easter where we had a few friends who joined us. It was part of our evangelical efforts since Easter was an ideal time to share the gospel to our friends. The two hour long movie chronicles Christ’s life from birth to death and the gospel was also presented within the show. We thank God for the three new visitors who watched the movie with us.

Other programs include cottage meetings in our pastor’s homes. The YF also has a prayer session at the end of the meetings. We prayed not only for our members but also for our church members, pastors, and the church as a whole as well. This give those who cannot make it for prayer meeting, an opportunity to pray and we are glad to see more sharing how God has blessed them during the week. It is also encouraging to hear about answers to our prayers. Hudson Taylor once said that if we want to see mighty wonders of divine power and grace wrought in the place of weakness, failure and disappointment, we must answer God’s standing challenge, “Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not.” (Jer. 33:3)

Looking ahead, I pray that the YF would continue to live up to what God expects of us. It is also my constant prayer that the YF will be beacons for Christ in our own