I thank my God upon every remembrance of you,  Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it (Phil. 1:3-6)

FELLOWSHIP
According to Strong's Concordance, the Greek word koinonia occurs 20 times in 18 verses in the NT, while its English equivalent fellowship occurs 15 times in 14 verses in the KJV. Koinonia is derived from koinonos which means a sharer, i.e. associate. Hence, fellowship denotes partnership, i.e. (lit.) participation. The verb would connote to communicate; to contribute and to distribute.

Different types of fellowship are mentioned in the New Testament. Among these I would like to highlight the following:-
 

Acts 2:42 I Cor. 1:9 II Cor. 8:4  Phil 1:5 Phil 2:1 Phil. 3:19 . I John 1:3 I John 1:6 I Jn. 1:7

- the basic fellowship for us to continue in. - fellowship of His Son. - fellowship of the ministering to the saints. - fellowship in the gospel - fellowship of the Spirit. - fellowship of His sufferings - fellowship with us (apostles) - fellowship with Him (the Father.) - fellowship with one another.

At the base of every fellowship stands a relationship from which springs a partnership. When the relationship turns sour, the fellowship is strained and the partnership disintegrates.

The last term has been a most difficult term for me in the area of relationships. It has been Exhausting to the body, Excruciating to the mind and soul and Exacting to the spirit.  At the same time it has its Exhilarating, Enriching, Encouraging and Edifying Experiences. It is not for me to dwell on the former (which in a way can be regarded as the privilege of fellowship of His sufferings, Phil 3:19), but to praise the Lord for balancing it up with the latter.

Fellowship with one another - I Jn. 1:7

Of all fellowships, this is the most difficult to "continue steadfastly" in (Acts 2:42). No two people are alike and no two persons understand each other perfectly. Miscommunication, misunderstanding, misinterpretation, etc. often see to this. Our human ego can cause offence and can be offended by others. When tempted to offend when offended, we should let "brotherly love continue" (Heb. 13:1) and heed the Spirit in us to let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Eph.4:29-32)

The positive side of this fellowship has been very Enriching, Encouraging and Edifying. Last term, I had the honour to have fellowship with other members in the Body of Christ at the following gatherings of His people:-

April 28th - 1st May. 1st Nilai Gospel Centre Family Camp
There were about forty at this Camp at Port Dickson. Among them were my former colleague, Mr.Frederick Tan, elder of Seremban Gospel Hall, as well as Mr. Wong Tee Fatt, elder of Bangsar Gospel Centre, and their wives, Doris and Herriot respectively.  These two assemblies are the main supporters of the Nilai work with contributions from Jalan Imbi Chapel and The Life Chapel.

I was also able to meet Mr. Andrew Peng and his wife, Patricia, who specially moved to Nilai to pioneer this new work which just celebrated its first anniversary. Sis. Lai Yan, commended worker from Bangsar Gospel Centre, now serving in Nilai, was there too.

The camp consisted of students from the nearby Nilai University, together with family members from the other assemblies. The Fellowship of saints gathered together around the Word of God was simply great Together we learned the Wonders of His Word, the Worship of His Worth and the Waiting on His Will as we Sat Still at His feet, like Mary of old to know that He is God. (Psa. 46:10)

May 27th - 29th May, Sungei Nibong/Sungei Ara Family Camp at Hosba Valley Resort, Jitra.
About 90 people gathered together for this. It was a great opportunity to get to know the leaders and members of these two assemblies at close proximity. I have ministered to these two assemblies for a long time, but hardly know their members by name. Apart from casual greetings, our "fellowship" was restricted. At the camp, this fellowship was expanded to knowing one another better as befits members of the body of Christ. Even the young people who hardly engaged themselves in conversation with me at the assembly meetings, developed a bond of friendship with me. We really had a great time of fellowship around the Word, and this was further strengthened when I conducted a 4-hour Workshop on How to Study the Bible on 10th June at SNGH. It was well-attended by old and young.

June 23rd - 25th June, Kepong/Sri Damansara Special Teaching Meetings.
I was invited by Sri Damansara Gospel Centre (SDGC) to conduct a Bible study on the Seven Churches in Asia Minor in Rev. Chs. 2 and 3.nightly at Kepong Gospel Chapel (KGC), with a Sunday morning ministry at SDGC. The theme was Church Alive. SDGC is an outreach work of KGC and Taman Tun Dr. Ismail Gospel Centre (TTDIGC)

It was very encouraging to see about 100 saints turning up each night for the 2 1/2-hour Bible Study. It took some effort from those at TTDIGC and even a couple from Cheras to brave the notorious KL traffic jams to attend these nightly meetings. It was indeed wonderful to have fellowship not only with the members of these three assemblies but also with their elders and leaders who turned up faithfully for these "marathon" studies. Even my good friend, Mr. Lim Seok Hoay, (elder from Cheras Gospel Centre) turned up at one meeting .

Most encouraging was a group of Chinese-speaking senior  (beyond their fifties) sisters who insisted on following the studies. They sat in a room behind me to listen to a brother who summarised and translated what I spoke into Chinese simultaneously – and they were there every night!

Truly the fellowship with one another around the Word of God is about the best fellowship one can ever hope for. However, there is still one thing needful. Those who know the Word have to translate that knowledge into deeds.

Fellowship with the Father - I Jn. 1:6

In a way this fellowship is the most easy to maintain for the simple reason that with the Father there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. and His relationship with us is always consistent. When we get our part right, all will turn out right. When we turn up wrong, we need to confess and He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. He is such a loving Father, better than a father you and I can ever be to our children. What we need is discipline on our part to obey Him, even as He seeks to discipline us. (Heb. 12:6, 7)

Fellowship with the Son - I Jn. 1:7

This has been the Source of my encouragement. When things go wrong His throne of Grace is always there for me. He understands and He sympathises for in that He Himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted. Heb. 2:18

There have been occasions when I have to remind myself Constantly of His Call and Commission and not to be disobedient unto the heavenly vision (Acts 26:19). He is the One Who Sends me out and He is the one Who Supplies all my needs. Therefore, He Sympathises and Succours when I need Him. This is the Sweet fellowship that I treasure and will treasure always.

Fellowship with the Son - Phil. 2:1

In Acts 13: 2 the Holy Spirit Separates those whom He Selects for the Lord's Service. Then He Speaks to the leaders of the church of His appointment. They then Send away  (apoluo = to free fully, i.e. (lit.) relieve, release, dismiss… let go, loose, put (send) away, set at liberty) (Acts 13:3) those whom the Spirit has Separated unto His appointed Service. This. the elders at Burmah Road Gospel Hall did nearly four years ago for me, even as they "released" me to  serve God's people elsewhere. In turn, the assembly is blessed with their doors opened to news of God’s work being brought into the assembly, creating a greater awareness of God’s work in missions than ever before. This fellowship of the Spirit means much to me as I wait on Him to shut or open doors according to His Sovereign will (cf. Acts 16:6-8ff)  He directs me where and when to go and He closes doors to places where and when He thinks it may not be right just yet for me to pass through. This fellowship with the Spirit is indeed very fascinating and refreshing.

Last term He shut the door for me to go with the MMS Mission Team to visit Christian Missions Charitable Trust (CMCT) in Chennai in March. Then He opens the door for me to lead a mission team from Penang, not only to visit CMCT, but also to visit other assemblies in Chennai and Bangalore and to have fellowship with the believers there from Nov. 17^th to 27^th. This is now in the planning stage, and again is subject to His Sovereign Will. There are now eight of us in the team, including Mr Sinnappan, from Butterworth Gospel Hall.

I should be resting on my hospital bed at this time. Instead. I am writing this at home. Reason? It was my intention to have the cataract in my other eye operated on this week, as at the moment I have a sort of "unbalanced" vision.  Hence, I freed myself of all speaking engagements up to July 27^th so that I can rest and recuperate after the operation. But it was not to be.

The Spirit shuts the door to this. When I went to fix the appointment for the surgery, it was discovered that I had chronic Blepharitis (inflammation of the eye-lids) probably due to my allergy (mentioned in my previous Berita Bethel). Since then I am under medication for the next two and a half months. This means that I have to postpone my operation to January 2001 (DV) as my speaking itinerary is full until the end of the year. This also enables me to have some rest in July and to prepare for the tight schedule this term. Indeed, this fellowship with the Spirit works for the best in all things. Rom. 8:27, 28

Fellowship with Us (Apostles) - I Jn. 1:3

The apostles are no more with us. But we can still build upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, (Eph. 2:2) and have fellowship with them through the apostles' doctrine. (Acts 2:42).

The Bible Class in my house (Bethel) continues fortnightly. Known as the Bethel Bible Class (BBC), a dozen young working adults meet regularly to study different Bible modules relevant to their needs in preparing them for leadership and for active participation in assembly life. Last term, we completed modules on Bible Marking; understanding a Bible commentary; and Basic Principles on Biblical Interpretation. This term we are commencing a new module, A Verse-by-Verse Analysis in Bible Study.

Fellowship in the apostles’ doctrine is also extended to all BRGH members in a one-hour Bible study class every month on a Sunday evening. I am now studying with them "Church Alive", this year's theme for BRGH. It is a study of the Lord's Messages to the Seven Churches in Rev. chs. 2 and 3. The next study will be on August 20 on The Message to the Church in Thyatira - the Active but Astray Church.

Fellowship in the Gospel - Phil. 1:5

Fellowship in the Gospel continues to be an important responsibility in my ministry for the Lord as I correspond by email with missionaries in the field and missionary organisations to compile daily prayer and praise news items for The ECHOS, a bi-monthly BRGH Prayer Bulletin. In addition, I arrange for the bi-monthly Mission Night, and where possible, invite missionaries to speak on the work they are doing for the Lord. The whole objective is to create mission awareness among the believers in all the Penang assemblies and elsewhere. I praise the Lord that I have a committed committee to help me in this.

Fellowship of the Ministering to the Saints (I)

Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. II Cor. 8:4

I consider this an important part in my ministry for the Lord - channeling gifts to other missionaries and places in need of funds.

Last term, through the generosity of the saints in Penang who attended the Mission Nights in April and June, I was able to send fellowship gifts to the following:-
 
 

To CMCT, Chennai, India.	- RM1213.25
To Samuel Benjamin and Joseph Gnanamanickam of India	- RM1030.50
Grace Fellowship of Indonesia (through Mr. Chuck Harrison)	- RM798.20
Go Worldwide (through brother Loh Ah Asiau)	- RM3000.00

In addition to Mission Night, fellowship gifts are also collected from BRGH members, other assemblies and individuals for the work of the Far East Broadcasting Co. (Philip.) Inc.. Monthly offerings are taken up for this work every first Wednesday at the BRGH Ministry and Prayer Meeting.

Fellowship of the Ministering to the Saints (II)

I would also like to thank all the people of the Lord and prayer partners (those who are known to me as well as  those who contribute anonymously into the BRGH offering bag) for their prayer fellowship and practical partnership with me in the Lord’s work. This also would include assemblies to which I minister from time to time.

It is my honour to channel part of these fellowship gifts that you have so graciously and generously shared with me to communicate; to contribute and to distribute to others who may have greater need. For the past term, you join me to have fellowship with the following:-
 

16 Feb.	Leong Lai Yan	Commended worker of Bangsar Gospel Chapel serving in Nilai. She came for Mission Night to report on the Nilai work.
19 Feb.	Loh Ah Asiau, Yoon Ching, Sok Lan and Eik Lin	Commended workers serving in Cambodia. They were given supplementary gifts to the one given last January.
01 Mar.	Far East Broadcasting Co. Inc.	Because of the SEA financial crisis, FEBC funds were in the red. Praise the Lord, they have returned to the black since then.
28.Mar.	Grace Fellowship in Indonesia.	They are planning to put up a muti-purpose building for training of workers, conferences, etc.
24 Apr.	Samuel Benjamin & Joseph	Two local missionaries in India in need of support for their families and their work for the Lord among local plantation workers.
01 May	Mabel Dunn	Children's worker serving the Lord in Bangsar and Nilai.
17 May	Leong Lai Yan	Commended worker serving in Nilai Gospel Centre.
24 May	Orang Asli Ministry	Given to BRGH Mission Team in their visit to the OA Settlement in Temerloh to be given to the local believers in need.
04 June	N. Sinnappan	Commended worker serving in Butterworth Gospel Hall and in the Lunas work.
22 Jun.	Loh Ah Asiau	In fellowship with his ministry on Mission Night.
30 Jun.	Ronnie and Sharon Low	Commended workers serving in the Philippines.
30 Jun.	A needy member of BRGH

Even as these gifts were shared (in fellowship) with the above servants and saints of the Lord, let us not neglect our responsibility to have fellowship with them in prayer.

For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God. 2 Cor 8:3-5

Finally I shall continue to value your prayer partnership as I minister to the saints at the following places this term:

July 28-30	- Bidor Gospel Centre	on Prophetic Studies from the Book of Daniel.
Aug. 27-Sep.1	- GLO Training School, Taiping	on Principles of Biblical Interpretation and Eschatology.
Nov. 17-27	- MISSION TRIP to Chennai and Bangalore, India.
Dec. 10-15	- Bethesda Ang Mo Kio Youth Camp, Singapore.
Dec. 27-1 Jan.	- Bangsar Gospel Centre Youth Camp.

Prayers are also appreciated for the following where I shall be involved or attending (DV):
 

Aug. 4-13	- Organising the special meetings and seminar for Mr. & Mrs. Peter Ferry in their visit to Penang.
Aug. 16-18	- Asian Christian Conference in Kuala Lumpur (?)
Sept. 3-6	- BRGH Family Camp at Sitiawan.
Sept. 27-30	- Northern Region Fellowship Camp at Perdu Lake Resort, Perlis.
Oct. 26	- Organising the BRGH 5th Workers' Conference

Thank you and may the Lord bless you all richly for this fellowship of saints in the service of the Lord,
Yours in His Glad Service,