Silas and Timothy came to Corinth, where Paul was, having collected the offering in Macedonia. Paul had been supporting himself by tentmaking while on his missionary journey, but when the financial support arrived, he devoted himself to preaching the gospel all day long. However, the Jews in Corinth opposed and resisted him, so he decided to go to the Gentiles. And so, the remarkable work of God unfolds: Titus Justus, who revered God, was evangelized, and through him, the family of the synagogue leader was evangelized. Furthermore, many people in Corinth heard the gospel, believed, and were baptized. Where there is persecution, the Lord’s blessing and God’s reward surely follow afterward.

As many people were being saved, Paul earnestly prayed to the Lord in a situation where persecutors might attack again. The Lord told him in a vision not to be afraid, not to be silent, but to speak. The Lord is with us in every situation, and there is no one who can stand against us to harm us. The Lord also said, “I have many people in this city.” There are many people whom the Lord loves and has prepared.

Pastor Deborah emphasized that we too should believe this word, hold a faith that fears only the Lord, and become those who are bold and victorious in the world.

As they listened to the Word and prayed, they recalled the amazing work of the Holy Spirit who had not only protected us through persecution but also blessed us, and they deeply contemplated a life lived in complete reliance on the Lord.

Hong Kong, Ephesus Church.  On the afternoon of Pentecost Sunday, June 8，brothers and sisters from the Hong Kong Ephesus Church gathered for a powerful three-hour Praise and Prayer Meeting, marked by the overwhelming presence of the Holy Spirit. During the gathering, Brother Michael received the gift of tongues, a testament to God’s moving among His people.

The meeting was divided into two parts:
Praise & Worship Session / Congregation sang hymns with heartfelt devotion, ushering in an atmosphere of deep spiritual freedom. Many were moved to tears during prayer, experiencing profound comfort and renewal.
Prayer Session / Elim Hong Kong guided the group in fervent intercession, praying for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit’s gifts. T
he church specifically prayed for two brothers to receive the gift of tongues as the Acts 2 in the Holy Bible, and by God’s grace, Brothers were filled with the Spirit and began speaking in tongues. The meeting concluded with joyful prayers for the next generation, as children also rejoiced in the Spirit’s presence.

Throughout the afternoon, the Holy Spirit moved mightily, bringing liberation, healing, and renewed faith. The church anticipates even greater fruit in the upcoming summer gatherings, believing that this Pentecost outpouring will lead to a season of abundant spiritual harvest.

The Music & Worship Department of Hsinchu Church recently held a worship training session for the youth department of a local church. Responding to an invitation, the department led a training for 10 students, covering both the core nature of worship and practical musical techniques. The participants deepened their understanding and skills for worship ministry through rich, foundational instruction. During the training, the leaders felt the guidance and grace of the Holy Spirit.

The session reminded the participants that “worship is not merely about knowledge or technique, but about fostering a deeper, loving relationship with the Lord.” The head pastor of the local church expressed hope that the Hsinchu Church’s Music & Worship Department will continue to support more churches in the areas of worship and music.

A common concern among Taiwanese churches was also discussed: the lack of professionally trained musicians dedicated to church ministry. This shortage often makes it difficult for pastors to form worship teams within their churches. The training session was seen as a potential way to fill this gap. Discussions were held about collaborating with more churches to create customized training programs for both large and small congregations.

We are grateful for God’s grace and look forward to seeing more churches grow stronger in their faith through worship.

Jesus prayed to God the Father for three main things for his disciples that he would leave behind in the world.

First, that He would protect them from the evil one; second, that He would sanctify them; and third, that they would all become one.

For the disciples to become one, it is important that God and man need to become one first. God’s love in the disciples and the presence of His Son Jesus in the disciples is what makes God and the disciples one.

“The unity that Jesus seeks” is not a unity that is achieved through human efforts, but a unity that is made possible by the presence of people in God the Father and His Son.

We would like to walk through this Lent season meditating on this parting prayer.

As the retreat was held in Hong Kong, local leaders played crucial roles in serving Chinese members. On fields of communication with retreat venue, transportation, and arrangement of a Japanese & Korean BBQ dinner party. Much work such as researching and contacting with camp, tour bus company, and restaurant was done. Also Hong Kong leaders have to tightly connect with China OA leaders to make every arrangement smooth and finished without avoidable mistakes.

On the other hand, one of the Hong Kong leaders also served as OTM teacher and local tour guide for teenagers and teachers.

Hong Kong members participated in this work with gratitude. One leader shared, “It is a blessing for Hong Kong to serve as a city suitable for gathering. This brings challenges to us, but greater blessings. Please pray for us to serve China and overseas leaders with joyful hearts.”

In addition, Matthew and Mark follow this event with a scene in which Judas Iscariot visits the high priest to sell Jesus. For a woman of that time, perfume was a form of savings for a wedding fund, and it could be said to represent a woman’s dreams and hopes.

When she poured it out to the Lord, Judas Iscariot saw it as a waste. Are we also like Judas Iscariot, not seeing the love contained in it and valuing it with our rational and reasonable eyes?

Pastor Kim also emphasized that this incident has a very similar character to the gospel, referring to the words, “Wherever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.”

Jesus came to earth with dreams of building the kingdom of God and love for humanity. When the prepared people rejected God’s love and rejected Him, He broke His body and poured out His water and blood. When we have a rational and reasonable mind, the woman’s alabaster jar and the body of Jesus Christ can be valued at 300 denarii of perfume and 30 pieces of silver. However, the love and devotion contained in them are priceless.

Pastor Kim concluded his sermon with the words of Ephesians 5:2. “He gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

On this day, the members shared the current situation and goals of the Japan mission and their prayer topics.

At the worship service, Pastor Jeonghwan Shin preached a sermon titled “Give Thanks to God” based on the Bible passage from 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15.

Paul told the Thessalonians that we always and rightly have something to be thankful for. It is that we are under God’s plan of salvation, who knows us, calls us, saves us, and glorifies us. In addition to individual salvation, those who are chosen must deeply understand that God’s plan for the salvation of mankind and universal salvation is the will that God placed in those who were chosen first and must live according to that will.

We must also know that there is pain when the ones who were called do not respond. Based on such history, among the many who were chosen first, we must become those who live according to God’s will with deeper confession of gratitude and fear.

Our true gratitude lies in opening our eyes so that we can respond to this amazing calling of God and participate in His work. Let us become those who approach the Lord for this will of God, which we should always be thankful for.

On the path of faith we take, there are things that cannot be understood unless we go beyond the world of reason and knowledge. But just as love is endless, everything we’ve done has been to feed the world. Therefore, we must continue to treat and love our brothers as in the passage.

Lastly, Pastor Hong said that the Lord has led us to the place of blessing where we can accumulate heavenly treasures, and we need to remember how great grace we received.

During the prayer time that followed, the attendees prayed with tears and earnest hearts, and Elim leaders continued intercessory prayer by laying their hands on each person.