一个从工程师到牧师的转变

This is a life story of Rev Gregory Chiang. He aspired to be an engineer but God made a turn in his life 5 years after his graduation and he went from working as an engineer to become a pastor.

这是牧师 陈喜亭（Gregory Chiang）的真实故事. 他立志成为一名工程师,但是在他毕业5年之后神却改变了他的生命,他毅然选择放弃工程师的工作而成为神的一名仆人.

1. I came to Australia in 1967 with the aspiration of getting a Chemical Engineering degree in order to get a well-paid job in Singapore.

我是1967年到澳洲来攻读化学工程学位,为了能够在新加坡得到一份高薪的工作.

2. I did very well in my matriculation examination in 1968 and was admitted to B.Eng (Chemical) in the University of Queensland.  In 1972, I got my dream degree. I was recruited to work in Esso Singapore Pte. Ltd. Many graduates sought to get into this multi-national company because of the salary and staff benefits were one of the best in the country at that time.

我在1968年的大学联考中成绩优异,被University of Queesland 录取攻读化学工程学士学位.1972年我终于得到这个我梦寐以求的学位.并且我如愿以偿地被美孚(ESSO)新加坡公司录用.在当时许多毕业生都会削尖了脑袋争取到这样的跨国公司工作,因为他们的薪金水平和人工待遇都位居国内榜首.

3. I managed to buy a home through the company’s subsidized prime rate housing loan. The down payment was only 5% of the value of the property. At that time I had a plan to buy a second property some years later to increase my assets.

我当时通过公司提供的住房补贴贷款购买到自己的房子.到最后自己真正需要支付的只不过是全部房屋价值的5%.在那个时候我已经计划过几年就买第二个房产以增加自己的资产.

4. However, the Lord Jesus, whom I had committed my life in my first year university study, had another plan for me. He called me out of my job to be a pastor in 1977.

然而那位在我大学第一年就已经将生命交付于他的主耶稣,却有另外一个计划与安排给我.他在1977年呼召我结束属世的工作,全时间服侍神.

5. It was a big struggle in my spirit to obey the call of God to leave my well-paid job and security to live by faith in God for my provision.

顺服神的旨意去放弃一个高薪的工作和高枕无忧的生活,而靠仰望神的信实和供给度日,对于我来说是一个非常挣扎和痛苦的决定.

6. On one hand, I had no peace while I disobeyed this heavenly call. At the same time, I had a greater fear of financial difficulty if I obeyed and resigned from work. My wife, who was pregnant with our first child, would not be able to work to support the family after the child was born. I worried about how we would meet all the expenses in a society which had no social welfare. In addition, we had little savings to see us through the next three years of my training.

当我不回应神的呼召时我心中没有平安,同时我也相当惧怕我放弃工作后的财政危机.我妻子当时正怀着我们的第一个孩子,她不可能在产后还能做工来应付家庭开支.我很担心在这样一个没有社会福利的环境下我们怎样才能支付日常生活费用.而且我们的积蓄也不足以应付我接下来三年神学课程的费用.

7. With much encouragement from a missionary and the assurance from Word of God, I sent in my resignation to Esso.

但是,当我得到一位宣教士的鼓励,并且从神的话语得到肯定后,我毅然接收了挑战,向美孚(ESSO)公司递交了辞呈.

8. All my colleagues were taken by surprise because no one in Esso had ever done such a silly thing before.

我身边所有的同事都相当惊讶,因为从来没有一个美孚(ESSO)公司的职员做过这样的傻事.

9. Peace came on me as soon as I sent in my resignation. From there onward we learnt to live by faith for our daily provision.

一当我递交了辞呈,我的心中立刻充满平安.从那时起我们就一直学习如何靠神的恩典和信实生活.

10. We can testify that it was the turning point in my life. Since then, I have never felt short-changed by the Lord. He has been providing all our needs. The life of faith is so exciting and fulfilling.

我们可以说那是我们生命的转折点.从此以后我们从来没有觉得被神丢弃.他总是充充足足地供应我们所需,我们的生活也总是过得相当充实和喜乐.

11. The above is just a brief outline of the dramatic turning of my life; from a person who aspired to make big money to a humble pastor.

以上只不过是一个我转变转折的简单介绍; 关于从一个一心赚大钱的人转变成一个谦卑顺服的牧师的故事.

What is this church? How did it pop out in the middle of no where?

这是一个什么样的教会?它怎样突然间出现的呢?

This story all began with a mission team from Church of the True Light, Singapore in the beginning of 2000 at the invitation of Church Missionary Society. The team leader was Pastor Derek Lim, the able assistant to Rev Gregory Chiang. The team ministered in View Hill Fellowship. Derek came back with a wonderful report of VHF and told me that the Rector of VHF, Rev John Steele knew me. Months later, we planned a trip taking my family for a holiday driving from Brisbane to Great Ocean Road passing through Bendigo and meeting up with Rev Steele. And I preached in VHF on Christmas day. John and I were Moore Theological College mates in Sydney. On the morning of our departure, Rev. John Steele mentioned to me that a group of ministers of Bendigo had a vision of starting a Chinese ministry in the city because this city has a long association with the Chinese dated back to the Gold Rush days 150 years ago. He asked me whether I would consider and pray about the possibility of coming over to start this ministry. I promised to take this matter to the Lord.

故事是从2000年由教会宣教组织发出邀请,由新加坡真光堂组织的一个宣教团队开始的.宣教队由主任牧师陈喜亭的得力助手林牧师带领,在VHF宣教.林牧师成功带领宣教队返回新加坡后,告诉我说VHF的主任牧师John Steel认识我.数月后,我与家人开车从Brisbane一直到Great Ocean Road度假游玩,途中经过Bendigo就与牧师John Steel见了面.我也被邀请于圣诞节的主日崇拜在VHF讲道.John与我是Sydney Moore神学院的校友.在我们即将离开Bendigo的那个早晨,John告诉我说本地教会曾经有异象说开始本地华人的事工,因为这个城市由于约150年前的淘金热而与华人有着源远流长的历史.他甚至让我考虑和祷告,看神是否回让我到这里来参与这一侍工.我答应他回去好好祷告.

This followed by the official invitation in March, from the church Council of VHF and the Rt. Rev. David Bowden, the late bishop of Bendigo.

接下来的三月份我就收到了由VHF教会委员会和Bendigo前任会督 David Bowden发出的正式邀请.

At this invitation, my beloved wife Priscilla，my co-worker, and I decided to return to Australia and to Bendigo to start this Chinese ministry. I used the term “return” because Priscilla and all our three children are Australians and I am a permanent resident of Australia dated back to 1973. For 20 years, we have been ministering and planted 5 congregations in Singapore. It was time for us to do something in Australia. The vision of ministering in Australia had been at the back of my mind for a few years after my three months ministry in 1995 at St Andrew, Katanning, (the town with a population of 5300 people) Western Australia. I was sent from Singapore Diocese to take care of this country parish. I saw the growth of the parish from 15 to well over 30 after three months. There were 53 people in my last service. We were very encouraged to see the growth in this country parish. The parishioners were loving people who hoped to see the parish to make a turn. I left the parish with a burden for this parish and for Australia. I believe the church in Australia can grow. It is the will of God for His church to grow.

在接到这份邀请之后,我与我的爱妻Priscilla兼主内的同工都决定回Bendigo 开始当地华人的事工.为什么说是回去?因为Priscilla 和我的三个孩子都是澳洲公民,而我在1973年的时候也是澳洲的永久居民.我在新加坡20年内一共建立并管理5个教会,是时候回澳洲来闯一番了.自从1995 在西澳Katanning (是一个拥有5300人口的小镇)帮助管理St Andrew教会后,这几年都一直有回澳洲开辟新事工的异象.我当时是由新加坡教区委派到当地帮忙的,在我到达当地教会三个月后,教会人数由15增长至30,最后一次的主日崇拜人数是53人.我们都因看到当地教会的增长而感到欢欣鼓舞.当地的教会的会友都是满有爱心的,他们都盼望看见教会增长.当我离开的时候,我心中仍然对次教会以及整个澳洲的事工满有负担.我相信澳洲的教会会增长,而教会增长也是神的美意.

My coming to Bendigo took months of prayers and preparation. Finally, I came over at the end of August 2001. Priscilla came back a little earlier in June with our youngest son, Xuan Dao to start school in Bendigo Senior Secondary College.

我们用了几个月的时间为到Bendigo开辟教会的行程而祷告和准备.最后终于于2001年8月底来到Bendigo. Priscilla和我们最小的儿子Xuan Dao于六月先回来,为了能让Xuan Dao赶上Bendigo高中开学.

To begin the work, we started meeting up with three local Christians (Xiao Jun, Jason McGowan and Dr Arthur Chiang), who shared the same vision of a Chinese church. We then started to have monthly social dinner gatherings in our home. The first dinner was on 26^th September. Through these gatherings we got to know many Chinese residents. Five of them form a part the present congregation. Two were non-Christians who have been faithfully attending our services.

刚开始,我们先和当地的三个基督徒见了面,(小君,Jason McGowa和医生Arthur chiang)他们都对本地华人侍工的异向有同样的看见.我们就开始筹备每月在我家里举行的晚餐聚会.第一次聚会是9月26日.经过这些聚会我们认识了许多当地的华人.其中有5个是来自当地的教会,另外2个虽然不是基督徒,但现在却一直都有参加我们的主日崇拜.

The first service of the House of the True Light was on December 2^nd 2001. In the first service, one person was baptized. My former parish, Church of the True Light Singapore sent finance and teams to support the start of this work. The official opening was much later on February 6^th, 2002. Again members of True Light Singapore and ex-members living in Melbourne came to support us. Truly it is the will of God for us to be here in this business of church planting.

真光堂第一次的主日崇拜是在2001年12月2日.就在那天的崇拜中,有1人接受洗礼.新加坡真光堂,也就是我原来的教会特地给我们在人力和经济上提供帮助,帮助我们建立教会.许多新加坡真光堂会友以及在Melbourne的前会友都前来支持我们.我们到次建立教会真的是神自己的旨意.

There were not many Chinese in town in those days. Hence, we decided to greet any Chinese in town and anywhere and introduce ourselves to them. This was how Jesus started his ministry by walking around and talking to people in the street. He gathered his disciples just like that. We also walked around Latrobe University and introduced ourselves to any Chinese students whom we came across. There were not many Chinese students. But we were able to gather two. Then we started a cell meeting in Jason and Xiao Jun’s home. We invited our new friends to our home for meals and started relationship building. With the increase of Chinese and overseas students in Bendigo, our contacts increase. Our Sunday service attendance averaged at 35 last year. Our first outreach camp was well attended by 40 students and 8 helpers.

当时次地的华人并不多.因此,我们决定无论何时何地看见华人,我们都与他们问候并介绍我们自己.耶稣当年也是这样通过到处走走和人们交谈慢慢建立自己的事工的.他也是这样召集自己的门徒的.我们也是这样在La Trobe大学校园附近走动,见到任何的华人学生就上前问候和介绍自己.那时华人学生并不多见,但我们也是通过这样认识了其中的2个.于是我们就在小君的家里开始了家庭细胞小组聚会.我们不断邀请新朋友来家里吃饭,开始建立好的关系.随着华人和海外学生渐渐增加,我们也认识越来越多的人.到去年我们年平均主日崇拜的参加人数达到35人.我们举办的第一次学生营会也有40个新朋友参加,还得到其他教会8人的协助.

Cells 家庭小组聚会

Now there are two cells going on every week. The total number is about 35 in our weekly meeting: 20-25 in the students’ cell and 10-14 in the English cell. In the student’s cell, we discuss the existence of God, the character of God, the person of Jesus and so on. Hence it is purely evangelistic in nature. The English cell is emphasizing on teaching and evangelism.

现在我们每个星期有两个家庭聚会.参加家庭聚会的总人数约35人,其中20-25人参加学生聚会,10-14人参加英语聚会.学生聚会中我们谈论神的存在,神的特点,以及耶稣等等.因此可以说是纯福音性质的聚会.英语聚会主要是着重在教导和传福音.

Baptism 洗礼

Two adults were baptized in the first 12 months. Then 18 adults were baptized in the following 12 months. Last year, 5 adults were baptized, and our emphasis had been on discipleship training.

在教会成立头12个月有2个成年人接受洗礼.接下来一年中有18个.去年有5个.过去我们工作的重心主要是放在门徒训练上.

Confirmation 坚振礼

The first confirmation was held on 10.4.2005 by the Bishop Andrew. Altogether, there were 18 adult candidates confirmed.

首次坚振礼是在2005年4月10日由会督Andrew主持的.一共有18人接受信仰坚振礼.

Finance 财政

The finance of the church grew from about $100 at the beginning to averaged $764 in 2004. The income grew to the average to date of $1089 in 2005. The church was started with much fund from Singapore (Anglican Churches). Now HOTL Sunday collection is increasing at a rapid rate to meet the falling mission fund from now on. Our need is $1600 per week in order to meet our moderate budget. If we maintain the current level of collection, our short fall would be $27,000 by the end of this year. Now we are praying for such sum from outside help to cover this shortfall. As the Lord has never failed us for the last three years; we are sure that He will continue to supply all our need.

教会财政刚开始约$100,到2004年平均$764.到2005年6月中教会奉献收入增加到平均$1089.教会建立初期基本靠新加坡真光堂教会的支持,而现在周日奉献收入的迅速增长正慢慢弥补逐渐减少的外来资金.我们真正需要平均每周$1600的收入以平衡教会工作的正常支出.如果我们能够保持现在的收入标准,到年底,我们仍将会需要$27,000的外来资金援助.我们现在正在为这一笔短缺的费用不断祷告.上帝在过去过去三年中从未亏待过我们,我们也相信他回继续提供我们的需要.

Where to go on from here 接下来的路将要怎样行

One of our converts, a master graduate in business administration has taken up the challenge to work for True Light and to be trained up for the future ministry of church.

我们其中的一个接受洗礼的姐妹,在她完成商业管理硕士学位的学习后,决定接受呼召留在真光堂做神的事工.她也将接受一系列的训练,以待日后的教会服侍.

Besides there are 16 resident members and leaders who are committed the vision of True Light in Bendigo. We have every thing to thank God for the growth over the last 31/2 years.

不仅如此,我们还有16人教会成员和领袖,他们都委身于Bendigo真光堂的事工.我们要为教会过去三年半的所有增长感谢赞美主.

To God be the glory!

愿荣耀颂赞全部归于神,我们的主耶稣!