Nanson Lai: FPC Intern

Friendship Presbyterian: Tell us about what brought you from Malaysia to Taiwan in the first place.
Nanson Lai: I was a college student in Malaysia. In March of 2017, I sensed a calling to begin my seminary studies. I looked for seminaries that upheld the Reformed faith, and China Reformed Theological Seminary (CRTS) became my first choice. There are, of course, Reformed seminaries in other countries, particularly in the West. But I preferred to do my first theological degree in Chinese. Since Malaysia has no Reformed Chinese seminaries, Taiwan became an ideal option. My enrollment was confirmed at the end of May, and I came to Taiwan on 23 August 2017.

FP: How did you come to be an intern at Friendship Presbyterian?
NL: In January of this year, while serving in CRTS, I got to know [former Elder] Kalan Spencer. He informed me that FPC was hiring an intern and asked if I was interested. Coincidentally, I was looking for a church to intern at. So, I applied and went for the interview. By the grace of God and the generosity of the church, here I am!

FP: What are your main priorities as an intern at Friendship?
NL: I am currently undergoing training to lead the University Ministry, Gospel 2 the Campus (G2C). This will be my main priority. I will also be assisting the senior pastor in various tasks.

FP: What do you find most challenging about being a Christian today?
NL: I find it challenging to set aside time every day to seek the Lord. Preoccupation with tasks and assignments always seems to be of greater priority. My assignments may be faith-related, but they are not devotional, so a separate session is still necessary. It is easy to preach the great love of Christ in the gospel and that we should respond to it by walking close to him every single day. But when it comes to practice, I am much in need of his mercy and grace.

FP: What is your favorite book of the Bible?
NL: Romans. I like the way Paul presents the Gospel, systematic yet expressing the glorious beauty of God's salvation plan. Pastor Dennis' current sermon series makes it even more fascinating!

FP: What is something people might be surprised to learn about you?
NL: I hope it is safe to put this out there: I am generally afraid of insects, especially cockroaches. Flying ones are worse. So, I am not really enjoying the summer. 
 

Upcoming Events

• Member Receiving & Baptism – Sunday, May 20th: We will have a ceremony to receive our new members and also a baptism during the worship service on May 20th.

• New Community Group (for women) – every other Wednesday (starting May 23rd), 7:30-9:10pm: This new group will have an initial run of 8 meetings and meet in Room 501 in the church building. It will engage in worship, prayer, and Bible study, beginning with a study of the Book of Ruth. Please come to the welcome table for more information and to sign up, if you are interested. You may also contact Community Group Coordinator Peter Brown (pb2059@gmail.com).

• Fit Kids Games Night – Saturday, May 26th, from 6:00pm: Jackie & the Fit Kids team are planning another gathering, this time a games night at the Morrison Academy on Ding Zhou Rd. It will be a parents’ night out with lots of fun and games for the children! Grab a notice upstairs on the 4th floor for more details. You can also contact Jackie on FPCFitKids@gmail.com 

• Newcomer Welcome Lunch – Sunday, May 27th, 1:15-2:30pm: If you are new to FPC in the last two months, come join us for food and fellowship at the pastoral apartment near Shida Road. It is a time to meet people new to the church and helps us get you connected to the life of the church. You can register at the Newcomer Welcome table downstairs in the fellowship hall, or online at https://goo.gl/Vk91mG.

• Monthly Prayer Group – May 29th, 7:30-9:00pm: Come join us at “The Engine Room,” FPC’s monthly prayer group, for an evening of kingdom-centered prayer. We gather at 7:30pm and go into prayer from 7:45 to 9:00. All are welcome. Contact Peter Brown for the address (pb2059@gmail.com).

• Vern Poythress visit in June: Dr. Vern and Diane Poythress return to Taiwan in early June. Dr. Poythress will have two sessions following the worship service on June 10th and 17th: Studying the Bible in God's Presence and Christ in Leviticus. He will also preach on Sunday, June 17th.

City Vision: Our Partners in Ministry

by Pastor Dennis Brown

When Tim Keller was here in April for the public forum, he challenged many leaders from many denominations to tithe their time to contributing to the renewal of the city--particularly by working together to plant new, vital, gospel-centered churches and equipping ordinary lay people as they integrate faith and work. He said we should take a page from the prophet Elijah who put the wood out, and prayed for the fire to fall (1 Kings 18:16-39). That is a good definition of revival.

I believe that is what you do in a church, and as you partner with people from different denominations. You put the wood out, i.e., you preach, pray, and plan to reach and disciple people in the gospel. You also pray for the fire to fall. During these ten years, I have prayed for gospel partnerships so we could be involved in the extension of the kingdom and not simply the work of our own church. Happily, there are several that we have and we want to highlight them:

Redeemer City to City. This month, the annual Redeemer City to City Intensive is taking place. The Intensive, as you would expect from the name, is an intense, two-week, church-planter training program where men from different parts of Southeast Asia come for equipping. My previous assistant, Jason Truell, said it was as valuable as a seminary education. There is a parallel track called Parakaleo which is designed to equip church-planter wives. And then there is the gospel-centered preaching seminar led by Stephen Um from Citylife Church in Boston. Finally, there is the Faith and Work Seminar put on by City to City’s David Kim to equip ordinary lay people in the workplace. It has been a wonderful privilege to partner with City to City’s Jay Kyle and many of his people. Around 100 people will be involved in this event from May 7th to the 17th at Star Bethlehem Church. Please pray that God may be glorified. Please also pray for Gordon Huang, who has been used to bring so many wonderful resources to our city over the years, as well as for the local community of church planters who have met regularly over the years to encourage each other.

Sanchong Outreach. We just commissioned Kalan and Kayt Spencer as our official partners in this pre-church planting venture. If you are not friends with them on Facebook, get connected so that you can see the tangible week-to-week progress that is being made as they use a variety of approaches to engage their community in relevant ministry. They are also putting together a kind of temporary session from men in our church to give direction to this work. More than anything, pray for them and look for opportunities to volunteer in their outreach.

Banqiao Outreach. Toon and Pam Yeo lead this church planting venture. Toon also teaches at Reformed Seminary, and helps lead some of the church-planter community meetings. His wife, Pam, is a gifted counselor and I have many times referred people for her assistance.

China Reformed Theological Seminary. Tim Yates is the dean and along with seminary classes, they publish books and broadcast programs that enrich people’s lives. We also benefit by their hosting gifted teachers like Sinclair Ferguson and Vern and Diane Poythress, who have taught in our own church.

Michelle Ko with SIM.  She is in Kenya now, refreshing her Swahili and visiting the home for children who are stricken with AIDS that she established almost single-handedly several years ago. She was recently struggling with some illness as she adjusts to some of the challenging conditions in Africa. She hopes to eventually make her way to Tanzania where she will be focusing her efforts.

Do pray for these ministries and for our mission team led by Kevin Fulton that our connection and partnership with them will grow, and that we will do our part toward the renewal of the city--and beyond!