Principles of Soul-Winning Group Gateway Adventist Centre

January 2009 Sabah Mission Training Principles of Soul-Winning Group Gateway Adventist Centre www.gatewaysda.org johnnytina.wong@gmail.com

Melbourne is Australia s second largest city of 3.2 million people. Melbourne

1885 SN Haskell & Co came to start work in Melbourne no SDA church in the heart of the city of Melbourne till 2003 when Gateway Adventist Centre started Per capita Melbourne has the worst ratio of SDA to the population. 20 years ago there were 5 City apartments; Today there are 240 City apartments

1885 S N Haskell and team came from USA to start work in Melbourne Five families came from USA to Melbourne to start the SDA work in 1885. After (a) 2 evangelistic meetings, (b) literature distribution and (c) home Bible readings 90 people formed the first church. 6 years later Ellen White came in 1891 where there were 700 members in multiple churches. North Fiztroy SDA church is the oldest church in Australia but not in the heart of the city.

Gateway Adventist Center (GAC) Adventist Students On Campus (ASOC) What is Gateway? Ministry started by a few SDA young people 19-22 y.o. A network of care groups (small group ministry) and many overseas care groups New Church in the city of Melbourne that grew from 35 to 150 in 4 years. 2 nd Church started May 08 Training Centre to train young people to be soul-winners for Christ & courses to reach the community via needs-based courses Church sponsoring the Student Club (Adventist Student On Campus) at 3 University Campuses Gateway is an Outreach center 60 baptism in 5 years

Our Vision Gateway will be a soulwinning and training centre that multiplies churches in 3 years.

What motivates people in a church? In a church, as a volunteer organisation, we mobilise the people based on a shared VISION and shared VALUES.

Our Values Bible Based Beliefs and practices are founded on the Bible Christ-Dependent Empowered by prayer Seeker Oriented Passionate about reaching seekers Discipleship modeling Dedicated to a mentoring philosophy Training Equipping for witnessing Accountability Accept personal and group accountability

Young People with a Burden to Reach Out - 1999 Melbourne 1999 Forest Hill Asian SDA Church Melbourne City Port Philip Bay

God brought in Adult Counselors to guide the young people Aug 1999 Comments from young people Friday night vespers is great we have 50 people attending no need to reach out and grow We can make the friends but we do know how to share the message to them Apr 2000 Revival Program with Revival Speaker Revival of the word - The Seventh-Day Adventist church is not merely a church but a movement called for the last days. We have a unique value proposition to the world the everlasting gospel in the context of the three angels messages.

Training God brought in 3 couples to train the young people STEP 1 The book of Revelation, in connection with the book of Daniel, especially demands study. Let every God-fearing teacher consider how most clearly to comprehend and to present the gospel that our Saviour came in person to make known to His servant John STEP 2 When a real love for the Bible is awakened, and the student begins to realize how vast is the field and how precious its treasure, he will desire to seize upon every opportunity for acquainting himself with God's word Education p.191

Training God brought in 3 couples to train the young people STEP 3 Let the youth of today, the youth who are growing up with the Bible in their hands, become the recipients and the channels of its life-giving energy, and what streams of blessing would flow forth to the world! Education p.192 STEP 4 Training Small Group Leaders each Thursday Evening on skills group dynamics, bible knowledge and reading the book Evangelism by Ellen G White.

Principle 1 of 5 True Spiritual Revival by the WORD is required - clear SDA identity, - urgency of prophetic message of hope.

So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47

Homes is often more successful The presentation of Christ in the family, and in small gatherings in private homes is often more successful in winning souls to Jesus than are sermons in halls or churches. Christian Service p.122

End-time Strategy = CARE Groups "In visions of the night, representations passed before me of a great reformatory movement among God's people. Many were praising God. The sick were healed, and other miracles were wrought. A spirit of intercession was seen, even as was manifested before the great Day of Pentecost. Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families and opening before them the word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence. Great blessings were received by the true and humble people of God. I heard voices of thanksgiving and praise, and there seemed to be a reformation such as we witnessed in 1844 Testimonies Vol. 9 p.126

Friday Night Vesper that needed to be decentralised Melbourne 1999 Forest Hill Asian SDA Church Melbourne City Port Philip Bay

CARE Groups (Christ Attitude Reflected in Everyone) End 2000 Nunawading Forest Hill Glen Waverley City Youth City Young Adult Melbourne City Clayton Port Philip Bay People-based ministry Accountability, Discipleship, Care Not only spoken word but living word

Commitment to decentralised CARE Groups Youth Young Adults 2000 Melbourne City

CARE groups are the building blocks of Gateway Hawthorn City 2003 Melbourne City Young Adults South Yarra

About 70% of people at Gateway attends CARE groups North Melb Adult City Carlton Chinese South-Eastern Southbank South Melbourne 2005 Melbourne City

CARE Groups (Christ Attitude Reflected in Everyone) From 2 groups to 140 people! Melbourne - Sept 2008 West Melb NM Chinese North Melb Carlton Gardens Vic Uni Melb University Lookout East Melb Southbank Swinburne Uni Auburn Hawthorn East Yarraville Melbourne City Port Philip Bay Oakleigh

CARE Groups interstate and overseas! Hong Kong Bangkok Kuala Lumpur Shanghai Taipei Manado Surabaya USA Jakarta International students in Melbourne God s work has no boundary Return to Asia with eternal Education Gateway as Church of Antioch Brisbane Sydney

Mission Indonesia 2007 Revival & Training an army of youth Revival by the word Samuel Sidharta and other speakers Training for Witnessing Samuel, Remila Leimina, Hizkia, Elvis, Gaby Manado Elvis Lydia Jakarta Surabaya Vanti Ratna Iwan Mario Erwin Fonny Gateway, Melbourne

Principle 2 of 5 Get it in the right order: BELONG BELIEF BEHAVE

Gateway Adventist Center: Planting the Church April 1999 Young People with Burden & Vision

Gateway Adventist Center: Planting the Church April 1999 Young People with Burden & Vision Feb 2000 Two CARE Groups in the City 2000 2001 2002

Gateway Adventist Center: Planting the Church April 1999 Young People with Burden & Vision Feb 2000 Two CARE Groups in the City 2000 2001 2002 April 2001 Sat Afternoon Monthly Worship

Gateway Adventist Center: Planting the Church April 1999 Young People with Burden & Vision Feb 2000 Two CARE Groups in the City 2000 2001 2002 April 2001 Sat Afternoon Monthly Worship Aug 00 Evangelism Aug 01 Evangelism Aug 02 Evangelism

Gateway Adventist Center: Planting the Church April 1999 Young People with Burden & Vision Feb 2000 Two CARE Groups in the City 2000 2001 2002 April 2001 Sat Afternoon Monthly Worship June 2002 Global Mission Funding Mar 2003 Weekly Morning SS/Church Aug 00 Evangelism Aug 01 Evangelism Aug 02 Evangelism

The initial worship with 35 people in March 2003

Lunch fellowship provided after church worship

In June 2004 we moved to a larger lecture hall that seats 175 Average Weekly Attendance Growing 146 120 120 80 42 Start Yr 1 Yr 2 Yr 3 Yr 4 Lecture Theatre 1, ICT Building, Melbourne University 111 Barry Street Carlton

Each church service is an outreach (30% seekers)

Moved again to larger venue in Jan 2006 (220 seats) and Sabbath School is designed to meet different levels of needs SS Classes 001 Children Class 101 Explorer Class (English, Chinese) 201 Discovery Class 301 FAST Ministry (Discipleship) 401 Regular SS Class 501 FAST SS Class

Gateway Adventist Centre Swinburne University of Technology (40-50)

Putting yourself into the shoes of our seekers

Components from our seeker s point of view MINISTRY SEEKER S PERSPECTIVE CARE Group Caring & Relationship Building Sabbath School Teaching Worship Service Worship Personal Ministry One to one Bible study Social Activities Community & Friendship Evangelistic Meeting Public Seminar on the Bible Is your seekers clear what the services of your church?

In contrast from member s point of view MINISTRY MEMBER S PERSPECTIVE CARE Group Witness thru living out God s word and Friendship Sabbath School Training & Learning Worship Service Worship & Adoration Personal Ministry Witness thru God s word and Friendship Spiritual growth thru witnessing Social Activities Building Community & Friendship Evangelistic Meeting Witness thru public proclamation Is your members clear of the services offered by the church?

We adopt a Cycle of Evangelism each year We adopt a cycle of evangelism in the city Sow Cultivate Harvest Nurture Student Services Care Groups Ground Work 1 to 1 Bible Study Day Trips / CG Social Invite to Church Evangelistic Meeting Discipleship Training Easter Youth Camp Uni. Activities Bible School (Summer) Social Activities Church Summer Camp University O-Week Team Effort: Pastors, Counsellors, Care Group Leaders, Youth Leaders, Parents and supporting Adults & Speaker.

All social events links to Evangelism sports night

All social events links to Evangelism Youth Camp

All social events links to Evangelism e.g. Ski Trip to connect to new friends

Cycle of Evangelism Each Year we have Evangelistic Meetings in the city

Cycle of Evangelism 2007 Campaign

Evangelistic meetings are harvest programs not merely sowing programs

Principle 3 of 5 KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER Design everything around the seeker!

In Jan 2007 Gateway opened a permanent Outreach Centre in the City University Area Gateway Training Centre City Area

Gateway Adventist Centre Training Centre Course 1: Conversational English New to Australia? Welcome to a course that is designed to help you practise and learn English. Understand Australian terms. The focus of the course is on conversation and there will be ample opportunity to practise what you learnt. A small class approach to ensure maximum interaction with fluent and native speakers. Dates: Sundays (23 March 8 June) @ 10 am 12 noon Speaker: Pr. Wee Fong Choo & Mr. Ben Rosenberg Pr. Choo is a retired teacher and pastor. He has been a principal for many years of a High School. Ben is a second year B. Ed student at Deakin University. * Cost - $10 per person to cover material cost. ** Course in progress and space is limited to 2 3 more students for this semester. If you are interested to attend next semester please indicated on the form. Course 2: Health and Massage The old saying goes money cannot buy health! In this course you will learn about hydro-therapy to treat common illness; NEWSTART; managing stress; treating common flu/cold; as well as basic massage. Each 2.5 hour class will include theory and practice. Limited to only 16 people. Register your name early Dates: Sundays (In June/July TBA) @ 2pm 4.30 pm Speaker: Mrs. Rebecca Kwan Rebecca graduated in Nursing in Australia and studied Health Education in USA/Taiwan/Thailand. She has served as Health Director in Hong Kong and has conducted many preventive health programmes. * Cost $30 to cover course material and printed material. ** Limited space only. Apply early to avoid disappointment. Course 3: Panorama on Prophecy With the war in Iraq and Sept 11, the landscape of world geopolitics has changed. Will there be a world super-power that will dominate human will? Will there be a new world order? How can we prepare for the future? What does the Bible say about the future? What are the prophecies in Daniel and Revelation that will impact each of us? This 10-week course will address these important questions that we all need to know. Dates: Saturdays (Commence 26 April) @ 10am Speaker: Mr. Peter Chow Peter is a lawyer by profession and he has examined the evidence of Bible regarding prophecies. He has presented this seminar in Singapore. Course 4: God s Design for Relationships This four part series on relationship will explore important questions such as how to choose the right mate?, how to enhance your relationships?, handling break-ups in gracious manner and conflict resolution in relationship. Learn valuable Biblical principles for your life-long relationships. Dates: Tuesdays (15, 22, 29 Jul & 5 Aug) @ 7.30pm Speaker: Pr. John Denne John is a pastor and counsellor for many years. He has married with 3 children. Prior to becoming a pastor and counsellor, he was a successful executive in one of NZ largest corporation. * Cost TBA to cover printed material. ** Limited seats only. Apply early to secure seat. * Cost $10 to cover Daniel / Revelation study course material. More Information Web: www. gatewaysda.org E: Training@gatewaysda.org I am interested in course. Please contact me for more details of the course. Name: Email: Tel: Address:

Running Health Courses to reach the community

Running Bible Schools to train young people for mission

Adventist Youth Conference a training program by Gateway & Fountain churches 500 youth found 120+ Bible study contacts on Sabbath Afternoon

Harvest is ready but the labourers are few Training Bible workers at GAC

17 full-time Youth Bible Workers : 136 contacts to meetings & 53 decisions

On Campus Evangelism preached by Youth for Youth

Back to Basics Army of Workers With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, mightily furnished, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world! Education p.271

Principle 4 of 5 Rightly Trained! Back to Basic Model it after NT Church (Bible) and SDA pioneers (Spirit of Prophecy)

University Student CARE Group meets every Friday! CARE Group = Christ s Attitude Reflected in Everyone

Student Club Orientation Day at Melbourne University

You shall receive power be witnesses unto me Acts 1:8 University Orientation Day Outreach - Wednesday Study Group - Thursday Daniel Study - Friday CARE Group

You shall receive power be witnesses unto me Acts 1:8

Student Camps

Principle 5 of 5 Watch HOLY SPIRIT Look for people s change points in soul-winning.

Soul Winning is for YOU! Soul-Winning Is NOT an Option "In every church we need Christ-like workers, those who in life and character are growing in the divine likeness by working to call sinners to repentance. The spiritual life of the church can be kept alive only as the members make personal efforts to win souls to Christ. No amount of mental culture or theological training will do this work. But it can be done by the soul who is humble and contrite, and imbued with the Spirit of God." Signs of Times.1899 p.7

Soul Winning is for YOU! God could have reached His object in saving sinners without our aid; but in order for us to develop a character like Christ s, we must share in His work. In order to enter into His joy the joy of seeing souls redeemed by His sacrifice we must participate in His labors for their redemption. Desire of Ages p.142