2024 UKGA Newsletter – Cambridge

By God’s grace, the congregation of forty-three members in Cambridge, half of whom comprise RE students, has experienced changes in pastoral infrastructure, evangelism approach and our physical building.

因著神的恩典，劍橋祈禱所有 43 位同靈，其中一半為宗教教育學生，在牧養架構、福音事工及教會建築方面都經歷了變革。

In 2023, we refreshed our fellowship sessions, encouraging greater engagement and attendance. New initiatives include Mandarin fellowship, Manna class, workshops for parents and workers, and testimony sharing. To enhance sermon clarity, we introduced an anonymous feedback form. We are currently training four new sermonisers.

2023 年，我們重新調整了團契活動，鼓勵更多人參與、提升出席率。新推行的活動包括中文團契、嗎哪班、家長與工人工作坊，以及見證分享。為了提升講道的清晰度，我們引入了匿名回饋表。此外，我們目前正在培訓四位新的講道者。

A heart-warming highlight in recent years was the return of two of our four lost sheep. One was a brother working in catering, who was encouraged to take time off to attend Sabbath services, despite having a non-believing employer. After returning to church for several months, he received the Holy Spirit; truly an uplifting testimony for our congregation.

近年來最令人感動的見證之一，是我們四位迷失的羊中，有兩位歸回主內。其中一位是在餐飲業工作的弟兄，儘管他的雇主並非信徒，他仍被鼓勵安排休假參加安息日聚會。在回到教會幾個月後，他得了聖靈，這對我們的會眾而言，實在是令人鼓舞的見證。

To hold onto our youth and nurture their faith, we’ve included more fellowships and outings. We’re giving the youths more responsibilities, such as handling audio-visual equipment, leading hymnal and saying grace, fostering a sense of duty and belonging. We launched a weekly Junior Youth Fellowship for all RE students, allowing parents to focus on the adult fellowship while strengthening student-teacher bonds.

為了留住年輕信徒，培養他們的信仰，我們增設了更多團契聚會與戶外活動。也讓年輕人承擔更多責任，例如操作音響設備、帶領詩頌、餐前感謝禱告，藉此培養他們的使命感與歸屬感。此外，我們開辦了每週一次的青少年團契，讓所有宗教教育學生都能參與，也讓家長能專注於成人團契，同時加強學生與老師之間的關係。

Inspired by Jesus’ ministry of connecting with non-believers through shared meals and personal interaction, we’ve shifted our evangelism focus towards personal outreach and building relationships. We invite friends to regular gospel tea meetings in members’ homes, mirroring Jesus’ approach of dining with sinners and engaging with social outcasts. Follow-up involves Bible studies, weekday meals and serving truth-seekers through practical support, such as providing food, interpreting and helping with daily challenges. Since 2023, God has moved over 15 truth seekers each year to join our gospel tea meetings or attend services.

受到耶穌透過共餐與個人互動接觸未信者的事工啟發，我們將傳福音的重心轉向個人關懷與關係建立。我們邀請朋友參加在信徒家中舉辦的福音茶會，效法耶穌與罪人同桌用餐、關懷社會邊緣人的方式。後續關懷則包括查經班、平日聚餐，以及透過實際行動來幫助慕道朋友，例如提供餐點、幫忙翻譯，或協助解決日常生活上的困難。自 2023 年以來，神感動每年超過 15 位慕道朋友參加福音茶會或來到教會聚會。

Since 2019, we’ve worshipped in a former Methodist chapel, in the village of Dry Drayton, five miles northwest of Cambridge. Built in 1866, this building– though charming–is 825 sq ft, seating a maximum of fifty. Our chapel is stretched when visitors join our services and we are required to hire the local school’s car park and hall. We desperately need parking, a larger chapel, additional classrooms, proper toilet facilities, a working kitchen and accommodation for visiting ministers. In 2023, despite strong opposition from the Parish Council, thank God, we secured planning permission for much-needed expansion.

自 2019 年以來，我們在位於劍橋西北方 5 英里的 Dry Drayton，原本的衛理公會教堂中聚會。這座建築建於 1866 年，雖然充滿魅力，但面積僅為 825 平方英尺，最多可容納五十人。每當有訪客參加聚會時，會堂便顯得擁擠，也需要租用當地學校的停車場和禮堂。教會急需停車位、更大的會堂、更多教室、完善的衛浴設施、一個能使用的廚房以及供探訪工人住宿的地方。感謝神，儘管面對教區議會的強烈反對，我們在 2023 年成功獲得了擴建的規劃許可。

A financial hurdle now awaits. Though we have just eighteen working adults, we raised £260,000. Yet, we face a potential shortfall of £340,000 to create the welcoming, functional space we envision for worship and fellowship.

目前我們面臨一個財務挑戰。儘管我們只有 18 位在職成人，已經籌得了 26 萬英鎊，但為了打造我們所期望的，既能容納敬拜又能促進團契的實用空間，我們仍然可能面臨 34 萬英鎊的資金缺口。

Though Cambridge is small, we strive to proactively fulfil the dual call to propagate the Gospel and nurture our flock. Our building project requires the support of our local and UK family. As Paul exhorts, the abundance of one may supply the lack of another (2 Cor 8:14). We trust that God, who provides the seed to the sower, will also increase the fruit of our righteousness (2 Cor 9:10). May the Lord stir hearts, near and far, to remember this project and contribute as they are able.

儘管劍橋是一個小城市，我們仍努力積極地履行傳福音與牧養群羊的雙重呼召。這項建築工程需要來自當地以及全英國教會的支持。正如保羅所勸勉的，「一方富餘，可以補足另一方的不足」（哥林多後書八14）。我們相信，那賜種給撒種的，必增添我們仁義的果子（哥林多後書九10）。願主感動遠近的心，記念這項工程，並按著能力作出奉獻。