2024 UKGA Newsletter – Leicester

Leicester 2024 

Building Up the Pillars of the Church

From 5 to 25 August, we co-hosted the Youth Theological Training Course (YTTC), which was themed “Do the Works of Light”. Over the three weeks, we welcomed sixty-eight students (years 1, 3 and 4), five preachers, and sixteen team leaders in total. Thank God, the members always feel the joy and privilege of hosting such events to nurture and train the future pillars and workers of the church.

On 18 August, we were glad to witness another aspect of God raising workers for His ministry—the ordination of Dn Amos (Yuk Kong) Tang. We praise God for anointing another worker who is willing to sanctify himself for God’s purpose, as there is work to be done in Leicester, Birmingham and the surrounding areas.

Restoring the Church Building 

From June to December, Leicester TJC underwent a major roof restoration and solar panel installation project, at a cost of £400,000. We praise God that the work was finished on budget, within a reasonable timescale, and for providing good contractors who patiently worked with the church to deal with any unexpected developments. We are also grateful for the generous financial support and prayers of the congregation, and the commitment and unity of the church board during what could have been a stressful time. We truly saw God’s grace at every step.

Abounding in the Work of the Lord

In October, Pr Sz-Hai Chao from Taiwan was in Leicester to facilitate the National Marriage Coordinator Training (19 to 20 October), attended by ten UK marriage coordinators (MCs) in person, with online participants from across the UK and Europe. Pr Chao shared on the topics of transnational/cross-cultural marriage introductions and showing concern to widows and widowers. We also had fellowship together to progress the MC work in the UK, and learn from the abundant experience and proactive approach of Pr Chao’s wife, Michelle [曾琡惠], who is an MC in Taiwan.  

Pr Chao also led a seminar for Leicester and Cambridge workers on the theme ‘Abound in the Work of the Lord’ (21 October). Through testimonies and teachings from God’s word, the preacher reminded us to be faithful in the truth and grasp hold of opportunities while it is still day—to serve often and offer more in terms of time, effort, money and strength—for our labour is not in vain (1 Cor 15:58; Jn 9:4).

Strengthening the Youths: Winter Youth Fellowship 2024 

The Leicester Youth Coordination Committee continued to review the work of developing the heart of service in the youths, and extending our support to the Birmingham Place of Worship. The first Winter Youth Fellowship sleepover (20–22 December) was held for Leicester and Birmingham youths aged 10–18 years old, on the theme, ‘Who am I?’. Together, the youths reflected on the identities and roles they have in society, their family and the church, ultimately discovering their most precious identity is being a child of God, brethren in Christ and member of the True Jesus Church.