IA Newsletter

Jia Lin Ma

“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).

In the journey of faith, God’s calling is always both gentle and firm. He may invite us through the arrangements of the church, or quietly place a prompting within our hearts.

To experience God’s power in weakness

There was once a co-worker who, while bearing responsibility in sacred service, felt overwhelmed by pressure, as though a small boat were drifting amid stormy waves. In the stillness of the night, he poured out his anxiety before God; at dawn, the Lord’s word gently came to his heart: “My grace is sufficient for you.”

Faith does not rest on self-reliance, but rather learns to depend wholly on God in weakness. Even when one’s steps tremble, grace still falls like the light of dawn, restoring strength and enabling one to rise again and move forward with renewed courage.

God chooses the weak so that His power may be revealed.

In ministry, we also often face self-doubt. Moses excused himself from his calling on account of his lack of eloquence; Gideon withdrew because of his humble background; Peter likewise denied the Lord in his weakness. Yet God chooses to manifest His infinite power within human limitation and to display His grace and strength in human weakness.

Such experiences are not uncommon in our own midst. At times, it is precisely through what we perceive as our greatest inadequacies that God chooses to become a channel of blessing to others. There was once a sister who was invited for the first time to share her testimony in a gathering. Feeling ordinary and limited in speech, she hesitated to accept. In prayer, she was reminded of the Lord’s promise: “My power is made perfect in weakness.” When she later shared her faith experience sincerely, a truth-seeker was deeply moved. In that moment, she came to realize that what pleases the Lord is not eloquent expression, but a sincere and open heart before Him.

To serve together within the body of Christ in mutual complementarity and unity.

During the construction of the tabernacle, craftsmen, weavers, and designers each served according to the gifts they had received. Their ministries were mutually complementary, and none could be dispensed with. The same is true of the church today: it requires both individual gifts and corporate cooperation.

As Paul states, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Cor 3:6). Our efforts, though limited, are received within the coordination of the body under God’s gracious providence, such that even the smallest contributions bear abundant fruit.

Some forms of service may appear ordinary, yet they profoundly shape human hearts. In one church, an elderly sister faithfully prepared refreshments after gatherings for several decades. When asked about her motivation, she replied with a gentle smile, “If I can help the brothers and sisters stay a little longer to fellowship and deepen their communion, it is worthwhile.” Years later, many recalled that a cup of hot tea and a simple greeting were the very moments in which they first experienced the warmth of the church. What appeared to be a humble service thus became a bridge through which the love of God was conveyed.

The Lord sees every act of quiet service.

In many unnoticed moments, there are those who quietly serve. In the early morning, a brother cleans the sanctuary and wipes the chairs; in the evening, a sister visits the sick, listening and accompanying them with the love of Christ; late at night, others intercede for the church, the world, and those in need. Such silent ministries are like faint lights in the night, warming hearts and bearing witness to the love of the Lord.

These seemingly small acts of service are like drops of water entering a lake: though the ripples may appear slight, their impact is far-reaching. The Lord says, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Mt 25:40). God’s evaluation of service does not depend on outward visibility or recognition, but on whether it proceeds from a sincere heart of love for Him and for others. As long as one faithfully fulfills one’s responsibility, such silent offerings will surely be remembered by the Lord.

To serve in unity in IA’s ministry

The ministries of the International Assembly may not always be visible, yet they are like the unseen structures of the tabernacle, quietly sustaining the life, order, and unity of the church. Each co-worker, with a spirit of dedication, watches over one another and works in one accord to uphold the stability and growth of the church.

Conclusion: Responding Courageously to the Lord’s Call

When God places what appears to be an impossible mission upon our hearts, it is precisely at such moments that He invites us to experience His mighty power. May the Lord guide us with His gracious hand, enabling us to respond to His call with boldness and faith. The task may be arduous, yet His grace is all the more abundant. May we support one another within His body and diligently fulfill what has been entrusted to us. Let us respond in one accord: “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa 6:8)

Australia Coordination Board

Brisbane Church hosted the 1st National Youth Coordinator Conference (NYCC) from 18 April 2025 to 21 April 2025. A total of 24 participants from Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney together with some Brisbane observers attended the four-day conference. Ministers who assisted in the conference were Pr. Zephaniah Li, Dns. Esther Wee, Dn. Isaiah Phan from Malaysia and Pr. Barnabas Chong from Singapore.

Adelaide Church was dedicated on 10 May 2025. After the first phase of renovation, Adelaide Church started the first service on 13 January 2023. The second phase of renovation started in May 2022 which included extra toilets and RE classrooms. Adelaide Church dedication was held in conjunction with the Australia National Church Conference.

Bro. Matthew Lu of Melbourne started his theological training course online with the Taiwan Theological Training Seminary on 21 September 2025. Thanks be to God that his visa application was very smooth and was approved in less than 2 months. On 24 October 2025, Bro. Matthew flew to Taiwan to start his course physically there. May God guide him in his learning.

The Short-Term Theological Training Course 2025/2026 was held in Brisbane from 21 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. The 2025 National Working Youth Seminar was also held in Brisbane from 21 to 28 December 2025. There are 98 participants from Australia, 15 from New Zealand, 2 from Fiji and 1 from Hong Kong who attended the two training courses. Pr. Peter Shee from Singapore and Pr. Hosea from Malaysia assisted in the courses besides our local resident preacher, Pr. Zephaniah Li.

On 23 November 2025 the National Church Conference NCC held an Extraordinary General Meeting and unanimously approved of True Jesus Church Preston as a legitimate entity of the Australia Coordination Board pursuant to the ACB By-laws. Preston Church started the first Sabbath service on 8 March 2025. 

Pr. Zephaniah Li retired in January 2026 after serving 16 years in Australia.

Many expansion initiatives are happening in various churches e.g. branching out, acquiring new buildings and starting services in smaller groups with the purpose of branching out. These can be seen in areas like Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth.

Many churches encourage pioneering work among their workers, especially the youths as added training besides the main purpose of assisting in the pioneering areas. 

Chih-Jie Huang 

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the spread of the truth in Taiwan. Over the past century, under the mercy of the Heavenly Father and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Gospel has been widely disseminated, and churches, prayer houses, gospel centers, and meeting places have been established. Under the guidance of Jesus, the Taiwan GA has established five departments and one seminary: the Department of Evangelism, the Department of Pastoral Affairs, the Department of Literary Ministry, the Department of Financial Affairs, the Department of Administration, and the Theological Seminary. In addition, a board of public welfare and charity has been established through organizations such as Philemon Bookstore and Christian Family True Jesus Church.

On the occasion of its centennial, the Taiwan GA launched 17 projects, on one hand to express gratitude for the Lord Jesus’ grace to this region, and on the other hand, and to actively pave the way for future holy work. Among these projects, to allow brothers and sisters to explore how God has led Taiwan through the past century, various departments and councils of the Taiwan GA collaborated to launch a “Returning to the Motherland” event. This event showcased the traces of history over the past century through text, photographs, and videos. The event also provided participating brothers and sisters with dedicated exhibition-leading groups, beautifully designed study booklets, and commemorative photo spots, enabling each brother and sister to step into history and see the several incidents how Jesus leading the antecessors to carry on the ministry. Besides remembering the past, this occasion also strengthened their steps in the present and future, preventing them from being swept away from the path of God’s grace amidst the torrent of the world.

Numbers cannot represent everything, but they often carry certain meanings that remind us. A hundred years have passed, times have changed, and the world has transformed, but what remains unchanged is the eternal God and His good will. Brothers and sisters, let us remind one another in God’s mercy: Have I become a better person through God’s grace? (James 1:17; 2 Cor 4:13-17)

(*Image is Oversea Visiting Group)