The Justice Conference Asia (2019)


HFG-SG folks were at The Justice Conference Asia, held for the 1st time in SG, & org by Daniel Chua's church & others. Joy, Vi, Mercy, Lydia, Amy etc, were involved in diff ways - speaking, supporting, attending, organizing etc!! And professionals working with vulnerable children & Epworth Fostering Agency were there too!!!
Sobering bible verses cited by keynote speaker Rev Eugene Cho, founder of One Day's Wages, remind us again of what is truly important to God... “I can’t stand your religious meetings. I’m fed up with your conferences and conventions. I want nothing to do with your religion projects, your pretentious slogans and goals. I’m sick of your fund-raising schemes, your public relations and image making. I’ve had all I can take of your noisy ego-music. When was the last time you sang to me ? Do you know what I want? I want justice—oceans of it. I want fairness—rivers of it. That’s what I want. That’s all I want." Amos 5:21-24 (MSG)
Ken Wytsma underscored the above when he shared that a prophet does not 'predict' the future, as much as to warn. He spoke about the important prophetic role pastors play in pointing out what the church or nation has done or has not done.
In his closing talk, Eugene Cho shared about the 5 convictions of the 4 men who brought their lame friend to Jesus:
1. A conviction to look to Jesus - to see that He is merciful and just, and He heals/saves
2. A conviction to look at someone and really see him as a person made in the image of God, with destiny and purpose.
3. A conviction that they hv to take action
4. A conviction that they hv to work together to bring their friend to Jesus
5. A conviction that they need to persevere and go the distance whatever the cost
So moved by all the talks!! Justice and mercy are so much a part of God's character. The bible is replete with verses and stories on these twin attributes, and His command to "go do likewise". How can we say we love God and not love our neighbour? Who is our neighbour? Our FDW? A migrant worker? A child who needs a foster home? A homeless person/rough sleeper? A prisoner? A woman who has been trafficked? A refugee? What if the person is different from us, and it is out of our comfort zone? How can we love the least of these?







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