Fertile Ground

Thursday, 13th March 2008

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but my son switched CCAs this year. His first choice was Science Club and 2nd choice was IT Club, but because they were filled, he ended up with his third choice: Christian Fellowship ("CF").

After the first session, I asked him how it was and his answer was that several "naughty" boys had also joined and he wanted to quit. I spoke to Nancy, the church worker from Cairnhill Methodist who is attached to the school and she confirmed that indeed, quite a number of boys with antisocial behaviour had joined the CF. This is because the other clubs and societies did not want to take them in, and having no other CCA to join, they ended up joining the CF. She told me to keep them in prayer because it was a real challenge to get these boys integrated.

Well, it's been three months now since Mark has been in the CF. Not only has he *not* complained, he just came back from a BBQ that was organised and held at the home of Don and Nancy, and said that he loved the CF and wants to continue to be in it next year! Praise God! The Holy Spirit has been doing a marvelous and mighty work among the boys, because the naughty boys have toned down, and my son actually looks forward to fellowshipping with his group of new-found friends each week.

Sure, the CF may be looked down upon as a "dumping ground" or "last resort" by others. After all, those who excel in sports or have some other talent would prefer to join a sports club or society where they can represent the school.

Nonetheless, if seen from God's perspective, the CF is actually a means for His Holy Spirit to carry out life-transforming ministry in the lives of students who are at an impressionable stage of their life. Let us continue to keep these church workers in prayer.

Rather than seeing the CF as a dumping ground, how about seeing it as fertile ground? Who knows? Maybe from among their midst God can raise the next Joseph Prince, or Benny Ho, or Edmund Chan.