21 July 2013 by Natasha Kim CM-
Isaac Yim, 67 years old, was the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Subang for many years until he left to pursue and fill the burden in his heart with his new ministry called Friends of Pastors International where he helps pastors in remote and restricted areas in different regions. He was one of the breakout session speakers at the Connexion Conference held at First Baptist Church (FBC).
Sitting in a small classroom with a number of people, he shared on the topic of how to bloom where you are planted. Isaac knew that he was meant to serve the Lord. He shared his life story of how he grew up and how we can know Gods calling for our own lives. In order to bloom where you are planted, you’ve got to know where God wants you to be. We are like a seed with great potential and God will lead us to grow and bloom!
Isaac grew up in a Christian family where his father ran a gold business and did quite well for themselves until the shop was terribly ransacked. His father was a lay preacher and practiced Christianity as a businessman. After having lost everything in that shop, his father decided to open up a new business and named it “The grace of Gods light shining upon it”. It was written in Chinese and exists until this day.
Family worship was a very important thing in his family and that brought them closer together come what may. However, he struggled with his own purpose in life until he experienced a revival meeting where he accepted the Lord as his personal saviour.
Since he was the eldest son in the family, his father expected him to run the business. However he said, “But I felt God calling me to do something else, and that was the struggle”. In 1965, the 18 year old finally received the calling at a youth camp to become a pastor.
“It was a frightening experience because you don’t know what it’s all about. I had cousins that were pastors and they were poor!” said Isaac.
When he finally got the courage to tell his father about the calling, his father was furious! Isaac received a long talk about its difficulties and lifestyle. Instead of arguing, Isaac just said, “Well God told me and when you pray I’m sure God will tell you too.” Sure enough there was a change in his father. His father’s words were, “Isaac belongs to God, and if God calls him, he must obey.”
At the age of 22, Isaac started working in ministry and continued on until this very day! During the many years he engaged himself in different ministry work where God taught him to trust Him. He struggled with his purpose in life when he retired.
Gods calling for him was his current ministry “Friends of Pastors International”, which Isaac holds close to his heart. He started the ministry because of the realization that there were many pastors who did not even have books or basic livelihood. It operates from North East India all the way to Papua New Guinea.
“I provide basic livelihood for the pastors and a program where I send pigs and cows to help them augment their income” shared Isaac.
He wants to model, mentor and minister to people. He knew all this because he was attentive to Gods calling!
Guest, Learner and Servant
What keeps him going is what God called him to do. He believes that it was the books he read about missionaries that sowed into his life and pushed him to his calling. God didn’t speak to him audibly but through them he found a deep yearning in his heart, and that was how he knew God was calling him.
During mission work, he encourages everyone to write down a journal on what God speaks into your life every single day. Also ask yourself if you are discovering new things and if you have observed anything that has changed your life. Isaac also presses that those who are on mission trips must remember that they are a guest learner and servant most of all. Effectiveness on the field depends on this.
“I highly recommend you to meet God! He’s all present, all powerful and all knowing. If our life is not in tune with Him, we cannot hear Him” he shared.
Are you right with God?
“Sin blurs our direction” said Isaac.
If you are not right with God deal with those things, then come to Him with clean hands and clean hearts so you can hear Him and see his direction clearly. He added that we must learn to obey Him.
How do you know if God is calling you?
- Through Church leaders/older Christians (confirmation of Gods calling)
- Leading of Gods spirit to circumstances in your life (Gods timing)
- Listen attentively and deliberately do what you have heard
- Through devotion
- Through a quiet environment
Isaac shared that he struggled when he retired as the senior pastor the church. He didn’t know where to go or what to do and God revealed a passage to him.
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
9 Do your best to come to me quickly… 13 When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.” (2 Timothy 4)
When reading this passage God impressed upon him that there are many poor and lonely people, like Paul who was in Prison at that time who wrote “Do your best to come to me quickly”. Isaac asked God, “What do you want me to do?” Three things were revealed:
- There are many lonely pastors going through difficult times
- There are a lot of pastors that have nothing to eat
- Give them books that they can read
“To bloom where you are planted you must ask God to give you a vision (idea) for your own life and a burden for the things you see” he said.
There is poverty in the land of plenty and there are many who are in need. Seek God for that vision and burden, and also be obedient to His teachings and he will reveal your calling to you.
Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you.
References for pictures:
Leave a Reply