2026-10-11 Thanksgiving Testimonies 感恩见证
Thian-Peng
This is the full version of my sharing. On Sunday I read a shorter version to keep to time.
Peace to you, brothers and sisters. I'm Thian-Peng.
This week has been construction season at our church. I've been coordinating a lot of moving parts while juggling family, church, and work. So when I was first asked to share today, I'll be honest: I struggled. I already had enough on my plate. Why say yes to one more thing?
But God recently reminded me of two things. In Romans 1, Paul writes:
“I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.” (Romans 1:14-15)
God entrusted the gospel to Paul. That grace was never meant to stay with him, so he was eager to pass it on, even to believers who were already in Rome. What God has been doing among us is the same. If I should speak of God's work and stay silent, I'm holding back a debt I owe.
And 1 Thessalonians 5 says:
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
All circumstances includes the busiest ones. So I chose not to decline.
The freshest reason to give thanks: the next generation
There is so much to give thanks for, but I want to start with the most recent, because it's still fresh in my heart.
Over the last few years, our church has shifted its focus to walking with people and nurturing the next generation: those who are young in faith, and those who are young in age. We have chosen to put our ministry and our resources there first.
Recently we've seen more clearly how important it is for young parents to bring their babies and toddlers into worship with the whole church family, instead of being set apart in a nursery crowded with crying children. We want them to stay connected with their church family and to worship God together with us.
At the same time, at Five Loaves and Two Fish, the Lord has brought us many new brothers and sisters, so that together we can reach and disciple the next generation. Through this ministry, more people are serving, and more newcomers are exploring the faith and tasting real fellowship.
The Lord brings these people to us so that we can keep practising loving and serving one another.
But that has brought a happy problem. Five Loaves and Two Fish now fills almost every usable space we have: every room, the foyer, the sanctuary, even the nursery. We simply ran out of room for more groups for seekers and young people.
Building together
So the church came together, with one heart, to build new space for young parents and for small groups. Brothers and sisters have given their time, money, energy, and resources to build something for the next generation. The two rooms still under construction in our sanctuary are the evidence.
God prepares His people to build for Him.
My little faith
I have to admit that sometimes my faith is small. When Brother Ron told me the glass windows had arrived, I didn't sleep well that night. I knew the big job was about to begin.
I was clear about one thing: this had to be the church's project, carried out by brothers and sisters who love the Lord and love His church. It could not be a commercial job or an organizational project. It had to be done the biblical way, not the secular way. I had never done anything like it.
And that raised the question: where are the workers? I prayed, and I asked Sinnie and the church to pray with me.
God answered our prayer
God answered our prayer. Many brothers and sisters poured out their time and energy in the middle of busy lives. Every day someone came to stain the wood, and every evening people came to set up, drill, cut, and carry.
There was also work no one saw. Spouses and children made it possible for their husbands or wives, their dads or moms, to come and build during a very unusual week. That meant less family time and less rest. Our church values family, and this week brothers and sisters made a conscious choice to put this work first.
Another part went unheard, yet was just as important, perhaps more: the prayers for this work. Many of our caregivers couldn't come, so they supported us with prayer and care instead. Some brought food so the crew had energy to keep building. Some simply dropped by to cheer everyone on. Others took photos and videos to record the journey. All week long, the church was filled with laughter, along with the sound of drills and saws.
Their responses
This week I had the rare chance to thank each person who came to help. I meant it from the heart, because they were the ones who helped me sleep a little better. Their answers moved me. I won't name anyone, and I can't list them all, but here are a few:
“You're welcome. I suddenly saw the need, so I adjusted my schedule to join.”
“Can I come help stain in the morning? I have to leave at noon, though. I start work at 2.”
“Not sure we'll finish staining today. I can find a few hours tomorrow too.”
“I can give the sister a ride to the staining at 1:30, but unfortunately I can't drive her back because of the kids' classes in the evening.”
“It's our home.”
“You're welcome. It's what we should do. The church's work belongs to all of us, me included, because it is the Lord's house, and even more, our home in Him.”
“It's only a small part. The church is the body of Christ, visible and invisible, so having a share in building it is an honour.”
“No need to thank me. Being able to do something for the church is our honour, and God's grace to us.”
“Thank you for giving us the chance to help.”
“I'm glad I could do my part for the church's ministry, and I learned a lot along the way. I'm thankful.”
“Thank the Lord for giving me this chance to do my small part in building His church. May the Lord remember what every brother and sister has offered.”
“I'm so thankful to see brothers and sisters working together as one. Just being among everyone makes me happy.”
And many, many more.
Closing
Brothers and sisters, this is what I saw this week: God's people treat the church as their spiritual home. They are not spectators. They are part of this family. They offer what they can, and more importantly, they offer it willingly.
At first, I almost declined to share today. But looking back on this week, I have so much to be thankful for. Thank the Lord for bringing people to us. Thank the Lord for preparing His people to build for Him. And thank the Lord for making us a family that willingly serves one another. Even in the busiest season, we can still give thanks in all circumstances.
All glory to God. Amen.
添平
这是当天分享的完整版。主日现场因为时间，念的是删减版。
各位弟兄姐妹，平安！我是添平。
这个礼拜是我们教会的“施工旺季”。我要协调很多事，还要兼顾家庭、教会和工作。所以有人邀请我今天分享时，老实说，我心里是挣扎的：我手上的事已经够多了，为什么还要说“好”？
但最近神提醒了我两件事。罗马书一章，保罗说：
“无论是希腊人、化外人、聪明人、愚拙人，我都欠他们的债。所以情愿尽我的力量，将福音也传给你们在罗马的人。”（罗马书 1:14-15）
神把福音的恩典托付给保罗，这恩典不是单单留给自己的，所以他情愿把福音传给人，连在罗马已经信主的弟兄姐妹也包括在内。神在我们中间做的事，也是这样。我若该为神的作为作见证却闭口不说，就是把该还的债压着不还。
帖撒罗尼迦前书五章又说：
“凡事谢恩，因为这是神在基督耶稣里向你们所定的旨意。”（帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:18）
凡事，也包括最忙的时候。所以，我选择不推辞。
最新鲜的一件感恩：下一代
要感恩的事很多，我想从最近、在我心里最新鲜的一件说起。
这几年，教会把重心放在陪伴人、栽培下一代：信主年日还浅的，和年纪还小的。我们愿意把事工和资源优先放在这里。
最近我们更体会到，要让年轻父母能带着婴孩和幼儿，一起进到大家庭中敬拜，而不是被隔在婴儿室，挤在一群哭闹的孩子中间。我们希望他们能和教会的家人连结，一同敬拜神。
同时在五饼二鱼，主带来许多新的弟兄姐妹，让我们一起向下一代传福音、做门徒。透过这个事工，更多人投入服事，更多新朋友有机会认识信仰，也尝到团契的温暖。
主把这些人带到我们中间，让我们可以继续操练彼此相爱、彼此服事。
但这也带来一个“甜蜜的烦恼”：五饼二鱼几乎用满了每一个能用的空间，每间房、门厅、主堂，连婴儿室都用上了。我们再也找不到地方，给慕道朋友和年轻人开更多小组。
同心建造
于是，教会同心合意，要为年轻父母和小组建造新的空间。弟兄姐妹愿意摆上时间、金钱、精力和资源，为下一代建造。主堂里这两间还在施工的房间，就是见证。
神预备祂的百姓，为祂建造。
我的小信
我必须承认，我有时候是小信的。当荣强弟兄告诉我“玻璃窗到了”，那一晚我睡不好，因为我知道大工程要开始了。
我很清楚，这必须是教会的工程，由爱主、爱教会的弟兄姐妹一起完成，不能是商业或机构的项目。要用圣经的方式，不是世俗的方式。这是我从来没做过的事。
问题就来了：工人在哪里？我祷告，也请我太太 Sinnie 和教会一起为这件事祷告。
神垂听了我们的祷告
神垂听了我们的祷告！许多弟兄姐妹在忙碌中倾注时间和力气。每天都有人来给木头上漆，晚上又有人来搭建、钻孔、切割、搬运。
还有看不见的摆上：他们的配偶和孩子，成全了自己的先生或太太、爸爸或妈妈来帮忙，度过这非常特别的一周。这代表他们少了家庭时间和休息。我们教会看重家庭，但这一周，弟兄姐妹有意识地做了选择，把这份工作放在前面。
另一份没被听见、却同样甚至更重要的，是为这个工程献上的祷告。许多在家照顾人的弟兄姐妹不能到场，就用祷告和关心支持。有人送饭来，让大家有力气做工；有人顺道来打气；也有人拍照录影，记录这段旅程。这一周，教会里充满了笑声，还有电钻和电锯的声音。
他们的回应
这一周，我难得有机会向每一位来帮忙的人说谢谢，而且是发自内心的，因为是他们让我晚上睡得好一点。他们的回应很打动我。我不提名字，也列不完，只分享几句：
“不客气，突然看到需要，调整自己时间可以参与。”
“我上午可以去帮忙刷漆，可以吗？但我十二点要赶回去，下午两点要上班。”
“不知道今天能不能刷完漆，明天我也可以抽几个小时。”
“我可以载那位姐妹一点半去刷漆，可惜晚上孩子有课，没办法载她回去。”
“这是我们的家。”
“不客气，应该的，教会的事属乎大家，也包括我，因那是主的殿，更是我们在祂里的家。”
“只是尽绵薄之力。而且教会是基督的身体，无论是有形的、无形的教会，能够在搭建上有份，都是荣幸。”
“不用客气，能为教会做一点事情，是我们的荣幸，也是神给我们的恩典。”
“感谢让我们有帮忙的机会。”
“我很高兴可以为教会事工出一分力，而且也在过程中学习到许多东西，感恩。”
“感谢主！赐给我这个机会，为教会的建造尽一份绵薄之力。愿主纪念弟兄姐妹们的摆上。”
“我很感恩看到弟兄姐妹们一起合一的工作，在大家中间就很开心。”
还有很多很多。
结语
弟兄姐妹，这就是我在这一周看见的：神的百姓把教会当作自己属灵的家。他们不是旁观者，他们是这个家的一份子。他们献上自己能献上的，更重要的是，他们是甘心乐意的。
一开始，我差一点推辞今天的分享。但回头看这一周，我实在有太多要感谢的：感谢主把人带到我们中间，感谢主预备祂的百姓为祂建造，也感谢主让我们成为一个甘心乐意彼此服事的家。原来在最忙的时候，我们仍然可以凡事谢恩。
愿一切荣耀归给神。阿们。