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ext year, Chinese Grace Bible Church (CGBC) will celebrate her 70th anniversary. In all her history, there has never been a single gathering of all her men. Since 1995, the English congregation men have had several BBQs, special gatherings and weekend retreats. The Cantonese and Mandarin congregation men also have had similar gatherings.

George Yee

For the first time ever, on August 30, 2014, ninety CGBC men from all three language congregations gathered together in one accord to fellowship over a BBQ lunch, worship in solidarity, and seek God’s face and hand in prayer.

The afternoon gathering started with a pulled-pork and beef brisket BBQ lunch catered by Dickey’s. It was followed by a worship service led by Josh Louie and teaching from Romans 15:5-6 by Pastor Adrian (endurance), Pastor Glenn (unity), and Pastor Timothy (exalting God in one’s life). There was time for personal prayer, confession, reflection and corporate prayer by the men for their pastors and by the pastors for the men. The challenge was for all CGBC men to “accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” (Romans 5:7 NIV).

The gathering centered on the greatness of God, the brotherhood of all CGBC men, and working together to increase and build up the kingdom of God. The 1993 Promise Keepers song that was sung says it best:

Face to Face

Face to face, brother to brother
Face to face, one friend to another
Growing together, we’re building the kingdom of God

Man to man, shoulder to shoulder
Man to man, serving each other
Working together, we’re building the kingdom of God

Brother to brother we’ll strengthen each other
And stand for the truth side by side
Brother to brother, we’ll honor each other
As men of the kingdom on high

Back to back, warrior to warrior
Back to back defending each other
Standing together, we’re building the kingdom of God

Face to face, shoulder to shoulder
Back to back, younger and older
Growing together, we’re building the kingdom
Working together, we’re building the kingdom
Standing together, we’re building the kingdom of God

There was much excitement at the gathering and the hope is that there will be future CGBC men’s gatherings.