Thanks to the Lord! By His leading, I was appointed in May this year as the youth pastor at Manchester Alliance Church – Trafford church.
As this is my first time sharing here, I hope that through this, you may know me more, especially my experiences and heart in ministry, so that we may mutually encourage one another.
Our family of five arrived in the UK last August. Our children are now in Year 3, Year 7, and Year 10 respectively. During this period, we have been attending worship services both at Manchester Alliance Church (MAC) and Trafford church.
Looking Back on my journey of faith, it was during my secondary school years that I was touched by the Lord’s love and came to believe in Him, growing up in the church and eventually stepping into full-time ministry, all because of the Lord’s salvation and grace. I remember after graduating from seminary, I served in the same church, and in the blink of an eye, fifteen years have passed. During that time, my main ministry focus was youth and young professionals. Because of my own experience growing up, I have a particular calling and burden for shepherding young people.
To me, the sincerity, straightforwardness, adaptability, energy, and dynamism of young people have often served as reminders and encouragements to me, someone who tends to prefer stability. Walking alongside youth in ministry has naturally kept me young and filled me with renewed zeal to serve the Lord.
Being able to accompany, witness, and even participate in the nurturing and growth of young lives is a vital motivation for my shepherd ministry. Seeing one life after another changed by the Lord—from unbelief to willingly following in His footsteps—I know deeply that this is not the work of man. As it is written in 1 Corinthians 3:6–7:
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”
This passage reminds me: we are responsible for planting and watering, but only our loving Lord can give the growth. We must serve Him with humble hearts.
Looking Forward, I hope to continue being used by the Lord, carrying the concern and passion for souls He has given me, and to humbly learn the work of shepherding. Although the environment has changed, I pray that my past pastoral experience will become strength for today. May the Lord open my eyes to see the needs of the church and people’s hearts, and as a shepherd, lead the community to respond to the Lord’s calling.
Finally, I would like to conclude with the following hymn, hoping that our lives may be focused on the Lord, and that in our various positions, we may be enlarged by Him:
“Open the Eyes of My Heart”
May the Lord open my eyes, may the Lord open my eyes, I only desire to see You, I only desire to see You. (Verse) I long to see You exalted, To display Your everlasting glory, Pour out Your power and love, I praise Your most holy name. (Chorus) Honor, holiness, righteousness—I only desire to see You. (Bridge)
Pastor Ken Yeung