This page is dedicated to Hope of Suratthani Church and also written to celebrate 21st anniversary of the church

One thing that can never be taken away from me is my grateful heart toward my home church, Hope Suratthani. It is a place where I found God where my journey of faith begin.  

And this is how I met God at Hope Suratthani  …

When I was in Suratthani, my family normally drove pass the church because our house is on the same street as the church. I was always wondered why there are always so many people and cars at the church on Sunday and people seem to dress so well. Out of curiosity, I wanted to visit this church one day.

Another Sunday had come, it was 2nd December 2002, I told my dad that I want to go and visit the church since it is very near to our house and I want to know find out what they do. So we decided to go to visit the church on that day.

When we stepped into the church, there was a lady walking down from the stairs, my dad told her that my son want to visit the church. Then, I was amazed because the lady was extremely happy to know that I am interested in the church. She was like ‘come in come in, you are most welcome in this place etc.” I was wondered why she is so happy in just having me and my dad as visitors in the church. I found out later that her name is P’Gift. She is a pastor daugther. And guess what …. she became my very first shepherd of mt Christian walk and I was her very first male sheep!

Me and my dad went to the visitor room and some of the church leaders came to us and explained to us about the church. After that, we went to the main hall for the time of pre-service prayer and P&W. I was so touched by the worship songs. I was so amazed by their passion for this Unseen Person that they were singing songs to.  The whole time I was so touched by the love of the people. Everyone in the church sincerely smiled to me and my dad. I felt that there is something different in this community from other communities else where. People just sincerely loved and welcomed me to the church. I felt so loved.

During annoucement time, a chairperson asked all the first time visitors to stand up, when me and my dad stood up, we were overwhelmed by gifts from the people. They just came to us and give them to us. We had a FULL bag of gifts on that day.

After the sermon, I decided to become a Christian. My dad did not hesitate me, insted he respected my decision. So, the lady (my shepherd) went out with me to the front and the pastor prayed for me and I cried. They told me I am a new creation and I am not the same (which I didn’t understand at that time). I became a Christian on that day, 2nd December 2002. Amazing, next Sunday, I brought my dad to church and he decided to become a Chrsistian too!

After I became a Christian, P’Gift, my first shepherd came to my house and shepherded me with 18 lessons once a week faithfully. She called me during the week, always give me gifts and encouragement cards. She took me with her everytime she went to visit new believers. She took me to do evax with her. She was the one who helped me grow. She was the one who laid a strong Christian foundation for me. Without her, I wouldn’t be as strong Christian as today. Thank you P’Gift. I love you!

Years later after I became Christian, P’Gift shared to me an amazing stroy. She told me that on Saturday, just the day before I came to church. She went to my high school and she prayed for my school and she asked God I give her a sheep from this school because the church wanted to started a care group in this school. She laid hand on my school and asked God for a sheep who is a guy (there were too many girls in student group at that time), a sheep who parents will not prosecute in him being a Christian. And next morning I came to church with my dad! I was amazed that It’s really God’s plan for me to become a Christian. Because no one shared the story about Jesus to me. No one evangelised to me. I’ve never heard of Jesus before. I just came to church out of curiosity and from the fact that it is near my house. It was God’s plan.

After I became a Christian, I got a chance to evagelised to two my friends from my high school and I brought them to church and they got saved! Nowadays, my dear two friends are now leaders. One is still serving faithfully in Hope Suratthani as a care group leader and back-up singer. Another one went to Bangkok to persue bachelor degree and she is also serving faithfully as a care group leader in Hope Bangkok. Every Christmas, when I go back to Thailand, I got to meet them. Their lives are greatly encouraged me everytime I see them. I am proud of them! We are still keeping in touch nowadays.

I am very proud of my homechurch. Hope Suratthani regarded as a headquerter of all Hope Churhes in the southern region of Thailand. It is the biggest Hope church in the south of Thailand. All Hope Churches in the south of Thailand look up to our church as a role model. We are the church that responsible in sending teams to plant churh in Afarica continent. God blessed our church because in the past, people just gave their all just to build the church. From a little house to a big land with a huge building and a big car park and a kid playground. I am just so proud. And I believe the same thing going to happen to Hope Brisbane too.

Overall, I am so proud to be in this Movement. What can I ask for more. Nothing can exchange Hope Movement from me. I hope and pray that in my lifetime, I will contribute something to this movement much or little. With all my heart, I love Hope Movement.

There is so much to talk about me and my homechurch. Heaps of memories between me and the church! The space on my blog won’t be able to contain all the stories so I may have to end my story here. Enjoy the photos.

This photo is taken in Dec 06, My friends whom I evangelised.
Nowadays they both are leaders.
The blue shirt is Toon - serving as a care group leader in Hope Bangkok
The red shirt is Jib – serving as a care group leader and a worship warrior in Hope Suratthani 

P’Gift, the pastor’s daugther, My very first shepherd of my Christian journey. She planted and watered me! She made me strong. I am grateful, love and respect her until nowadays. From the bottom of my heart, I want to say ‘thank you’ (taken Dec 06, when I went back to Thailand for holiday)

My beloved, Pastors of Hope Suratthani. 
Ps Samai & Ps Porntip Wongman. Their humbled & sacrficial hearts are to be adored!
Before I went to study in Brisbane, they helped me keep in toch with Hope Brisbane.
 

Ps Samai preaching on the stage of Hope Suratthani.

Inside Hope Suratthani (before prayer meeting starts). It is huge!

The team, Christmas care group (taken on Dec 05 when I went back to Thailand for holiday)

More photos of Hope Suratthani please click here