Some insights of PK Tse in Marketplace Ministry when he was in the UK:

Market Place Evangelism simply means extending God’s Kingdom outside the church, particularly in the work place. There are many references in the Bible that evangelism was done in the market place.

Jesus very often reached out to people outside the synagogue:

• Jesus talked with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well [John 4: 7-26]
• Jesus healed an invalid for 38 years at the pool at Bethesda [John 5:1-9]
• Jesus fed 5000 men with 5 loaves and 2 small fish on a mountain side [John 6:1-13]

The early church was no different. The Apostles often ministered to people in the market place:

·         Peter spoke to onlookers in the Solomon’s Colonnade [Acts 3:11-26]

·         Peter healed the sick in the streets. [Acts 5:15,16]

·         Philip evangelised the Ethiopian eunuch at his chariot [Acts 8:26-35]

·         Paul & Silas evangelised in prison [Acts 1622-34]

·         Paul evangelised in the market place in Athens [Acts 17:17-34]

PK senses in his spirit that God is raising up more men and women to extend His kingdom in the market place. In Europe, the traditional way of doing church is becoming ineffective and irrelevant. Ministers who have never worked in the market place are disadvantaged when they ministered to people in the market place. There is a lack of credibility.

PK was fortunate in a way that he came to know Jesus when he was already working for many years. After I became a Christian and started serving in the church, I continued to work. Even after coming to the UK for church planting, I only stopped working in the first 2 years.

The Body of Christ would be a powerful force on earth if every Christ follower has a Kingdom mentality, seizing every opportunity to advance God’s Kingdom. God put us in every arena in society – Government, commerce, education, entertainment, arts, media, health, law & order, science & engineering…… The “Church” should be able to evangelize everyone everywhere.

In PK’s case, besides serving in the church in the UK, he served in a professional body (The Institution of Structural Engineers) and worked part-time in a multi-discipline consulting engineering company. Both non-church avenues offer opportunity for evangelism:

• As a Branch Secretary in the IStructE, I get to know many engineers of all levels – from Students to Fellows. I place student engineers into vacation and industrial year jobs in my company. I help to review graduate engineers before they proceed to sit the professional examination. I help to interview senior chartered engineers who are applying to become Fellows.
• As a Project Director in the company, I mentor the younger engineers in the office and I get to work with colleagues in other disciplines. In my job, I also have the opportunity to work with clients, contractors and other professionals in the construction industry.
• Besides touching lives, I am also building bridges with people of influence who can help the church in indirect ways.

To be effective as a market place “evangelist”, here are a few keys that PK has found:

• Be a person of integrity and uncompromising moral standard. I was once asked by my boss to overcharge the client. I did not co-operate with my boss. I was proved right and I gained the respect of my boss in the long term.
• Offer help within your power & authority. I mentor the younger engineers in their career development, winning their respect & trust.
• Build team spirit. I conduct fortnightly team meetings updating everyone on project progress and work prospects, praising their good work and keeping them informed at the same time.
• Celebrate. Seize every opportunity to celebrate – birthdays, project completion etc.. This creates positive and joyful atmosphere in the work place.
• Prayer meetings. Some companies may allow you to hold prayer meetings. But they may not be exclusively Christian.

 

Further remarks by PK in Marketplace Ministry back in Hong Kong:

For the first 6 months back in Hong Kong, PK worked as Package Manager project managing the iconic Station Entrance Building of the West Kowloon Terminus of the Express Rail Link project.

PK could testify the power of prayer in this particular assignment. Details are described in Newsletters Nos. 1,2 & 4.

 

Marketplace Ministry

Marketplace Christians have the opportunity to be salt and light for Jesus and build bridges for the Lord. PK will continue to reach out and influence people in the Marketplace for Christ under the covering of the Church of Zion.