Pastor Phil’s Story

When Dr Lum shared the story of what happened to Pastor Phil Stevenson when he came to minister at one of our Calvary youth camps several years ago, many Calvarites were shocked at the victimization dished out by our Church on Pastor Phil. As you may recall the story, at the end of the youth camp, a love offering was collected from the youth for Pastor Phil. Many young people gave sacrificially because they were very blessed by his ministry at the camp. However, the love offering collected was never given to him, instead, it was kept by the Church. One of our associate Pastors apparently explained to Pastor Phil that the money would be used to offset his airfare here, which was “expensive”.

This ill-treatment of an invited speaker is despicable, no matter how hard, our pastors and deacons may try to explain their actions. But it is consistent with how our Church treats those they can take advantage of, whether they are visiting pastors, Calvary staff or mission workers. On the other hand, our Church is generous to those who can benefit them. How else can one explain why our Senior Pastor and Deacons gave US$10,000 to Dr Guynes for coming to chair our EGM last year and why our Senior Pastor gave S$10,000 to Rev Robert Lim for preaching in our Church for one Sunday?

As you all know, that EGM was held to “clear” all the allegations against Senior Pastor and Dr Guynes chaired and guided the EGM accordingly. As for Rev Robert, his Church was subsequently purported to have given Senior Pastor a brand new Volvo costing more than RM300,000 and Senior Pastor’s wife a brand new Honda Civic. It may be something our MACC may want to look at, if they come across our blog.

Back to Pastor Phil. Several months ago, a few core TTG brothers & sisters felt that what happened to Pastor Phil ought to be put right and so, collectively they sent a love gift to him. He responded through the email as follows:

“I am writing this email to express my thanks and heart felt love to all those who put together to give the financial gift I received when --- and--- came to Perth recently, I was humbled to see such an act of generosity and honor for the preaching of the Word of God amongst the youth of Calvary, and it appears to me that there are many sincere and wonderful people at Calvary church to whom I would love you to pass on my thanks and love.

Let me take a few moments to let you know how I have dealt with what happened at the camp. When I was told that I would not be receiving the love offering I was shocked as you can imagine. Mostly because they had told the kids that it would be given to me and I know many would have given sacrificially towards this financial gift. But God used this to help me check my motives. Why did I go and speak places? Was the gospel free as far as I was concerned? I decided that my motives were to be to bless the kids at Calvary or anywhere in fact and I should expect no financial reward for this, So a lot of good came from a bad situation as you can see.

Then a few weeks ago --- and --- arrive with your card and the financial gift that was taken up by yourself and some of the church members. I was deeply touched by this selfless act, I felt honored for the small part I played in the camp those few years ago and I was reminded that there are God's people everywhere who just want to act with integrity and righteousness. I will be telling our church community of how you have blessed me. The money by the way came at just the right time and with the exchange rate I know this is not a small amount in malaysian terms.”

Pastor Phil also shared the story of this bad experience and how God turned the situation
around into something good, in one of his sermons in his Church.

Click on the link below to hear the full sermon entitled “'3 targets of Christian Generosity' dated 19 May 2009.

http://www.perthcic.com/podcast.php

God is Always Good in All Situations To All Who Love Him and are Called By HIM!

For your easy listening, we have downloaded the sermon here. Ps Phil's sharing of his experience in Calvary is about 33mins 40 seconds into his sermon.