July 2026
EFCCA is entering its 30th year!
In September 1996, under the sending of its mother church, East Auckland Evangelical Formosan Church, Elder Stephen Yeh and four families began a prayer meeting for church planting in central Auckland. In October of that same year, several co-workers named the newly born church “EFCCA.” In the blink of an eye, thirty years have passed.
The year 2026 also brings another FIFA World Cup. Like many of you, I have enjoyed watching one of the world’s most popular and exciting sporting events. As I watched, I received several insights and life lessons that I would like to share.
A winning football team often has certain qualities from which a church and ministry team can learn.
1. A Clear Goal: Scoring to Win, Reaching People for Salvation
The central purpose of a football match is to put the ball into the net and score. A team may defend brilliantly and possess exceptional players, but if it cannot score, it cannot win.
In the same way, the primary goal of every church, fellowship and small group is to “score”—that is, to win people for the Lord. The church exists in the world to make disciples of all nations. If a church loses its passion to proclaim the gospel, lead people to Christ and extend God’s kingdom, it loses a central reason for its existence.
2. A Complete Strategy: Each Person Fulfilling a Role in Unity
In every match, players work within the coach’s strategy and arrangements. Each has a place and role: the goalkeeper guards the goal; defenders form a strong line against attack; midfielders control the rhythm of offence and defence and distribute the ball accurately; forwards press the attack and depend on skilful passes from midfield.
No one on the field can remain uninvolved. Each person must give their best in their position. At times, a player must willingly take a supporting role or make a sacrifice so that a teammate can score.
The same is true in church ministry. Our gifts differ, but all are given to build the same body.
3. High Morale: Supporting One Another to the End
A football match lasts ninety minutes and includes many unpredictable challenges. A winning team continues to encourage one another even after a serious setback or when behind on the scoreboard.
When a teammate makes a mistake, others cover the gap and show grace. When a goal is scored, everyone embraces and celebrates together. When failure and frustration come, teammates comfort and encourage one another and keep fighting with high morale.
The church is a family. We rejoice and weep together in love, and this gives us strength to continue.
4. Shared Rules: Following Leadership and Keeping Good Order
Every sport has rules and boundaries, together with referees who maintain fairness and order. Players cannot simply do whatever they wish. When they cross a line, commit a foul or act dangerously, the play may be disallowed, a yellow card shown, or a player sent off with a red card.
From beginning to end, players must remain attentive and follow the coach’s direction.
In the church’s spiritual battle, we must likewise live by the truth of Scripture, submit to Jesus Christ our Chief Shepherd, and follow the living guidance and prompting of the Holy Spirit. As we maintain good order, love one another, remain united and bear with one another, we can enjoy freedom in truth and fight a beautiful, victorious battle.
Standing at the milestone of EFCCA’s 30th anniversary, let us carry a clear gospel goal, practise a strategy of teamwork, demonstrate the high morale of mutual love, and submit fully to God’s truth. I am reminded of Paul’s encouragement in 2 Thessalonians 2:13–15: God chose His people through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, called them through the gospel to share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, and therefore urged them to stand firm and hold fast to the teaching they had received.
May EFCCA receive grace upon grace and, hand in hand, advance victoriously into the next thirty years.
