Trinitarian Magazine Issue 1/2008

People Features Happenings

Issue 1/2008

MISSIONS SPECIAL! The God of New Beginnings A Peek into the Future Unforgettable Moments in Missions

www.trinity.net

The Trinitarian. . .

A unique opportunity for advertisers Take advantage of our Special Package Rates!

Trinitarian magazine is a quality Christian publication y. with articles relevant to life in a contemporary society.

Published quarterly by Trinity Christian Centre, it has a readership of at least 14,000, and reaches the churches in Singapore, the entire congregation of Trinity Christian Centre, and 2,000 visitors of Trinity.

It is also available online in full colour at www.trinity.net Our special package rates will help stretch your advertising dollar. Don’t miss it!

For advertising rates, contact Janica at 6304 7718 or email janicachan@trinity.org.sg nity.org.sg

The Trinitarian magazine has an excellent editorial environment that captures readers’ attention. The contents are credible and readers trust the magazine, and that’s important to advertisers! – Soh Liang Liang, media director

Trinity Christian Centre Celebration Services 2008 Trinity@Adam 21 Adam Road

Contents

ENGLISH SERVICES Adult Services, Nursery & DiscoveryLand* Sat 5pm Sun 10am Pre-teens Service (age 10-12) Sat 5pm IGNYTE Service (age 13-19) Sat 5pm CHINESE SERVICE Sun 10am FILIPINO SERVICES Sun 10am Sun 3pm

Trinity@Paya Lebar 247 Paya Lebar Road ENGLISH SERVICES Adult Services, Nursery & DiscoveryLand* Sat 5pm Sun 8.30am Sun 11.30am Pre-teens Service (age 10-12) Sat 5pm Sun 11.30am IGNYTE Service (age 13-19) Sat 5pm Sun 11.30am CHINESE SERVICES **Sun 8.30am Sun 11.30am INDONESIAN SERVICE Sun 11.30am THAI SERVICE Sun 6.30pm * Nursery (birth to age 4) & DiscoveryLand (age 4 -12) ** With Cantonese interpretation through earphones.

Information is correct at time of printing, and is subject to change.

Radio Ministry Thought for the Day FM 107 - Mon to Fri 7.40am & 10.30pm (repeat broadcast)

TRINITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE Tel: 6468 4444 • Fax: 6467 6005 Email: admin@trinity.org.sg Website: www.trinity.net

18

33 Features 10 2008 2008: Y Year off N New Beginnings Step into it!

25 Go a Little Further When you can’t go on anymore

33 Unlocking a Supernatural Harvest Sowing and Reaping

58 Listen to the Global Church An excerpt from Ministry Today

60 Have you Named your Replacement?

An interview with Apostle Dowdy

101 Are your Feet Beautiful?

Take a look

Trinity@Adam 21 Adam Road Trinity@Paya Lebar 247 Paya Lebar Road

103 Miss[ions] Going for the right reasons

6

49

69

106

Snapshots

Buzz

People

39 A T Trinitarian i it i Tradition T diti

42 Can’t Outgive God!

18 Th The G God d off New N Beginnings

A Faith Promise

Trinitarians testify

Real Life Miracles

105 Making History Inscribe the Bible

106 The Trinity Cup Kicking off the year

56 I’ll Never Forget...

My handphone angel

108 IGNYTE Camp Awesome and intense

110 HEROES

Missions Report 69 Missions in Trinity Touching our nation, changing the world

72 Local Missions 83 Global Missions

Campus Camp

111 Christmas isn’t Christmas Without a party

44 A Peek into the Future A chat with Pastor Dominic Yeo

49 Fashion Fusion When two become one

66 An Unforgettable Moment From our Leadership team pastors

112 The Father’s Love Christmas variety show

113 District Thanksgiving In celebration

7

We see our worship services, prayer W meetings and carecells as places where m

Vibrant Atmosphere

people p eop hunger for the presence of God and an nd where God delights to inhabit and dwell. d we In a vibrant atmosphere of worship, prayer p ray and discipleship, we see people encountering God and the manifestation e nco of signs, wonders and miracles. o

Adviser Wang Look Fung Chief Editor Pastor Janice Chng Editor Huang Rui Lin Sub-Editor Corinne Lim

Incredible Unity

Passionate Heartbeat We see a people consumed with a vision to touch the world for

We see Trinity Christian Centre as a

Jesus Christ and to see His glory

church living together in covenantal

displayed throughout the world.

relationships; where carecells, ministries, families and individuals

We see a church with a passionate heartbeat to fulfill God’s global

are flowing in corporate unity to

agenda through sending men

fulfill God’s purpose and plan for

and women of faith to equip and

the church for that hour.

empower cell churches.

We see the church as a place for the

Strategic Leadership

empowerment and development of Spirit-filled leaders who will be strategically positioned and deployed within the Body of Christ. Every Trinitarian a leader with a ministry.

Editorial Support Veronica Teo Contributing Writers Rev Dominic Yeo Brian Lim Rev Les Bowling Carol Lim Rev David Dorey Lim Kang Yen Kevin Kwang Contributing Photographer Law Kian Yan Faith Koh Melanie Lim Advertising Sales & Admin Janica Chan For ad sales enquiries, Tel: 6304 7718 Email: janicachan@trinity.org.sg Mailing Address Singapore Post Centre Post Office PO Box 616 Singapore 914021 Website www.trinity.net Email admin@trinity.org.sg ISSUE 1/2008

Passionate Honour Passion to love and honour God

Audacious Fervour Boldness and zeal to believe and ask largely for the impossible

Relentless Belief Unwavering belief in people and their God-given destiny

Contagious Faith Authentic and infectious faith that reaches out to the lost

8

The Trinitarian is published quarterly

by Trinity Christian Centre.

Company registration number 197802911H MICA (P) 166/03/2007 Printed in Singapore by Print & Print Pte Ltd License number L003/01/2007 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission is prohibited. Opinions and views expressed do not necessarily constitute the official stand of the church.

We’ve got Mail!

Star Letter

The December issue of the Trinitarian magazine was

I am an ardent fan of

Check” ministered to me. As I went over the six

the Trinitarian magazine! After finishing each

symptoms and three prescriptions, I determined

issue, I always feel like I can’t wait to get my

in my heart to live a victorious life in the new year,

hands on the next one! Once, when I was

leaning more on the Holy Spirit.

going through a ‘down’ time in my life, I got

Kenneth Phua, manager

truly a blessing to me. As I was flipping through it, Pastor Jeffrey Wong’s article on “A Spiritual Health

my husband to consolidate all the issues of the Trinitarian magazine so I could read

I enjoy reading the articles in the Trinitarian

through them again one by one. I am especially

magazine; they are very inspiring and informative!

encouraged by the Real Life Miracles. It really

In the recent article “Caring & Connecting through

shows how good and faithful God is to each and

Carecells”, it was very heart-warming to read about

every one of us. The stories never fail to perk

the support and encouragement people receive

me up and give me a new perspective of life

from carecells. I can identify with how they feel,

in God. My wish

becau I am in a carecell, and my careell has because

for the Trinitarian

re really helped and encouraged me in my

magazine? That itt

sp spiritual growth!

will become a monthly

My sister is just back from Sydney, and

magazine!!

a excited to pass her the Trinitarian I am

Lau Ju Lin, project engineer

ma magazine, to show her the latest happenings T in Trinity and to share the articles with her.

Kar Ong, supply chain executive Karen

Thank you for putting together such a wonderful magazine that is filled with inspiring articles and reports on the latest exciting happenings in Trinity! I especially enjoy the Real Life Miracles. The testimonies from David Tan and Pastor Dennis Lum have touched my heart and encouraged my faith.

I eagerly look forward to each edition and highly recommend the Trinitarian magazine to my friends!

Matthias Chin, IT consultant

Win!

An autographed copy of Apostle Dowdy’s book!

Tell us what you think of the Trinitarian magazine! What articles would you like to see in future issues?

SMS <Trinity>space<your feedback> to 77177 or email we_are_trinitarians@trinity.org.sg

9

2008 :

Year of New Beginnings God is about to do something new in your life!

This will be a year of new beginnings for you â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a year of experiencing new life, dominion and authority, and provision, says Rev Dominic Yeo.

10

GOD HAS A SET TIME and set hour for the church.

In Isaiah 43:19, God gets hold of our attention by

As Kingdom people, we need to discern and

saying, “Hello there! I am about to do a new thing!”

understand the times and the seasons that God has for us.

The word ‘new’ in Hebrew has a dual meaning: •

It can mean “to make fresh”. It means to restore

A year ago, I mentioned that 2007 would be a year

something from its former glory into something

of multiplication and great increase, where God

brand new. Imagine buying yourself a very old

would release the double portion and the hundred-

convertible sports car and taking it to a great

fold to His people. Many Trinitarians who listened

mechanic to give it a complete makeover. You

intently and embraced this promise experienced a

get the seats re-upholstered and the entire car

multiplication of finances, influence, relationships

overhauled with a brand new engine. Suddenly,

and the blessings of God.

the car comes out of the workshop brand new.

That’s what “new” means – to restore and to

What does 2008 hold for the people of God? Different prophetic ministries throughout the world

make new.

•

It can also mean brand new, never done or seen

have been interacting about this. We sense that

before. When the nation of Israel was about

the year 2008 will be a year of new beginnings – a

to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land,

new season, a new time frame. God is a God of new

Joshua told them that they had “never gone this

beginnings, and the year 2008 has in store new

way before”. This was a brand new thing that

beginnings for every one of us. As Trinitarians, we

they were doing. That’s what “new” also means –

are about to step into a year of new beginnings.

a brand new start, an unprecedented way.

A new thing

I believe that the ‘kairos’ message of God is that this

In Isaiah 43:19, God says: “See, I am doing a new

will be a year of new beginnings, a brand new start.

thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive

This year, you are going to experience brand new

it?” ‘See’ can be translated literally as ‘Look’ or

things that you have never experienced before.

‘Lo! Behold!’ The modern-day equivalent would

As a church, we are going to see some new things –

be when we say ‘Hello!’ or ‘Hey!’ in order to get

new appointments of pastors, new worship services

someone’s attention.

that will be launched, a great church camp, our new

11

worship sanctuary at Trinity@Paya Lebar and so on.

day, He rested. The eighth day was when everything

But beyond all these brand new things that we are

started. It was a day of new beginnings. In this new

doing, I believe we are also stepping into a season

beginning, there were three very important things

where God will restore people and things to His

that God gave to humanity:

original intent.

1 Ability to create life 2 Authority and dominion

God’s original intent

3 Provision

In order for us to understand God’s original intent, we need to go back to the beginning of time in Genesis chapter 1.

1 Ability to create life God’s original intent for mankind was

Genesis 1:28-30 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and

for them to experience an anointing to create. God

increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.

gave men and women the ability to create life. But

Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air

this new beginning soon came to nothing. Satan

and over every living creature that moves on the

came on the scene, mankind fell into sin, and sin

ground.” Then God said, “I give you

cancelled out the new beginnings

every seed-bearing plant on the face

of God. When sin came into the

of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground – everything that has the

This year, you are going to experience brand new things that you have never experienced before.

world, man’s ability to create life resulted in dysfunctional lives and families. Genesis 4 opens with the birth of two sons but soon after, we see the beginning of dysfunctional relationships – Cain

breath of life in it – I give every green

killed Abel. The new beginning that

plant for food.” And it was so.

God gave was lost because of sin.

In place of the ability to create life, was the creation

12

When God created humanity, He was doing a new

of dysfunctional relationships. Something was

thing; He had never created mankind before! God

lost that day, but I believe that in this year of new

created man and woman on the sixth day, and He

beginnings, we are about to be restored to God’s

blessed mankind with three things. On the seventh

original intent.

In the place of dysfunctional life, God will put

that in the year 2008, God will begin to restore

something back into you. As the power of the Cross

this to you. God is about to restore a brand new

comes upon you, you will start experiencing a

authority and dominion in this new year so that you

vibrant life. God will also enable you to release life. In

do not have to keep going through the cycle of sin

2008, many of you are going to release life and speak

over and over again.

life into situations – in your offices that seem to be impoverished or into relationships that don’t seem

God is about to restore you to a place of dominion

reconcilable. The God of new beginnings is going to

and authority. As people of God and children of

enable you to speak life and bring a fresh start, a new

the King, we hold in our hands the arsenals of

beginning. God will cause a life-giving force to flow

heaven to declare things into being. I remember

through you. Some of you will also experience the

a time in my life when I really felt like a King’s kid;

restoration of the ability to conceive and give birth.

everything I declared came into being! Another time, I experienced a spiritual attack. There was a pressure on my chest; something pressing me down and binding me. At that moment, I could either cave in

2 Authority and dominion

or take my stand against it. I commanded it to leave

God placed within men and women

in the name of Jesus. That very moment, it left. When

dominion and authority – to subdue the earth and

we are bound, we lose our authority and dominion.

to rule over every living creature. God’s intent was

When we are free, we have authority and dominion.

for mankind to subdue the earth and rule over it. But mankind lost its dominion because of sin.

Satan does not really have power over us; he can only influence and tempt us. But when we fall into

3 Provision

sin, we render our power over to Satan. As Satan

God gave mankind every seed-bearing

accumulates power from us, he begins to overpower

plant and tree for food. But because of sin, mankind

and overcome us. Mankind lost their standing,

stepped into poverty. After Genesis chapter 4, we

stature and ability to rule and reign, and therefore

start reading about famine and drought that afflicted

lost their ability to tell Satan to get out. Some of you

the earth, resulting in poverty. This is where some

keep getting trapped in a cycle of sin. God gives you

of you are. Even though you have a good job and

a brand new start but you fall shortly after because

should have enough, there always seems to be a

you do not have authority and dominion. I believe

sense of “not having enough”. You may have bonuses

13

and promotions, but you tend to lose them very

were to fly to Chicago for a year-end holiday and

quickly. There is a spirit of poverty that impoverishes

if all you packed in your suitcase were T-shirts and

you. This too is a result of the fall of mankind.

bermudas, you would be so cold because it would be freezing in Chicago at that time. You need to

But I believe 2008 will be a new beginning for you.

be aware of the season and perceive that it is the

God is about to break the spirit of poverty that is

middle of winter. Then you will pack what is needed

impoverishing you. He will destroy poverty in your

for you to enjoy your holiday. Otherwise you will

life, and release power and grace into your life. In

suffer. In the same way, you must be aware that

Genesis 1:29, God said, “I give you…they will be

this is the season of new beginnings. Your ability to

yours....” God is a God of new beginnings and in

perceive the appointed season of the Lord will help

the year 2008, God is going to give to you and

you step in and not ‘miss’ it.

provide for you like never before. You will be amazed at the new things that God will do!

Perceive it… or miss it!

This is a year of new beginnings. God is going to bring about that restoration. The question is, will you step into the promise of God… or will it pass you by? Will you experience it… or will you miss it?

God wants to give you a new beginning, but first,

If you want to step into the year of new beginnings, acknowledge that this the year of new beginnings for .

you must perceive it. Isaiah 43:19 says, “See, I am

2 Acknowledge

doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not

You must acknowledge that “this is the season of

perceive it?” You need to be able to perceive it. The

God, the year of new beginnings for me.” If you don’t

ability to perceive the year of the Lord will bring

acknowledge it, you are not going to step into it.

you into the season of new beginnings.

Some people go from year to year, and every year seems to be the same. If you do not want to go

The word ‘perceive’ in Hebrew means to:

through the same cycle, if you want to step into the year of new beginnings, acknowledge that this

14

1 Be aware

is the year of new beginnings for you. Once you

You need to be aware of the season you are in. If you

acknowledge it, you can step into it.

3 Apprehend

if you don’t acknowledge it and apprehend it, you

The Bible asks, “Do you not perceive it?” In other

will miss it. If you engage with God and perceive

words, “Will you not apprehend it?” You have to

what the season is, you will step into the life,

apprehend the season. Apprehend means to “take

authority and dominion, and the provision of God.

hold of”. The Scriptures tell us that “the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by

Receive it!

force” (Matthew 11:12, NKJV).

Are you aware of the season of God? Do you acknowledge and apprehend the season of God?

The promises of God are in the heavenlies; they are

If so, you are now ready to step into new life,

“up for grabs”. If you begin to reach out for it, ‘fight’

new dominion and authority, and new provision

for it, and ‘pull it down’, you will get it. You need to

from God. Here’s how you can step into the new

have a spirit within you that wants all that God

beginning God has promised:

wants for you. You need to have a spirit that will “go for it”, a spirit that goes all out to possess all that

1 Submit to God

God has for you.

James 4:7 – Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Your ability to perceive the season will take you into the season.

The devil wants to thwart this year of new beginnings,

•

If you don’t perceive it, you will miss it completely.

so to step into the year of new beginnings, you

•

You may look and yet not perceive. Maybe you keep

have to submit yourself to God. Like our Spiritual

looking but see nothing. But once you perceive

Parenting commitment which says “With Jesus

it, you will see the new thing come into reality.

Christ as absolute Lord of my life…”, this is about submission to God. I am calling us as a church to

That is why God tells us to “look, and see the

come on bended knee and to submit our lives to

new thing!” The moment you are aware, and you

God, to come to a place of humble submission to

acknowledge and apprehend the season, you will

the Lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives.

see all the new things before you. How we perceive determines whether we will see the power of God.

2 Stand against the enemy

How we perceive either brings us into the new

James 4:7 tells us that we must resist the enemy.

season or causes us to remain in the old. God has

Ephesians 6:11-13 tells us that we must also put our

it all in store for you, but if you are not aware of it, or

feet down and stand our ground against the enemy.

15

Even if you have fallen many times, the moment

you held back. Step on the throttle of faith and

you start taking your stand, God will restore the

things will happen in great measure.

anointing of authority and dominion back into your life. You will walk forth with a brand new anointing of authority and dominion, and everything will become brand new.

In order to experience great spiritual conquests, there

Step on the throttle of faith and things will happen in great measure.

will be great spiritual warfare. Throughout the year of 2008, there will be trials, challenges and spiritual

A few years ago, God spoke to me about what we

attacks. But in all of this, God will bestow authority

now call the Trinitarian Experience. God said that if

and dominion. When the enemy comes in like a flood,

we did what He said, He would bring the increase.

God will raise a banner over your life. But God will raise

The Leadership Team deliberated and prayed and

that banner only when you and I learn to stand tall

came to a place where we submitted ourselves to

and strong, and resist the enemy in the name of God.

the Lord. We took our place to cover each other in prayer, to resist the enemy and then we stepped out

3 Step out in faith

in faith. As we stepped out in faith and implemented

The year of new beginnings will require you to

the programmes and strategy that God gave us, we

step out in faith. When you step out in faith, God

have seen the church grow to where we are today.

shows you new things and renews you. In Matthew

Every step of the way, I remind the pastors that it is

14, when Peter and the disciples were in the boat,

a new thing; we have never been this way before.

buffeted by the wind and waves, Jesus came to them

That which you begin in faith, you must keep

in the night, walking on the water. The disciples were

walking in faith and complete in faith. That is

terrified but when Jesus identified himself, Peter said,

how you will see the fruits of faith. If you step out

“Lord, if it is You, tell me to come to You.” Jesus said,

in faith and then back off, you won’t see the fruits

“Come!” Verse 29 records for us Peter stepping out

of faith. If you want a new beginning, if you want to

of the boat. That was a new thing. Nobody had ever

experience all the new things that God is about to

walked on water before! In order to do new things

do for you, step out in faith!

and experience the new beginnings of God, you

16

have to step out in faith. You have to activate your

4 Savour the blessings of God

faith. Some of you started the year in faith but then

Deuteronomy 28:3-11 describes all the prosperity

that God will pour into our lives when we obey

What new life will you experience in 2008? Every

Him. The prosperity of God is not limited to

Trinitarian has a vibrant atmosphere over his or her

financial blessing; it is much more than that! Biblical

life. You should be releasing life! In 2008, God will

prosperity has to do with every quadrant of our life.

restore life to you so that you may be a giver of life.

God wants to bless us in every way, and prosperity

You will carry with you the vibrant atmosphere of

signifies in broad strokes the blessings of God

God and release life wherever you go.

•

When you create life, you will receive life.

•

When you step out in authority and dominion,

What new authority and dominion will you have in

and evict the enemy, the windows of blessing will

2008? You need to carry God’s stamp of authority

open and God will rain His blessings into your life.

and dominion, and step into the place of leadership

When you are in the place of knowing that God

and influence. Stop letting the devil tell you that you

will provide, and you get ready for the provision,

are not good enough. Step up and tell that sin to go,

God will pour that provision into your life, just

and step into the new beginnings of authority and

like He did for the widow who came to Elisha.

dominion.

•

The prophet told her to bring all the jars. When she prepared all the jars, her little jug of oil was

What new provision will you experience in 2008? Get

able to fill every jar.

ready for the new provision of God! If you don’t prepare to receive the new provision, God cannot

When we start preparing to receive the blessings of

release it. You must have a vessel, a jar, to contain

God, they will come! God wants you to experience,

God’s overflowing provision.

enjoy and savour His blessings first-hand – and be a blessing as well.

Get ready for God’s new thing!

Step in!

Rev Dominic Yeo is the Senior Pastor of Trinity

As Kingdom people, let’s discern the Kingdom’s

Christian Centre.

time and what God is saying to us as Trinitarians.

Were you blessed by this article? Tell us about it!

God is about to do a new thing! God is a God of new

SMS <Trinity>space<your comments> to 77177 or

beginnings, and 2008 is a year of new beginnings.

email we_are_trinitarians@trinity.org.sg.

What will 2008 be like for you and your family? How would you want to see the year end for you?

77177

This sermon was preached at Trinity’s annual Watchnight Service on 31 December 2007 and can be heard online at www.trinity.net

17

THE GOD OF New Beginnings Jobless, depressed and direction-less, Lim Kang Yen desperately needed a new beginning in life. And that was exactly what God gave him, in more ways than one.

I was born into a non-Christian family. My parents were very strict, and all three of us children were very obedient. But things took a different turn when I was 14.

That year, my elder sister accepted Jesus as her Lord and Saviour, and decided not to participate in the rituals of ancestral worship anymore. Our father couldn’t accept the fact that he ‘lost’ his daughter to a ‘foreign God’, so he threw her out of the house. Our aunt took her in. The whole episode set me thinking and wondering who Jesus was and why He was creating such a ruckus in our family.

A year later, my father made peace with my elder sister and even allowed her to bring us to church. I attributed this about-turn to her fervent prayers and the grace of God. At the age of 15, I gave my life to Jesus. But when I discovered the supposedly ritualistic lifestyle of a Christian (go to church, pray, read the Bible everyday), I decided that my former decadent ways were easier to live by. I spent most of my time playing softball and watching TV. Laziness crept in and my studies took a dip. Nonetheless, I still managed to get into university.

But I had no interest whatsoever in Computer Science.

Computer games, yes. But studying Computer Science?

18

more and more like the zombies in the computer games that I was playing. Life slowly ebbed away from me. I felt worthless and all my self-esteem went down the drain. There were times when I felt that suicide would be the best option to end my misery.

A divine encounter Despite my difficulties, Jesus was far from my mind. I never once considered going back to Him. I deemed myself too unclean for someone as majestic as Him. But one day, he did something that would change my life forever. That day, when I awoke, a bright light was shining in my room.

It was a different thing altogether. I struggled in my

There was something

studies. After four long years, I graduated with a

strange about the

degree that I despised, along with results that were

light. I couldn’t open

abysmal.

my eyes. No matter

That day, when I awoke, a bright light was shining in my room. There was something strange about the light.

how hard I tried, Unfortunately, I graduated in 1998 – in the midst

I simply could not get out of bed! I began to have

of the Asian financial crisis. It took me one and

flashbacks of my rotten past. A voice seemed to say,

a half years to land my first IT-related job. I didn’t

“Kang Yen, it’s time to get up and come back to

enjoy what I was doing, so I didn’t last long, and

Me”. I knew at once that it had to be the Lord Jesus

hopped from one job to another. Finally, in 2003, I

Christ. I cried, made a commitment to stop all my

decided that enough was enough; I started looking

vices, and gave my life back to Him. I asked Him to

for jobs that were not IT-related. However, with

show me which church to go to. Almost immediately,

my lack of experience and less-than-appealing

the blinding light went off. There was no reply from

results, job-hunting was tough. I sent out resumes

Him. I got up in a daze, wondering if it was just a

to numerous prospective employers, but only a

dream. I was at a loss as to what to do.

handful called me for an interview. After a series of failed interviews, I slipped into depression. My

That afternoon, I received a phone call from an old

typical day went like this:

friend whom I had not met in years. He invited me

•

Wake up at 12 noon to have lunch.

to his place, just to catch up. Since I had nothing

•

Play computer games till 6pm, and have dinner.

to do, I went. He invited me to his church, Trinity

•

Watch TV till 12 midnight.

Christian Centre. Suddenly, I felt that same voice

•

Play computer games till 6am, and then sleep.

speak to me again: “Go”. I asked my friend why he

This went on for a ‘good’ 9 months. Each day as I

thought of me that day. He said that he just decided

looked at myself in the mirror, I seemed to look

to take the day off. He decided to call somebody

19

and that person just happened to be me!

My first visit to Trinity that weekend cemented my decision to come back to Jesus. The worship atmosphere simply overwhelmed me. I left feeling thankful that I had found a church, and more

For the first time in a long while, I felt that other than God Himself, there were others who cared about me.

importantly, that I now had a direction in life. But God was not done with me yet. As Trinity Christian Centre left a positive impression on me, I visited the website upon reaching home. While surfing the site, I found out that the church was recruiting a web application developer. I did not meet the requirements, but decided to email them my

Amazingly, my carecell members’ prayers were

resume anyway. After all, what is there to lose? That

answered! I made it through three rounds of

night, for the first time in nine months, I went to bed

interviews. On 1 April 2003, I started work as a web

early. It was my most satisfying rest ever.

application developer in Trinity. Out of curiosity, I asked the interviewer (now my colleague) why he

The next morning, I was awoken by a phone call

had chosen me over the other candidates. What he

from the church HR dept, asking me to go for an

told me totally blew my mind: He said that before

interview. Before the interview, I tried to read up

he made up his mind, he prayed and God showed

on what the job would require me to do, but it

him that among all the candidates, I was the one.

was just too much to learn within a short time.

I was dumbfounded by his response. Simply put, he

I began to doubt myself. Instead of making an

didn’t choose me; God did!

effort to impress the interviewer, I told him that I had zero experience and know-how; all

The learning curve was steep but I found great joy

that I had was a heart to learn. At the end of the

in serving in the Lord’s House. I was surrounded

interview, I left feeling the same way as I did after

by colleagues who cared for more than just the

all my past interviews – dejected, disappointed and

paycheck that they received every month. I found

disillusioned.

renewed hope in life and yet deep inside me, I wanted more. And ‘more’ was on the way.

A week later, I attended a Trinity carecell near my

20

home. I wanted to know more about God, and I

More on the way

knew this was definitely one way to go about it. I

My colleagues “match-made” me with a pretty girl

told the carecell members about my situation and

who worked in another department. I liked Debbie

they rallied around me to pray for me. For the first

but as we were very new to each other, we were not

time in a long while, I felt that there were others –

sure. So we decided to take time to pray. My district

other than God Himself – who cared about me. It

pastor advised me to write down my criteria of a

was a wonderful experience and I decided then that

life partner and pray over it. I came up with a list

I would go to carecell regularly.

of 29 criteria (No kidding… and this was after I cut

down on some criteria to make God’s job easier!)

A miracle came. Debbie’s mum had

Meanwhile, Debbie was having serious doubts

a friend who lived about 400m away,

about me. After all, I had simply popped up out

and was looking to sell his 3-room flat.

of nowhere; no history in church, no track record

When he knew that we were interested, he decided

whatsoever. So she simply prayed that if I was the

to ask for a fixed sale price, even before his flat was

one, then I should, at the very least, attend Church

valued. In other words, if the valuation of the flat

Prayer Meetings. This was her basic requirement to

turned out low, we would have to pay dearly for this

show that I was serious about God.

‘gamble’. We committed it to the Lord, felt His peace and decided to go for it. Lo and behold, the valuation

Two weeks went by. We didn’t keep in touch at all

turned out to be pretty high! In the end, the seller

during this period. I was growing in the Lord but I

kept his end of the bargain and we paid only

wasn’t satisfied. Church Prayer Meeting was around

$2000 above valuation. Such a low amount was

the corner and very innocently, I invited Debbie to

simply unheard of! God came through and proved

join me. We met, we prayed, we chatted and found

His faithfulness.

that we enjoyed each other’s company. I discovered later that she met all 29 of my ridiculous criteria

God continued to bless us financially. We ‘recovered’

(I kid you not!) That was it. That sealed everything.

all that we had spent on our wedding and our home renovations. We even had enough to go for a

Five months later,

honeymoon to Thailand and a second honeymoon h

we began preparing g

tto six European countries a year later! God blessed

for our wedding.

us far beyond our expectations. u

Our first task was to look for a home.

Princess dreams P

We wanted to live

Five months into our marriage, I dreamt that I was in F

in Clementi, to be

an operating theatre, holding a baby girl in my arms. a

near her mum.

Three nights later, I dreamt that I was in my living T

There were no

rroom and there was a baby girl crawling around

new flats in that

me. Now, my wife and I love children, and we were m

area then, so we

ccontemplating having children of our own. So I

had to purchase

tthought the dreams were just a natural expression

a re-sale flat. The

of my own desires. o

only problem

But a week later, I had B

was, we would have e to pay the

a third dream. This

above-valuation quantum in cash. h The h cash h amount

time, I was holding the

could easily be above $10,000 and would strain our

hand of a girl who was

already strapped budget. But seeing that God was

ready to go to school.

in control from day one, we decided to go to our

I knew then it was the

knees to pray and fast.

Lord speaking to us.

This time, I was holding the hand of a girl who was ready to go to school. I knew then it was the Lord speaking to us.

21

Since it was definitely our desire to have a daughter,

and our future little one. To make it ‘harder’ for

we decided to try for a child.

God, I drew the St. Louis Cardinals (my favourite baseball team) winning the World Series Baseball

Six weeks later, my wife discovered she was pregnant!

Championship. They had not won the title in 23

We were absolutely thrilled. But alas, our joy was

years. I drew it out of pure skepticism; I didn’t think

short-lived. Two weeks later, baby’s heartbeat

that they stood a chance. I showed my drawing to

stopped. We could not believe it. Unwilling to accept

my colleagues and then promptly put it away.

the truth, we asked for a week to pray and fast. We thought that perhaps God would somehow revive

A cruel joke?

the baby’s heartbeat. Seven days came and went,

Months went by and there was no baby. We went for

and our hopes were completely dashed.

a thorough medical checkup, and the results came as a shock. We had a lethal combination of poor

My wife was wheeled into the operating theatre

quality sperm and a weak womb. The doctor told

for the removal of the foetus. I waited outside,

us that our chances of having a normal baby the

completely confused. It was the same setting as

normal way was less than 1%. It was a double-blow.

the dream I had, but it was turning out to be my

The news couldn’t have come at a worse time. Our

worst nightmare. I couldn’t accept the fact that God

hearts began to bleed from within. Those dreams

had given me those dreams, and in a span of two

didn’t matter anymore. It seemed like God was

months, dashed my hopes. I felt like He was making

playing a very cruel joke on us. (It didn’t occur to us

a fool of me. When we reached home, both of us sat

then that God already knew of our condition even

in utter silence. Not a word was spoken. Then all at

before we did, and probably gave us the dreams to

once, we both began to tear, sob and wail. I wanted

encourage us to believe for the impossible).

to stop crying, but the harder I tried, the harder I cried. That night was the longest night we ever had.

We didn’t stop trying, but with each passing month, our hopes grew faint. A close friend recommended

Picking ourselves up was the next hardest thing.

a Chinese sinseh who was supposedly a fertility

Wherever we went and whatever we did, we were

expert. He took our pulse, gave us some medication

constantly reminded of our little one. We were

and advised us to cut down on certain foods. We

leading a family carecell, and the irony was hard

took his advice and his medication. Three months

to swallow. Here we were, the only ‘unproductive’

went by and still nothing happened.

couple, leading a carecell blessed with plenty of children! But life had to go on and four months later,

We grew tired of waiting. It seemed that the deep

we decided to try again.

longing for a child was pulling us away from everything else that really mattered in life.

22

At the start of 2006, in our office cell, we were asked

Finally, we broke down and surrendered everything

to draw our prayer requests for the year on a piece

to God once again, asking Him for forgiveness for

of paper. Instinctively, I drew three stick figures –

the times that we doubted Him and His goodness.

two adults and a child – to signify myself, my wife

Thereafter, we went back to serving Him whole-

heartedly again. We decided that we would love God and trust Him – whether or not we had a child. We never gave up trying but we were not disappointed when there was no news. We came to the conclusion that child or no child, God was still ultimately a good God.

same operating theatre where she had been two years back. Things were happening just as I

A month later, God spoke to my wife to go on a

had seen in my dream; only this time it was not a

missions impact trip, to minister to children in

nightmare. When our little one was born, I took one

India. Even though the trip would mean taking a

look at her and I knew that she was more than we

break in our trying for a child and in all probability,

could ever wish for.

remind my wife of our deep longing for a child, we decided to be obedient to God. It seemed like the

I waited outside the operating theatre for my wife to

perfect way to start anew with God. So we paid up

be wheeled out. The procedure was to take only half

and my wife went for her training sessions for the

an hour, so after one and a half hours, I got seriously

trip. Perhaps all God wanted was our obedience.

worried. God was putting my faith in Him to the

The trip never did materialise because my wife

ultimate test. I was all alone in the waiting area.

became pregnant again! We went from despair,

I had no one to talk to, no one to depend on. I could

disappointment and disillusionment to being

only turn to Him, the living God who had helped

deliriously happy. We cried again, but this time, it

me through it all. So I got on my knees and prayed.

felt good. Words just could not describe our joy. The

Finally, the door of the operating theatre opened.

baby’s gender was confirmed in the fifth month. No

My wife had bled excessively due to a wound that

prizes for guessing correctly; it was a princess.

was sustained when the placenta was removed.

I had nearly lost my wife, and I was to find out

A dream come true

later that the hospital bill came to more than

In the ensuing days, we went about doing what

$7000. But it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that

all would-be parents would do: going for regular

God heard my cries and promptly set things right.

check-ups, buying baby stuff, going for pre-natal classes and so on. My wife had a weak constitution

But God is not only in the business of answering ‘big’

and had to be in bed throughout the whole

prayers. Remember my drawing that I put aside?

pregnancy. The church was very gracious to grant

The conception of my baby was not the only miracle

her leave. All in all, she took about two months’

that happened to me in 2006. That same year, the

no-pay leave. When the 40 weeks were up, our baby

St. Louis Cardinals did become the World Series

had grown so comfortable in the womb that she

Baseball Champions – for the first time in 23

refused to come out! She had to be induced. After

years. (In the following year, they failed to even

one whole day of waiting, there was still no sign of

qualify for the playoffs!) I had sketched the drawing

the little one. An immediate Caesarean section was

out of skepticism but God used it to make a point –

ordered. Once again, my wife was wheeled into the

that He hears and answers prayer!

23

But w while God

clothes, toys, baby stuff and milk powder to last us

is interested in int

for a year or two.

answering my answ

• What about the lack of space? Surely a three-room

prayers; He is more pray

flat is too small for a growing family? Two weeks

interested in how I inte

after our baby’s birth, we received news that

respond when He res

our flat has been earmarked for HDB’s en-bloc

doesn’t.

Life with do

redevelopment programme. Simply put, in four

God is not always Go

years’ time, we would be staying in a new

a bed of roses.

While our pay as W ffull-time church

and bigger flat at little additional cost.

• Perhaps I would need to hire a domestic helper to take care of baby since both my wife and I work?

staff is sufficient

That too has been taken care of. My mother-in-law

for our living expenses, it is modest

rescinded on her previous decision not to live with

by today’s standards. I often ask myself, “What if I

us. To our surprise and delight, she has now

were to work outside and draw a much higher pay?

moved in with us and takes care of baby.

Wouldn’t it be great if I could splurge on this or that?”

But there is just no end to this line of questioning.

The God whom we worship is in control of every

Would I trade everything that I have now for

situation! Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first His

something else? Not in a million years!

kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” There is really nothing

I find it an honour and a privilege to be able to serve

that we lack. Whatever I may lack financially,

God in His House. I love the fact that God’s Kingdom

God has given me in ways that I could never

is extended and His people are blessed through my

imagine. Everyday, whenever I look at my beautiful

work. Because of the global impact of Trinity and

daughter, I am reminded of God’s goodness. With

its missions programmes, everything that I do as

each look, I ask:

a staff in Trinity ultimately impacts lives around

What have I done to deserve all these, Lord? I’m just

the world. That is mind-boggling, and it is all the

a nobody who ran away from You, an exile. But You

more amazing considering how I had despised

took me in Your arms and You gave me life – life

myself and my lack of technical skills. God has

that I could never imagine, life that I can never

totally turned things around for His glory.

comprehend. You plan my life immaculately, and Your timing is simply perfect. You have given me a

As we trust Him and serve Him, God continues to

brand new start in life, a fulfilling job, a wonderful

amaze us with His overflowing provision:

and supportive wife, and now, a beautiful daughter.

• Remember that $7000 hospital bill? It was totally

You gave me far more than I dared to dream of!

paid for by cash gifts from relatives and friends, with a lot more to spare.

• What about the increase in household expenditure

24

My life is living proof that God is a God of new beginnings. Looking back, perhaps the only thing

that comes with an addition to the family? We

that I did right was to come back to God. And that is

received, from many sources, enough baby

all I needed to have a new beginning.

Go A Little Further The value of small steps in the corporate journey

Ever feel like you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t go on anymore?

Make the decision to go a little further.

For if you keep on believing, praying, giving and going, you will come into the unbelievable blessings of God, says Rev Les Bowling.

HAVE YOU EVER reached at a point of such tiredness and utter exhaustion that you wanted to give up? I have! Not too long ago, our church experienced a great time of ministry and increase. Many good things were happening, but with that, my workload tripled. It required a lot more effort and labour.

One particular time, after a lot of travelling, meetings and transitions in the church, I was so very tired. I had early mornings and late nights and as the day wore on, I was so tired that my hair hurt! At the end of one of those days, I had just one more

25

meeting to go. It was a meeting

a place called Gethsemane, and

hurting, but when I got there,

with our intercessors. But before

said to the disciples, ‘Sit here

I just opened up this passage

the meeting came around, I told

while I go and pray over there.’

and the Holy Spirit started to

my wife that I was putting her in

And He took with Him Peter and

download things into my spirit.

charge of the meeting and going

the two sons of Zebedee, and He

I told the intercessors that I felt

home, because I had taken all

began to be sorrowful and deeply

God wanted us to go a little

that I could take.

distressed. Then He said to them,

further in prayer, a little further in

‘My soul is exceedingly sorrowful,

passion, a little further in living

I headed home in my car and

even to death. Stay here and

on the stretch, a little further in

as I was driving, something

watch with Me.’ He went a little

faith to trust God. When I shared

whispered on the inside of me.

further and fell on His face, and

this, the intercessors took a hold

It kept going over and over

prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is

of it and started to pray. I just sat

inside of me: “And He went a little

possible, let this cup pass from Me;

down. As they were praying, it

further …. And He went a little

nevertheless, not as I will, but as

was like the Spirit of God came

further… “And He went a little

You will.”

upon us like a wave, swishing

further”. After I got home, made a sandwich and sat down to eat it, again it came: “And He went a little further”…” And He went a little further…” So I opened up my Bible to the passage in Matthew 26 where Jesus was in

God wanted us to go a little further in prayer, a little further in passion, a little further in living on the stretch, a little further in faith to trust God.

the Garden of Gethsemane. The gospel writer wrote, “It was the

26

hour of the powers of darkness.”

When I read this, I thought, if

back and forth in that room

It was an time of intense

Jesus could go a little further at

and washing over me. By the

pressure, distress and sorrow

a time like this, I can make one

end of the meeting, the Spirit

for Jesus. He who knew no sin

more trip to the church. I was

of God had completely washed

was going to be made sin for us.

convicted, so I got back into my

exhaustion off of me. I came

Then I read Matthew 26:36-39:

car and drove back to church. I

out of that meeting feeling so

Then Jesus came with them to

was still tired, my hair was still

renewed that I could run through

a troop and leap over a wall

and make the right decisions.

a little further. I may feel the

instead of being run over by a

What happens in these times

pressure and know that the task

troop and slamming into a wall.

can determine what the

is big and beyond me, but if I

I was completely renewed and

years ahead will be like. What

will just do what I know and can

rejuvenated.

happens in the defining moment

today, I sleep in peace and wake

or season will define what we

up the next day believing that

will do, who we will be, and the

the grace of God will meet me as

nature of things for many years

soon as my feet touch the floor.

to come.

The presence of God will be there

When God’s people are the weariest and feel like they cannot go on anymore, if they would just make the decision to go a little further, miracles will take place.

to sustain me tomorrow. And so At the point when we feel like

I go a little further regardless of

giving up, we must make the

how I feel, and then go a little

decision to just go a little further.

further tomorrow.

We don’t have to go a lot further, but just a little further. We just

Don’t exit!

need to go a little further today,

I don’t know about you, but

and a few more steps tomorrow,

ministry has been a little different

God showed me something that

and another couple of steps

from what I thought it would

day: When God’s people are the

next week and then a couple of

be before I signed up and said

weariest and feel like they cannot

steps the week after that. There

‘Yes’. It has turned out better

go on anymore, if they would just

are times when we operate out

than what I expected, but a little

make the decision to go a little

of abundance, but there will be

more challenging than what I

further, miracles will take place.

times when we have to live by

thought it would be! Initially,

The decision to go just a little

daily bread (Philippians 4:12). I

when I first went into ministry,

further releases a grace from

sometimes feel that I cannot go

I thought that everybody loved

God into our lives. Such times

on, but I have also found that

God and wanted revival, and

are destiny decisions. These

God gives me enough mental,

therefore would love me. It

are key defining moments

spiritual and emotional

wasn’t too long before I realised

or seasons in our corporate

strength and sustenance for

that things were different from

journey and in our personal lives

that particular day if I would

what I had expected. Things were

where we need to stay focused

just make the decision to go

good, we had the wonderful

27

presence of God and answers

timeline as well. Our drive to

like this! It is only by the grace

to prayer, and even though I

succeed must be tempered by

of God that we are able to

made many mistakes, there was

our understanding of the timing

keep the expectancy, hope,

the grace of God’s good people

of God. There is a timing of God,

excitement, vision and faith

and their patience with me as I

a divine season of God. If we will

alive while we are walking, day

grew in ministry. I was faithful,

make the decision to go a little

in and day out.

committed and loyal, but I was

further, He will bring us into the

not seeing God’s blessing the

land little by little – not too soon,

What are our options to going a

way that I thought I would see.

lest the beasts of the field be too

little further – Stopping? Going

I was doing a lot of good work,

numerous for us (Deuteronomy

back? Back to what? There is no

but not seeing the fruit of what

7:22).

other option. God is a progressive

It is only by the grace of God that we are able to keep the expectancy, hope, excitement, vision and faith alive while we are walking, day in and day out.

28

I thought the good works should

There are so many exits on this

God. His revelation is progressive

produce.

path. The end and the beginning

and things are unfolding as He

may be exciting but the problem

is moving history. Things are

Discouragement can come from

is with the middle. The issues all

changing; don’t be left behind.

expecting a harvest too soon.

seem to happen in the middle!

Keep moving towards the

Galatians 6:9 tells us not to grow

You may have counted the cost

fulfilment of your destiny and

weary while doing good because

and thought you were ready,

call, whether it is birthing the

we will reap in due season if we

but after you started paying

church or doing the will of God.

do not lose heart. Our timing

the price, you realise that you

You are doing well. Things are

is always now! But God has His

never thought that it would feel

happening. Keep on pressing

on and keep on walking till you

seams. It doesn’t look like He is

commitment to himself that when

get to phase 2, phase 3… or

going to make it. But it was not

he reached 60, he would retire

phase 35, whatever it may be.

falling apart; it was falling into

from working for the Lord. But in

Believe and trust God, and keep

place. It was working out. Jesus

1807, after 25 years of ministry,

on going a little further today

decided to look not at the things

his health failed suddenly, and

and a little further tomorrow and

that were seen but the things

his voice gave way such that

the next day. There will be daily

that were unseen. He saw things

preaching was very difficult and

bread and provision, and times

from an eternal perspective. If we

he could only speak in a whisper.

of abundance. If we will keep

go a little further today, a little

After a sermon, he would feel

going a little further, we will

further tomorrow and the next

more dead than alive. This broken

come into the unbelievable

day, we will move forward into

condition lasted for 13 years until

blessings of the Almighty God.

the power and strength of the

he was 60 years old. And all this

Aren’t you glad Jesus went a little

Almighty God.

time, Simeon continued to press

further? When He had His first

on in his work. He said it wasn’t

trial and when He was mocked

Spend your last strength for Me

a sickness but a weakness, and

and spat upon. He decided to go

We usually have to make the

didn’t know why it hit him.

a little further to the next trial.

decision to go a little further at

And after he was whipped, He

a time when we are really tired

The way this weakness came

decided to go a little further, and

and exhausted. Charles Simeon,

to an end was remarkable and

then a little further still, after the

a great man of God, made a

showed the amazing hand of

crown of thorns was put on Him. After each beating, He decided to continue to go a little further. In all of this, He was pressing in and moving toward the goal – the fulfillment and the manifestation of the promise and the miracle of redemption for mankind. If you look at Jesus’ ministry at this

God on Simeon’s life. In 1819,

We usually have to make the decision to go a little further at a time when we are really tired and exhausted.

as he was on his last visit to Scotland and had just crossed the border, he was perceptively revived in strength. Remember that he had promised himself a very active life up to age 60 and then a Sabbath for the rest of his days. At this point, He heard God

particular point, it might seem

speak to him saying, “I laid you

like things are falling apart at the

aside because you entertained

29

with satisfaction the thought of resting from your labour. But now you have arrived at that very period when you promised yourself that satisfaction, and now that you have determined instead to spend your strength for me to the latest hour of your life, I have doubled, tripled and even quadrupled your strength that you may execute your desire on a more extended plan.â&#x20AC;?

So at 60 years of age, Simeon, renewed in his commitment to his pulpit and the local and

The decision to go a little further brings the presence of God and a renewal of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eternal purpose in the earth.

global mission of the church, preached vigorously for another 17 years until two months before he passed away. A commentator on his life said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who knows but that greater strength, health and anointing would be given to us if there were resolves to move toward God and His purpose and not a comfortable lifestyle? Who knows whether God would give an awakening and renewal, if we would renew our dreams of ministering to a

30

Destiny hangs in the balance

little further. Your nation needs

In the Garden of Gethsemane

this church to continue to go

We are at a time in human

and throughout that last week in

a little further. Their destiny is

history where nations are

Jerusalem, both your destiny and

hanging in the balance.

in confusion and there is

my destiny hung in the balance,

uncertainty. The harvest is great

dependent on Jesus overcoming,

Numbers chapters 13 and 14

but the labourers are few. God’s

pressing in all the way and

give us the whole account of

people must rise up in this hour.

completing the task right

how the Israelites came out of

I believe that the finest and the

through to the end. In the same

Egyptian bondage, crossed the

best of what God is going to do

way, we must realise that what

Red Sea and went through the

and the remnant of His people

we do affects not just ‘me’ but

wilderness to the banks of the

are being manifested even in

affects ‘we’. It affects not just ‘us’

Jordan. But when it was time

perishing world?“

this very hour. The decision to go a little further brings the presence of God and a renewal of God’s eternal purpose in the earth. God is putting a resolve and strength in His people. They are going to have a sense of mission, a sense of responsibility, and the attitude of ‘whatever

to go in and possess the land,

Even when you don’t want to go a little further for yourself, go a little further for those whom God has connected to you.

it takes, I’m going to do the

they sent 12 spies out for 40 days. The spies came back with a report that this was indeed the place of milk and honey and the place of abundant fruit BUT there were giants there. At that point, 10 spies contested the move and only Joshua and Caleb had the faith to move forward.

will of God’. They are going to

but affects ‘them’. And it affects

But this released something

press forward, understand the

not just ‘them’, but those who

upon the people - stress and

significance of our times, and to

are connected to them. Even

discouragement. The people

continue to walk and move. Even

when you don’t want to go a

complained and lamented. What

when they feel like backing up,

little further for yourself, go a

happened in that space of time,

they are not going to back up;

little further for those whom

that day, that season meant

they will buck up and tighten the

God has connected to you. They

that a whole generation missed

belt and make the decision to go

need you to go a little further.

their destiny and perished in

a little further.

Your family needs you to go a

the wilderness.

31

Great things lie ahead!

you take. Keep walking it out,

Trinitarians, realise what you

trusting God and believing God,

have here. God has given you

going a little further today and

something special. The presence,

a little further tomorrow. When

power and glory of God are

you think about the journey in

resting upon you in a unique and

terms of the long haul, it can

powerful way. It is unbelievable

sometimes be overwhelming.

what God is building in you,

But going just a little further is

Rev Les Bowling is Founder

what God is building around

do-able!

and President of Eagle Rock Ministries in Ohio, USA. For over

you and what God is going to use you to do. Great things lie

Each of you plays a significant

twenty years, he has brought

ahead!

part in God’s plan. Just as the

the life of God to the hearts of

most important parts of our

hurting people. He is known

bodies are the parts we cannot

across America for his teaching

see, some parts of the church

and impartation of powerful life

that are not as visible are vitally

principles.

important. When every part

Were you blessed by this

functions and does its job, it

article? Tell us about it!

moves the whole body forward.

SMS <Trinity>space<your

If each of us will go a little

comments> to 77177 or

further, after a period of time,

email we_are_trinitarians

we would have come a long way.

@trinity.org.sg

When you think about the journey in terms of the long haul, it can sometimes be overwhelming. But going just a little further is do-able!

32

77177

This sermon was preached at Trinity’s

So keep on moving, keep on

Vision Rally on 21 September 2007.

marching and keep overcoming.

It can be heard online at www.

The miracles ahead of you are

trinity.net/sermons.htm. Used with

See the value of just going

unbelievable. The acceleration

a little further, and the great

and increase will be great. Keep

significance of each small step

on going – just a little further.

permission.

Unlocking a Supernatural Harvest

God’s blessings don’t come when we simply “name it and claim it”. God wants to pour out His blessings, but we will reap a supernatural harvest only if we sow, says Rev David Doery, one of the speakers for Trinity’s Church Camp 2008.

IN LIFE, nothing happens by chance. Everything that happens in life happens as a consequence of our decisions and our actions. When my father taught me how to drive a car, he showed me the brakes, the accelerator and the steering wheel, and he said, “David, always remember that this car will only do what you make it do. It will only turn a corner if you turn the steering wheel, it will only stop if you put your foot on the brakes and it will only go faster if you put your foot on the accelerator. The car does not have a mind of its own. It is determined by your actions.”

33

This principle holds true in all areas of life. The

in his heart that there will be a crop. But you and I

life that you live today is a consequence of your

know that the farmer is foolish if he expects a crop

decisions and actions yesterday. The life that you

but has not planted seed.

will enjoy tomorrow will be a consequence of your decisions and actions today. Some people may ask, “Why is this person blessed? Does God

B If you want to see a large crop, you must plant many seeds.

have favourites?” The answer is no. God does

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap

not have favourites. He just has some children

sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap

who understand the principles of life and the

generously.” - 2 Corinthians 9:6

principles of the Kingdom.

What you reap will always be In a nutshell, this is the principle of

in proportion to what you have

sowing and reaping:

sown. Whatever you sow, God will multiply it such that it will be more

A You will not reap unless you

than what you have sown, but

sow.

it will always be in proportion to

Do not be deceived: God cannot be

what you have sown. If you want

mocked. A man reaps what he sows.

to see the miraculous and the

The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. - Galatians 6:7-8 Nothing happens by chance. When

We need to keep sowing massive amounts of seeds of faith so that miracles can be reaped.

supernatural breakthrough in your life and in the Kingdom of God, you must understand the principle of sowing seeds. God is a God who wants to pour out His supernatural blessings. God is a God of blessing and not scarcity, but He will not

you sow, you will reap. You reap

pour out His blessings if we do not

what you have already sown. There

sow seeds.

would be nothing more foolish than a farmer who

34

looks over his field and expects a crop if he has not

I thank God that Trinity Christian Centre is not a

sowed seed. He can want a crop, pray for a crop,

church that plants one little seed here and another

sing songs about a crop, write, dream and believe

little seed there; you are a church that is throwing

multiple seed out. It is so exciting to see you as a church trusting God and sowing seeds in the community and in the world. The more seed you sow, the greater the harvest that will ultimately come

It was not a random miracle or accidental blessing. It was a case of sowing and reaping.

through. We need to keep sowing massive amounts of seeds of faith so that miracles can be reaped. of sowing and reaping. To unlock a supernatural How to unlock a supernatural harvest

harvest like the one this woman experienced, you

In 2 Kings 4:1-7, we read of the widow who came

and I need to bring some things to God.

to Elisha for help. Here was a woman who was in an incredibly tough situation. Her husband was dead

1 Bring to God your full attention

and she was in absolute poverty and hopelessness.

The woman brought to God her

She had to sell her sons into slavery just to survive.

full attention. She sought out

But by the end of the story, there was a complete

the company of prophets, found

turnaround. This is what God wants to do in the

them and came before Elisha. She

life of every man, woman and church. Our God is

didn’t let her faith and vision fall to the ground. She

a God of the turnaround - from poverty to provision

was not overcome by negativity and pessimism.

and abundance, from hopelessness to joy and

She didn’t fall into despair or try to manipulate the

absolute faith. When God finds you in a place of

circumstances. This woman knew that the answer

great need, He will not leave you there. It is not the

to her need was to find the Word of the Lord. So she

will of God for us to stay in a place of great need.

went and found the prophet Elisha. She was not

Yes, there are times that He will expose us to need,

passive but active. She did not wait for God to find

but His purpose is not that we would be overcome

her.

by it, but that we would rise up above it.

The Bible tells us clearly that we will find God The danger sometimes is that we look at this story

when we seek for Him with all our hearts (Jeremiah

and think that God just decided to come along and

29:13). God seeks for those who seek after Him. God

bless the woman by doing something fantastic. The

reaches out to those who reach for Him. God listens

truth is that God was only able to respond according

for those who are listening for Him. 2 Chronicles

to what the woman gave that day. It was not a

16:9 says, “The eyes of the Lord range throughout

random miracle or accidental blessing. It was a case

the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are

35

fully committed to Him.” Who does God look for?

But then she thought again and said “… except

Those who are looking for God and desperate

a little oil.” And she brought to the prophet the

to find Him. Are you really desperate for God’s

little that she had. One of the greatest principles

breakthrough and provision, or are you just a casual

for breaking through in the miraculous is to

seeker? Is your seeking passive or active?

understand that the little that we have, when given into the hands of Jesus, will be translated

I constantly lose my keys. If I lose them at night, I

into incredible abundance. You always have

am a little bit concerned but not too troubled if I

something and God wants that little something.

can’t find them. I just go to bed and tell myself that I will look for them in the morning. But if I haven’t

I used to think that to be used by God or to

found my keys by morning, when I need to get

experience something from God, I had to have

on the highway before the peak hour traffic, I

something impressive. I thought that I would

look for my keys like a mad man on a mission. I

see the supernatural hand of God only if I had

burst into every room and turn over pillows looking

studied hard enough or was good enough or was

for them. I don’t care who’s still asleep. I move from

recognised enough. But that is not true. The gospel

being just a ‘seeker’ to become a real ‘Seeker’. Every

is ‘come just as you are.’ Bring the little that you do

time you come for a corporate worship service, I

have and put it into the hands of God. The devil will

encourage you to make a decision to be a ‘Seeker

try to confuse and overwhelm you and tell you that

of God’, so that God can look down and say, “Here

you are not good enough or that you don’t have

is a people who are really seeking after Me, and so

enough faith to see God move powerfully in your

here’s where I’ll pour out My blessing.”

life. The devil will try and tell you that you’ve got nothing to give to God that will release

2 Bring to God the little that you have In 2 Kings 4:2, Elisha asked the

the supernatural. But the truth is, we all have something to give to God. You never have nothing!

widow, “How can I help you? Tell

36

me, what do you have in your

In Exodus 4, God wanted to deliver His people and

house?” The prophet refused

bring them out of slavery into the Promised Land.

to allow this woman to be passive. Elisha made a

He comes to Moses and tells him that He has heard

demand on her when she thought she had nothing.

the cry of His people and He is going to bring His

Her instant response was that she had nothing.

people out. He tells Moses that He is going to use

him to do it. God wanted to do a miracle but

could not go into battle in it because that was not

before He could do it, He needed somebody’s

who he was; that was not his faith and those were

obedience – somebody who would cooperate

not his seeds. When you want God to work a miracle

with His plan. Moses was reluctant and asked,

in your life, you’ve got to plant your seeds. You can’t

“What if they do not believe me?” God answered by

hide under someone else’s faith. David found his

asking a question: “Moses, what have you got in your

seed. What did David have in his hand? He didn’t

hand?” Moses had his staff – something he used to

have a shield or sword but he knew how to use a

herd and protect the sheep. It wasn’t much, but he

sling. So he brought his sling, five pebbles and a

gave that staff to God. When he threw it down, it

staff. It wasn’t much but he went before Goliath

turned into a serpent. This was the

with them. Goliath mocked him:

miraculous sign for the elders and

“Am I a dog that you come to me

for Pharaoh. Later, when Moses lifted the staff at the Red Sea, the waters parted. When we give God the little thing that we have, He works a miracle through it.

God always wants to work a miracle and to break into our

When you want God to work a miracle in your life, you’ve got to plant your seeds.

You can’t hide under someone else’s faith.

with sticks and stones?” But David did not despise the small things he had. He put the pebble into the sling, wound it up and let it go… and we know the rest of the story.

It is not our ability, our strength or intelligence. It is not by might

lives. We see this principle time

nor by power but by His Spirit.

and time again in Scripture. In 1

But first, we must give the

Samuel 17, the army of God faced the army of the

little that we have. What is it that you’ve got? We

Philistines, and they were frozen in fear. God wanted

sometimes say we have nothing, but the truth is,

to bring victory, but before He could do that, He

we never have nothing. Even Paul and Silas, having

needed someone who understood that you have to

been beaten, stripped and chained in the dungeon,

do more than just believe and pray; you actually

had something. They had some praise. We are

have to sow acts of faith. So God found David, a

told in Acts 16:25 that Paul and Silas were praying

young shepherd boy who had faith in his heart. Saul

and singing hymns to God. It wasn’t much – just a

looked at David and said, “But you’ve got nothing!”

little song and a little prayer but it was a seed and

Saul tried to dress David up in his armour but David

suddenly, there was a violent earthquake. All the

37

chains fell off and the prison doors flew open. It

that He would – if we would go out and preach the

started because they planted a small seed which

gospel, reach out to our friends and bring them to

God took hold of and did something supernatural

the worship service where they can sit under the

with it.

power of His Spirit.

If you want to see breakthrough and the

When we cry out to God to heal the sick, God says

miraculous poured out into your life, you have

that He would – if we would lay our hands upon

to do more than just wanting and believing in

them, anoint them with oil and pray in faith.

God’s goodness. You must plant a seed and give

When we pray for provision, God tells us that He

God something for Him to work. Just as the land

would bless us and open up the windows of heaven

demands a seed, God demands acts of faith. To see

– but first, we must tithe, give and sow some seed

financial increase in our lives, we must sow in giving.

for God to multiply.

What can you bring? Bring Him your whole heart and be a seeker of God. Bring Him whatever it is that

Whenever we do these things, the seed we sow

you can bring.

goes into the ground of God’s faithfulness. The good news is that a crop will come because He is

3 Bring to God your complete obedience

a faithful God. Ultimately, sowing and reaping is an

The woman cried out to the

act of faith in the faithfulness of God. Are you ready

prophet, received instructions

to reap a supernatural harvest in your life?

from him, and then she did everything that the prophet asked her to. It was quite simple. Elisha simply told her to

Rev David Doery is Senior Pastor of the 1500-strong

ask her neighbours for empty jars, and then pour

Richmond Assembly of God in Melbourne, Australia.

out the oil into the jars. There was actually nothing supernatural about her act – it was just an act of obedience. It was simple, but she just had to do it.

Be willing to obey whatever God says to do. When we do what God asks us to do, the miraculous will start flowing. God will do it if we will.

When we cry out to God to save souls, God says

38

Were you blessed by this article? Tell us about it! SMS <Trinity>space<your comments> to 77177 or email we_are_ trinitarians@trinity.org.sg.

A T R I N I TA R I A N T R A D I T I O N :

A Faith Promise Making a Faith Promise is a wonderful adventure of faith, and an amazing experience of seeing God’s provision poured out upon you and through you.

What is a Faith Promise?

A Faith Promise is a faith commitment between you and God, where you ask the Lord how much He wants you to give towards His Kingdom in the coming year, and then trust Him for it throughout the year until it comes. The faith promise is not based on money that you already have on hand. Rather, it is made by faith, believing that God will somehow provide the amount through you.

In His covenant with Abraham, God said that through Abraham’s descendants, “all peoples of the earth would be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). As believers in Jesus Christ, we are Abraham’s spiritual descendants, and a missions Faith Promise is a practical and tangible way for us to be a blessing to the nations.

The central idea here is that of being a conduit or channel of blessing. The provision is not for you alone; rather, it is channelled through you for the extension of His Kingdom. One definition of faith promise giving is “money that God will give through you that He might never give to you if He saw He could not trust you to pass it on to others.”

How is a Faith Promise made?

In Trinity, we have two opportunities every year to make a Faith Promise – during our Missions Convention in March and during our Vision Rally in September. While

39

the first faith promise goes

ownership over us and everything we have, and

towards missions, the latter goes

return to him the tithe in obedience. In a Faith

toward the building fund.

Promise, we promise to give over and above our tithe, stepping out in faith and trusting God to make

During that weekend, you will receive a Faith

it possible for us to fulfill our commitment.

Promise card together with your church bulletin.

The host pastor will usually direct everyone to fill in

A Faith Promise is not a pledge.

their particulars on the card first, without indicating

A Faith Promise is between you and God. No one will

any amount. Towards the end of the sermon, the

ask you for it. The church will never send you a bill. It

pastor will lead you to pray and seek God for the

is not a pledge for which you are responsible to pay.

amount He wants to believe Him for. You fill in your

A Faith Promise is a partnership between you and

card, indicating either a monthly amount or a one-

God. As God blesses you, you promise to release and

time, lump-sum amount, before handing it to the

direct the funds towards His Kingdom purposes.

celebration host for it to be tallied along with all the other faith promises.

However, we indicate our name and particulars to show that we are serious about our commitment.

A sense of anticipation grows as the amounts from

It is an opportunity to express your faith and say to

the various age groups and language services –

Him, “Lord, I want to be Your channel of blessing.

including children and IGNYTE - are read out over the

You can entrust Your provision to me. You can count

pulpit. As the amount snowballs into a consolidated

on me to sow it into the Kingdom!”

Faith Promise representing the faith level of the entire Trinity Family, everyone is awed and amazed by what God does when we put our faith together as one. Those witnessing this tradition for the first time – visitors, friends of Trinity and our conference delegates from overseas – are especially impacted.

If this is your first time participating in a financial miracle in this House, here’s what you need to know: A Faith Promise is not a tithe.

A faith promise is made over and above your tithe and offerings. In tithing, we acknowledge God’s

40

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” – Luke 6:38

A Faith Promise is an opportunity

Have you ever in your life

for God to provide through you.

given a Faith Promise?

God’s provision is proportionate to –

Or have you only given a cash

and greater than – our giving to Him.

offering? It doesn’t require any

Luke 6:38 tells us, “Give and it will be

faith to give a cash offering. If I

given to you. A good measure, pressed

have a dollar in my pocket, all I have to do is to tell my

down, shaken together and running over,

hand to go into my pocket, find the dollar, take it out

will be poured into your lap. For with the

and put it on the plate. I don’t have to pray about it. I

measure you use, it will be measured to

don’t have to ask God for it. I don’t have to trust Him

you.”

for any definite amount. I just have to give it.

There are many ways in which God will

If we do not promise a certain amount, we don’t have

provide. God may increase your income,

to trust God for anything. If it comes in, we give it.

decrease your expenses, or He may

Because there is no need to exercise faith, there is no

lead you to make certain sacrifices so

burden, no responsibility. But with a Faith Promise,

that you may fulfill your Faith Promise.

it is entirely different. I have to pray about it and ask God how much He would have me give, and then

Embark on a Spirit-led adventure!

trust Him for it, and month by month go to Him in

Our giving demonstrates our love for

prayer and ask Him for the amount promised, and

God and for His Kingdom. Someone once

wait upon Him until it comes in.

said, “You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” A

Have you given such an offering? If not, do it and you

Faith Promise makes your giving strategic

will be amazed at the way God will bless you.

rather than sporadic, and catapults it

- Dr Oswald J. Smith

into the realm of Spirit-led faith and adventure.

It is exciting to be God’s channel of provision. Many Trinitarians have experienced God’s remarkable provision

Dr Oswald J. Smith is believed to be the originator of the idea of a Faith Promise for missions. For many years, he pastored the Peoples Church in Toronto, Canada, where he challenged the congregation to raise $1 for missions for every $1 that they spent on themselves.

in miraculous and unexpected ways.

You can too!

41

“We simply can’t out-give God!”

I have been praying for wisdom in handling my finances.

After hearing a fellow Trinitarian testify at the 2006 Watchnight Service about how God blessed her and her family in their financial difficulties, I started praying for God’s blessing and claiming the promises of God in this area.

Three months later, during the 2007 Missions Convention weekend, I wanted to fill up the card with my ‘usual standard amount’ at the beginning of the service. But there was something stirring in my heart and I didn’t do it. Half way through the sermon, again, I wanted to write down the amount but did not. I started praying and God showed me a figure. My first thought was, “Wow, it can’t be!” It was four times more than my ‘standard’ amount.

But the Holy Spirit continued to stir in me and I finally made that faith promise.

These Trinitarians experienced the amazing provision of God as they embarked on the adventure of making a faith promise.

The very next day, something amazing and unexpected happened. My boss informed me that I had been promoted. My salary was increased to the same amount as my faith promise! And I was given the company car to use – inclusive of the cost of petrol! I am so grateful for God’s provision for my family. Indeed, we serve a faithful God and we can NEVER out-give God! Jenny Lee, resident manager As soon as I saw the faith promise card at the Missions Convention weekend, I wondered what amount I should write. I struggled with these thoughts: I am just a domestic helper. How was I going to fulfill it? At that moment, the pastor told us not to worry about the amount; just obey God and write it down, and God will do the rest. He is our Provider, He knows all our needs. So I obeyed God and wrote down an amount.

Believe it or not, the next day my sister called me from Sri Lanka. Three years ago, she had borrowed some money

42

from me but had not paid me back. Whenever

Whenever I made a faith promise, I would always wonder

I asked her for it, she would give excuses, so I

if I could fulfill it. This year God showed me that with His

grew tired of asking and gave up. But this time,

empowerment, it is indeed possible to fulfill my faith

she herself called me and said she will pay

promise. During Vision Month in 2007, the guest speaker

me back the amount in monthly installments.

challenged us to ‘go a little further’. I wrote down a figure

What a surprise! The monthly amount

on the faith promise card, but at the same time, I wondered

she promised me was the exact monthly

how I could actually fulfill it as my job doesn’t come with a

amount that I had written on my faith

year-end bonus.

promise card! Isn’t God good? It’s so easy – just believe Him, and obey Him. Praise God! Ayomi Rajakaruna, domestic helper

Two months later, in November, my manager informed me of a new assignment, which would enable me to earn three-quarters of my faith promise amount! This

A couple of years ago, my wife Keah and I made a 5-figure faith promise towards

4-week assignment was not easy; it was challenging both physically and professionally. But God saw me through.

God’s work in missions. That year, because of difficult market conditions, my company did not award any performance bonuses.

So we knew we needed a miracle to fulfill our faith promise. In the end, our generous Father gave us more than what we had promised for missions, and His gift came in the most amazing way!

After the assignment ended, I thought that I would have to top up the remaining amount as I did not foresee myself having any new assignments. However, in mid December, my manager called me again, asking if I could take over some classes in the first two weeks of January. Through this, I was able to earn the remaining amount for my faith promise! This has truly been a faith adventure and a journey of discovering that God sees to all my needs even

I received an email from my HR department about some stocks awarded to me. These

when I waver in my faith. Thank You, God! Joy Yew, music teacher

stocks were awarded to me after I had left the company (I had worked the company

I wasn’t sure whether I would be able to fulfill my faith

for15 years, left and then rejoined after

promise, but I made it in faith anyway. Later, I received a

three years). It was unbelievable that I

merit increment from my company. It came as a surprise as

was awarded the stocks even though I

the company was not doing well then. The most amazing

was not working for the company during

thing was, it was the same amount as my faith promise,

that time! (An employee who leaves the

and best of all, I was promoted at the same time! Praise

company usually has his unvested options or

God for His provision!

stock awards cancelled.) The value of these stocks was four times more than our faith

Iris Lam, senior quality service co-ordinator

promise amount! Isn’t our God amazing?

Lawrence Yeo, senior investment finance specialist

43

An interview with Pastor Dominic

A Peek into the Future magazine catches Rev Dominic Yeo for a chat. Our agenda: To tap his mind, look through his eyes and see what’s ahead for Trinity in this year of 2008.

B

efore we talk about 2008, tell us about the past year. 2007 was declared as a year of multiplication and great increase. How did the year pan out for Trinity?

The year was fantastic – just as the Lord had promised! God showed us that it would be a year where He would release the double portion and the hundred-fold to His people. Many Trinitarians who listened intently and embraced this promise experienced a multiplication of finances, influence, relationships and the blessings of God. You will read some of the amazing testimonies in this issue of the Trinitarian magazine.

At the corporate level: • Trinity multiplied into two centres at the start of 2007. We multiplied into strength and not into weakness. We saw record numbers of first-time visitors at both centres, and we crossed the threshold of 5500 in attendance.

44

Average Attendance – December 2006 to January 2008

a result, its sphere of influence has expanded to Changi Women’s Prison, and the number of prison inmates helped and

5500

impacted by CCSS increased from 160 to more than 1600 – a great ten-fold increase, 5000

all within a year. Hallelujah!

• It was also an unprecedented year at DEC 06/ JAN 07

FEB 07/ MAR 07

APR 07/ MAY 07

JUN 07/ JUL 07

AUG 07/ SEP 07

OCT 07/ NOV 07

DEC 07/ JAN 08

TCA College, which saw the establishment its Schools of Creative Arts, Counselling and Leadership. To top it off, TCA College

• We also saw an unprecedented missons harvest. We

became the first and only institution in

reaped a total of 3041 salvations and decisions through

Asia to be validated by a U.K. university.

29 Missions Impact Trips.

This means most TCA College programmes are recognised internationally as a U.K.

• We experienced God’s favour on Care Community Services Society (CCSS). CCSS was adopted once again

degree, and our graduates are on par with graduates from any other University.

by the Dairy Farm Group, and was awarded the privilege of running The Re-Settlement Project at two prisons. As

So it was truly a year of great increase!

45

An interview with Pastor Dominic

Y

ou have declared 2008 to be a year of new beginnings. In what way do you think it will be a year of new beginnings for Trinity?

It will be a year of new beginnings in that: â&#x20AC;˘ God will make new and refresh our relationship with Him. It will be a year of rediscovering prayer, rediscovering the excitement of reading the Word, rediscovering His splendour in our worship, and aligning our lives to Him. There will be a freshness that draws us to a greater relationship with God, to bring us into the next level of intimacy with Him. â&#x20AC;˘ God will also do things that have not been done or seen before. He will birth new things, new infrastructure that will bring us into the next few years. We will see the restructuring and repositioning people and systems, putting the right people in the right place. There will also be the remaking and renewing of our worship services: the format and style of our services, the look and feel of our Guest Reception, and so on.

Not all of these will manifest within this year, but the infrastructure will be birthed this year. We will then see the manifestations in the next few years. What God is building and leading us toward is far beyond what we can imagine. The new things He does among us will refresh the spirit and heart of the church, to remake us and to replenish us, so that at His appointed time, we will be able to enter into our inheritance in full measure.

46

W

hat are your plans for Trinity in 2008?

We began the year with the multiplication of

Connecting with everyone in the church as well

services at Trinity@Paya Lebar. We started an

as with the lost.

additional service for adults, IGNYTE and pre-teens on Saturdays at Trinity@

• In 2007, He further showed me (and I shared it

Paya Lebar. In the coming months,

with the church) that Caring and Connecting

we will get the congregation

is God’s idea. God loves to care

ready for the new

and connect with us. Jesus

3000-seat auditorium

cared and connected to usher

which will be ready by the

in the Kingdom of God, and the

last quarter of 2008.

disciples cared and connected to further the ministry of Christ.

Sometime this year, we

That which Jesus ushered in

will multiply the services at Trinity@Adam. We will also start planning towards renewing Trinity@Adam, to create new facilities and meet the needs of the growing congregation.

Overall, we will definitely continue to build our Culture

and the disciples furthered, is in our hands today. The baton is now in our hands! God is now calling every Trinitarian to care and connect with people. There are three key expressions by which we care and connect with people: • Bring a friend, connect the friend • Find a need, meet the need • See a potential, develop the potential

of Care & Connect.

There are many practical platforms for us to do so – through our worship service and sermon

• I shared in a previous interview that God gave us

series, through carecells, through Care Community

this revelation more than a year ago, in December

Services Society, and through missions. (Talking

2006, and I shared it during the Watchnight

about missions, you will read in this issue how

Service that year. He showed me that He wants

Trinitarians are caring and connecting through

Trinity to have a Culture of Caring and

missions; it is simply awesome!)

47

An interview with Pastor Dominic

On the home front, both my wife Chin Inn and I are believing for great breakthrough and success for our children. My daughter Natalie is doing her ‘O’ levels this year, so I hope she will do well in her studies. Matthaeus has started secondary school, and my prayer is that he will adjust well and excel in secondary school.

O

n a personal note, what are your aspirations for the year?

Personally, I aim to grow spiritually this year. Like any other Trinitarian, I want to rediscover the joy and delight of communing with God, to renew my excitement of reading His Word, to rediscover His splendour in worship, and enter into the next level of intimacy with God. I am also asking God for His wisdom to lead me as I lead the church; this has been my constant request and prayer!

I always encourage Trinitarians to adopt a lifelong learning posture, and likewise, I am pursuing my Masters of Arts in Organisational Leadership with Azusa Pacific University and TCA College. This will be my second year in the programme, and I have something like 14 more subjects to go! It takes a lot of discipline as I need to complete one term paper every three weeks (all your prayers are greatly appreciated!)

48

In terms of leadership renewal, I hope to see a large number of our leaders and sectional leaders come into our one-year Ministry Internship programme. It is tailor-made to develop God’s strategic leaders for the church and the marketplace. This is crucial for the renewal of leadership in the church, which is another dimension of “new beginnings” that I am believing God for. So leaders and SLs, if you are reading this, allow God to stir you and fan into flame the giftings He has placed in you. Let this be the year where you arise to fulfill your highest potential!

Trinitarian magazine comes face to face with Trinitarians who embody Trinity’s Vision, Values and Culture of Care & Connect.

F

Fashion Fusion Fashion entrepreneurs James

Brigid Pang was all of 18 when a friend invited her to Trinity Christian Centre. “I wasn’t good in my studies, and I remember asking God to guide me in my career. I had no idea what I was good at. I told Him that I would follow whatever direction He gave me.”

Her prayer was soon answered. She discovered that she loved fabrics and was captivated by them. A few years later, she started her own business, a small boutique in an old suburban mall. But as the business got underway, she got busy and stopped coming to church. “I

and Brigid Chong live, work

knew God was with me all along,” she says.

and go on Missions Impact

“But I was handling the business my own way,

Trips together. They tell

without biblical principles to guide me.”

Trinitarian magazine how God

Things continued this way for 10 years until

has weaved synergy into their

she came back to Trinity in 1998. “God was

marriage, and faith into their

blessing my business, even though I wasn’t walking with Him. I could only imagine what

business enterprise. God’s divine

would happen if I walked Him. Surely the

handiwork has turned out as

blessing would be multiplied!” True enough,

exquisite as the embroidered cheongsams they sell.

business got even better. Hers was the smallest shop in the old building, yet she did a roaring trade. That first taste of God-given

49

success got her ‘hooked’. “I realised that my own efforts could only achieve so much. I stopped working 24/7. Going to church became my way of taking a break; in fact, it was even better than going for a holiday! Being in God’s presence refreshed me and gave me ‘fuel’ for the week. Once I had a taste of it, I became very hungry for the Lord.”

So hungry was she for more of God that she promptly called Trinity’s church office to find the carecell nearest her home. Through the carecell, she grew in her relationship with God, and became a spiritual parent. Sometime later, she was asked to be a carecell leader. At that point, she asked God to show her that He was real. “I told God, ‘God, I will serve you but I need you to do something for my husband.’”

Her husband James had come to church with her a couple of times, just to please her. He sometimes slipped out of the service midway. “There was once when he left the service half-way, and I later found him at the Turf Club!” she recalls, shaking her head at the recollection.

Surprise, surprise

I knew I had to step out of my comfort zone and get into the “new economy”, but I didn’t know how.

But God kept His side of the bargain.

James remembers that particular Sunday vividly. “We were at a Trinity celebration service, and something in the message touched my heart. I didn’t know what made me go to the altar, but I did. Only later did I realise that it was an altar call for salvation!”

Then came her birthday. The carecell asked him to show up in carecell as her birthday surprise. It turned out to be a wonderful surprise for

50

Brigid. “They told me that they had a surprise for me.

Upon returning from the camp, she decided that

When I turned around, there he was!”

they needed to make a trip to China. Her youngest sister and her husband were based in Shanghai and

The collaboration broke the ice between James

had repeatedly invited them to visit. “This time,

and the carecell. He began to join them for tennis

I just knew that it was the thing to do. We just had

games and other fun activities, and later, for church

to make the trip.” On that trip, they stepped into

camp. “At the church camp, I was astounded

a wholesale centre selling clothes and fabrics. The

by the incredible unity that I saw among the

moment they stepped into the wholesale centre,

carecell. I told my wife, I have never seen this

she sensed that “there was something about that

kind of bonding and care, not even among family

place”. Then her sister chanced upon an Oriental-

members!”

style jacket, and insisted that Brigid put it on. “I wasn’t very keen, but the moment I put on that

James gave his life to God fully. By God’s grace, he

jacket, I felt very good about it. I don’t know how

walked away from his gambling and smoking habits

else to describe it… it just felt right! There and

with nary a struggle.

then, I had a flashback of the prophetic word given to me, and I knew God was directing me and giving

More changes were afoot. Career-wise, Brigid felt the

me His confirmation.”

need for an extreme makeover. “My little boutique in an old mall had become my world. It was an old-

On the spot, her brother-in-law casually remarked,

economy shop, and I felt like I was stuck in the past.

“Why don’t you start a niche shop selling Oriental

I knew I had to step out of my comfort zone and get

jackets and cheongsam?” Things fell into place very

into the “new economy”, but I didn’t know how. So I

quickly upon their return to Singapore. Without

asked God to help me break out of it.”

much ado, they went to Holland Village to scout around for available retail space. All the shops at

Extreme makeover

The Windmill mall were occupied, but they chanced

Her breakthrough came during a district camp in

upon a shop which was closed. “This shop will

Trinity. She received a prophetic word that she

be ours!” Brigid declared in a burst of audacious

would do things that had never been done before,

fervour. They checked with the management and

and that she would go where no one had gone

true enough, the shop lease had run out and that

before. It definitely spoke of a ‘new beginning’ for her.

the tenant was vacating the shop very soon.

51

Within three months of their China trip, everything was sealed. “Things happened so quickly, it had to be God! The most scary part was when we signed the two-year lease. That was the point of no return,” James recalls. “Prior to signing the lease, we prayed,

They have reached a place of appreciating and maximising each other’s strengths.

and our carecell prayed along with us too. We didn’t hear anything specific from the Lord, but something within just told us that we had to walk in faith.

So we decided to trust God and go for it.”

Two to tango Until that time, James had been working as a regional manager for an American company for 11 years. Then the company in the States wound up, and he found himself without a job. He drifted along for a few months before deciding that he

different styles and our own way of doing things. We

was interested in retail management, and that he

didn’t know that we could not relate to each other

would join Brigid to run the business. But neither

as husband and wife in the business. It was only

had reckoned that working together as husband-

later that we realised that we had to be partners at

and-wife would be so challenging. “I was very lost

work, and craft out our roles accordingly.”

at first. I was new to the business and had no idea how I could be of help to Brigid,” says James.

Today, after a good five years in the business, teamwork comes naturally. It is a partnership and a

“The first two years were tough. I knew that God

synergy forged in the crucible of conflict. They have

wanted James in charge of the business, but I was so

reached a place of appreciating and maximising

used to running the show. What was worse, he had

each other’s strengths. James liaises with suppliers

zero experience in retail! I could not see how he could

and vendors, freeing Brigid to concentrate on what

be in charge. So I struggled to let go. Those two years

she does best – fashion design and customer service.

were full of frustration for both of us,” recalls Brigid.

Brigid explains, “James brings stability, integrity and structure to the business. That is his strength. My

52

Even a simple feedback from a customer would

strength is in the more creative things, so that’s what

bring out their differences to the fore. “We had very

I focus on. I leave everything else to him!”

The couple, who have been married for 12 years,

result, life hasn’t quite been the same since! My Time

also share a passion for touching lives through

Alone with God is now deeper and more focused.

Missions Impact Trips. Their most recent trip further

Walking with the Lord has become my first

strengthened their synergy and partnership. Brigid

priority and lifestyle. I have become quieter,

saw James in action, and what she saw caused

more confident, emotionally whole, and filled with

her to see him in a different light. “Going on this

His love and peace.”

trip with my husband opened my eyes to a side of him that I had not seen before. He was like a fish released into the sea! I witnessed how he carried the heart of Christ for ministry, how he flowed in receiving God’s revelation, and how God used him to impact the men in the churches there. Now I see him through new eyes, and have a deeper respect for him,” admits Brigid.

Journey mercies Personally, she benefited tremendously from the Missions Impact Trip. As the missions impact team

James enthuses, “It is in our

learnt to exercise their spiritual authority in Christ

heart to go for a Missions

through prayerwalking and spiritual mapping,

Impact Trip at least once a

Brigid gained confidence in her spiritual authority as

year. We feel this is what the

a child of God. “I used to have a fear of flying, panic

Lord wants us to do, and

attacks, night terror and other types of fears. But on

it is an exciting adventure

this trip, I saw how the pastors and my fellow team

with the Lord. Going on

members rebuke the spirit of fear. I took authority

a Missions Impact Trip is

over my own fears and intimidating thoughts, and

just like living in the days

they disappeared! Going to bed at night, sleeping

of the Book of Acts!”

and waking up is no longer a battle. Praise the Lord!”

Faith venture She also experienced a greater intimacy with God.

Their entire business venture has been a faith

“This trip was very unique. I felt the Lord drawing

adventure with God. It has been a journey of trusting

me to Himself in a gentle yet powerful way. As a

God to provide for them as they honour Him.

53

During the early days of the business, James felt like he was on an emotional rollercoaster. His moods followed the sales performance of the day – happy when business was good, and down when business dipped.

Then one day, he just had this thought: “I must

It is evident that above

We definitely won’t lose out if we put God first.

The Lord will build our house and our business.

their passion for fashion and retail management, the couple carry a Passionate Honour for God. “We take pleasure in honouring God. When we honour God, He never fails to honour us,” says James matter-of-factly.

understand the provision of God. The provision

Brigid chips in, “Matthew 6:33 is very clear – we

of God is not measured by the sales figures of

definitely won’t lose out if we put God first. The Lord

the day. Even when the sales are low, I can still give

will build our house and our business.”

thanks to God. I will never have the joy of God until I capture the truth of Habakkuk 3:17-18: “Even when

Their faith was tested – and rewarded – recently just

there are no sheep in the field, and no cattle in the

before they took off for their Missions Impact Trip to

stalls … I will still be joyful in God my Saviour.” At

Cochin and Trivandrum, India. Just prior to the trip,

a Trinity worship service, Pastor Dominic quoted

some stock discrepancies cropped up, and they had

the exact same verse, and James felt that God was

to close the shop for four days. “By faith, we decided

speaking to him and confirming His word.

to go for the mission trip anyway. We left for the trip with the assurance that the Lord will pay us back

Trusting God as their Provider enabled them to

many-fold what we ‘lose’ for His Kingdom’s sake.”

do the ‘unthinkable’, like closing the shop on

54

Friday nights – a prime time slot for shopping

The ‘returns’ were immediate. While they were away

– just so that they could be at carecell. “At first, we

on the trip, a shopping mall manager came by. This

thought we could just employ someone to man the

shopping mall manager was different from the others

shop during the times when we had to be in church

they had met. She wanted to hand-pick her tenants,

or carecell. But we were not able to find a staff! So

and saw potential in their niche business. “She was

we simply closed the shop on Friday nights. Our

captivated by our products, and wanted to help us

hearts just wanted to honour God. Later, we were

build our business. She offered us an excellent

able to employ someone and were able to keep the

location for our new shop – in a megamall, just

shop open on Friday nights.”

beside a hypermart!” Brigid exclaims.

It was a breakthrough they had been praying for.

Brigid admits, “At first, I questioned the concept of

For two years, they had bid for shop space but to no

a niche shop. I felt that we were too specialised, too

avail. “We have been looking around and applying

niche and too limited. It was only later that I realised

for shop space, but without success. Now, while we

that God has led us to ride a new wave in fashion.

were away doing the Lord’s business, God has

‘Oriental chic’ is a whole new lifestyle trend, and a

opened a door for us – without any effort on our

totally new market. We followed God’s direction,

part. God is truly faithful and His timing is perfect!”

and we are now reaping the benefits of it.”

The couple attest that being in Trinity has helped them walk in their destiny as entrepreneurs and as a couple. Brigid says, “I really want to thank the pastors and sectional leaders in Trinity for believing in us, and walking with us in this journey of faith. We couldn’t have done this on our own. It has been a real blessing to be part of the Trinity

Brisk and bright

family!”

These days, business is brisk, and with the upcoming expansion, the future looks bright. Their

James sums it up well: “We have learn a lot of truth

arduous uphill journey may be likened to seeing

from the preaching, the teaching, and the pastors

the underside of a tapestry – a random mess of

in Trinity. All this has given us insight, a godly

threads and knots. Now that the tapestry is being

perspective, and a deeper understanding of the

turned over, they are catching a glimpse of the

heart of God. Trinity has helped us align our lives

embroidery for the first time, and it is nothing

to God’s will, and positioned us to experience the

short of stunning. Every intricate detail has been

success of God.”

painstakingly planned and weaved in by the Master Weaver. It is only on hindsight that they realise how

Have a story to tell? Share it with us!

God has positioned them to ride the wave of a new

Email testimonies@trinity.org.sg or

lifestyle trend, way before they could perceive it.

SMS<Trinity> space<your comments> to 77177

55

I’ll never forget...

My “Handphone In our last issue, we helped a lady driver track down her “highway angels”. This time round, Trinitarian magazine was tasked

In these days of high technologyy our and 24/7 connectivity, losing your mobile phone can be more agonising than losing a wallet.

But how do you find a phone you didn’t even realise was lost in the first place? That was what long-time asset manager Chen Tze Hui encountered

to locate an anonymous

on a Sunday morning.

“handphone angel”.

Together with husband and

(Ring ring… earth

daughter, she parked along

calling…)

Chee Hoon Avenue opposite Trinity@Adam. After getting outt of the car, she dropped her Sony Ericsson phone – and didn’t even realise it. She happily attended the service, during which she heard Pastor Dominic preach on the importance of spiritual covering and of being part of the Trinity Family.

After service, as she walked back to the parked car, she found – to her amazement and delight – her handphone, thoughtfully wrapped in a copy of the church bulletin and tucked inconspicously into the car door handle.

Tze Hui says, “Imagine my surprise! The more I thought about it, the more amazed I was. To think that the phone was dropped on a relatively busy road, not taken away by

56

Angel” any passer-by, nor crushed by any passing vehicles, and then found by a fellow Trinitarian, who knew exactly which car to place the phone on. That is a miracle in itself!”

“Some people may think this is really mundane but it proves to me once again our God is real and He is always with us in everything,

because it probably

protecting us and providing for us under

showed that the phone

His covering – just as Pastor Dominic had so

belonged to a Trinitarian

fittingly preached that morning.”

car owner. I guess God knew, and He planned well ahead of me!”

Tze Hui was so thankful for the caring and thoughtful act that she emailed the church

This little saga taught Tze Hui to trust God in both

office to share her story. “I am so grateful to

big and small things. “To me, recovering my mobile

the brother or sister who picked up my phone,

phone is as important as getting that pay rise or

wrapped it up so well with the church bulletin, and

unexpected windfall to fulfill my faith promise.

had God’s discernment to place it on the right car.

If you are reading this today, thank you for what

It is God at work and this is good enough for

you have done!”

me to know He is always with me. So, Father Lord, thank you for this wonderfully orchestrated “Lost

Tze Hui recalls that very morning, just minutes

and Found” miracle, and for encamping Your

before she left home, she had tagged the “We are

angels around me. And thank you, handphone

Trinitarians!” screen cleaner onto her handphone.

angel, for caring and connecting with me…

“Actually I have no idea why I tagged the screen

whoever you are!”

cleaner onto my phone. I was already in a hurry and didn’t have much time to spare. But it was a good thing I attached the screen cleaner to the phone,

Have a story to tell? Share it with us! Email testimonies@ trinity.org.sg or SMS<Trinity> space<your comments> to 77177.

57

Rev Dominic Yeo and Rev Dr Naomi Dowdy were featured in the July/ August 2007 issue of Ministry Today, a US-based publication for pastors and leaders. Here are the articles.

Listen to the Global Church Ministry Today asked successful ministry leaders from several nations to offer counsel to the American church. This is what Rev Dominic Yeo said.

Revivals are happening throughout Asia and the lost are getting saved.

But there are four specific things that God is doing at our church in Singapore.

1 Engaging in the supernatural.

We believe that coming to church is not an obligation or a Sunday outing. Coming to church is about having an active engagement with a living God. Thus church services are facilitated in a way that people encounter God’s presence.

In that vibrant atmosphere even pre-believers are experiencing divine healing, deliverance, prophetic ministry and the manifestation of the gifts of the Spirit. They come face to face with the love, power and reality of God. Instead of being “seekersensitive,” we preach boldly about God’s power – and then we demonstrate it.

Reprinted with permission from Ministry Today, July/August, 2007. Copyright Strang Communications Co., USA. All rights reserved. www.ministrytoday.com Ministry Today is published bimonthly by Strang Communications, a multi-media communications company which also publishes magazines such as Charisma, Christian Life, New Man, Spirit Led Woman, and Christian Retailing.

58

2 Becoming a spiritual parent.

3 Cultivating spiritual passion.

We believe that every believer can be a spiritual parent. Even children as young as 9 years old are being trained and commissioned as junior spiritual parents.

We are intentional about imparting to our children and youth the value of having a passion for God. This includes loving God wholeheartedly and honoring God through worship, giving and serving.

The spiritual parent becomes impregnated with a vision to see his lost family members and friends saved. Through a process of spiritual gestation, he intercedes for their salvation and eventually gives birth to spiritual babies.

Many of our church members are first-generation believers who have faced some measure of family persecution when they first received Christ. As a result of the persecution, many have cultivated a passion for God.

But his parenthood responsibility does not end there. He nurtures them in the faith until the babies grow to become harvest warriors themselves. This results in a movement of spiritual parenting that perpetuates itself from one generation to another.

Because of relationships, those who are saved are more easily assimilated into the local church.

4 Commitment to God and the local church.

We are unapologetic about calling people to live an uncompromising lifestyle and to make an impact for Christ in society. As they serve both physically and financially, they find their place in the corporate body.

Dominic Yeo provides church consultation to senior pastors from many nations.

He is also a mentor and coach to the pastors and leaders at Trinity Christian Centre.

59

Have You Named Your Replacement?

Many gifted church leaders make the foolish mistake of staying in their jobs too long. Trinity’s Resident Apostle, Rev Dr Naomi Dowdy, tells Ministry Today how she selected and trained her successor.

Most ministry leaders don’t think about the dreaded word “successor” until it is too late. They act as if they will live forever. Or they stay in control of their church or organisation until they are so old that it’s too late to train their replacements.

Naomi Dowdy, a veteran church planter who has worked in Asia for decades, decided to buck this trend. She selected her successor, Dominic Yeo, several years ago, trained him and then set him in place in 2005. Yeo’s installation at Trinity Christian Centre in Singapore was an impressive demonstration of the way church leadership is supposed to work – and it gave Dowdy an opportunity to share her secrets with leaders all over the world.

Ministry Today asked Dowdy to download her secrets to us. We think you’ll benefit from her refreshingly practical wisdom.

60

Ministry Today: Why do you think most

Dowdy: The realisation came long before there

pastors don’t consider it a priority to find

was someone available and ready. I took steps to

a successor?

prepare. I had to basically grow my own leaders. This

Dowdy: One reason is tradition. Tradition

required me to break from a traditional approach to

says that a pastor stays with the church until

doing church.

“retirement” –meaning when he or she is too old or too sick to continue.

There were not many Bible school graduates to select from. I knew I needed to begin to develop

Another reason is the old-fashioned attitude that

men and women who could work in every area

says, “I want to die preaching in the pulpit.” In the old

of ministry. I needed those with pastoral skills,

days, ministry was considered to be about preaching

leadership skills and preaching skills. Mostly I was

and was not defined by other expressions. So we had

looking for spiritual sons and daughters who had

this idea that if you really wanted to be successful

the DNA of the church.

you would never stop ministering.

During the 1990s, when I would have our various A third reason is poor planning. Many pastors have

pastoral planning retreats, I would lead our pastors

not planned for another expression of their ministry

into open discussions about their spiritual gifts.

beyond the church they pastor now. Many of them

We talked about what gifts they thought they had

cannot picture themselves sitting around doing

versus what gifts others felt they had. We discussed

nothing in their older years. They have energy, and

their perception of themselves and how it matched

they want to be productive in some way in their

the perception of other team members.

later years.

We asked many questions: Were they able to see, To complicate things, most churches either cannot

from among their peers, who had the gift of apostle,

or have not helped their pastors with financial

prophet, pastor, evangelist or teacher? Could they

planning. How will older ministers pay their bills?

recognise and accept that there were some leaders who had a greater anointing to lead the whole

Ministry Today: You recently handed over

team? Would they be willing to accept and follow

the leadership of your church to Dominic

their leadership?

Yeo. When did you first come to realise that you needed a replacement, and how

This was not a democratic process that involved

did you identify him?

voting; it was a time of dialogue. I could see which

61

leaders were emerging, but it was necessary for the

think just like he or she does, or is there room for the

person to be accepted by their peers when the time

new leader to have a new style?

would come for transition. This was all part of a long

Dowdy: Dominic and I did have some different

process to prepare both the person and the staff for

views in the beginning. However, we worked

new leadership. Of course, they did not know that I

through those early in our relationship, before I was

was doing this.

sure he would become my successor. There were no major differences on methodology or vision,

Without a lot of detail I would give my leadership

because he was a part of the process in developing

team the opportunity to prove themselves in

and fine-tuning our churchâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s core values.

various ministry situations. In other words, I tested

For this reason I know the vision of our church will

them. This gave them experience, exposure, time for

not change. Our methods might need to change as

evaluation and an opportunity to gain confidence.

we grow and as our world changes. I told him that he must always pray, hear from God and then review

Ministry Today: Obviously your

our methods in order to stay on the cutting edge.

congregation had come to love you over a long period of time. How did you help

Ministry Today: Now that you are

them adjust to the idea of a new leader?

travelling a lot, what function do you play

Dowdy: I knew it was necessary to develop new

in the church, and how is the congregation

leaders from within the church. The congregation

responding to you in your new role?

had to begin to love these growing leaders, so

Dowdy: I have always travelled in ministry outside

I had to create ways for the church to experience

my church. We are more than just a local church.

their power and anointing. I would tell the people

We have a global vision, thus we are involved in

how great our pastors were so that I could build

working with churches in many nations. Most of our

confidence in them.

pastors are involved in ministry beyond our church and outside Singapore. That is who we are.

I would also put them in charge of the affairs in the church while I was overseas on ministry trips. These

However, in the earlier years of my pastorate, I did

things were planned with a purpose.

greatly reduce my travel in order to concentrate on our local church and to develop a strong leadership

Ministry Today: Did you and Dominic

base. As our leaders grew, I increased my travel to

have any different views on major issues?

other nations.

Does a pastorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s replacement have to

62

Officially my role and title in the church is that of

Ministry Today: What is the worst thing

resident apostle. I do not involve myself in the daily

that can happen to a church if the pastor

operations of the church – rather, I am a mentor to

just continues to remain in the pulpit and

our leadership team. I continue to work with our new

never trains a replacement?

senior pastor as we mentor the next generation.

Dowdy: There are a couple of “worst” things. The

I am involved in our overseas endeavours, and

pastor can overstay his effectiveness. This can result

I work to expand our outreach and strengthen the

in the church becoming stagnant and drifting into

churches we relate to. I’m also involved in many

maintenance mode. In this condition the church will

areas of ministry, but I don’t lead unless I am asked

probably lose members and become a shadow of

to. The church and the leadership at Trinity Christian

its former self. This would mean that a new pastor

Centre continue to love and honour me, but I don’t

coming in must pick up a church that is on decline

place obligations on them.

and try to reverse the situation, losing years of impact.

I also have the responsibility as the resident apostle to “step in” if the senior pastor falls into sin. In such

The other “worst” thing that happens is when a

a scenario I would have to judge the matter and

pastor without a replacement suddenly dies or just

determine the course of action needed to deal with

gives the church a short notice that he is resigning.

him, and also to lead and guide the church through

This pushes the responsibility and burden of finding

troubled times.

a replacement in a short time onto a group of elders or a church board.

The church has responded well to my transition, and they are flowing with Pastor Dominic and the

Usually they do not know where to begin looking.

leadership team. The church is growing, miracles are

Many times they are not sure what they need to

happening, and our new building is progressing on

look for because they do not fully understand all of

schedule. The church has also responded well to my

the responsibilities, vision, anointing or skills they

new role.

should be considering. They just know they need a preacher.

The major complaint is that I am gone too much, and they want me to reduce my travel so I can stay

This is mostly the way we have done it in the past.

in Singapore more. It is great to know they love me!

Sometimes it works, but more often it does not work. The new leader does not know the church,

63

the people, the community, the vision or the local

a book about them. Let me highlight just a few:

leadership. The new person will usually come with

(1) Failing to consider the person’s character and

his or her own vision, dismantle what is in place and

focusing only on their skills; (2) Passing the baton

build something new.

before the new person is ready; (3) Not preparing the congregation properly for the change; (4) Not

While it is not wrong for a new leader to have a

considering the feelings of the present staff in the

vision, this scenario is a waste of precious time,

process; (5) Not having a clear understanding of the

emotion, energy and spiritual well-being. A total

present pastor’s new role or relationship.

rebuilding should not be necessary unless the church is in really bad shape.

If the younger leader is too eager to take the reins, then that young leader has disqualified himself from

If there is training and development of spiritual

consideration. That kind of an attitude would harm

sons and daughters in the church, then you are able

the church in the long run.

to find a new pastor from within. The new pastor can build upon the foundation already laid and the

Ministry Today: Some churches have a

church will go from glory to glory.

more congregational form of government.

Others have an elder board. How does

Ministry Today: Looking back on your

your model work in these situations,

experience, would you have done

where the senior pastor does not have the authority

anything differently in this transition at

to choose his successor independently?

Trinity Christian Centre?

Dowdy: I did not choose my successor

Dowdy: I can honestly say I would do it the same

independently. I was responsible to choose my

way. I do not have any regrets. I believe we created

successor, but then I brought my choice before our

a good model that other pastors, churches or

board, and they gave the final approval. It did not

businesses can follow in their transitions.

go to the congregation for a vote, but it was not a dictator’s choice either.

Ministry Today: Are there pitfalls to watch out for during the process of handing over

When a congregational government is in place, it

the baton? What happens if the younger

does present more of a challenge. When pastors are

leader is too eager to take the reins?

voted into office it can reduce the selection process

Dowdy: There are so many pitfalls, I could write

64

down to a popular vote. This has never been God’s

way. God chooses and God appoints. In Acts, it

Ministry Today: What will happen if

was the apostles who selected and appointed the

older leaders begin now to identify and

leaders.

train their replacements? How will this affect the kingdom of God?

I believe in accountability, but we must also free the

Dowdy: The church at large would greatly benefit

pastors to fulfill their God-given mandate to lead

if those with successful years of ministry could be

the local congregations. I would highly recommend

released to travel and help mentor existing pastors.

that churches consider making some changes to

While these experienced pastors are still young

their selection process. Seek out someone who

enough and strong enough to be effective, they

would have successfully passed the baton and

could mentor another generation of leaders.

engage them to be a consultant through your

Our society is changing. We must entrust the church

process. This is an area where pastors, churches,

to younger men and women to lead the charge

elders and church boards need some training.

into the future. Yet the younger ones would love to have an experienced mentor to guide them without

Ministry Today: Do you expect Dominic

controlling them. The kingdom of God would be

to take the church further than you did?

powerfully equipped to drive Satan back into the

If so, does that create any tensions?

pit, and welcome the rule and reign of Christ.

Dowdy: I definitely expect Pastor Dominic to take the church further than I have. I expect him to stand on my shoulders and build on

Naomi Dowdy is the resident apostle

the foundations that I laid. Of course, he was part

and former senior pastor of Trinity

of the team that helped me build that foundation.

Christian Centre in Singapore. She

I expect him to be able to have greater and faster

has been dedicated to training

success. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because he can build and expand

pastors and leaders for more than

without having to tear down and rebuild.

30 years. For more information, go to naomidowdy.com.

I told Dominic that if the church goes down in membership or in finances, then I am the failure, not him. Secondly, I asked him: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Who is your successor?â&#x20AC;?

Reprinted with permission from Ministry Today, July/August, 2007.

Copyright Strang Communications Co., USA. All rights reserved. www.ministrytoday.com.

I wanted him to begin his tenure aware that he already needs to be planning for his own successor.

65

Our Leadership Team pastors share a memorable experience, incident or anecdote from their mission impact trips.

An unforgettable moment in missions It was 1988 and I was on my first missions impact trip. For many years up to that point, I had been plagued by a skin problem. The itch was intolerable, especially in warm weather. To get rid of the itch, I had to apply medication that literally burned my skin, leaving scars on my leg.

Indonesian weather is real hot and, guess what, I had forgotten to bring my medication! On the last day of the trip, the team leader prayed for me and I will always remember this part of the prayer: “…for God has given you a clear sign for you to cross over.” (Prior to the trip I had already sensed God speaking to me about full-time ministry.)

Suddenly it dawned on me that the itch was gone, and I didn’t even realise it! Immediately I knew it was God’s sign for me to respond to His call. The itch has never returned since. Till today, every time I see the scars on my leg, I remember how God healed my skin problem as a clear sign for me to cross over and respond to His calling.

Pastor ast Jeffrey Wong Here’s a classic missions blooper! The city: Chennai, India. The year: October 1990. I led a team of 23 Trinitarians to minister at an evangelistic rally. It was Trinity’s maiden mission trip to India, so we went through a very thorough training in Singapore.

On the first day of the rally, three of us ladies (who were the lead singers) stepped out in our white sarees (just as we had been advised by someone) and sang a Tamil song with gusto. There were sniggers and laughter among the crowd, but we could not figure out why.

We were later told that what we sang sounded like ‘Jesus’ skin is peeling’.

We were also told that white sarees are worn only by widows.

Needless to say, we left Chennai without our white sarees!!

Pastor Beatrice Kang

66

Pastor st stor Danny Leong My most unforgettable moment in missions is when I performed in a skit and preached a sermon – for the very first time. It was my first missions impact trip. I was a Sectional Leader then and I assisted Pastor Albert Khor in leading the Missions Impact Team to Thailand.

We had great fun practicing the skit, but I was very nervous preparing for my first sermon. Through the encouragement and prayer of the Senior Pastor of the host church and my fellow team members, I preached the sermon God laid upon my heart, and the people responded to it. I was greatly encouraged!

Pastor Wilson Teo

My most unforgettable moment was my trip to Cambodia. At that point, I had just graduated and started work, and I was serving as a carecell leader.

Our team ministered to Bible School students. They were very hungry for God’s Word and consumed every truth that was taught to them.

The Holy Spirit visited the students through the team’s ministry. Many were refreshed in their walk with God and received a fresh revelation of God’s love.

I was amazed at what God did through yielded vessels like us. It showed me the needs of the nations and that, as a Trinitarian, I can contribute significantly to missions simply by availing myself.

67

An unforgettable moment in n missions

Pastor st Gerald Tan I always look forward to the opportunity to serve the Lord in missions, because each and every missions impact trip is invaluable in both memories and encounters with God. One of my greatest joys is seeing breakthroughs in the life of every team member. I always ask God how each team member (whether youth or adult) can be used by God. Though we may fumble through the times of rehearsals and practices, yet without fail, each team member always rises up to the occasion to be powerfully used by the Lord. My most unforgettable moment is then seeing each one experience their breakthroughs and catching a glimpse of all that they can be for God!

I never thought of going to India; it was a nation totally out of my radar.

But at one Missions Convention, God showed me a sea of children’s faces.

They were Indian faces: big eyes, chubby cheeks, very cute and charming.

They were not smiling but there was a look in their eyes, a look that I cannot describe in words. I simply responded, “God, I will go.”

Guess what? Afterward, I was asked to lead my first missions team, and it was to – where else? – India! For the first time in my life, I ministered to nearly 1,000 children and some adults. It was a sea of children’s faces, just as the Lord had shown me. God stretched my faith. I stepped out of my comfort zone into the unknown and the unpredictable. I did things I had never done before – participating in miracles, and releasing the Trinitarian team into ministries.

Missions is always an exciting and rewarding adventure in God!

68

Pastor to Lam Ee Lin

Missions is all about caring and connecting! Through missions, we connect the peoples of the world to the love of God, and to His power that can transform their lives, communities and nation.

, n o i t d l r a r a e o N H r W e u e at o h n t g io g s n s i n a i h P h c c u a To Re t a e tb

:

Missions in Trinity Missions is all about caring and connecting!

Rev Dominic Yeo shares how we do missions at Trinity.

Local Missions involves: •

Language Ministries

•

AlphaTrack and Ministry Internship programme

•

TCA College

•

Benevolent Fund

•

Care Community Services Society

•

Thought for the Day radio broadcast

•

Supporting local churches, bible colleges, missions agencies and charities in Singapore

Trinity’s Language Ministries Trinity’s Language Ministries reach the nations right here at our doorstep and in our homes. We reach and disciple Indonesian, Filipino and Thai individuals and families who live and work in Singapore.

God cared and connected with humanity by sending Jesus. Jesus came to earth as Heaven’s

AlphaTrack

care-and-connect missionary. That which Jesus

AlphaTrack is a three-month missions training

ushered in and that which the early church

programme that trains harvest warriors and

furthered, is in our hands today. The baton has

strategic leaders for both the church and in the

now been passed to every believer and every

marketplace. In 2007, 45 people – from fresh

Trinitarian, and we are to run with a passionate heartbeat for the nations.

Trinity’s missions programme has two

Global Missions involves:

dimensions – Local Missions and Global Missions – and each dimension has a varied spectrum of expressions.

Your praying, giving and going enable us to fulfill this global and local missions agenda.

I pray that every Trinitarian’s heart will beat for the nations, so that we will truly become God’s instruments to bring transformation, healing and hope to the broken world.

•

Humanitarian Missions

•

Missions Impact Trips

•

Training and Consultation on the Carecell Model

•

Prophetic Training

•

Naomi Dowdy Ministries

•

Supporting church building programs and other missions initiatives

Humanitarian Missions Jesus has given us the mandate to take care of the widows and orphans, the needy and underprivileged of society. Through humanitarian missions, Trinity cares for the desolate and destitute in poverty-

Rev Dominic Yeo is the senior pastor and missions director of Trinity Christian Centre.

70

stricken areas of the world. In 2007, we have:

graduates to professionals to mid-lifers – went

Benevolent Fund

through the programme, and have testified of

Trinity fulfills the biblical mandate to “care for the

God’s powerful work in their lives.

orphans and the widows ” by blessing needy individuals and families with financial assistance in

Ministry Internship

the form of NTUC vouchers, school pocket money

A new initiative, the Ministry Internship programme

and EZ-link cards.

will equip leaders and sectional leaders in Trinity to develop the character, disciplines and skills of

Care Community Services Society

a Christian Minister, and minister effectively in the

CCSS impacts society by bringing wholeness and

church and the marketplace at the level of a Zone

restoring hope to a wide spectrum of people,

Pastor.

including children, youth and the elderly. In 2007, CCSS influenced and equipped more than 2500

TCA College

counselling clients and over 1600 prison inmates.

TCA College equips pastors and leaders in the areas of Creative Arts, Counselling, Divinity and

Thought for the Day radio broadcast

Leadership. It is fast becoming a world-class

Every weekday, Trinity’s radio programme provides

institution of higher learning. Its high academic

a God perspective and opens the door for listeners

standards and quality of education has now been

to encounter God wherever they are. Through this

recognised by University of Wales, which has

programme, listeners have been greatly blessed, and

agreed to validate our programmes, providing our

have written in to share their testimonies with us.

graduates the same standing as graduates from any other university.

– Sponsored children in an orphanage in Hyderabad, India – Built a fishing boat to help village folk in Aceh, Indonesia resume their livelihood after the

consultation empowers them to expand the leadership base of their church, to disciple believers and to reach the lost through a Care & Connect movement called carecells.

devastating tsunami of 2004 Prophetic Training Missions Impact Trips

We train pastors and leaders to hear from God so that

Our Missions Impact Trips provide Trinitarians

they can be God’s prophetic voice in their church. As

with the opportunity to impact the nations.

they hear and obey God, they learn to move in the

Through these trips, Trinitarians have touched and

power of God, strengthening their church.

transformed lives in various cultures and nations.

Naomi Dowdy Ministries Training and consultation on the Carecell Model

Trinity’s missions programme also supports the

We share the Carecell Model with pastors and

international ministry of Rev Dr Naomi Dowdy. She

leaders around the world to bring fresh vision into

mentors strategic ministry leaders, enabling them to

their lives and ministry. The training and church

fulfill God’s purpose in their own nation and on the international scene.

71

Local missions

Trinity’s Language Ministries: The nations at our doorstep Missions is not necessarily about crossing geographical boundaries, especially when the nations are right here in our midst. These Indonesians, Filipinos and Thais tell us how they have been impacted by Trinity’s Language Ministries, an expression of our local missions programme.

Indonesian Ministry

Filipino Ministry

Thai Ministry

Trinity is the place where I have

At Trinity, I have grown spiritually

found covenantal relationships.

and become a disciple of Jesus.

My employer brought me to

The church has also helped me

the Filipino Ministry, and I have

become a strategic leader in my

received so much encouragement

workplace!

here. As I am far from home,

Sa-ard Thipthiengthae, lecturer

Since I joined Trinity, I have

Trinity is my extended family here

grown spiritually, and I am being

in Singapore whom I can lean

stretched beyond my comfort

upon for prayers and support!

zone. The thing that I love most

Wemie Boston, domestic worker

is how the people accept me for who I am and take me into their

At Trinity, I discovered the

own families. I have grown not

power of covenant relationships.

only spiritually, but physically

Whenever I face challenges in

as well – because they are such wonderful cooks!

life, I always receive support and

Helen Adisumarto, professional

words of encouragement. It is God led me to work in Singapore,

like my own family!

Trinity is our spiritual family. We

and to be a part of Trinity’s

care for each other and help each

Filipino ministry. One day our

Sirichai Namwiset, construction worker

other, not just spiritually but also

company closed down. Anxiety,

in our daily life.

doubt and fear begin to creep in,

Irsan Jie, professional

and my faith was badly shaken.

I was very tired and discouraged.

But just a few days before my

Everyday, I thought of quitting.

In Trinity, I have been

employment pass expired, God

But through Trinity, God

empowered and equipped me

gave me a new job with a better

strengthened me, gave me

to evangelise the lost, nurture

pay package. God’s timing, plan

patience and taught me to love

younger Christians, and lead a

and purpose are just perfect! He

my company and bosses. In three

carecell. I have grown spiritually

has worked powerfully in my life

years, the Lord promoted me

and blossomed as a leader for

and my family!

to foreman and in five years, I

the Lord!

Sam Arididon, systems administrator

became a supervisor. Praise God!

Sumarni, domestic helper

72

When I first came to Singapore,

Pornthep Chowpanya, construction supervisor

To find out, simply take this pop quiz: 1 You have been serving God as a leader

Yes I No

or sectional leader.

2 You sense a need to grow in your spiritual

Yes I No

life, biblical worldview and ministry skills.

3 You are willing to take part in a part-time or

Yes I No

full-timeprogramme to make this happen.

Ministry Internsh ip Trinity is rolling ou t a new M Internship inistr y program me for le and sec t aders ional lead e r s .

C o uld it be w h a t yo u are look in g for?

If you answered ‘yes’ to all the above questions, the Ministry

God. By the end nd d of of the th he programme, prog pr ogra ramme, you

Internship programme is just the thing you are looking for.

would have grown and become more

?

i ension – in your effective in every dimension

What is the Ministry Internship Programme?

personhood, perspective and ministry skills.

The Ministry Internship programme is an equipping and mentoring programme that will enable you to develop the

Programme Highlights:

character, disciplines and skills of a Christian Minister,

Ministerial Formation

so that you can minister effectively in the church and in the

• Intent & integrity

marketplace at the level of a Zone Pastor.

• Understanding the call of God

?

• Family, finances and relationships

What is unique about this programme?

• Avoiding the pitfalls of leadership

•

• How to handle temptation, stress and

•

You will have the privilege of being taught by the Senior Pastor and various members of the Leadership Team,

disappointment in the ministry

who will share candidly on their life and ministry experiences.

Ministerial Perspectives on

It is tailor-made for Leaders and Sectional Leaders of

biblical and ethical issues

Trinity Christian Centre.

• Bible Knowledge • Bible Doctrines

What does this programme involve?

• Bible Interpretation

As a Ministry Intern, you will enjoy the best of

• Euthanasia

formal, informal and non-formal training. The

• Homosexuality

programme will engage you on several levels:

• Abortion

• You will receive personal mentoring and

• Divorce and re-marriage

training.

• You will gain exposure in practical ministry.

• Investment vs speculation • Cultural vs religious practices

• You will also engage in some formal biblical studies at TCA College.

Ministry Skills • Pastoral & Counselling skills

In all, the Ministry Internship programme will provide an

• Preaching & Teaching skills

excellent foundation for your development as a minister of

• Leadership & Management skills • Cell Ministry skills

73

Local missions

TCA College: Worldwide Impact The impact of TCA College is being felt as its graduates are serving in positions of influence e in Singapore and in the mission field.

TANZANIA

SOUTH AFRICA

SINGAPORE Mark Lee Senior Pastor, Church of Singapore (Balestier) Graduated with Master of Divinity in 2005

Andrew Raman Acting Vicar, Chapel of Christ the Redeemer Graduated with Master of Divinity in 1997

Gilbert Kong Pastor in charge of Equipping, Church of Our Saviour Graduated with Master of Divinity in 1997

Amylia Lim Programme Executive (Youth), Care Community Services Society Graduated with Certificate in Pastoral Ministries in 2000

Yacub Suria Academic Dean, Rhema Bible College, Jakarta Graduated with Master in Ministry in 2005

Adelene Wee Pastor, Christian Education Department, Community of Praise Baptist Church

MALAYSIA

EAST TIMOR

Pam & George Abeysundra Former Directors of Alpha Program in East & West Malaysia

Francis & Grace Lee Missionaries, St John’s St Margaret’s

Graduated with Bachelor of Theology in 2005

Graduated with Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Inter-cultural Studies respectively in 2000

Henson Lim Ministry Partner, Covenant Vision Centre Graduated with Master of Divinity in 2006

Joyce Chin Minister, Faith A/G Yong Peng, Johor Graduated with Master of Divinity in 2003

74

INDONESIA

Tan Haw Jia Senior Social Worker & Head (Children Services), Care Community Services Society

Anderson Yew Youth Pastor, Taman Midah Lutheran Church, Kuala Lumpur

Graduated with Certificate in Cell-based Ministries in 2007

Graduated with MA in Inter-cultural Studies in 2001

Graduated with MA in Inter-cultural Studies in 2005

THAILAND Dr Buakab Ronghanam Voice of Peace Christian Communication Center Preaching over Christian mass media Graduated with Master of Divinity in 1996

Sandie Kwek Ambassador, Trinity Christian Centre Graduated with Bachelor of Ministry (Christian Education) in 1993

CHINA

JAPAN

INDIA

THAILAND

MALAYSIA

CAMBODIA

SRI LANKA SINGAPORE EAST TIMOR INDONESIA

AUSTRALIA

CAMBODIA Sam Ath Eng Dean of Students in Cambodia Bible Institute, Phnom Penh Graduated with Bachelor of Theology in 2005 & MA in Inter-cultural Studies in 2006

CHINA Josephine Too Reaching the unreached minorities in China Graduated with MA in Inter-cultural Studies in 2005

Ken & Valerie Chua Reaching the unreached minorities in China Youth With A Mission (YWAM)

Shinji Miyake & Morishita Tomoko Pastoring a church in Japan Graduated with MA in Ministry in 2005

AUSTRALIA

INDIA

Gabriel Florin Pastor of largest Romanian church in Melbourne

Paul Edward Pastoring in Nichobar Islands in the Andaman seas Graduated with MA in Bible & Missions in 1997

Graduated in Bachelor in Ministry in 1999

Daniel Fernandez Ministering in India

JAPAN

Graduated with Bachelor of Theology in 1996

Deborah Rolly (Burmese missionary serving in Japan) WEC International Local Church Ministry in Shiga and Kyoto Prefectures.

Graduated with MA in Inter-cultural Studies in 2005

Graduated with MDiv in 2001

SOUTH AFRICA Cornelius G. Groenewald Pastor of Asian Ministries & English Congregation, Christian Revival Church, Bloemfontein Graduated with MDiv in 1999

TANZANIA SRI LANKA Senaka De Silva Pastor & Teacher, Assemblies of God Bible College Sri Lanka Graduated with Master in Ministry in 2000

Geoffrey & Christine Lugwisha Pastoring a church in Tanzania Graduated with Master of Divinity and Bachelor of Ministry in Pastoral Ministries respectively in 1998

75

Local missions

I am proud to be a graduate of TCA College!

These TCA College graduates tell us how their time in TCA College’s School of Divinity has prepared them for effective ministry in their respective mission fields.

The three years I spent

I enjoyed the privilege and honour of studying in

in TCA College and

such an anointed and prestigious College. God

Trinity Christian Center

used those “kairos” moments in TCA College to

have impacted both

launch me into His destiny for my life! I missed

my life and my ministry,

TCA College tremendously after I left.

offering me not just a strong theological foundation but also a clearer and

TCA College has faithfully served so many foreign

more pragmatic vision for ministry.

and local students in the Kingdom of God. It’s definitely your time for promotion! You are uniquely

God has blessed us and we have become the

positioned to effectively train, equip and send

largest Romanian church in Australia with an even

anointed ministers to win the harvest.

bigger growth potential for the future. Currently we are about 450 members, youth and children, having our own church building as well as very good facilities for education, social and spiritual purposes.

Cornelius G. Groenewald Pastor of Asian Ministries and English Congregation Christian Revival Church Bloemfontein, South Africa Graduated with MDiv in 1999

Serving Christ and his church is one of the greatest privileges that we’ve ever had. It is not

I am so proud that I attended TCA College! It

always easy and probably was never intended

laid a very solid foundation for me in theological

to be, but knowing that we are in God’s will and

scholarship and spiritual excellence. As I advanced

seeing people’s lives transformed and seeing the

in ministry and further studies, I realised what a

community impacted with the Gospel of Christ are

great treasure I had at TCA College!

all powerful reasons for us to keep on going.

TCA College has come a long way to be I would like to express my

acknowledged for its spiritual and educational

appreciation to the TCA

strides over the years. I consider its new campus as

College faculty, for your

God’s great blessing, and also as a sign of proven

impact on my life and also to

excellent and visionary nature of its leadership. May

Trinity and its leadership for

the Lord continue to bless the board, faculty, staff

their support and inspiration during my

76

and the entire student body as you work hard to

studies in Singapore. May God bless you all!

make TCA College an icon in Asia.

Gabriel Florin Pastoring the largest Romanian church in Australia Graduated with MDiv in 2001

Rev Andrew Anane-Asane PhD student at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Graduated with MDiv in 2002

Trinity is meeting the needs of society in a practical and tangible way – through Care Community Services Society (CCSS).

Charity begins at home As the income gap widens, we are seeing increased

move into the new six-storey school building

needs from the lower-income in our society. In

along with the entire school in June 2008. We

response, CCSS is adopting a T-shaped approach,

expect an overall increase in enrollment of at least

deepening our existing programmes even as we

20% this year.

horizontally seek out new opportunities. Here’s how

Year-end Camp: In December 2007, CareHuts held

we are deploying our resources this year to serve the

a year-end camp together with trainee teachers

community where help is most needed.

from NIE. Parents joined the camp on the second day for a family bonding time. They had fun

CareHuts

watching a performance by their children and

will continue to

playing games with them. We plan to continue

meet the needs

with this programme in 2008.

of low-income families by providing before-and-

What YOU can do: We are looking for individuals and corporations to “adopt” and bring joy to these children through outings, enrichment programmes and camps.

after school supervision in a wholesome environment so as to enable children falling into bad company.

Oomph!, CCSS Youth Services,

Stamford Primary School: Our newest CareHut

reaches out

opened here in July 2007 using temporary

to youth and

premises provided by the school. Renovations

engages them

for the proper facilities were completed and

in this critical

dedicated on 28 Dec 2007, in time for the new

period of their

school year. At present, we have almost 40

lives as they

children enrolled with us.

explore and

parents to work without worrying about their

Eunos Primary School: The CareHut here is running at almost full capacity and we are looking at an expansion in 2008 to cater to growing demands.

Pei Tong Primary School: The CareHut here will

experiment with their identity.

With CCSS based in Trinity@Paya Lebar, we are

77

Local missions strategically positioned to reach out to youth-at-risk

and are positioned to build even stronger ties

in the surrounding area.

with the elderly.

Apelo programme at MacPherson Secondary

Elderly meal service and outreach: This takes place

School: Our customised mentoring programme,

weekly at two places, MacPherson and Leng

targeted at “high-risk” students from the school,

Kee. We have served a total of 130 elderly to date.

started in 2007 and will continue its run this year.

Our MacPherson outreach now operates from the

Creative Studio: Through the generous giving of Trinitarians and other donors, a creative

Education Hub, Level 2 Foyer.

Structured programmes: Motivational talks, art and

studio with sponsored musical equipment has

craft sessions and healthy lifestyle events were

been set up in Trinity@Paya Lebar to provide

introduced in 2007 and will continue in 2008.

youth an outlet for expressing their creativity and expending their boundless energy. Other activities like dance classes will be also held.

What YOU can do: Pray for our youth workers and our youth events, like “Let’s Samba!”, the beach soccer tournament that we held in Sentosa in 2007 to reach out to youth.

Carelderly encourages the elderly towards renewed purpose and direction in this season of their

What YOU can do: Join our growing volunteer community to serve the needs of the elderly.

lives. We rejoice to see that there has been a noticeable improvement in the dexterity of our seniors and in their enthusiasm levels.

Trinity@Paya Lebar: We have established a permanent home for our Carelderly programme,

78

CCSS’ Prison Care Services experienced a great increase of 1000% in the year 2007. The number of inmates and family members served rose from 160 in January 2007 to more than 1600 in December 2007.

Family Resource

education workshops for employees in a multi-

Center: This is a

national company. We plan to extend this

one-stop service

programme to other corporations .

at Selarang Park Drug Rehabilitation Centre which provides information, referrals, counselling and financial assistance for inmates and their families.

Benevolent Fund: On behalf of Trinity, CCSS administers financial assistance to needy individuals and families. Last year, a total of $23,000 was given in the form of NTUC vouchers, EZ-link cards top-up, school pocket money and other forms of assistance .

The Re-settlement Project: This is targeted at inmates in Selarang Park Drug Rehabilitation Centre and Changi Women’s Prison who are

What YOU can do: Promote our Family Life Education Talks in your school or company.

serving short-term sentences of three to nine months (see side story).

What YOU can do: We are looking for volunteers (husband-and-wife teams) to be mentors to the inmates and their spouses as they re-integrate into society. Pray also for divine favour and wisdom when we engage with inmates, and for them to be integrated into society by the grace of God.

CCSS’ Counselling team, Care Family Services, impacted more than 2,500 clients in 2007 through centre counseling, school social work, corporate and crisis counseling, and Family Life Education. We see the need to help more individuals cope with increasingly high-stress work and family environments.

Corporate Counselling Programme: We have started counselling sessions and family life

Make Their Day programme is an initiative started by CCSS to bless needy families, with no strings attached. We hope to “make the day” of more families as God moves the hearts of more corporations and individuals to come forward and partner us in this meaningful form of giving.

79

Local missions

CCSS wins bid to run The Re-Settlement Project Care Community Services Society has been awarded the privilege of running a new initiative called The Re-Settlement Project at Selarang Park Drug Rehabilitation Centre and Changi Women’s Prison.

CCSS won the bid when the Singapore Prisons Service called for a tender last July. The new initiative aims to help inmates successfully resettle into their families and the community. It is specifically targeted at inmates who are serving Activities include (but are not limited to):

short-term sentences of three to nine months.

House cleaning and renovations (through sponsorships and donations) Family outings and sponsored meals provided by our partners Personal makeovers for single parents What YOU can do: Contribute your skill or sponsor meals and outings that will give these families an unforgettable experience!

Under the programme, CCSS will be given the funds and resources to enable its counsellors and volunteers to provide the service to inmates who sign up for it. They will brief inmates on the programme, encourage them to sign-up, assess and meet their needs, and educate them on coping mechanisms.

“I believe this is a great endorsement of CCSS’

To find out more how you can partner with us as a volunteer or a sponsor, contact our Community

expertise and a recognition of its excellent track record for helping ex-offenders and their

Partnership Team: Mr John Chua at 6304 7619

families. Well done, CCSS! And thank you,

(JohnChua@carecom.org.sg), Ms Stella Aw Yong at

Trinitarians, for your great support for CCSS!

6304 7617 (StellaAwYong@carecom.org.sg) or Ms Daryl

We are confident that 2008 will be a year of

Lee at 6304 7618 (DarylLee@carecom.org.sg).

continued growth and great exploits for CCSS. All glory to God!” Rev Dominic Yeo President of CCSS

80

A Note of Thanks from Teen Challenge Trinityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Local Missions programme supports local agencies and charities that are meeting needs and making a diďŹ&#x20AC;erence in our society.

Here is a letter from Rev Sam Kuna, the Executive Director of Teen Challenge.

Dear Pastor Dominic I am

ort and partn ul for the financial supp thankful

ership with Trinity over

these many years.

to assist ning to Teen Challenge nagers in crisis are tur tee th wi s ilie fam ny g times. Ma tem. As Singapore ing gin ng en lle all ha We live in ch those in the prison sys as ll we as m, ris ste ng t cases, ga a s to th regard g difficult cases, moles ng re needss, especially wi ore in counsellin iing mo see are we , nts me lop changes and deve dictive behaviours and goes through strategic l behaviour, gangs, ad ua sex to d ate rel cy en re, we are enile delinqu roin abuse in Singapo families in crisis and juv Times on increased he s ait Str the in se ea rel lp. statistics n and rehabilitation he crime. With the recent es seeking interventio cas in lkwa in e ris ble a possi gearing ourselves for out rting and confused ab Singapore who are hu in ny ma are re the , and to are prospering to open doors of hope Though outwardly we nds for these groups, sta ge en all Ch n Tee . se in life their identity and purpo gospel to change lives. share the power of the ) in 1976 under the n Challenge (Singapore Tee of n tio ma for the in d e was critical the ongoing support an Trinity Christian Centr have been blessed by We y. wd Do i om Na of Rev Dr pioneering leadership se years. church has given all the encouragement that the r and marginalised in ou e for the less for tunate cat vo ad to ip rsh de Trinity's lea I am glad I can count on country.

Once again, thank yo

and for Trinity's gene u for standing with us

rous support of our mi

nistry and ser vices.

In Christ Rev Sam Kuna Executive Director ore) Teen Challenge (Singap 81

Local missions

Thought for the Day Trinity’s radio programme is making a difference on the airwaves.

Trinity’s radio programme, Thought for

What our listeners say

the Day, enables listeners to have a God

“I would like to express my gratitude to all the pastors for the

encounter wherever they are – even

messages that have been preached every weekday. It has been very

before they ever step into church.

uplifting and edifying. I have indeed gained much understanding, inspiration and joy from listening to this programme. Keep up the

The radio programme is part of Trinity’s

good work and be blessed just as you have blessed all your listeners.”

Local Missions and is made possible by the missions giving of Trinitarians.

“I chanced upon this channel after I bought a second-hand car.

When I stopped for coffee on my way to work, I managed to catch a

In the 20-minute programme which

sermon that spoke to me and my situation. It was exactly what I was

is broadcast twice a day on FM107, a

pondering about, and most appropriately timed! Since then, I always

pastor from Trinity preaches the Word

listen to it on my way to work and have been blessed each time. I

of God, accompanied by uplifting songs

have been sharing about your radio programme with my friends. I

that minister to listeners and lead them

thank God for this segment which accompanies me on my journey

towards greater faith, revelation and

at work. Thank you once again!”

intimacy with God. “Thank you for your faithfulness. I’ve been listening to Thought for Tune in and be inspired!

the Day for quite a while and I’m glad you’ve continued broadcasting.

Praise God for your unwavering faith and commitment. Thank God

Thought for the Day

for the anointed messages which constantly keep me in check and on

FM107

track in the Lord!”

Mondays to Fridays 7.40am & 10.30pm (encore broadcast)

“I have been listening to this program for the past five years and always found peace and insight from your messages.”

“This morning I heard a message that was exactly the Lord’s message for me. Thank you, Trinity!”

82

Global missions

Trinity’s Carecell Model Around the world – whether in the rural towns of Japan or on the streets of sophisticated London – Trinity’s Carecell Model is sparking off a Care & Connect movement in churches, communities and families. Lives are empowered and released into the destiny of Almighty God. Here are some moving testimonies from Mexico and Colombia.

A warrior in the Lord, a soul-winner to the end A 70-year-old believer in Mexico found renewed purpose and vision when she joined a carecell in her church. It was a vision that she breathed and lived out to the very end.

always practiced the law of sowing and reaping. As a result, she never lacked bread on her table.

Maribel served with much joy in the carecell, participating in all the Gel activities and bringing encouragement to the rest of the carecell members through her testimonies of victory. We mentioned during the Gear Up that the objective of every member was to become spiritual parents to help to multiply the

This testimony is a tribute to Maribel Espinoza Garzón. Maribel was a 70-year-old victorious believer who came to our carecell every Thursday morning. In fact, we celebrated her birthday in

kingdom of Heaven, and that one day, the carecell would multiply. Since that day, she began to cherish an idea in her heart: she wanted to open her home for carecell.

carecell and she was very happy.

As much as possible, she and her daughter Isabel worked together for the things of God. She was too weak to travel to attend the Spiritual Parenting training, but her daughter attended the training and became a Spiritual Parent.

She began to work with joy and passion, sharing the good news with her neighbours. These were neighbors she had seen and known for years, but now she applied the knowledge and objectives of the carecell, as well as the materials – Time Alone With God, the Book of Life, the Bridge Illustration and the like. She began

Maribel received miraculous healing from God. When she could not longer walk, God raised her up from her bed because, and although sometimes she had struggles in her finances, she kept her faith and

to harvest for the Kingdom of God, and God began to use her powerfully among her neighbours. One by one, her neighbours became believers in Christ and members of the carecell. This was a great

83

Global missions

• On 30 August, at dawn, Maribel Espinoza Garzón left to be with our Heavenly Father.

Our carecell members met at the funeral to say our last good-bye to her. At her funeral service, we sang the worship songs she liked and had sung in the carecell. Maribel had fulfilled her purpose on this earth and she went in peace.

• Before the end of 2007, an open carecell was started in her home. Every Wednesday evening,

She began to harvest for the Kingdom of God, and God began to use her powerfully among her neighbours. breakthrough in a neighbourhood well-known for its witchcraft.

Maribel saw all this as progress toward her dream: to have her home host a carecell as a lighthouse for the community. She declared that, just as David prepared everything for his son Solomon to build the House of God, it would be her daughter who would live to see that dream come true. She communicated all of this to her spiritual sons and daughters, and all those whom she nurtured in the afternoons. As the time of the multiplication of our

all those who were won to Christ by Maribel and her daughter are now being nurtured in this carecell.

In Trinity’s Carecell Model, Maribel found a way to focus her life and service to God, and a tangible way to measure results, fruits and advancement.

In Trinity’s Carecell Model, Maribel found a way to focus her life and service to God, and a tangible way to measure results, fruits and advancement.

Maribel finally gave birth to her greatest dream to use her house to serve God. Today, in a community

carecell drew near, she spoke more and more about

well-known as a place of witchcraft, her house is a

this. Subsequently, things happened very quickly:

lighthouse where truth is proclaimed, and God’s light shines forth. All because Maribel Espinoza Garzon,

• On 26 August 2007, Maribel approached our pastor and shared her plans for the new carecell

and died to make it happen. Rest in peace, our

– whom she would be inviting to her home for

beloved sister, because your labour in God has

carecell, etc.

produced fruit – fruit that will last forever.

• On 29 August, we received news that she had to be hospitalised because she was not feeling well.

The diagnosis was not good.

84

God’s faithful warrior, prayed, facilitated, served

Abundant Life Christian Center Aguascalientes, Mexico

Not another cell system!

The last thing this weary leader in Colombia wanted was another cell system.

When our church started to adopt the Carecell Model, I was very resistant. The main reason was that our congregation had four senior pastors in the last 11 years, and each had his own way of doing small groups. So when our new senior pastor came back from a Cell Church Conference by Rev Dr Naomi Dowdy in Ecuador and told us we were going to implement something called carecells, I could not see myself growing into the new system.

I felt frustrated and stagnant; to be honest, I was also tired of working and doing things with no fruits and results to show for it. In the first stages of implementation I avoided the training sessions, because I felt that

Training courses which were conducted for our church by your ambassador Pastor Esther Milian. In the training, we also received an impartation of fire and passion for God and for the lost. I completed the training in July 2005 and I was sent by my pastor with a team to plant a carecell .This vision of the cell church has not only helped me grow and develop; it has also enabled me to witness and play a part in the growth of others. Today, the associate leader and spiritual parents who started with me in that first carecell are serving now as sectional leaders and leaders. It is such a joy to

I saw the spiritual growth and changes in the people who attended the carecell meeting.

when a person does something for God, it should be done with love and passion. Despite my misgivings, out of submission, I attended to the leadership carecell my pastor started It helped me to understand the heart and the dynamics of a carecell. Even when the first batch of open carecells started, I did not want to commit to them because I wanted to observe first, which I did. I noticed that all the content of the carecell was so practical to the people, and I saw the spiritual growth and changes in the people who attended the carecell meeting.

Seeing and experiencing all this made me decide to attend the Spiritual Parenting and Carecell Leaders

see others grow and the leadership base expand! We now have an awesome group of servants growing in commitment to God, and passion for God and for people. Currently I am a Pastor and am assisting my senior pastor, who is also the National Superintendent of the Wesleyan

Church in the nation of Colombia. I serve with joy as the Cell Pastor too.

The Carecell Model has not only impacted my life and our church, but it has also touched our entire denomination. I was the first woman in our denomination to be credentialed as a pastor; it is a recognition of the fruits of my call and ministry.

I thank God and Trinity Christian Centre for bringing this Carecell Model to our church, and Pastor Esther Milian for her whole-hearted dedication in serving God. Pastor Nery Suarez Wesley Church, CHIA, Colombia

85

Global missions

Thank you for sharing your “spiritual technology” with us!

After we made the shift to become a cell-based church, the atmosphere in our church clearly changed. It became more relaxed and warm. Everyone feels a sense of belonging to the family of God! Now we use our time and energy in a more focused manner. Many members are involved in evangelism. New leaders are rising up. There are many newcomers to our church, such that when I look around, I see more new

The pastors and members of City Vision Glory

faces than before. Praise the Lord!

Church in Yokohama, Japan, share how Trinity’s

Yoshimitsu Masuda, church staff

Carecell Model have resulted in atmosphere change, personal and corporate growth, and Kingdom advancement in their church.

Trinity’s Carecell Model has equipped us with a very systematic way of growing as a church. You have shared with us the ‘spiritual technology’ of building up the church! My carecell has

86

I would like to thank Pastor Dominic and his team for

about ten members now and we are

coming over to our church every year to encourage

expecting our carecell to multiply

us. Through the consultation, we have been able to find

soon. I appreciate Pastor Dominic and

specific strategies to progress. Each time they come over,

his team for generously sharing their

we experience greater faith and anointing, and make more

wisdom with us. By the guidance of

progress. Last year the Lord granted us a new church building.

the Holy Spirit, I am confident that

With Trinity’s Carecell Model in place in our church, we have been

the Lord will allow us to build a strong

advancing as a strong army of God. Praise the Lord!

church in Japan. Praise God!

Tetsuyuki Masuda, senior pastor

Wataru Nakanishi, english teacher

Visits by Trinity’s prophetic training team to Nanki Riverside Church have helped the Christians there to hear from God and step out in faith and boldness.

As a result of Trinity’s Carecell Model, Nanki Riverside Church is seeing believers rising up as

In the prophetic training seminar, I learned the three steps in prophecy – to receive

spiritual parents, and people getting saved through

revelation, interpret the revelation,

carecells. Here, two elderly ladies share their

and pray. Through the times of

testimony with us.

practice, I learned to relax, trust God and flow with the Holy Spirit.

Thank you!

Before I knew Jesus,

20 years ago but I did not

I concentrated on my

have a relationship with Jesus.

business. Then I saw how my

Last year, when I was ill, my

daughter and son-in-law were

daughter asked me to move

blessed by

into her house so that she could

God. They

take care of me. Every week, the

shared Jesus

carecell would meet at her home.

with me. My pottery class student also decided to reach out to me. She cared for me and brought me to the carecell. I finally decided

Naoki Nisitani, assistant pastor

I was uncomfortable to prophesy because I had a fear of making mistakes. However, as we practiced hearing from God during the seminar, my fear was gone. I would like to learn more and grow in my understanding of flowing with the Holy Spirit.

Yukiko Egawa, sectional leader

to follow Jesus. After I received

Japan

I heard about the gospel

They showed me a lot of care

Jesus, I enjoyed the fellowship

and concern. It was through the

in the carecell and experienced

I had a fear of failure, but

carecell that I experienced the

real happiness. I went through

the seminar provided very

love of God. I was so touched that

a lot of negative experiences

good and thorough training! This

I rededicated my life to Jesus and

in life, but Jesus has helped me

time, I learned to prophesy about

decided to get water baptised. I

to breakthrough. I feel loved

a person’s situation in detail. I

am very happy as I no longer feel

now and pray that others will

learned that God will give me the

lonely. I have now put my family’s

receive Jesus as well. I was water

anointing when I dive into the flow

names in the Book of Life.

baptized this year!

and prophesy daringly.

Koh Natsume, 89

Shigeko Okano, 85

Maiko Hama, carecell leader

87

Global missions

New Life!

Trinity’s Carecell Model has breathed life into Christians in the United Kingdom and Poland, who are now enjoying a vibrant relationship with God and experiencing the excitement of caring and connecting with others.

The Spiritual Parenting course removed my

Before we started having carecells in

misconception that evangelism was only for the

our church, Helen was just a church

‘super spiritual’. With relief I discovered it simply involves

member, coming to church about once a

making our lives available to God, and extending small acts

month with her children. She was a Christian,

of care to whoever He brings across our path.

but thought being a Christian was mainly about trying to live a good life.

Once, a friend of mine called to say that she was suffering from a toothache. I recognised this was an opportunity

About two and a half years ago, she joined

God had given me to care and connect with her, and to

the carecell I was leading. Since then, she has

put the Spiritual Parenting plan into practice. I shared

grown enormously in her faith! She started

my testimony, explained the gospel using the bridge

to realise what Christianity and church

illustration, and she accepted Christ! When we prayed

were all about. She developed her own

together, I simply asked God to make His love tangible

relationship with God, reading her Bible and

to her and remove her toothache. Two days later, she

praying regularly, and encouraging others in

phoned to say she had had no further pain, and felt an

the group.

‘inner joy’. She joined our carecell as a regular member.

She then became a leader in our small The following year, when we were going through the

congregation, and I have seen her grow in

carecell material ‘New Steps’ in our carecell, she wondered if

faith and confidence. She has started to hear

there were any ungodly artefacts in her home. We prayed in

from God herself, rather than always looking

every room of her home, and invited the Holy Spirit to rule

to me. She enthuses about carecells to other

over her home and for Jesus to be Lord over her life. There

people, for example speaking to other church

was a particular picture I felt uneasy about. This turned out

leaders and explaining what a difference

to be her husband’s black-belt certificate for martial arts.

carecells have made to her and to our church.

We prayed against any negative influence this held over his

88

mind. The leaders continued to pray against this stronghold

Helen became a Spiritual Parent, and in

regularly. By Easter, his attitude had softened. Both

the last few weeks she has become the

accompanied me to the ‘Passion’ film at church. This marked

competent leader of our first multiplied

the beginning of change. Now they regularly come to

carecell! I have been amazed to see how

church as a family, and are experiencing the reality of

she has changed so much in such a short

God in their daily life. Praise God!

time. Fancy this happening in the UK!

Alison Wass, Rusthall, UK

Jenny Needham, Lenham, UK

J was someone who believed that ‘I am useless, I am a waste of space, I hate myself’.

Two new people came

Some of the issues she faces, because of her past,

to our carecell.

are beyond our imagination. I cared and connected

Our carecell leader

with J, building a relationship with her. The carecell

wanted to nurture

prayed for her weekly, and I prayed for her daily.

them using the “New Beginnings” nurturing tools. For some reason, he asked me to join this sub-group also. As we were

and said that she would never be able to go into the

taught and challenged to have our Time Alone with

sanctuary. But praise God, all that is history! Initially

God (TAWG), I felt that my TAWG was not systematic

she was accompanied into the building by our

and fruitful, and I was convicted to change this.

pastor, then by her spiritual parent. Now she comes

I made a decision to make it a real priority in my

in her own car. Just last week, she gave a fellow

everyday life, and I stuck to it.

carecell member a lift to church. She even helps out in the church, preparing the tea and washing up.

After a few weeks, I was surprised that just by abiding in the Lord, I was set free from a sin

Europe

She had a fear of entering the church building

She is now regularly coming to carecell. The work of

which I had not been able to overcome for years!!

the Holy Spirit within her is so evident. She said,

There wasn’t any dramatic deliverance ministry,

‘I wish I had known God many years ago but I never

and yet, even before I was aware of it, the bondage

even knew about Him.’ J still faces many issues

was gone – just like that! I was elated. I shared my

but she now knows that God is with her in every

testimony during Sunday service, and encouraged

issue. Praise God for all that is being accomplished

the whole church to spend Time Alone With God in

in J’s life!

a regular and systematic way.

Pam Tolhurst, Gillingham, UK

Leszek, Tczew, Poland

89

Global missions

Fresh Fire In two short years since 2006, 75 churches in Taiwan have adopted Trinity’s Carecell Model. As a result, Christians in these churches are experiencing a renewal and revival in their lives.

My spiritual life has always been

In early 2007, my husband made some bad

“up and down”. In fact, my pastor

investments which resulted in big debts. Out of

described me as a “suddenly-cold,

desperation, we went to the church for help. In the

suddenly-hot Christian!” I received

beginning we treated God like an ATM machine; we

the Lord eight years ago. Initially, the

complained when He did not respond immediately to

passion to share God’s Word and my

our need. But thank God, He brought us to a carecell.

life testimony with others was strong,

• When I refused to forgive my husband and tried

but as time passed, the passion died.

to divorce him, the carecell members helped us

Sometimes the passion would be

salvage our marriage.

re-ignited after I read some Christian books, but it was momentary at most.

• The carecell members interceded for us. I began to fast and seek the Lord, and my life began to change as I submitted to the Lord. Now I have

90

In 2007 I attended the “7 Steps to Transforming

come to understand the principle of “changing

Your Church” conference” conducted here by Trinity

yourself first before changing

Christian Centre. The teaching was very interesting

the circumstances”.

and I received a lot. When Pastor Christina Onn shared

• The carecell encouraged us.

how her father accepted the Lord, my heart ached for

If not for their sharing and

my parents and elder siblings who had passed away

encouragement, I would

without knowing the Lord. I thought about my

still be struggling today.

remaining siblings; what would happen to their souls

The Lord spoke to us that

if they died today? I started crying out to God for their

“He will not take away what

salvation. My colleagues and friends were shocked

belongs to us, but neither

to see me crying as I am usually very cheerful.

would He give us that which does not belong to us.”

During the training, as we watched the “The Harvest”

We began to be actively involved in the carecell.

DVD, I was touched by the Holy Spirit. The burden

Through “New Beginnings”, I established my

for the lost souls was deeply conceived in my spirit.

relationship with God. I have learned to seek

When Pastor Christina gave an altar call for those

God and listen to His voice. I learned how to be

who are willing to be the workers in God’s harvest,

a Spiritual Parent and nurtured new converts. In

I responded and asked God to use me. Since I came

January 2008, our carecell multiplied, and by then,

back from the conference, the compassion and

I had learned how to lead a carecell. “I thank Christ

fire for the lost has been burning strongly in me.

Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He

I have also accepted my pastor’s invitation to become

considered me faithful, appointing me to His service”

a carecell leader. I want the Lord to use me and make

(1 Timothy 1:12). We are still paying back our debts

me a minister of the gospel, to glorify His name

but the load is getting lighter. We believe God’s

forever.

grace is upon us as we truly trust Him.

Ho Lin, Shi Men Baptist Church

Mrs Su, Lu Zhou Presbyterian Church

Global missions

From slums to apartments A community transformed!

In 2006, a Missions Impact Team

through tithing, theyy would be

from Trinity ministered at the

blessed by the Lord.”

Gangaram slum community in

A transformation took place in a slum community after a Missions Impact Team from Trinity ministered to the families there.

Hyderabad, India. It seemed like any

But even he was astounded by

other activity on that trip, only that it

the overflowing blessing that

took place in a slum. Free blankets

poured forth from Heaven.

and food were distributed, people

Soon after, a miracle occurred.

were prayed for, and the gospel

The state government of

was shared. Thereafter, the

Hyderabad chose this very slum

Trinitarians went home, glad that

for a public housing project.

they had been a blessing.

Selected households will receive a government-built apartment, with 70% of the cost sponsored by the government. And within the entire slum, only those families who were in church were selected!

“The most amazing

But the story did not end

part was that only

there. Pastor KRDV Prasad, senior

those families who

pastor of Sharon AG Worship

were in the church

Center, testified that a spiritual

were selected! These

breakthrough occurred in that very

believers immediately

slum. After the team ministered to

acknowledged that it

them, the men in the community

was Jesus who has blessed them.

stopped squandering their hard-

This became a great testimony

earned money on alcohol. Instead

to their neighbours about the

they invested it in a communal

greatness and provision of God,“

perfume business. They then tithed

says Pastor Prasad.

from their profits.

Today, 25 families in the community He told Trinitarian magazine, “At

are saved and come to church

first, I felt bad to accept their tithe

regularly. There are constantly new

of 10 or 20 rupees because I knew

people getting saved and

of their poverty. However, I knew

getting connected to

that because they honoured God

the carecells.

91

Global missions

Caring & Connecting through Humanitarian Missions

INDIA: The House that Trinitarians Built Twenty-five children in Hyderabad, India now have a place to call home, thanks to an orphanage building co-financed by Trinitarians.

At Bethel Gospel Church Children’s Home, they have a shelter over their heads, three meals a day, education, spiritual development and medical treatment when they need it. It is quite a change from their previous way of life, when they lived in slums or on the streets, picking garbage or begging for a living.

Hyderabad, India

The children are aged 6 to 16. Some of them are orphans whose parents have died of AIDS or from accidents. Others have single parents who are abusive because of alcoholism, or unable to take care of them due to illness.

According to a survey done by a missions agency, there are at least 70,000 street kids in Hyderabad. They live in the slums

The aim is to give them a proper living environment and a future, through proper education and skills development. The children’s basic necessities like beds and bedsheets, school books, uniforms, bags and stationery are also sponsored by Trinitarians.

and pick garbage or beg for a living. Unable to attend school and with no future to speak of, they are vulnerable to abuse and exploitation on the streets. Most eat a meal a day, or whatever

“The lives of the children are transformed. You can see the joy on their faces. In the past, they were rag pickers (garbage collectors) and did not have food to eat and were not able to go to school. Now, they have a proper home.”

Pastor K Sudhakar, senior pastor of Bethel Gospel Church

92

they can get their hands on.

Through Humanitarian Missions, Trinitarians are providing for the needy and underprivileged around the world.

ACEH: Road to Recovery Before the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004, Layeun Village in Aceh had a population of 10,000 residents. There now remain 756 – men, women and children. More than 90% of the village perished, and life simply has not been the same since.

The road to recovery has been slow, but things are looking up as 10 fishing boats or palong have been built, enabling the villagers to put the tragedy behind them and get back on their feet.

One of these is sponsored by Trinity Christian Centre. Costing S$40,000, the palong will help seven families in the village become selfsupporting. The palong sponsored by Trinity also supports a primary school consisting of 91 students and 10 teachers, youth activities, and activities in the community hall.

All these are significant milestones in the process of recovery.

Not everything is back to what it was before

“The villagers and I would

the tsunami, but for

like to say a big ‘Thank You’ to

Aceh, Indonesia

these families, the

Trinity for helping our people with

boat is their ticket

the palong. With this help, some of

back to economic

our people will regain their regular

palong comes complete with a platform, huts and

income as fishermen. Thank you

a support boat, and functions like a mini floating

for meeting our need!”

kelong. Each palong makes six trips per week, with

Pak Isranuddin, head of seamen, Layeun Village

each trip yielding anywhere between eight to 20

independence.

Layeun Village is an hour’s drive from Banda Aceh.

The village has 10 fishing boats or palong. Each

baskets of fish.

93

Global missions

Caring & Connecting through Missions Impact Trips In 2007, Trinitarians made 29 trips to six nations, and saw a total of 3041 decisions for Jesus – a great missions harvest! Here, team members to New Delhi, India, share their experience of sowing and reaping.

I saw God do miracles through my hands!

Through this missions impact trip, I have learnt

To be honest, I never readily volunteered for this

1 God will use me mightily as long as I allow Him to.

MIT trip. It was the enthusiasm of my carecell that

2 We should not take lightly the freedom to openly

got me going in the first place. In fact, India was not on my list of preferred places to go to. I had concerns about the place and fears of a few

three valuable lessons:

express our love for Jesus.

3 God can move in any place at anytime; He just needs people who are willing.

things which we would be doing, such as street evangelism, salting etc. Many

If you are thinking of going on

times I wanted to back out,

an MIT: Do not worry about

but praise God, I managed to

your inability or weakness.

stay the course and go

God will use anyone who is just

by faith.

obedient. For example, I am more of an introvert, but

I am glad I obeyed because

on this trip, I opened up to

God blessed my socks off!

people without fear. I know

I saw many miracles which

that He will reward those who

God did through my hands.

obey, in many ways which you

Never in my life did I think it would be possible. He

can never comprehend, such as breakthroughs and

used me in street evangelism, to share the Bridge

miracles in your own personal life.

Illustration in Hindi, to win souls, to pray for healing, to pray for the Holy Spirit to touch a particular

For those who are giving to missions: Every cent

person, to sense and share the word of God to the

given is mightily used by God to impact the

people, and to prophesy over people. Not only did

countries that the teams go to. Never ever doubt

He use me in these areas, but He showed me the

the value of even the smallest amount given to

tangible results of my obedience to Him – souls

missions as it will enable souls to come into the

were saved, people were healed and lives were

kingdom of God, lives to be touched and people to

touched.

rise up to take their country for God’s glory.

Gary Koh, sales manager

94

I experienced the abundant life God has for me!

exhilarating! God was in control of everything that

It all began with an SMS. When I saw the date of

many breakthroughs and miracles among the team

the mission trip to New Delhi, I knew instantly

members and the people around us. For the first

that it was the perfect timing of God for me to

time, I truly experienced the abundant life God

go for this MIT. What followed was a series of

has for me – the freedom to exercise my faith fully in

preparations. I had about three weeks to make all

ministry, to serve God with all that I am, letting Him

the necessary arrangements, from family to ministry

stretch me in all areas.

the team was doing and because of that, there were

commitments. In the midst of all the preparations, doubt began to set in. I

Upon reflection, I realised

started thinking; “Am I

that all my doubts about not

really ready to go?”, “Am I

being ready were unfounded.

equipped enough to be a

God had already begun the

vessel to be used by God in

preparation work in me while

India?”. Furthermore, I had

I was serving in Singapore.

not even prayed about it

The training and equipping

and I was on the verge of

that I had received in Trinity

withdrawing. Thankfully,

– serving in the carecell and

the Vision Rally sermon by

various other platforms –

Rev Rob Yanok put my heart

had prepared me to serve in

at peace. He said that the

New Delhi too.

Bible says “to go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28). God did not

This MIT greatly impacted me. There is such

ask us to pray about going, but to simply go.

an urgency to rise up and let the light of Christ shine through me in this season and hour. I

When we arrived in New Delhi in the wee hours

am determined “to be a lamp that burned and

of the morning, the sight of so many homeless

gave light” (John 5:35) and to make use of every

people affected me greatly. Compassion took a

opportunity to proclaim clearly the mystery of

greater meaning as I witnessed the needs of the

Christ (Colossians 4:2-6). I would like to encourage

lost. Indeed, the harvest is plentiful and the workers

everyone to go on missions. “But seek first His

are few. What ensued over the next few days were

kingdom and His righteousness and all these things

many home visits, cell meetings, empowerment

will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

sessions and street evangelism. I had never

Jasslyne Ng, homemaker

been so focused on doing God’s work! It was so

95

Global missions

a wonderful sister who is full

I did things which I had never done before!

of compassion for people and God.

This was my first missions impact trip trip and a

It was an honour to play a

breakthrough experience for

part in the extension of God’s

me in many ways. During the

kingdom. I truly have learnt,

six days in India, I did many

grown and enjoyed this

things which I had never done

missions impact trip!

before in Singapore – praying

Kimberley Lim, music teacher

out loud, prayerwalking, praying for people, sharing the bridge illustration, leading someone in the sinner’s prayer, sharing my very personal testimony,

I was renewed and refueled!

acting and many more.

During the seven days in New Delhi, India, God challenged me to step out of my comfort zone,

I was encouraged and touched by how God used

and stirred my spirit up to give more of myself

me to share His love and grace with others. With my

to His ministry. I was renewed, strengthened,

minimal knowledge of God’s Word, I didn’t expect

empowered and refueled to continue in the

that I would be able to lead others to salvation.

marathon with our Lord Jesus.

But as God gave me the boldness and compassion, I no longer wasted time beating around the bush. I

I realised that to win souls, we first have to “lose”

just walked up to someone, introduced myself and

our lives and draw close to God. Through this trip, I

shared the bridge illustration. This resulted in many

“lost” my identity as a Singaporean who is proud of

lives being saved, and given a reason for living. How

her country’s efficiency, and as a pharmacist who is

wonderful! I have been encouraged to have the same

particularly obsessed with hygiene and cleanliness.

boldness and compassion back home in Singapore to share the gospel.

We learnt the local cultural norms, like covering our heads with a shawl (for the ladies) during worship,

The most unforgettable incident was when our mini

using our right hand to put rice mixed with curry

bus broke down. While the men tried to push and

into our mouths neatly, and enjoying the fragrant

get the engine started, the ladies were all waiting

masala tea that chased away all our fatigue and

by the side. Then I saw my fellow team member

sleepiness.

Jasslyne sharing the bridge illustration with the use of some Hindi words. She got 4 souls saved within

I learnt to share the gospel using the Bridge

that time! I am really amazed by her boldness and

Illustration in the limited Hindi vocabulary we

passion for God, making use of every opportunity

picked up. I learnt that all of us can fulfill the

to sow and share the gospel. She has encouraged

Great Commission that God has given, regardless

me a lot on my walk with God. I thank God for such

of our nationality, race, culture, language and personality. This is because we can do all things

96

through Christ who strengthens us!

true. We were at a believer’s house when a brother shared that he wanted to be water baptised, but his

On the final night before flying home, we were at

parents did not allow him to. To encourage him, I

the youth carecell meeting. Their fiery passion

shared how I feared that my parents would object

for God, the innocent but firm trust they had

to my water baptism, but took the courage to tell

in Jesus, and the deep desire to live for God,

them and go ahead with it. God worked things out

left a deep imprint in my heart. One of the boys

and my parents even came to church to witness my

shared how he was facing fierce persecution at

baptism. Another team member shared a similar

home because of his Christian faith. His Bible was

testimony. This brother stared at us intently and

confiscated and his parents threatened to throw

listened attentively to every word we said. I realised

him out of the house. I felt prompted by God to pray

that he must have been so desperate to hear a word

with him and bless him with my pocket-sized Bible.

of encouragement. I never knew I could bless and encourage others through my testimonies!

Before I left, I made a commitment to uplift the church in prayer, as I believe that God draws us

I had fears about street evangelism. I am shy and

close in spirit despite the physical distance.

struggle in talking to strangers. But on this trip,

The bashful smiles of the young girls, the warm

I could walk up to a stranger on the street, share the

hospitality of the women, the low baritones of

bridge illustration, and lead the person to receive

the men resounding within the church hall during

Christ! I discovered that the Bridge Illustration is

worship and the spontaneous children shall be part

a useful and powerful tool in leading people to

of the memories that I carry in my heart. May God

salvation. This renewed my confidence in reaching

continue to fan the passion we have for Him!

out to my friends – I am now encouraged to use

Tan Pei Ling, pharmacist

the Bridge Illustration in my sharing. Previously I thought it was too simple,

Simple but powerful!

but now I realise it is a powerful tool.

In September I signed up for a mission trip to India

Through this trip, I realised

with my carecell members.

we are blessed in Singapore.

I wanted to do something

Freedom of worship, which

meaningful and different,

we take for granted, is not

a break from my normal routine. As this was my first

available in many places. Persecution and fear are

mission trip, I did not know what to expect.

very real for believers in some places. I want to encourage all of you to go for mission trips. There

All this while, I felt that I did not have anything

are many places where the harvest is ripe. Everyone

to bless or encourage people with, because I do

can play a part to share God’s love to people and

not have any dramatic life-changing testimonies.

extend God’s kingdom in the nations!

During the trip, however, I discovered that this is not

Toh Saw Huay, pharmacist

97

Global missions

Impacting Strategic Leaders Trinity’s global missions programme supports Naomi Dowdy Ministries. In this interview with Rev Dr Naomi Dowdy, we discover how she is impacting strategic leaders, churches and denominations around the world.

What has kept you busy

The President of the National

How is God using you in

throughout 2007?

Wesleyan Methodist group

mentoring strategic women

2007 was an extremely busy

has adopted Trinity’s Carecell

leaders?

year! I spent about 100 days

Model for his church, and it is

Our mentoring clinic in the USA,

in different cities in the USA,

fast becoming a model Carecell

“Women in Strategic Leadership”,

helping churches and their

church. Another breakthrough

has grown in significance. More

leadership on restructuring

for them was ordaining their

women leaders are wanting to

issues, plus preaching and

first woman pastor. She is also a

attend. Participants have testified

training. I was able to open new

product of Carecells.

of an increase in anointing and influence, new doors opening,

doors for some key churches to begin working with Trinity’s

I could go on and on about the

and a time of refreshing for

Carecell Model, and see

powerful things taking place in

themselves personally. They are

breakthroughs in growth and

Colombia. Keep praying – 2008

a powerful group – business

vision.

is going to be another significant

women, pastors, evangelists,

year.

women working in Hollywood, and leaders of missions

We have heard you share on what God is doing in Colombia.

What are the key happenings

organisations that have trained

Could you share more on what

elsewhere?

over 32,000 women. Who can

is happening there?

It has been a joy to work with

they talk to, and where can they

2007 was a turning point for

Pastor Chua Wee Hian and

go to receive and be built up

Colombia. We have been going

Emmanuel Evangelical Church

for another year of labour? So

into Colombia for about 17 years

in London. Pastor Chua will be

the mentoring clinic is like an

now. We have trained them

‘turning the church over’ to a

oasis for them. It is raising up

in Carecells, and Apostolic-

new pastor in 2008. The new

a new generation whom I am

Prophetic Leadership (along

Senior Pastor, Peter Loo and his

challenging to also go forth and

with Pastor Gerald Tan and

wife Saw Lan, are presently in

raise up another new generation.

Pastor Ong Sek Leang). We have

training with us here at Trinity.

ministered to hurting pastors,

It is their time of preparation for

Any words for Trinitarians?

denominational leaders, and

his new position. We are working

My special thanks for all the support

more. God has used all of these

with them to ensure a smooth

and prayers! Your partnership is

things in such a way that we

transition and forward vision

making a big difference in the

now have a voice into the whole

and growth.

lives of these leaders.

nation.

99

By Carol Lim

them. I was wowed by the wise counsel our pastors gave. I was

Missions: Do you have beautiful feet?

also amazed by the passion with which our pastors counseled and taught. They gave everything they had. At times, when I was asked to share my ministry experience, I

Take a look at your feet feet. How beautiful are they? I am

gladly did so. so It was w humbling because these leaders

not asking if you have a pair of well-pedicured feet,

were much older and more experienced than me.

but rather, whether these feet have brought good

Through our ministry, God touched the people’s

news to the nations. Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful

lives, encouraging their hearts, and renewing their

are the feet of those who bring good news!”

vision and hope. Many who had come with burdened hearts were beaming by the end of the training. I

The gospel is good news. Preaching or sharing the

could see that their countenance had brightened.

gospel to the unsaved is bringing good news. So is

They were going back to their churches with hope

teaching English to village kids using Bible stories, or

in their spirit and tools in their hands, tools that

youth and children outreaches. Our teams have also

they could use to plow their harvest field.

done church consultation, taught training courses, and ministered inner healing to pastors and leaders.

Never underestimate the ministry and work we

All this is good news to those who receive ministry

do. Never underestimate the importance of your

through them.

prayers for our missions teams. When you receive information of various teams or pastors ministering

I had the opportunity to go for a consultation and

in the nations, do remember to pray for them. Even

training trip to Thailand. We taught the Spiritual

before you reach the nations on your feet, you can

Parenting and Carecell Leaders’ Training courses to 80

reach them on your knees!

leaders from various churches and denominations.

These leaders shared about their struggles and

Two thousand years ago, Jesus cried out for

asked questions about Trinity’s carecell model. What

labourers. Today, He is still calling out. Where are the

impacted me most was that these pastors broke

labourers? Stop looking around. They are you and

down and cried. Some cried because of the burden

me! Make this year’s Mission Convention a really

of ministry, some broke down with gratitude because

special one where you hear, respond and make a

they had finally found the cell model that they were

commitment to His call to give, pray and go.

looking for, some teared because they realized what we shared could help them grow their churches.

For “God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and

Many were ministered to when we prayed with them

the love you have shown Him as you have helped His

during these times.

people and continue to help them” (Hebrews 6:10).

Sign up for a Missions Impact Trip. You will a blessing

Some of the challenges these leaders faced were

to the people you minister to. In turn, you will be

tremendous, yet our pastors were able to help

blessed… and have your feet called beautiful.

101

miss(ions) Have we missed the point when we commit ourselves to a missions trip?

By WorthWords In case you haven’t had the

since I had just recently returned

granted, the owner of the home –

chance to read the papers

from one. The article certainly

a former heroin addict and dealer

recently, let me introduce you to

resonated with me on certain

who remains unemployed after

a new term: “volun-tourism’. This

levels as I looked back on

leaving the trade – is more than

was last seen in a Straits Times

my recent experience in the

happy to welcome more guests

(ST) article on the increasing

Philippines.

to pray and edify one another in God’s presence. It was a humbling

trend of Singaporean teens and

experience.

young adults venturing abroad to

The first few thoughts that ran

perform community service while

through my head were “Do I fall

taking in the sights and learning

under the same category as these

So while there were times when

more about another culture.

volun-tourists?” and “Is it wrong

we sampled the local food

to enjoy myself while I’m on a

and enjoyed the cross-cultural

How does this little nugget of

missions trip?” The article forced

experience, these interludes

information segue into this

me look at missions trips today,

didn’t distract us from doing

issue’s emphasis on missions, you

particularly for first-timers like

what was expected: spread His

might ask. Well, the connection

me, in an honest and unflinching

love and the gospel. Ministry

is simple: has volunteering

manner even as it confronted

should, thus, be tempered with

for missions morphed into a

some of my basic motivations.

the joy that comes from serving

convenient platform for us to do

It took me awhile to realise

in the field. It must. Otherwise,

some sight-seeing and shopping

that, while I did enjoy the

it’d just be a chore or an item on

while we’re there under the guise

entire experience as a whole,

our checklists, a KPI if you will, of

of spreading God’s hope and love?

particularly the (fried and sinfully

our supposed spiritual quotient.

This seemingly harsh statement

good) food on offer, it was the

And that’s swinging to the other

might rile the genuine harvest

ministry times that I look back

extreme of the pendulum.

field workers who have put their

most fondly on.

Having entered into the new

hands to the plow as they reach out to places where God’s name is not

In fact, the two moments of the

year, many of you might be

known or where God’s people are

missions trip that would always

making plans to embark on a

the minority. Before you hurl your

be etched in my mind and heart

missions impact trip this year. So

vitriolic though, relax, this is more

would be that of ministering

it might just be timely to reflect

a “food for thought” type of thing.

to the campus leaders of our

on the motives of doing so before

host church in games, worship

committing to one.

Back to the subject at hand. The

and prayer, and of our visit to a

reason why I brought up the

carecell in the poorer district of

Here’s to a good year of missions:

ST article is simple: it made me

the city in Philippines. Cramped

sowing and harvesting, and most

question my motives for going

and bereft of many creature

importantly, revelling in God’s joy

on a missions trip, especially

comforts you and I would take for

and provision in His fields!

103

Peoples of the World Inscribe the Bible

Trinitarians make history by hand-writing 2 books of the Bible

In October 2007, almost 2000 Trinitarians had a hand in an international project that aims to hand-write an entire Bible.

The English congregation and carecells of Trinity Christian Centre penned the entire Book of Psalms --- all 150 chapters -- while the Chinese congregation and carecells wrote the Book of James in Chinese for the Peoples of the World Inscribe the Bible project.

For each handwritten verse, Trinitarians contributed an amount that will enable underprivileged Christians to experience the life-changing power of Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Word.

A total of $8804 was raised. This will go toward Bible translation, publication and distribution efforts to needy Christians in less developed countries, as well as the establishment of a Bible Centre in the foothills of Jerusalem.

The labour of love by Trinitarians will be showcased at the Bible Valley in Jerusalem, together with other handwritten Bibles in different languages from other countries. The project was organised by The Bible Society of Singapore, in collaboration with the Embassy of Israel and The Bible Valley Society. This is the second such project in the past decade, and participants received a special Certificate of Honour issued by the Bible Valley in Jerusalem.

105

The (Trinity) Cup Runneth Over “New Year, New Beginnnings”; some of our church folks took this to heart as they heralded the year’s start with a first – a soccer tournament christened “Trinity Cup”. Kevin Kwang and Brian Lim report.

ROUND 1 Veterans 3 - 0 Chinese Ministry Scorers : Jay Ng(2), Chee Seng

Team TCC 2 - 0 IGNYTE

teams from Trinity Christian Centre. Organised by the Young Adults (YA) team, who wanted to bring footballers and football lovers

Scorers : Si Lie, Gary Yellow Card(Team TCC) : Eric

together for a day of fun-filled competition, the rest of the field

ROUND 2 Veterans 5 - 3 IGNYTE

was held at the Hiding Place on 6 January 2008.

comprised of the Veterans, IGNYTE and Chinese Ministry (CM), and it

Scorers(Veterans) : Jay Ng(2), Chee Seng, Anican, Raymond Chan Scorers(IGNYTE) : Tim, Joel, Darren

Starting promptly at three in the afternoon, the players took to the

Chinese Ministry 1 - 2 Team TCC

that is. Playing two halves of 20 minutes instead of the regulation 45,

Scorers(Chinese Ministry) : Sant Scorers(Team TCC) : Raymond, JJ

ROUND 3 Team TCC 3 - 2 Veterans

106

The competitive, yet good-natured, tournament was between four

field with feisty spirits, eager to kick off the year in style – football, and unlimited substitutions, the first teams up were the Veterans and CM.

Scorers(Team TCC) : Si Lie, Victor, Roger Scorers(Veterans) : Edwin, Jay Ng

Having suffered a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the latter last year, the

IGNYTE 3 - 0 Chinese Ministry

Veterans were definitely up for the contest, and it showed, with a

Scorers : Tim, Ivan, Joel

quickfire three-goal lead by half-time. A series of substitutions by

* Team TCC wins the Trinity Cup 2008. * Jay Ng of Veterans wins the Trinity Cup 2008 Golden Boot for scoring 5 goals.

both teams during the break brought more entertainment, but no goals, as the scoreline ended 3-0 in favour of the Veterans.

Next up, the YA took on the IGNYTE team in a

In the final round of the competition, the Chinese

cagey affair, with the former taking a slender 1-0

Ministry and IGNYTE teams played some exhibition

lead through debutant, Si Lie, who lashed home a

football to give their supporters something to

spectacular free kick. The second half followed the

cheer as the latter ran out 3-0 victors. However,

first despite the introduction of IGNYTE’s manager,

all focus was on the match-up between the two

Darren Seet, but a late goal by Pastor Gary Chia for

teams with their 100% record still intact. YA, the

YA sealed the contest.

pre-competition favourites, were given a stern test by the Veterans, who had competition top scorer,

The second round of matches pitted the Veterans

Jay Ng, in sparkling form. An unfortunate injury

with IGNYTE, the latter having to win to remain in

to influential midfielder, Lawrence Ang, though

the running for the Cup. With the tie deadlocked at

allowed YA a foothold into the contest, and the

1-1 at half-time, the second half turned out to be a

lively Si Jie claimed another goal to give them

goal bonanza as the Veterans raced to a 5-1 lead,

a slender 1-0 lead going into half-time. The thrilling

before the shell-shocked IGNYTE team responded

game opened up further after the break, with both

to salvage two late goals, ending the match at 5-3.

teams trading goals, but the valiant efforts by the

Meanwhile, the YA entered the tie with CM as overwhelming favourites, but a combination of sluggishness by the former and dogged determination from the latter resulted in a 0-0 half-time stalemate.

The break saw the YA instill renewed

Veterans proved

purpose in their play,

to be in vain, as the YA ran out 3-2 winners. Jay

and they soon found

received some consolation as he clinched the

themselves one goal

competition’s Top Scorer award with five goals.

up, but their attacking impetus left gaps at

The ultimate winner, though, was football, so the

the back, and the CM

cliché goes, as the day yielded drama, excitement,

plundered a goal to level things up. It took a last

and most importantly, a tighter bond between all

gasp penalty, calmly despatched by JJ, to finally

the players. No doubt, next year’s Trinity Cup will be

clinch victory for YA and spare them blushes.

bigger and better. Watch this space.

107

IGNYTE aya Lebar P @ y it in r T , E IGNYT tiring year for me.

2007 was a really challenging and ents and training Juggling studies, church commitm not easy at all. I for the National Soccer Team was ed by what 2008 came to camp feeling overwhelm er wasn’t easy as would bring. Stepping up as a lead ty. I wasn’t sure I struggled with feelings of insecuri d by what others if I was capable; I was also bothere worked through thought about me. But God really . He gave me the camp! God was really very real feel God’s power confidence and anointing. I could Through this in me and no longer felt inadequate. encouraged by camp, I’ve been empowered and ause of this, I step God’s grace and faithfulness. Bec that God is by my into 2008 at full throttle, knowing God cannot do! side and that there is nothing that Joan Wong, 17

It has empowered The camp was beyond AWESOME! p, I felt so empty me so much! Before I went for cam in camp, God inside and felt so far from God. But nt to cry out to the touched me again and again. I lear I also learnt what Lord and to obey God completely. g a Revolution, it meant to live a life that is ‘Sparkin e). I also learnt Driven by Eternity!’ (the camp them step out of camp that the real battle starts when we es I learnt have and live out our daily life. The valu , taught me to love boosted my relationship with God me to grow in God a lot more, and is now helping ! faith, even after camp! Thank God Amos Lee, 15

108

rs. On the third The camp was different from othe nity to bless our day of camp, we had the opportu s’ home and community. We went to an old folk ed some homes in helped to clean it up. We then visit there we began the Circuit Road area. When we got electrical fans, cleaning the windows, washing the g that, I felt a the floor and walls. While I was doin . I had only done huge sense of pride to be doing this re and felt quite community work a few times befo group we did a new to it, but with the help of my also told me over fantastic job. During the camp God never I can, and and over again to talk to Him whe es. From the camp not to stop memorising Bible vers t that I have not till now, there has not been one nigh spoken to Him! Jeremy Kevin Matthews, 14

Camp

er life Before the camp, I felt like my pray ed, I would slur, pray I was in the gutters. Whenever n as I prayed those stammer and ramble on and on. Eve e weak and pathetic. I prayers, I honestly felt that they wer il, but it was knowledge knew I had authority over the dev heart. As time passed in my head, not knowledge in my my weak prayers.

I grew increasingly frustrated with We were all given 10 But God changed all that at camp. struck me most was verses to memorise. The one that authority to trample Luke 10:19 – “For I have given you rcome ALL the power over snakes and scorpions, to ove service, God revealed of the enemy.“ During the morning of faith. To declare to me that prayer is often an exercise down or loose, requires or bind or release or break or tear believes God can do, simple and childlike faith – faith that moment, I felt like faith that KNOWS God will do. In that an authority – not justt a King’s Kid. I realised that I carried is our inheritance. any authority, but the authority that This is the kind of authority that makes Satan tremble. This is the kind of authority we all have a right to. Since that service, God radically changed my prayer life. Now I pray with power, with conviction, knowing that every word that comes out of my mouth be done. that is in line with God’s will shall Gideon Goh, 15 erience for me.

Camp has been a life-changing exp me to transit I came to camp wanting God to help I also asked God what from primary to secondary school. ndary school. I have He wanted me to do in my new seco a couple of times, but tried to invite my friends to church e up. But God told me it ended in rejection. So I soon gav again. I told God I in camp to start inviting my friends secondary school. But could not risk losing my friends in e me an assurance day after day, God persisted. He gav really gave me faith. that He would be with me, and that e than ever. I grew After the camp, He touched me mor ting my friends to The stronger in my faith and kept invi ng me to reach out Father’s Love. I know that God is calli ist even during times to my friends in school. I will pers n me strength in my of testing for I know God has give weakness.

Joash Yeo, 12

The IGNYTE Camps in December were awesome, intense, and life-changing for the teenagers in Trinity.

Adam IGNYTE, Trinity@

‘When the music fades, and all is stripped away…’ On the first night of service, there was a power trip and we were left with ing to worship with except pure

noth It voices and a faintly heard guitar. ; ping did not hinder us from worship break instead it allowed our worship to e hav into a higher level and soar. We ship’, but that night, heard of the song ’The Heart of Wor worship is really I truly experienced and learnt that ts or music. Worship beyond instruments, arrangemen ere and yearning is truly worship when it is from a sinc e With God, we were heart. During our daily Time Alon which I found pretty given 30 minutes for three verses, challenged to extract lengthy for just a few verses! I was es given. Amazingly, as much as I can from the few vers deeper and meditate as I began to take the few verses ch confronted on them, I gained new insights, whi that did not please me specific thoughts and attitudes in Bible verses in camp, God. Through learning to ‘chew on‘ G at home. Now I I received a breakthrough in my TAW TAWG! find myself gaining a lot more from Candice Goh, 19

109

Encounter • Advance • Impact

CAMPUS CAMP 2007

Awesome! That is how many described the campus camp held on Dec 9-12. Many campus students encountered God in a special and powerful way.

God has been great! Not just in what He’s done for me, but in the lives of my friends. I have seen so many outbursts and overflowing of passion, even in those who had been feeling lost or cold toward God. God deposited something special in our hearts during this camp, touched and changed us in a special way. God’s call for us to rise up and claim the campuses for Him was so strong, all of us felt the urgency and reality of souls needing God’s love and salvation.

I remembered the times I had wasted my time on things like playing Neopets instead of using my time to advance God’s kingdom.

I want to invest in things that would truly mean something in eternity!

There are so many people on our campus and in our halls. We really need to pray and ask God to help us “find” and see those people who are ripe for harvest. God, please take all the glory in our campuses and halls!

All the glory belongs to You! Lee Wei Wen, NUS student 110

For the first time in my life, I had a personal encounter with the Holy Spirit when Pastor Ong prayed for us. Even as I write this, I still feel so awed and thankful for the reality of God in my life. The Holy Spirit also showed me that He has a future for me and that He will always walk with me throughout my life’s journey.

You have no idea how this camp has impacted my cell members’ lives! All the members were so impacted (this is the most commonly used word by them, by the way!) and they commented that they were so blessed! One newcomer in our carecell didn’t want to go to the camp initially. Then he said that he would ‘just try it for a day’. But guess what? This brother went up to the altar call every night!

He had backslided for many years, and didn’t want to go because he said that he does not have any friends. But in the end, he was greatly ministered to and even made new friends!

Chia Yen Shan, HR executive and NUS sectional leader

There were many important lessons which impacted me during the camp. One of them is to develop the spirit of a champion for God. Because of fear and timidity, I was afraid of sharing about God’s love with my friends or even inviting them to church.

Now, I’m going to rise up as a champion for God and depend on Him to strip away any fear and inadequacy within me and allow Him to use me as His vessel to reach out to both my friends and family.

After hearing from the guest speaker Pastor Ong Sek Leang as well as Pastor Gerald, I’m really grateful for the practical advice shared by both of them. I now understand the importance of guarding against compromise.

Indeed, the camp has truly lived up to its theme – Heroes: Encounter, Advance, Impact. Praise God for what He’s done in this camp!

Neo Zhi Yang, NTU student

What is Christmas without a party?

More than 300 young adults in Trinity came together for a fun-ďŹ lled Christmas party on Dec 14. It was a time to let down their hair and enjoy themselves, and remember the reason for the season â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Jesus!

It was interactive and packed with lots of fun activities.

A great time for the cells to come together and enjoy the company of other like minded folks!

Roger Li, assistant card relations manager

My friend invited me for this gathering and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The ambience was good and comfortable.

The programme faciliated interaction, and I got to know quite a few people that evening.

Richard Loh, senior IT consultant

I brought 5 friends! They enjoyed themselves, and had fun with the activity pack, which kept them busy even before the programme proper started.

Janice Ng, civil servant

Great food, great entertainment and a great time of fellowship for all!

Phebe Ngan, clinical data managment co-ordinator

Fun, innovative and engaging!

Emily Wee, teacher

It was a blast! A fun time filled with games, which gave us opportunities to mingle and make new friends.

Eleanore Xu, quantity surveyor

111

THE

FATHER’S LOVE The Father’s Love, touted as a Christmas Variety Show, did not disappoint. It kicked off with a fast-paced medley of songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s. From jailbirds professing “I’m guilty… of love in the first degree” to a multi-octave rendition of “My Heart Will Go On”, it w was one feel-good song after another. The delight of the audience w was palpable. But the best was yet to be. When an elegant songstress b belted out the Chinese oldie “Lover’s Tears”, everyone burst into a appreciative applause and spontaneous whistles.

W With the audience all warmed up, it was time to proceed to the game sshow segment, “What’s in My Heart”. Guided by the game show hosts – the irrepressible Pastor Beatrice Kang and a suave Pastor Larry Lee – th tthree pairs of contestants vied for top spot in the game, a spin on the P Pyramid Game and Taboo. The pairs ccomprised of siblings, best friends a and spouses, and not surprisingly, th the spouses displayed the greatest a ability to guess the words that were o on each other’s hearts and minds.

THE VE FATHER’S LO Shhhooow ettyy S ieety rie Vaarrri Va maassA spec ma e for isttm ris ri Chhris ial programm on AC off concurrently: K: Launch TRAC Happening 4 to 12. STAR of all! children aged find the greatest Gift to a star track

8pm Fri Dec 21 4pm & 7.30pm m Sat Dec 22 9am & 11.30a Sun Dec 23 am Trinity@Ad d 21 Adam Roa

The variety show culminated with a drama segment, which was a sitcom about three ex-classmates catching up for a reunion. Like a good comedy, the punch lines came fast and furious, eliciting much g laughter from the audience. As the men reminisced about the good old days and recycled nicknames and old jokes from their school days, the changes around them and in them were unmistakable – from the price increase of their favourite H Hokkien mee (Chinese stir-fried noodles) to the dilemmas tthey now faced as fathers to their teenage sons.

W When Pastor Gerald Tan took to the stage talking a about the love of Father God, it was a fitting end to the presentation. In all, more than 200 lives were cared for and connected to the love of God through The Father’s Love, as well as the children’s programme Star Track, which took place concurrently.

112

District Thanksgiving Trinitarians culminated the year by celebrating God’s faithfulness and goodness with their carecell. Every district had a thanksgiving event marked by plenty of fun, food and fellowship.

North, Trinity@Adam: Blessed to be a blessing!

South, Trinity@Adam: TGIF – Today God is First

North, Trinity@Paya Lebar: Rejoice!

East, Trinity@Adam: Leaning Forward

South, Trinity@Paya Lebar: It’s an Honour to Serve You

West, Trinity@Adam: Let Your Praises Ring!

East, Trinity@Paya Lebar: Shout for Joy!

Chinese Ministry: Heartfelt Thanksgiving

West, Trinity@Paya Lebar: Live the Dream!

113

Get Equipped at TCA College!

Validated by the University of Wales In an exciting development, TCA College will offer programmes validated by the University of Wales, U.K. You can now enjoy: • A University of Wales award with the same recognition as graduates in the U.K. • International recognition of your degree, placing you on par with graduates from any other University • Opportunities to engage in marketplace and “tent-making” ministries as your qualification will be recognised by all Commonwealth countries With this development, TCA College has become the first and only institution in Asia offering University of Wales validated programmes in Theology.

> MTh in Applied Theology (Ministry) > MTh in Theology > BA (Hons) in Theology > Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling > Diploma in Higher Education in Creative Arts For more information, visit www.tca.edu.sg. For application, contact the Registrar Office at 6304 7602 or email admin@tca.edu.sg Established in 1893, the University of Wales is one of the largest universities in the United Kingdom, and a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities. It has a tradition of excellence in education and its qualifications are well sought after in the United Kingdom and internationally.

For further details regarding the University of Wales and its validation services, please log on to www.wales.ac.uk/validation or email validation@wales.ac.uk

Established for over 20 years, TCA College is a multi-disciplinary Christian college in Asia with a state-of-the-art campus and offers certificate, diploma, degree and post-graduate courses in Creative Arts, Counselling, Divinity and Leadership.

School of Counselling • School of Creative Arts • School of Divinity • School of Leadership 249 Paya Lebar Road #03-11 Trinity@Paya Lebar Singapore 409046 • Tel: 6304 7602 • admin@tca.edu.sg • www.tca.edu.sg

AlphaTrack has been one of the happiest p eriods of my lif e.

It is like a first taste of heave n !

I finally experie nced the honou r and privilege of being used b y God. GOD used me to bring in 34 salvations over three mon ths. Amazing!

I was also very blessed by the first-class lectur ers.

I know I am no longer in char ge of my life – GOD is! A nd HE reigns!

Barbra Gan, m arketing extrao rdinaire

May 30 Track 1: Mar 11 – – Oct 31 Track 2: Aug 12 ing point s been the turn AlphaTrack ha ack, God ughout AlphaTr in my life. Thro ay. My ng to me everyd ki ea sp en be s ha er, and risen a level high prayer life has culously e Bible has mira th ad re to re si d the de been implante w purpose has ne A d! se ea cr in ck to the ld follow me ba in me that wou regrets ve absolutely no ha I . ce la tp ke mar ack! to join AlphaTr quitting my job HR manager Charmaine Yio,

It’s time to take the plunge! AlphaTrack is a three-month, full-time programme that will fast-track your Christian experience and get you into the things of God like nothing else can. Whether you are a student or a professional, AlphaTrack is one adventure you can’t afford to miss out on!

Tel: 6468 4444 • Email: alphatrack@trinity.org.sg • Website: www.trinity.net/alphatrack

AlphaTrack Mission for life