Trinitarian Issue 23 - Dec 10 - New Year

People Features Happenings

Issue 4/2010

Follow Jesus Start 2011 with a Blast! www.trinity.net

Be a Strategic Leader Take the Disciple Heart Check “I Grew Up in a Children’s Home”

Conference Highlights and Tracks

Module 1

Combined Opening Session

Featuring powerful team ministry by Rev. Dominic Yeo, Rev. Dr Naomi Dowdy and Rev. Ong Sek Leang.

• Grasp the truths of apostolic-prophetic leadership • Receive a fresh anointing for the new things God wants to do in your life and ministry!

Module 2

Seven Steps to Transforming Your Church

In the Trinity Christian Centre Cell Church Model, carecells are an apostolic community that is outward-looking – one that fulfills the Great Commission and transforms its community.

Discover practical strategies to: • Build and expand your leadership base • Release every person into active ministry • Steer your church toward growth and transformation.

Sign up online at www.trinity.net before 31 January 2011 and enjoy an early bird registration fee!

Important: It is crucial that senior pastors attend this module along with their leadership team.

Cell Church Conference 23-28 Mar Trinity Christian Centre, Singapore

Module 3

Mastering 5Gs

This module is designed for those who have attended Carecell Leaders Training. The 5Gs is the agenda items of the carecell meeting.

This module will enable you to plan and facilitate vibrant and purposeful carecell meetings. You will have many opportunities to sharpen your skills in facilitating the 5Gs – Gel, Glorify, Grow, Go and Gear up.

Module 4

Discipling towards a Strong Cell Church

This module is designed for pastors and sectional leaders who have implemented the Trinity Cell Church Model of open carecells and leadership carecells.

This module will enable you to: • Be able to help your church to become a strong cell church • Be more proficient as trainers of the core cell church training courses, namely Spiritual Parenting, Carecell Leaders and Sectional Leaders Training • Set up a Cell Church Administration system to effectively facilitate the proper functioning of the carecells.

for t u o k o o l , s n a i r n. i t e l l u b Trinita e h t n i s l i registration deta

Trinity Christian Centre CELEBRATION SERVICES

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FEATURES You Are A Strategic Leader God sees your potential as one

Trinity@Adam 21 Adam Road

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Crossword Fun Test your Bible savvy

ENGLISH SERVICES Adult Services, Nursery & DiscoveryLand* Sat 5pm Sun 8.30am & 11am

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Deep Water Faith Launch out into the deep

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Pre-teens Services (ages 10-12) Sat 5pm Sun 8.30am

Questions I’d Ask Before Following Jesus Every disciple’s necessary inquiry

69

The Heart of the Matter Take the disciple heart check

IGNYTE Services (ages 13-19) Sat 5pm Sun 11am CHINESE SERVICES Sun 8.30am & 11am

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PEOPLE Trinitarian Heroes Our very own pre-teens

Trinity@Paya Lebar 247 Paya Lebar Road

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Fishing 101 Training to be Spiritual Parents

ENGLISH SERVICES Adult Services, Nursery & DiscoveryLand* Sat 5pm Sun 10am

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‘I Grew Up in a Children’s Home’ A real life miracle

Pre-teens Services (ages 10-12) Sat 5pm Sun 10am IGNYTE Services (ages 13-19) Sat 5pm Sun 10am CHINESE SERVICES Sat 5pm Sun 10am** FILIPINO SERVICE Sun 10am INDONESIAN SERVICE Sun 10am THAI SERVICE Sun 6.30pm

THE FEEDING OF THE MULTITUDES

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* Nursery (birth to age 4) & DiscoveryLand (ages 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 BE107 - 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 Trinity@Adam 21 Adam Road Trinity@Paya Lebar 247 Paya Lebar Road

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22

JOURNEY OF FAITH AND SACRIFICIAL GIVING

8

SNAPSHOTS Reflections and Aspirations

104

Looking back, looking forward

10

Ending the Year with a Blast

An IGNYTE evangelistic event

108

The Feeding of the Multitudes

110

Reflections of a Celebration to Cherish and a Night to Remember

Amy Sand Concert One-night-only performance

In spirit and in body

18

Run For Your Life Young Adults’ bridging event

At the Combined Thanksgiving Dinner

12

SNAPSHOTS 1 2nd b4 <3

112

1 Church, 2 Teams, 3-nitarians Match updates and fixtures

Sweet sentiments

76

40TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

Missions Overview from Jan to Sep 2010

78

Champions, That’s What Jesus Calls Them Our sponsored children

86

Continues till today

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Being a Blessing Through CCSS Living out the call

90

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Our Family, His Story Journey of Faith and Sacrificial Giving Built to Be a Blessing Trinity@Paya Lebar is!

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Vision Month Celebrating our legacy

Blessed to Bless CCSS rice distribution

94

TCA College

32

21st graduation ceremony

98 102

Our Accolades, His Glory Our Music, Our Songs!

The stories behind them

The Rebounder Revival rally

34

Fiesta

38

Why We Worship Enhance your worship experience

DiscoveryLand’s special service

Church Camp Going places under the Son

69

THE HEART OF THE MATTER

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YOU ARE A STRATEGIC LEADER

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‘I GREW UP IN A CHILDREN’S HOME’ 5

V I S I O N

We see our worship services, prayer meetings and carecells as places where people hunger for the presence of God and where God delights to inhabit and dwell. In a vibrant atmosphere of worship, prayer and discipleship, we see people encountering God and the manifestation of signs, wonders and miracles.

Vibrant

O U R

Atmosphere We see Trinity Christian Centre as a church living together in covenantal relationships; where carecells, ministries, families and individuals are flowing in corporate unity to fulfil God’s purpose and plan for the church for that hour.

Incredible

Unity

We see a people consumed with a vision to touch the world for Jesus Christ and to see His glory displayed throughout the world. We see a church with a passionate heartbeat to fulfil God’s global agenda through sending men and women of faith to equip and empower churches and the body of Christ.

Passionate

Heartbeat

We see the church as a place for the 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.

Chief Editor Pastor Janice Chng Editor Tan Rou’en Editorial Team Chia Ban Seng Ivan Koh Kevin Kwang Carol Lim Diana Lim Contributing Writers Pastor Dominic Yeo Pastor Edward Lim Pastor Melvin Lim Dr Mark Rutland Anita Chia Cal-Lin Neubronner

Sharon Lim Moo Yubin Quek Yan Ying Jonathan Tan Vince Yip Carl Tan Corinne Lim Gordon MacDonald Jasmin Por Joanne Tan

Contributing Photographers Daphne Hong Jonathan Siow Dennis Thong Twenty4Frames Jesmond Ho IGNYTE Photography Team Joanne Toh Contributing Designers Pastor Tammy Goetz Faith Koh Photos Credit Roy Foo Joshua Tay Editorial Support Sarah Lau Veronica Teo Woo May Yin Advertising Sales & Admin Sarah Lau For ad sales enquiries, Tel: 6307 7718 Email: admin@trinity.org.sg Mailing Address Singapore Post Centre Post Office PO Box 616 Singapore 914021

Strategic

Leadership

ISSUE 4/2010 The Trinitarian is published quarterly

by Trinity Christian Centre.

O U R C O R E VA L U E S

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Email admin@trinity.org.sg

Passionate Honour

Audacious Fervour

Passion to love and honour God

Boldness and zeal to believe and ask largely for the impossible

Relentless Belief

Contagious Faith

Unwavering belief in people and their God-given destiny

Authentic and infectious faith that reaches out to the lost

Company registration number 197802911H MICA (P) 060/03/2010 Printed in Singapore by Print & Print Pte Ltd License number L028/01/2010 All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without express written permission is prohibited. Opinions, views and advertisements do not necessarily constitute the official stand of the church.

At Watchnight, Trinitarians received a clear word from God that we are blessed to be a blessing. Eight Trinitarians marvel at the privilege of living this word out in 2010, and share their aspirations for 2011.

We moved to a new place

Reflections and Aspirations

this year and we thank God that we were able to sell our previous house at a price beyond our expectations.

We were then able to fulfill a large part of our Faith Promise! In 2011, we look forward to continue to be a testimony for God as He blesses us in our family, careers and ministry in carecell. We hope the lives of our carecell members will be transformed, that they will know God better and be able to fulfill Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s destiny for their lives.

Bernard Lim, financial controller and Philomae Wong, freelance finance consultant

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I thank God for His protection

I thank God for my baby boy Calen

over my life in 2010. I experienced

that was given to us this year. In

a slipped disc during one of my

2011, I look forward to a closer

business travels and after taking

relationship with God, to a year

the medication I experienced

of fruitfulness and breakthroughs

bad allergies that I was unaware

where I can experience the joy of

of. But God has since healed me

seeing loved ones come to know

completely! In 2011, I want to serve God through

I thank God for using me to be a blessing to my mum â&#x20AC;&#x201C; she came to

joining a

Jesus.

Mark Seah, lawyer

know the Lord this year in April!

Missions

For 2011, I want to see my father

Impact Team.

and two brothers come to know the

Walter Tay, assistant credit controller

Lord too!

Loo Bee Chein, human resource assistant manager

2010 has been I thank God

a year of much

I want to thank God for the fruitful

for a job

turbulence in

year and good harvest for my

where there

the financial

business. I also want to thank God

are open

sector; I thank

for keeping my family healthy. In

heavens: my

God for seeing

2011, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m looking forward to more

me through

fruitfulness in my business so that

colleagues

and enabling me to be a blessing

I can continue to

who God is in my life and I am glad

by helping my friends who have

be a blessing

I can be a blessing to them. In 2011,

lost their jobs, to find employment.

to my family!

I want to see breakthroughs in my

I also thank God that I was able to

personal life and ministry. I also

contribute to the carecell by sharing

look forward to spending more

with them my walk with Him. In

Victor Koh, management consultant

time with my family.

2011, I want to grow in God and

Jerlyn Koh, travel agent

serve more in my carecell.

allow me to share

Merlvyn Heng, teacher 9

Here is the event in numerical glory.

1

First-ever Combined Thanksgiving Dinner celebration

About 5,000

Trinitarians attended the event

2

Locations the celebration service was held in (the Sanctuary and the Chapel)

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pastors involved in their item entitled ‘Behind the Veil’ (1 ‘very tall, dark and handsome’ senior pastor on the grand piano)

Min nutes the pasttors sp pentt pa ain nsta akingly practicin ng theirr flawless pe erfo ormance Celebra atio on Hosts mo obillize ed to we elcome pe eop ple e intto the e house of God, and forr eff ffectiive crowd d con ntrol Tra affic Marsshalls mobiilizzed to redirrectt carss to alternattive parkin ng venues and to facillittate the sm mooth h drop--off of passsengers into o the premisse

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Va an ussed to pick up p passengerrs from thesse parking venu ues when it started raining

Alte ernattive parking g ven nues featured in the churrch bulllettin (Paya Lebar 178, Ubi Av venu ue 3, Ciitim mac Industtrial Complexx, Blo ock 28A Bala am Road d)

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Thanksgiving Hosts who helped in the registration, event publicity and actual day operations

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Dinner venues (the Summit, Classrooms, Rooftop, Foyer, Garden, Entrance Driveway, Exit Driveway, Hostel Carpark, Level 1 Education Hub Carpark and Level 1 Community Hub Carpark)

5

Venues designated as ‘priority seating areas’ for the elderly, pregnant and those with young children (Guest Lounge, Reading Room, Activity Rooms, Youth Lounge and Heritage Walk)

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Serving points featuring the buffet spreads

90

Staff from the 3 catering companies stood by on hand

Ch hoice es of drinks

Varieties of main n course items (8 mee siam sta atio ons and 5 seafoo od lakssa sta atio ons alo one!!)

Type es off desssertts (mini écclaiirss, cho oco ola ate bro own nie es, fruitt tarrts, biird’ss nesst jellyy, nonya a ku ueh…)

Mob bile to oilets (we are e, afte er all, a churcch tha at me eets needs, what more the mo ost urrgen nt of kindss…)

Trinittarians formin ng the ensem mble, a very entertaining musical per formance e in n the Summit

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4 1970 –2010

YEARS

The Feeding of

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A historic event unfolds within the walls of Trinity@Paya Lebar as 5,000 Trinitarians celebrated through song and food, lending itself as a crescendo to Trinity’s 40th Anniversary Celebrations. By Vince Yip

the Multitudes

I

t was an overcast and balmy evening as Trinitarians

giving way to real bodies as the clarion call of ‘no

started streaming into Trinity@Paya Lebar as early as

reservations of seats’ was announced by our Senior Pastor,

3pm, two hours before the start of the event – Trinity’s

Pastor Dominic. Minutes to 5pm, the doors had closed

40th Anniversary Celebrations. Despite the ominous

and the large crowd gathered outside The Sanctuary had

announcement of ‘no parking’ two days prior, and the fact

to be diverted to the Chapel. It was a scene reminiscent of

that it was a public holiday (when most people would

a pop concert or perhaps an Isetan Grand Sale minus the

have taken advantage of the extended weekend to skip

screaming, shuffling and shoving. After all, we are a bunch

town), the turnout for Trinity’s much anticipated 40th

of well brought up Trinitarians.

Anniversary Combined Thanksgiving Dinner was full on.

Trinitarians were clearly in a sunny and celebratory mood.

The service started promptly with the pastors forming

And amidst the evident air of excitement and anticipation

the musical ensemble and choir, kicking off with the first

was a sense of having arrived at a very significant

worship song ‘YOU’, befitting of the King in our Lives.

milestone in Trinity’s journey of 40 blessed years.

Pastor Dominic shared a heart-warming and encouraging message of Thanksgiving to God for Trinity’s past 40 years’

As soon as the doors to the Sanctuary were opened,

journey of fulfilling our destiny and believed God would

Trinitarians coveted prime seats for the service but

continue to lead us into the next 40 years purposefully

secretly for the much anticipated ‘Show Time’ by our very

through strategic leadership, just as how Moses for 40

own pastors. The Sanctuary filled up very quickly with lots

years faithfully tended Jethro’s flock, and later spent his

of tissue packs and used car parking coupons (ingenious!),

next 40 tending the nation of Israel.

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4 1970 –2010

YEARS

Moses M oses was was faithfull iin nd discharging ischargin

T

o illustrate

that which was assigned tto him, h oh im

strategic leadership

even though it was not his. Thus, God

and the symbolic

promoted him into prominence. In the

40 years, he highlighted that his recent appointment as the General Secretary

same way, as we are faithful in serving and

of the Asia Pacific Superintendent

discharging all that God has assigned us,

meant that Trinity was being positioned at the forefront of churches not just

The Feeding of the Multitudes

the next 40 years will be where God will

within Singapore but beyond. This meant

thrust us into prominence in serving the nations.

Trinity would have to forge forward as an exemplary leader and that we would be a voice to evoke change and bring about transfer of technology from Trinity to the Asia Pacific Rim nations’ churches. Pastor Dominic believes that as he

received promotion from the Lord, Trinity as a church was also being promoted. He said the past 40 years represented a season of God’s faithfulness to Trinity as well as a testament of Trinitarians’ faithfulness in serving and thanked all Trinitarians for being faithful and exemplary in all forms of Ministry Expressions, ranging from Celebration Hosts, DiscoveryLand Helpers to the Creative Ministry Team and Traffic Marshalls.

Going forward, Pastor Dominic believes we are indeed stepping into an arena of prominence to serve not just within Singapore but the shores beyond. He prays that all Trinitarians will arise with great faithfulness to inspire the nations because to whom much is given, much will be required. He expounded that every Trinitarian is destined for greatness because the leadership DNA is in each and every Trinitarian. In closing, Pastor Dominic exhorted all Trinitarians, to continue to faithfully discharge all that we have been assigned to do so that collectively our efforts will create a rippling effect in the Asia Pacific Rim churches.

This was followed by a ‘never to be repeated’ presentation from Trinity pastors who took on different roles and personas when they threw

14

caution to wind and displayed for Trinitarians a side of themselves never seen or known before. The pastoral team delivered a musical collage where they displayed their musical talents through playing various instruments with each pastor rendering an item.

This segment culminated with Pastor Dominic hitting a few notes on the ivories (he had clearly practiced VERY hard) and led the choir in a song ‘I Have a Dream’. Latent talent oozed out of every pore and the ‘mini concert’ definitely gave the ‘President’s Star Charity’ concert a run for their money. If a MediaCorp talent scout had been present, I feel for certain some serious offers would have been made and deals cut with alternative careers soaring in the horizon. It left me wondering how much more we do not know about our pastors.

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F

inally, it was tim time me fo for that all important segment of the evening – the ‘feeding for of the multitudes’! he m u ttiitu ul tude des’ s ! Th The e challenge of feeding all these folks would have been

a daunting taskk fo for organizer, but with proper logistics planning that was executed or an anyy o rga ga with military precision, io on, n, the the multitudes were dispatched to their respective ‘feeding patches’ in an orderly and seamless fashion. Within 15 to 20 minutes, all guests were already se tucking into familiar fare of perennial favorites.

The dinner spread was as impressive as any we have ever seen, ranging from local delights to all-time western favorites. As Trinitarians queued and mingled, the dinner spread quickly dissipated as hunger pangs were slowly and surely being satiated. Trinitarians were ’scattered’ throughout the car park and various enclaves within Trinity@Paya Lebar, and the symphony of chatter, laughter and slurping (and burping?) pervaded the air like we have never heard before. Overall the ‘feeding of the multitudes’ was superbly organized with attention to every detail… as evidenced by sightings of mobile toilets strategically positioned for emergencies arising from ‘overload’.

They say 40 is the new 30 and this is no more evident than at Trinity’s 40th Anniversary Combined Thanksgiving dinner – the crowd was jubilant, good looking, youthful and radiated a sense of destiny in God’s Kingdom. By the end of the evening, it appears that Singapore’s largest birthday bash (apart the National Day Bash) will go down in the annals of Trinity as a wonderful and memorable milestone celebration for all. Beyond doubt, everyone had a good time, and all Trinitarians will surely look forward to our next BIG Do and hopefully it will not take another 40 years!

The pastors’ presentation was a tribute, and the dinner a treat to all Trinitarians. Indeed the evening was an embodiment and manifestation of a vibrant atmosphere, incredible unity, passionate heartbeat and strategic leadership. I left the party that evening feeling, once again, not just proud but privileged to be a Trinitarian.

The Feeding 16

of the Multitudes 17

Reflections of a celebration to cherish and a night to remember The following are some of the sentiments shared, with many others echoing similar sentiments…

‘The service was permeated with a strong presence of Almighty God. Pastor Dominic’s exhortation was anointed and inspiring...The special item from all the pastors brought smiles to our faces, and endeared us to each and every one of them – thank you for blessing us with your time, effort, love, talents and creativity! Also, kudos to the planning team for the amazing, flawless way you served dinner to all of us, without a hitch! The food selection was excellent. I was fortunate to be at the Summit, and was overjoyed till the end with brother Alan and ‘the oldies band’ singing praise and love songs to the Lord for hours! ‘ Joan Swee, corporate trainer DEW Ministry

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‘We loved the entire evening. It was a very well-organized event.

I hope this event will not take place only once every 40 years, if not, it will be my first and last!

This should happen once every 10 years instead! ‘ Ricky Goh, businessman with wife Jasmine West, Trinity@Adam

‘The Combined Thanksgiving Dinner was really a demonstration of VIPS… It was not just talk – the pastors and leaders showed us what VIPS was about!’

Wong Wee Woon, senior executive director South, Trinity@Adam

‘…The entertainment at the Summit performed by our pioneer worship leaders brought back wonderful memories of Trinity’s early days worshipping at World Trade Centre and at local hotels. Thank you Trinity for a memorable 40th Anniversary Thanksgiving Dinner! ‘ Irene Yen, personal assistant and Yan Lai Lin, administrative assistant East, Trinity@Paya Lebar and Chinese Ministry respectively

‘The pastors’ performance was simply awesome.

They sure are talented! What inspired me most were the words of a song, ‘This is home truly’. I have been with Trinity for 27 years and I can say this is my home. Well done! ‘ Roland Tan, engineer West, Trinity @Paya Lebar

‘If there’s anyone who can organize an event of such magnitude and creativity, it has to be Trinity.’

Raymond Leong, businessman South, Trinity@Adam

‘The evening’s event was executed with creativity and flair and the décor was tastefully done with a touch of class. The Pastors’ presentation brought them closer to us! We Trinitarians were truly blessed to be able to share a meal ALL together.

Everyone that we met this evening had a smile on their faces. It was really a joyful night for us.

Freddie Lim, retiree and wife Emeline, childcare teacher Chinese Ministry

‘I really loved Pastor Dom’s piano performance and the great atmosphere! It is not easy to arrange such a large scale event, but Trinity did it! I’m proud to be a Trinitarian!’

‘Pastor Dominic’s message was simple but powerful. We are reminded to be faithful in what God has entrusted us to do. The atmosphere was electrifying and the pastors’ performance was simply excellent.‘ John Chua marketing manager and Ivy Ng, senior program executive Creative Ministry

Doris Tay, self-employed Chinese Ministry

‘The pastors’ performance was a great surprise. It was excellent! I’m inspired by Pastor Dom’s message about each one of us needing to reach out to others.‘ Ron Mo, real estate agent Chinese Ministry 19

‘Much thought was given to every organizational detail that night! I enjoyed basking in the relaxed atmosphere and the different varieties of food catered... I’m really proud to be a Trinitarian!‘ Celest Tan, sourcing executive Chinese Ministry

‘The message by Pastor Dominic was very inspirational; it was a good reminder that we are called to be leaders.

Also, the pastor’s performance was very touching. It was a display of our church’s incredible unity, love for the church, humor and awesome talent!’

‘It was interesting to hear Pastor Dom and Pastor Bea speak of the history of the church, where we had came from, so that we also know about our humble beginnings. ‘

Charmaine Khaw, art studio director North, Trinity@Adam

Daphne Tan, risk analyst North, Trinity@Paya Lebar

‘Trinity’s events are always great, and tonight’s event was no exception.

The pastors’ performance was fantastic! I never knew that our pastors were so multi-talented – they can sing, dance and act. We always thought that they could only preach… Thumbs up to them!’

Fong Ban Meng, consultant East, Trinity@Paya Lebar

‘The food was good! I like the kueh pie tie chicken!’

Lyon Siow, primary six student Children’s Ministry

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‘The message

by Pastor Dom was very good, especially the part about Trinitarians being leaders and being called to serve.’

Saliesh Kumar, life insurance agent East, Trinity@Paya Lebar

a celebration to cheriish and a nigh ht to reemember ‘I never knew our pastors were so talented! I never knew Pastor Dominic could play the piano!’

Gregory Phua, self-employed East, Trinity@Paya Lebar

‘I enjoyed the fellowship after dinner the most. It’s always enjoyable to fellowship with carecell members.’

Terance Wong, sales manager West, Trinity@Adam

‘The message by Pastor Dom was good! The part on how we need to arise as leaders strikes me. My favorite part of the event was the pastors’ performance. We don’t usually get to see this side of them!’

‘The atmosphere was charged with excitement.

Pastor Dominic’s message reminded me that 40 years is truly a milestone and to expect greater things that God would do. I was very touched that the pastors had taken time off their busy schedules to rehearse and put up a performance. The food was great and I’m glad to meet up and mingle with friends worshipping at Trinity@Paya Lebar.’

Khoo Lilin, teacher Trinity, North@Adam

Ezra Chan, student IGNYTE, Trinity@Paya Lebar

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The God has been faithful to Trinity in these 40 years. From the days of being nomads, God has given us three pieces of land to call our own. Each purchase of land required faith, the faith to see beyond a land filled with dirt and grime, and to see instead a place of destiny and legacy.

Generations of Trinitarians past have risen in faith and given sacrificially to build a legacy in their generation and generations to come. Will you, today, likewise sow into this vision?

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The young congregation gave sacrificially. People gave hard cash, their savings and even mortgaged their houses.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Danny Yeo, current Board member. He who has been in the building committee for all three church buildings. He said this in 1981, where the church paid off the land at 21 and 23 Adam Road.

After years of nomadic experience, God had finally enabled Trinity to find a place it could call its very own.

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Journey of Faith and Sacrificial G

Because genera many can reap t

‘Our bankers were very surprised because we had taken out a 10-year loan for the purchase of the land at Paya Lebar but had paid it off in four years.

It was truly God’s provision.’

Raymond Leong, former member of the Board who has served as its Treasurer for 11 years. He marvels at the miraculous hand of God; it was an affirmation that the church should continue to move on in faith.

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Giving

Our Journey, His L eading

ations of Trinitarians past have sowed sacrificially into the vision, today the priceless blessings o of destiny and purpose in Trinity Christian Centre.

â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;When I became Senior Pastor in 2005, I told God that I was not going to raise funds for Paya Lebar the rest of my life.

I believed that Trinity will pay off in five years...â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Rev. Dominic Yeo, senior pastor.

He said this in the 2010 Vision Rally, to challenge Trinitarians to finish paying off Trinity@Paya Lebar.

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Sow into the Vision

You can be a part of this vision, and can continue to be one. Here are ways you can give.

Through AXS Stations: Click ‘Community’ and you will find the Trinity

Through DBS Internet Banking: 1. Apply for ibanking at any DBS/POSBank ATM or do so online

logo. Check out the AXS Station at Trinity@Paya Lebar, located at Level 1 (below Han’s café).

2. Logon to DBS Internet Banking at https://internet-banking.dbs.com.sg 3. Under [PAYMENT SERVICES], select [ADD NEW BILLING ARRANGEMENT]. Select [TRINITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE] as the payee from the drop down list 4. Under “Consumer Reference No.” enter 1, 2 or 3 which represents the following: 1 – Tithe/Offering 2 – Missions Faith Promise 3 – Vision Faith Promise (Building)

Through DBS ATMs:

5. Select account to pay from and confirm the billing arrangement

1. Insert ATM card and enter your PIN number 2. Select [IBANKING, CASHCARD & MORE SERVICES]

6. Once this billing arrangement is set, for subsequent contributions, when you click [BILL PAYMENT] under [PAYMENT SERVICES], Trinity Christian Centre will be listed with the pre-set Consumer Reference No.

3. Select [CREDIT CARD/BILL PAYMENT] 7. Enter amount and date of payment to continue 4. Select [TRINITY CHRISTIAN CENTRE LTD] under the list of corporations

8. To pre-set another consumer reference number, repeat steps 2 to 6.

5. When prompted for Bill Reference No., enter 1, 2 or 3 which represents the following: 1 – Tithe/Offering 2 – Missions Faith Promise 3 – Vision Faith Promise (Building) 6. Enter amount and confirm the transaction.

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Built to Trinity@Paya Lebar is built to be a blessing not just to Trinitarians but to Singapore and the nations beyond. Here, Churches and Christian organisations in Singapore say they have been tremendously blessed by the availing of Trinity@Paya Lebar for their use.

W

R

hold our first-ever media workshop for pastors and leaders on

appreciates Trinity

6 September 2010. The state-of-the-art facility met our every

Christian Centre and

need. What’s more, the staff made us feel very welcome and

Pastor Dominic for

were on hand to render assistance and be of service.

blessing us with the

e were truly blessed by the generosity of Trinity Christian Centre in extending to us the use of their auditorium to

Lim K Tham, General Secretary National Council of Churches of Singapore

oyal Rangers Singapore greatly

use of Trinity’s world class facilities. We are blessed by your generous spirit in extending

T

rinity’s auditoriums, function halls and rooms equipped with up-to-date equipments are ideal for the hosting of

many Assemblies of God, Singapore events. The generosity of you availing of your facilities for us has saved thousands of dollars in rental. In addition, the staff are extremely helpful and this contributes to the success of every event. Thank you,

this privilege to us. Trinity@Paya Lebar is a fantastic venue with state-of-the-art media, sound system, theatres, classrooms and F&B outlets. Your support staff are also amazing!

Trinity, for your generosity!

Chia Eng Kiat, National Commander

Rev. Dr Anthony Phua, General Secretary

Royal Rangers Singapore

Assemblies of God, Singapore

L

oveSingapore can never thank Trinity enough for letting us use its beautiful Summit for our pastors’ events. A big

plus is the huge screen and AV equipment already in place.

This makes pre-event set-up a breeze. Parking is never a worry, too. Most of all, we’ve been blessed by the gracious spirit and professionalism of the Facilities team. Thank You for making us feel so at home!

Lai Kheng Pousson, Special Assistant LoveSingapore

Y

our church has generously given our fellowship group a place to worship. At Trinity,

we have been blessed with warmth and friendship and in some cases, meeting long forgotten brethren. The fellowship group is truly grateful to Trinity for the love shown. God has blessed Trinity with much resources which we believe have been put to good use for His Glory!

Joshua Justin Low, Chairman Zion Christian Centre

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W

e wish to thank Trinity for making available their excellent centrally located facilities as our training

Our Journey, His L eading

be a Blessing

I

would also like to commend your wonderful technical team and excellent facilities that had helped to

venue. Amongst other benefits, it has ensured a good

make Carecell training conducive for

response from our leaders because of its location.

everyone. THANK YOU!

Rev. Lawrence Ong,

Rev. Chia Beng Hock, Senior Pastor

Senior Pastor

Bethel Assembly of God Church

Centre of New Life

A

ssociation of Korean Churches and Missionaries

T

rinity Christian Centre

had a combined revival conference at Trinity@Paya

has blessed us in

Lebar from 27-29 September 2010. We, Korean pastors

many ways; allow me to

in the committee, were impressed and blessed by the

summarize with a quote

good location, great ‘spiritual and cozy’ ambience of

from a member of our

the meeting place, and kind-hearted, efficient staff.

church. When he discovered

Trinity provided a great setting for the Holy Spirit to

that Trinity Christian Centre

move to bless an estimated 1,200 people during those

had availed its premise to us,

three days. We appreciate you for the great blessing we

he said, ‘Wow! Never expect

experienced at Trinity Christian Centre.

such generosity especially from a big church.’

Pastor Barnabas (Youngwoo) Kim, Director New Creation Church Korean Mission

Trinity has shown us, in a very tangible way, LOVE. It has also shown us service with humility – we expected to do much setting up and tearing down for service but the Facility department informed us that they would do this for us – it was much more than we had expected.

Edwin Low, Senior Pastor Dawn Life Church

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Vision Month This year’s Vision Month was a celebration of what it meant Legacy. Moo Yubin lets in on the month’s sights, sounds and

E

very September, Trinity celebrates Vision

The highlight of the month was the Vision Rally and

Month – a month dedicated to embracing

Vision Weekend from September 17-19. Guest speakers

God’s call for our church and our lives. This

Dr Mark Rutland and Pastor Paul Goulet encouraged

year, the focus was for Trinitarians to continue to

Trinitarians to arise to a new level of faith and reliance in

Build a Lasting Legacy by living out our God-given

God by acknowledging and surrendering to His grace,

vision of Vibrant Atmosphere, Incredible Unity,

and by allowing God to renew the ‘faith filters’ of our

Passionate Heartbeat and Strategic Leadership.

mind. Pastor Goulet also declared prophetically that Trinity was ‘pregnant’ and that God was going to use

Throughout the month, Trinitarians were invited to

Trinitarians in an even greater measure in the coming

discover and experience this vision for themselves.

days to impact more lives and churches.

The weekly sermons were focused on encouraging

28

and equipping Trinitarians to build the vision

Pastor Dominic went on to share what God had placed

together – by encountering God through a life of

in his heart for the centers at Adam Road and Paya

worship; by establishing covenantal relationships

Lebar, and how they will become a spiritual heritage

in our carecells; and by yielding our lives to serve

to impact future generations. Trinitarians responded

God and His purposes. Each carecell was also

with conviction to this vision by sowing a collective

provided with discussion materials to learn about

faith promise of $10,945,007.71! Many had evidently

the various expressions of the vision and how to

experienced a new level of faith to trust God for His

live them out.

provision and promises.

Our Journey, His L eading to Build a Lasting tastes.

29

This increase in corporate faith and unity was contagious.

Trinity’s very own cookbook featured 55 recipes

A newcomer to Trinity said ‘This is my first time attending

by Trinitarians themselves. Aptly titled ‘care

a Vision Rally. I was so impacted by the message and how

COOK connect’, the cookbook was a gastronomic

Trinitarians actively participated in the vision that I decided

celebration of carecells, and it is hoped that

to also be a part of this vision too. So I wrote down an

Trinitarians would share this ‘Trinitarian Makan

amount to give to God.’

Experience’ with their loved ones. The entire proceeds from a total of 3,222 cookbooks pre-ordered were

The vibrant atmosphere in Trinity was also heightened

donated to the building fund.

through the various activities organized in conjunction with Vision Month. Games and quizzes were organized

Beyond the free food and prizes, Trinitarians were

to reinforce Trinitarians’ understanding of our corporate

blessed through the times of fellowship and

vision. Crowds gathered at the common areas after each

increased sense of community.

service to literally taste the Trinitarian Experience through

30

the free snacks and treats that were provided. These

Trinitarians have had the opportunity to know,

included gourmet coffee, candy floss and ice cream, as well

experience and be a part of our God-given vision. As

as samplings of recipes from the Trinity Cookbook, such as

we continue to sow into and live out this vision, it will

mee goreng and banana and oatmeal muffins.

become a legacy of blessing for generations to come.

31

Our Journey, His L eading

album, a compilation ird th ’s ity in Tr of e as le With the recent re on two of its songs, in om zo e w s, ng so ip of our own worsh them. share the stories behind rs se po m co r ei th re whe

LORD I GIVE MY ALL

‘Lord I Give My All’ Composer: Victor Toh, zone pastor

INTRO: F C/F Bb/F VERSE 1: Bb C F Bb Lord my heart’s desire, is to follow You, my Lord F C/E Bb C/E F C/E Bb F/A To be guid – ed by You, Jesus lead me mould me Gm7 C F Till I fulfil my destiny

CHORUS: F Am7 Bb C Lord I give my all just to answer Your call F Am7 Bb C With all my hopes and plans to You Lord I will hand Dm7 Am7 Bb F/A Then I will rise with wings as an eagle Gm7 C F Lord, I give my all

VERSE 2: Use my life, oh Lord, as a pleasing sacrifice Wholly guided by You Through all life’s journey I’ll seek The destiny prepared for me

BRIDGE: Bb C/Bb From nations to nations Am7 Dm7 Bb C/Bb C Lord I’ll go, I will answer Your call

32

Years ago, while I was on the bus home from school, God prompted me to write a song there and then. He began to remind me of how He wanted ‘all of me’, so I started with that thought in mind.

I took out a pen and paper and began to write whatever came to my heart. As I wrote, it seemed as if God was penning out all the lyrics, and I penned them down within 10 minutes. While I was writing the lyrics of the song, a certain tune kept ringing in my heart. Hence, I instantly had the chords for the song there in the bus!

Upon reaching home, I immediately rushed to my piano and worshipped with this new song God had just birthed in me. The song spoke of complete surrender; it was not an easy one to sing. In fact, I felt that I had set myself up with such lyrics! Nevertheless, as I sang the words ‘Lord I give my all’, the lyrics increasingly tugged at my heart.

In the writing of this song, God brought me back to how He had preserved my life as a child and how He desired for me to surrender my life fully to His purposes. As you worship with this song, may you also completely surrender your life to His.

Our Accolades, His G lory BEYOND THE VEIL INTRO: F C/E Dm Bb VERSE 1: F C/E Dm Let the melody of my life Gm7 C4 C2 Be to You a song of worship F C/E Dm Let the adoration of my heart Gm7 C Be to You a symphony

CHORUS: G D/F# Em Take me now way beyond the veil Am Where I can see You D Where I can see You Jesus G D/F# Em Hold me now within Your arms of love Am I wanna be with You D I wanna be with You

BRIDGE: Gm7 F C F/A Bb C Lord my soul can’t live without You near to me Gm7 F C F/A Bb C Lord my soul can’t live without You near to me Gm7 Dm C F/A Bb C Lord my soul can’t live without You near to me

‘Beyond the Veil’ Composer: Kevin Tay, marketing executive I remember the time a few years back when I was inspired to write this song. God was brewing something in my heart and the song was birthed one morning as I was on my way to work. The melody and lyrics came to mind and I penned the chords and words into my PDA as fast as I could so I would not forget them.

The heart of the song speaks about being in a place where we, as worshippers, are not satisfied with shallow worship. It depicts a heart that cries out for God to take us beyond the outer courts and into the Secret Place. God was drawing and teaching me to enter into a deeper place with Him. I think I had ‘song writers’ syndrome’ when I first wrote it, as I felt the song was too simple. I hesitated to play this song in front of others. However, when I released this song at the local New Zealand church I was serving in at that time, God showed me that He could use even simple songs for His glory. I was amazed the impact this song had on the lives of others and I know that God will continue to use these songs to bless the hearts of many more.

33

Why We Four worship

myths 1. I engage in worship according to how I feel, otherwise I’m a hypocrite It is not hypocritical to honor God with your worship despite personal struggles. The Bible

3. Worship is an ‘internal’, ‘personal’ thing

mentions the concept of bringing to God a ‘sacrifice of praise’ – praise that goes against how we feel at that moment, and praise that responds

Worship has two dimensions – Personal Worship, that is, during our personal time with God, as well as Corporate Worship. Whenever

to who God is rather than how we feel.

we gather together as believers, we enter into In fact, very often it is in the midst of sacrificial

corporate worship, where we corporately exalt

praise that we see the power of God revealed.

the name of Jesus and in so doing evoke a faith-filled atmosphere to receive Him. Thus, in corporate worship we contribute positively and passionately to build a vibrant atmosphere.

2. How good the worship is depends on how good the worship team is Lights, sound, songs, the worship leader/

The raising up of hands, clapping, dancing and bowing down and making a joyful noise are all postures of worship exemplified in the Bible.

team does not determine the quality of your worship experience. While these are collectively important, what determines

4. Worship should only take place in church

‘good worship’ lies with worshippers themselves. We determine the height of

In John 4:21-24, Jesus introduced a new kind of worship and

our worship experience by the depth of

a new breed of worshippers – worshippers who worshipped

our hunger and breadth of our receptivity

in spirit and in truth, not restricted to locale but who were

towards God.

filled with God’s Spirit and were free to worship wherever they were. Therefore, worship is not confined to the four walls of a church building. Rather, true worship is defined and established within the walls of a heart that loves God.

34

Take your worship experience one notch higher – we show you how to turn off everything that has hindered you from tuning in to Jesus and how to bring your worship experience home from church. Pastor Peter Loy shares about the heart of worship.

Four ways to enhance your worship experience

1

Start at the gates of your home Let your journey of

2

Say a simple prayer Ideally you should

worship begin at the gates of your

avoid rushing into the

home. In the Old Testament, the

place of worship right after

people of God would journey on

settling a host of things.

foot, loading their donkeys with

Try and calm down with a

items they needed for worship at

simple prayer after you find

the Temple of Jehovah. But they

your seat. Invite the Holy

didn’t wait till they reached the

Spirit to fill you and tell

doors of the Temple; they started

God of your desire to meet

worshipping from their doorstep.

with Him.

What is your journey to the

Better still, come early to

House of God like? Start your

God’s House. Come for

worship experience the moment you wake up and on your way to Church. Sing

Pre-service prayer that is 15 minutes before service. Be there before

your favourite worship song to

the action begins!

God and notice how quickly you will ’enter His gates’.

3

Our Accolades, His G lory

Worship Switch to silent mode Your time spent in Godencountering worship may have

lasted 20 minutes but it takes all of two seconds to ruin it through being distracted.

Learn to silence all forms of distractions around you by focusing on Jesus.

4

‘Take God home’

Your worship experience neither starts in church nor stops there. Momentum is key to building it. Try this – after a Service, take that experience home by continuing to reflect and pray about what was taught and received. Sing the songs that touched you. Meditate upon the Word that moved you and be amazed at how your worship experience will deepen. You will soon realize that worship is about the ‘who’ and not the ‘where’.

35

um, Trinity’s third alb ion t a l i p m o c a g n i r u t a fe gs! n o s p i h s r o w n w o r u of o

In this album: ‘Beyond the Veil’, ‘Jesus Come’, ‘Everything Within Me’, and many more!

Purchase your copies at Manna at Trinity@Adam and Trinity@Paya Lebar or online at www.trinity.net

Bless someone with it!

Church camp:

Encountering God, enjoying the fellowship Church camp is an event that Trinity has organized every three years over the past decade. It was a time of coming together to encounter God, listen to power-packed messages, enjoy the fellowship, and make new friends. By Pastor Edward Lim

In 1978, Trinity had her very first church camp at Marymount Convent in Singapore. Subsequently, there was a church camp practically every year. In the 1980s and 1990s, it was held in various parts of Malaysia such as Malacca, Penang and Port Dickson.

The former Malacca Village Resort was a popular location when campers numbered around 200, but as the church grew, camps moved on to larger venues. In some instances, such as when the camp was held in Port Dickson, Malaysia in 1996, more than one hotel was used to house campers.

Participation has grown in tandem with church growth.

In 2002, in our first triennial camp, more than 600 persons attended the four-day event at Sunway Lagoon.

Three years later, over 900 campers went to Pattaya, Thailand.

38

Our Accolades, His G lory

The 1,000-mark was crossed when 1,280 Trinitarians headed for Cha-am in Thailand in 2008. Even the mode of transportation to the camp venue has evolved from cars and buses to airplanes to reach Bangkok before

The facts were just as staggering (compared to previous

transferring to buses to Pattaya and Cha-am.

camps): •

It seems that Trinity is making history with every camp.

‘I+’ scores many firsts Intended to be one with a difference, the 2005

campers: Singapore Airlines, Tiger Airways, JetStar Asia, Air Asia and ValuAir •

for pre-and post-camp extensions

be held outside Malaysia, it presented interesting •

•

proceed smoothly.

The camp theme was ‘I+ – Intimate, Intense, Inspire’. ‘I’

•

Inspire others and make a difference.

Two sessions of camp-wide activities were planned for all participants

•

A function room full of supplies was needed to stock up the mini-fridge in every room

• I+ My Family – Have Intense relationships • I+ My Carecell Members/Fellow Trinitarians –

Three services (English, Chinese and Children) were running simultaneously throughout the camp

refers to ‘me’ or ‘I’ while ‘+’ means ‘more than me’: • I+ God – Have an Intimate relationship

926 Trinitarians occupied 390 rooms at Jomtien Palm Beach Hotel & Resort

God is faithful and He granted favors in many areas and through different people to enable the camp to

Two hotels were chosen: Jomtien Palm Beach Hotel & Resort for the camp venue and Ambassador Bangkok

camp was historic in many areas. As the first to transportation and logistical challenges. However,

Five airlines were needed to accommodate the

•

21 buses and four minivans transported campers to Jomtien while 23 buses and one minivan sent everyone back to either Bangkok or the airport.

There were many firsts in this camp: • Under Pastor Dominic Yeo’s senior pastoral leadership

Response from campers was resounding and their satisfaction and joy were reflected in their feedback.

• To cross the 900 mark • Held in Thailand

‘Everything was great – the preaching, the speakers and a lot,’

• Where everyone flew together to a destination

enthused Nicholas.

• Organized without the help of a travel agent • With fully-planned, activity-packed program

‘Good food! Fun activities! Affordable price! Comfortable

• With online sign-ups

schedule. Great worship and good sermon,’ noted Wendy Ong. 39

Steven Cheah was ministered by

Altogether, 1,280

God’s Word during the camp.

campers signed up for the camp, which was

‘Rev. Bruce Hills brought the Word

aptly themed ‘Xtraordinary’. It was a camp filled

for the hour. I felt that I received

with extraordinary expectations, experience

a Word from God,’ he wrote.

and exploits.

‘The message was so powerful that I want to rise up and

As it was the year of the Beijing Olympics, the camp was

be what Jesus wants me to be. I want to let people see a

based on the Olympic concept, with games organized and

bible in my life that they want to read, so that I can win

medals handed out to winners. The name tag was a gold

them to Christ,’ summed up Wenice Wee on

medal, making every camper

her camp experience.

a champion in God.

Against such a backdrop, building on the

Rev David Doery and Rev

wildly successful 2005 camp was always

Ong Sek Leang fired up

going to be a challenge for the next camp.

the campers with inspiring messages that touched

Xtraordinary record breaker

lives and brought about

But God is great and truly a God of new

transformations.

things. In 2008, the camp venue was the quiet and serene Holiday Inn Resort Regent Beach Cha-Am, which covers

A camp song was written and is now sung in Trinity’s

more than 40 acres of land and fronted the beach.

worship services.

While more people were expected to sign up for this

Just like the Olympics, the camp was a record breaker in

camp, the overwhelming response astounded all

a few ways.

involved.

• Record number of campers: 1,280 • Record number of venues: Four hotels (Holiday Inn

Every camp package was snapped up within three

Resort Regent Beach Cha-Am and Beach Garden Resort

hours of registration. With a waiting list of more than

and Spa in Cha-Am, and Royal Benja Hotel and Baiyoke

200, a second hotel was picked to house the additional

Suites in Bangkok)

participants.

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• Record sign-up time: All packages sold within three hours

Our Accolades, His G lory • Record queue: First person in the e queue as early as 8.30am when registration was scheduled to start at 4.00pm In his forward in the camp booklet, Senior Pastor Dominic Yeo, advisor to the camp committee, wrote, ‘YOU have a divine appointment with God! As you experience God and allow Him to transform you, there will be an increase of new spiritual authority and dominion that will come into your life! Together, we will emerge as a people who will do great exploits for God in our nation and beyond.’

Based on campers’ feedback, many were touched by God during the camp and emerged stronger, ready to do God’s will. ‘[I had a] personal encounter with the Holy Spirit and God’s presence in every service,’ wrote a camper.

‘I enjoyed garnering the campers and influencing them with the spirit of joy – that they not only enjoy the camp but are also here to worship God,’ said Pastor Gwen.

Encountering God and fellowshipping with Trinitarians in a stress-free location make the church

Block these dates, Book your leave, Start saving now!

camp an event not to be missed. Next year is 2011, time for our fourth triennial camp. Don’t miss it!

41

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You are a Strategic Leader When God looks at you, He sees the potential of a Strategic Leader. But can an ‘ordinary person’ be one? Senior Pastor Rev. Dominic Yeo shares how God has called you to be a Strategic Leader. Will you BE one?

W

hen God calls you a ‘Strategic Leader’, do you

on your wound, you not only experience its influence

squirm at its mention, uncomfortable with

but its impact – the smarting – as you will be crying out

what the term entails? Do you say to Him,

in pain. Yet, this impact is a positive one because salt has

in jest, ‘Here I am Lord… send him instead!’ Do you feel

the ability to heal. Similarly, light has a positive impact. It

that God has not called you to be a leader, citing your

immediately dispels darkness.

personality, experience, or availability as reasons?

Having seen Jesus’ definition of Strategic Leadership in If you can identify with these sentiments, you are not

Matthew 5, let us now look at its description in Trinity

alone. Yet, know this truth: God has called you to be a

Christian Centre’s vision statement:

Strategic Leader! To Him, leadership is more than taking up a position or having the ability to lead.

God’s definition of a Strategic Leader is someone who influences and impacts lives.

We see the church as a place for the God’s definition of a Strategic Leader is someone who influences and impacts lives. Jesus illustrates this in Matthew 5:13 when He

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.

says ‘You are salt and light of the earth’. If you put salt

45

Perhaps you may have the

Allow me to clarify. The phrase ‘Every Trinitarian a leader’ does not mean that all Trinitarians are to become carecell leaders. Carecell leaders are Strategic Leaders, but the

1. Regardless of your age

mindset that a Strategic Leader has to be above a certain age; anyone

phrase simply means that you are a Strategic Leader wherever God has placed you – in your family, in your

younger would lack the experience and educational

workplace or in your school.

qualifications. A lot of our ideology is that someone who is young cannot be a Strategic Leader.

This, then is the definition of Strategic Leadership: the ability to make a fresh impact in the lives

I recently met a couple

of individuals, societies, communities and the

from church whom I had

nation for the glory of God.

not seen in a long time.

When asked what had

You may feel daunted by this definition, thinking:

brought them back,

can I be a Strategic Leader? Let us look at the Bible to

they surprised me with

discover why God says you can be a Strategic Leader.

their answer: ‘My kid got inv invited to the service here’, they said. Immediately, the IGNYTE service, our youth

You can be a Strategic Leader…

ministry came to mind, as the IGNYTErs are really good at inviting their friends. Instead, they said, ‘One of the DiscoveryLand kids invited our daughter and so we are here.’

I thought about it and couldn’t help feeling wowed. Our children are Strategic Leaders because they can make an impact in the life of these parents. Our children are not the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders of today.

If we can raise our children with the wisdom of God, parents, our children have the ability to make a fresh impact.

The Bible in John 6:9 tells the story of a child who was a Strategic Leader. Jesus was ministering in a place for a long time, and it was now sunset. The people were hungry but the disciples did not have the means to feed

46

them. The scriptures say there were ‘5,000 men’; if every

Philippi. Philippi is a Roman colony and is one of King

men brought his wife, that would amount to the feeding

Herod’s residences. Herod had forbidden the presence

of 10,000 persons. And, if every man and his wife brought

of temples or synagogues; there was not to be the

two children, that would mean 20,000 needing to be fed.

worship of any God, for all were to proclaim Herod

It took all but a little boy to turn the situation around when

himself as Lord. That’s why the scripture says, ‘Anyone

he strategically gave up his lunch box. Biblical material

who confesses Jesus as Lord will be saved’ because it is

tells us that he was only between the age of nine to 12.

in direct opposition to saying Herod is Lord.

Several years ago, I went to a church in New York. There, I saw children as young as nine being pastors. There was a nine-year-old kid who ministered to other children on a bus that took these children to church. The nine-year-old child would tell the bus driver that ‘so-and-so’s’ mum just died from an overdose, we need to visit.’ Then, when the child who lost his or her parents went up the bus, the nine-year-old bus-pastor would minister to that child.

In Philippi also was a woman named

You are never too young to be a Strategic Leader.

Lydia. She was a dealer in purple cloth, from the city of Thyatira. Lydia was

What about those of us who feel old? Joshua 14 tells the

a successful business woman. In those days,

story of this man named Caleb. Caleb recounts how, when

the color purple came from a dye which was gotten from

he was 40, Moses sent him out with a team to survey the

seashells – which was very expensive in those days – and

promised land. The rest did not obey God but Caleb did so

extract from it purple for dye. Purple cloth was a very,

fully. Now, at 85 years old, Caleb asks God to give him the

very expensive merchandise. This was a woman dealing

hill country the Lord had promised. Caleb was a Strategic

with a luxury good and with very important people.

Leader by making an impact in the lives of the Israelites.

But Lydia was also a Strategic Leader. She not only If a nine year old kid and an 85 year old man can be

heard the Word of God, but also invited Paul and his

strategic, you can too. You can be a Strategic Leader

companions to her home: ‘If you consider me a believer

regardless of your age.

in the Lord,’ she said, ‘come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.’ Notice the word ‘stay’. Then in verse

2. Regardless of your gender

Acts 16:14 tells the story

40, ‘After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they

of Paul who, on his

went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers

missionary journey has

and encouraged them. Then they left.’ Notice the word

come to this place in

‘brothers’.

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What happened was this: Lydia, a Strategic Leader,

What about the shepherds in Luke 2? They had little and

brought a church – the church of Philippi – into being.

no position in society. They were despised, considered bandits, people who could not be trusted. But the

Now, Acts 4:36-37 tells us of a man named Barnabas:

shepherds made an impact in Christendom. Today,

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called

numerous sermons are preached about them, and every

Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a

Christmas, their story is told.

field he owned and brought the money and put it at the All of us can be Strategic Leaders. So the question now, is

apostles’ feet.

this: how then can you become a Strategic Leader in Christ?

Strategic Leaders make a fresh impact in the lives of individuals, societies, communities and the nation. A

Let’s look at the lives of these individuals and through

little boy made an impact in the lives of at least over

them, pick up salient truths on Strategic Leadership.

25,000 people. Caleb, at 85, took the mountain and impacted the tribe of Israel. Lydia, a woman, changed the course of Christendom. Barnabas was a Strategic

Characteristics of a Strategic Leader…

Leader because he impacted the Christian community which was going through a financial crisis at that time.

i) A LIFE OF

Yielding

All of us can be Strategic Leaders regardless of our age, regardless of our gender and finally, regardless of our status and our position.

3. Regardless of your status or position

48

It doesn’t mean that

Let’s begin with the boy in John 6. This boy became a

somebody has to be in

Strategic Leader when he yielded his lunchbox, which

a high position to be in

led to the feeding of the multitudes. The word ‘yield’

a position of influence,

means to give. The word ‘yield’ means to lay your life

be borne into ‘good stock’

down. If you want to make a fresh impact in the lives

so to speak, and be placed in high society to make an

of people around you, yield your life to God to be His

impact. No, this is not the case.

Strategic Leader today.

Nevertheless, you can make an impact from your

How do you yield your life? Start giving – give of your

position of influence. In the Bible, King Darius put Daniel

life. We are blessed to be a blessing. Because we are

as a ruler. Daniel impacted the lives of the greatest

blessed, let’s give of our blessings to bless the people

political leaders in his time, and the people of Babylon.

around us, so that they may come to know Jesus Christ.

Let’s give of our life so that they may be restored by the

In Trinity, you are called Celebration Hosts because

love of God. God wants you to touch someone’s life.

when you host people, you host the presence of God! You are ‘Celebration Hosts’, not ‘Ushers’.

This boy did not change the course of the political structure, but he sure did change the course of the lives

Lydia was a great celebration host because she not

of the 25,000 that day. Today, if you were to just yield

only hosted Paul and his companion, she hosted

your life to Christ by giving of your life, your time, who

the presence of God and God’s presence decided to

knows, the next influential person might come into the

say, I shall tabernacle at your home, resulting in there

Kingdom of God.

becoming a Church. What a great impact!

The same can happen for you when you open up your

ii) A LIFE OF

Hospitality

homes for carecell and be involved as Celebration Hosts.

Be a Strategic Leader by extending hospitality. Your mere extension of hospitality will touch lives, many lives you will not know.

Let’s look at Lydia. What did Lydia do? Lydia invited Paul and his companion to her house and she asked them to stay. The word ‘stay’ means to reside for a long time.

When we invite our friends over, after about a couple of hours we feel we need our rest and are tempted to

iii) A LIFE OF

Encouragement

ask them to leave. In fact, some of us feel who open our homes for carecell feel; that they are ‘overstaying’ already.

Barnabas, besides his generosity, is also known as the ‘son of encouragement’. He was such a great encourager

However, in those days, when they were to ‘stay’, it

that he became the mentor for Paul. He made such

was for months. Imagine hosting, accommodating

an impact in Paul’s life that today, Paul is recorded in

and paying for the meals of your guests for that entire

history as one of the greatest apostles in Christianity.

period. But Lydia extended hospitality, hospitality to house the presence of God, which caused her home

Be an encourager in your carecell! If you are not in one,

to become the church of Philippi. If you want to be a

be involved today. Become a Spiritual Parent. Listen,

history-maker for Christ, if you want to be a Strategic

a Spiritual Parent is an encourager, somebody who

Leader, then you must yield of yourself to touch lives.

encourages someone in their walk with God. For all you

Today, I call upon you to extend hospitality in your own

know, you may be mentoring the next Senior Pastor of

ways. Being a Celebration Host is the work of hospitality.

Trinity Christian Centre!

49

Encourage someone around you today! That word of

Joshua’s life, he said, As for me and my household, we will

encouragement that you release into your children,

serve the Lord.

family members, friends, colleagues and business partner, may change the course of their lives for eternity.

vi) A LIFE OF

Witness

iv) A LIFE OF

Courage

The shepherds teach us about being a witness. To make a positive impact, you must witness for Christ.

Daniel lived a life of courage. King Darius passed a decree to only serve and worship his image of gold,

The Bible tells us that as they were laying on the

Daniel responded by praying to God and was thrown

mountainside that day when the heavens opened and

into the lions’ den. King Darius was so impacted by the

the angels began to sing about Jesus’ birth. They went

life of Daniel that he said, ‘Now I know that the God of

to where the child was and they worshipped him, then

Heaven is with you.’ A king who was not a God-fearer

they went out from there telling everyone about this

came to the knowledge of God.

baby Jesus, king of the Jews. They impacted the entire region, because if you read Luke 2, you will discover that many heard and believed. Can you imagine, the

v) A LIFE OF

Service

shepherds, lowly people without credibility, and yet impacting many positively?

My five loaves and two fish Not long ago, I received an invitation to have a

Caleb exercised a spirit of service. He continued to serve

dialogue with government leaders. Honestly, I was very

God even at the age of 85. I believe Joshua was impacted

apprehensive.

greatly by Caleb’s life. In Numbers 13, Joshua heard Caleb say we should go up and take possession of the land, for

But God spoke to me. He reminded me of what I

we can certainly do it. In Numbers 14, young Joshua then

preached at Watchnight Service, that we are blessed to

stood with Caleb and said we will take the land.

be a blessing. God also reminded me about our vision component; Vibrant Atmosphere, Incredible Unity,

50

Caleb impacted Joshua’s life, who ultimately became

Passionate Heartbeat and Strategic Leadership; to have

the leader of the nation of Israel. Even at the close of

a Passionate Heartbeat for God’s agenda. I asked God,

what are You interested about? The

congregation was a very important

answer was simply, Singapore. The

man, a governor.

vision components of the church When the service ended, we were

never hit me so hard before.

I realised that I needed to go if I was going to be a Strategic Leader. Yet, when I looked at the people invited,

You don’t have to impact everyone; you just have to impact one.

I felt small; I was the youngest and newest among them.

at the carpark and somebody from the church just felt ‘Pastor Dom, why don’t you just go talk to this governor?’ I hesitated. He was a governor, a politician; I was a

Singaporean, a pastor in a church. We did not know each other and there was nothing to talk about.

I also realized that, like the little boy with the lunchbox, all I had to do was to offer my lunchbox, to offer my five loaves

For the first few minutes, it was awkward. But very soon,

and two fish: a little solution that I think would help.

I came round to asking how I could pray for him. As we talked, he began to open his heart. And there and

So, God challenged me to yield of myself, that if I were

then at the carpark in Guam, I led him to the Lord and

to go, I would help the churches in Singapore with a

ministered to him. Later, when he became a senator, he

place to host the presence of God. I also realised that it

was still corresponding with me via email and I had the

needed courageous leadership. I realised I needed to

opportunity and privilege to offer advice.

give of whatever I had to offer.

If you would yield your life, if you would be hospitable And so I went. And God came into the meeting. As

by being generous with time, talents, testimonies and

soon as I began to share the proposals, the government

treasures, if you would have a life of service to serve the

leaders responded positively.

Lord, God can use you to become a Strategic Leader. You don’t have to impact everyone; you just have to impact

I left the meeting feeling that it went well, and I kept

one. And that one can be the greatest influence.

thanking God: ‘Thank you Jesus for walking through this process with me!’ I believe that if I can do it, you can do it too, because the anointing flows from the head of the house to the rest of you.

God also brought to memory another situation in my life.

I was on a ministry trip in Guam, but was not the speaker for the conference. I did not know that sitting in the

Rev. Dominic Yeo is the Senior Pastor of Trinity Christian Centre.

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51

T E S T YO U R B I B L E S AV V Y

CROSSWORD FUN Who were the Strategic Leaders of the Bible? Try your hand at this simple word game!

ACROSS

DOWN

1.

Navigated the nation of Egypt from the effects of a famine.

2.

3.

This ______ girl who told Naaman to go to Elisha, which healed Naaman of his leprosy.

Despite their low social status, they spread the news of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; birth.

5.

This mother dedicated her son, Samuel, to the Lord, who in turn became the prophet of Israel.

This queen saved her people from potential genocide.

7.

Told his brother Peter about Jesus.

6.

Sold his field and gave the money to the apostles.

8.

9.

Sacrificed his lunch box that fed the 5,000.

Her hospitality led to the birthing of the church of Philippi.

4.

10. His bold devotion to God led King Darius to believe in God. 1

2

3

4

5

6

8

9

10

52

7

es: Responsibiliti impact lives d To influence an ces you. la wherever He p : Requirements d Go • A heart for required – e g a m u m i n i • No m to apply. e m o c l e w e r a children

se For Official eUssful applicants: Names of succ

12,

Koh, ✔ Amanda Land pre-teen Discovery

12,

on, ✔ Song Si W Land pre-teen Discovery

e limit to being There is no ag uek Yan Ying Q r! e d a e L ic g s a Strate Land pre-teen ry e v o c is D o s speaks to tw pact in the live im n a e d a m e v who ha d them. of those aroun 53

g n i t c Impa ily m a f y m In the eyes of the world,

Amanda Koh might seem to be just a quiet child, with little significance. But in the Kingdom of God, Amanda is not unimportant.

So although a pre-believer, Amanda’s mother allowed

She helped to bring life to her

Amanda to attend the

family, not necessarily because

Pre-Teens service at Trinity

of anything that she did, but because of who she is and how God used her to point her

Christian Centre, while she went to the Adult Service. Both mother and daughter came to encounter God and

parents to Him.

accept Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Amanda used to have low

This positive change in Amanda has indeed encouraged

self-esteem and would

her parents to put their faith in the God who can

flare up easily when her

transform lives. Amanda’s father was a backslidden

classmates taunted

Christian who had stopped going to church since 1995

her for being ‘fat’. An

but last year, he re-dedicated his life to Christ. Amanda

introvert, she preferred to keep to herself and would

has also made an impact for Him in other small but

not mix around with others, even at family gatherings.

definite ways. ‘There was once when my mother felt pain

Amanda’s parents worried about her emotional health.

in her hand. I prayed for her, then her hand was healed.’

Try as they might, they could not seem to help Amanda.

54

Then Amanda’s student care centre supervisor, Miss Fun,

Today, Amanda is more open and friendly to others, even

invited Amanda and her mother to church. Miss Fun had

though she remains shy. During family gatherings, she

said to Amanda’s mother that since whatever they did

would even take the initiative to serve food to her elders.

could not bring about much change in Amanda, why not

She is also happier and more confident of herself. Simple

leave it to God?

and unpretentious, Amanda’s faith in God inspires.

g n i t iImpac nds e i r f y m Song Si Won used to be hesitant about sharing Christ with his friends and inviting them to church: ‘Sometimes I’m scared that they won’t turn up.’ He was also worried that it might seem strange or awkward to his friends if he asked them to come to church – ‘it’s like I invite them for no reason.’ in His truth.

But in 2008, when he attended the Primary 4

It’s not a good

DiscoveryLand Camp, he was taught by the DiscoveryLand

thing if they

teachers how to share Christ with other people. ‘They said you must be bold when you face other people, and that you must trust God. Even if they don’t turn up [when you invite them], at least you shared Christ with them. There

don’t know what is happening because nobody told them about God.’

might be the slight chance that they will turn up, so just take the opportunity to tell them to come to church.’

Si Won has continued inviting his schoolmates to come to church,

This new knowledge gave Si Won newfound courage. He

in spite of feeling afraid of being

would sometimes play with kids at his housing estate’s

rejected. Sometimes, his friends would say to him,

street soccer court. On one occasion, he decided to

‘Ee-uh, you want to go to this event for what?’ But he

invite them to church. Si Won felt nervous, ‘so before

would just tell them to come. Although he would feel

that, I prayed to God, and asked Him to help me.’ To his

discouraged, he would tell himself that at least he tried

relief and pleasant surprise, his friends said that they

his best. Some of his friend accepted Si Won’s invitations

would try to make it. Two of them came to the Pre-Teen

and had come to church last Christmas and to the

service, and accepted Christ.

Missions event this year.

Si Won had always

When asked what he would say to

wanted to share

encourage another kid to share with

Christ with his friends,

their friends about Jesus, he said, ‘It may

because ‘if I’m the only

be difficult, especially if their parents are

one going to church

of another religion, but at least you tried

and knowing about

and you know that you did your best.

God, then it’ll be unfair

God is looking and knows that you did

to the rest, so I wanted

His will because He told His disciples to

to help them follow

share His love. It is good for Christians

God’s way and abide

to learn to spread His gospel.’

55

DEEP WATER

Faith Following Jesus requires stepping out in faith, which defies reason. Do you baulk and question Him, or listen and obey? Dr Mark Rutland shares what it means to launch out into the deep.

56

Imagine yourself standing on tip toes in sea water and wondering what your next step would mean. Venturing just a little further mean losing control of yourself, not being sure if you would sink or swim – this is called launching into the deep. The following is what Dr Rutland shared during Vision Rally.

In Luke 5:1–11 (KJV), the Bible says: And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed on him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he said to Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

And Simon answering said to him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net. And when they had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net broke. And they beckoned to their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, Fear not; from now on you shall catch men. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

In this passage of scripture is a man who is just going to work. He’s a professional fisherman, a hardworking, blue-collared guy. This has not even been a particularly good day. He’s fished all night but nothing to show for it. He’s tired; his back hurts, his hands hurt, he’s stacking the nets in the bottom of the boat. He is very tired.

So Peter has worked all night and has gotten nothing, and Jesus comes and says He wants to use his boat as a platform to preach because people are pushing Him almost into the lake.

57

Obedience in Corporate Finances

Jesus sits down in the boat and from there preaches to the people who are standing

I took over a megachurch in the state of

on the shore. Then, when He

Florida many years ago. It was completely

finishes preaching, He turns

bankrupt, it was a total disaster. We were

to Simon Peter and says to

living from hand to mouth. The Lord

him, ‘Now, launch out into

spoke to me on a Saturday night: ‘I want

the deep, and let down your

you to take an offering in the morning

nets for a draught.’

and give it to the First Baptist Church.’ I said, ‘Lord, why don’t you speak to the

The lesson here is this:

pastor at First Baptist? Have him take up

When God enters our lives

an offering for me.’

and summons us into a place of adventure, this

God said, ‘But I’m talking to you.’ So the next morning, I told the congregation, ‘I

adventure always begins

don’t understand this, but we’re going to receive an offering this morning for First

with obedience.

Baptist Church in Orlando.’ I had never taken an offering with less enthusiasm. It was the largest single offering we had taken since going to that church. When the

When God calls you out

ushers came and told me the amount, I said, ‘Send it over to First Baptist fast…

into a level of obedience

before I wake up.’

that’s unusual, you’re being challenged; you may obey

That afternoon, the pastor of First Baptist called me and he was weeping. He said,

Him, but you may also

‘Dr Rutland, I can’t tell you what this means to me. I was praying about a certain

object and start explaining

decision and I was praying for a sign, asking God to confirm it for me.’ He continued,

the situation to Him, like

‘The amount of your offering was exactly, to the dollar, the amount of money that

Peter: ‘We fished all night,

I was waiting on for this confirmation.’

we haven’t caught anything.

Now it’s broad day light.

But that’s not the end of the story. Three weeks later, a businessman walked into my

Nevertheless, at Thy word,

office. He said, ‘I was deeply moved that you gave away all that money to the Baptist

I will obey You to fish in the

church and I waited because I wanted to see if you would follow through. I’m going

day, even though it may

to give the church $360,000 and if you would raise another $360,000, I will double it.

be counter-intuitive and

I’ll make it $720,000. The next two months, we raised a million dollars in cash.

counter-productive. Because

58

You’ve spoken to me, I will

I believe that God takes us out to a place where it feels so scary. We say, ‘Lord, I hear

obey You.

You, but I don’t understand this. Yet, I will obey You.’ That’s where the excitement of

following Jesus lies.

Obedience in Personal Finances

Christianity is not supposed to be about

When I first started out in my

excitement at the level of a dental

ministry, we were very poor. It

appointment! There’s supposed to be some

was a tiny church and we had

high-uptime risks. Shallow-water Christians

no salary. We had Faith Promise

wade in the water till their ankles and

Sunday. I felt the Lord speak to

catch only tiny fish. They’ll get sardines. But

me on an amount of money to

if you get out into the deep, you will catch

give and I signed the card to

big fish. That’s where the miracles occur.

turn it in. As soon as I did, I was

That’s where the excitement is.

filled with fear. I said, ‘What have I done?’ so I got my wife and my

You may say, ‘But that’s where the storms

children, and I told them what we had pledged, and I

are.’ Fear not. You may say, ‘If my boat sinks in two feet

said, ‘We’re believing God to bring that money in. If God

of water, I can wade to shore. But if my boat sinks in the

turns it in to us, we’ll turn it back over to the church.’

deep ocean, I’m done for.’ Fear not. All of those thoughts were exactly those going through Peter’s mind.

The last Sunday of that Faith Promise, I was a hundred dollars short. It could have been a hundred thousand –

It is out there that signs, miracles and wonders happen.

I didn’t have anything. With just a few dollars left, I took

I hear people say this all the time: ‘I want to see a miracle.’

my children to McDonald’s. We were sitting there and

Listen to this – you will get miracles when you’re out in

my nine-year-old son said ‘Daddy, I don’t understand. If

the deep water and your only hope is a miracle.’

God spoke to you, and you obeyed Him in faith, why are we a hundred dollars short?’ I didn’t have an answer. I said, ‘Son, I don’t have an answer. And then it came upon

You will get miracles when you’re out in the deep water and your only hope is a miracle.

my mind. I said, ‘It’s not Sunday; the day isn’t over yet’.

We finished our hamburgers and were on our way out, when a man at one of the tables nearby said ‘I don’t know who you people are. I was watching your children, I was looking at you. You said a prayer before you

God may be calling us out deeper into prayer, fasting,

finished your hamburgers.’ I said, ‘Yes, we are Christians’.

a new kind of ministry – some place where it’s a little

He said ‘I don’t know why, but I’m called to do this. He

scary. But His words to Peter are His very words to you

reached in his pocket and pulled out a hundred dollar

too: ‘Fear not!’

bill. ‘I just felt moved to give you a hundred dollar bill.

59

Would you accept it?’ I said, ‘Yes, I would.’

village had sickness. He said, ‘I know you’re missionaries and I know you have medicine. So, will you come and

That moment, my nine-year-old’s faith went through the

treat us?’ He said, ‘Our chief is sick.’

roof. Because that was a place where we were right on the edge. That’s where the miracle is.

So we prayed about it. It was a great opportunity! If the chief got healed, we would have an open door for the

God wants to lead you out to a place where you are

Gospel! On the other hand, if the chief died, they might

right on the edge. Now, you may feel scared there. God

decide that cutting our heads off and pouring our blood

may say to you, ‘This year, take your faith promise up to

into the river was the way to pacify the evil spirit of the

this level.’ You may say, ‘Lord, do you know who I am?

sickness!

You must think I’m Bill Gates!’ And God will say, ‘That’s a little scary, isn’t it?’

We prayed about it and felt the Lord say, ‘Go. Launch out!’ So I said to our assistant, Carlos, ‘Go into town and

Peter must have said, ‘This doesn’t make any sense;

get petrol for the boat motor and get a whole sack-full

I’m scared; I’m tired,’ but then he says, ‘I’m going to

of tins of tuna fish. Proverbs 18:16 says, A gift opens the

obey You.’ And in obedience, that’s when the miracles

way for the giver and ushers him into the presence of the

happen. That’s when we begin to find a magnificent

great. We would always bring tins of tuna fish into the

return on that investment!

Indian villages because they spend their whole lives trying to get fish out of the rivers, clean them and eat

Obedience in Time of Need

them. So to pop a knife into a lid and bring out clean fish was a miracle to them.

Many years ago, I was a missionary in Peru. It

We started up river Rio Pichis, we turned into the

was deep jungle in Peru,

Ucayali, and continued river after river, turning this way

a dangerous part of it.

and that until we were completely lost!

We were working with

60

some Indians there. We

Then, it started pouring, and when the rain stopped the

were in a place called

sun came out, and we realized we had been travelling

Puerto Bermudez, with

for 14 hours. Dark was starting to fall. We began to see

a collection of shacks on

Indians along the bank and they had war paint, bows

the edge of the jungle.

and tall arrows. The Indians said to us, ‘We’re nearing the

One night, an Indian came to our mission house. It

village.’ So I turned to Carlos and I said, ‘Carlos, get the

turned out that he was from a village so deep in the

tuna fish ready, and start handing them out as soon as

jungle we weren’t even sure what country it was in; that

we get to the shore.’

Carlos said, ‘Oh! The tuna fish!’

the jungle. I made this jungle; I made these Indians; I made this river, and the fish leap at my command!’

I said, ‘Carlos! What do you mean, ‘Oh! The tuna fish!’?

He said, ‘The only thing I asked you to do was to take He said, ‘I forgot the tuna fish! I’m sorry.’

the canoe where I tell you to. I will do all the rest!’

Whatsoever the Lord tells you to do, do it. And fear not.

I said, ‘‘I’m sorry’? These boys are wearing war paint! ‘I’m

Take the boat out to deep water, and when the fish leap

sorry’ won’t work! You may have gotten us all killed here!’

at His command, rejoice at His miraculous providence.

Everybody’s quiet. There were five Peruvian pastors, two

That is the whole point

Indians, an American anthropologist and I. I was yelling at

of adventure-some,

Carlos, I had lost my temper and my spirituality was gone.

deep-water Christian

It was obvious the missionary had the demon!

living! You get where God tells you to be,

So, what you do when you get into situation like that?

and that’s where the

You try to say something religious to cover it! So I said,

abundant harvest

‘Well, there is nothing to do now but trust God.’ And,

begins! Now, it’s a little

The miracle power of God is unleashed when we get out into the deep water.

listen to this – we

bit scary. It’s a little bit

had not gone a

scary because – know

hundred yards

this – that fish did not

up that river

jump into the boat first, it jumped into the boat last!

when a great, big

If the fish had jumped into the boat first, I wouldn’t have

fish jumped out of the river and landed in our canoe! – the size of a large child –

made a donkey of myself, yelling at everybody! But the miracle power of God is unleashed when we get out into the deep water. Launch out into the deep! Release your faith! And God will release the miracles!

landed in the canoe!

Carlos turned and looked at me.

The Lord spoke to my heart, saying, ‘My Son, what’s the matter with you?’

He said, ‘What’s the matter with you? Don’t you understand?’ He said, ‘Son, I’m not asking you to control

Dr Mark Rutland is the President of Global Servants and Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

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61

Discipleship is about following Jesus. What are the risks and rewards? Gordon MacDonald discusses eight important questions every disciple-to-be must contemplate.

Looking Before Leaping

journey of this magnitude. The cost of discipleship is

I wonder what Simon Peter and friends faced on the

enormous. One mustn’t take it on without an interrogation.

Galilean beach when Jesus entered their world and invited them to the building of the Kingdom of God.

You see, sooner or later each would-be disciple stands

I wonder what questions exploded in their minds

on something like the beach where Jesus approached

when they heard the ‘follow me’ challenge. What

Peter, James, and John with His challenge. On that beach

issues concerned them? Practical questions? Personal

we make a choice to follow the Lord and His designated

questions? Priority questions? Questions about

discipler: to reshape life, to realize hidden, heaven-given

inadequacy? Anxiety? Compensation?

potential, to become something of an influence, to align with God’s purposes. What do we need to know before

62

Let me suggest a few they might have asked. They’re the

we leave our beach and move into motion? Here are

ones I would ask of anyone who invited me on a spiritual

some thoughts.

?

This has got to encourage those of us with spiritual and

Why Do You Want Me, With All My Baggage?

moral resumes that are regrettable. We’re tempted to believe that there is no future for us in the apostolic venture. Not so on the Galilean beach; not so now.

As far as I know, none of the original disciples came

Lest we forget, Jesus took that first group and turned

to their beaches with anything of worth from their

them into Kingdom champions. No one was beyond

private pasts. Judas Iscariot may have looked the most

redemption, beyond the possibility of life change.

promising! For the most part, the Lord’s candidates for

Now baggage (as we are calling it) does have to be

apostleship were simple, rural men. A few others seem

dealt with; a call to discipleship involves renunciation.

to have had some sleaze in their resumes. The overall

Baggage must be resolved – not instantly, but in

performances and attitudes of the group on several

time through repentance and grace. There must be

occasions reveal that their

an openness to new

earlier character formation

disciplines, new thinking,

left something to be desired.

new ways of relationship.

This was no all-star team.

Simon Peter was raising the ‘baggage’ issue when he said, ‘Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man’ (Luke 5:8).

Jesus’ response: ‘Don’t be afraid’ (v. 10).

All that was necessary was the willingness to lay that baggage at His feet.

But the Lord always began right where people were. Shallow character, questionable reputation, and pessimistic perspectives were no deterrence to getting under way. All that was

It seems instructive to me that Jesus did little talking

necessary was the willingness to lay that baggage at

about His disciples’ pasts. You would think we’d have

His feet. Without that willingness, a disciple is not a

heard a lot about Matthew’s way of life as a tax collector,

complete disciple.

or about Simon the Zealot’s association with a political movement known for violence. But we don’t. Their ‘testimonies’ are never exploited. If there were dark moments in the backgrounds of the twelve (and there had to be), they were downplayed, buried in

?

What Made You Invite Me?

redemption. The Lord simply didn’t deal with the pasts

In virtually every personal encounter with people, Jesus

of people in public. And, thankfully, the gospel writers

appears to have started with the bias of the heart rather

chose the same policy.

than with an evaluation of outward performance. No

63

small matter here. Jesus was not a talent scout; He was a student of the inner person. Moderns do their ‘head-hunting’ on the basis of achievement, social skills,

It might begin with an awareness of our own spiritual darkness and a corresponding desire for life change.

ways and words as the only sane way to believe and live.

Additionally, spiritual curiosity might be evidenced by the way we begin to look

education, and perceived

at our world and its people,

potential. They give tests,

seeing the brokenness of life

compare vitae, conduct

and sensing a growing desire

interviews. Thankfully, not

to do something that calls

the Lord. He looked inward

people to God. Without such

and assessed spiritual

a heart, a disciple is not a

authenticity.

complete disciple.

One can assume that each of the twelve began association with Christ as part of crowds who came to hear Him teach. They began as spectators. Perhaps each

What’s The Most Important Attribute Of A Disciple?

time they joined a crowd they moved a bit closer to the front and stuck around to ask questions – as seekers.

‘I will make you….’ was probably a common theme when teachers invited students into a follow-me

But there must have come a day when they engaged

relationship. It was the commitment of a master to a

Him privately, their hearts mysteriously warmed by His

follower. But the commitment anticipated a disciple

words and demeanor. The Lord read their hearts like a

who thirsted for learning, for a reshaping of life. This

book, and it eventuated in His invitation on the beach:

assumes submission. Obedience would not be too

‘Why don’t you follow Me, share My mission?’ And when

strong a word. The issue of

they left the beach with Him, they completed the move

trust comes into play, too:

from spectators to seekers to followers. Hearts had been

a disciple’s confidence that

aroused. Jesus had read them correctly. They’d begun the

the discipler knows the

process of loving Him.

way and is worthy to be followed. Boil it all down,

What would such an awakening look like today? It might begin with an awareness of our own spiritual darkness

64

and you get teachability.

The commitment anticipated a disciple who thirsted for learning, for a reshaping of life.

and a corresponding desire for life change. It might

I like that word. It suggests a follower passionate for

continue as a magnetic attraction to Jesus as Lord, to His

growth and usefulness. When a person is teachable,

energy is not wasted in useless debate and resistance.

If you’re Jesus and your disciples shove the children

The discipler need not tiptoe through the truth. He or

away because they are not significant, you keep in mind

she can offer insight, correction, rebuke, and opportunity

the day when they will preach to the crowds in lands

with the assumption that it will be joyfully received.

and cultures they’ve never heard of. If you’re Jesus and your disciples tell a man who is doing good to stop

I suspect there may be a scarcity of teachable people

(‘because he’s not one of us’), you remind yourself that

today. A culture that encourages thoughtless defiance

there will come a time when they will learn to rejoice at

chokes out teachability. Wanna-be disciples who lack

any evidence that God’s hand is at work. If you’re Jesus,

teachable spirits barely make it beyond the beach. Better

you don’t despair over today’s incomplete picture; you

that they would never say yes to the invitation until they

concentrate on what’s coming tomorrow. Always, on

have examined themselves on this one.

each occasion, the Lord was bringing the picture of their future into clearer focus.

Incidentally, teachability does not imply a sort of despotic control by the discipler. The same Lord who asked for

Christ-likeness is the issue and the goal.

Jesus will make every effort to reshape us into godly people.

obedience washed His disciples’ feet as a servant. That provides the balance some are concerned about.

But the fact remains: Without the trait of teachability, a disciple is not a complete disciple.

Where Is Discipleship Likely To Take Me?

We can’t gloss over this if we desire discipleship. The picture Jesus has of us puts personality, character, habits, and ambitions on the line. It says that Christ-

While His disciples tended to be glued to the past and

likeness is the issue and the goal. Jesus will make every

the present, Jesus focused on the future. He saw every

effort to reshape us into godly people. This is a lifelong

incident, conversation, and learning experience in light

process, sometimes painful, sometimes humbling,

of future maturity. His rebuke, for example, which might

sometimes tiring… but rewarding for the one who stays

sting for a day or two, was not meant to humiliate.

the course. A would-be disciple might want to ask: Do I

Rather it was designed to form character for harsh times

trust His picture more than I trust the one I have formed

ahead. His call to submission was directed at breeding

for myself? The question is not a shallow one.

leadership sensitivity. His two-by-two assignments to ministry were aimed at providing a clear picture of the

Without a hunger for Christ-likeness, a disciple is not a

Kingdom mission.

complete disciple.

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encouraged; mercy and grace in times of failure and conflict were the order of the day. By the time the Master was through with them, these twelve individuals were a community, ready to offer leadership in the shaping of a considerably larger community. Their performance in Acts proves it.

A modern disciple must ask: Am I prepared to get along with folks who are considerably different from me? Am I ready to master the graces of appreciation,

Will I Be Alone If I Follow?

encouragement, rebuke, correction? Will I be open to learning how to forgive, how to repent, how to submit?

Am I willing to be second banana today and first banana

Absolutely not! Jesus was not in the business of

tomorrow? It may be that we are not prepared for

developing solo performers. He was in the initial stages

discipleship if we are not prepared to learn the lessons

of building a church. And the church would provide an

and disciplines of community.

alternative to a dominant culture marked by cruelty and injustice, exploitation and greed, death and more death.

There are no solo disciples in the life of the Lord. So

There was a new community to be established; the

why do we try to produce such today? It doesn’t work.

original twelve were the prototype.

Genuine discipleship in part is certified by the way a man or woman knows how to connect with brothers

So we’re not talking disciple (singular); we’re talking

and sisters. Only then does the world ‘know that you are

disciples (plural).

[Christ’s] disciples’ (John 13:35).

A community has a way of life, ethics and morals,

Without such a community, a disciple just isn’t a

disciplines, and goals. And a community, whether

complete disciple.

it realizes it or not, has something of a covenant: how it will pursue harmonious relationships and encourage the best from one another. Jesus began building this into His disciples from the get-go. Rugged individualism would not work here. These men were

66

?

What Happens When I Fall Flat On My Face? Will You Reject Me?

never sent to do anything alone. They learned to work

An overview of how many times the original disciples

in pairs, in teams, in groups. Interdependence was

fell short of reasonable expectations will quickly remind

any would-be disciple that the process of apostolic development includes disappointment. Failure was all over the menu of the original twelve, but rejection was not.

?

Where Will I Find The Power To Be And Do What You Ask Of Me?

If Jesus ever grew discouraged over the twelve, we don’t

Of all the things Jesus did in the company of the twelve,

hear about it. It sounds as if there was some occasional

this seems the most incredible: He took a ragtag group

anger but not impatience; some stern warnings, but

of men who showed relatively little promise and

never threats. You soon realize that Jesus knew the

delegated to them the mission of world evangelization.

hearts of these men better than they knew themselves.

He recognized what we often do not: that the way to

For the most part the disciples seem to have felt secure

Christian maturity is paved with a thousand errors. We

and empowered as long as Jesus was with them. One

tend to write one another off and continue on our self-

sees them scrambling to the back of the boat in the

righteous way. Not our Lord. He

midst of a storm they were supposed to handle (at least

never gave up.

It might be smart to take this self examination:

some of them). ‘Do something!’ is their cry to the Lord.

One sees them wringing their hands because they are unable to rebuke a demon in the life of a small boy. Again: ‘Do something!’

Am I prepared to be stretched

But at the other end of the discipleship

to the point of

journey, Jesus would say, ‘You do

inadequacy? To

something!’ (such as disciple the nations!).

play with pain? To seem the fool? To

With that challenge (and this is the answer

get in over my head?

to the question) comes the promise of the

Because these are all

energy of His Spirit. Ancient men understood a

likely, and they can mean

promise like this while moderns struggle with this

defeat. But from such experiences

notion that one could entrust his spirit to another. In

come champions of the Kingdom variety. Tough,

this case the spirit is the Holy Spirit, and if this Spirit

conditioned, wise champions.

were upon the disciples (a storm-stilling, demonrebuking, life-changing Spirit), then preaching to

Without the humility learned through failure and errors,

crowds on Pentecost, healing the sick, bringing the

a disciple isn’t really a complete disciple.

church to the nations would not be an impossibility.

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Would-be disciples of modem times need to be

It sounds like disciples are dying in Christ’s name almost

reminded that education, talent, and charisma have

every day around the world. It might not be happening

relatively little value in the Kingdom. These qualities

in where you live, but it could and just might one day.

are indeed helpful to possess, but without the inner

If ‘dying’ is enlarged to include careers lost, high incomes

dynamic energy of the Spirit of Jesus, they are

forfeited, friends lost, and security seemingly uncertain,

useless when it comes to doing work with an eternal

then maybe the dying has started here and there already.

purpose.

Of this we can be sure, apart from the willingness Without the inner work of the Holy Spirit, a disciple is

ple e to follow Him into death, a disciple

not a complete disciple.

isn’t a complete disciple.

?

What Are The Risks of Following You?

Jesus didn’t tell the twelve everything at once. The deeper teaching on Christ-like growth, the implications of a worldwide mission, and ultimate martyrdom were unfolded in direct proportion to the maturity of the disciples. He put no greater burden on them than they were prepared to bear. If He’d told them everything

It is too easy to glamorize d discipleship – like I glamorized e ed flying until someone challenged

Reality Check

gh the me to force my fantasy through ow-me filter of reality. So also the follow-me n the beach questions. questions invitation. Call what I’ve written The experiences I’ve had convince me that the answers to those questions are good ones. No regrets about not flying; and no regrets when Christ and those who discipled me invited me to follow.

right at the start, my sense is that most of them would have bailed out. So it took some time to go from ‘Follow me’ to ‘When you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go’ (John 21:18). Better that words like these wait until a person has done some growing up at the soul level.

MacDonald, G., ‘Questions I’d Ask Before Following Jesus’.

Discipleship Journal, Issue 100, page 30.

Pastor, author and speaker Gordon MacDonald was the chairman of World Relief and presently serves as editor-atlarge for Leadership Journal. His most recent books include ‘ A Resilient Life’ and ‘Who Stole My Church?’. www.

But the answer to the question was always there for those who wanted to face it: How risky? You will die for Me.

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The Disciple Heart Check

How ready are you to follow Jesus? Tick the statement which best describes yourself.

How do I view community life?

I am contented with my life. I neither need a community nor a carecell. ‘More people, more problems’; I have enough problems to contend with.

How do I handle my past baggage?

I tend to cling onto my past baggage: undesirable habits, attitudes and lifestyle.

I am reminded of my past baggage occasionally and it affects me.

I believe that Jesus knows my past baggage and still accepts me. I have surrendered it to Him.

I am quite prepared to get along with people who are considerably different from me, but I still need to learn to be open with people, to forgive and to submit.

I am glad to have a community, we are all different, but I can call them my family. We learn, we serve and we grow together.

How do I handle mistakes or failings?

What is the condition of my heart?

I go for service just to hear the sermon; nothing more, nothing less.

I forget that Jesus lives in my heart, but when I remember, I quickly draw near to Him again.

I recognize that I need Jesus to change me, and constantly seek to draw close to Him. How teachable am I?

I will not try new things that I think I will fail at.

If I fail, I will quit.

I struggle with inadequacies a lot but I am willing to try again with God’s help.

I can go wrong and I can still fail, but I know am not a failure. I know and trust that God is able to give me the strength and grace.

Who do I depend on?

What is there to correct? I am always right.

I am quite cool; I do everything by myself.

Many times, I get defensive when I am corrected. I struggle but I am still learning to receive correction.

I know I have the Holy Spirit to help me but sometimes, I tend to strive with my own strength and get weary.

It’s painful when I am corrected. But teach me, and tell me if I am wrong, because I want to learn and grow.

I may not have certain talents, qualities or abilities, but I depend on the Holy Spirit.

How ready am I to risk everything?

How hungry am I for Christ-likeness?

In difficult situations, I get upset and take the easy way out.

Many times, I react negatively to difficult situations. I still struggle in giving up my rights, but I am trying.

In difficult situations, I ask God for His grace and I yield to the Potter’s hand so that He may make me more like Him.

Lord, I’m already giving you my weekends; don’t touch my weekdays, please.

I want to be able to give up everything for Christ but there are some things, e.g. income and friendships that I still cannot forfeit for Him. I live knowing what I would die for – His will.

As such, even though I struggle, I consistently surrender all my plans and personal ambitions for the sake of His purposes.

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Ready to follow Jesus?

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s one way! Embark on the exciting journey of Spiritual Parenting and be taught how to be a disciple, a fisher of men. Trinitarian examines four disciple profiles...

: 1 0 1 g n i h s i F e b o t g n Traini s t n e r a P l a u t i r i p S

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Disciple

Douglas Yuan ,

#1

director of co rporate plann ing East, Trinity@ Paya Lebar

Laying my inconveniences aside

carecell leaders also receive support and pastoral care.

I have a faithful and caring Spiritual Parent (SP), Andrew

I learnt to make disciples for Christ

whom I’ve known since I first came to Trinity. He calls me

through praying, winning and nurturing. The lessons

regularly and looks out for my well-being. I am moved by

on SALTing, in particular, taught me how to seize every

his care and love, and this inspires me to do the same for

opportunity to serve others and bring the good news

others.

to them. We actually then shared this good news to strangers – it was a very memorable experience.

It was my zone pastor, Pastor David and carecell leader, Matthew, who urged my wife, Lily and I to register for

I was also taught to enrich my Time Alone With

SP class as my carecell was going to multiply. We were

God (TAWG) and growth in God through journaling.

not sure if we could cope as we were preparing our son

Journaling helps me realize and recall with greater clarity,

for his PSLE examination and our work schedules were

what God has spoken to me. I am now able to receive

rather hectic.

deeper revelations from God, through my TAWG and journaling. I have been a Christian for many years, so

Nevertheless, we decided to trust that God would work

I am amazed that God is able to speak and reveal new

all things together. We rearranged our schedules so

things to me now, even through Bible passages that

that I could attend

I am familiar with. I remind myself to journal daily, not as

SP classes on weekends, while my wife supervised our son’s revision.

I realized that it is a privilege to be a Spiritual Parent, as it allows one to join a

It is a privilege to be a Spiritual Parent, as it allows one to join a leadership carecell to be mentored by sectional leaders and pastors.

a religious activity but as a lifestyle of communing with God. I now look out for opportunities in my workplace to serve and SALT

leadership carecell

my colleagues, for example by inviting them for coffee

to be mentored by sectional leaders and pastors. This

break or lunch. This has given me a greater sense of

is a good system of discipleship. It ensures that SPs and

purpose in my workplace and daily life.

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Disciple

Isabel Chen,

#2

aeronautical engineer West, Trinity@ Paya Lebar

Stepping out in faith I came across the Spiritual Parenting class through Trinity’s website and I took the initiative to sign up, as I felt that it was part of God’s call for me to step

Disciple Merlvyn Heng,

#3

her secondary school teac am West, Trinity@Ad

A change in me

out in faith, and to understand more about evangelism

My carecell leader, Adele has consistently

and discipleship. I believe that I will grow deeper in my

shown great care and concern to me, as well as to other

relationship with God as I give more of my time and

carecell members. She is patient and kind, and constantly

talents to serve Him.

encourages us to grow in the Lord. Through her example, I have learnt to be more encouraging, patient and

I used to feel that I was

nurturing towards others in my words and deeds.

not ready for evangelism.

However, through the SP

I was motivated by Adele and fellow carecell members

class, I learnt that God has

from Re-Acts, who encouraged me and shared with me

called every Christian to

their experiences of becoming a Spiritual Parent. I also felt

carry His heartbeat for

God’s call to attend the SP class to grow in my faith and

evangelism, and to reach

relationship with Him.

out to our loved ones, regardless of how ‘ready’ we feel. I have now

I realized the importance of communing daily with God

grown in conviction, faith and boldness to impact

through prayer and Time Alone With God (TAWG), and

others for God. I recognize that my role is merely to

how this is integral to

plant the seed of God’s love and truth in pre-believers,

our journey of faith as

and to trust the Holy Spirit to convict and eventually

followers of Christ. My

bring them to salvation.

TAWG is now more focused and frequent. I have also

72

I now have greater conviction and courage to share about Christ with them.

Recently, one of my friends approached me with work-

come to comprehend

related problems. I took the opportunity to share my

the depth of God’s great

experience of turning to God and relying on His strength

and unconditional love

whenever I face stress or challenges. She opened up to

for His people, and I now

me and I had the opportunity to share God’s goodness

have greater conviction and courage to share about

and love with her. I realized through this encounter

Christ with them. I have had recent opportunities to

that as I take steps to encourage others, my faith in God

share the love of Christ with my family members and

increases as well; particularly in how He is able to provide

friends. As I submit my life increasingly to Him, I am able

opportunities and open doors for me to bless others.

to experience even greater joy in Christ.

Disciple

Jessica Chon g,

Less of me, more of Him

civil servant North, Trinity@ Adam m

#4

My Sectional Leader often encourages me to persevere ere

O off the th deepest d t lessons l l t One I learnt

and grow in my faith. I recall her quoting once from a

was to have a relentless belief in

pastor that ‘your action today is determined by your

others; to look beyond their past, their

decision yesterday’. This reminded me of the need to

self-perceived limitations or negative mindsets, and

stand firm in my faith in God during trying times.

to see God’s greater purposes and potential in them.

My carecell leader, Stella taught me how we need to

I’ve also learnt to partner with the Holy Spirit to

lift each other up in prayer and to selflessly give of our

demonstrate God’s love to others through care acts,

time. She took personal ownership towards my spiritual

praying for them and sharing the gospel. I believe that as

development and influenced me in setting aside

people encounter and receive the love of God, they will

devotional time daily.

also experience His blessings.

I have always wished I could likewise

I used to have a ‘me first syndrome’, and

encourage others to realize that they

was indifferent to the needs and situations

are made for greatness in Christ and

of others. God has since placed in me a

help them fulfill their God-given

compassion for people, and a greater desire

potential. When my Sectional Leader,

to share God’s love with others. The call to

Chris Kwok asked me to enroll for the

fulfill the Great Commission and to establish

Spiritual Parenting class, it resonated

covenantal relationships in the body of Christ is

with my heart’s desire to serve

now my primary focus.

others. I immediately signed up for the class online.

I used to feel inadequate about praying aloud for others. God has empowered me with confidence and

One of the deepest lessons I learnt was to have a relentless belief in others; to look beyond their past, their self-perceived limitations or negative mindsets, and to see God’s greater purposes and potential in them.

now I am able to pray for, as well as share the gospel readily and effectively with my family and friends.

My family has also made a commitment to serve the Lord together. My children, Jotrina, 12, and Jonas, 8, understand that the most important way we can serve our family and friends is to share the gospel and love of Christ with them.

73

YOUR FAST TRACK TO A “GOD-LIFE”!

AlphaTrack has given me the confidence to speak in front of people and lead worship. It has also changed my perspective towards God and anchored my faith firmly in Him. Most importantly, I have a renewed passion to share the gospel unashamedly. Praise God!

Batch 36: March 14 – June 3 Batch 37: July 25 – October 28

Melanie Ong, student AlphaTrack was a turning point in my life. God removed the hardness of my heart and my wrong mindsets about sharing about Christ. I now have a sense of urgency to share the Good News. I praise God for the AlphaTrack experience.

Samson Shadrak, business owner

AlphaTrack is a three-month, full-time programme that takes you on an adventure of intimacy and encounter with God. Whether you are a student, homemaker or marketplace professional, come be equipped in everything you need to fulfill your God-given destiny.

Take that fast track to a “God-life” today!

AlphaTrack Mission for life

E

E

Set the year straight – align your heart with His and prepare yourself for God’s habitation through these prayer initiatives!

Start the new year with

PRAYER ➔

Combined Carecell Prayer Meeting Fri, Jan 7, 8pm Trinity@Paya Lebar, Level 2, Sanctuary

➔

7-Day Prayer and Fast Sat-Fri, Jan 8-14

➔

Overnight Prayer Meeting Fri-Sat, Jan 14-15, 11.30pm-6.30am Trinity@Paya Lebar, Level 1M, Theatrette 2

➥ MISSIONS AT A GLANCE

An over view of the span of Trinity’s Missions from Januar y to September 2010.

➥ GO

7 179 10 5 2,019 139 ➥ GO

Missions Impact Teams (MIT) Evangelistic and Humanitarian Trips Countries Trinitarians Evangelistic MITs Humanitarian MITs Decisions Miraculous healings

Training and Consultation Trips

35

Trips

Countries

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10

(Australia, China, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Taiwan and USA)

➥ GIVE

5 166 9

Countries assisted in Crisis Relief efforts (China, Haiti, India, Indonesia and Pakistan) Through 10 Relief Organizations

Destitute children in India and Thailand sponsored (8 Ministries and 1 Church Building)

In the months of July to September, we witnessed various natural disasters in the region. Trinity responded to these crises by funding several crisis relief efforts, so as to help those affected by the floods in Pakistan and India and the mudslide in Gansu, China. We also financially sponsored the Watoto Children’s Choir in their cause involving medical intervention, education, counselling and discipleship.

This quarter, Missions Impact Teams (MITs) also experienced some firsts. Local MITs were launched for the very first time, where teams embarked on missions trips to the heartlands of Singapore – missions at our doorstep! There was also an MIT to the nation of Timor Leste for the very first time. In that trip, a host of humanitarian activities such as children’s ministries, hygiene talks and IT talks were held. Both the local community and team members were tremendously blessed by the whole experience.

77

Champions, thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Once orphaned and destitute, children from the Home of the Champions now have a hope and a future. Cal-Lin Neubronner, a Missions ministerial staff attached to the Home shares two of their stories.

Koteshwari Narayana was nine when she came into the Home of the Champions in

Your giving does not merely help a child get out from a state of poverty.

Your giving releases each child to fulfil his or her destiny in Christ.

2007. Orphaned at a young age, she ended up roaming the streets with her brother. In just a few months, her brother was abducted, leaving her on her

Because you gave, Trinity Christian Centre is able to sponsor 166 children from Homes in India and Thailanduntil they reach 18 years of age, or Grade 12. At the Home of the Champions in India and Childcare Plus in Thailand, children have a safe haven where they are cared for, receive food and clothes and and have the opportunity to go to school.

own. A news reporter highlighted her plight to Pastor Sudhakar, founder of the Home of the Champions. The reporter, after many futile attempts in finding a shelter for her, heard about the Home of the Champions. There, Koteshwari was readily and warmly welcomed.

Life on the streets was harsh. Every night, Koteshwari would sleep at different street corners. In the day, she would roam the streets begging for food and only ate whatever little that was offered. Her hair was always in a mess, her body and face always soiled and she would cry frequently. She knew she needed to be strong in order to survive. She only had three sets of clothes and one of them was very short. She called it a miidi, which is likened to a pair of shorts. In their culture, wearing something short is something frowned upon, yet she had no choice.

78

what Jesus calls them This particular miidi has a story. One day, while on the streets, she was pierced deeply by rusty nails which stuck out of a wall.

The wound bled profusely. The cut caused her pants to be stained with her blood and also left a hole in the miidi, leaving her no choice but to cut off its length, making it even shorter.

She had wished so badly for someone to help her. She did not even have a little ointment to dress her wound. Today, the scars on her leg are still visible. While sharing her story, Koteshwari teared.

Here in the Home of the Champions, Koteshwari is thankful that she can now go to school and for her many friends. She also takes four meals a day which includes healthy snacks such as fruits and Complan, a type of nutritious milk drink. She now also has house parents who care for her, whom she calls ‘daddy’ and ‘mummy’. She especially loves Sundays because chicken curry, her favourite food item, is being cooked. When she grows up, she wants to be a doctor so that she is able to help others.

Most importantly, it is in the Home of the Champions that Koteshwari found Jesus Christ.

When asked to draw a picture depicting her life at the Home, Koteshwari immediately began drawing a clean, happy face with neatly combed hair. She also broke into a wide smile as she drew the cross to symbolize Jesus who is in her heart. As she finished her drawing, she drew an open window to depict her hope and happiness, feelings she had never before experienced.

79

d n a i s m Va r e t s i s s hi

Upputhalli Vamsi is twelve this year. He is a very intelligent boy who usually tops his class in school.

At a tender age of seven, he was accepted into the Home of the Champions along with his older sister, Pranathi. Through his growing up years, the Home of the Champions has brought out his leadership capabilities. The younger boys listen to him and his house parents call on his assistance frequently.

This was not the case five years ago. Vamsi used to live with his parents and sister in a little hut.

Although his family seemed complete, it was not a happy home. His father, who worked as a brick-layer, would come home drunk almost every night. In his drunken state, he would physically abuse them and their mother. He has since passed away due to excessive alcohol consumption.

Following that, Vamsiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother suffered from ill health and struggled to support both her children and her ailing parents at the same time. These demands took a toll on her and she was forced to stop work. Her health worsened and she was unable to take care of herself. The family then had to make arrangements for her relatives to care for her. For this reason, Vamsiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grandmother became their main caregiver. Shortly after her stay with her relatives, she passed away, leaving Vamsi and his sister orphaned.

When they were staying with their grandmother, they would not have regular meals. Their meals were dependent on how much Pranathi was able to collect off the streets as a rag picker.

80

Champions, that’s what Jesus calls them

Everyday, Vamsi would play on the streets with other village children. They could not afford to go to school. There seemed to be no hope or future for them.

To make things worse, his grandmother met with an accident one day and was hospitalized. They became lost and confused. ‘Who would care for us now?’ was a question that rang repeatedly through their minds as they sat by the roadside crying.

Pastor Sudhakar heard about their predicament and accepted both of them into the Home of the Champions.

At the Home of the Champions, Vamsi can now go to school, have regular meals, and has a hope and a future.

He aspires to be an engineer when he grows up, while his sister wants to be a doctor. He is thankful to God for Pastor Sudhakar and his house parents for taking care of him. He is also thankful to Trinity Christian Centre for sponsoring him and his sister.

Today, his life has been redeemed and he is seeing success in all areas of his life. In school, not only does he excel academically but he is also a class monitor. In the Home of the Champions, he is one of the few children who speaks good English. He is also his house parents’ able assistant in caring for the younger boys in the home and his sister. In church, he serves faithfully as an usher, welcoming and handing out the offering envelopes to the church members.

A potential nurtured, a life has been redeemed and transformed.

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After losing his parents at a very young age, he discovered Godâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s love in a childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s home in a small town in India. Today, he is fulfilling His Kingdom aspirations in Singapore. This is the story of Dr Babu Immanuel Venkataraman, lecturer in the School of Divinity at TCA College and former Professor of New Testament at South Asia Institute of Advanced Christian Studies (SAIACS).

By Quek Yan Ying

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I Grew Up in A Children’s Home I was born into a traditional Brahmin family in Salem, in central Tamil Nadu, India. My parents have dedicated me to serve in a temple, and thus my religious path seemed predestined to be in that direction.

I lost both my parents at a very tender age, so I have no recollections of the circumstances under which they died. Life became very difficult for my older sister and I since we had no one to turn to. If we had relatives, we did not know who or where they were. In my mind, I wrestled with many questions.

Why had such ill fate befallen me so early in my life? Had I done something wrong, and as a result I

Looking back, I believe God had divinely ordained for us to be in that home, for it was there that my journey with Him began.

am now paying the price for my bad

In the home, life was centred around prayer. The Christian atmosphere was nurturing and the caregivers were exemplary role models who embodied Christ-like values. One of the role models there was the General Secretary of the home, Mr Samuel. Mr Samuel never made

deeds? I needed my parents, and more than anything

us feel like disadvantaged children. He called us the

else, I needed a sense of belonging and of being loved.

children of God. He would tell us boys, ‘You are God’s princes.’ He was married and had his own family with

In time, my sister found us a Christian home to settle

five children. But his love for the children in the home

in. It was called Bethel Agricultural Fellowship. The

was in no way inferior or secondary to the love he had

home was funded by a Dutch Christian organization

for his own biological children. In some ways, I felt that

and managed by Christ-centred people who looked

he loved us more than he loved his own children.

after us. We were fed, clothed, educated and most importantly, loved. In many ways, it was a home where

Having received godly impartations on a regular basis,

love abounded. Looking back, I believe God had divinely

the stage was set for me to discover God’s truths and the

ordained for us to be in that home, for it was there that

realities of the Christian faith for myself. In the home, I

my journey with Him began.

observed Christian tenets and principles, I prayed, and I 83

read the Bible. But in spite of this ‘Christian lifestyle’, I was not fully aware that I had to give my life to Christ.

I had learnt after coming to

God was always there, watching over me, taking care of me and guiding me even when I did not know Him.

the home that Christ is the only way to God, but my upbringing taught me that the worship of ‘multiple

child, you belong to me,’ and I responded to Him by

gods’ was not only acceptable but normal. So hearing

committing myself to becoming His child.

the gospel threw me into confusion. Was Christ ONE of the many ways to salvation or was He the ONLY way?

In retrospect, I can see how the hand of God has brought me into His family. Unknown to me, God was always

What complicated my spiritual struggle and made it

there, watching over me, taking care of me and guiding

more intense was that I was concurrently reading other

me even when I did not know Him. I have no regrets

non-Christian texts alongside the Bible. I was still very

about having gone through the struggles that I had for it

young and was highly impressionable. Having no clear

was through them that I made a deliberate and conscious

discernment over what I was reading led to self-doubt

choice to follow Christ. Even when I was embattled with

and confusion. There were also unresolved questions

questions, doubts and inadequacies in my faith, God did

in my mind concerning the loss of my parents. Had I

not condemn me but showed me abundant grace.

done something wrong? Was I suffering retribution for something bad that I had done?

In college, I was studying Commerce and had harbored ambitions to be a chartered accountant. At the same

The turning point came when I read a book called The Resurrection by Leo Tolstoy.

As I read more and more missionaries’ biographies,

The overarching point of Tolstoy’s story

I had a stirring within me and a strong yearning to

was that forgiveness is the crux of the

pursue a higher calling in life – the same calling to

Christian faith – without forgiveness, there

which these missionaries had dedicated their lives,

is no Christianity. This point hit me hard and

that had caused them to leave their comfort zones,

I felt God was talking to me through the book.

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time, I wondered whether this was what I really wanted.

their countries, homes and cultures for foreign lands

Though I could not pinpoint what sins I had committed,

and faraway places. Some of these missionaries never

wittingly or otherwise, I felt I needed forgiveness, not

went back home and some even died as martyrs.

from any human being, but from God. While the book

Finally, after much struggle, I left my Commerce studies

did not remove all of my doubts, it helped me realize

and enrolled in a seminary, where I embarked on my

that I could only receive forgiveness from God through

theological education. Again, I felt that it was God who

Jesus Christ. I heard God gently whispering: ‘You are my

was intervening at this pivotal point of my life, directing

me to take a path different from the one I had originally

In turn, I am today an educator

planned to take.

to many who responded to God’s calling, just like I did years before.

I would not be who I am today without His intervention in my life.

Moving to Singapore to take up a teaching position

I am now helping to equip them

in TCA College was also a huge decision for me. I was

for the work of the ministry just

already established as a Professor and Academic Dean in

as how I was equipped before.

a seminary in India and all was going well. I had thought

I believe God is not limited by

that this was where I would cruise into retirement.

my resources – He’s beyond that. I depend fully on God’s

However, God had other plans and stirred within me

resources, His wisdom, His infinite love and His provision.

the desire for change. I felt somewhat like Abraham

Indeed, I would not be who I am today without His

when the Lord asked him

intervention in my life. All glory be to God for

to leave everything he had

indeed He is worthy of all praise!

ever known to go to a foreign land. His faith in God kept him going and God honored that. So for me and my family, when we hit low points and face discouraging situations, we know that God is with us and that whatever is happening is well within God’s control. Without faith, there is no hope to life, whether it’s for the present or future. Whatever is happening, God knows and He is aware. He is guiding my present and holds my future in His hands. He has gone before us, and is asking us to keep pace with Him. Nothing takes place in the life of a child of God or the servant of God accidentally. God has a plan and a purpose: nothing happens without His permission.

God has a divine plan for your life. Like Dr Babu, you too can discover and walk in it, and experience His sovereign provision and grace. Begin by inviting Him into your heart

Looking back now, I can see in my life’s journey God’s

with this simple prayer:

grace and divine plan. I may have had a difficult childhood, but it led me to the children’s home that

‘Dear God, please forgive me of all my sins. I believe Jesus

sponsored my education so that I could fulfil my purpose

died on the cross for me and rose again on the third day.

in life. It was through the home that I found role

Thank you for taking away all my sins. Please come into my

models, father figures, and a relationship with God.

life and be my Lord and Saviour. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.’

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Trinitarians are living out the call to be Blessed to be a Blessing through Care Community Services Society (CCSS), the social arm of Trinity Christian Centre. Here are four who have given of their time, treasures and talents to be carriers of His blessings.

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Lim Siew Tin, a Trinitarian for over 20 years has been

CareHuts are school-based student care centres that provide

serving actively in the Management Committee of

affordable after-school care for children from low-income

CCSS since CCSS was founded in 1996. At the same

and single parent families. These children are often left

time, she has also been raising the awareness of

without a caregiver after school as their parents need to

CCSS and championing its cause in her organization

work and are unable to afford the high student care fees.

through her influence at her workplace. In the last

CareHuts provides a wholesome environment so that they

few years, the organization where Siew Tin works has

do not fall prey to street gangs and other undesirable

sponsored a few of our elderly activities.

influences. CCSS’s three CareHuts are at Pei Tong Primary School, Eunos Primary School and Stamford Primary School.

This Christmas, Siew Tin is rallying her colleagues to raise funds to bless the children at CareHuts. The

Says Siew Tin, ‘I am thankful that I work for a company where

funds raised will be used to purchase Popular and

social responsibility is one of the values they embrace. This

NTUC shopping vouchers for the children and their

makes it easier for me to champion and rally the help of my

families.

colleagues, with the support of management. I believe there are many people out there who want to do good and I am happy to provide the opportunity for them through CCSS.’ When asked what has kept her going all these years, Siew Tin’s response was, ‘There is a compassion and love that God has deposited in my heart for the less fortunate and disadvantaged, and I feel that I have to do something for them no matter how small my actions are. I believe that God has blessed us not just for our own enjoyment, but to share it with those who have less. In the past, I used to think that I need to have the ability and capability before I can step up to it, but the various sermons in Trinity reinforced the message that God will empower me and give me the resources to meet a need when I see a need.

I can help with the little I have and will leave it to God to multiply it to meet the need. What is important is just to avail myself and let God do the rest.’

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Joy and Marcus Cheng have been Trinitarians for the

an email from one of the CareHut staff enquiring about

past 14 years and serve in Creative Ministry. Since 2007,

the possibility of doing a music workshop for the kids.’

both of them have been actively partnering with CCSS

In partnership with Goldman Sachs, Music Solutions

through their business, Music Solutions. ’Our company

sponsored a two-day music camp for 94 children from all

aims to touch the community each year in big or small

three of CCSS’ CareHuts during the school holidays.

ways in line with our corporate vision that we are ‘Gifted to Give and Blessed to be a Blessing’.

After the camp, Joy and Marcus went the extra mile to help the children from Eunos CareHut prepare for two

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‘It was really divine when we saw the alignment between

performances at their school’s Open House as well as

the company’s vision and the Church’s vision this year,’

at the Dairy Farm-CCSS Charity Golf event. Joy shared,

said Joy. ‘God has blessed our business tremendously

‘The greatest fulfillment was seeing the smiles and the

and as a Trinitarian, we see the church, our family

confidence from the kids after their performance at the

and workplace as one, sharing the same vision and

Charity Golf event. What keeps this passion going is

values. As Pastor Dominic declared 2010 as a year

seeing the kids grow to overcome the odds, take up new

for Trinitarians to be blessed to be a blessing, I got

challenges, learn to work with one another and grow

excited and the CCSS CareHut children came to mind.

in leadership wherever they are. Though it was tiring, it

It was such an affirmation from God when I received

was well worth it!’

Uncle G is a Trinitarian for just slightly over a year and

Uncle G has also been sponsoring milk for each d’Klub

loves children. He has served as a volunteer mentor,

child because he believes that milk will keep the

providing tuition to one of our beneficiaries at our

children healthy. When asked what motivated him to

MacPherson d’Klub since February 2010. d’Klub is a

serve in this capacity, Uncle G said, ‘Working for God

mentoring program that aims to provide primary school

is always enriching and fulfilling. Sometimes, it is

children with guidance in their studies and at the same

easy to lose sight of the many blessings God has

time develop their self worth and character. Volunteers

given us. But whatever our challenges in life, they

are assigned to children on a one-to-one basis.

do not measure up to the trials these children face.

My ministry at d’Kl ub keeps me spiritually and

Uncle G paid a special birthday visit to his young charge

emotionally healthy. I am heartened that both my

at his home in March to wish him ‘Happy Birthday’ and

mentee and his mother have recently given their lives to

introduced himself to his mentee’s mum. In his weekly

Christ at one of Trinity’s worship services!’

interactions, he discovered that the boy had some reading and spelling difficulties. He took the initiative to offer to sponsor the boy for a professional assessment to assess if he had learning challenges. His desire is to see that every child will have the opportunity to develop and reach his/her full potential.

The impact that these Trinitarians have made in the lives of these children has been immeasurable and their satisfaction gained priceless. To find out how you can partner with CCSS to bless the community either as a volunteer or a sponsor, please contact the office at 6304 7604 or email ccss@carecom.org.sg

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Trinitarians with their carecells, families and friends in tow came in full force to bless the community with bags of rice Care Community Services Society (CCSS) was first blessed with.

Corinne Lim reports

Blessed to Bless, Early on a Saturday morning on October 23, people dressed in orange and blue streamed into Trinity@Paya Lebar for Care Community Services Society’s (CCSS) Community Rice Distribution. For a third consecutive year, Dairy Farm Singapore had donated 20,000kg of rice to CCSS. CCSS would go on to bless more than 2,400 households living in 18 blocks in the Balam, Circuit, Macpherson and Merpati estates with a 5kg bag of rice each.

Trinitarians came in full force together with their families, friends and carecells to put their love into action. In all, we had a brigade of 245 volunteers, including 16 carecells serving together that day. Armed with their trolleys and their smiles, they came braving the heat and the haze, and started the day with a rousing time of praise and thanksgiving.

It was such a joy to hear this from one Estate I/C: ‘All the volunteers said that they want to do this again next year.

Though it was very tiring, especially for the children who tagged along, they found it very fruitful. At first, the children were shy and afraid to speak up. However, after a few rounds, they were enthusiastically calling out: ‘Anyone home? Auntie, Uncle, we want to give you rice!’’

Another volunteer who brought along her two sons, aged nine and 14, summed it up well when she said, ‘I wanted to be part of this meaningful event to express my thanks.

Our family went through a tough time at the beginning of the year and Trinity and CCSS helped us tide through that difficult period. I am indeed blessed to be a blessing!’

90

through CCSS

91

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94

TCA College

21st Graduation Ceremony

A total of 46 students graduated with their hard-earned certificates and degrees on October 3. By Anita Chia

TCA College is a multi-disciplinary college that endeavors

Life

to train and release well-rounded leaders who are

Transforming

ministerially trained, to make a fresh impact wherever God

and Culturally Relevant.

places them. Since its inception in 1979, the school now has more than 1,000 students from 32 different nations.

Rev. Dominic Yeo, Vice Chancellor of the college, exhorted the graduates to continue to exhibit a

At TCA Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 21st Graduation, the college was

Passionate Honor for Jesus Christ and a Relentless Belief

honored to graduate a total of 46 students in the presence

in people; to possess an Audacious Fervor to believe

of 420 guests. Dr Michael Whyte, Professor and Provost

God greatly for miracles, signs and wonders to happen

Emeritus of Azusa Pacific University, graced the occasion

through their ministries, and to carry a Contagious Faith

as the graduation speaker. He spoke on the five safeguards

wherever they go. We salute the graduates as they carry

to keep the college mission God Centered,

the mantle that previous graduates have undertaken.

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The School of Counselling launches its

Master of Arts Programmes The School of Counselling at TCA College launches two new Master of Arts Programmes in 2011: the Master of Arts in Counselling (MAC) and the Master of Arts in Marital and Family Therapy (MFT).

What are the MAC and MFT programmes?

The MAC programme is designed to prepare the graduate for the field of professional and/ or pastoral counselling, whereas the MFT is designed to prepare graduates for the field of marriage and family therapy. Both programmes are planned as two year courses. The curriculum will be taught by the faculty at the TCA Colleges’ School of Counselling: Rev. Anita Chia, Dr Danny Goh, Mrs Esther Tzer Wong, and Rev. Sam Kuna, experts in their field of specialty.

The MA programmes are open to both full-time and part-time students. Students who successfully complete the requirements of the first year will be issued with a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of Wales.

MAC Programme Course Length: 2 years

MFT Programme

Year 1: Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling (UoW) Year 2: Master of Arts in Counselling (TCA)

Year 2: Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy (TCA)

Year 1: 120 Credits plus 100 hours supervised practicum Academic Requirements

Membership Eligibility Upon Graduation

Curriculum synopsis

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Year 2: 60 Credits

Year 2: 60 Credits plus 50 hours supervised practicum

Met the criteria for membership with the Singapore Association of Counselling

Met the academic and training criteria for membership with the Association for Marital & Family Therapist Singapore and the Singapore Association of Counselling

Admission ➔ Completion of 5 Pre-requisites ➔ 1st Year Curriculum: Post Graduate in Counselling Diploma from the University of Wales ➔ 2nd Year Curriculum: 2 Tracks – MA in Counselling or MA in Marriage & Family Therapy ➔ Graduation!

The key and unique characteristics of the SOC MA programmes are first, it is faith-

What are my career options upon graduation?

Graduates from either programme will be able to practise

integrated – students benefit

as counsellors in faith-based organisations, institutions and

from engaging discussions on

community organisations or as private practitioners.

spirituality, spiritual direction and similar issues within the counselling practice; secondly, it is skills-focused, where experienced practitionerlecturers pass on valuable

Who Should Apply?

The MAC Programme: ➔ You have the passion to counsel people with emotional and mental-health issues ➔ You want to help people navigate their developmental processes.

insights in counselling through class instruction, role play and direct supervision.

– Sam Kuna, Senior Lecturer

The MFT Programme: ➔ You enjoy working with families and couples in need of counselling ➔ You wish to effect change in the community through the family.

Apply today!

Call the registrar’s office at 6304 7602 or visit ww.tca.edu.sg

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r e d n u Rebo THE

From September 1 to 3, close to 3,000 â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;spectatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; came to watch the game of th he yea ar, a presentation packed with drama and song.

Of these, more than 240 were first-time visittors. Chia Ban n Seng does a replay of the action.

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‘When you miss the shot, crash the board, get the rebound.’

Those who attended the Rebounder would remember this repeated punchline in Pastor Dominic’s sermon that was woven through a seamless flow of scenes, stories and songs to show us what it meant to be God’s ‘rebounder’.

Pastor Dominic introduced the concept of rebounding through a live basketball clinic with Trinitarians Eugene and Brian at the Sanctuary’s floor area, complete with a basketball hoop and a backboard. Just as each of them missed shots at the hoop, each of us will miss shots in life through our sin and being knocked down by life’s adversities. But just as the cast illustrated how to redeem a missed shot with a determined rebound grabbed off the backboard, each of us can rebound back into a God-given destiny with a heart determined to turn to Him after a miss.

To see examples of God’s rebounders, the three took an imaginary journey to heaven as they walked up the previously nondescript stage that came to life. From a distance, they saw biblical characters appearing one by one in their defining moments of missed shots through sin and subsequent rebound.

Towards the end, the trio journeyed forward in time and met two 19th century Christians who sang songs they composed when rebounding from life’s adversities. Their stories and songs captured many hearts in the audience, and they sung their choruses in unison to bring the night to a crescendo. We rejoice as many responded to God’s call to receive Christ, who is truly our source of strength to be rebounders.

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The characters

What left an impression on you?

The message The hymn by Fanny Crosby was the most memorable part of the event.

The scene in hell left a deep

Fanny was blind yet found the strength to praise God.

impression on me. It taught me to

Sarah Oen, sales and marketing executive

value God’s grace and forgiveness.

Sabrina Ng, probation officer

The story of Peter left the greatest impact on me. It is so true that we deny the truth or avoid doing the right thing sometimes. The message is a timely

The event was an eye opener!

reminder of how much we need God’s forgiveness and grace.

I found the idea of using a sport

Timothy Yip, software engineer

to teach life lessons meaningful and easier to understand.

I was really moved by the performance of Judas. The image will stay in my mind

Sam, systems engineer

for a really long time. I like the way the message was strongly put across. The key message I received was about going back to God even after we sin, that we must

I’ve learnt that God is a loving God

return to Him but at the same time cannot take His abundant grace for granted.

who gives us second chances.

George, consultant

Elane Luo, auditor

King David was the most vividly-portrayed character to me. His repentance

The presentation was very

scene was acted very well. The palace backdrop was also very impressive. It was a

engaging. It taught me that life is

performance that engaged my children as well!

never smooth, and in spite of the

Callie Gay, homemaker

challenges and setbacks that we face, we need to rebound from them.

The Rebounder was an interesting variation from the ‘normal sermon’. It showed

Theodora, student

everyone that church is not about long sermons. The costumes were really nice,

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and it was good to have characters from outside the Bible such as Fanny Crosby

The drama presentation and

and Horatio Spafford. The way Pastor Dominic described them really brought

message by the preacher was

them to life.

impactful!

Crystal, Pearl, Anthony and Celeste, students

Poernomo, researcher

What made you give your heart to Jesus?

Seventy-seven individuals responded to the message of hope by giving their lives to Christ. Joanne Tan and Jonathan Tan speak to three of them.

I was really excited about the entire presentation. I thank Jesus for dying on I felt the performance really connected with

the cross for my sins and giving me a

me. It showed me different aspects of how

second chance. Even though Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m naughty

different ones related to God. I was especially

sometimes, Jesus is willing to forgive me.

moved by the songs of Fanny and

Now, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not afraid to fail, because even

Horatio. It was very touching and

these strong men in the Bible failed.

sung so passionately, despite their personal struggles. My decision to

Keane Ng, primary school student

have Jesus as my personal Savior tonight is because I was very touched by the relevance of the message of the Rebounder.

Kathy Zhang, public officer

Through the presentation, I was very touched by the love of God, knowing that despite how we always fall short and our many failures, God is patient to forgive us and give us another chance, again and again.

Emilia Buen, medical technologist

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rs at other cartoon characte d an s oe er rh pe su ok bo ugh of comicptember 25 and 26. Thro It was the coming alive Se on e ic rv se ial ec sp y e Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Da less truth that they ar me ti e Fiesta!, DiscoveryLandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s th me ho t gh ou br y Story, children ding 91 were in Trinity un to as an a spoof of the movie To t, en es pr n re Out of the 958 child sus into their hearts. loved by their Creator.

Je d ive ce re em th of for the first time and 45

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More than 1,100 youths, of whom

On 10th September 2010, IGNYTE Ministry show-cased their first movie, 1 2nd b4 <3, code-named ‘1243’. After nine months of intense labor, a 77-minute movie was birthed!

180 were first-time visitors, came to witness IGNYTE’s very first movie production.

A total of 33 youths

By 3pm, the chapel was packed out and many attendees had to contend with sitting on the chapel steps as there were simply no seats left due to the overwhelming attendance! Despite the squeeze, it was evident that everyone was enjoying every moment as the movie unfolded.

The audience was clearly deeply engaged in the movie as evidenced by their spontaneous laughter and the ‘oohs’ and ‘aahs’, that emanated throughout the course of the movie. This was clearly a testament of the relevance of the movie in the lives of the young people.

made decisions for Christ! Jasmin Por shares about event day and the preparations behind it.

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Following the movie, Brother Kah Fei ministered the Word of God and testified how God had dramatically transformed his life, just like that of one of the lead characters in the movie.

By the end, many were moved to stay back to watch the end credits and bloopers. 1243 was more than a movie, it was a testimony of lives changed. The event was beyond a movie screening, it was a joyous celebration of God’s work in and through IGNYTE Ministry. The event touched hearts and left a deep impression in all who were present.

<

Event day

Splash!, IGNYTE's decor team designed this larger-than-life clapper board...

<

...and dressed up the ‘IGNYTE’ letters for the special occasion.

<

<

<

The emcees (from left: Brother Kah Fei and Sister Kassey).

As the crowds streamed into the Chapel, they were entertained by DMG, the event’s deejays (from left: Darren Lee, Matthew Tang, Gideon Goh) who brought them ‘maximum DaMaGe’ through plenty of lame jokes, and entertainment with original songs written by IGNYTErs for the movie.

<

The Chapel of Trinity@Paya Lebar filled up very quickly and many were left to sit on the Chapel steps as there were simply no seats left!

<

Forty minutes before the movie, a queue of very excited and energetic youths, eager to secure the best seats in the Chapel had already formed. As a result, the doors had to be opened earlier than planned!

Praise and worship at the start of the event.

<

Spiritual Parents sharing Christ a few first-time visitors.

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Behind-the-scenes It was the collective effort of many brought together by the simple desire to impact lives for Jesus.

After an intensive one year period, the movie finally made its debut. Producing the movie brought home to IGNYTE Ministry the realization that they are indeed ‘Blessed to be a Blessing!’

<

<

Filming the production Charis King, a member of the movie’s sound team, made the boom mic look deceptively light in this scene featuring lead actors, Jolyn Loh and Ong Jun Xiang.

There were many unsung heroes working behind the camera, IGNYTErs who availed themselves to serve God!

Crew members on set for the scenes at East Coast Park.

What a beautiful day God provided!

For the Stadium scene, many IGNYTErs were roped in to act as fans. Here in Theatrette 2, they were getting geared up to shout and scream for their ‘favourite band’.

Here’s what they looked like in the movie!

<

The production team even created this self-made ‘track’ for a pan shot. They were truly a creative and determined bunch!

<

The Assistant Directors (standing, from left: IGNYTE leaders Kenneth Khing and Kenneth Yeo) and camera man (squatting: 17-year-old Johnervan Lee) working on the angle for the shot.

Assistant Director, Kenneth Khing, runs through the scene with two of the lead actors, Ong Jun Xiang and Natalie Yeo.

<

<

< 106

A common sight on set: actors memorizing their lines over and over again!

Before filming, the Directors have to prepare scene sketches like these.

Prior to the event, cast and crew gathered for a time of prayer for the event and to catch a preview of the movie.

acting by the movie took about an hour’s worth of the in e tim en cre ons of ute min one Every ding, directing, rt gone into script-writing, story-boar effo of rth wo rs hou six to ve fi and cast, . logistics, publicity, and video editing ts, ligh and nd sou up, kema es, costum

Operation ‘Reach Everyone Everywhere!’ <

The Official MTV hit over 2,000 views on YouTube in just one week and many were still watching the MTV even after the Movie!

< The 1243 website had special weekly features, downloads, synopsis, character profiles and even directions to catch the movie!

<

<

That’s a wrap!

Over 500 people clicked ‘Attending’ on the Facebook event page and many expressed their eagerness to watch the movie with their friends!

God has just been so good, giving us the opportunity to use different media to convey His love for His people. We live in the midst of a media-driven generation. God has called us to reach these people. We are sharing the same message of the gospel, expressed in different forms. I am very proud of the team!

The process of seeing the youths grow and giving themselves to serve God has been fulfilling. I pray it will spur our youths and other youth ministries on to greater heights!

Darick Yeo, IGNYTE District Pastor

107

A Young Adult Event

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE

On the afternoon of 24th October 2010, over 250 young adults took part in ‘Run For Your Life’, Trinity’s very own version of the Amazing Race. More than just a competition however, this event was an opportunity for young adults to experience incredible unity though fun and team work, while learning how to run life’s

were grouped into teams

journey based on God’s truth and values.

according to the letters, L, I, F and E; symbolizing that in the game,

Initially, there were concerns that the event would be

just as in life, they would have to choose their destination

dampened by either the haze that had lingered over the

carefully, plan the route and overcome challenges.

past week, or the morning drizzle that could lead to a heavier downpour. The pastors and organizers prayed

The rain continued to pour as the young adults were

with faith and fervour that God would provide the

being briefed, but when the teams were flagged off, the

perfect weather conditions for the race.

rain simply stopped. For close to the next three hours, Trinity’s young adults raced to various destinations

108

The event began at the Summit, where participants were

within Singapore’s city and downtown areas, completing

briefed on the rules and objectives. Teams had to race to

tasks at each stop to obtain the next clue and earn as

complete as many game stations and tasks as possible

many points. Some memorable tasks included creating

within the stipulated time, based on clues given along

a TV commercial to advertise the ‘Humble Pie’, in front

the way, and by taking only public transport. Participants

of The Cathay; taking a ride on the G-Max reverse

Trinity’s latest bridging event for young adults had them competing in Road blocks, Pit Stops and Detours ala the Amazing Race. Contestants May Liew and Grace Leow report.

value of self-sacrifice and unity. Such ‘experiential learning’ activities were well-received. As Trinitarian Shireene Kan, who invited her friend to the event, recounted: ‘My friend enjoyed Run For Your Life very much. She said the games in particular were very creative, well thoughtout and executed.’

As participants returned to the Summit at the end of the race, some were physically worn out, having literally ran most of the race. Others who had adopted a more relaxed approach, recounted the city sights they had enjoyed along the way.

Within every team however, there was a deeper camaraderie that had developed as a result of running and finishing the race together. Miranda Zhang from Kembangan Plaza carecell testified to this in sharing about her team’s journey: ‘Words of encouragement kept us going and friendships were forged along the way. We went out as strangers, but came back as a team.’ bungee at Clark Quay; searching for the elusive ‘Resting Leopard’ at Orchard Central; and making a tough

Pastor Larry rounded up the event by encouraging every

decision in the CBD.

young adult to commit to run the race that God had marked out for each of us. As God had a specific calling

Each activity was aimed not only at providing fun,

for each person, we should not make comparisons, or be

but also to convey a particular value or lesson. In

envious of others. Rather, we should continue to be guided

performing the ‘Humble Pie’ commercial for instance,

by God’s word, and keep our focus upon Jesus who is the

teams were reminded of the need to be gracious, and to

author and perfecter of our faith.

serve others in humility. By pooling resources to send a team-mate on the G-Max, so that the entire group could

May every young adult continue to run the race and finish

advance to the next station, participants learnt the

well for His Glory!

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Amy Sand What do you get when you combine a popular Christian a artiste, an iss excited fans and a one-night only concert? An enduring performance e in a venue that overflowed.

Chia Ban Seng reflects on Amy Sand’s September 25 concert Trinity@Paya Lebar. ce att Trinity

‘God is the Potter, we are the clay. We may not know what we will become. What we simply need to do is to submit to the Potter.’ (translation mine) These words sum up how God led Amy Sand to name her ministry ‘Clay Music’. That night, words like these shared by Amy Sand spoke deeply to me.

Being among an audience that appeared

For specific songs they ‘danced’

captivated by the beauty of her ministry,

using choreographed actions

I felt the love of God reach out to us so

that were graceful, measured and

gently and yet resolutely. Though I was

purposeful. We readily followed

already familiar with a number of her

their actions for the song ‘Ҋ๜ᄩ

songs, hearing her in person allowed me

્ Endless Praise’. Amy carried a

to experience the distinct quality of her

stage presence that had simplicity,

ministry and the stories behind her songs.

eloquence, gentleness and a calming voice as tangible hallmarks. I sensed that the entire audience, including

110

Amy and her supporting vocalists, Ryan and Sandra,

pre-believers, could connect easily with her. In between

sang mainly songs from Amy’s latest album, ‘྘ྗFaith’.

songs, she would share a short message or story behind

Concert a specific song. Her sharing was relevant,

When the world fails to give me warmth

heartfelt and flowed well with the songs

With faith I will lift up my head to look above me

that often amplified what she shared.

The blue sky and white clouds will remind me again That my heavenly Father cares for me

One particular story that I cherish is

Life is created by You

on how she wrote the song ‘໩Ⴐ྘

Everything is known to You

ྗขగ๰ I Look Up At The Sky’. While

Surely You must be aware

driving in the midst of sadness and

Of my very present needs and cares

disappointment one day, she noticed the beauty of the perfectly blue sky and

ൟࣀҊେ‫ۻ‬໩໙୸֭൐‫ ޱ‬໩Ⴐ྘ྗขగ๰

white clouds. She was prompted to lift

঩็Ϫᄑቁ߾ᄤՙ฼ྤ໩ ໩֭็‫ྗܹڻ‬໩

up her head from disappointment and

഻ଉ൦ᨍ෶ᄷ ၊ౕᨍ଄ਜ ᨍఘ߾Ҋᆱ֩ ໩Ֆॡྻ္

see God’s heart with eyes of faith. As she sung the opening lines, I momentarily

(Excerpts from song ’໩Ⴐ྘ྗขగ๰ I Look Up At The Sky’ Album Title: ྘ྗ Faith’ by Clay Music

re-lived in my mind the very scene she had described. The timeless truths of

Through her songs and many concerts around the world, I believe God’s

these lyrics stood out clearly amidst the

love has been reaching deep into many hearts and continues to call you

serene piano notes.

and me to yield wholeheartedly as clay to the shaping by our Potter.

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1 Church, 2 Teams, 3-nitarians!

Our TCC Teams are on a winning streak but are not resting on their laurels, says Pastor Melvin Lim. He reports on game highlights.

October was a momentous time for the Trinity Cup as it reached an exciting climax!

Trinityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s two teams have done exceptionally well thus far with TCC 1 at the top of the league table and TCC 2 occupying third position. In second position is Tabernacle of Holiness (TOH), who has gathered pace in their title assault and is waiting to capitalize on any slip-up from TCC 1. Together with the other teams wanting to set good records for themselves, both of our teams know they cannot afford any slip-ups and will have to be at their very best in the final few matches.

The competition has really matured and grown in the dimension of game play and competitiveness. Gone are the emphatic scorelines in our earlier matches.

With the experience of having played against each other, the opposing teams have managed to suss out the tactics and game play of both Trinity teams, thus proving a stiffer test to our title credentials.

TCC 1 has managed to maintain their 100% winning record but was made to work hard for our victories as the opponents have upped their game against us. In the second round match with TCC 1, Eternal Life Assembly gave a good account of themselves but unfortunately lost 2-0. Living Spring Fellowship on the other hand, having lost 3-1 in their first match against TCC 2, managed a credible 3-3 draw in their second round match with them. TOH bounced back from their earlier defeat by TCC 2 to record a vital victory over them and has been on a winning streak so far.

With the Trinity Cup reaching its final showdown soon, the championship is still to be decided and our teams will do well not to rest on their laurels. But with you, our ardent supporters cheering us on, we will give our all and win the championship for all Trinitarians! So do come and give us your support for we are One Church, Two Teams and 3nitarians!

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e c n a r a e l the c TCC 1 NOV 2010

OCT 2010

e l k c a t the

SEP

TCC 1 vs Tabernacle of Holiness

2 –2

TCC 1 vs Living Spring Fellowship

3–0

TCC 1 vs Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah)

5–1

TCC 1 vs Eternal Life Assembly of God

2–0

TCC 1 vs Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah)

6–0

2010

TCC 2 NOV 2010

OCT 2010

le b m u t e h t

OCT 2010

TCC 2 vs Living Spring Fellowship

3–0

TCC 2 vs Eternal Life Assembly of God

6–1

TCC 2 vs Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah)

3–3

TCC 2 vs Tabernacle of Holiness

2–0

TCC 2 vs Eternal Life Assembly of God

5–0

TCC 1 vs TCC 2

3–0 113