I am overflowing with joy and thanksgiving as I reflect on yesterday’s guest preaching at Pentecostal Christian Community’s anniversary and Christmas celebration. They had invited me to preach an evangelistic message and informed me that it would be a combined service with another Assemblies of God (AG) church, the Care Assembly.

I have preached in Rev Douglas’ church several times, but it was my first meeting with Rev Chng of Care Assembly. We were introduced, and later we got to know each other over the catered lunch after the service. As it turned out, she and Douglas were both awarded lifetime membership with AG because they have been ordained, credentialed ministers for 40 years. They both planted their churches around the same time. Rev Chng was the first Mandarin pastor from AG to receive theological training in Taiwan.

I felt a beautiful spirit among the gathered congregations, and an air of anticipation and joy could be sensed in the hotel ballroom. Before the preaching began, there were presentations of carols and songs, and the Christmas story. The highlights were two songs sung by six participants of a social outreach to primary and secondary school children in Ang Mo Kio. Finally, I preached with the seniors in mind: Live Well to Die Well. I used the Christmas text about the presentation of baby Jesus in the Temple, and Simeon’s prophecy over Christ. I dwelt on the theme of being ready to meet Christ at his coming or in the event of our death. While the message was interpreted in Mandarin by Rev Chng, I felt the presence of the Lord as we preached.

Lunch was Lee Wee Brothers’ bento and a large anniversary cake with coffee. Best of all, I was able to fellowship with these veteran pastors and hear their stories. Pentecostal Christian Community and Care Assembly, like most small family churches, are relational, caring and warm. They are the total opposite of the informality, professionalism and anonymity of megachurches. This is not a criticism of either type of church. We need all kinds of churches, because we have all types of people in the world. As I preached in my sermon: Simeon held baby Jesus in his arms and declared, “For my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of ALL PEOPLES, a light for revelation to THE GENTILES, and for glory to your people Israel” (Luke 2:30-33).

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JESUS IS THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD! HAVE A BLESSED CHRISTMAS, MY FRIENDS.