They are a five minutes walk away from my home church, so I parked outside my church and took a quick walk to the Citiraya Centre, to the sixth floor where the Tabernacle of Holiness gathered for worship. The Tabernacle is a Pentecostal church with a track record of raising prophetic people with a passion for evangelism and missions. I went there on Sunday morning to fulfil a guest preaching engagement.
STRONG PROPHETIC MANTLE
Churches tend to take after their leaders, and the founder of this church is Prophet Amos Jayarathnam, a man of God with a validated prophetic office and apostolic reach. A humble, holy man very gifted in personal prophecy and used by God to speak to Presidents, to political, church and business leaders. It is therefore not surprising that their leaders and congregants have stronger than normal prophetic awareness and exercise of the gift of prophecy. In fact one of their leaders, Jacob Pillay discovered, developed and was released into prophetic ministry during the decade of being a marketplace leader in the church. Amos is now the senior overseer and besides the churches he fathers, he also oversees a prophetic-pastors fellowship called Covenant Pastors.
Amos and I drank from the same spiritual source. We were fellow participants of a revival that began at the Dunearn Technical Secondary School. That revival morphed into a church called World Revival Prayer Fellowship, and Amos and myself drank from this powerful stream of living waters. Many pastors, missionaries and full-time workers were awakened and called into service during the revival. Amos and I were two of them.
MASKED BUT NOT BOUND
We were smack in the middle of covid-19 phase 2 (heightened restrictions) and I was informed that I would have to preach with a mask on and there would be less than 50 people on-site with the service streamed online on YouTube. I felt comforted that there would be a live audience. It is much better than preaching to empty chairs. In a sense, preaching is a dialogue. It is reflexive. You say some things and the audience react with facial expressions and body language, and if needed, you respond by adjusting what you had originally planned to say.
I found that people were listening and I felt my message was getting through and touching hearts. I spoke about the Holy Spirit as our faithful and helpful friend, who shares his wisdom with us, and also his quieter less glamourous but essential ministry of edification, comfort and encouragement. I was pleased to be informed later that the people felt blessed by the message.
MEETING THE PASTORS
It was a joy to meet with the Senior Pastor Xavier Dawes. He is a pastor through and through, immediately making me feel comfortable, and able to draw out my thoughts and feelings, and give affirmation and encouragement. It is good that every congregation have a good mix of different ministry-gifts. Christ gifts to the church includes apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Eph 4). Having a pastor in leadership establishes stability, and calms restless souls so that they comfortably feed well and drink well of God’s green pastures and still waters.
Senior Pastor Xavier Dawes (L), myself and pastor Isaiah Mahendran (R)
I also met their administrative pastor Isaiah Mahendran, who has been co-ordinating all the Covenant Pastors fellowship meetings. Gifted in administration and with a strong worship anointing. When he is around things run smoothly, and when he leads the worship among pastors, we feel the presence of God. I think that together with Amos, Xavier, and Jacob they form a strong team. I left the church after the service ended feeling blessed and privileged to have the opportunity to preach in this church.
I remembered I preached there about ten years ago and wrote about my experience and observations about my visit. You can read more about my earlier visit and their faith and missionary zeal HERE.
I was given a warm welcome at the sanctuary on Sunday. It was my first time preaching in my home church after six months of rest. I was glad to do so. Sadly, there was no on-site congregation, as the pastoral team had decided that the sustained spike in Covid 19 cases, and the government tightening of rules made it wise for them to return to streaming the worship service without on-site congregation.
Initially, I was informed to wear a mask while preaching. I tested different masks at home because if the sound was muffled, people will switch off rather quickly. I found a mask of spongy material that did not muffle my voice. However, by Saturday night I was informed that the authorities allowed speaking and singing by two singers without masks on if there is no on-site congregation. I felt such relief, because the mask is a barrier to effective communication.
AWKWARD TO PREACH TO EMPTY SEATS
It still felt awkward preaching to an empty church. Later when I checked out the recording online, I could see that my preaching was smooth and the awkwardness I felt was not disruptive nor disturbed the flow of the delivery.
I counted five in the worship team and seven in the audio and media team. I felt for them. They have been fantastic in their commitment and stamina. They are so professional in their attitude and spirit even though they are all volunteers. I praise God for them, especially Zephaniah who leads the media team and Ethel who leads the worship ministry. The Lord will not forget the works they have done in his name and for the church.
FEELING FOR BUSINESS OWNERS AND PASTORAL STAFF
I noticed the traffic was lighter than usual due to the government’s strict directives to curb the spread of covid 19, especially the rule of no dine-in and social groups limited to only two. Human traffic at malls and restaurants would be affected too. A lot of businesses would be affected besides malls and F&B and entertainment establishments. I feel for the business owners.
This setback is three steps forward and two steps backward. Before I retired, the church was streaming services with no on-site congregation. Then things improved and the church returned to on-site worship of our three congregations of 50 to 100, office staff meetings and prayer meetings and even prayer retreats. It was two steps forward and I even solemnised a wedding with a hundred guests in attendance. Then suddenly this frustrating announcement of a pull back to stricter Phase 2 precautions. Of all days, on a Friday. Which meant the stressed pastoral staff had to make a judgment call, and implement and communicate all the changes in 48 hours. They cancelled the on-site congregation worship on Sunday. I feel for the pastoral team. It can be draining, discouraging and frustrating to rapidly respond to all these sudden changes. Two steps backward.
I also feel for those who had already planned wedding receptions and dinners on Sunday, two days before the announcements. The ups and downs, and back and forth, that wedding couples face will make what is meant to be one of their happiest memories, a nightmare, and their honeymoon a pity-party. Lord, have mercy and brighten these couples with a quiet peace and joy to sustain them in the midst of discouragement and helplessness.
THE LORD SITS ENTHRONED
Regardless of how we feel, we have to believe in the face of all this mess that “the Lord sits enthroned over the flood” (Psalm 29:10). Floods can be chaotic and disruptive and destructive but the Psalmist saw God as Sovereign over uncontrollable forces. We are still one step ahed from where we were during the circuit breaker lock-down. We have much to give thanks for compared to other countries struggling with larger populations and lesser resources and weaker governance. Therefore, stay calm and keep praying and walking in the Spirit. Rejoice in the Lord, and not in the sad situation we find ourselves in. Rejoice that He sits enthroned over the flood.
I must admit to being anxious about guest preaching at Shekinah Assembly of God. I had been resting for six months, staying away from ministry. In May I have to preach three times, two as a guest preacher, one in my home church. Will I be able to preach well or will I be rusty? Will I be able to deliver an effective message? These fears lose their hold over me when I was reminded of God’s words to Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage!” and another formative rhema that shaped my ministry, “I will be with your mouth and teach you what to say”, God’s words from the burning bush to Moses.
CURIOUS ABOUT CHURCH MARRIAGE
I admit to being curious about how this church of about 80 members and another church of about 50 members got “married”. I heard about their union from my friend Pastor Thomas, a good friend of the lead pastor Hock Cheng. I had so many things I was curious about: how it happened, what the process was like and how long it took, and what is the union like currently.
My wife and I arrived early at Parkroyal Collection Pickering, a five-star hotel in Chinatown. I later found out that the Lord graciously provided them this venue when the one they were at was on short notice to be used for quarantine purposes when the government reverted back to tighter pandemic rules. Thankfully we can rely on the Lord in these days of sudden changes. These changes give much stress to pastors, and as one who recently retired, I feel for pastors and their staff.
FELT WARM WELCOME AND BLESSED
We received a warm welcome and a member by the name of Alvin filled me in on the origin of the church which I could very much relate to because of the similarities to my home church, World Revival Prayer Fellowship. They started as a youth group in a school (Tiong Bahru Secondary School) and they moved around till they settled in the Queensway Shopping Centre. My home church began at the back of the laboratory in Dunearn Tech Secondary School. How interesting. Hearing that, I felt more comfortable immediately.
Then a gentleman by the name of Ian came and told me he had been blessed by my blog, and wanted to buy a Brompton bicycle too! Such affirmation is like fuel to my engine. I know that by God’s grace, people are reading my blog, but to see the reader and hear him affirm my writing fires me up to keep pressing on.
PASTOR HOCK CHENG LEADING INTERCESSORY PRAYERS
DIVIDED INTO TWO ZONES BUT ONE UNITED CONGREGATION
The service (which was also live streamed via ZOOM) began with pre-service intercession and was followed by uplifting anointed worship led by a two persons ensemble: pastor Apelles, the former pastor, and a lady pianist. I felt I was in the presence of God even though we could not sing. When It came time for me to preach I went with the flow and delivered the message I have developed with the Lord. It went smoothly. I was at peace. I felt I connected with the hearers. I was encouraged by the kind appreciative words of people who were blessed or touched by the message.
THESE VOLUNTEERS ARE SUPER VITAL
POIGNANT AND INSPIRING STORIES
Pastor Hock Cheng and his wife Camelia brought my wife and I out for a tim sum lunch at nearby Chinatown Square. Over lunch they shared about the recent health challenge they went through as a couple and the inspiring story of the union of two churches. My wife and I were poignantly touched as we listened to their authentic sharing of suffering and joy, the love of the members of the church, and the fruit of the union: a re-kindling of hope in their hearts.
The story of the union of two churches is full of God’s fingerprints, his hand revealed in so many diverse ways. God’s favour and peace, careful thorough deliberation, prayerful discernment, and attention to people’s feedback were evident in the whole process of union. In the words of pastor Hock Cheng in his “wedding speech” during Shekinah’s 28th anniversary, God’s providence – his arrangement of events and divine appointments – was the key factor in the fruitfulness of the union:
“I believe in divine appointments, do you? – Our God is a God of Providence!
Through a series of divine connections, our journey with CGC began in July 2017 when Pastor Stephen initiated a conversation with Silas and me to explore merging with Shekinah. The leadership teams of both churches subsequently met together (since Oct 2017) to pray and agreed to explore the feasibility of our two churches becoming one. Pastor Benny Ho, being a trusted friend to both churches, was invited to facilitate the meetings and provide counsel to both leadership teams.
Over the last 15 months, both churches have many different combined events, ranging from Christmas outreach, Family Day cum baptism and other special events. I think the climax was in the church camp when God knitted the hearts of both churches together. (When you go on a date, there is a special moment that touches you, and you say to the partner, ‘let’s get married!’ I think that was exactly what happened during the camp, a knitting of hearts that resonated, ‘let’s get married!’”)
Like a newly married couple, both churches have since gone through the stages of dating, courtship & engagement. By the grace of God, we are getting married today!
In the last 15 months, we discovered a few important things about each other:
We share the same vision of making disciples who love God passionately and love people practically.
The profile and demographics of both churches are very similar.
Both churches are full of people who desire a meaningful community among ourselves while influencing the community outside the four walls of the church.
Our core values, doctrinal statements and worship style are compatible and our commitment to the word of God is unwavering.
We are “united in spirit, intent on one purpose” – to make a greater Kingdom impact than each church can do individually.
In short, we found that we are better together than we could ever be apart!
Both have a heart for families and the next generation.
Both have a vibrant missions emphasis.
We are motivated, gifted people who want to honor God by using our gifts and abilities to advance God’s purposes.
We want to reach more people for Christ, to multiply our church’s impact, to better serve our local community, to further extend God’s Kingdom”.
GREAT HUMILITY AND GENEROSITY
Pastor Hock Cheng was very humbled and grateful that pastor Stephen and members of City Gate Church were willing to lay down at the Lord’s feet, the name of their church, and to step down as the pastor. He felt City Gate Church had been very gracious and generous throughout the process of merger, a mark of their maturity and kingdom-mindedness.
To me Pastor Hock Cheng sounded as grateful as a person who had received an organ transplant from a stranger – sheer grace, sheer gift. The union re-kindled hope in him at a time when he wondered if things would ever lift off for his home church. Now with this union of two faith communities, Shekinah has grown stronger, with a richer and deeper blend of gifts of organization and mercy, with more gifted and dedicated volunteers, a critical mass that can overcome inertia and build momentum. It is a match made in heaven but is being manifested on earth. I pray that with patience the union will bear much fruit for the kingdom. In fact, it has already done so when they did the Alpha Course during their Sunday Services prior to the Covid 19 outbreak, with many added to the kingdom. May their love as one community abound, and may the Lord continue to anoint their vison of making disciples.
My wife and I went home feeling blessed to have witnessed a marvelous work of God.
LORD grant that more churches will find re-kindled hope in union of their churches with other churches. May there be a humility and generosity to lay down rights, entitlement, self-interest and pride. Let there be more kingdom-hearted leaders in our midst. Amen.
To read about two other churches that has merged click HERE.
This was my first on site worship service in my home church since my retirement. It has been six months since my retirement. It has been sweet. During this period I have been watching my home church’s online recorded services and later live streamed services. I decided to keep away from church for several months so that Pastor Alvin Lim who has succeeded me in leading the English Congregation can establish himself with the congregation that he is leading. My pastor friends think it should be a longer period. I am in two minds about it as every situation is different. I am inclined to ease in gradually and incrementally rather than suddenly. Anyway I have been invited to preach in other churches so that would be equivalent to a scaled return. If there are no invitations there is always the option of on-site during holy communion Sundays and online during other Sundays when I am not preaching anywhere. Hmm….this sounds good and I am at peace about this in the next phase.
IT FELT GOOD
It felt good to worship without the weight and concerns for how the worship service went, for attendance and offerings, for latecomers and the sermon quality, and all other hiccups. I cautioned myself to take off the senior pastor hat and sit back and enjoy, and it was good to sit back and be fully present for worship and what the Spirit may be moving my heart towards. Today I felt drawn to point people to Jesus, my neighbours, fellow retirees and other people I meet who do not know the Lord. Lord, empower me to reach out in love and service and witness.
IT WAS A JOY
It was a warm feeling meeting with church folks whom I have not seen for six months. It was such a joy to see them, such a joy to gather, worship and listen to God’s Word together with God’s people. I was not used to the new processes and arrangement but there is a kind of joy and and love and energy being given off and bouncing off live bodies and souls. These intangibles are difficult to put into words – the koinonia of the Spirit. The words of mystic John the apostle, “We saw it, we heard it, and now we’re telling you so you can experience it along with us, this experience of communion with the Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. (1 John 1:3 Message). We are with one another together singing, praying, listening to the sermon, partaking of the Lord’s table, and interacting and while doing all this the Spirit makes possible a kind of spiritual osmosis where the life of the Father and the Son are permeated to all by the Spirit. It may not always be felt emotionally or experientially but nevertheless we receive his graces and gifts. For me it was an infusion of inspiration, peace and joy.
I was glad, very glad to be physically present in the house of worship this morning. I long for the day where we can worship and interact unhindered but as my predecessor Rev Johney used to quip, “If you do not have real teeth, false teeth will have to do.” You still get to eat.
TO WHAT SHALL I LIKEN WORSHIP SERVICES
Unrestricted worship services (like before Covid-19) is like eating with a full set of real teeth. On site worship with restriction is like eating with some implanted false teeth. On line worship service is like eating with full set of dentures.
My heart was warmed to read a lovely story of how young people from a church and a mosque have gone beyond stiff and awkward formal dialogues across tables to forge budding friendships and create platforms for interactions amongst people of two different faiths: Christianity and Islam.
A CHURCH AND A MOSQUE
A church and a mosque in the Geylang Serai area building bridges and tearing down walls through joint activities and projects would be unheard of twenty years ago. I found the extent and depth of progress that have been made encouraging. The stories of how this interaction is affecting the young people of different faiths is inspiring and augurs well for interfaith relations and understanding in the future.
INTER-RACIAL UNDERSTANDING BEFORE AND NOW
This has always been an area of concern that crops up occasionally when older adults like me chat with friends who were brought up in mixed neighbourhoods and schools where inter-racial intermingling and friendships were common. As a child I grew up in a neighbourhood where the apartment units directly around us were Malay, Indian and Chinese. We played together. We went to the same school. We visited each other’s home. And we enjoyed festive food during Hari Raya, Chinese New Year or Deepavali. We saw and heard things that helped us understand each other’s different culture and faith.
It is different for the younger generation today. I don’t know what happened such that all my neighbours in Bukit Batok were Chinese. My children studied in Pei Hwa Primary School and there were no Indians and Malays there. Mainly at tertiary level did they have opportunities to mix with other races, but did they? By then I doubt they would go out of their way to intentionally make friends with those of other races.
INTERFAITH RELATIONS
That is why I find it heart-warming that the church and the mosque were deliberately building bridges as neighbours. Easter and briyani: what a title to reflect diversity and interfaith partnership! I pray that their endeavours to understand and appreciate each others faith will continue to yield the fruit of love for neighbour in deeper dimensions.
