WE BUILT THIS CITY City Harvest Church Is a Church That Has Been Built, Piece Upon Piece, Person by Person Over the Last 25 Years

When They Treasures 20 Years JUL 26-27, 2014 Were 25 Of SOT Of CHC www.citynews.sg 1 page 8 page 20 page 34

A publication of City News, Singapore News From A Christian Perspective www.citynews.sg

MCI (P) 146/12/2013

PHOTO: BERNARD YEO "No turning back": The young people who started City Harvest Church with senior pastor Kong Hee embarked on an unstoppable mission 25 years ago. WE BUILT THIS CITY City Harvest Church is a church that has been built, piece upon piece, person by person over the last 25 years. City News Weekly looks back at its foundation years through the eyes of its members. By THERESA TAN

The theme for this year’s anniversary cel- church, and it refers to those who built it— the age of 16. “Our credo from Day One has built and still is being built.” Today, Perera ebration—CHC’s 25th year, its Silver Jubi- the church members. been to love God wholeheartedly and to is a fulltime staff member of the church lee—is “Because Of You”. Despite its glossy corporate image, love people fervently,” she explains. “It was and also a worship leader. The “You” refers to God. It also refers CHC is very much a people church, says each member reaching out to another per- to those who obeyed the call to start this Serina Perera, who joined the church at son, one to one. That’s how the church was Continued on Page 2

For Advertising enquiries, e-mail • [email protected] | For Editorial enquiries, e-mail • [email protected] | If you see, hear or know of anything newsworthy, e-mail • [email protected]

2 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 CHURCH & MISSIONS

We Built This City (cont’d from Page 1). lesson thinking, ‘Chey, I don’t even listen WHAT’S HAPPENING to such music.’ But when this young man Kong Hee, the founder of CHC, was gave the altar call, the presence of God was THIS WEEKEND serving as a youth leader at Marine Parade so strong that I found myself responding Welcome to our 25th anniversary services! God has been Christian Centre (MPCC) at that time. Af- to the altar call. After the meeting, one of exceedingly good to City Harvest, and this weekend, we ter he preached during a chapel session his cell group members followed up on thank and praise Him! We pray that you will experience the love of God through His presence as well as the warmth of in Anglican High School in 1986, revival me, and together with many of my close our friendship! broke out among the youth. friends—Lillian Cher, Sun, Karen Yeow, Among those who heard If you’re new here, Sun and I would very much like to invite you to The Hot Spot (our Visitors’ Lounge) after the his message was his future service, where our friendly greeters and pastoral staff wife, Sun Ho, CHC’s execu- would love to get to know you over a cup of coffee. While tive director today. She re- you’re there, feel free to pick up a CD of today’s sermon as a little complimentary souvenir from us for your visit to calls, “I remember it was a our church. very short session. At the time, I was not a believer To make your visit with us more enjoyable, we have designated priority seating in the hall for first-time visitors; and the sermon didn’t make the elderly and pregnant women; the hearing-impaired a lot of sense to me but I re- who require sign language interpretation and those who member being very touched are physically-challenged. There are Children’s Church services happening concurrently with our Main Service. Do approach our ushers or staff for some reason—of course, at the reception counter for more information. looking back now, it was the Holy Spirit. I remember lift- Keeping you connected with City Harvest and all our happenings is important to us! Visit us online at chc.org.sg for the latest event updates, interesting information about our ing up my hand. After the congregation and our functions as a Christian ministry. meeting, I was so shocked that I wasn’t the only one Till we have the chance to meet you face to face, thank you once again for joining us to who responded, so many PHOTO: CHC worship God as a church family. We believe that God will touch you deeply and draw you closer into His loving embrace. of us did. And that was the Kong Hee preaching in the early days. Kenneth Sim (in start of the revival.” white T-shirt and glasses) and Joseph Ang (second from Blessings, Soh Chiew Bee, a civil right) were youth who became full time pastors in CHC. servant in her 40s, was another one who responded to Kong’s altar Siew Lan, Tian-An—who also responded, I call that same day. “Pastor Kong was invit- started attending the cell group in MPCC.” ed by one of our teachers, Mrs Jane Yang, Soh and her friends were only the be- to speak on ‘Rock Music and Backward ginning of the revival. The move of God MAIN CHURCH (ENGLISH SPEAKING) CHINESE CHURCH INDONESIAN SERVICE Masking’ during that Religious Knowledge spread to other secondary schools, and Jul 26 (Sat) 5 p.m. Combined with Main Combined with Main lesson. I remember sitting throughout the soon MPCC was filled with teens every Jul 27 (Sun) 10 a.m. Church services Church services Suntec Singapore Suntec Singapore Suntec Singapore Level 6, Halls 601-604 Level 6 Level 6 Halls 601-604 Halls 601-604 Services with Kong Hee There are Harvest Kidz FILIPINO SERVICE services running concurrently with DIALECT CHURCH our Main Church services: Jul 27 (Sun) 4 p.m. Combined with Main Church services Age Group: 2 Level 6 • Room 606-A Age Group: 3 Level 6 • Room 606-B 1 Jurong West St 91 Suntec Singapore Age Group: 4 Level 6 • Room 606-C Age Group: 5-6 Level 6 • Room 606-D/E Basement 4 Level 6 Age Group: 7-8 Level 7 • Room 606-F Main Auditorium Halls 601-604 Age Group: 9-10 Level 7 • Room 606-G Age Group: 11-12 Level 7 • Room 606-H Congratulations On HARVEST KIDZ JAMs CHURCH th JKIDZ Level 7 • Room 606-J City Harvest Church’s 25 Anniversary Jul 26 (Sat) 11 a.m. Jul 27 (Sun) 11 a.m. NURSERY Age Group: 0-24 months & 1 p.m. Level 6 • Hall 605, Various Baby God is always faithful! Rooms Suntec Singapore 1 Jurong West St 91 Level 6 Basement 4 Hall 606 Theater Main Auditorium

Be Part Of Our Family CITY HARVEST CORPORATE OFFICE If you are interested in joining a cell group, please Address: 8 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec Tower Three, refer to our cell group directory at chc.org.sg, #08-01 to 03, Singapore 038988 or contact our corporate office at (65) 6737-6266. Tel: (65) 6737-6266 • Fax: (65) 6737-6166 E-mail: [email protected] • Web site: chc.org.sg For more information on Bible studies and other ministries in CHC, OPENING HOURS please approach our friendly receptionists. Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Please log on to our website at chc.org.sg to find Sunday - Monday: Closed out more about our church and upcoming events. 154 West Coast Road West Coast Plaza #01-77 S(127371) MAILING ADDRESS 8 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec Tower Three, Tel: 6779 3770 Email: [email protected] #08-01 to 03, Singapore 038988 Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 9.30pm IN AN EMERGENCY Contact our pastoral worker at (65) 8121-0302 for www.facebook.com/MountHermonBerastagi immediate assistance. www.mounthermon.com.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 3 CHURCH & MISSIONS

multi-national offshore gas company. At the time I was a Sunday School teacher at another church. I would attend Brother Kong’s Bible Study classes and cell group at MPCC after going to service at my church.” Chong is best remembered for his Datsun twin cab truck which became the church’s default vehicle, used for ferrying equipment to and from service and meetings, and to bring members home. Chong served as the senior pastor’s PA and driver at the start of the church on a voluntary basis. Finally, in PHOTOS: SOH CHIEW BEE & MICHAEL CHAN 1996, “I was the first DFO (duty facility From left: Soh Chiew Bee (first from right), with Kong (center) and Ho (second from right) and Paul Chong (first from left) in the early officer) of the church, opening up and '90s; Soh assisting Kong during a baptism event; Soh today. locking up before and after service.” weekend. It was that year—1986—that Kong received up courage to say: ‘Dad, can I go to church?’” THE LIFE STAGES OF A CHC MEMBER a Word from God “to raise up an army of young people Ng would sometimes sneak out to church and her par- Educator Chin Khen Theen, 41, fondly recalls attend- who would take this nation by storm, and ultimately go ents would cane her when she returned. “I would encour- ing 7am prayer meetings at Tampines Junior College, all over Asia to proclaim the message of the Gospel until age myself that these canings were nothing compared to led by Sandy Yeo, now CHC’s drama director and Bobby the Lord returns.” what Jesus had gone through for me,” she says, adding that Chaw, now the Dean of CHC’s School of Theology. At that point, Kong’s heart was set on being a mission- water baptism drew great objection from parents. “Our Coming from a non-Christian family, he could not take ary and he was about to embark on becoming a staff evan- water baptism sessions were often interrupted by parents part in many of the church activities until he entered Na- gelist with Christ for Asia, a Singapore-based missions who didn’t allow their kids to be baptized. My classmate’s tional Service, where he became part of the Military Fel- mom even called the police.” lowship led by pastor Choong Tsih Ming. He served in the Despite the obstacles, the young ones persisted and PA (physical arrangement) Ministry, where every Sunday, served God with all their hearts. Banker Josephine Lim, he carried equipment from the church office at Mackenzie 42, who was in Soh’s cell group, recalls serving as an usher Road at 5.30am to Westin Hotel where the prayer meeting at that first service. “In those days, we helped out in every- and service were held, and then returned the equipment thing we could possibly do: we took turns to do physical in the afternoon before preparing to “book in” to camp. arrangement—that is, to move the musical instruments Chin's life since joining CHC has been shaped by and set up the place.” In her cell group, she was the “prayer the church, he says. From 1994 to 1997, while he was coordinator”: “I had to call the core members and check pursuing his degree at the National University of Singa- if they prayed an hour every day and I would leave a mes- pore’s Science Faculty, he was part of the NUS Campus sage in Brother Kong’s answering machine with the up- Fellowship led by pastor Tan Ye Peng, also a Science un- date every Wednesday,” she remembers. dergraduate then. “We would have Bible study and dis- True to 1 Timothy 4:12 to “Let no one despise your cipleship meetings at the NUS Science canteen with Pas- youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in con- tor Tan, Yong Fu, Sai Song, Kim Hock, Bobby, Dawn and duct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity”, they took God many others,” he remembers. “Pastor Tan always asked us PHOTO: ABISHAG NG and the things of God seriously. Says Lim, “We met almost many thought-provoking questions and sent us back to When she was a teen, the parents of Abishag Ng (first every day because we would be having Bible study sessions pray and think.” Chin took over leadership of the Fellow- from right) objected to her attending church. with new joiners, which were many on a weekly basis. We ship from Tan in 1996 until 1997. would also be doing home visits, street-witnessing and Chin is just one of many pioneers who gave fully of organization. However, the youth group he was leading— conducting prayer meetings.” themselves and played a part in every key event of CHC. including his first two cell group members, Choong Tsih Apart from Kong, the only adult at the start of CHC— He was baptized in the waters of East Coast Beach in Ming and Yong Te-Chong—asked him to continue disci- pling them in the ways of the Lord. With support and ad- vice from other senior pastors in Singapore, Kong decided to obey God’s call and start a new work. In 1989, Ekklesia Ministry was launched with a group of 20. Their first service at Peace Centre saw an attendance of 135.

THE “GIANT SUNDAY SCHOOL” Soh, one of the 20, was studying for her A-Levels that first year of Ekklesia Ministry. She remembers the challenges the young congregation faced. “Back then, we had a lot of youths who faced parental objection—we always called it ‘PO’. Some would get caned after returning home from church activities. But the love for God and for the House of God was so great that many would still come, in spite of PO. Most of the members were between 17 and 20. Pastor PHOTOS: JOSEPHINE LIM & MICHAEL CHAN Kong was the oldest and only working adult. No wonder From left: Lim (in blue striped top and black jacket) in church in 1997 with Serina Perera (second from left, fore- they called us the ‘Giant Sunday School’.” ground); Lim today with her family. Realtor Abishag Ng, 39, first attended Ekklesia meetings when she was a 14-year-old student at Tanglin Tech- who wasn’t a parent of a youth member—was Paul Chong, 1994, attended City Harvest Bible Training Centre (now nical Secondary School. “I would only attend cell group 52, who works in CHC’s Harvest Kidz department to- SOT), led activities in the youth conference Emerge, trav- meetings after co-curricular activities as church service day. Chong first met Kong when Kong was assistant to eled with Kong and Ho to Surabaya during the Crossover on Sundays were out of the question. Later when church Paul Tan, the former principal of Tung Ling Bible School Project as a security detail, and he has been a cell group moved to World Trade Centre in 1991, I grew stronger in where Chong was attending. “Brother Kong was in his fi- leader for the last 17 years. Since his first cell group in my faith and decided to make a stand. I would wake up at nal year in Computer Science at NUS, working part time 1997, Chin has trained up a multitude of cell group leaders 5am on Sundays to mop the house, practising and stirring for Brother Paul Tan. I was 27, a logistics supervisor at a who now have their own groups. 4 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 CHURCH & MISSIONS

“One thing that Pastor Kong did for me which no one knows is that, when I was in the second year of junior college, he enrolled me in an Eco- nomics enrichment class and paid for the $200 course when my parents were going through a divorce,” says Lim, adding that songs!” he remembers, rattling off “now her church family was her pillar through- so foreign” names like CFNA, Hosanna out that difficult period. Integrity and Maranatha. “We had much Soh recalls, “Hardly anyone knows more time to linger [in the presence dur- this: I was looking for part-time job ing worship] then.” after my A-Levels and PK offered me a job He adds, “Around the mid-'90s we transcribing the teaching tapes (!) of his started to write our own songs. Brother Bible teacher, Brother Paul Tan. I think Poh (worship leader Teo Poh Heng) took the pay was $800 per month. I would the lead with ‘We Are A Church’.” Benson listen to Brother Paul’s teaching and had a year off the ministry “due to my transcribe word-for-word onto stacks of parents’ concern about my GCE O Level foolscap paper. It was many years after results, but God did not forget about that that I found out that it was really PK me: I returned to the ministry in 1994 who was paying me out of his own pocket in preparation of our first live recording.” because Brother Paul really didn’t need In 1994, the first of CHC's many albums those transcripts.” was recorded, titled Against All Odds. It wasn’t just financial needs that he PHOTOS: CHIN KHEN THEEN & MICHAEL CHAN Benson played the saxophone in the stu- met. Chin says that over the years, the Clockwise from top left: One of Chin Ken Theen's (in blue) many cell groups; fellow- dio recording. words spoken to him by Kong have shaped ship with pastors Tan Ye Peng and Yong Te Chong (Chin is centre, foreground); Chin Benson’s gift and faithfulness as a his life and blessed him. “Around 2000, with his family today; members of the Adult Service dressed up as people from all ministry member opened the door for Pastor Kong shook my hand and called me walks of life for the Parade of Ministries (International Pastors' School) in 1997. him to work full time in church as the ‘Khen Theen, teacher extraordinaire’,” he faculty head of the visual arts department remembers. “It became like a rhema word EVERY MEMBER A MINISTER keeping the musical and sound equipment at CHC’s former School of Creative Arts to me as an educator.” CHC’s vision statement reads “we are a during practice and services. In fact, I car- from 2001 to 2003. In 2008, during Christmas, Chin and church… where every member is released ried equipment for several months before Today, the church still sees the married his wife availed their home to Kong’s dis- into ministry, discipled in the Great Com- I even played the first note on my saxo- father of three serving regularly on stage, cipleship group. “Pastor prayed for us to mandment, to obey the Great Commis- phone.” After one year as a trainee, Benson playing his saxophone. “Fortunately, I am have a child—we were married in 2001— sion and the Cultural Mandate.” It is often was put on duty to play for services. still allowed to ‘do my damage’ through my and the following year Wan Ee became in serving that CHC members discover “Most of the musicians were still in saxophone after all these years,” he quips. pregnant and Egan was born in March their gift or even their calling. school—a number of them from the Angli- “I picked up guitar and percussion along 2010 and Eben in Feb 2014.” “I was just a regular cell group member can High revival—and the oldest were in the way but those are best kept in my clos- till 1994 when I started serving regularly their early 20s. The band worked tirelessly et so that the damage can be contained. 25 YEARS AND MANY MORE TO in the music ministry,” says Benson Kong, as we were committed to give the best to God is merciful. Hallelujah.” COME 39, a senior field operations manager for the Lord, even if that meant the music If 25 years ago, these pioneers had been an international company. Benson joined practices ended at one or two in the morn- A TRUE SHEPHERD told that the church they helped to the church when he was 15. ing at times.” From the beginning, as the leader of the build would lead more than 130,000 He started out as a trainee in the mu- But all that dedication and hard work church, Kong cared for his members by people to Jesus through a mission using sic ministry. “The trainees would attend cemented the bonds between members, meeting personal needs. When City News secular music called the Crossover Proj- weekly music practice and the music and grew the ministry’s capacity. “We had Weekly spoke to church members for this ect, and that this very mission would ministry prayer meetings. We had physi- one hour-long praise and worship sessions story, it seemed his list of good works see the church come under fire and its cal arrangement duties—setting up and and on some days we would cover over 20 stretches across decades. leaders in court, what would have been

1 2 3 4 JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 5 CHURCH & MISSIONS

their reaction? and tribulations. Whatever can be shaken prayer for the “I would have thought ‘Wow, so excit- will be shaken. For those who left CHC and church is “that our ing! I want to be a part of this!” says Ng. went to another church I believe God has members will never “Because that was the kind of thing that a purpose for them there. For those who lose the vision of happened last time. We had water baptism have backslided I pray that one day they loving God and lov- in East Coast Beach and we had to do it will return to God and go back to church, ing souls. I think chop-chop before the police came. So we be it another church. We are not the ‘only when all is said all knew the danger of putting our lead- true’ church in Singapore. We are who we and done, whether ers in a position of crossing the law while are, according to God’s plan and purpose we are a teenager, doing the right thing spiritually. Many of for CHC. I don’t think we are the perfect or we are work- us were teens, we didn’t get our parents’ church. We don’t always get it right. I being adults or in our permission to be baptized. But we did it lieve those of us who choose to stay in CHC vanguard years, because it was for the God’s cause. If we will reap the rewards, through the mes- we must never lose had to pay the price for populating God’s sages, the worship, the fellowship and all.” sight of the fact that kingdom, we just had to pay it.” The church Each member has a wishlist for the all of life is about later started giving out consent forms to next 25 years of CHC’s existence. Lim loving God, loving members under 17 who sought to be water looks forward to the church learning people and loving baptized. from and growing out of its challenges. “I souls. My prayer Lim offers a philosophical take. “We would be very disheartened if we do not is that our church went through a stage in the very early days learn and undo the mistakes we know of. will keep on win- when we encouraged our members not to No corporation as big as ours is without ning the lost locally watch movies and to destroy all secular adverse news, but how we handle and and all around the PHOTOS: BENSON KONG & MICHAEL CHAN music we owned because we were at an im- grow out of it will differentiate us.” world. That’s our From left: Saxophonist Benson Kong in 1994 with worship pressionable age,” she recalls. “Fast forward calling.” leader Calvin Ho; Benson today. 15 years: Sun is launched into the secular music industry. Were we entirely wrong 15 “Were we entirely years before? To some, yes. To others, setting ourselves apart from worldly enter- wrong 15 years before CHC: THE FRUIT OF THEIR LABOUR tainment was a learning journey: it taught when we destroyed The first 20 members of City Harvest Church planted a small seed in 1989 us to consecrate ourselves and to put away and watered it with the Word, sweat and tears. Built upon Jesus Christ, the distractions.” all secular music we cornerstone of the church, CHC had its foundation in those early years of Truth is: the ongoing trial involving owned? To some, consecration, sacrifice and persecution that its pioneers went through, focused senior pastor Kong Hee and his team has on the mission to love God wholeheartedly and to love people fervently. sifted the congregation. Some have moved yes. To others, setting to other churches, many have stayed, new ourselves apart from 1) 1986-1989: Ekklesia Ministry began life 5) CHC moved into the former Hollywood people have joined the church. But in CHC, in 41A Amber Road, where Kong’s five Theatre on Tanjong Katong Road in 1995. the cell groups, the ministries, the prayer worldly entertainment youth cell groups from Marine Parade The Church Without Walls movement was Christian Centre met nearly daily. launched that year and the congregation meetings have all carried on. The good taught us to consecrate grew exponentially. works of the church and its affiliates—help- 2) The infant church, with its core group ing communities in Singapore and over- ourselves and to put of 20, held its first meeting at Peace Cen- 6) In 2001, the church moved to its “miracle seas—have not stopped. away distractions." tre on May 7, 1989 and saw 135 in atten- building” in Jurong West St 91. This was the “CHC is family,” declares Benson. “I dance. Within a year, the 20 had grown to first building fully owned by CHC. Here, the do not walk out on my family just because ~ Josephine Lim 364 in 1990. congregation grew to 18,000 by 2005. The we are going through a hard time. When I church had a vision of a new place in the walked through the hard times in my life, 3) By 1991, that number had doubled to marketplace, and the second Arise & Build 650 and the congregation had started campaign was launched. CHC was there for me and I will do the Soh’s wish is to see CHC “continue to worshiping at World Trade Centre. Ekkle- same for my CHC family.” grow in number so that more can come sia Ministry was formally registered with 7) At the end of 2005, CHC moved East Soh says that two things have kept her to the saving knowledge of Christ, and to the Registry of Societies as City Harvest to Singapore Expo, where it rented Hall 8 in CHC all these years: the presence of God grow in our impact in the marketplace.” Church in 1992. to hold its burgeoning congregation. The during worship, and the revelations of God Benson echoes this: “I pray we will be congregation size peaked at 32,000. during preaching. “I think we will be here blessed to be a blessing as we continue to 4) In 1993, church services moved to the for the next 25 years, and more,” she says. make disciples of all nations. Remember, Westin Stamford Hotel as the congrega- 8) In 2010, CHC became a shareholder in “We’ve learned from Scripture that it is the best days are still ahead of us.” tion grew in size. This was the year CHC Suntec Singapore, and now uses Level 6 as ‘normal’ for the church to go through trials As the founder of CHC, Kong Hee’s registered as a charity. its worship location in the heart of the city.

45 6 7 8 6 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 COVER STORY Kong Hee: Looking Back On 25 Years City Harvest Church’s senior pastor shares his honest thoughts about the church on its silver anniversary. By DAWN SEOW

CHC to serve the the fact that God had such a big work for and the atmosphere of love and unity is purpose of God for us. I just never expected that. I came from really present. Usually the older a church our generation. I’m a neighborhood church with 60 people, a gets, the more divided the people become. very excited because I small church; in fact, that whole church That is because when we grow older, we feel that the message would qualify as a cell group in CHC to- can become very cynical about life, about of the Great Com- day. It goes to show, God can do exceed- church, or about the leadership. But we mandment, Great ingly abundantly above all we could ask see in CHC that even with all the respon- Commission and the or imagine, according to the power that sibilities of family, work and life piling up, Cultural Mandate works in us (Ephesians 3:20). So that has all our members are still always loving one will get stronger and been the biggest surprise: that God really another, loving the church. stronger. In fact, such keeps His promises and He is a covenant- And of course, I’m very pleased that a simple idea as “lov- keeping God. In spite of all our weakness- after 25 years, the presence and power ing God, loving peo- es and our inadequacies, God can still do of God is stronger than ever before. Ev- ple”—which is what what He wants through vessels like us. ery time I interact with our people, they the Great Command- always say they love to come to church ment and Great What are you most pleased with in the because the presence of God is so strong; Commission are all last 25 years of building God’s church? they love the worship because when they about—when we had I’m very pleased that God could entrust worship God they can experience His that revelation, it was us with certain visions and goals, and we power. A lot of things to be thankful for! 20 years ago. It was could partner with the Holy Spirit to see so simple yet you those visions and goals coming to pass. What are the things that could be im- didn't hear people Things like building a “church without proved in the coming years? talking about it. But walls”; the Crossover Project; building a I think the challenge of any growing or these days, every- strong local church that is contemporary, aging church is the dilution of disciple- where you go, in Asia musical and relevant, at the same time ship, pastoral care, and spirituality. From for sure, and even spiritual, walking in holiness, loving the a church, it sometimes becomes an insti- in the West, people Word of God and strong in prayer. I’m very tution and then a monument. Sometimes are saying that the grateful to God because it’s a tension that we can’t help that because we all have a whole purpose of the is not easy to balance. We are not always fallen human nature. The challenge here Christian life and the perfect, but I think we have done very well is to keep the fire going from one genera- church is loving God, with the grace of God. tion to another, the passion going from PHOTO: HENZY DAVID loving souls. I’m very pleased with the number of one generation to one generation without Kong Hee is thankful for all God has done in CHC. Fifteen years disciples we have raised up. We didn’t any dilution. ago when we talked Life is a series of exchanges—you gain about being relevant some, you lose some. I think I gained a lot This year CHC turns 25—it is a mile- and engaging culture, it was such a new “I think the biggest in the sense that our mission work has re- stone year, its silver anniversary. What idea. For many churches, they would, at surprise for me was ally exploded. CHC was 12 years old when are your thoughts about reaching 25? best, create a subculture within culture we moved into Jurong West in Dec 2001. Has God given you a vision for the itself, where people could be progres- the fact that On the 13th year, [my wife] Sun and I re- church’s future? sive but still remain within the four walls ally launched out into missions. I think the Silver in the Bible always speaks of refin- of the church. Now we see all around God had such a fruit of our mission work is seen all around ing. I’m not superstitious but I believe we the world, whether in the East or West, big work for us. the world. Today, we have 47 churches af- are in the process of refining. We are not churches teaching their members to be filiated to CHC. Beyond that, our influ- old as a church but neither are we young the salt of the earth and light of the world I just never ence in missions is even greater through anymore. [Being] 25 is coming to a place in their society, and I’m excited about that. the local denominations that we collabo- of strength and stability and maturity. I I’m very grateful that God used CHC in a expected that. rate with all around Asia and around the am excited for that. very small way to bring out this message. God really keeps world. All this didn’t happen by chance— I’m very grateful for what God has we worked very hard, put in a lot of effort, done for us. To be honest, 25 years ago, Twenty-five years ago, God gave you a His promises and and invested a lot of resources. when I started the church I never dreamed mandate to raise “a generation of young He is a covenant- However, the downside of that was it that our church will be so large and that people who will take Asia by storm” for took me and Sun away from CHC from our ministry would reach so far. Every day, Him. It is clear that you have done that keeping God.” 2002 all the way to 2010. I lost nine years I pinch myself because I feel like I’m living with all your might. Are you satisfied of active local ministry in Singapore. Do in a dream and I pray I’ll never wake up with your efforts? Were there any sur- I regret that? Yes and no: the upside is from it. It’s an exciting journey and there prises as you set about fulfilling the call? just raised up church members or leaders, we impacted the world; the downside is, are a lot of highs and lows. Overall, I must When you look back, you will always feel we raised up disciples who are equipped, there’s certain level of dilution in our local say in the past 25 years, every day is an ad- you can do better, but when I average out trained and willing to carry the Cross, to home base. venture with the Holy Spirit and with Je- the highs and lows, I must say I am grate- obey the Lord in all that God wants them Moving forward, for the next 25 sus; every single day is worth living for. ful for God for what He has done among to do. I think CHC is a disciple-making years, I would want to spend a season I’m very, very grateful to the Lord for us. As the Bible says, we can only stand church, and we have a disciple-making focusing on the local church again, to allowing me to be part of this journey. back and say this is the work of God. Not- mission. Our disciples are literally im- strengthen those that have grown up I have a very strong sense of destiny for withstanding all the challenges, I am very pacting the nations of the world, I’m very with us, and to raise up the up-and- our church, and I feel God raises us up for grateful that God is so sovereign and He grateful for that. coming generation. I’m looking forward a time like this with a message and a pur- has done such an amazing job with our I’m also very pleased with the fact that to really putting all my strength and pose for our generation. In the same way generation. in spite of all the challenges we have gone energy back to the local church to take the Bible describes King David, I want I think the biggest surprise for me was through, our church is still very united CHC into its next 25 years. JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 7 CHURCH & MISSIONS Sun Ho: The Beginning & The Now The co-founder of City Harvest Church talks about the early days of the church and the current season it is in. By YONG YUNG SHIN

What was your first impression of prayed for him and we all saw it move friends are, the peo- Pastor Kong? back to its rightful position. ple I grew up with. I remember thinking that this was a very We were so on fire, when the Lord If I can sum it up young man but dressed very old, not fash- spoke to us, there was no doubt in our in one sentence: it ionable at all, you know, with those big hearts, even though we were so young. was not glamorous. glasses—just not hip (laughs). He was very Also at that time, it was very hard to be People tell me every- serious, but he was very eloquent, I was Christians, our salvation was very pre- thing looked so fun, very captivated by what he said. He was cious to us. Being a Christian was not a hip so glam. Honestly, just very dynamic. thing—our salvation could have caused us there was nothing to be disowned (by our families). Every glam about it. Who Pastor Kong has told the church before prayer meeting was precious, every wor- wants to wake up at that he proposed to you by walking over ship meeting was precious. These were 3am and have peo- to your office table and popping the the shared experiences during the revival ple pulling your hair, question. What made you say yes? which really bonded us. That’s why until touching your face, I think about that all the time—what today many of us are still very, very close and then be up and made me say “yes”? Honestly, I don’t friends and I know that we’ll be friends chasing the sunrise? know. He was our Brother Kong, he was for life, until we all grow old. Of course, I loved like Apostle Paul to us. In my heart—I’m the singing part of it, sure it wasn’t just me—I thought if I ever What have been your most difficult but to me, it was a married, I would like my husband to be moments in life and what do you draw difficult mission be- like Brother Kong. But there wasn't really strength from? cause first and fore- anything romantic between us then. We I think the lowest moments of my life most, it was a mis- were just co-workers, really focused on were when I miscarried twice, when I sion of the church, building the church. lost my two babies. I slipped into de- and I felt tremen- When he came into the office and pression, especially with the second dous pressure to be asked me, I really thought he was joking. one, because he was already about three successful. Some- So I laughed and laughed, then I caught months along. It was very, very difficult times it took away myself because I realized I was the only for me. But God has been nothing short the joy. And the val- one laughing and he was looking really se- of amazing. I have dreamed of both ues in the world and rious, so I stopped laughing and I just said them. Earlier I used the word “he” be- those in the church yes. Looking back now, I think I said yes cause the Lord actually showed me that are poles apart. because I must have felt in my spirit that it both of them are boys, that was how the People in the church PHOTO: MICHAEL CHAN was the right decision. Lord helped me walk out of that depres- world were upset Sun Ho feels closer to God now more than ever. After that I went home and told my sion. He also assured me that one day I with me, asking how dad that I was getting married. He pulled could a pastor’s wife my sister into a room and interrogated her do this, and people in the entertainment to my grave. He used it to touch people. because he thought I had got pregnant, be- “So much happened world were suspicious of me. Many times, One thing I’ve learned, God never cause nobody in the family knew I was see- I asked God how long more I had to do it. wastes any of our pain, no matter how ing someone—and I wasn’t! It was quite during the Crossover, So much happened during the Cross- dysfunctional our background is. Some- comical actually. Thank God, I was young but one thing I re- over, but one thing I remember most times you ask, "Why is my life like this?" enough to be so impulsive! clearly is this: standing on the stage each or you feel, "Why am I so stupid?" He will member most clearly night, after sharing my testimony, seeing use our stories, I know this because I have What were some of your fondest memo- the souls come forward, telling myself, witnessed it. ries of the early days of CHC? is this: standing on the “It’s all worth it, it’s all worth it.” For the last four years of the ongoing It would be those hours we spent wor- stage each night, after Throughout the Crossover Project, court case, I have, unfortunately, seen shiping and praying together. In fact, I’ve when I felt like giving up, I’d go back the best and the worst of human nature, been thinking about reviving overnight sharing my testimony, to Isaiah 43 and 49, which I felt was a both within the body of Christ and out- prayer meetings—not the ones that end seeing the souls come promise that God would give me honor, side. I’ve seen how the world works, and at 11pm but start at 11pm, and go all the because many times I felt so dishonored, I’ve definitely have become wiser, less way to 5am. forward, telling myself, so shamed—and the word “honor” means naïve. But more than that, I’ve come to I really enjoyed that time with God and a lot to me. That was what kept me going: realize that I need God desperately than with the others, really building deep and 'It’s all worth it, the promise, the rhema of God. ever before. I really think that human authentic relationships. We were all youth, it’s all worth it.'" extremities are God opportunities. Many so we had all the time in the world. I really How would you say you have grown in times, when I feel that I have come to the believe that personally, most of my per- your understanding of yourself and of end of myself, I’ve learned to stand still sonal breakthroughs and encounters with God these past years since the Cross- and see the salvation of God. During the God were achieved during those moments. will see them in Heaven. over Project? Crossover, I saw the power and glory of We were so radical! We were very excited I seldom talk about this but there These past years, having traveled widely, God, but in the last four years, I’ve seen to share about what the Lord spoke to were also difficult moments during the I have seen how much God loves souls, grace of God, and the verse, “His grace us, the words of prophecy, what we saw Crossover. It was just a hard mission. how much He loves the lost. It doesn’t is sufficient for me” has become more in the spirit, the visions we had. We’d go There were days when I didn’t serve the matter whether you’re successful or not— than just a Bible verse to me. These four back to our cell groups and pray for heal- vision with the best attitude. It was hard and I’ve met the whole spectrum—people years, I have never felt so close to God in ing, and we’d see very spectacular heal- to be on the road, to be apart from the need the Lord. I’m very, very grateful that my walk with Him. ings. I remember one member sprained family I’m so close to, and not just my God used an ordinary girl like myself, a his wrist, and the bone in his wrist had dad and mom, but church. Church is not really broken soul with a story I was so For the full interviews with Kong Hee and shifted, and I was so full of faith and I just church to me, it’s where my closest ashamed of, one I thought I would bring Sun Ho, please visit www.citynews.sg 8 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 CHURCH & MISSIONS When They Were 25… Kong Hee founded City Harvest Church when he was 25, and this year, the church turns 25. City News Weekly find out from CHC’s pastors what they were doing at this milestone age. By DAWN SEOW (Additional reporting by Yong Yung Shin, Yeo Zhiqi, GJ Gonzales, Nicolette Ng, Joelle Pang, Enoch Seet and Theodora Ho.)

Tan Ye Peng (left) I was teaching in City Harvest Bible Train- ing Centre (SOT) when I was 25.

[AtSun 25] I Howas very involved in discipleship Bobby Chaw (right) At age 25, I was studying in CHBTC, and administration in the church, very and I started going on mission trips. much like what I’m doing now; raising up the creative ministry, providing counseling to members. That was also the time we released our gospel CD, Remember Us. Aries I remember the church was very young at that time, and my main burden back Zulkarnian(below, in blue) I was then was to raise up and train leaders working as a zone super- fast enough to cope with the growing visor in CHC and I was congregation. leading seven cell groups at that time.

Edmund Tay When I was 25 years old, I was still deciding on which Lim(in blue) Meng When I was Chin 25, I was serving in City church to commit myself to. Harvest Community Services Association It was probably during then (CHCSA) as a program executive. When I first that I found CHC, and since started youth work, it was very difficult. For about then, I have never looked six months, we had to go out on the streets to back. interview and talk to strangers. That taught me how to relate to the youths. I was also involved the SANA (Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association) Pal program, a befriending program to help school dropouts Jimmy Sng to re-enter school. It was very challenging to I was in my first year at CHBTC, motivate them. At the end of year, we always studying for a degree, working as had a camp for them and during the camp we a full-time tutor, while serving in saw lives being transformed. various ministries in church. I was At the age of 25, I came to understand how also helping out in the cell group love can be translated into actions through ministry, drivers' ministry, drama community work and by taking care of the ministry, tuition ministry as well as people around you. the outreaches in Johor Bahru.

Wu Yuzhuang Jeremy Choy (first from left) I got mar- (first from right) When I was 25, I remember ried when I was 25 and spending much of my time with my cell I was serving full-time Joseph Ang group. Through our fellowship, we bonded in CHC. That year I also (first from left) At 25, I was in my and shared our lives with one another. I guess went on a mission trip to second year at CHBTC and I went to some things don’t change and many years Mongolia with Pastor Tan Japan for a mission trip. It has been down the road, I’m still enjoying the friendships (Ye Peng). an amazing journey ever since. I have with my cell group members. JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 9 CHURCH & MISSIONS

Lynn Tan (left, in red and white) At 25, I had graduated from university and was practising law. That was the year I heard God told to me go to Bible School. I remember it was during a Leader’s Meeting and Pastor Kong was talking about Bible School; I just felt the Lord tell me that I should go the Yong Te-Chong following year. There was a (left) I’d been serving as a church staff for (centerTan Yahin tank top)Lan I was in CHBTC when I was 25. lot of favor: I told my boss a few years when I was 25. At the time, I It was a tough year for me. I had a full time job, that I wanted to quit but had just completed National Service and leading four cell groups, and attending Bible he told me to take one was very into exercising so I was probably School all at the same time. I remember going year off instead. I was very conducting keep fit programs for the through a lot of training and my capacity was blessed. church members. very stretched.

(backKenneth row, third Sim from left)I was serving full time in CHC as Assistant Dean of CHBTC when I was 25. I was doing missions in India, Ban- gladesh and the Philip- pines at that time.

(inTan gown) Kim At 25, Hock I was in my second year of Bible Choong Tsih Ming School at CHBTC. (back row, second from right) I was 25 in 1995. That was the year CHC moved to Hollywood. At the dedication service, God reminded me that 10 years ago, in 1985, He had said three things to me. One, “This man (Pastor Kong) will be your pastor.” Two, “This cell group will be a church.” Three, “This church will have great influence across the world.” I had forgotten all about that for 10 years! I looked up and Pastor Kong was on stage, we were now a church, and there were all these flags from different countries on the stage—one for every country we did missions in.

(center)Eileen I was Tohon fire for God when I was 25, serving in the Children’s Church. (inMaria black, center) Tok I made a major switch from building build- ings (I was a quantity surveyor) to building lives when I became a full-time staff at 25.

(right)Glordia I was doing missionsGoh at the age of 25 in India and Chi- Audrey Ng Lee Yi Lun ang Mai, Thailand. On those I got married when I was 25. I became a mom for trips, I would preach to youths Lily Yong Ministry-wise, I was leading the first time when I was and adults, and conduct chil- I was attending CHBTC when I a zone and doing missions 25 years old. dren’s church services. was 25. work. 10 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 CHURCH & MISSIONS The Story Of City Harvest Chinese Church Birthed out of a cell group that consisted of church members’ parents, City Harvest Chinese Church has blessed many in the Chinese-speaking world. Pastor of the church, Tan Ye Peng, shares the journey. By THERESA TAN

a church. Chinese,” says Tan. “But he asked me to “It started as a cell group,” Tan re- take up the challenge.” calls. “It was made up of about 30 Chi- Tan began by collecting the offering nese-speaking parents of our church during the Chinese service while Chia con- members." tinued to preach. Eventually, after a few As the church grew, the cell group also months, Tan took over preaching duties. “I grew, and the Chinese pastoral staff began preached my first full sermon in Chinese— to hold Chinese language services for these all the sermons were translated from Pas- members on weekends, after the English tor Kong’s English messages that week. service. “Firstly, it was [Chia] Chin Chin To help the members understand better, and subsequently her sister Ting Ting who I would give them sermon outlines every did the preaching—Ting Ting was the first week,” he recalls. zone pastor,” he says. One joyful moment for Tan was the In 1997, Tan was asked by the church’s day his mother received Christ. “We senior pastor Kong Hee to become the came from a non-Christian family, so pastor of the Chinese Church. “Pastor she was not open to the Gospel for many Kong felt that in the long term, it would years,” he shares. “But in 1998, she got be better for the Chinese Church to have saved and became a member of the Chi- a male pastor and he asked me if I had a nese Church.” Today, "Chen Mama" as burden for the Chinese-speaking congre- she is known, is a church staff member in PHOTO: TU JIE RUI gation,” he recalls. "Also, Ting was needed the nursery department. Tan (in red) conducting service at the Chinese Church's 800-seater auditorium today. at that time to assist Sun [Ho, co-founder Since 1996, the Chinese Church grew of the church].” steadily each week, but it was when CHC “Chinese Church was started in 1996—it out Walls was a 1995 City Harvest initia- “When Pastor [Kong] asked me if I moved to Jurong West in 2001 that it ex- was born out of Church Without Walls,” tive to bring the Gospel beyond the four wanted to head the Chinese Church, I was ploded in growth. explains Tan Ye Peng, pastor of the Chi- walls of the church, to leave an impact on apprehensive at first because I had never “We were supposed to use the fourth nese Church since its onset. Church With- people who would not otherwise step into read a Chinese Bible, never preached in floor teaching rooms at Jurong West,” says JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 11 CHURCH & MISSIONS

Tan. “Our first service was packed! The Church is made up of Chi- following week, we started using the B4 nese-speaking Singaporeans, auditorium instead.” This is the main audi- while 41 percent are Chinese- torium of the Jurong West church that can speaking nationals from other seat 2,300. countries, primarily Malay- Since that time, the church has grown sians, mainland Chinese and “to 1,000 members.” Chinese Church today Taiwanese. Many of them live enjoys its services next door to the English and work in Singapore on con- service, in its very own fully-fitted theater tract, hence the population of in Suntec Convention Centre’s Hall 606, Chinese Church is constantly which seats 800. evolving: members go back God brought Chinese Church to its to their home country and next level in 2004, when the church be- new people join the church. gan seeing students from China coming Currently, the congregation to CHC’s School of Theology. “Many of size stands at 1,029 and there PHOTOS: CHC the graduates would attend the Chinese are 37 cell groups in Chinese From left: Tan in the early days of Chinese Church; Chia Ting Ting was the Chinese Church's first Church cell groups. When they went back Church. While the Church zone pastor. to China, they would start pastoring their started with a congregation of churches,” he describes. This continues older members, now the oldest cell group I was struggling. I would tell the congre- ordinator, because of the language issue. today. Tan explains, “Today, a strong focus leader is 60 while the youngest is 29. gation every service, ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t That’s the reason I was involved in the of Chinese Church is to help the mainland While the older members are Singapor- preach better’,” he says. Crossover.” Chinese churches.” ean, the younger ones are mostly Malay- “In 2000, I had a spiritual encounter It was at this crucial time that the other 2004 was also the year Tan encour- sian and mainland Chinese. with God,” he adds. “He said, ‘Stop apolo- Chinese Church pastors began rising up to aged local Chinese Church members to “The uniqueness of Chinese Church is gizing for being a Chinese church pastor. help look after the congregation. “Thank- attend SOT. “Because of their educational that the median age is significantly older I will anoint you and I will use you.’ From fully God brought staff who helped me to background, the Chinese-speaking mem- than that of the English service congrega- that moment on, things started to change. run Chinese Church, like Joseph Ang, Le- bers feel they are not qualified enough tion,” notes Tan. “Also, they have simplicity I felt the words coming more naturally as ong Yan Chee and Sun Aizhen,” says Tan. to take up leadership positions in the in their hearts towards Jesus and enjoy the I preached in Mandarin every week. “I’m really grateful for them and all the church,” he explains. “What brought a big fellowship in church every week.” “When the Church had a need, I just leaders in Chinese Church.” breakthrough was when Chinese Church stepped up. Little did I know that God Over its 17 years, God has shown that members went to SOT—even some who A PERSONAL JOURNEY was preparing us for the Crossover in Tai- He has great plans for Chinese Church. were of an advanced age had the will to go Tan admits that when he started preaching wan in 2001. Because I was the Chinese For Tan, the goals for this year are to con- through the course. As a result, over the at Chinese Church he did not have much Church pastor, I naturally became the liai- tinue development of his leaders so that years, all our cell group leaders have gone confidence. While he was conversant in son with the Taiwanese pastors we worked they can continue to give good pastoral through SOT.” Mandarin, there was Bible jargon he had with during the Crossover Project. Which care to members, and to continue missions Today, nearly 59 percent of Chinese not mastered. “Between 1998 and 2000, is why I ended up helping Sun as her co- to China to strengthen the churches there. 12 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 CHURCH & MISSIONS Emerge: Setting Youth On Fire For God Eleven years have passed since the first Emerge Youth Conference took place in City Harvest Church. The youth conference has grown to impact not just young people in Singapore but across the world, with lasting fruit. By DAWN SEOW AND ELEANOR TAN

Members of the public were pleasantly well spent brightening the lives of others. school cluster formed Yong Ze Pai (Chinese West auditorium every night at 7.30, jump- surprised when groups of young people for “courage”), youth studying in junior col- ing up and down, praising and worshiping went out of their way to help them. El- EMERGE THEN AND NOW leges, polytechnics and ITE colleges gath- God enthusiastically. Tan taught the young derly folk carrying heavy bags suddenly Emerge is a youth movement in City Har- ered in Teshua (Hebrew for “salvation”) people to consecrate their lives before the had personal “por- vest Church that began in 2003 as a youth while the university students formed Hu- Lord on the first night, while Kong taught ters”. Foreign work- conference. Through the years, the confer- datos (Greek for “water”, representing the them how to take up the mission of God ers laboring under ence has provided a platform for the youth Holy Spirit). and how to engage culture to win the lost. the sweltering sun in the church—people aged 13 to 25—to The three days of Camp Revival saw the Other elements that added to Emerge received bottles realize their talent and be inspired to serve youths sweating it out in races and chases were the Book of Acts Challenge—for 21 of mineral God in their generation. While the early inventively named EMERGEncy, Emerge days leading up to the camp, participants water. years of Emerge pivoted on the Map Out and Emerge Wars. The goal was read the entire Book of Acts and fasted Cultural Mandate—being salt to score points for their house, but the re- corporately—and the “Stand for Revival” and light in the market- sult was friendships forged and tight bonds wall at Suntec Hall 605. The campers

Toddlers received colorful balloons. Men place, excelling in school and other pur- created between participants. would write the name of their respective and women found themselves munch- suits—the element of community service On the final day of Emerge, the youths schools, pledging to makea difference in ing on Oreo cookies handed out by these was introduced in 2012 to encourage the gathered at Toa Payoh stadium for the finale their campuses. young people. young people to create and execute projects game, Emerge Wars. The participants en- Grace Tan, 15, a student, said that she Emerge Week 2014 kicked off with that make a difference to the local commu- gaged in a fierce battle, firing water guns and felt that this year’s Emerge event was the Red Nose Kindness Day on Jun 22, with nity. Red Nose Kindness Day this year dousing the other team’s paper lollipops— best she had attended so far. She also said 529 young people spending an entire Traditionally, the highlight of Emerge once all their paper lollipops were wet, that that she was happy to have made many new day roaming the streets of Singapore on are the various Youth Camps that take house is out of the game. Midway through friends and that Emerge Week 2014 left a foot, performing little acts of kindness. place during the mid-year school holidays Emerge Wars, the campers broke for lunch big impact on her. Some of the youth were also licensed to in June. This year, the youth from differ- and embarked on “Evangelism Hour” where sell red noses to raise funds to provide ent zones came together for Emerge Week for a full hour, everybody texted, called and THE ONES WHO HAVE EMERGED groceries to needy families. which combined all the youth camps into messaged their friends and classmates to in- With a burden for the young people in Sin- Although these kind acts were small one. One of key focuses of Emerge 2014 vite them to that weekend’s church service. gapore and a vision to see them on fire for and simple, they went a long way in put- was campus evangelism and this year’s par- The day activities challenged the youths’ God, senior pastor of City Harvest Church ting smiles on the faces of many recipi- ticipants were grouped according to their physical fitness, while the night sessions Kong Hee launched the first Emerge Youth ents. At the barbecue that ended that school clusters: students from the East with CHC’s pastor, Tan Ye Peng, and senior Conference in 2003. Over three days, Kong day, the youth were evidently happy and West secondary schools formed the pastor, Kong Hee challenged their spiritual- challenged the youths to start a revival in with their efforts despite their exhaus- house Idai-Sa (Japanese for “ninja”), stu- ity. Despite having expended their energy all their own campus and inspired them to step tion. They felt that their day had been dents from the North and South secondary day, the young ones were in CHC’s Jurong into the purpose that God had for their lives. JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 13 CHURCH & MISSIONS

His wife, Sun, also encouraged the young in our church.” Seng School came to church and brought but the bonds created among the people to live out their dreams and talents four other classmates. They were integrated teammates lasted to this day. One without compromising their love for Jesus. THE RIPPLE EFFECTS OF SCHOOL to the cell group right away. The group of crucial factor will be the network of These messages burned deep into the REVIVAL students continued to pray and reach out spiritual youths who took time out of hearts of the young attendees and gave Wayne Choong, a zone supervisor and Ju- in Gan Eng Seng School and brought 16 for their studies to participate in church them the courage to claim their destinies. lian Lee, an engineer, both Emerge 2003 Easter service this year. activities,” says Lum. “We prayed and Eleven years later, those same young people alumni, caught the vision of campus revival Over 11 years, the wave of school revival fellowshipped together in school over are now in a different phase of life, but the back in their day. They reached out to their that began with Choong and Lee more than meals—this helped us to stay connect- dreams that had been deposited in their fellow students in their schools and have a decade ago is still bringing young people ed. We would go to church meetings hearts and the friendships forged in those seen revival in their cell groups and zone to the Lord. together, share the difficulties we face days never died. to this day. Choong told the church during and encourage one another. All these For Joyce Tan, it was at an early Emerge Emerge 2014 that he and his members had PARADE OF SCHOOLS forged strong bonds among us. Most Conference session that she heard from God a strong passion for youths and started vi- One of the landmark competitions of ear- of my close friends in church today and found her calling to serve in church sualizing their schools as harvest fields and ly Emerge conferences was the Parade of are those from my POS group during full-time. Today, the 30-year-old events ex- themselves as laborers with a mission to Schools, a high-energy cheerleading com- Emerge days.” ecutive is part of the Emerge committee of bring in the harvest. In the years that fol- petition that required a large number of Lum sums up the Emerge expe- CHC, organizing enriching programs for lowed, his cell group of 12 members grew participants. rience well. “Emerge has given me a the youth today. and multiplied into nine other cell groups. Each campus and cluster would send family, a network of friends of people “To me, Emerge was a time for all of us During the same testimony, Lee told the their finest cheerleaders to compete us- in church that I previously did not youths to gather and worship God with all church that his cell group had 16 members ing their best cheerleading moves. Abel know. It changed my life on campus of our hearts,” she remembers. “We were all consisting of secondary school students. Yap, 25, an audio engineer and Raymond and I realized that I was not alone in PHOTOS: EMERGE YOUTH PHOTOGRAPHERS YOUTH EMERGE PHOTOS: young people and I felt very free to worship Their first campus revival happened in Lum, 26, were part of POS for trying to win souls in my school. God and hear from Him. Pastor Kong chal- Henderson Secondary School. With just many years. It also caused me to under- lenged us to not despise our youth and use two boys from Henderson Secondary, Lee “The three months of stand how our lifestyle our talents to serve God, to live our lives for and his cell group would hold prayer meet- training for POS really and behavior in God. We believed and were inspired.” ings and Lee would provide free tuition for brought together the students school gives peo- Rae Lee, 29, a human resource manag- them. Through many outreaches, the group from Singapore Polytechnic,” ple a glimpse er, also caught her vision to be a cell group of two students grew to 12 students attend- Yap says. “Random strang- of the God we leader during the first Emerge conference ing cell group and service regularly. ers suddenly became lifelong serve.” 11 years ago. “It was then that I learned the In 2010, the cell group experienced friends. We put in a lot of hard meaning of audacity, excellence and abun- revival in Anglican High School. A mem- work together during rehearsals, dance,” she says. “All these years, I’ve applied ber, Irene, brought a friend from AHS to overcame difficult stunts and in- what I learned and caught at that confer- church. From one student from AHS, the juries together and finally put up ence. In the past six years of my ministry, group grew to 11 AHS students. Through the performance; I’ll never forget I’ve witnessed numerous lives changed for cell group outreaches, all these students be- the experi- the glory of God. God is a God of growth, came part of the cell group. ence!” I believe in His consistency and if He has Last year, one of the connect group lead- “POS done it once, He will do it again, and each ers in the cell group signed up as a volunteer training time He does it, it will be bigger and bet- to give free tuition to a class of Primary 6 lasted ter. Greater days are ahead for the youths students. One of his students from Gan Eng a few months 14 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 CHURCH & MISSIONS THE WINGS OF EMERGE MOVEMENT The Emerge Youth Conference has proved to be such a powerful evangelizing and disciple-making tool that CHC’s affiliate churches in other cities, from Kuala Lumpur to Taipei, have adapted its format to fit their own youth populations to great success. To this day, Emerge is still helping churches bring their young members to the next level of love and fervency for God. By DAWN SEOW

TAIWAN cool and that, as a Christian, they can impact their society. At the first Taiwan Emerge Confer- “The main message of Emerge was ence in 2006, 10,000 youth con- that you can be relevant and spiritual verged at the National Taiwan Uni- at the same time,” he says. “I think for versity indoor stadium. Organizers many of the youth this was something from City Harvest Church collabo- very important. This realization helped rated with 150 churches in Taiwan them in their walk with God.” Today, and hosted what was the largest many of Emerge youth have grown up youth event in Taiwan at the time. and are serving full-time in Hsin Tien Emerge Taiwan became a clari- Covenant Church. on call to youth in Taiwan to make Another Taiwanese pastor Gar- a difference in their cities and cam- rick Li from Christ Harvest Church puses. The churches united as one in Taipei explains: “Emerge has to make the event a success and the changed, transformed and renewed youths in different churches joined the mindset of the young people of hands to take part in the differ- how they view church,” he explains. PHOTO: CHC ent competitions and reach out to “Previously church to them was a bor- From left: Emerge Taiwan 2007 Manhunt and Beauty Pageant winners; superstar new friends. ing, traditional and lifeless place—a Jay Chou being interviewed by Liu Geng Hong at Emerge Taiwan 2007. The life-changing effects of four place they couldn’t relate or fit into. years of Emerge Taiwan (2006- Emerge brought about changes and “Emerge inspired and challenged and youths, we saw the population of 2009) can be felt even today. Pas- the renewal of Taiwan churches, and these young people to go all out for Je- Christians in Taiwan grow from un- tor of Hsin Tien Covenant Church the young people began to see church sus, to have spiritual hunger for God’s der three percent in 2006 to 10 per- in Taipei, Wayne Chang says that as a place that is fun, creative, lively presence, and to live out the message cent now. Thank you Pastor Kong, Emerge allowed young Taiwanese and relevant to them. They were of loving God wholeheartedly and peo- Sun and CHC for making a differ- to see that being a Christian does drawn back to church again, and were ple fervently. ence in our nation. We are still reap- not mean being irrelevant to soci- willing to be discipled and planted in “Because of Emerge and the mighty ing the harvest from the seed of re- ety. They saw that it was okay to be the house of God. revival it brought to Taiwan churches vival sown during Emerge Taiwan!”

MALAYSIA CHINA CITY HARVEST CHURCH, KUALA LUMPUR HANGZHOU XIAOYANG CHURCH City Harvest Church, Kuala Lumpur held its first Emerge Youth Conference on A School of Theology student who attended the Emerge Youth Conference in Singa- Aug 29, 2006, at Sunway Convention Center. A total of 2,000 young people gath- pore in 2006 decided to replicate it back home in Hangzhou. She remembered how ered for three days of preaching and competitions. In one year the church grew the church would invite celebrities to perform in Emerge and many young people from 380 people to 740 people. The fruit? Abel Teh, who has been on the Emerge showed up for the event and as a result, received salvation. She duplicated this, in- planning committee since 2006, says “Many of the youths gained a newfound con- viting celebrities to her church’s Emerge events in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Because of fidence to pursue their God-given dreams in the marketplace. Even one of the new Emerge, many youths were saved and are now a part of the church. Today, many of friends who joined the Parade of Schools accepted Jesus and is now working full those young people are serving in the different ministries in the church. time in church!”

CITY HARVEST CHURCH FELLOWSHIP, KUCHING City Harvest Church Fellowship, Kuching marked a milestone with its first Emerge Conference in 2006. The small town had never conducted such a large conference USA before. A team from CHC Singapore, led by pastor Wu Yuzhuang, helped to organize the event and minister to the youth. Every session was anointed, and members CITY HARVEST CHURCH US, were challenged to live their lives for God. In an evangelistic meeting during the ORANGE COUNTY conference, some 45 youths gave their hearts to Jesus. CHCUS, launched in March 2013, is lo- cated in a movie theater across from the University of California's Irvine Campus (UCI). Pastored by Derek and Susan Dunn, the young church registered a student club called Emerge @ UCI, and held Bible study classes. The Lord gave them a vision for regular Emerge events, and their first one in Oct 2013 attracted 42 newcomers. Dunn met Neil Smith, a pastor and international director of Australian worship band Planetshakers, who was moved by the vision and offered to let the band play at the next Emerge event in Nov 2013. The event drew 250 attendees and passersby joined in; many were added to the church after. Says Dunn, “The anointing for Emerge is evident and we know God is going to do great things in the university.” JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 15 CHURCHAdvertorial & MISSIONS 16 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 CHURCH & MISSIONS In One Accord: CHC Affiliates “One can put a thousand to flight; two can put ten thousand.” City Harvest Church currently has a network of 50 affiliated churches and Bible schools in different parts of the world. Many of these are churches started by graduates of CHC's School of Theology, who return home with the fire to start a church for the Lord—for example, Kevin Loo, senior pastor of City Harvest Church Kuala Lum- pur. Some were existing churches, such as New Life Church in Taipei, led by senior pastor Abraham Ku, who Shekinah Harvest have come under the spiritual covering of CHC Singapore. Yet others are a direct offshoot of CHC Singapore, Church, Singapore like City Harvest Church US in Orange County, founded by Derek Dunn, a pastor from CHC Singapore, and his Senior Pastor: Sim Chee Teck wife Susan, both of whom have returned home to the US. Year Established: 2001 As the affiliate network grows, it is CHC Singapore's hope and desire to see its mandate lived out globally: Current Congregation to love God wholeheartedly, to love people fervently and to engage culture for Christ. Size: 64

Heart of God Church, Singapore Senior Pastors: Tan Seow How and Cecilia Chan Year Established: 1999 Current Congregation INDIA Size: 2,812 Bethel Mission Church, Kolar Gold Fields, Bangalore Senior Pastor Frank Godberg Year Established 1952 City Harvest Church, Current Kuala Lumpur Congregation Size Senior Pastor: 2,292 Kevin Loo Harvest School Year Established: 2001 of Ministry Current Congregation (Founded by the late Size: 1,792 Rev. George Ong) Current Congregation MALAYSIA Size: 6,348

City Harvest Church, Penang Senior Pastor: Saras Bany Year Established: 2005 Current Congregation SINGAPORE Size: 453 City Harvest Church

Rhema Church, Sitiawan GPDI Elohim Senior Pastor: Dave Thong Sidoarjo Year Established: 1993 Senior Pastor: Franklin Current Congregation Paul Lumoindong Size: 197 Year Established: 1966 by founder Silas Juana INDONESIA Current Congregation Size: 1,295

Indonesia Harvest Church, Medan Senior Pastor: GPDI Karmel, GPDI Lippo Cikarang, Johnny Seragih Jakarta Jakarta Year Established: 1996 Senior Pastor: Senior Pastor: Current Congregation Size: Max Bolang Daniel P Martono 1,162 Year Established: 1983 Year Established: 1996 Current Congregation Current Congregation Size: 549 Size: 573 JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 17 CHURCH & MISSIONS

JAPAN

Pingtung Peace Church, Pingtung (Youth) Pastor: Ge Zhao Xing TAIWAN Year Established: 2004 Fukuoka Harvest Current Congregation Church, Kyushu Size: 568 Senior Pastor: Kunio Nishida Year Established: 1989 Current Congregation Size: 237 Kumamoto Harvest Church, Kyushu Senior Pastor: Yoji Nakamura Year Established:2003 Current Congregation Size: 73 City Harvest, Brunei Senior Pastor: New Life Church, Christ Harvest Jeremy Yeo Taipei Church, Banqiao Year Established: 2012 Senior Pastor: Senior Pastor: Current Congregation Abraham Ku Garrick Li Size: 101 Year Established: 1996 Year Established: 2013 Current Congregation Current Congregation Size: 3,553 Size: 89

City Harvest Christian Fellowship, Sibu (Youth) BRUNEI Pastor: David Ngu Hsin Tien Year Established: 2001 Covenant Church, Current Congregation Taipei (Youth) Size: 296 Pastor: Wayne Chang Established: 2004 Passion 99 Harvest Current Congregation Church, Taipei Size: 842 Senior Pastor: Sophie Hsiung Year Established: 2008 Current Congregation Size: 157 City Harvest Church, Kuching Senior Pastor: George Tiong Year Established: 2001 Rhema Harvest Current Congregation Church, Tainan Size: 727 Senior Pastor: Yan Guang Ming Year Established: 2004 Current Congregation Size: 150

Da Di Harvest Church, Kao Hsiung Senior Pastor: Caleb Chen Year Established: 2005 Current Congregation Size: 100

City Harvest Church, Sydney Senior Pastor: John Lee Year Established: 2005 Current Congregation USA Size: 108

City Harvest Church, USA Senior Pastor: Derek Dunn Year Established: 2013 Current Congregation Size: 62

AUSTRALIA 18 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 Advertorial JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 19 Advertorial 20 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 CHURCH & MISSIONS

SOT: 20 Years of Legacy Building For two decades, City Harvest Church’s School of Theology has raised up a generation of trained workers from across the world for the Kingdom of God. By LEE WEI FANG

In 1994, exactly 20 years ago, the seed for Concurrently, CHBTC officially changed students are required to attend cell group SOT has blossomed under the leader- starting a Bible school was planted in the its name to School Of Theology (SOT). meetings and weekend services, and serve ship of its deans, past and present: Chia heart of CHC’s senior pastor, Kong Hee. At Opening the doors to overseas stu- in a ministry for a minimum of three hours Ting Ting (1994-1995; 2002-2003), Ken- that time, there was a lack of charismatic, dents—many from Malaysia, Indo- neth Sim (1996-1997), Tan Ye Peng (1998), Spirit-filled Pentecostal and Evangelical nesia and China—meant that there Yong Te Chong (1999-2000), and Bobby Bible schools. Thus, recognizing a need to was suddenly an increased need for Chaw (2004 to the present). educate and empower CHC's staff through hands-on knowledge. Hence, the syl- “I believe that Over the past 20 years, SOT has gradu- theological training, Kong started the City labus was updated to cater to the in- ated more than 6,000 students from 37 Harvest Bible Training Centre (CHBTC) creasing need for hands-on know-how. internationally—and countries. This year, the School has 371 with 29 students, most of whom were staff SOT’s Dean of Students, Bobby Chaw, particularly in our re- students. The largest intake to date was members of the church. explains to City News Weekly that “increas- 640 in 2010. Kong was given a vision to raise up a ingly, students were looking for practical gion—SOT and CHC new generation of believers who would im- theology, which involves the translation of INTERNATIONAL IMPACT pact the nations for Jesus, plant churches theology into the how-tos of church-build- have a part to play in Pastor Daniel Lau of City Light Church, with members who are full of faith and ing.” Academic subjects such as church growing the Church of Penang, an SOT graduate from 2006, says, filled with the Holy Spirit. As he explains history were replaced by hands-on topics, “One of the things I caught was that a life of on the School’s website: “God wants to to equip the SOT students to become ef- Jesus Christ." consecration to God should be the purpose move through local churches to bring re- fective ministers through knowledge of ~ Bobby Chaw, Dean of Students and power of our ministry. This has helped vival and blessing to the world; hence, our conducting deliverance, applying disciple- me to serve God even in challenging times. desire is to see strong local churches built ship, moving in the gifts of the Holy Spirit, The spirit of excellence in CHC left a deep to fulfil God’s plan. That is the heartbeat of homiletics and pastoral skills. impact on me: it was evident and consis- SOT. We long to see not just more work- The duration of each intake was also a week. This allows the students to be fully tent in every ministry that I joined. I was ers sent out to fulfil God’s purposes, but gradually reduced from two years to a six- immersed in the culture of CHC. determined to bring back the same DNA trained workers, deployed to be carriers of month course, due to factors such as af- Students are also strongly encouraged to my home church because we all serve an God’s Spirit wherever they go.” fordability for foreign students, and work to participate in at least one mission trip excellent God!” In 1996, CHBTC saw its first batch of leave arrangements for local students. during the course. Mission trips are of- In 2010, Lau set up City Light Church international students. The focus of the ten the most challenging, but most fulfill- with six college students. Implementing School became missions-oriented, in line THE SCHOOL TODAY ing part of a student’s journey at SOT. For teachings he had learned from SOT such with CHC’s Church Without Walls man- The syllabus comprises 17 topics, which many, it would be their first time minister- as managing cell group systems, Bible date at that time, which was to bring the provides comprehensive training for ef- ing in a church, praying for the sick and study curriculum and drama produc- Gospel beyond the four walls of the church. fective practical ministry. Additionally, seeing miracles happen. tions, the church has been able to reach JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 21 CHURCH & MISSIONS

PHOTOS: CHC Scenes from two decades of Bible School. many young people in Penang. Hun- Chaw shares a memorable healing vived the operation. He attributed his re- SOT HOMECOMING dreds of them have attended the church’s testimony of a graduate, Guo Peng. Guo covery to the Word of God which pulled To celebrate its 20th anniversary, SOT host- events and given their lives to God. suffered from a rare heart condition. Mo- him back from the brink of death. ed its first ever Homecoming Service this Lau also taught his church the ments before a critical heart operation, Chaw’s vision for SOT in the next past week. Global SOT alumni gathered principle of how people “don’t care how for which doctors gave him a 20 percent five years is to expand its international for a grand reunion and basked in a time much you know, until they know how chance of survival, he told Chaw, “My influence and to become a missions cen- of fellowship and refreshing, catching fresh much you care”, and how “relationship entire life is entrusted to God.” ter for Asia. visions and being empowered to keep up precedes ministry.” The church is now During the operation, Guo experienced He says, “I believe that internation- their Kingdom work. reaching out to students from eight moments of consciousness where he could ally—and particularly in our region—SOT Says Chaw, “During SOT, students con- colleges and universities in the city; some hear the sounds in the operating theater. and CHC have a part to play in growing the stantly dwell in an environment of prayer, campuses have already experienced At one point, he heard an electronic flat- Church of Jesus Christ. I feel that God has praise and worship. They are often on fire. tremendous revival. line, indicating that his heart had stopped deposited something into our church, and However, things can be very different back beating. As he slipped back into uncon- we have to be faithful stewards to impart home. Through this Homecoming Service, STORIES FROM THE DEAN sciousness, he heard the doctors say that this to the body of Christ, outside the four we hoped to encourage the students, espe- “One of the main concerns I have as the he was gone. Against all odds, Guo woke walls of our church.” Chaw hopes that SOT cially the international students, to renew size of the student intake grows is how to up in hospital the next day—he had sur- will become a “missions center” of Asia. their fire and vision for God.” maintain a healthy teacher-student inter- face time,” says Chaw of the evolving challenges of running SOT. The first intake was 29 students and the number has grown THE FRUIT OF SOT more than tenfold. “As much as we want to have more students to be trained, we are Indonesian Dimas Wibisono (right, opposition from those who also keeping in mind that we want to give in grey) graduated from City Harvest refused to believe that Jesus each student sufficient time to connect Church’s School of Theology in 2010. loves outcasts. However, he with their teachers.” Upon graduation, he applied what remained unfazed, believing When asked what keeps his passion he had learned in SOT, and started in the promise of God’s love strong, Chaw shares that the secret lies reaching out to drug addicts in his as written in the Bible. in the fresh revelation he receives when- hometown, Jakarta, by extending Recounting the story of ever he teaches the curriculum. Seeing unconditional friendship and love. how he helped a close friend, the growth of the students every year In time, as the relationships grew, who suffered drug addic- also serves as a big encouragement to the Wibisono began to share with them tion, walk through a difficult SOT team, for example the SOT praise testimonies, Biblical values and the period in his life, Wibisono and worship team comprised of students. love of Christ. became to that friend a pil- Says Chaw, “When the praise and wor- Explaining his motivation to lar of encouragement and ship team first starts leading the school, City News Weekly, Wibisono says, a personal intercessor. He their skills and confidence may not be that “Through SOT, I have been trans- also shared with his friend his personal example of Christ in culture. high. However, by the end of the six-month formed, having experienced Jesus testimony of how God brought peace Says Wibisono, “I believe accep- course, they are able to stand on stage and and His love. I wanted to share this to him during his lowest point. In time, tance and unconditional love are the lead an 8,000 strong crowd into the pres- good news, the love of Christ, in my his friend opened up to the Lord and is keys to transforming a person’s life, ence of God—that is major improvement hometown.” today a successful lawyer, known for his because God is love, and where there and growth, honed through the six months For his faith, Wibisono suffered integrity, an inspiration to many, and an is love, the power of God works.”

of practice in SOT.” DIMAS WIBISONO PHOTO: 22 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014

City Harvest Community Services Association is the helping hand of CHC, but it has, in its 18 years, become much more than a community service body: it brings aid to society’s needy and promotes positive values through volunteerism. By SANDY POON

between the giver and gether with eight other seniors and five the community. the beneficiary remains volunteers sew away busily at the House “Red Nose is CHCSA’s community ‘us vs them’, which is a very Of Joy eldercare center. Some of the se- projects arm. While we used to have vol- traditional mindset we hope niors that frequent the center first came unteers conduct ‘home makeovers’ for to change. to the attention of the agency about 10 one-room-flat dwellers, that now comes “In our work, we aim to re- years ago through Community Outreach under Red Nose’s ‘Paint The Town Red’ store hope and build resilience in Program to the Elderly (COPE), in which initiative,” she explains. “Red Nose offers vulnerable populations; to build a befrienders make weekly home visita- many opportunities for the community community that is connected and tions to the elderly and provide support, to get involved in changing their world compassionate.” It is a bold—if such as household maintenance and es- for good.” unquantifiable—aim. cort services to medical check-ups to Singapore is not a welfare state, notes But if one is looking for more than 350 households each month. Loh, yet there is more and more money numbers, CHCSA has them. “We COPE is an interchurch initiative that being pumped into helping the poor. It is reached out to 680 beneficia- has actively supported the underprivi- a good thing, she says, as it frees up or- ries in 1997,” says Loh. “Last leged elderly citizens living in the Pine ganizations like CHCSA to look beyond year, we served 7,476 individ- Close, Mountbatten and Old Airport physical and financial needs. “CHCSA’s uals.” Loh works Road estates. vision is to build inclusive and resilient with a team of 12 With help from 120 volunteers, HOJ communities,” says Loh, underscoring full-time staff has reached 3,168 seniors since its open- the need for greater social responsibility and 1,106 vol- ing. “We want to empower the elderly to across society. “We want people to stand unteers to serve live a healthy, well-balanced life that is on their own feet, to be empowered find these beneficia- fulfilling and well connected inter-gener- solutions to their issues. We believe that ries, who fall into ationally,” explains Loh. each community has the resources within different aspects In August 2011, the 329 sqm-large it to meet the needs and solve the prob- of society. Aid is HOJ center opened its doors to the el- lems that each individual may face.” regardless of race, derly folks who were already familiar to Citing recent instances of xenophobia language or religion. the staff of the center. Housing a multi- and segregation in Singapore, Loh points CHCSA truly loves all, purpose hall and activity room, meeting out that Singapore is a nation historically serves all. and counseling rooms, a multimedia comprised of migrants. “When our na- Holding on to and recreational room, a café operated tion first started, who cared if you were its belief that serv- by senior citizens, a KTV room and IT a mata or a samsui woman, if you came ing people is not facilities, CHCSA continues to serve the from India or China? Everyone deserved just a duty but a senior citizens by providing counseling, respect and possessed dignity. So why do passion, CHCSA has in-house exercise programs, learning we think differently now? Have we for- brought immeasur- workshops and activities. gotten who we are? Red Nose wants to able impact to differ- help change this in two ways: first, we ent demographics in so- TRANSFORMING MINDSETS change the way we help others by treating ciety youth-at-risk, abandoned elderly, Two years after the opening of HOJ, them as equal, not inferior to us. Second, multiple sclerosis patients, the terminal- CHCSA launched into another project to we blur the line between ‘us’ and ‘them’.” In the first decade of its existence, City ly-ill and HIV-positive patients. benefit the community at large. Red Nose She admits it is an ongoing conversation Harvest Community Services Asso- CHCSA continually seeks to improve, is a volunteer-driven movement that for CHCSA, but one worth developing. ciation actively provided help and re- streamline, finetune its processes in or- aims to promote better living through It’s not a traditional approach to com- sources to many needy demographics, der to meet real needs more quickly and love and laughter through various events munity service, but Loh emphasizes this: from low-income families to children- effectively and to bring help to people and initiatives. Supported by Singapore “CHCSA has always wanted to be rele- at-risk. Today, 18 years since it was first who aren’t getting any. Core, traditional Kindness Movement, Red Nose pres- vant in society. We may have adjusted our founded, CHCSA continues to provide services remain today, such as financial ents an opportunity for CHCSA to rope approach since Church Without Walls to to some of these, but what sets this com- aid and services to MS patients and HIV/ Singaporeans in to support and care for meet evolving needs, but it remains our munity services body apart from most Aids patients. needy individuals, as well as to promote motto to touch hearts and change lives.” is its big thinking: its encompassing vi- kindness and care throughout society. sion is to help the community at large to RETHINKING ELDERCARE Since 2013, Red Nose has launched 55 live a better life physically, mentally and At the beginning of 2011, CHCSA ex- initiatives of love and laughter events, emotionally. panded its services to the elderly by reaching 3,937 beneficiaries and 19,771 Built on a firm foundation of love starting House of JOY (the acronym for participants. and a genuine passion to help society, “Joining the Old and the Young”), a cen- Loh reveals that this year, Red Nose one person at a time, CHCSA has made tre focused on helping seniors to lead continues to focus on engaging the a difference to 78,041 beneficiaries since fulfilling and enriched lives especially in community through activities such as it was first registered as a society on Aug the sunset years. While there were other “I Hug”, which encourages displays of 16, 1997. eldercare centers that actively reached affection for family members, for ex- While many are familiar with the out to residents of housing blocks who ample, “I Hug My Mom”; Little Acts of idea of a “hand up and not a hand out”, had been neglected or abandoned, HOJ Kindness, in which Singaporeans are CHCSA aims to take things a step fur- wants to create a mindset shift—that the urged to perform kind acts such as hold- ther: “Let’s make that a hand shake,” says elderly can continue to be a contributing ing a door open for a stranger; and Red Darryl Loh, the association’s Executive and vibrant part of community living. Dish, a community food program where Director. “Right now, the relationship Most afternoons, Mdm Goh, 93, to- diners can pay in cash or in service to JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 23 COMMUNITY

CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS MADE FLESH In 1995, Kong Hee, the senior pastor of City Harvest Church, returned from a conference in Hawaii to share with his congregation a God-breathed message of building a church without walls. The message powerfully communicated the importance of bringing God’s love and compassion to all who need it in society. It sparked off a chain of community outreach efforts that touched the lives of the elderly and the intellectually disabled, among other groups. Birthed out of the vision to find a need and meet it, to find a hurt and heal it, Church Without Walls was officially registered as City Harvest Community Services Association in August 1997. Among the works of CHCSA in its 18-year history which are now undertak- en by different ministries within the church are KITE (Kids In Total Embrace), WALKING OUT OF LONELINESS which offers a full spectrum of programs for children; RAYZ, an initiative to help the intellectually-challenged and M3 (Mighty Men in the Making), which helps Mdm Tay, 54 and Mr Ong, 61 are an elderly couple that House Of JOY has been men who have been incarcerated or are in rehabilitation. reading out to since Mar 15, 2013. When workers from HOJ first visited them, Ong had diagnosed with terminal liver cancer and Tay had multiple sicknesses. They have no children and their relationships with relatives were strained. Tay was not very mobile as a result of a stroke, and she had a leg condition that made walking short distances excruciating. Her husband works odd jobs to earn as much money as he can while he is still active, and she would often be left alone. When she discovered that her husband was terminally ill, Tay fell into depression. The couple also struggled with paying their medical bills as they were not fully subsidized. Upon learning of their situation, the HOJ team put together resources to help them. One of the staff gathered necessary documents like medical certificates from the doctor and resubmitted Ong’s insurance claims. At the same time, the staff also wrote in to Central Provident Fund to allow Ong to use his Medisave fund for full coverage of his medical bills. Knowing that Tay has depression and weak legs, HOJ roped in social workers to counsel her and a trained physiotherapy assistant to help her practice leg strengthening exercises. HOJ also engaged a homecare nurse to do regular health checks and monitor the couple’s conditions. The staff also found out that the couple had not left the house for the past few decades because of their health conditions. So the staff and volunteers arranged to bring the couple out to the SEA Aquarium on wheelchairs. During Valentine’s Day last year, HOJ staff set up a special candlelight luncheon at HOJ to give them an opportunity to relive their dating days. At the end of the luncheon, the staff taught the couple how to do scrapbooking with photos from their SEA Aquarium trip—these were the first photos they had taken in many years. To help Tay increase her social interaction, a kind donor paid for a wheelchair for her so that she can leave her house and participant in social activities held at HOJ. Now, the couple actively participate in HOJ activities two to three times a week. Their quality of life has improved due to the successful financial assistance application. Most importantly, they found meaningful relationships at HOJ. Tay has since come out of depression. CHCSA In Numbers

HOUSE OF JOY ELDERCARE CENTRE POD/RED NOSE FAMILY SERVICES PATIENT CARE SERVICES Situated at Pine Close, HOJ provides social services to the Formed in 2007, POD provided holistic care and development Family Services provides financial aid and social-emotional CHCSA provides services to the people suffering from older population to promote long learning to the elderly, opportunities for youth, giving them the opportunity to be counseling to needy families in order to strengthen resilience multiple sclerosis through MS Care and people who are and provide them with a community to belong in. equipped with life skills. CHCSA also invests into various within the family units. terminally ill through FIRST Hand. community initiatives such as a mobile blood donation w 2,013 elderly persons benefited from HOJ program and home makeover projects for the less fortunate. w 180 families benefited in 2013 w 230 clients assisted by First Hand in 2013 services in 2013 In 2013, these initiatives became part of the Red Nose w w Movement, together with Red Dish, a community food 1,629 people were contacted by volunteer workers 51 clients assisted by MS Care w 1,718 elderly persons are visited by volunteers program that allows diners to pay what they like for a meal, and staff w $63,553 was disbursed through financial w 6,744 clients were contacted by volunteers and in cash or community acts. The more one pays for a meal, the assistance workers more free meals Red Dish can provide. w 394 elderly persons took part in in-house programs w 32 homes of the underprivileged received a makeover w 12 in-house program were organized w 728 people donated blood successfully w 3,937 people benefitted from the POD/Red Nose initiatives PHOTOS: CHCSA PHOTOS: 24 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 MARKETPLACE Salt And Light In The Marketplace One of the pillars City Harvest Church is built on is the Cultural Mandate: to engage culture for Christ in the different spheres of society. Like great Bible heroes Daniel and Esther, CHC’s members are called to be the best they can be and to bring redemptive value to society. Here are some of such members from CHC Singapore and its affiliate churches, who blaze a trail in business, education, government, media and arts and entertainment. By YONG YUNG SHIN Edwin Low Art Designer (Singapore) • President’s Design Award 2013 winner • Founder of art store/ studio SUPERMAMA Charissa Chong Beauty Queen (Malaysia) • Represented Malaysia in Miss International 2013 (Japan) and World Miss University 2014 (Korea) • Won subtitle of Miss Courteous in Miss Global Jack Neo International Malaysia Film Director 2013 / 2014 (Singapore) Directed Ah Boys To Men Parts 1 and 2, which Philip Chew Tiong Beng became Singapore’s First runner-up (400m race), 8th Special Olympics highest grossing Singapore National Games films of all time: Part 1, released in November 2012, earned $6.2m; while the second part, which premiered in February 2013, grossed $7.9m at the box office. Careen Tan Sean Lee Blogger, Blogshop Owner and Emcee Photographer (Singapore) (Malaysia) • Winner of ICON de Martell • Lifestyle blogger at www. Cordon Bleu photography careentan.com competition 2011 • Founder of Chiq Fliq, • Author of the parallel Malaysian Online lives of Sean Lee Chronicles Ong • Fashion Boutique at Fuying of Fuying & www.chiqfliq.com Sam • Emcee/Host Singer (Malaysia) • 2013 AIM 中文音乐颁奖典礼新人奖铜奖 [2013 AIM Chinese Music Awards - Best Newcomer (Bronze)] • 2013 Neway 我最喜愛杰出新人獎 Belinda Lee 金奖 Actress and Television Host [2013 Neway Awards - Best Newcomer (Gold)] (Singapore) 全球流行音樂金榜新人奬銀 • Star Awards Top Ten Most Popular Female • 2014 Miguel Artistes 2014 and 2013 奬 [2014 Global Chinese Golden Chart - Antonio • Star Awards Best Infotainment Best Newcomer (Silver) ] Vedanaigam Host and Best Shape award 2013 Singer (Singapore) Performed with Black Eyed Peas members Axel Toh at “Rebuild!” Benefit Student (Singapore) Concert for Filipino Winner of Pilot Pen National Age victims of Typhoon Group (Boys Under 9) Singles Haiyan, held at the Greek 2014 Badminton Tournament Theatre in Los Angeles in June 2014.

Kenneth Leong Chee Nicholas Gan Entrepreneur Stanley van der Meulen Qwen Banker (Malaysia) • Relationship Manager, Business (Malaysia) Author (Indonesia) • His novel, Me And You Versus The World was Banking for Maybank Bangsar • Director and Co-founder a best-seller in Indonesia, awarded as Best • Awarded Best Employee Award: of EGan Equipments Fiction work for 2012 and 2014 by Gramedia, The Young Maybanker Award in and Parts SB the biggest bookstore chain in Indonesia; 2013 for Maybank Region Selangor • Prestige Top 40 Under subsequently made into a movie and screened & Negeri Sembilan 40, Young Entrepreneur nationwide in April 2014. • Two-time nominee for Best Employee Award 2013 • Currently collaborating with top Indonesian Award: The Young Maybanker Award • People’s Choice Award guitarist Piyu to write novels inspired by in 2013 & 2014 for Maybank Group 2013 his songs. Awards (International). JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 25 MARKETPLACE Education

Kenny Low& Ryan Lim Founders, O School (Singapore) • Marina Bay Sands' charity of choice 2012. • Performed at President's Star Charity 2013. Salt And Light In The Marketplace • Produced and performed dance extravaganza Wonderment at MBS in 2013 One of the pillars City Harvest Church is built on is the Cultural Mandate: to engage culture for Christ in the different spheres of society. Like great Bible heroes Daniel and Esther, CHC’s members are called to be the best they can be and to bring redemptive value to society. Here are some of such members from CHC Singapore and its affiliate churches, who blaze a trail in business, education, government, media and arts and entertainment. By YONG YUNG SHIN Government

Nala Widya Tan Chooi Peck Pastor and National Sports Operating Theater Manager (Indonesia) Nurse (Singapore) • Senior Pastor of Elshaddai Creative Winner of the Healthcare Community (Bandung) Humanity Award 2014 • Manager of the National Indonesian from the Ministry of Athletes Committee at 16th National Health. Athlete Festival 2004 in Palembang • Coach of the Indonesian Youth Cycling Team 2011

Johnny Seragih Pastor and (From top) Social Worker Nicodemus Lim (Indonesia) Social Worker (Singapore) Received Medal of • Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Postgraduate Award winner; Appreciation in 2013 currently pursuing a PhD in social work from the Indonesian • Headed the elderly support service (COMNET) of the Ang Mo government for his Kio Family Service Centres, whose befriending service was social work through highlighted in the Committee of Supply Budget Debate the Bukit Doa Harvest Rehabilitation Center. Carol Loi, Assistant Director (Engagement) at the Ministry of Education (Singapore) Julian Tan Kok Ping Represents MOE in the Child Development Network’s Public Education and Outreach Member of Parliament and Technopreneur Business Sub-Committee. (Malaysia) • Technopreneur & Director, Centaurus Technology Pte. Ltd. Rachel Lim Ng Yeow Ling, • 2013 Elected as Member of Parliament Malaysia Blogshop Owner Principal of Westwood • 2012 IEEE International Conference & Project Exhibition, Gold Medal Primary School • 2009 ITEX (International Innovation and Technology Exhibition), Gold Medal (Singapore) Co-owner of Love Bonito blogshop, (Singapore) which won SME Asia Award • Member of Academy of Principals 2013/2014 by The Asian Business (Singapore) Media Journal and The Trade and Industry Association • Awarded Public Service Medal Edmund Tay (Bronze) in 2011 Pastor and Blogger (Singapore) • Member of Media Literacy Council Choong Kar Heng and Jacelyn Tay • Finalist for Singapore Blog Awards Celebrity Health (Best Family Blog) 2011, 2012, 2013 Choong Kar Wai • Panel speaker at MOE Excel Fest 2013 Entrepreneurs (Malaysia) Coach and Actress on Parenting in the 21st Century Directors and co-founders of CoffeeSociété (Singapore) (awarded Best Place for Coffee in Kuala • Founder of Body Inc. Lumpur 2013) and Garage 51 Integrated Medicine • 2004 – Straits Times Bestseller Nico Fernando List Author • Top 10 Most Popular Female Banker (Malaysia) Artiste at Star Awards - • Malayan Banking Berhad (Maybank) 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, • 2014: Valedictorian of Victoria University 2003, 2004, 2005 Sunway Campus • 2013: 1st Runner-up of Maybank Go Ahead Challenge

, Creative Director (Singapore) Troy Lim Sabrina Goh • Voted by peers as one of Singapore’s Most Influential Creative Directors 2013/14 Fashion Designer • Silver and Bronze Lions at Cannes International Festival of (Singapore) Creativity (2014) Represented Singapore at the Asia • Gold Effies Awards for I QUIT (anti-smoking campaign), Federation Fashion Show at STB Gems and Action for AIDS. Biff & Bil 2014 Bangkok 26 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 MARKETPLACE Hope Of One Song, One Voice City Harvest Church members Elim Chew and Miguel Antonio Vedanaigam partnered with Apl.de.Ap of The Black Eyed Peas to raise funds for Typhoon Haiyan victims at a benefit concert in LA. By YONG YUNG SHIN

Haiyan last November. loved the song and invited her to sing it at in Singapore. He also starred in the dance- Despite technical hic- the concert—Chew roped in Vedanaigam to and-song extravaganza Wonderment, pro- cups, Vedanaigam cool- be her voice. She says, “It’s been four years duced by O School and performed at Ma- ly went on to wow the since that dream. God has His own timing rina Bay Sands last November. 5,000-strong audience and I’m thankful He revealed His vision for He is currently managed by Apl. with his heartfelt delivery a great cause and destiny.” de.Ap’s record label and production com- of “Hope Of One Voice”, Vedanaigam, son to a Singaporean fa- pany, BMBX (pronounced “boombox”) an original song by fellow ther and a Filipino mother, was more ex- Entertainment, which focuses on pro- CHC member and social cited than nervous when he got news of the moting Southeast Asian talent. BMBX’s entrepreneur Elim Chew, performance, which he prepared for within other artists include 17-year-old Jessica written for the Philip- a week, with the help of his music teacher. Reynoso, who performed at The Voice pines disaster relief effort. The best part "was the feeling of “having Philippines 2013, and TheLionCityBoy He also performed Billy 5,000 people stand up and cheer me on af- aka Kevin Lester, a veteran hip hop artist/ Joel’s “Piano Man”. ter I finished singing.” rapper from Singapore. PHOTO: SAM VEDANAIGAM “Hope Of One Other performers that night include LA- Using their God-given visions and tal- Vedanaigam and Chew with Apl.de.Ap and Keith Harris. Voice” was birthed out based indie rock group The Little Ones, the ents to aid the needy is a privilege to Chew of a dream Chew had Philippine Chamber Singers of Los Angeles, and Vedanaigam. “As we come together to On June 8 this year, 13-year-old musical four years ago. While attending the Apec YouTube sensation AJ Rafael and hip hop give help to the afflicted, we give them back prodigy Miguel Antonio Vedanaigam re- Women Entrepreneurs Summit in Japan dance crew JabbaWocKeez. Along with the their hope for their lives,” says Chew. ceived an invitation to perform at a benefit in Oct 2010, she awoke one night with a vi- Black Eyed Peas band members, Will.I.am concert at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles, sion of a flood. She penned down the lyr- and Taboo, Apl.de.Ap, who is American- Fund-raising efforts are still on-going. organized by the Black Eyed Peas member, ics and sent them to her singer-songwriter Filipino, wrapped up the night with popular T-shirts collaboratively designed by Apl.de.Ap. The concert, titled USA for Re- friend, Cat Ong, who added melody to the hits such as “Let’s Get It Started,” “Bebot,” OuterEdit and Legendary Social Tee are build! Philippines, was held to raise funds words. In Dec 2013, she emailed the song and “I Gotta Feeling.” sold at 77th Street outlets. Twenty percent for rehabilitation efforts in the Philippines, to a friend, Joel Santos, who works closely Vedanaigam has previously performed of sales go to Apl.de.ap Foundation’s Re- particularly in areas affected by Typhoon with the Apl.de.Ap Foundation. The rapper at 2011’s David Foster and Friends Concert build! Philippines. JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 27 Advertorial 28 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 EYE ON SOCIETY

their dreams. He was looking for ways to engage the young people in mainstream schools One To Change The World when he found that many schools were looking for dance programs. He imme- It is in the DNA of City Harvest Church members to “find a need and meet it, find a hurt and heal diately roped in a dancer friend from it.” These two new social initiatives by CHC members mark a rising trend. church and planned a dance program By DAWN SEOW for schools. JUMP's first assignment was Mayflower Secondary School: a team of nine dancers taught students over four days. On the last day, each Renowned sociologist Margaret Mead he realized that many school dropouts “The case worker told me that after class put on a dance showcase. famously said: “Never doubt that a small still had a burning desire to make some- the party, the boy became more confi- “The students really enjoyed them- group of thoughtful, committed citizens thing of their lives. The school offers a dent. In the past, he would hide in a cor- selves and I realized that dance is a very can change the world; indeed, it’s the second chance at education and also ner whenever she visited him and refuse good way to engage students and com- only thing that ever has.” support for students to overcome their to talk. After the party, he became more municate with them. I also saw the po- The trend of social responsibility is personal challenges. open and even showed her how to play tential of a viable business,” Low said. gaining traction fast today. According The events organization now pro- to the National Volunteer and Philan- vides, as a school co-curricular activity, thropy Centre, Singaporeans donated dance programs for seven secondary a record $11 million in 2013 to various schools and six primary schools. They charities and projects. also started RE:volution, which uses Social initiatives are not new to City dance as a platform to reach out to at- Harvest Church. It all began with the risks youths. Church Without Walls movement in “Dancers are a testimony to living 1996. Members were taught to “find a a dream because of the alternative ca- need and meet it, find a hurt and heal it”. reer path they have chosen,” Low points This became a mantra that many mem- out. “Our dance instructors share their bers continue to live by today, giving rise experiences with the students and to a number of social initiatives in recent encourage them to believe in their years, among them 8 Fahrenheit, an ice dreams. Many students come from tra- cream shop set up by CHC members in ditional Chinese families and their par- the a polytechnic campus to help needy ents are not so encouraging with their students earn a living; Teddy 'N' Thotz words, so they’re grateful that someone at Vivocity that sells craftwork done by believed in them.” elderly folks; and Soule, a shoe com- As CHC member and founder of re- pany donates shoes to children in Third PHOTOS: CINDY KOH tail chain 77th Street, Elim Chew, whose World countries. Cindy Koh with some of the Birthday In A Box treats for kids. name is synonymous with youth, social Some early initiatives by members enterprise and transforming society for have grown into extended organiza- good, puts it: “If you have money, give tions of CHC. City College was started “The concept of social entrepreneur- with the toys he received. I didn’t expect money. If you have time, give time. If in 2002 by member Kenny Low (left) ship is very much in line with Jesus’ call the birthday box to have this kind of im- you have talent, give talent. Your money, as a not-for-profit organization to help to us to be salt and light, and to reach pact on the child, but it did,” said Koh. time and talent will be multiplied and youths who cannot con- out to those in need,” Low says. “To tinue their academic bring restoration and healing to certain career in a main- people, groups, values and causes, that’s stream secondary being salt; to allow these restorations school. Subse- and healing to be visible and inspira- quently, Low also tional by connecting them to the mar- founded O School, ketplace, that’s being light.” a dance academy that uses dance as GIFTING BIRTHDAY PARTIES a platform to reach CHC members think of doing good out to youths. wherever and however they can. Cindy One of CHC’s Koh chanced upon the idea of Birth- first social entre- day In A Box when she met a 14-year- preneurs, Low old who had never celebrated her has a deep birthday. Taking a leaf from American passion for charity The Birthday Box, Koh has the “re- created 21 birthday celebrations for jects” in needy children so far. The 31-year-old society. social worker put together the first H e started birthday in a box for a 7-year-old boy PHOTO: JUMP PRODUCTIONS City College in February this year. She worked with Alvin Low (center) with his JUMP team. after Lakeside Family Service Cen- tre to provide a cake, a gift, a balloon and a card. The JUMPING WITH HOPE you’ll be amazed at how you can be a parents wrote a birth- Alvin Low, 31, is another social entre- changemaker and impact lives with day message in the card, preneur who believes in bringing resto- what you have been given. Someday, you wrapped the present up and ration to those who have lost hope and will find that it will be all given back to held a celebration for their son. For helping them live a purposeful life. you when you need it most! once, the boy was the star of a birthday He founded JUMP Production "Rise up and be the change you party and had something to give away— in 2011, with a vision to provide a want to be. Yours will be the generation

PHOTO: CHC PHOTO: his birthday cake. platform for young people to live out that is driven by a greater purpose.” JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 29 Advertorial 30 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 EYE ON SOCIETY

Challenging as it may sound, Super 24 teammates more than the outcome of the attracted about 1,000 dancers to showcase competition.” 24 Superb Dancers their moves on Jun. 8 at the Suntec Con- The young dancers took to social me- vention Halls 601-604. In collaboration dia with their thoughts and feelings about Super 24, conceptualized by O School, brings a new with the National Youth Council, the com- Super 24. Natalie (@nataliegohome) of petition was highly anticipated by the dance North Vista Secondary School posted on dimension to dance competitions in Singapore. community. Tickets to the competition Instagram after the competition, “Those 3 By DAWN SEOW were sold out four days before the event and km runs that seemed endless, the muscle the competition hall was filled with 3,000 aches and the blood and sweat you guys dance enthusiasts grooving together with put through for today’s achievement has the dance teams. all paid off.” The audiences were also treated to Ivy (@v_vivy) of D3, the winner of the guest performances by international dance open category, said on Instagram, “We are teams Quick Crew, winner of Norway's Got only the champion because we bent over, Talent and Mortal Combat, the three-time drench in sweat, at the point of exhaustion Japan Dance Delight champions. Jazz-funk when nobody is looking.” band Fungki Munkees also entertained the Following the dance competition, crowd together with local dance team, Lion O School took the dancers back to their City Lockers. schools to inspire their fellow schoolmates. Besides the 19 teams participating in “The post-event roadshows are designed the open category (which consisted of danc- to allow the participating school teams to PHOTO: O SCHOOL ers from tertiary institution dance clubs showcase their piece to their school,” Low Runners up at this year's Super 24 from Tanglin Secondary. and dance hobbyists), the competition also explained. “It also aims to introduce the me- attracted the participation of 21 schools in chanics and the values of the competition to It was a dance competition like no other. the four-sided judging platform illustrates the secondary school category. the rest of the school.” Twenty-four dancers had to perform a the story of Singapore’s ability to turn the “We observed that while many teams set Once the rest of the student body sees strictly 90-second routine within an eight constraints into advantages by tapping on out to gain top results in the contest, they what the dance team can do they would by eight meter square with judges watching its most valuable resources. When the danc- eventually realized that the journey was hopefully develop an interest and apprecia- from all four sides. ers coordinate and complement each other more valuable than the outcome,” Low tells tion for dance, says Low. “Super 24 is designed to allow partici- within the square, magic happens.” City News Weekly. “We aim to develop Super 24 into a pants to experience teamwork and unity,” The judges look for teamwork, choreog- “It’s inspiring to see the creativity, re- contest garnering wide interest and partici- says Kenny Low, director of O School, the raphy, musicality and skills displayed by the silience and energy emerging from such a pation from mainstream schools. We had dance school and social enterprise that competitors. The team that best exemplifies stressful competition. It’s also heartening 21 schools participating in the secondary conceptualized the competition. “The tight adaptability, creativity and unity will win to hear that the youths had learned to value category this year—we hope to reach 100 space for the 24 dancers to work with and the competition and title of “Super 24”. the journey and relationships with their schools in five years.”

SAFEGUARDING YOUR INTERESTS WITH

Formed in 2004, AETOS is one of Singapore’s leading security service providers. Armed with years of experience in managing large complex operations and events successfully, our highly trained security force ensures an absolute peace of mind, making us a name you can always trust. JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 31 32 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 EYE ON SOCIETY

have helped more than 1,276 children through CityCare’s Cambodian humani- Building Cities That Care tarian projects. CityCare’s overseas humanitarian Set up to encourage Singaporeans to volunteer and give back to society, CityCare has turned efforts began in 2007 with a series of doing good into an attraction for corporations and volunteers. educational and humanitarian projects in under-served communities in China, By DAWN SEOW Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. Through volunteer effort and funding, for organizations and individuals to dem- CityCare has aided in the construction onstrate social responsibility towards the and refurbishment of seven primary community. For his efforts, Tan was named schools in these countries, and conducted an Outstanding Young Global Leader at the medical relief trips to Haiti and the Phil- World Economic Forum in 2010. ippines. Some of these efforts have been Much ground has been covered in the in partnership with City Harvest Church. last seven years. Today, CityCare works On home ground, CityCare serves with volunteers, schools, corporations, its mission of promoting volunteerism voluntary welfare organizations and non- and philanthropy across a number of profits in Singapore and overseas to trans- sectors. In schools, it offers community form communities. Last year, it was named service programs that fit into the Min- one of two Points of Light Network affili- istry of Education’s Values In Action ates in Singapore. An international orga- program—students benefit from the nization founded by former US president specially-designed experiential learn- George Bush, PLN works to engage more ing programs that cover topics such people and resources in solving serious so- as social responsibility, leadership and cial problems through voluntary service. It social entrepreneurship. Since 2007, mobilizes millions of people through affili- CityCare has worked with more than ates in about 250 cities. Through the POL 120 schools, providing training pro- PHOTOS: CITYCARE Network, CityCare has worked with orga- grams to 17,400 students. CityCare distributed 100 bicycles to a school in Cambodia. nizations such as Hilton Group Worldwide, On a tertiary level, CityCare has four VISA and Moody’s Analytics. university Caretalyst Clubs—Caretalysts Executive director of CityCare, Tammy are CityCare volunteers, named to reflect Fuelled by the vision of a culture of doing sionals in 2007. The not-for-profit orga- Lim, explains: “CityCare wants to be a a catalyst of change in the community. good in Singapore, Tan Ye Peng founded nization aims to promote active citizenry light in the world by promoting a culture CityCare has empowered a total of 4,502 CityCare with a group of young profes- by providing volunteering opportunities of doing good. Our mission is to empower Caretalysts, who have helped 16,705 ben- volunteers to bring about social change in eficiaries locally, in partnership with 145 the society. Bringing civic education into voluntary welfare organizations. In May schools has been a very rewarding journey this year, the organization held its first as we have witnessed young people grow- Leaders’ Summit for Caretalyst leaders ing in their passion to make a difference in with the aim of expanding the capacity of their world. Our collaboration with various these leaders. corporations in their community invest- Lim says, “I want CityCare to be a ment projects has also grown into strong premier organization that corpora- strategic partnerships.” tions and schools want to work with. In June 2013, CityCare distributed 100 CityCare also plans to organize an an- bicycles sponsored by Blackstone Singa- nual signature conference to provide pore and 176 school bags and stationery a platform for civic-minded organiza- sets sponsored by COURTS Singapore to tions and volunteers to come together Say Samorn Primary School in Cambo- to spur one another towards greater dia. Since 2012, a total of 35 volunteers change in society.”

CityCare offers Values In Action programs in mainstream schools. JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 33 LIFESTYLE 25 Things In A Missionary's Bag In Luke 9:3, as Jesus was sending His disciples out on their first mission trips, He said, “Take nothing with you for your trip. Do not take a walking stick, or a bag … and do not take two shirts.” While not as austere, pastors Bobby Chaw and Tan Kim Hock— who made about 20 mission trips in 2013—sure know how to travel light. We pry into their bags to find out what their travelling essentials are. By YONG YUNG SHIN

BOBBY CHAW TAN KIM HOCK Dean of Students (School of Academic Dean (School of Theology) Theology), Missions Director Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom Garment bag All my shirts are folded and I like to bring a book when I travel, especially those put inside this bag to minimize creases. that are inspiring and with good anecdotess. The bags come in various sizes for my other items such as shorts and socks. The Bible I've had this NKJV Bible for 10 to 15 years. Belt A staple of any decently dressed gentleman’s outfit. Jacket I like the design; the words say "rebel spirit" but I prefer to think of it as "daring Cash and card holder I always carry my to be different." United Airlines frequent flyer card because each time you clock your Waistpouch Stores all my miles, the previous miles get re- local currency, passport and newed too. After eight years, I had other important documents. It’s enough miles to redeem three tick- the safest way—so far, I haven’t lost ets to USA for my family. So always anything! clock your miles even if you don’t fly often! Track shoes They're light, can be packed flat, and double as slippers! Thumbdrive I carry two: one for PowerPoint slides and another for Hair clay Water-based so videos of our church and minis- that it’s more easily washed off tries; a picture paints a thou- and thus gentler on the hair! sand words but through a video people cap- Lozenges I don’t ture the vision of fall sick often, but how we do church. when I get a scratchy throat, these are great. Wireless router This little item is im- Piriton flu pills I take this portant. Some ho- when I feel like I'm coming tels only have LAN down with something, it knocks lines and not wi-fi you out for a good sleep! facilities. So when I have this set up in my room, Contact lenses and solution Very, all my devices have internet very important to maintain good connection. contact lens hygiene.

Earphones These are noise-cancelling ones. Bag of toiletries My shower gel, facial wash and shampoo, all contained refillable 100ml bottles, along with my toothbrush Power cables/ sockets/ adapters This is my and toothpaste. “portable office," good enough for every country I go to: a basic extension cord, a multi-purpose sock- Casa Okinawa Brown Sugar Milk Tea I really like et and local adapters which I throw into a bag. this 3-in-1 milk tea sachet. It tastes just like Taiwan- ese bubble tea. iPod My “on-going Bible school education", with sermons by Pastor (Kong Hee), Dr AR Bernard, Teh Prendjak An Indonesian tea bag which has a very nice aromatic, Phil Pringle and Elder He. slightly floral fragrance.

iPad I use this mainly for preaching. There Kapal Api “Kopi O” This is one of my favorite coffees has a traditional are hundreds of sermons in it! I also use it for taste which reminds me of my childhood kopi. WeChat with my family when I'm overseas, the video quality is good! Tissue paper When you carry tissue paper around, it’s not for you but for other people. I carry a packet around everywhere. Laptop I used to have to carry research books and concor- Hankerchiefs are more selfish! dances around. When you're on long 14-day mission trips, it is very cumbersome. Nowadays, everything is in this laptop! Wet tissue For cleaning wounds, cleaning your hands and doing the No. 2! 34 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014 LIFESTYLE Mementos, Memories and Milestones Looking back on City Harvest Church’s 25 years of history with keepsake items dating as far back as 1990. By YONG YUNG SHIN

Relationship & Discipleship box, 2012, which includes a 15-year-old CHC’s first everstudio praise and A leadership event brochure from worship album, letter from Kong Hee to his disciple, Against All Odds, Aries Zulkarnian and a more recent 1994, featuring a younger Phil Pringle Salvation pack from 2001 given recorded in 1994, includes original and the late Lester Sumrall, who was to altar call respondents help new compositions written by Kong Hee, letter from the evangelist Billy Graham to Kong, as well as writing a disciple of Smith Wigglesworth. believers ground their decision for Sun Ho and Teo Poh Heng (fun fact: Even as a small youth church, CHC salvation in the Word, while contact Choong Tsih Ming was one of the material for members to express appreciation for one another. had been blessed by the ministry forms allow the church follow up on background vocalists!) and friendship from powerful men and integrate them into the family. of God.

A historical church progress report Prayer card from 1995 helped Annual goal-setting cards from Dec 1992 announcing the encouraged members to write down change of name from Ekklesia members put their faith in action by Water Baptism certificate of praying the Scriptures, making list of their dreams and corresponding Ministry, then a youth department action plans—“Write the vision; make longtime member Nicholas Goh, cell group members and friends to under the covering of Bethany from March 1990. As the only qualified pray for. The principles of believing, it plain on tablets, so he may run who Christian Centre, an Assemblies of reads it.” (Habakkuk 2:2) pastor of the young church, Kong praying specifically, praying in the God church to “City Harvest Church.” conducted all the water baptisms. Spirit and confession have been and It was also in this month that Kong will always be the “secret” to CHC’s and Sun got marrried. growth and revival.

Commemorative shirt celebrating Weekly service bulletin—some CHC’s move to its own permanent, Executive Membership card of these were designed by Kong A gold ring presented to the SOT 2,300-seater premise at Jurong West over the years, held by members himself, before the staff expanded to graduating cohort of 1996—a symbol on Dec 5, 2001; in the next five years, with leadership positions in the include a graphics designer. of convenant to walk in holiness and membership reached 10,000 and church. The EM signifies a pledge obedience with God. Each ring is then 16,000. Truly, as the slogan on of commitment, responsibility and engraved with the student’s name the shirt says, “It Ain’t That Far.” stewardship toward the house of on the inside. God. JUL 26-27, 2014 www.citynews.sg 35 中文报道

真正改变自己、改变别人!” 现年22岁的孙刘伟来自中国。过去 2014神学院：来自海外的他们不认识神的他，曾是中学的太保，老师校长心中的问题学生。16岁时，刘伟由城市丰收教会创办的神学院每年吸引不同国家的信徒前来报读，City News采访了来自海遇见了神，并立志成为传道人。“我很外的神学生，分享他们的见证。喜欢康牧师的讲道风格，也很被城市丰收教会的赞美敬拜吸引。”来到神学

张康丽报导院，最令刘伟感到讶异的是，这么大的来自台湾的简佳娴，甜美的26岁上海姑娘余礼琴，从教会，却能很有次序的跟着异象运作。现年32岁，一点也看不小在牧师家庭长大，但却是信仰里的领袖团队带着柔和谦卑的心服事，令人出来竟是三个孩子的母 “以实玛利”，长大后，离开了家乡感觉他们既是牧者，也是家人。“我看亲!“2004年，我参加也离开了信仰，只身在外打拼。直到到这里牧者和会友间彼此尊重的关系，了康希牧师（城市丰收生命受了亏损后，终于明白神的爱远是我在往后牧养的一个很好的榜样!” 教会主任牧师）的信心胜她一切所追求的。重返教会的她一才刚大学毕业的赵宁，带着满腔热特会，听到神学院的消听见神学院的消息，便决心参加。血从中国来到新加坡。“从我大一的时息，心里很激动，就立 “来到神学院，我明白自己把神摆候，就听过神学院的消息以及神学院毕刻报名了。但后来因为错了位置，所以容易情感软弱，需要业生说他们怎样经历神。看到大家回来孩子签证的问题而没能借着悔改再次恢复与神的关系。神学火热为主服侍，心中就很向往。”为了前来。”直到2012年，院令我感动的原因之一，就是牧者完要来神学院，赵宁凭着信心得着了财务先生的手术，再一次使全不摆架子的上课态度，和神学生的上的供应，甚至签证也是在飞机起飞前他们夫妻俩停下脚步，关系能如此贴近，他们的谦卑和爱心两天才拿到的！“我在神学院得到很多认真思考信仰的呼召。真实恢复了我心中天父的形象。” 收获。其中一点是人际关系的医治。在先生的支持下，佳娴同在牧者家庭长大的颜天佑，是因为以前学生时代受过伤，所以渐渐把照片:詹前富暂时放下了为人妻人母个颇具偶像外型的25岁台湾男孩。心给关闭起来了。直到我来到神学院，（左起）孙刘伟、简佳娴、赵宁和余礼琴。的责任，来到神学院接 “我大概读高中时，就考虑以后要去才再次学习对人敞开。还有就是院长赵受神学的装备。读神学院了。”可后来天佑却冷淡退仁牧师那句话：‘我们只有一条命，要今年是神学院欢庆20周年的大日子。 “以前的我是个性急躁的领袖，无后，不知信仰对自己有什么意义。为主而活。因为人生道路很长。’这些由城市丰收教会创办的神学院在过去二形中就伤害了其他‘肢体’。但在神学 “真的就是在人已经走不下去的时牧者从不停下脚步，知道珍惜每天的时十年，用神的话语造就神国度无数卓越院的这段日子，我学习了忍耐跟谦卑的候，才能看见原来在神凡事都能。” 间，全心全人去爱神，活出榜样给人的工人。除了本地学生，神学院也栽培功课。”问到她最希望带回去的祝福是重返信仰的他，服完兵役后，决心来看。我想带回去和年轻人分享的是：充了不少外地来的牧者。City News采访什么，佳娴说：“想把城市丰收教会那神学院找寻神在他生命中的命定。分利用时间，不要浪费生命。就像何玉了离乡背景来到新加坡的神学生，分享颗不离不弃爱教会的心，带回去给教会 “我想要在神学院真实地经历圣灵。峰长老说的，年轻的生命是要做什么用神透过神学院赐给他们的美好祝福! 的年轻人!” 真的! 只有生命拥有圣灵的同在，才能的呢？就是要给主用的！” 36 www.citynews.sg JUL 26-27, 2014