Aisa conference Thursday & Friday Night!

Asia Conference First Opening Night!

City Harvest Church opened its doors this November 19 to almost 20,000 delegates representing 37 countries all over the world for the inaugural Asia Conference with the theme Touching Asia, Transforming the World at the Singapore  Expo. 

With an exciting line-up of electives, speakers and powerful praise and worship this much awaited conference is the event for Christian churches all over Asia for 2008. On the first night of the Asia Conference, both Singapore Halls 8 and 10 were fully packed with people hungry for a mighty move of God and revelation. The CHC band led the people to a wonderful time of  praise and worship into the presence of God. Conference delegates were then given a spectacular display of the Ministry Parade, a showcase of all the ministries in City Harvest Church. This included the Drama Ministry, JAMS Church, Children’s Church, Usher Ministry, Chinese Church and Dialect Church, and the Marketplace Ministry. Aside from the colorful floats, each ministry performed a short skit, or a song or a dance item to the delight of the audience. The Marketplace Ministry also introduced their members who have gained awards for emerging as the top movers and shakers in their industry.  

Pastor Kong in his message, urged church leaders and lay members that it’s time to step out of the First Space – the Church to impact the Second Space known as the Marketplace. Jesus has sent us to be the salt of the earth to prevent decay, as light of the world to shine brightest in the darkness and as sheep among wolves in the Marketplace. It’s in the Marketplace, the areas of Business, Education, Government, Mass Media, Arts and Entertainment that we spend the majority of our time in. We must not be afraid to engage the Marketplace and through upward mobility enter into the realm of the Third Space, the place where we as Christians earn the right to be heard.  Through this sermon, Pastor Kong casted the vision and the purpose of the Asia Conference – that churches in Asia will not be limited by old mindsets and traditional thinking but obey the voice of God which is the definition of true holiness.  

During the offering message, Pastor Kong showed a video of the various community work and humanitarian relief efforts that City Harvest Church has been involved with both locally and overseas. Many were moved by the plight Pastor Kong challenged the people to rise up and give unseflishly to the less fortunate and needy even if the world is in the middle of an economic recession.

The first night of the Asia Conference was truly a momentous night not just for City Harvest Church but for all churches represented by the foreign delegates. The Asia Conference marks the new beginning of the churches in Asia to rise up and move from the four corners of the Church to the transform the World. 

Bling it on!

The hippest place on 15 November Saturday, wasn’t at Sentosa, it wasn’t even at Orchard Road, the hippest place to be was right at the Riverwalk!

After last week’s success, Bling! Part 2 was glitzier this time around as cellgroups tried to outshine each other for the Best Dressed Cellgroup Award. Members and friends arrived with their choice of Bling  accessories -  sequined scarves, embellished suspenders and even gold gloves! Guys and girls alike were dressed in the shiniest, most eye-catching outfits vying for the Best Dressed Male and Best Dressed Female Award.

Bling! kicked off with icebreaker games like Record Holders, hosted by Amber, Ming Hui, Joseph and special guest host Loga from Vasantham Central. Cellgroups had to send a representative to compete for categories like the Longest Breath, Sexiest Pose and Strongest Memory. The audience members also had a chance to guess and vote who was “The Real Thing” among three other imposters onstage. There were a few hits and misses, and some of the posers were very convincing! In case you’re still curious, Hui Wen is half-Thai and Ivan Lee is our zone’s lightweight boxing champion.

Next up was (beatboxer’s name) who wowed the audience with his awesome beatboxing skills!  Another stellar performance was by ET zone’s very own dance team, Urban Groove Remix, with their encore dance number leaving the audience breathless.

Aside from the games and performances, everyone was really looking forward to the Big Reveal of the makeover session. At the start of the program, the “Before” pictures were shown to the audience, and the room was filled with anticipation at the results of the makeover. When the models entered the room with their stylists, people were craning their necks to get a view of the made-over ladies, but their faces were screened, heightening the suspense. When the models’ new looks were revealed, appreciative “oohs”, “ahhs” and an occasional “Is that my cellgroup member?” could be heard among the crowd. The models in their Oriental Rock, Cowgirl and Party Girl looks strutted down the runway as the audience cheered their glamorous transformations.

Many were touched and encouraged by Edmund Tay’s message on “Unleashing One’s Potential”. Jesus, though He was tempted on His Identity, His Methods and His Faith, was able to fulfil His calling successfully by being confident in who He was, not basing His security on abilities or outward appearances, but trusting in God. No matter how ordinary we may look on the outside or feel on the inside, if we’re willing to lay our lives down before God – He can use someone ordinary to do extraordinary things for Him!

As Bling! drew to a close, the winners were finally announced: the Best Dressed Female – Valerie (N317),  the Best Dressed Male – Lester (N415), the Best Dressed Cellgroup – (W320) and the Best Makeover – Joycelyn and her model Karen.

Bling! was filled with surprises and has been the most exciting zone gathering this 2008! As a new year approaches, we can expect more events to showcase our creativity and talents!