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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

True Stories To Inspire: Leong Yan Chee & Liu Jia Qi

Posted By City Harvest Church On 1 November 2008 (4:04 am) In Inspiration

In the year 2001, God led me (Yan Chee) to Singapore where I spent one year in City Harvest Bible Training Center, School of Theology (SOT). Although I was brought up in a Christian family, I was never properly trained and discipled in the Word of God. As a result, I often found it hard to serve effectively in my church and many times I felt very discouraged. When I was in SOT, I began to discover my destiny and calling, and also learned to overcome my weaknesses and develop valuable ministry skills that enabled me to become a better servant and leader. One of the most useful things I learned was the skills for effective preaching. Through this, my communication skills were sharpened and my passion for teaching and preaching was ignited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was in SOT that I met my wife, Jia Qi. Before SOT, she used to be shy and introverted. But through SOT, God restored her confidence in Him and she did so well that she topped the entire cohort and received the Best Student Award for the year.

In church, we learnt the powerful principle of sowing and reaping and the importance of giving to the house of God. It’s been a privilege for us to participate in all the Arise & Build campaigns since 2001. In the year 2005, the Lord challenged me to give an amount that is equal to 90 percent of the entire savings that I’ve saved up for my wedding. This meant that I would have to stay in a rented room with my new bride. Although it was a great challenge, I trusted God and was convinced that He will make a way for us. With many tears in our eyes, we gave all our savings to the Lord that year.

The blessings of God were more than what we could have imagined. Jia Qi gave three months of her salary while I gave four months of my salary to the Building Fund. Within six months, God blessed us financially through friends and family who gave us generous red packets for our wedding. With that, we bought our first car and our first home in Singapore. God provided for us and covered all the expenses for our three weddings in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Taipei. Another person blessed us with a sponsored honeymoon trip to Europe. The total amount of blessings we received that year alone is more than three times of what we had given.

Knowing that God is looking after every aspect of our lives and our home, I’m looking forward to exciting times ahead as we continue to grow the church and meet the needs of people. As we serve Him wholeheartedly, He will take care of all areas of our lives!

Article taken from CityNews - http://www.chc.org.sg/citynews

URL to article: http://www.chc.org.sg/citynews/?p=673

LET’S ARISE & BUILD

Today, more than 3.8 billion people reside in Asia, making up 60 percent of the entire world’s population.  In recent years, the rising influence of Asia has been the focus of much media spotlight, especially in the areas of economy, business, technology and entertainment.  This phenomenon continues to see an upward trend as the world looks to Asia as the frontline of change in this millennium.  We believe that God has positioned the churches in Asia for such a time as this. With increasing universal interest in this opportunities that lie ahead for us, Christians here are poised for another great move of God in these last days as Asia opens up to the world and to the gospel.  What we witness before our eyes will possibly be one of the most defining moments on earth when revival comes to our nations.  As such, the inaugural Asia Conference organized by City Harvest Church aims to equip every believer with the right tools and impart some of the best teachings to strengthen you.  With our extraordinary lineup of world-renowned speakers and top worship leaders from around the world, be prepared to experience a life-changing encounter with God as they lead you into greater spiritual breakthrough.  Join us this November in Singapore for an unforgettable conference. We know your life will never be the same! 

 

City Harvest Church Management Board