Leaders’ Retreat (31^st Dec 2008 – 2^nd Jan 2009)

After a year of sweat and hard work, the ET Zone leaders got together to end 2008 with a 3-day, 2-night retreat at Aranda Country Club at Downtown East.

This year, an organizing committee, consisting of the newer leaders like David, Tian Yi, Sandy, Bernice, Kai Lin, Seowshi, Joycelyn and Jing Jing, were tasked with planning all the indoor games and an Amazing Race for the rest of the leaders!  A daunting task indeed, as they attempted to shout their instructions to the overly-excited and rowdy audience – majority of whom knew almost every trick in the book, and who used that to their advantage to try and cut corners to score more points!

Jin Lian from N430 commented that the Race in particular was tiring for some of the leaders more accustomed to planning rather than playing the games, yet it was a fun and memorable experience.  The games were innovative and well-led.  Most importantly, it served as an avenue to create stronger bonds amongst the leaders.

“The games, fellowship and laughter has definitely brought us closer to one another”, says David Ang from E316.

Right before the countdown to 2009, our zone supervisor, Edmund Tay, shared a message using the acronym, “L-O-V-E” – ‘Leadership’, ‘Openness’, ‘Vision’ and ‘ET Zone’ – the building blocks on which the success of our zone stands upon.  After all, without “LOVE”, we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13:2-3).

Soon after, we had our Thanksgiving ceremony, where the different leaders were not only honored for their different contributions in 2008, but spoofed for their unique attributes and personalities as well.  I suppose that is what makes us all “Extra-Terrestrials” (ET).

Taking a step back from all the confetti and commotion of the countdown, I saw the evident love and strong friendships the leaders had with one another.  I believe that these genuine relationships were birthed forth through them continuously serving God and serving one another.  Just like what the Bible says in Proverbs 17:17 (The Message), “Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble”.  This close-knitted family truly has gone through thick and thin together – from long nights of planning and preparation for various events, to discipleship at Edmund’s house.

In the past few years and even more so recently, we have seen our zone’s leadership grow in numbers.  These new faces, according to Jin Lian, is what made this retreat different from the previous years’.  But of course, these opportunities to rise up and serve God even more would not have been possible without Edmund and Jia Hui’s love, passion and vision for the zone.  So, on behalf of everyone in ET zone, here is a big “Thank You” to Edmund and Jia Hui for being such awesome role models for us all!

 

Reported by Karen Wong N415

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!

The Bling factor!

The Bling! event had been the talk of the zone the past few weeks, and Part One of two awesome Bling! experiences was held on 8 November, Saturday, at Riverwalk.

Members and friends came dressed in their very best, to add to the razzle-dazzle of Bling! And with the ‘Best Dressed Cell Group’ title up for grabs, the various cell groups really cracked their brains to come out with the most creative Cg identity. From outfits made of shiny CDs to masquerade masks and cool scarfs, it was truly a fashion bonanza!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specially invited to host this first-of-its-kind event were Kids Central hosts Primero and Candice and they definitely stirred up the crowd with their enthusiasm.

Bling! started off with a beatbox performance, followed by our very own ET Zone dance item. Though it was our dance team’s debut performance, they brought down the house with their funky hip-hop moves.

There were also fun segments such as our very own version of popular Taiwanese host Jacky Wu’s variety game show, ‘Guess Who?’. A total of 4 contestants went up each round and we had to guess, according to categories given such as the best limbo-rocker, the national skipping champion, the real from the fakes. Some of the fakes were so convincing they fooled us all! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A huge highlight of Bling! was the makeover session for 3 lovely ladies, Celine, Xiao En and Lijun. When each of the models sashayed down the “runway” in their new hairdo, makeup and eye-catching outfits, all their cell group members could not recognize them! Kudos to the make-up artists, Iris, Michele and Joycelyn who transformed them from ordinary to really ‘Bling Bling!’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The event was truly a success! It showcased the immense talents and abilities of our members and how creatively colourful we all can be.

Part Two of Bling! is happening this coming Saturday, 15 November, at Riverwalk and is all set to be even more exciting! Continue to invite your friends, and show them that Christians are a cool bunch of people too!

Comments from participants of Bling!

 “Bling! is special because we get to see another side of our members when they really dress up! The games were fun and helps to bond the cg and our zone together!”
Alfred Leow (E462)

“This event shows our friends that it’s not just about reading the Bible, praying, but using our  talents to shine for God and to learn new things as well. Even if one can’t dance, being willing does it!”
Ravi Rayan (? – one of the Bling! dancers)