Cornerstone Herald | Dec 2014

generations / living testimonies / in the house / true christianity / FEATURE / let the children come

Leadership disciples’ beacon

FESTIVAL OF PRAISE 2014 36

Bob Sorge’s

RELATIONSHIP PRODUCES BOLDNESS 18

AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP

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A PUBLIC AT ION OF CORN E RSTON E COM M U NI TY C H U R C H , D EC EM B ER 201 4 , M I C A ( P) 076 /02/2 01 4 / DECEMBER ISSUE / 1

contents Faithful Chronicles Fire in Every Heart Fiona Ng 10 Refresh, Recharge and Immanuel Roszini 12 Reconnect What Women Want Grace Hong 34 My Experience Serving Constance Wong 60 with the Clancys

In The House My Brethren’s Keeper Carol Foo 16 Festival of Praise Gayle Quah 28 The World is Looking Sng Peh Han 38 for Authenticity ACTS in Action Ann Ngiaw 54

Feature Relationship Produces Bob Sorge 4 Boldness The Life of Joshua Part 1 Dr. Brian Bailey 23

International Ministry CSCC Global Summit 2014 Song Ting Xin 18

True Christianity Speaking the Truth in Love Ps Cameron Walcott 44 Lesson from the Wayside Tam Wai Jia 56

Living Testimonies Testimonies from Ps Nelson David 58 Telugu congregation Various 66 Healing Testimonies

Generations Gemmy Awards 2014 Timothy Chan 8 Tung Ling Bible School Sitt Wei Kian 42 Experience Saturday Seoul Fever Hui Kian 48 Ngee Ann Secondary Abbie Lee 50 Outreach Camp Revival 2014 Brandon Tan 52

Let The Children Come My First Mission Trip Caleb Walcott 62 Funniest Things Kids Say 64

Community Buzz The Banquet Huang Xin Yi 32

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hen you hear choruses of “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” streaming through the airwaves, you know it’s that time of the year. Carolers are bringing the Christmas cheer, and people are walking about busying themselves, buying gifts for family and friends. What has all this to do with this season we call Christmas?

All over the world people are celebrating Christmas, the birth day of Jesus, and we tend to assume that people know the significance of the celebration. We think they know why they are doing what they do because everyone appears to be celebrating Christmas too. But don’t for a minute assume that they know the reason for the season. The reality is, they are swept up in the gaiety mood of the atmosphere, the sight and sound along the streets and in the malls and we get swept into that same feeling ourselves too. Most may have heard it’s about the birth of Jesus, the baby given to Mary and Joseph. They might say, “Yes I have heard this story retold every Christmas and it has nothing to do with me. I’m just joining in the fun and the celebration.” To many it’s a time of joy, merry-making and partying. They are right that baby Jesus has a lot to do with the festivities so they party and celebrate all night long and with a different motivation. But it has been more than 2000 years since and baby Jesus has grown up. And like you and I, we have celebrated our birthdays every year since.

Looking back through the space of time, we can trace when Christmas was first celebrated. In an old list of Roman bishops, compiled in A. D. 354 these words appear for A.D. 336: “25 Dec.: natus Christus in Betleem Judeae.” December 25th, Christ born in Bethlehem, Judea. This day,

December 25, 336, is the first recorded celebration of Christmas although no one knows the real birth day of Jesus. However in the early years of the church life, the day of death was actually more celebrated than the day of birth, but we have now come into our present day where birthdays have become a huge celebration. This has now become a day of thanksgiving for the year which has passed and the coming into of another year, of possibilities and fulfilment.

season is to bring HOPE to the hopeless, and our experiences and blessings can be theirs.

Everyone should have the opportunity to hear the good news and it’s to simply return to the truth of why we believe and do what we do. The gaily lit street lights and the joyful tunes of Christmas carols in the shopping malls are not telling the whole truth and not everything in life is going to be bright, beautiful, perfect and right but we are rejoicing because He has come to save!

Consider this if you have not already done so, that one of the best things we can do this year is to return to the simplicity and basics of Christian life. Therefore as it was since the beginning when shepherds in the fields and the wise men from the east went out in search of baby Jesus, this is the best time for us to bring the glad tidings of the good news of salvation during this season we call Christmas. The great company of heavenly host who appeared with the angel Gabriel and said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” on the night that Jesus was born, this can be our message to many we may chance to meet during these special gatherings and celebrations.

Open the door of your heart to allow the love of our Saviour to flow out through you. Like the disciples in the book of Acts, you and I can say, we have seen, we have heard and tasted, and it is good. You are a living witness to Emmanuel, He is with us, and Jesus is no more the baby in a manger.

He has come to save us from ourselves and eternal condemnation; He is altogether true, just and righteous. You can tell your story of a hurting heart healed, a broken relationship restored, a shattered dream fulfilled and your pain turning into joy or about your stolen hopes now realised. Introduce Jesus your Saviour who made all these possible.

When I was with one of our young people who was organizing some get-togethers for her classmates and special friends, we started talking about what she was going to do and we ended up agreeing that one of the important things she should do in the midst of all the planning, mingling and exchanges of laughter is tell her friends about Jesus.

She can share the love of God and give them the opportunity to respond to God’s love.

In her company of friends, not everyone may have a jolly home to return to and some could find themselves in a troubling personal situation. The reason for this

Jesus is the Light of the world; He is the reason for the season to be jolly! So go tell someone about the true meaning and joy this Christmas. You will be doubly blessed what a difference you are going to make in someone’s life before the year comes to a close. Hark, the herald angels singing, glory to the new born King! Believe me, you can be that person to lead someone to encounter Jesus today!

Grace, peace and love to you this Christmas!

Ps Daphne / DECEMBER ISSUE / 3

and manifested His glory; and His disciples believed in Him (John 2:1-11).

FEATURE

RELATIONSHIP PRODUCES

When Mary said to Jesus, “They have no wine,” Jesus did what He always did.

He checked in with His Father. “Abba?

How about it? Want Me to do something here?”

BOLDNESS Excerpt from “Illegal Prayer”

By Bob Sorge

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n our parable, Jim is exercising uncommon boldness with Dave because of their relationship. In this chapter, I want to illustrate even further how relationship produces boldness in prayer. To demonstrate that principle, let’s turn aside from our parable and look at the example of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

There’s a story in Mary’s life that displays the boldness she had in her relationship with Jesus. The incident I have in mind is when Jesus turned water into wine. At the time of this wedding, it’s clear that Jesus had already started his teaching ministry. But He had not yet launched His miraculous ministry. The story upon which we now draw tells how His miraculous ministry was triggered:

“Do you hold a promise from God? Is there something that you know He plans to do, but you just don’t know His holy timing? You have permission from heaven to strive with God for a sooner fulfillment. Lean on that promise, plead that promise, and push in the Spirit for an early release.”

The Father’s response must have been something like, “Not now. Too disruptive.

Once You perform that first sign, there will be no going back. The domino will be tipped, and the miracles will increasingly cascade and tumble, hastening Your course toward Calvary. I’m just not ready for all of that to start yet. It’s premature.

Let’s hold off for now.”

Can you really be at a standoff with Almighty God and get what you want?

So Jesus turned to His mother and said, “My hour has not yet come.” What He meant was, “The hour for my supernatural ministry is not here yet. It’s just not the right time for that.”

But Mary wasn’t about to accept no for an answer. She decided to push back. “We don’t need wine tomorrow,” I can suppose her saying to Jesus. “The wedding’s not tomorrow, it’s today. We need wine now.”

So she immediately said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”

Now there were set there six water pots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!” This beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee,

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Mary decided to leverage her relationship with Jesus. I can imagine her wondering, “How much emotional capital do I have with You, anyways? I conceived You, carried You, pushed You into the world, nursed You, changed You, fed You, clothed You, protected You, trained You, and raised You. You Yourself know that our relationship is special.

We’ve shared a strong history together. Now that I need something from You, can I draw on our relational equity?”

Relationship made her bold.

Jesus’ mother and Father were at odds on the matter, and Jesus was caught in the middle. He looked over at His mother; then He looked up at His Father; then back to His mother; then back again to His Father. “What am I supposed to do? Abba, look at her. She’s using the mother card.”

It’s as though Abba shrugged and said, “Yeah, I know. What can You do?”

And Mary got her wine.

But she did more than just get an abundance of wine. She actually activated the advent of Christ’s supernatural ministry. What’s really stunning is that she triggered it before its time. It was certainly due to come, but not just yet—until Mary got into the mix, that is. She participated in what Peter later called, “hastening the coming of the day of God” (2 Pet. 3:12). What Mary did was epochal. She initiated, through her audacity, a new era in God’s calendar.

And all because she needed wine now.

I can suppose God saying over some parts of the earth today, “I’m definitely going to send revival to your land.

You’ve been praying and crying out to Me, and I’m going to do it. But not just yet. I’m lining things up. I’ve got things happening in China, in Australia, in Europe, in Brazil—I’ve got a whole globe to consider and manage. So keep praying, but bear up just a little bit longer, I’m not ready to tip the domino just yet. It would be too disruptive right now.”

There’s a generation that will push back and say, “We can’t live with that. We need the wine of revival now.”

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MILY D FA A

E

ERSTON

Relationship made her bold.

RN

Mary decided to exercise her maternal authority. “You know that Scripture says children are to honor their father and their mother!”

The timing of God’s interventions in the earth is one of the most cloudy, opaque dynamics of the kingdom for us to see and know. It’s just downright difficult to discern God’s timing on things. It’s much easier to see the “what” than the “when.” Peter pointed to this when he said the prophets of old peered with all their strength to see, not only what God was planning to do, but when it would happen (see 1 Pet. 1:11). We face the same struggle. There are some things we know God is going to do; we just can’t perceive when He intends to do them.

UP! • C O

When I look at what Mary did here, it seems illegal to me.

She was basically at loggerheads with Abba Father. The Father was saying, “Not now,” and Mary was saying, “Now.” Can you really be at a standoff with Almighty God and get what you want?

ACCELERATING THE TIMING

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“Mary’s example reveals that we have divine permission to challenge God’s sovereign timing. “

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FEATURE

2015 • TE Y

SUIT UP

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1 4 march 201 5 • S aturday • 0 9 0 0 - 1 3 00hrs ---

east coast par k, Ang sana green (area E2)

A drenaline- charged T ele- matches

our ow n v ersion of “minute-to-w in- it” challen ge

If you’re looking at something that God has no intention of doing, then you can’t accelerate it through your boldness.

Your audacity can’t procure something that is against God’s will. But if it’s within His will, and you know it’s just a matter of time before He does it, then Mary’s example tells us we can put pressure on God’s timetable.

I find this principle stunning. Mary’s example reveals that we have divine permission to challenge God’s sovereign timing.

Brace UP

Family Day 2015

The saints have always wrestled with God’s timing on things. Bible writers often asked questions like, “When?

How long?” Many times they cried out, “Do not delay!”

For example, when John saw the fifth seal being opened, he heard the martyrs under the altar in heaven crying aloud to God, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

(Rev. 6:10). They were not crying out for God to avenge their blood—they knew He was going to. What they didn’t know was the timing. By crying, “How long?” they were pushing and contending for an acceleration of that which was most certainly to come.

It’s this same kind of pressing and contending that Mary embodied. She was resolved to push on the timing of Jesus’ miraculous ministry, and she received a miracle before Jesus’ time for miracles had come. Her example demonstrates that there is a way in the kingdom to accelerate the timing of what God intends to do in the earth.

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C ornerstone

You might know what God is going to do, but until you know the timing of it, the thing remains locked up and hidden to you.

Mary’s example reveals that we have divine permission to challenge God’s sovereign timing.

FIRE UP

and more ...

A n Exciting Family ama zin g race

• fun - filled stag e performance • sumptuous lunch and fellowship

Do you hold a promise from God? Is there something that you know He plans to do, but you just don’t know His holy timing? You have permission from heaven to strive with God for a sooner fulfillment. Lean on that promise, plead that promise, and push in the Spirit for an early release.

If you, like Mary, have an invested relationship with Jesus, you just might get your wine before it’s time. / DECEMBER ISSUE / 7

g enerations

GEMMY AWARDS 2014 Nearly 6 months of planning and preparation culminated on the 31st of May in an event - the Tapestry: Gemmy Awards 2014. It was a night of food and fellowship that was not only fun, but also very meaningful to us as a youth ministry.

BY TIMOTHY CHAN

T

he Gemmy Awards, or ‘Gemmys’ for short, is about Honour. It is something that we in Generations have always valued and placed great emphasis on. It is a common topic for the sermons in our services and is often mentioned even when the sermon is on another topic. We teach young people to honour their leaders and those around them. And one group of people that we honour would be those who serve,whether they serve in Cell Ministry or on Saturdays in the Generations Services. We believe in recognizing and appreciating what they do for the Lord.

This is the vision of the Gemmy Awards, the name of which was coined from the renowned “Emmy Awards” – Generations style. On this day, we come together as a ministry to celebrate the “unsung heroes” who have been giving of their time and energy to build the youth ministry.

Gemmys is a tradition that has been around since 2006. This year held special significance to us, for it was our last official event as a combined youth ministry. This year’s theme, “Tapestry”, was a reference to the great work of God, the Master Weaver, in bringing each of our lives together to form a great masterpiece, even as individual threads come together to form a beautiful tapestry. More than that, a tapestry looks messy and disparate from the back, just as our lives often do. But from the front, one sees the hand of God bringing our lives, slowly but surely, together to perfection.

As we gathered at Roland Restaurant that night, our emcees enthusiastically welcomed the guests while a photo-booth provided opportunities for cell groups to snap away. We began the night with a time of Praise and Worship before playing a powerful opening video featuring our Youth Pastor, Pastor Paul Liu. He explained the theme and how Generations truly is a tapestry reflecting the goodness of God. A dance item portraying the theme followed, and our Senior Pastor, Pastor Yang, was invited up to deliver the opening address.

Then came the much anticipated moment – the serving of food. Through the course

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of the night, various awards were given out to a few groups of people, including those who served in the functional arm, those who served in the Cell Ministry and a few who were specially mentioned for what they had done to really make a difference in Generations. We cheered on our friends and cell members as they were recognized for their efforts on behalf of the ministry.

Part of the lineup for the night included an acoustic performance and blessing draw. We also had our very own Event Awards, featuring the Best Dressed of the night, among others. Soon, the night came to a close, and we screened a video that celebrated Generations from its very beginning. Pastor Paul closed the event by thanking all our guests and, in characteristic fashion of youth, took a “Generations Selfie” to remember the night.

Tapestry 2014 was a blast of a time as we came together to share memories, to celebrate people and to enjoy a good dinner together. A memorable time of food and fellowship, it was undoubtedly an event that will be remembered for a long time. / DECEMBER ISSUE /

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faithful chronicles

cell m inistry | leaders’ su mm it 2 01 4

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n 27th July 2014, 230 congregation and cluster/zone/section/cell leaders gathered at Renaissance Hotel, Johor Bahru Malaysia, for the church’s annual leaders’ summit.

As always, we sat comfortably in our seats while waiting in anticipation for Pastor Yang to share his vision for the church in 2014 and onwards, but little did we know that there would be a twist to the usual programme that would require some participation on our part!

The first session was kick started by Barry Chou, our emcee for the evening. All the leaders were grouped into teams of 10-12 persons with each comprising leaders of different age groups. The teams were then tasked to perform a commercial on Cornerstone Community Church that would encapsulate the values it upholds. Papers, markers and balloons were given out to all the groups and we were given 20 minutes to create a Cornerstone commercial.

Creativity and humour weighed heavily on the score. Many of us got into competition mode and hastily tapped into the hotel’s WIFI, busily trawling the Cornerstone website for its vision statements. The result? Most of the teams presented the vision statements with a high level of accuracy, ending with the familiar tune that accompanies every Cornerstone podcast “Building hearts, building lives, building on the Cornerstone” topped with Pastor Yang’s signature cry “Fire!” Needless to say, the rest of the teams won on creativity and originality.

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BY FIONA NG

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he roaring laughter and the high level of excitement or embarrassment following the team presentations set the stage for Pastor Yang’s sharing which, coincidentally, was on “Fire!”

He shared on revival and the need to prepare ourselves for it by stretching the wineskins of our mind. He also shared that we should jealously guard the fire in our hearts by remembering the first time we fell in love with God and repenting if we have left our first love. He reminded us that “life is too short not to burn for something” and pleaded with us to “keep the fire burning; for the fire will keep you burning”.

The next few sessions centered on the 16 vision and mission values of Cornerstone with an added emphasis on marriage being an exclusive union between a man and a woman. This mission value was newly incorporated so as to reiterate the church’s pro-family stance. I found the Q&A which followed the vision and mission values particularly helpful as it sought to clarify several mission statements and provided an opportunity to hear from the different pastors on their thoughts on the various subjects. Needless to say, we all felt a little smarter and wiser after the summit.

The summit closed with a prayer for true koinonia and “ka-chak” - a group photograph to the shouts of “Fire!” / DECEMBER ISSUE /

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faithful chronicles

Cornerstone Family Camp 2014

BY Immanuel Roszini

2014

was going by in a flash. June had arrived and it was time for our annual Family Camp!

Held at the KSL Hotel in Johor Bahru this year, the theme for the camp was “Refresh, Recharge and Reconnect”. In more ways than one, it seemed a fitting theme as it was a good time for us to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, to spend time in God’s presence, soak in the teachings from our guest speakers and fellowship with one another.

BY ANN NGIAW

We received a good sign up rate of about 800 campers! One can imagine the logistical challenge this may have posed but all thanks to our Camp Committee, an excellent job was done in managing a crowd of this size!

Applause! Applause! Applause!

The Camp started off on a high note. Words of prophecy that set the tone for the camp were released. Truly, God was calling His people to come up higher in Him, to abide in His presence and be equipped for the next season; both individually and corporately as a church.

During one of the evening sessions, the ballroom was filled with people deep in prayer. An altar call had been given, and the ones who had come to the front were either laying face down on the floor in worship, or were being prayed for by the pastors and deacons. That evening, the ballroom was filled with a strong presence of God. People were crying, praying in tongues and groaning in the Spirit. Almost no one left the ballroom with dry eyes.

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faithful chronicles

Though it was a scene familiar at most of the church camps we have had over the years, still many attendees recognised that this was different - there was a greater intensity of His presence in this camp compared to the previous years.

Cornerstone Family Camp 2014

I woke up the next morning to a beautiful view of Johor Bahru from my room on the 19th floor. Most of us had woken up early for breakfast and fellowship, catching up on the events of the previous day and looking forward to what came next.

The day began with a wonderful time of praise and worship, followed by a session with Pastor Nicky Raiborde, who has been one of our regular camp speakers.

Throughout the camp, Pastor Nicky preached on the subject of dreams and seasons. He urged us to stay in our sphere of anointing and to not be distracted by things of the natural that would affect our spiritual walk. He added that in whatever season we were in, we had to approach it with much discernment. He declared over the campers that God would rain favour upon our lives which could come in the form of promotions for some, a season of supernatural breakthroughs, victories and protection for others. God was preparing us to be an outlet of His love.

Pastor Dale Fife spoke at length about the secret place and reminded us that when we walked into the kingdom of God, we carried the credentials of being ambassadors for Jesus.

He also touched on the topic of elementary principles such as the keys to the kingdom (repentance, faith and baptisms) and the spiritual foundations (laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment). He started the camp with a timely reminder that as a church, we have been greatly blessed to receive a mature ministry. However, just as much is given, much will be required. Therefore the question was whether we would be good stewards of what God has entrusted to us. It was a sobering thought. It made me reflect if I had been faithful to the revelation that God had given to me, and if I had been walking in that measure of truth and faith.

BY ANN NGIAW

On a lighter note, the Gala Night did not fail to leave us all in stitches. The Emcees, Elisha Lai and Jeremy Yeo, were undoubtedly hilarious. They certainly stole the limelight.

Some unforgettable moments included Pastor Nicky Raiborde’s version of the song, “Let it Go” from the Disney movie, “Frozen” and the lip-synching competition by our two budding comedians, Zenon Tang and Caleb Walcott. Of course, not to forget the jaw-dropping moments from hearing the astounding testimonies shared by our little ones from the Children’s Church on what God had spoken to them during the camp. Two of them shared that God told them that they will be missionaries when they grow up and that they will be preaching the gospel. One of them specially mentioned that he will be sent to Africa.

Isn’t it a wonderful call for celebration that both the young and old had their personal encounters with God during the Camp? Therefore, you should not miss your chance in 2015, and should mark the dates on your calendar for the next Family Camp!

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I n the house Us, not me. Collective. A family of brethren in the household of God. Praying for one another every day— asking our Heavenly Father for His grace, provision and protection to be poured out on each member of His Church. The emphasis in the Lord’s Prayer is on a body of believers and not on individuals, taught Dutch Sheets during the three days that he spoke at Cornerstone.

The author of a slew of best-selling books including Intercessory Prayer challenged every Christian to be a watchman who’s always on the alert.

“Accept the responsibility and He’ll make you a protector.” You and I engaging in family intercession and jointly guarding and defending our garden, family, church and nation. We are doorkeepers and bodyguards who keep the serpent out—“Evil, you’re not coming in here!” while letting the godly in—“Pass, friend”.

BORN FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS

“I have something that the world needs”—that’s another powerful message that Dutch Sheets had for every Christian. Believing that, “The earth is about to move into a new season”, he stressed that it’s important for us to recognise where we are, so that we’ll know the Kairos (Greek) or opportune time to “go through the window of opportunity”. He called this the “Esther season for Asia”, and said that he sees Singapore as having the Caleb anointing, possessing a giant-killing spirit and blessed to fund the greatest outpouring and revival.

“The ages are trying to connect”, observed Dutch Sheets, and there needs to be synchronisation. He encouraged believers to pray and father the next generation of Christians who will go a step further—a tsunami generation that will be more prophetic and see more signs and wonders. He shared a

had this exhortation, “It’s wonderful that God uses our winter of life to create something for a new season.”

He shared his amazement at seeing a tree that had grown back above the stump that it used to be. Noting that the winter season is ending for many, he referred to Job 14:7-9 “For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its tender shoots will not cease. Though its root may grow old in the earth, And its stump may die in the ground, Yet at the scent of water it will bud And bring forth branches like a plant.” (NKJV) Illustrating his point, the earnest speaker said that as the ice melts after the winter, river waters flow and grab seeds that might have been buried for thousands of years, carrying them for miles to where they’ll grow.

He said God knows the right time for each seed and He waits for the right springtime for each to come

MY B R E T H R E N ’ S K E E P E R BY carol foo

Dutch Sheets, former Christ For All Nations director

Dutch Sheets said all Christians should want nothing to hinder God’s purposes. Armed with the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must constantly be on the lookout and never take anything for granted. We are to build walls of protection so that the brethren can feel secure. Beyond preserving God’s people and protecting the harvest, he taught that we are to watch the enemy so we’ll know when to aggressively ambush and lay siege to gain salvation for those who do not know Jesus and lead them to Him! The seasoned teacher urged every believer to be observant in the spirit and aware of the Holy Spirit’s prompting through a variety of ways—a fleeting picture, premonition, dream, vision or word. He had a word of caution against watchmen becoming watchdogs that are spooky and always looking out for demons!

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“Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.

And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.”—Matthew 6:11-13 (NKJV).

portion of a word from God received by his brother Tim Sheets last year, “There is coming now a generation of young warriors that will partner with the remnant warriors who have been championing the call for years.

And they will now be called My War Eagles…..They will demonstrate My power; they will accomplish My will, My way, and they will ride My tsunami wave ablaze with My glory.” Amen!

DORMANT SEEDS COME TO LIVE

For those who are weary or in need of a fresh injection of hope, Dutch Sheets

to life. That’s when we’ll take back everything that was lost. The River of the Holy Spirit is going to rise, he noted, and “things are going to happen that we couldn’t have done with our own planning”.

Emphasising that “Everything God does is done with a purpose,” Dutch Sheets said when revival comes, nations will be restored! Some parting thoughts—“Become one with God, bind ourselves with Him”, “Partner with God, no need to convince Him”, “Release the prayer of faith, the command of faith” and “Think Big!”

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INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

BY SONG TING XIN

“Despite differences in culture, there was a genuineness of relationships and one could only conclude that it was a supernatural weaving of hearts.”

BY ANN NGIAW

Cornerstone Global Network (CGN) Summit 2014 18 / C O R N E R S T O N E H E R A L D M A G A Z I N E

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mpressive newspaper towers, soda-drinking competitions, laughter at the tables during meals… All these were but a part of the Cornerstone Global Network Summit 2014 held in Malacca, from the 21st to the 24th of July.

There was such synergy as 40 pastors, including 22 representatives from 14 other nations, gathered with the Singapore pastoral team to pray, plan and consolidate the vision God is giving the church. Despite vastly different natures of work in their respective nations, the pastors gathered were one in heart and vision, every one with a compelling desire to take the Kingdom forward in their nations.

Despite differences in culture, there was a genuineness of relationships and one could only conclude that it was a supernatural weaving of hearts. Our senior pastor, Pastor Yang emphasized over and again that at the very heart of this network, it’s all about relationships. In other words, having ten thousand churches under Cornerstone would barely have meaning, unless each of these was built on authentic relationships between the pastors.

We saw that principle in action at one of the sessions, when in response to a burden Pastor Yang felt for the typhoon-hit people in Marikina, various pastors gathered around Pastor Kathy of the Philippines to stand with her in prayer and a love gift was also initiated as the pastors sowed into the rebuilding work.

Another highlight of the summit was hearing Pastor Yang share about the sixteen vision statements of our church, crafted carefully through the years by the leadership team. The leaders then made a fresh consecration to God, choosing to lay down their lives for God’s purpose in their nations.

Of course, what better way to conclude the summit than by celebrating with a Gala Night! Pastors came dressed in their elaborate national costumes, and it was such a sight. Our very own Pastor Lip came dressed in bermudas and slippers, stating that it was the national costume of Singapore (no one could argue with that). The whole room was filled with roars of laughter as the pastors danced, sang, and came up with spontaneous acts. The Gala Night, however, was not the end of the

night. After the celebration, a bus was waiting outside to take all forty of the attendees to the night market where we would end the night off with what some would call the forbidden fruit durians!

It was indeed a significant time together, and many pastors remarked that they were thankful for this short summit where they got to connect with like-minded pastors and hear heartening reports of how God has been working in the other nations. Pastor Yang envisions hundreds of pastors in the next retreat, believing in faith that God is in the business of expanding and enlarging our territory, and trusting that as we are faithful to the vision God has given to us, we will see Cornerstone growing as a church with an enlarged heart for the nations. / D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 19

INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY

CGN Summit 2014 com m ents f ro m o u r ne t wo r k pasto rs The workshop on finances has been helpful and has answered many of the questions that I had before I attended the summit. The sharing on the Cornerstone Values

by Pastor Yang is very needful as it will help to shape a young church like mine.

Henry Mukisa, Uganda, Africa I’m grateful for the CGN Summit. I have been blessed and strengthened. It has given me a better perspective for the work of the ministry that I have in Indonesia. I have also adopted the Cornerstone Values and shared with my leaders and currently working on strengthening the cell group & worship ministry. I am thankful to God for all that He has given to us and for Cornerstone Singapore for being an example to me and my church.

Soleman Samuel, Yogyakarta, Indonesia We have been deeply impacted by the CGN Summit. The fellowship, teaching & worship were so refreshing and have ministered deeply to our spirits. We felt a release of a new level of the power of the Holy Spirit into our lives. It has stirred something deep within us that is still burning and affecting every area of our ministry. We want to thank all those who have made it possible for us to attend this summit. Your giving will continue to impact the Akha in five nations for many years to come.

Nancy Kukaewkasem, Chiang Rai, Thailand 20 / C O R N E R S T O N E H E R A L D M A G A Z I N E

This summit has helped to sharpen my vision especially through Pastor Yang’s message on New Wineskin. It was a great time of fellowship with the CGN pastors, learning from their experiences and the challenges they face. The activities have been really helpful and I am putting what I have learnt into practice within the sphere of my ministries. I am indeed grateful to God and the leaders of Cornerstone Singapore for allowing me to be a part of this.

After a few years of holding the Network Pastors Summit in our own different nations, it was such a refreshing experience to have it back in Singapore and to meet pastors from all around the globe. I personally had a wonderful time just hearing various stories of how God is continually moving in the churches and greatly encouraged by the testimonies of my co-labourers in His kingdom about the Lord’s miracles that are happening on their side of the world.

Joseph Min, Yangon, Myanmar

Every year, I come with an expectant heart. I know for sure that I will be going back to our church recharged and my vision sharpened. This year was exceptional. I was more excited.

Deep in my heart, I knew that God had a very personal word of encouragement. And indeed He never fails!

During the summit, I was able to personally interact with a few pastors and get to know them better at a personal level. Through the fellowship, sharing of the Word and cross pollinating, I have come to know of a wider work the Lord is doing in the different parts of the world. It has broadened and enlarged my view and has increased and sharpened my understanding of the things in the spirit.

Philip Chia, Perth, Australia First and foremost, I would like to thank Pastor Yang and Pastor Daphne for having this summit. It was refreshing and it was definitely good to be connected to the other fellow ministers in the various nations. Since I came back, I am challenged to refocus and prepare the church to be the new wineskin that God has been speaking to me about.

Aloysius Ntege, Uganda, Africa

I was just so blown away when Pst. Yang enumerated the things we went through as a church in Marikina; and Pst. Daphne declaring that God said, “I remember!” Those were the words I longed to hear. I was undone! The Spirit surely knew how to touch my heart. I was so encour-

aged, it felt like I was plugged into a live wire and I was supercharged in the spirit. Fears just melted away.

Also, one of the highlights of the summit for me was the discussion of the different issues the churches face today and our stand on each one of them. It cleared grey areas for me and the first thing I did when I came back was to echo it to our leadership in Marikina.

It gave us a clear stand and clearer focus on priorities in the church activities as well.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you very much! We really feel we belong to a family who will not only cover us but also propel us into reaching God’s mountain.

through the ministry of CSCC and their workers across the globe and may the Glory of the Lord be lifted high. I do pray that CSCC will continue to be a life driving force and tool of the Lord in bringing revival to the world. I also earnestly pray that everyone who has attended the CGN Summit 2014, will faithfully put those life-driving lessons into daily practical life and be a blessing to the Lord and to the nations. Thank you so much.

Rhakho Suluveyi, Nagaland, India

Katherine Minoza-Cueson, Marikina, Philippines

The summit was enriching, envisioning, eye-opening, refreshing and encouraging time. I have been so blessed. I have learnt many things.

Those life-changing and life-impacting thoughts and lessons are God’s true wonderful portion to me and my ministry. I would honestly say that I received many confirmations from The Lord through the CGN Summit. Some of those are, the necessity for Cell Group ministry, leadership development especially Jethro’s principle of multiplication and the vision. I had seen something beyond my present situation and heard the voice of the Lord in a clearer way throughout the summit. Those five days of meetings had elapsed just like few hours in a single day. I am so blessed and have been enlightened.

I honestly praise God for the vision of CSCC for the ministry to the Globe with the Gospel. I trust that the Lord will continue to do even greater things / D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 21

FEATURE

Illu str at i o n by g u stav d o r é , | “Josh ua an d the co mmander o f the lo r d.”

CHAPTER FIVE

THE LIFE OF

JOSHUA

(Excerpt Taken from “LEADERSHIP Vol.3” by Dr. Brian Bailey)

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e come now to Joshua, the leader who succeeded Moses. He is different from those who will later succeed him (during the time of the judges), because he has walked with Moses and has been trained under him for many years.

/ D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 23

FEATURE

Th e li fe of j oshua Intimacy with the Founder

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his man Joshua, in some respects, represents the one who takes over after the founding father passes on.

He is obviously younger, but nonetheless he has gone through many of the trials that the founder experienced.

This was true of Joshua, who had been very close to Moses for 40 years’ When Joshua took over for Moses, he carried on the vision God had given to Moses, including the worship in the Tabernacle, the keeping of the law, and the maintenance of the social structure that had already been established because the pattern had already been provided and everything was in place.

Joshua, as well as being Moses’ servant (or assistant), was the captain of Israel’s military forces and had his own clearly defined ministry. That preparation through his military command was of vital importance, because later in life when he assumed the role of leader, he was ordained by God to fight battles.

What then was special about Joshua?

He was called upon to fight the battles of the nation even when they were in the wilderness. He led the battle against the Amalekites, while Moses prayed for Israel with uplifted hands. When Moses lifted his hands, Joshua prevailed; and when his hands, were lowered (because he became weary), the Amalekites prevailed (Ex. 17:9-11). Thus Moses (aided by Aaron and Hur, who supported his hands when he became tired) enabled Joshua to develop his God-given ministry as a warrior.

The Amalekites were descendants of Esau (Ex.17:8-16). Exodus 17:13 says that, “...

Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” Spiritually, the Amalekites represent the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21).

A leader must deal with the works of the flesh in his own life, and then protects his congregation from the enemy.

The duty of a minister is to deal first with the works of the flesh in his own life, and then to protect his congregation from the attacks of these pernicious foes. Again we

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must note that Joshua’s battle was fought and won under the direction of the senior leader, Moses.

Just as Elisha served the prophet Elijah, Joshua served (or ministered to) Moses as we see from Exodus 24:13: “And Moses rose up, and his minister Joshua: and Moses went up unto the mount of God.” One of the benefits of this relationship was that Joshua accompanied Moses when he went into the Tabernacle to seek the Lord.

Exodus 33:11 says, “And the Lord spoke unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.”

Joshua lingered in God’s presence, seeking to cultivate an intimate relationship with Him, as he observed that Moses had done.

As he waited before the Lord, God put “another spirit” in Joshua-the spirit of faith (Num. 14:6-9, 23-30). He also went part way up the mountain of God when Moses received the Ten Commandments.

When the Lord spoke to Moses in Numbers 13:1-3 to send twelve men to search out the land of Canaan, a ruler from every tribe, Moses sent Joshua (OShea) the son of Nun to represent the tribe of Ephraim.

Thus Joshua, who brought back a good report, was given a foretaste of what God had for him and for those whom he would later lead across the Jordan, 38 years later, after the unbelieving generation had died in the wilderness.

The intimacy developed between the founder and his successor is very important during the lifetime of the founder, as it will enable the successor to become strong when he becomes the sole leader. Sharing problems, visions, and matters concerning the day-to-day running of the church produces a steadfast successor.

Be Strong and of Good Courage

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nother point I would like to stress at this time is that one of the admonitions (in fact the prevailing one) to Joshua when he had been selected

by God to take over from Moses was: “Be

strong and of good courage.” You might say that this was a normal admonition, since he was the warrior leader; but I would like to show you a very important truth.

In Joshua chapter 1, we have God’s encouragement to Joshua: “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. ... There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them” Joshua 1:2, 5-6).

However, let us examine the word “courage”. Rather than an exhortation to be courageous in fighting the battles of the Lord, we see here an admonition to a leader to be courageous in obeying all of God’s laws. If we look carefully at Joshua 1:7, we see that the Lord said to Joshua, “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law; which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand of or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.”

Those of us in leadership can understand what is happening. Joshua’s main problem is going to be with the people of God, ensuring that they stay within the boundaries of the law of God. This is what leaders contend with continually. For example, when Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law, Aaron (who had been left in charge) gave in to the wicked demands of the people and made the golden calf (Ex. 32:1-4). There are “outside” enemies that we have to fight, but the greatest battles we have are with those in our own congregation, namely those who rise up and want to diminish the truths of God. A leader must have courage to fully obeyGod’s Word without compromise.

I have had the experience of being “number two” in leadership. While it works very well when your number one leader holds to the commandments of God, when your “number one” turns away, there is nothing you can do. He has the last word. The result is that you go away with a broken heart, saying, “Where shall we go? What shall we do?”

Joshua did not have that problem. Moses walked with the Lord, held to the original vision, and was faithful in all his

house (Num. 12:7). Sadly there are very few leaders who are faithful in all their house. Many compromise, coming short of fully obeying the Word of God. That is the meaning of sin: falling short of God’s standards (Rom. 3:23).

Again, there is God’s admonition: “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou sha!t have good success.

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Josh. 1:8-9).

As leaders, we must make certain that we are not overrun by members of the congregation who are not wholehearted. Many people will want to change the rules, and undermine the original vision and foundation that the founder has laid. I have seen it happen in many places-people rising up and saying, “You are too narrow.” Can we be too narrow? Jesus said, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth unto destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Mt. 7:1314). This is one of the problems that the new leader will be facing.

As we look into other parts of God’s Word, we find examples of this. Joash was the young king of Judah who was preserved when all his other brothers were slain. He then came under the tutelage of Jehoiada the high priest. We read in 2 Chronicles 24:2, “And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” When Jehoiada died and his influence was gone, the princes of Judah came and surrounded Joash, and persuaded him to walk in a different way, a way contrary to God’s law: “Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king.

Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath come upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass” (2 Chi. 24: 17-18).

We have the example of Rehoboam, another king of Judah. Although he had the counsel of the elderly to help him govern according to the Word of God, the young men of his generation persuaded him to do otherwise; and he lost the ten tribes of Israel because of it (1 Ki.12:6-16). You see, the influence of those in the camp are

of vital importance. A leader will have to stand against this ungodly influence when he is challenged.

Piety

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oshua was a man of piety. The root meaning of piety is “a consistent life devoted to religious observances”.

This was the way of life for Joshua, as it should be for any Christian minister.

In Exodus 33:11, we have seen that Moses and Joshua went into the Tabernacle, but when Moses came out to resume his duties, having met with the Lord and received His instructions, Joshua lingered in the presence of God. Joshua was also on the mount with Moses (Ex. 24:13) when the children of Israel were building their idolatrous calf (Ex. 32:15-18). He was consistently with Moses.

Joshua Succeeds Moses

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n Joshua chapter 1, we have the “number two man” stepping into the shoes of the “number one”. That number two man has been thoroughly trained by God. He has the vision written in his own heart; and he is going to hold to it steadfastly.

This is what I want to emphasize-the three leader model.

The first one is the founder who has the vision. The second one has walked with the founder and will faithfully implement the vision, plan, and pattern that the founder has laid down by the grace of God and revelation of the Holy Spirit. Prior to the coming of the third key leader, other leaders may come along who are different in the sense that they have not had the advantage of being with the founding leader; and they often compromise the standards and original vision, to the sorrow of the godly in the congregation, as we will see in the book of Judges.

We have already established that Joshua was a warrior and the captain of the host of Israel. Thus the Lord had prepared him for the battles that lay ahead in the Promised Land. We have also looked at Joshua’s piety, and the fact that he was with Moses consistently. There was obviously a deep bond between them (Num.11:24-29).

Now we will look at the prayer that Moses made to the Lord in asking for a successor: “Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation,

Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd” (Num. 27:16-17).

“Which may go out before them”: Here we have the picture of a shepherd who must be leading his flock onwards and ever to fresh pastures, because he cannot over-graze one particular patch of ground.

Otherwise there would be nothing to sustain the sheep. He has to go out and search for suitable ground.

“Which may go in before them”: Here he is leading the sheep back to the sheepfold.

Thus we have looked at the duties of a shepherd-to care for the sheep, to protect them from predators, and to bring them into safe “green pastures” where they can have rest and peace.

Then we have the response of the Lord to the prayer of Moses. That response was very clear indeed: “And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; And set him be, before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. And thou shaIt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient” (Num. 27:18-20). Moses obeyed the Lord, laying his hands upon Joshua.

This was followed by an admonition to Joshua that he was to stand before the high priest Eleazar: “And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation” (Num. 27:21).

Selecting the Successor

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e have seen that Moses sought the Lord in prayer before appointing Joshua to succeed him.

Often in a church, the founder or senior pastor may feel the need to raise up a successor; but how he does it is so important.

Abraham, for example, had been given promises concerning an inheritance, that his seed would inherit all nations. But the key question is: “Through whom is this promise going to be fulfilled?” Those who are founders must learn from Abraham. / D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 25

He was very conscious of the fact that he absolutely had to have an heir. Otherwise all the promises that God had made to him would not be fulfilled. Sarah suggested to him that they should produce an heir through Hagar; and as a result, Ishmael was born. This was a terrible mistake, because the promises were to be fulfilled through Isaac, not Ishmael.

One thing that has so gripped me when the Lord was speaking to me about this was that leaders must wait until God reveals who their Isaac is. Isaac was a miracle boy.

He was produced by God; and it was God who said that the heir was Isaac, and not Ishmael.

A founder or senior pastor may be tempted to rush things and say, “I will raise up ‘so and so’ as my successor.” But if one moves too quickly, there will be an Ishmael. An Ishmael is there forever; he does not disappear. Likewise, while we can ordain someone, it is virtually impossible to reverse the ordination if we find out that we have ordained the wrong person. Raising up an Ishmael has far-reaching consequences.

It is God who raises up the Isaac of His choice; and as founders, we have to wait until God raises him up. The very interesting thing is this-Isaac did not appear until very late in the life of Abraham. Therefore, we often have to wait patiently for a very long time before God brings forth His appointed Isaac, our “miracle successor” who will carry on the vision that He has given to us.

In appointing a successor, we have to patiently wait for God’s Isaac.

as the LORD commanded Moses.”

Then we read of a little epilogue about Moses in Deuteronomy 34:10-12, “And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.”

It is awesome that Moses knew the Lord face to face, as a friend speaks with his friend. We speak to our close friends in quite a different way from the way we speak to others. We pour out our hearts to them; thus there develops a beautiful friendship between us. That intimacy between Moses and God has continued into his position in heaven. On the Mount of Transfiguration, Moses (along with Elijah) was present with his Friend, the Lord Jesus, talking with Him about His death that He would accomplish at Jerusalem (Lk. 9:28-31).

In a certain sense, I have seen that really no one can replace the founder. They can seek, however, to emulate him. Moses was unique; and often, that is the case with founders of organizations and fellowships-they are unique.

Crossing the Red Sea Compared with Crossing the Jordan

We have to be very careful, because God has birthed within us an eternal promise and vision. It is God who has supernaturally given us that vision; therefore, only God can transfer that vision to our Isaac; and only He can bring forth that Isaac. This is one of the things that we have to learn.

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Moses’ Last Sermon

In Joshua chapter 1, Joshua has been established as the new leader in the sight of all Israel. Moses had laid his hands upon him and had given him a charge; and the Lord has filled Joshua with wisdom.

Moses is now dead, and God is speaking to Joshua.

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hen we come to the last sermon of Moses, which is found in Deuteronomy chapters 29 to 33. Moses is again making sure that the vision and foundation are clearly established in the hearts of the new generation. At the end of his ministry, he gives particular prophecies to the various tribes. Then Deuteronomy 34:9, says: “And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him; and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did

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n the following pages, I have pulled small sections from previous books I have written, such as The Journey of Israel and Know your Bible. For a more comprehensive understanding of these subjects, the reader is advised to consult these books.

The first thing Joshua has to do is to take the children of Israel across the Jordan (Josh. 1:2). In a certain sense, he has to replicate the crossing of the Red Sea. In both miracles the Lord opened up a body of water so that His people could cross over on dry land. The new generation un-

der Joshua had to cross the Jordan, just as the previous generation under Moses had to cross the Red Sea. Let us therefore look at these two experiences and the spiritual meaning of each.

Both of these experiences speak spiritually of dying to self. Crossing the Red Sea (symbolic of water baptism) represents being buried with Christ, and rising in newness of life. It identifies us with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. Paul develops this theme in Romans 6:3-5, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father even so we also should walk in newness of life.

For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”

but it did not remove the love for Egypt from their hearts. Throughout the wilderness journey, they wanted to return to Egypt whenever something went wrong (Ex. 14:11-12; 16:3; 17:3, Num. 11:510; 14:4). They were out of Egypt, but Egypt was not out of them. Even so, water baptism separates us from the world, but it does not completely purify our hearts from the love of this world. So what did crossing the Red Sea accomplish for the children of Israel?

1. The Red Sea separated God’s people from Egypt, known as the house of bondage.

2. It broke many ties of the past.

Pharaoh’s power over them was broken.

Colossians 2:12 reaffirms that water baptism represents resurrection life: “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation on God, who hath raised him from the dead.” When we are baptized in water, we should begin to walk in newness of life.

3. It destroyed the enemies who tried to pull them back into Egypt.

After being saved by the blood of the Lamb and beginning to partake of the Word of God (the unleavened bread), the next major step in the Christian life is to be water baptized. Water baptism is an act of righteousness (Mt. 3:15). Paul continues to develop this in 1 Corinthians 10:1-2: “Moreover brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.”

5. It brought death to the old life, and enabled them to live a new life for God.

Egypt represents bondage, as Moses said in Exodus 13:3, “Remember this day, in which ye came out from Egypt out of the house of bondage.” Water baptism can deliver us from many bondages of our old life. It does not break them all, but it does break some.

Another important aspect of the crossing of the Red Sea was that the Israelites began to believe in the Lord and in their leader, Moses. It caused faith to arise. We read in Exodus 14:31, “And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: And the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and believed His servant Moses.” Thus, it was important for the new generation of Israelites to see the parting of the waters, to increase their confidence in the Lord and in their new leader Joshua.

The crossing of the Red Sea accomplished many things in the lives of the Israelites,

4. It promoted faith in the Lord and in the leadership.

(Taken from Journey of Israel by Dr. Brian.

Bailey, Chapter 5).

The Spiritual Meaning of Crossing the Jordon

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aving looked into the significance of crossing the Red Sea (water baptism), let us now look at what it meant to Israel (and what it means to the Church) to cross the Jordan. Joshua took the children of Israel across the Jordan River near a town by the name of Adam (Josh.

3:16-17). “Adam” speaks of the old nature; and the old nature is now going to be dealt with. The crossing of the Jordan is analogous to being crucified with Christ.

In Galatians 2:20, Paul spoke of this experience: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” When we have been crucified with Christ, we no longer serve sin, because we are dead to sin.

Testifying personally on this matter, many years ago, God was putting His finger on

a number of issues in my life. He was asking me if I were willing to give up certain things to Him. Some of those things were easy to release to Him, but others were very difficult. The Spirit of God kept sweeping over me for several days on the question of being dead to sin.

Then one morning while I was in my office, I had a vision of Christ upon the cross with His back toward me. The Spirit of God lifted me up to hang on the cross with Christ. In the vision, I was literally in Christ on that cross. I looked down and saw all the people railing at Jesus, but He did not respond because He was on the cross. I also saw the veil that was rent in the temple when Jesus died. When Jesus died nearly 2,000 years ago, He not only bore my sins, but He also dealt with my old nature. Oh, what strength and victory filled my soul! There was a peace that was indescribable.

By no means am I implying that you must have a vision or experience like mine. God could give you different scriptures and different circumstances. The important matter is that you experience the reality of Romans 6:6, and have a revelation that your sinful nature has been crucified.

Thus, the crossing of the Jordan represents being “dead to sin” as described in Romans 6:6 - “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” On the cross, Christ not only purchased our redemption, He also made provision to deal with our sin nature so that it would not continue to have dominion over us. Our nature of sin can be rendered inoperative.

This is a very important spiritual experience, because salvation, water baptism, and even the baptism of the Holy Spirit, do not deal with all of the sins and bondages in our lives. The “knowing” of Romans 6:6 is the first step to putting our old man on the cross. This “knowing” is an experience that God leads us into as we walk faithfully with God. The second step in the walk of holiness is “reckoning” that we are dead to sin. Paul said in Romans 6:1 I, “Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” The Greek word translated, “reckon” is logizomai, which essentially means “to count something done”.

When we have had the experience of “knowing,” then we must count it done.

We have to remind ourselves that we have been freed from sin, and that we do not

have to give in to the desires of our carnal nature. The question has been asked, “After you have had your Jordan experience, can you lose it?” The answer is, “Yes.” When the children of Israel crossed the Jordan River, they took twelve stones out of the river and set them up on the west bank of the river as a memorial. When another generation would see these stones in the future, and ask, “What do these mean?” then the Israelites could explain: “ . . . That the waters of Jordan were cut off before the Ark of the covenant of the LORD; when it passed over Jordan, the waters of Jordon were cut off: and these stones shall be or a memorial unto the children of Israel forever” (Joshua 4:7).

In much the same way, after we have a revelation that we are dead to sin, we have to daily remind ourselves that we are dead to sin. The experience of Romans 6:6 of knowing that we are dead to sin puts our old nature on the cross. But “reckoning” that we are dead to sin keeps it there (Rom. 6: 11). Also, if we feed and exercise our new nature in Christ (“Christ in me, the hope of glory”) then it will develop and grow stronger, making us “strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.”

However, if we nourish and exercise the old nature (instead of keeping the old man on the cross), then it will grow strong.

Which nature will we nourish?

The crossing of Jordan was a major turning point in Israel’s journey. It was a new day for them in almost every respect. The old generation and leader had died, and a new generation and leader had arisen.

The wilderness tests were over, and the Promised Land awaited them. They were about to take a major leap forward into the promises of God as their feet crossed over Jordan.

After they crossed Jordan, their attitude was completely changed. They no longer wanted to return to Egypt. Something had happened in their heart and in their nature.

Even their diet changed after crossing Jordan. The manna ceased and they began to partake of the fruit of the land (Josh.

5:12). There was new excitement and expectation. New strength and courage invigorated them to defeat their enemies.

In addition to all this, crossing Jordan was a major step toward their ultimate destination, Mount Zion.

(Taken from Journey of Israel, Chapter 11).

TO BE CONTINUED... / D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 27

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FESTIVAL OF PRAISE 2014 The sense of unity and brotherly love really shone through at this year’s Festival of Praise as the various churches across Singapore came together to worship our God as one Body of Christ.

BY GAYLE QUAH

“Hey, we need about 200 people for the FOP combined choir. You keen?”

I

remember our choir director asking me this question some months before FOP 2014 took place on 1 and 2 August at the Max Pavilion, Singapore Expo. I had known then that Cornerstone would be the main organiser this year, but the magnitude of the event and how we would be involved as a church and as a united body of Christ with other churches hadn’t quite clicked in my brain till the question came up. The realisation was a journey in itself that unfolded even before the event took place.

The FOP has been around for more than 26 years. From the beginning, it has always been a joint celebration of believers from across all denominations and churches in Singapore coming together in worship and prayer unto the Lord as one. This year however, was of bigger significance. The theme was “Onward to Jubilee”, as it was to coincide with Singapore’s 50th birthday next year. Biblically, the book of Leviticus talks about a Jubilee year that would occur every fiftieth year in Israel, in which slaves and prisoners would be freed, debts forgiven and the mercies of God made manifest.

Peter Hui, the graphic designer who worked on the logo, brought a deeper understanding of what the logo actually symbolised. He shared that he wanted to convey how Jubilee is represented in Singapore.

“I used flowers to represent Singapore as she is known as a “Garden City”. The steps and layers represent that movement upwards towards jubilee and the paint splattered in the background conveys a sense of freedom, joy and celebration,” said Peter.

And what a sense of freedom, joy and celebration it was leading up to the actual event. Being part of the almost-200 strong choir, it was encouraging to see how singers from different denominations and churches put in much time and effort in remembering the song lyrics and the various harmonies. Most of them could only make it for two or three rehearsals, and they had to refine their harmonies in their own time, but yet it was one unified voice that resounded in the halls of the Max Pavilion.

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The worship leader and overall person-in-charge for the praise and worship this year was Pastor Andrew Yeo. When Pastor Andrew was 17, God gave him a dream that one day, he would have the privilege of leading a worship team made up of churches from different denominations in Singapore.

He said with much gratitude to the team on his Facebook wall: “Thanks everyone for your friendship and your service unto Jesus. I thank God for every single one of you! This is the kingdom of God!” Of course, the highlight of every FOP is worshipping together with international worship leaders and this year was no different. Tim Hughes, from London headlined the event.

It also featured Worship Central Australia’s Nikki Fletcher.

Both brought their unique styles of worship and led the people on both evenings with such anointing unto the Lord.

The other highlight of the event was in the sermon messages from Pastor Wayne Cordeiro, founding pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii. Charismatic and affable, Pastor Wayne delivered his messages peppered with vivid illustrations and hilarious, personal stories. What particularly stood out was his message on the second night where he mentioned that we are all full-time ministers unto the Lord, that we are to “let our light shine, so that others may see our good deeds and glorify our Father in Heaven” and also dedicate our God-given gifts unto the Lord, steward our gifts well and use them for His glory. Pastor Wayne also requested for the senior pastors first to shine their lights from their smartphones and thereafter the rest of the congregation to do so. It was such a clear and vivid representation of being light in the darkness – what a beautiful sight to behold!

FOP 2014 may have ended, but it gave us a glimpse of how the church should be in the last days, despite denominational differences and viewpoints. This is how it would please the Lord as we stand together as one.

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simple and light-hearted, yet a powerful demonstration of God’s loving-kindness in his life. In his sharing, God is a God who is no respecter of persons, extravagant in His love towards His creation and the One who is longing to lavish salvation on those who would seek Him. The entire hall had their ears glued to the speaker and by the end of his sharing, most were in tears or applauding for the great transformation God has done in Pastor Andrew’s life. Indeed, many seeds of faith were sown in the hearts of the people as the Gospel was preached. The table hosts also took the opportunity to pray for their guests at the end of the event.

co mm unity buzz

Everyone who attended the Banquet was immensely blessed by the activities and attractive prizes prepared for them. However the greatest part of all was to see the kingdom of Heaven represented on earth through the staff and volunteers. Everyone came together to contribute their part, piecing together a beautiful portrait of God’s family here on earth. The love and generosity of God was extended through the hands of His people so that Jesus was made manifest in the community. “I love the idea of inviting to the banquet those who cannot repay back, just as Jesus taught,” said one of the volunteers. It was truly the Great Feast mentioned in Luke 14 actualized that day and we had the privilege to partner the Bread of Life, the Lord Jesus Christ, in spreading His kingdom of Love to the community.

The Banquet BY huang xinyi

A

fter months of preparation, the much awaited event ‘The Banquet’ organized

by Cornerstone Community Services (CCS) happened on 16 August 2014. This feast was prepared with the intent of blessing the community. There were approximately 100 volunteers and 300 guests who participated in this event held at the Bliss Garden Restaurant, Singapore Expo. By 9am, the restaurant was bustling with a sea of staff and volunteers decked in red and white busy preparing and rehearsing for the event. Excitement filled the air as the team got ready to receive the guests.

Not long after, the guests, accompanied by their hosts, arrived at the restaurant all dressed up for the event. We

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had elderly folks from the Old Airport Road Outreach, parents and students who were recipients of CCS’s bursary awards, people of all races and from all walks of life gathered that afternoon to celebrate the goodness of God. For some, it was their first time attending such an event and for others, it was a fulfilling time of fostering new friendships.

Without any delay, the Banquet began promptly at noon with two witty emcees opening the event and a short exhortation by our Senior Pastor, Pastor Yang Tuck Yoong. There were performances put up by the youths and children followed by table games and a blessing draw. The highlight of the event was the impactful personal testimony delivered by Pastor Andrew Yeo. His sharing was / D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 33

W

hat is the measure of a woman? Apart from biological features that engenders one as female, there is a tendency in our society to easily paste defining labels onto women—be it mother, wife, career-woman, filial daughter… the list goes on. As a young woman growing into my identity, sometimes I face the same struggle in finding myself amidst the expectations placed on me. Who am I? And what do I want? Interestingly, I realised I was not alone in this search.

faithful chronicle S

For the third year running, Cornerstone held its Ladies’ Conference in Malaysia.

Albeit only a causeway across, the 140 ladies enjoyed the serenity away from the

hustle and bustle of life in Singapore. This year, we were privileged to have Annabelle Wallnau as our guest speaker, the Co-Founder and Media Director of Lance Learning, an internationally-recognised, award-winning company best known for its global pioneering work in the 7 Mountains (7M) Strategy. Along with her lovable team members, Delinda and Wanda, and our own Pastor Daphne Yang, the participants were treated to a power-packed conference led by powerfully-anointed women.

True to this year’s theme of “Passion and Destiny”, the conference achieved its aim of helping participants realise or rekindle their passions, and set them on the right track towards their destinies.

Unlike the usual schedule of sermons and sessions, the Ladies’ Conference took on a more unconventional route that included practical exercises involving much of our hands. On the first night, Annabelle got the

ladies to form two circles facing each other.

The aim was to pair up with a stranger, and begin praying and prophesying for her.

With no formal guidance or step-by-step instructions, the ladies were thrown into the deep end. In fact, for many participants that was their first time prophesying over someone, let alone a complete stranger.

However, the ladies boldly took on the challenge, relishing in total dependence upon God to give them the words to pray.

It was encouraging to see so many ladies actively laying hands, praying and comforting one another. Many shed tears and hugs were given all around — friendships were forged among sisters. This created an atmosphere of unity and love that set the tone for the remaining two days to take place in total comfort and ease.

what

women want BY grace hong

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faithful chronicle S

The next hands-on activity was Journal Scrapbooking. Annabelle shared her own journal with us, in which she had cut and pasted pictures and words from magazines that spoke to her. Although it seemed like a fun recreational activity to me, it held more depth than that. In the creation of my collages I thought I was haphazardly cutting and pasting away, but in my reflections I realised the deep messages God was giving me. A number of ladies shared their journals with us, and they too went through similar experiences as I did. God was rekindling passions we had pushed away or forgotten, and reminding us of our destinies He had written by hand. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for all, and each of us went back to our rooms that night with more knowledge about who we are, and with a renewed vision of what we are called to do.

Of course, this being a Ladies’ Conference, time was specifically allocated for our favourite activities — free time for relaxation and a Gala Night to top it all. Doing what we do best, we shopped, talked and conquered. In addition, limited dining tables meant that we had to sit with others outside of our social circle, an unintentional move by the organisers that helped me gain a new handful of friends.

This year’s edition of the Ladies’ Conference was nothing short of amazing. Within so few days, so much was achieved. I went home not only with a clearer sense of my identity, but in the solace and knowledge that I was not alone in my struggles. There are many passionate ladies on the same path as I am, newfound sisters encouraging and walking alongside with me towards my destiny.

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Authentic Leadership Conference 2014

BY SNG PEH Han

W

e look to men and women who choose to live lives of utmost integrity, allowing themselves to be seen, standing courageously for truth and yet at the same time loving unreservedly. We call these people leaders, pathfinders who will provide the world with vision, direction and strength as we navigate through tumultuous times. It is with this in mind that we held the Authentic Leadership Conference from 24 to 26 September this year at The Cornerstone.

We had two of America’s finest leaders, Pastor Mike Hayes and Dr Michael L. Brown, speak to us. About 500 pastors, leaders and aspiring leaders from different

The world is looking for

churches and nations attended the day sessions and in the evening sessions we saw a packed out auditorium that was opened to the public.

Pastor Mike Hayes from Covenant Church in Dallas, Texas, kicked off the event by speaking to us on vision. “Without vision, people cast off restraint”. Pastor Mike exhorted us to stay true to the vision that God has given to us and be wary of the “vision drift” that is common to pastors and leaders. Doing a re-vision will lead us back to the vision that God has for us and provision will be unlocked that will bring us to the place we envisioned. Pastor Mike also spoke on the importance of tithing – that God uses our possessions as a thermometer to gauge the heat of our commitment. In the fascinating exposition on the altars of Abraham, we are told that Abraham pitched his tent with Bethel in front of him and Ai behind him.

authenticity!

If we build our family towards the house of God, they will be blessed. Pastor Mike Hayes truly spoke as a pastor of pastors.

The depth of wisdom and revelation that flowed from his messages will no doubt empower us to live strong and build strong churches.

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Dr. Michael L. Brown

God indeed provided us with the finest of wheat. Our second speaker of the conference was Dr Michael L. Brown, a leading voice in America for the truth of God’s word and a leader of the Brownsville Revival in Pensacola in 1996. Dr Brown brought such a release of the Spirit of Revival as he challenged us to cry out to God for an outpouring of His Spirit.

Hearts were broken and tears flowed freely as we stormed the windows of heaven on our knees, petitioning God to send revival to our generation. Dr Brown also taught on true biblical grace and how we are to respond to the hyper-grace message. In his

concluding session, Dr Brown delivered a clarion call for the Church to stand boldly for the truth of God’s word concerning family and marriage. We prayed that God will give us backbones of steel and hearts of compassion.

I’ve learnt that everything rises and falls on leadership. As a leader, I am challenged to love the lost wholeheartedly and be an uncompromising voice for truth. We are building the church not just for ourselves but for the generations to come. May we be authentic leaders who have strength of character and are secure in who God has called us to be. Pastor Mike Hayes put it so aptly, what we do to arrange our situation according to our revelation will pave the way to our destination. As the Church moves into her finest hour, may we have clarity of vision and fortitude to align our lives with the purposes of God.

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Authentic Leadership Conference 2014

“I’ve learnt that everything rises and falls on leadership. As a leader, I am challenged to love the lost wholeheartedly and be an uncompromising voice for truth.�

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g enerations

Tung Ling Bibl e S c h o o l E x p e r i e nce ( Scho o l o f M i n i stry)

BY Sitt Wei Kian

“The Potter’s Hand: Inward Transformation, Outward Overflow”- the theme for the class’ Polished Shaft magazine - aptly describes my personal experience in Tung Ling Bible School (TLBS) during the 2014 School Of Ministry (SOM) Term One. Every single day, I felt myself being delicately and carefully moulded by God’s hand. From the daily devotions and worship sessions, to the lessons conducted by the various lecturers, I could feel God doing a deep work on issues within me that I previously had not had the courage to face.

The modules covered the fundamentals on Christian life, such as “Prayer and Fasting” and “Praise and Worship”, to more thought-provoking topics such as “Jewish Roots” and Apologetics”. The lecturers came from various reputable churches and were well-qualified to teach on their respective topics; most, if not all the lecturers had so much more on their heart to teach or share than two to three days could provide time for.

One of the turning points in my journey in TLBS was during the module “Calling and Destiny” by Pastor Benny 42 / C O R N E R S T O N E H E R A L D M A G A Z I N E

Ho. We were told to make a list of the significant events that had shaped our lives on a piece of A3 paper, both before and after we were saved. I did as instructed and lo and behold, I had an “A-ha!” moment. My eyes were opened to see God’s delicate touch on my life, slowly yet purposefully shaping me to where I am today. Suddenly, random but significant events in my life made so much more sense. During the session, we were also made to craft our very own personal vision statement which I still am living by daily!

Contrary to popular belief, enrolling in SOM was not all about lessons, lectures and studying; it is also about the community, the people and the fellowship. During the week, we would have various after-school activities including cell group time, cell outings, class barbecues and such. It was really as fun as it seemed! Everyone had a cell group with members of similar ages during the three-month course, and it was in the cell that I met some really godly friends whom I intend to stay connected to for the rest of my life! On the other hand, it was fascinating to see people

of all ages, from teenagers to grandfathers, gathering daily and hungering for His Word.

Coming to TLBS and interacting with my classmates has really opened my eyes to the different cultures of Singapore’s Churches, and their unique DNA. It intrigues and amazes me how believers from different churches can come together every day to worship and study His Word! It is truly unity through Him despite our diversity!

Some of my classmates’ testimonies are real-life, 21st century examples of God’s grace upon their lives and hearing them really challenged my paradigm as to what God can do with my life!

Just as I was spiritually-challenged last year to enrol for TLBS when I was handed a copy of the polished shaft, I would strongly encourage you now, brothers and sisters in Christ, to take a 3-month break from your schedule to experience for yourself what many others have at TLBS. He has done a great transformational work in me during the three months and still continues to do so; I believe He will do so for you too! So, what are you waiting for? Sign up for TLBS today! / D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 43

ebrated. Both parts of the equation are equally necessary – speaking the truth, and doing it in love.

true christianity

SPEAK THE

We could illustrate this need with the example of a dentist treating a decaying, dead tooth.

BY Ps cameron walcott

Truth is like the instrument that extracts the dead tooth, but love is like the anaesthesia that makes it possible to bear with the process. One without the other will not work! If a dentist went around pulling out teeth without anaesthesia, he would not have patients for very long!

But if he just used anaesthesia without getting to the root of the problem, he ultimately wouldn’t be helping anyone.

Speaking the truth in love requires a complete commitment to the Gospel and a willingness to bend outside of our comfort zone to proclaim truth and love.

How can we do it? We will consider 6 ways: #1 We speak the truth in love by proclaiming the clear implications of the Gospel.

God calls everyone to live a holy life.

His grace is available to all, but its purpose is for transformation, not coddling people in their sin. Thus, we need to make it very clear that sin is a real problem that will lead people to hell, while also pointing them to the life and hope there is in turning to Christ.

H

ave you ever had something stuck on your face that was painfully obvious to others but couldn’t be seen by you? Or maybe you had a stain on your clothes that could be seen by everyone else except you. This can be horribly embarrassing, especially if you are giving a presentation or sitting in an important meeting at the time. When this happens, don’t you always wish that someone had told you as soon as they were aware of it? It may be uncomfortable for the person to tell you the truth, but the sooner you get the truth, the better it is!

In these moments, we need a friend to lovingly tell us the truth – not just to tell us what we want to hear but what we need to hear. This is true in the spiritual as well as the natural.. There are times that the most loving thing we can do for someone is

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to warn them that they are walking in the wrong way. Love does not always speak softly and comfortably, and it doesn’t affirm people going in a wrong direction; rather, love gently warns people when they are moving in the wrong direction, because love always has someone’s ultimate best interests in mind.

The Apostle Paul spoke of this principle when he told the Ephesian believers to “speak the truth in love (Ephesian 4:15).”

Paul mentioned this while in the middle of a teaching on Christian maturity, so we see that speaking the truth in love is an essential part of Christian maturity. This ability to speak the truth in love is sorely needed in our world today. We live in an age when iniquity is abounding, and sins that just a generation ago would have been considered shameful are now openly cel-

How did the Apostle Peter speak the truth in love to the Jews on the Day of Pentecost? He started by telling them that they were guilty of taking Jesus with “lawless hands” and had crucified the Son of God (Acts 2:23-24). This was not seeker-sensitive, culturally tolerant preaching – he was telling his audience that they were murderers, and murderers of the Son of God! Yet he didn’t stop at this point – he continued his message and told the Jews to repent and they would receive “the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children…(Acts 2:38-39).” There is always hope and redemption available to those who turn to Christ and repent.

Peter’s message would not have been considered “nice” by our modern ears, but it was exactly what these people needed to hear, as 3000 of them were saved in one day. The Gospel clearly

calls for the transformation of those who are in lifestyles of sin (whatever that sin may be), and if we don’t make that clear we are not giving a full picture of what Jesus died to accomplish. #2 We speak the truth in love by not labeling clearly sinful, destructive behavior as a minor issue.

We should never label sin as a minor thing, or something we should overlook for the sake of love. Love demands that we confront sin, not ignore it, for eternity is at stake. The plain truth is that those who habitually commit certain sins will not go to heaven – one such passage where these things are listed for us is in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10. This Scripture clearly states that if you commit idolatry, fornication, adultery, homosexuality, robbery, coveting, drunkenness, or extortion you cannot go to heaven. Of course, this doesn’t mean that these sins automatically disqualify us if they are in our past, but it does mean that if these sins have been in our lives, we do need to repent. And if you are habitually committing these things, you are clearly not repentant of them and thus are not born-again.

Therfore, the least loving thing we can do is to tell people that these sins don’t matter. I have two young sons whom I love very much, but when I see they are doing a dangerous activity I tell them directly. Whatever I need to do to get their attention, I will do! It wouldn’t be love if I let them play in the street or walk on a ledge without speaking up, and neither is it love to ignore destructive sins in the name of “love.” #3 We speak the truth in love by having courage to go against cultural mores and be unpopular for the sake of truth.

Speaking the truth in love will often leave you unpopular, hated by society for the sake of the Gospel. Throughout history, speaking for righteousness has never been popular because of man’s inherent rebellion against God, but today the climate has grown even worse.

Wickedness is not only practiced in secret (as it always has been) but is celebrated openly. Jesus Himself told His followers that they would be “hated by

all for My name’s sake (Mark 13:13).”

We should not try to make enemies, but even if we speak with grace and love, many people will hate us simply for our righteous stand. The only way to appease those who love sin is to endorse their ungodly practices, and we must never do that. We can’t change our standards to make people like us more – neither should we go out of our way to make people hate us. We should always speak to others with respect and kindness, but yet never compromise our message.

In our current culture, the number one virtue that is celebrated is tolerance.

Thus if your behaviour doesn’t seem tolerant to those who want to celebrate sin, you will be condemned as a bigot. People often say things like, “Jesus wouldn’t call people to change, He is a God of love and accepts everyone as they are!” It is absolutely true that Jesus is a God of love, but people who make this statement are making Jesus fit into their box of what love must be. This is backwards – we don’t find out the character and actions of God by comparing Him to our definition of love.

Rather, we should find our definition of love by looking into the Bible and seeing the character of God! And while Jesus is a God of love who accepts sinners, He also consistently commands them to change and be transformed. #4 We speak the truth in love by mourning over sin and not celebrating a victorious, prideful debate.

What is more important to you? Winning a debate or seeing someone converted? We speak the truth in love by being more concerned about the other person’s well-being than whether or not we won the intellectual “war.” Sometimes we are so interested in winning our argumenta against a sinful lifestyle that we stop caring about the souls of those we are confronting. And we can argue in such a way that leads the sinner to hatred and pushes them away instead of pulling them towards the truth.

We need to ask ourselves – how does God feel about sinners? In the middle of pronouncing judgment, we often see that God’s heart was wailing and mourning for the sinners (Jeremiah 48:36, Hosea 11:8). When God judges the wicked, He / D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 45

true christianity

doesn’t take delight in their destruction but mourns over their rebellion. When we confront people over sin, we should do it with a broken, grieving heart, crying out for their repentance and salvation.

Always remember – the people you are speaking to are not your enemy, rather they are being deceived by your true enemy. This applies not only to the weak and those who are struggling and being deceived by sin, but even to those who are activists for sin. Jesus died for the activist just as much as He died for the struggling, and just as much as He died for those of us in the Church.

Ultimately our enemy is not people, but the principalities and powers working through those people.

I would much rather lose an argument and witness to the love of Christ and His transforming power than win an argument but push someone further away from Jesus! #5 We speak the truth in love by not denying the reality of sin or trivializing its power and seduction.

When believers make jokes about sin and act like it’s easy and obvious to avoid certain practices, we hurt those we should be helping. A person caught up in a sinful lifestyle shouldn’t feel hated and mocked by the people of God but rather loved in a way that calls him to faith and repentance.

“God calls everyone to live a holy life. His grace is available to all, but its purpose is for transformation, not coddling people in their sin. “ make jokes about certain types of sin.

But imagine if someone who is struggling with sin hears our comments or jokes. Will he think, “These people love me and want to help me?” Or will he think “These people think I’m a freak?”

We should be careful that we don’t work against our own efforts to see people converted. Sin and its seduction is real, and many people are struggling with it and really feel that they cannot change or get free. Rather than mocking these people, let’s have grace-filled speech that points them to the hope that is in Christ. #6 We speak the truth in love by demonstrating with our actions that we really believe our words.

If we say that we love sinners, do our actions really back this up? We’re not speaking the truth in love if we say one thing and do another. We should help people in need, regardless of their religion or whatever sin they may be committing. As believers, we shouldn’t worry about what led the person to need our help – we should simply be willing to model the love of Christ to those in need.

When the Apostle Paul was in Athens on Mars Hill, he saw an altar made to the Unknown God. Instead of merely mocking their idolatry, Paul used this altar as an avenue to begin preaching Christ, even quoting one of the poems of the Greek philosophers (Acts 17:22-31).

He didn’t mock their idolatry and other sinful practices, but instead appealed to their intellect and used their very traditions as an avenue to begin preaching the Gospel.

The Early Church modelled this principle of action demonstrating our words.

For the first 300 years of her existence, the Church was outlawed, as the Roman Empire tried to strictly control the state.

The Roman leaders were pagans, and sin abounded throughout the empire – idolatry, fornication, and homosexuality was common, especially for those in power.

Christians were actively persecuted, often being sent to the lions or killed in increasingly barbaric ways. How did the Church respond?

Believers sometimes trivialize the power of sin and make comments about how foolish the sinners are. We can even

There were two great plagues that hit Rome during these years. The first was in 165 AD under the reign of Marcus

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Aurelius. Almost a third of the Empire’s population died in a 15 year period. Another plague hit the city of Alexandria in the year 251 AD, where two-thirds of the city’s population was wiped out in short order. When these plagues hit, healthy people ran from the sick and dying, even their own family members, terrified of the disease’s power. Everyone ran, that is, except for the members of the Church. During the plagues, the Church became like “an army of nurses”, staying behind to tend the needs of the sick. Christians would take care of men and women who were persecuting them, men and women who were previously engaged in the most heinous of sins. These believers were not afraid of the plague or death, for their love for others compelled them to action, even when these others had mistreated them.

The effect on the Church was tremendous – multitudes of people came to salvation and the Church grew rapidly during those years. The Church was illegal then but still it grew! Within 100 years from the second plague, Christianity would go from being outlawed to being the official religion of the Roman Empire. The key factor was a group of believers who showed with their actions that they really believed their words – that they loved their neighbors and kept Christ as their supreme treasure.

A nno u n c i ng for the

c ornerstone

dates

0 9 -1 2 June 2 01 5 venue

KS L H ote l , J ohor B a hru

Mark the dates on your Calendar! june

09-12

guest spe a kers :

l e e g ra dy Roy&daphne go dwin

Likewise today, we speak the truth in love by showing that our beliefs are not just words but actions! Let us spread the love of Christ to every level of society, reaching out to the proud and the humble, the educated and the illiterate, the hardened sinners and the simple children, our own nation and nations beyond.

We must never abandon God’s truth, but communicate it in a way that is filled with the love of God! When we do this, the world will be changed, and multitudes of people who are in the chains of sin will come to the glorious light of Christ. As the world grows darker, the light of God can shine ever brighter on and through His Church as we continue to speak the truth in love. / D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 47

g enerations

BY hui Kian

T

he evangelistic service, conceived by our Youth Pastor, Pastor Paul and the events team, was indeed one of the finest events Generations had in 2014.It witnessed many souls enter into the Kingdom of God. Drawing on the wave of K-pop and its ubiquitous reach in the lives of many young people today, my team and I decided to leverage on what we believed would draw in the masses. Many of the younger generation today are feeling the Seoul fever and are attracted by Korean Culture, its music and its television programmes. Apostle Paul rightly says,”… and to the Jews I became a Jew that I might win the Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law that I might win those who are under the law.” (1Corinthians 9:20) We were thus aware of the need to stay relevant to these young people so that we might bring them into the Kingdom without compromising on our standards.

The days leading up to the event were filled with excitement but also uncertainty. It was a battle against time to come up with an excellent proposal.

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There were many doubts about the turnout because the event clashed with many of the secondary school examinations. Yet through it all there was a sense of God’s hand over the event.

With inspiration and creativity from above, and many long hours in discussion, the team and I finally managed to come up with a suitable programme and the idea to give free Four Fingers Chicken to all the new friends and the Gen-ers who brought friends as well.

We prayed through the whole event and were eventually brought to a place where we laid our doubts, fears, weakness and inabilities before God and just trusted Him to move as He willed. We asked that God would impregnate us with faith to believe in Him who can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think. In the words of our Senior Pastor, Pastor Yang, if you can see the invisible you can have the impossible. We had asked God to let us see the invisible – the souls that would enter into the Kingdom.

The actual event day was nothing short of amazing. Our first pleasant surprise came from the actual turnout in the

attendance of Gen-ers and new friends who streamed in. Despite it being the exam week, we saw a sizable number of about 100 new friends come in, and that was just the appetizer to what God was about to do. When the emcees made their entrance, they delivered a dance that broke the crowd into roars of laughter. The crowd was further engaged when we selected volunteers from the audience to participate in a series of running man activities. It was a time of fun and games before the time was finally handed over to one of our favorite speakers – Pastor Chris Long.

Pastor Chris was no stranger to many.

He had an uncanny ability to connect to the youths and speak right into their hearts. There were compelling moments in his sermon that would grip our hearts, and also streaks of deadpan humor that caused the audience to erupt with laughter. The most important thing however, was that the people responded to God. At the end of service, an altar call was given and we saw 15 responses. Surely, the whole of heaven was rejoicing with us!

As the event came to a close, all the new friends received free food, which I am convinced they thoroughly enjoyed.

The event marked a significant milestone on our calendar and we believe that seeds were sown in the lives of many. As Generations progresses forward as a ministry, we stand so mindful that God has been our Ebenezer, He has been our help thus far and He will be the One who will bring us into greater heights as a ministry. Kadimah! / D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 49

g enerations

“What I’ve learnt through this outreach is that I have to step out of my own comfort zone to go all out to reach the people.”

T

he Ngee Ann Secondary School (NASS) outreach started after four Ngee Ann girls received Christ into their hearts during our ‘Random Sunday’ event in 2013. The four NASS girls were Zermane, Yuqing, Amelia and myself. I remember when we did Random Acts of Kindness (RAOK)* for the very first time in school. We went around ‘RAOK-ing’ people and started simple conversations with them by inviting them to play badminton with us every Friday afternoon at a nearby Community Club. We told them that shuttlecocks and rackets were provided, and that there would be basketball and volleyball activities as well. We asked for their Instagram usernames and exchanged numbers with them in hope that we could know them better. We would also go around finding opportunities to reach out to people, or reach out to our classmates and the Secondary One pupils.

We would tell them the full details of our badminton outreach and said to them that if they were free or had no plans, they could feel free to join us! That was when many of them started coming for badminton, and that was when I saw growth in the outreach. God is doing something big in Ngee Ann outreach, and I believe that He’s going to bring more and more people. He will use us to reach out to the people He wants us to reach out to.

What I’ve learnt through this outreach is that I have to step out of my own comfort zone to go all out to reach the people.

I’ve also learnt how to love others and humble myself and that it is no longer about me but about Him. We have to pay a price if we want to see Revival - because like what Ivan said, “Revival doesn’t come cheap.” Lastly, I’ve also learnt that every person is created beautifully and fearfully by God - and every person we touch makes a difference. What we usually do in an outreach is that we play badminton together, chat with one another, eat together and have fun together!

Ngee Ann Outreach is growing to see more people, and they would always come for badminton simply because they enjoy it. People also get saved from the outreach, and seeing them get saved and know the Father really brings me joy! Their lives are never the same again. For the pre-believers who have yet to know Jesus, I know that they will also get saved one day. *RAOK was a Gen movement started with the intention of showing kindness to people around us, in hope of building lasting relationships through which the Gospel could be preached.

BY ABBIE LEE

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/ D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 51

g enerations

BY BRANDON TAN

backgrounds came to know God as a Father who loves unconditionally. God met us in such a reassuring manner, showing us that even when all else fails, He never will.

A

fter the Cornerstone Family Camp, we were refreshed, recharged and reconnected. We believe as a youth ministry that God is moving greatly in the church and we are to ride on the momentum.

We want to see revival take place in Singapore, and we believe that the hour is near. With great expectancy, next up on our calendar was “Camp Revival”.

This camp was catered for all Gen-ers (youths from Generations Ministry) who are not only in secondary schools, but also those who have long passed the age. The reason is simple: We all have an inheritance in the secondary schools even if we have entered tertiary education. This is an inter-generational promise we are claiming as a ministry together, for Singapore!

Revival is more than just an overused word. It is not just about winning schools or, witnessing miracles taking place. It is a promise, a sovereign move of God, where God manifests His glory fully. Revival is not exclusive to a school, but when God sweeps through

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the nation, it is going to impact the whole community. And during this camp, we believe with full confidence, the youths had an impartation of burden for the lost and they left camp all fired up to win their schools and families for the glory of God. The atmosphere on the first day was already buzzing with much hype and excitement. Four tribes: Earth, Lightning, Water and Rock all reported to the GB campsite located at Serangoon at noon.

Donned in their respective tribe-coloured shirts, the campers were all ready to pit their strength against their rival tribes for the next few days. The ice was broken when out of the blue, the camp committee shouted “Collage!”, an activity where camp committee members would attempt to snatch the group flags away from the campers.

The campers protected their flags with

great pride and courage, while some were seen chasing the camp committee members around hoping they would be kind enough to return their flags. This tenacity set the tone for the next few days of camp, where the tribes had to work amongst each other over a series of games to earn points, determining which would be the best group and tribe.

Campers had to grit their teeth to go through “Race to Revival”, an obstacle course filled with challenges of varying difficulties.

The course was not made any easier with the camp committee members constantly being up to no good and finding means to hinder campers’ advancement.

However, the games became even more intense the next day. Who would forget the whole Water Tribe doing a leopard crawl across a canvas sheet smeared with eggs and sauces? Or dunking their

hands and hair into a bin containing a myriad of foodstuff and liquid in the game called “sewage”? The number of people who were so determined to win it for their team was unbelievable!

With their mouths full of protein shake mixture, garlic and antacid powder, the campers had to run with all their might to their end point. In every youth camp, we would definitely also have our very own island-wide games. Each group is tasked to make their own lunch with just a budget of $15. Not only were they to complete that task, they were also required to ask strangers for opinions of their concoctions. Kudos to the Programmes team for bringing the games to a whole new level of fun and amusement this year!

Our campers were also rewarded for their enthusiasm with the opening of our very own convenience store. Hungry campers would be seen at night, gathering around canteen tables, sharing their thoughts for the day or just laughing over comical incidents which happened during the camp itself.

Friendships were forged, groups became tighter and youths stepped out of

their comfort zone to speak with campers who had come from different zones.

There was such a convergence of lives coming together and people exhorting one another as God was bringing people together. That was very encouraging, as unity is the key in sustaining revival.

Beyond the activities and bonding, the most important purpose of attending Camp Revival was to seek God Himself.

Throughout the camp, we had morning devotions, as well as workshops and sessions conducted by our youth leaders, Ivan Tan and Matthew Long. Not forgetting Pastor Chris Long, our guest speaker, who came and brought about a word in season for Generations Youth (GY). There was a tangible presence of God the moment we came together as a congregation. Early in the morning, we could see youths gathering in their tribes and seeking God corporately.

The atmosphere of worship resonated in the campsite as they shared what God had placed upon their hearts with regards to a burden for their friends and family. We heard about the Father heart of God, and youths from all

One memorable event which took place on the last day of camp after our Gala Night was the early morning prayer meeting held at 3am in the church’s auditorium, which lasted all the way till 7am. Despite the lack of rest and fatigue creeping in, Gen-ers were on their knees desperately wanting God to move in their schools and in their families. Cries were heard all over the auditorium, and Gen-ers were weeping as God placed in them a consuming vision, a dream way beyond oneself, and a heart that burns for revival. Young and old, we were all contending for this promise that God has placed in Generations, the promise that hearts will be turned back to God. Camp Revival was nothing short of phenomenal and we believe that this camp is propelling Generations to greater heights. From the entertaining tribe performances on Gala Night to encountering God in such a powerful manner, this camp can be considered a milestone in Generations. There is a huge takeaway from this camp experience - lives were defined and youths were transformed and moulded into world changers for God. This is truly a camp that marked Generations for revival at such a time as this. Revival in Singapore; His Kingdom come, His will be done. / D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 53

While the archetypal undergraduate spends his semester ploughing through sleepless night after sleepless night, members in ACTS defy these secular norms, choosing instead to spend their time on campus in a different manner.

In addition to their academic schedules during the semester, members convene twice weekly for discipleship meetings and on-campus prayer meetings. Evangelistic outreaches within the campuses also occur on occasion throughout the spring and fall semesters.

I n the house

This buzz of activity, however, does not lessen with the conclusion of a semester. The typical undergraduate, short of collapsing from a sleep-deprived semester, spends his summers as an intern, convinced that he needs to boost his curriculum vitae to get that elusive job every fresh graduate has set his eyes on. But while the members of the world squander their days on material pursuits, this summer saw a surge of activity for the members of ACTS.

The ACTS Varsity Ministry was established in 2012 with an alignment of vision in eight individuals to see God transform the varsity campuses in Singapore. Despite having only uncovered the prologue of a narrative that God was writing for this ministry, they stepped out in faith, heeded the call of the Lord, and became partakers in the incipient move of God that was to unfold.

T

hat cell group of eight grew to two cell groups in January this year, and then to four discipleship groups just three months after — a growth rate so inordinate that man dare not take credit for it — making it virtually impossible to deny the unmistakable and irrevocable work of God that continues to brew in the ministry and in the lives that it contains.

Today, ACTS is a vibrant varsity ministry, home to a diverse group of collegiate youths. I can testify to that. I am, after all, blessed to call this ministry my home and its members my family. My time in ACTS has seen a burgeoning of activity during and after the academic year, in and out of season.

Perhaps it is a prophetic fulfilment of our name. One thing is certain- activity is inevitable when God moves His people to action.

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ACTS is a vibrant varsity ministry, home to a diverse group of collegiate youths. I can testify to that. I am, after all, blessed to call this ministry my home and its members my family.

BY ANN NGIAW

Another notable affair was that of the ministry’s first ever mission trip. A team of nine, led by Barry Chou, Lynette Li, and Grace Hong, spent six days in Marikina from 15 - 20 June 2014, ministering to different local communities. For many, this was their first time ever on a mission trip, and the trip saw them stretched in ways that grew their faith. God moved tremendously in the facet of healing, and the team saw no short supply of signs and wonders in this area of ministry; there were 21 unique testimonies of healing, to be exact. Two women with deafness in their ears testified to hearing again. One elderly person testified to being healed of problems in his back. A few children with stomach issues reported that God had healed them through prayer. The list goes on.

It is undeniable that the ACTS Varsity Ministry has grown much over its short history of two years. Moved into action by the Lord, much works have ensued, and naturally so. But the greatest sense of satisfaction does not come with an accumulation of deeds, but in the humbling privilege of being a part of God’s move in the campuses and beyond.

The ministry organised their inaugural Preparing For Work event, which took place on Friday, 13 June 2014, in the Cornerstone theatrettes. The venue housed 50 college students from different ministry and congregations, namely from ACTS, the Chinese ministry, the varsity ministry of Hope Church and students from other churches. Those in attendance were equipped and empowered to be effective in the marketplace through the sessions conducted by Pastor Kevin Koh, Pastor Lim Lip Yong, Dennis Milner, and David Chan. A dialogue after the sessions with a panel comprising Pastor Lip, Faye Shen and Rachel Yang allowed whatever residual questions the participants had to be addressed. The event concluded with a time of ministry at the altar, where hands were laid, in particular, on those who were at the precipice of graduation, about to transit into the marketplace. An impromptu call for salvation also saw a salvation and two rededications — an outcome that affirmed that God’s plans for ACTS surpassed our own. / D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 55

true christianity

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus.

“Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”

- Luke 10:25-28

BY TAM WAIJIA

I

was afraid. Would we need to touch him? Was he decomposing already?

Would I need to check his pulse?

“Cliff, there’s a naked man lying by the side of the road. Did you see that?”

“Really? You sure it’s not road-kill?”

I wish it was, for dead goats, dogs and other ferrets are common sights along the dirt roads of Africa.

“Are you sure you saw what you saw?” my husband asked again.

“Yes,” I said, wishing I had indeed seen a dead goat instead. But I was certain.

An African curly-haired man was lying face-down, next to a pile of trash, with his buttocks exposed in the hot sun.

“What do we do?” Cliff asked aloud, echoing my uncertainties.

I hate to confess, that the answer seemed clearer back home. Back home in Singapore or Canada, we would

have pulled over immediately, got out, and called the police immediately. Triple 9 or 911 was not a hard number to call. Here, a thousand thoughts raced through each of our minds, filling the car with resounding, deafening silence between us. Why did a change in place or location matter? Why did that affect how readily we reacted?

“I don’t know,” I confessed, “What if he’s dead? What do we do? Who do we call? I don’t even know the police number here. How come no one else stopped for him? If we spoke to him and he was alive, would he even understand English?”

I was getting worried. As the old, rickety car rumbled on ahead, I wished I hadn’t seen what I saw. We were already late. I was supposed to be preaching in the morning at the village church, and before that, we had to adjourn through a catacomb of dirt roads to look for

a village house to pick up a Ugandan family to church with us.

Half a kilometer of silence lay between us, and the man we passed. Finally, Cliff said aloud, “If he’s dead, and we send him to the police, do you think they’d think we killed him?”

“Oh, I don’t know!” By this time, I was anxious. Back home, everything, including helping somebody seemed comparatively so straightforward. Over here in a foreign land, experience had taught us that situations which we presumed to be straightforward often turned out to be complicated, convoluted and messy. It was simple easier not to be implicated.

If they thought we killed him, what would happen to us? Would our visas be retracted? Would we get involved in a lawsuit? We had heard tragic, twisted stories from missionary friends who had been falsely accused before in varPainting by Aimé Morot (1880)

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L E SSO N F RO M THE WAYSID E ious unexpected situations in other parts of the world, and I was afraid.

Our thoughts spiraled out of control, in separate directions from one another.

The silence continued. Just a month ago, when we were at another village church, Cliff had preached, with great vigor, on the Parable of the Good Samaritan. The crowd was enraptured by his vivid storytelling, about a man who had been beaten by a mob, and while a priest and Levite had passed him by nonchalantly, it was a Samaritan man who stopped to care for him and put him up at an Inn, demonstrating true love for his neighbour.

I remember telling Cliff at the end of his sermon, that it was one of the best he had ever preached.

Now, faced with reality of uncanny likeness, we were stunned by our own selves.

“Oh, we’re hypocrites,” I burst out, alluding to the priest and Levite in the bible story, who prided themselves in their religious upbringing, but had failed to put their faith into action through love or compassion. “What if everyone ignored that dying man on a Sunday morning because they were all

rushing to church like us? We’re not stopping because we’re afraid of being... implicated.”

Our hearts were in knots. Faced with a painfully pricked conscience, yet having an irrational defense of needing to fulfill our timely responsibilities that morning, my mind tried to go numb.

“We’re turning back,” said Cliff.

At once, I was relieved and afraid.

Would I need to check his pulse? Was he decomposing already? The sight of the naked man’s exposed buttocks in the hot sun stuck in my mind.

“If he’s dead, we call the police right?”

I asked.

It was a silly question.

As soon as we drove back to the spot, we both fixed our eyes on the man, lying face down on the ground filled with trash and empty bottles. Glued to our seats, we were stunned for a moment, not knowing what to do, as we watched the flies swarm over the corpse.

Suddenly, the corpse moved! I screamed.

We both heaved the biggest sigh of relief in our lives. With a big, languid stretch exposing his testicles, a long,

lazy yawn and an unglamorous scratch, the corpse came to life and heaved to one side, before falling back into his peaceful stupor.

My medical mind scanned his movement: no broken bones, no immobile joints, no broken wounds or spilled blood. Bottles of alcohol lay around him. What we had seen, was not a dead man, but a sight of utter intoxication after a Saturday night.

“We can at least give him some water,” Cliff said. And as he got out of the car to leave a bottle of water next to the man, I was filled with an immense sense of gratitude. I was grateful that the man was alive, grateful that we turned back, and grateful for a husband who, even under challenged circumstances, held on to his pillars of moral standing, love and compassion.

That morning, we got lost in the village trying to look for that special family and reached church a little late. But my preaching went on, and we ended on time. Both Cliff and I decided we would include a list of items to put into the car, including a piece of linen in case we needed to preserve someone’s dignity in a similar situation again, my CPR mask and an extra bottle of water.

That morning, I learnt how important the decisions that we make in our dayto-day circumstances are, and how frail our moral standards can become in the face of pressure and uncertainty. It reminded me of the disciple of Christ, Peter, who claimed with gusto that he would never deny Jesus, but crumbled under pressure. It is not by own strength that we continue to walk righteously, but by His spirit and power.

Had we ignored the man, could we live up to what we believed in, or even face ourselves, each other and God? I learnt that day, that every decision countsand it is not our own moral compass that will stand the test of circumstance, but a daily, consecrated walk with God, with full revelation of His sacrifice and love for us, that will stand the tests of life, including a drunk, naked man fallen by the wayside.

“So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

37 And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” – Luke 10:36 & 37 / D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 57

3) This is the latest testimony from Bro. Bhushan, our first fruit of the Hindi Fellowship.

LIVIN G TESTI M ONIES

TESTIMONIES FROM

TELUGU CONGREGATION

M

BY Ps Nelson david

2 ) S AV E D & H E A L E D

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his is the testimony of Anjaneyulu. He comes from a family with strong Hindu roots. Even his name Anjaneyulu is named after one of the Hindu gods known as the monkey god. When Anjaneyulu first came to our Telugu service, he was suffering from severe skin infections that affected him from his neck to feet. Because of this infection, it has caused him great distress and restriction in his mobility.

For instance, the time needed to travel from his dormitory to our church should take only 5-10 minutes by foot but because of his condition, he would take 30-40 minutes to reach the church.

1 ) M iraculous O utpouring

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his is the testimony of Veeraju. He came to the Telugu service a few weeks ago. After attending services for a few subsequent weeks, he approached me and introduced himself. Veeraju shared with me that he had come from Andhra Pradesh, in the Southern part of India. He began to share that in recent months, many parts of India, including Andhra Pradesh, has been suffering from extended, aggressive heat waves, temperatures ranging from 46-47ºC . It was even reported that more than 200 people had died within 3 days during this hot season. As he shared, he requested for me to pray especially for his own village, where many were suffering and dying from the heat. I laid my hands on him, and prayed for him and his village, and he went off.

Two days later, Veeraju rang to inform me that God had intervened as a miraculous rainfall had begun to pour into his village. It was nothing short of amazing. God is Almighty!

He can move creation in order to draw the perishing souls to Him. Now he is stronger in the Lord, he attends the Cell group and the services regularly. Hallelujah! This has also caused a tremendous impact on his family and village.

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This situation had been so depressing, to a point that Anjaneyulu became so lost that he had actually considered either returning to India without finishing his contract or committing suicide. After attending 3 Telugu services, at the 3rd service, God amazingly touched and healed him fully from his infirmity during service even without anyone praying for him. More than just healing, he told us that he experienced a love and peace that he had never imagined he could ever experience, ever since he started attending church and the Cell group as well. In time past, people used to call him up regularly to invite him for church services, and he would always decline, partly due to his condition. Now, it only takes him 5-10 minutes to walk to church, and he’s been calling up the church often to ask if there are any services or meetings which he could attend even during the weekdays. God has indeed turned his life around. Praise the Lord!

VEERAJU

PS NELSON DAVID

ANJANE YULU

y younger brother (Koteshwar Rao), who is working in Assam, recently started having episodes of severe headaches without any reason. We brought him to see a doctor who suggested to do an MRI/CT scan.

The scan results showed water in his brain that can make the brain dead if not removed. My brother’s condition was deteriorating and he was frequently falling unconscious with unbearable headaches. The doctor advised him to go for an immediate surgery to drain the water but the hospital didn’t have the proper facility to perform the operation. My parents decided to bring my brother to Vizag (in Andhra Pradesh) where there is a special hospital for such cases but there was not much time left since my brother had already gone into a coma.

He was on his deathbed and seemed to be living his last moments. They immediately booked a flight ticket and brought him to the Vizag hospital where doctors could not guarantee that he would survive.

My family and I were in deep sorrow as it was unbearable to see my brother’s condition. I called up the fellowship in Singapore (where I was saved) and was weeping over the phone when I requested prayers for my brother. I was constantly reminding myself of God’s promises and to hold on to Him for help. There was no one I could turn to in this situation. If God cannot save my brother, there is no else who can.

The doctors took my brother inside the operation theater for a major brain surgery which lasted 4 hours. During the surgery, God intervened supernaturally and showed up in the most amazing way. My brother, who was in coma and completely unconscious during the surgery, had a dream in which he saw a man who looked like the devil. The ugly looking man took hold of my brother and dragged him along by force. Just as the devil was still dragging my brother, another man who looked like Jesus appeared and stopped him. Jesus rebuked the devil and said, “Stop! This man belongs to me and you have no permission to touch him. His time is not up yet!” Immediately the devil left and my brother woke up. By then, the surgery was over and he was in ICU while the doctors were monitoring his condition with not much hope.

My brother woke up from his coma and started shouting that he saw Jesus and how his life was delivered from the clutches of the devil. He could not stop himself from sharing this experience with everyone. My family was shocked and amazed looking at my brother’s supernatural healing and recovery. There was a new life in my brother and heavenly joy on his face.

My parents and brother, who always believed that Jesus is one among all other Gods, now came to a firm conclusion and belief that except for Jesus, there is no other Savior. They renounced all other gods and stopped worshiping idols. They are now attending a nearby church by divine arrangement.

I thank God from the bottom of my heart for this great miracle through which He had brought salvation to my family members. His love for us is beyond my imagination. All praises and glory to Him alone.

Thank you so much for all your prayers.

Dear Brother, The testimony that I am going to share with you is interesting and wonderful. In our fellowship there is an uncle whose name is Bipin and you met him too in your visit to Gujarat. He was admitted to the hospital due to a kidney stone which was about 5mm and was scheduled for an operation as well.

I was called in to the hospital to pray for him. After I prayed, in the same night, at about 2 to 3 am, a bright light came into his room and covered his entire body and immediately he felt that something has happened in his body. The next day when he was about to go for his operation, it turned out that there was no kidney stone after a check-up. He was completely healed. He shared his testimony with joy. Please pray for him.

Please pray for this city that we want to set on fire with the Spirit of Jesus.

Thank you.

Pastor Vimal Parmar Cornerstone Gujarat Fellowship India

/ D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 59

fa m ily camp | 2014

faithful chronicles

My experience serving with

BY constance wong

Mark 10:14-16 (NLT) He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And He took the children in his arms, placed His hands on them and blessed them.

At Camp Big God, I saw how children’s camps were not just about having fun, nor child-minding sessions. I saw many moments where the children met our Daddy God. I heard and saw decisions and dedications made by the children declaring their love for the Lord. Praise the Lord!

Prayer sessions:

Basking in His Presence:

First time leading:

B

O

T

efore each conference session began, the teachers gathered to pray. Cathie Clancy made it a point to invite children in the room to join us for prayer. It began with a simple prayer circle of adults and a few children who were early for the session. Subsequently, at every session, we continued to invite children who were early to join us for prayer. I was surprised that the children showed up faithfully for the prayer sessions. By the third day, the prayer circle had grown so much that there were more children than adults. It was not something we had planned for in the program. We just put the word out to the children who had arrived early at the sessions to join us if they wanted to pray. I saw the children hungry to serve the Lord by bringing their heartfelt requests to the Lord in prayer.

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ne of my favourite moments was when the Clancys led the children to wait and soak in the Lord’s presence. Ministry time or quiet time, whatever you may like to call it, was a time for the children to find a spot in the room and practise being still. The children would wait and soak, becoming serious before our Big God. It brought such joy to hear the children share the things they had experienced, seen or heard during their time with the Lord. Those were moments when children, who were so hungry and thirsty for the Lord, had personal encounters with a big God who loves them and knows their every need.

he Clancys also have a nurturing heart to grow children’s ministry leaders. They gave me time to teach the children new songs through an action dance workshop. We taught the children to praise the Lord with all the energy they have. The Clancys knew that I was new in Cornerstone’s children’s ministry and were very encouraging. They gently yet firmly pushed me to step up and take the lead for two workshops. There was not a moment of fear. Instead, I found myself enjoying the process as much as the children did.

Interview with the kids: Pastor Wai Leng asked the children what they liked best about the camp and here are some of their comments: -----Shane Tang, 8 years old: “ The lessons during the camp!

There were a lot of games and we learnt a lot of things about God. I like the Gala night the best.”

-----Hosea Peter, 7 years old: “The thing that I like most was the Gala night, especially listening to the children’s testimonies. It gave me a big mind of pictures.” (Big mind of pictures??? I will leave it to your interpretation.)

-----Evan Walcott, 5 years old: “At the Gala night, I like the part when my brother was singing the song. I like watching him. At the camp, we had lots of funny games with Uncle Peter too.”

-----Luke Nair, 5 years old: “I like the lessons on Lazarus and Uncle Peter.”

Serving the Lord together with Brendon and Cathie Clancy was an honour and privilege. It was satisfying to see how the decisions we made, no matter how small, played a significant role in leading the children into the presence of our Big God. Indeed, our children are hungry for more.

So let the children come as our Lord Jesus Christ has said and not hinder them.

/ D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 61

let the children co me This blog post was written by 7-year-old Caleb Walcott. He spent four days in Surabaya, Indonesia, visiting Cornerstone’s partner ministry, Pondok Hayat. He went with his parents, two younger siblings, and his grandmother. A dental team from Cornerstone Community Services also was ministering in Surabaya at the same time.

NOT YOUR REGULAR “MAMA” SHOP For t h ose w h o h av e t h e “ sna ck” t o vol unt eer , t h i s i s t h e st or e f or y ou!

MY F I R ST MI SS I O N TR I P

I

had an awesome trip to Surabaya, Indonesia. I was happy going on my first mission trip

On Friday, my family landed in Surabaya. In the evening, we bought pizza for the children in Simo Children’s Home. This money came from Cornerstone’s Children Church. I loved seeing their happy faces when they ate the pizza.

On Saturday, we went to see the dental work being done by the Cornerstone team at Pondok Hayat in the morning. The dentists helped many people but it was scary to see! We also went swimming in the afternoon! In the evening, Daddy and Mommy spoke about parenting to many people from the community. I liked listening to their messages.

On Sunday, we went to a local church. Right after that, WE WENT TO CARTOON KINGDOM!!! I had a fun time with the children from Simo Children’s Home, whom we brought with us. The children laughed and smiled when they went down the big slide. Oh, I just loved that! The children were very happy.

O pen i ng h ours: Tue t o Fr i - 11.00a m t o 5.30pm

Snacks & Lozenges

In the evening, Mommy preached to some ladies from the community. After that, many got saved.

On Monday, our last day in Surabaya, Daddy and Mommy spoke to some mothersto-be at Pondok Hayat. I helped Daddy pray for some of the ladies after the message – Mommy and Mama also prayed for some of them. After that, straight to the airport!

I felt blessed to be on this trip. It made me glad to see the children at the children’s home laugh and smile. It made me sad that they didn’t have parents. I will remember the friendships I have made. I want to go there again!

Sign up for your next mission trip, right here! caleb@out-for-mission.again!

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C orn e rst on e C ommun it y S e rv ices runs t he C orn e rst ore, a c af e-like snack shop t o cre at e a commun it y space whe re i ndiv idu a ls c a n m e e T and ge t con n e ct e d.

11, E a st Coast R oad, Th e O de on K aton g, #01-13, S i n ga p ore 428722

Sat urd a y 11.00a m t o 7 .30pm S und a y 8.00a m t o 2.00pm

let the children co me

5 Child: I cut my craft all by myself in Children’s Church today.

1

Mum: Oh… were you careful with the scissors?

Daddy told the story of Abraham and God’s promise to Abraham at bedtime today, how his descendants will be as numerous as the dust on the ground. He then asked the boys questions about the story as usual.

Dad: So what did God

promise Abraham?

Kid: Lots of dust on the floor!

6 Daddy is telling the boys that he’ll be travelling next week and his little 5 year old is asking him not to go.

Our Thrift Barn is managed by volunteers. The thrift shop carries pre-loved items donated by members of the public. And prices start as low as S$1.

We make sure that everything is in usable condition before they are put up for sale.

Come and visit us today, and if you would like to be our part-time volunteer, come on in and let us know who you are.

“Daddy don’t leave us! You’re our only hope!”

2

He has been watching too much Star Wars obviously...

Dad was memorizing Genesis 1:1 with his 5 year old.

Kid: Oh I didn’t know the

heavens were created back

then. Was it in the 1980’s?

Dad: No, it was waaayyyyy back.

Kid: Was it the 1920’s?

I think to him that would seem soooo long ago. He was born in the 2000’s after all.

3 A 5 year old came home and told his parents that a girl in his class has asked him to be her boyfriend.

Parents: Oh but you are too young.

You should at least be 18

years of age.

Kid:

Kid: Yes, very careful. See I still have 5 fingers. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5...

But I’ll have wrinkles then!

4 Daddy asked the boys to pray for what they will do when they grow up.

Kid: Dear Lord, please tell me what

work I should do when I grow

up, and let it not be a naughty

work.

7 A 3 year old, looking out of the window into the night sky….

Son: Mummy, who switched off the light outside?

Mum: Arr…

8 Kid: Mummy, do u have money? (for the kids car ride) Mum: No, mummy has no money.

Kid: Mummy, you don’t have Jesus inside your heart.

Mum: What? Why? Because I have no money for you?

Kid nods.

What kind of logic is that?

9 Kid: Mummy, read for me...

Mum: OK. “The Last Supper” Kid (repeating after mummy): The Grass Hopper. *If you wish to share your humorous moments with a child, you can write to Herald@cscc.org.sg

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/ D E C E M B E R I S S U E / 65

LIVIN G TESTI M ONIES

MORE TESTIMONIES

SUb-editor’s note:

HEA L I NG TE S T I M O N Y O F AU NTY J ONG LA N J I N

by Ps Deborah Qiu

by Maureen Low

O

n 5th November 2014, a small team from Cornerstone ministered to Aunty Jong Lan Jin (in her mid-80s) who, together with her family from Indonesia, was visiting some relatives here in Singapore.

While in Singapore, her family heard from their relatives that Cornerstone ministers healing to the sick, and decided to bring Aunty Jong for ministry on the day before returning to Indonesia.

More than a year ago, Aunty Jong suffered a stroke, and has been fully paralyzed on the left side of her body.

Since then, she has lost all mobility and physical senses on the left side of her body, from the left side of her head down to her hand and feet, despite regular physiotherapy and medical treatment.

During the time of ministry, Aunty Jong felt a hand touch her head. And on the next day (6th Nov 2014), upon returning to Indonesia, she could lift her left hand for the very first time, after more than a year!

Praise the Lord for her healing!

“ T H E WO R D O F K N OWL E DGE C O N F IR Med T H E H E A L IN G!”

by Alan Koh

I

am in my early 50s. All my life, I’ve not had any problem with my heart. However, at the beginning of this year (2014), I began to experience some murmurs in my heart.

When I tried to sleep at night, I found it hard to do so as my heart would race at a pace that was very unusual for that time of the day. The palpitations were rapid and relentless, and I could not control what was going on.

After seeing a doctor and going through some tests, I was assured that my condition was not dangerous. However, the doctor did find a disturbing condition in the lower part of my heart but he was unable to identify the exact cause.

Notwithstanding the medical diagnosis, I prayed and asked the Lord for complete healing. About a few months back at a Saturday service in Cornerstone, there was a word of knowledge given of someone in the congregation having a physical heart condition. I responded to the word of knowledge for healing, and stood in agreement with the prayer that God be glorified through my healing.

About a week after responding to the ministry for healing, the murmurs in my heart, which had been ongoing every day for a few months, instantly stopped! And, it has not returned since!

I praise the Lord Jesus Christ who is my Healer and my Redeemer! His goodness is beyond doubt and is always very real to me. His faithfulness is altogether sure. I thank the Lord for a good and faithful ministry of the gospel, which includes the ministry for healing, here in Cornerstone, that many like me may be blessed!

May our Lord Jesus Christ always be highly exalted here in Cornerstone Community Church.

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/ CORNERSTONE HERALD MAGAZINE

Look, the winter is past, and the rains are over and gone.

The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds[a] has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.

The fig trees are forming young fruit, and the fragrant grapevines are blossoming.

Rise up, my darling!

Come away with me, my fair one!”

Song of Solomon 2:11-13

C

hanging seasons have a profound effect on plant and animal life. The winter season is often associated with fog, frost, overcast sky, no leaves on trees, no food to harvest. Likewise, when we are experiencing a winter season in our spiritual life, it is like we are not able to hear God, not able to see His hand at work. We are hungry for Him but He just doesn’t seem near. Our hearts tends to grow cold, our vision is clouded and we walk around like there is a fog in front of us obscuring our vision.

Spring on the other hand is the time of renewal of plant life. It is the season of growth following the cold of the winter. It’s the time when shoots spring up from plants and add colour and beauty to the earth. It’s a time of new beginnings and brings some comfort

and happiness even to those who are experiencing the bitter cold.

It is a time of better weather but often more rain but somehow the rain seems refreshing and life-giving rather than gloomy and depressing like during the winter.

The difference between the seasons is, Rain! It is the rain that brings life. It is a nourishing rain. It is the rain that enables the harvest to prosper. It is the rain that will provide growth. It is the same in the natural as it is in the spiritual. Things happen in our lives that we often don’t understand but God is raining on us for a future time, nourishing something for harvest much later in our journey when we actually need it.

The book of James tells us that we need to wait for the rain.

James 5:7- Be patient, then, my friends, until the Lord comes. See how patient farmers are as they wait for their land to produce precious crops. They wait patiently for the autumn and spring rains.

Frustration, hopelessness can creep in during those winter months as we wait for a break in the weather however we need to remember that God ordains the times of rain and sun. What we need is to trust in Him. And what we can do is to ask God for rain as mentioned in In Zechariah 10:1.“Ask the LORD for rain in the spring of the year. It is the LORD who sends rain clouds and showers, making the fields green for everyone.”

I remember vividly on the morning of May 16, I woke up with a thought dropped into my spirit, “The rain has come.” That evening, there was a change in the weather. It finally rained cats and dogs after many weeks of dryness. It is like an indication from God that the nourishing rain, the Spring Rain (Latter Rain) is here to bring about the harvest.

Shortly after, we had Pastor Dutch Sheets in Cornerstone. His opening message was, “Transitioning of Seasons”. My heart skipped a beat when I heard the title, my ears perked up. He declared over Cornerstone that “The winter is ending and the river is rising.”

He continued explaining that God uses the winter season in our life to produce a river. This river is created by the melting of the ice. As the river flows down from the mountain, seeds are picked up, some which have been buried for years will be picked up, carried to the right places and begin to grow there. And God’s promises to His people over the years, prophecies, visions are going to be coming forth in this season. God will take those seeds right where they need to be and caused them to grow and even a dead stump will live again at the scent of water.

“For there is hope for a tree, If it is cut down, that it will sprout again, And that its tender shoots will not cease.

Though its root may grow old in the earth, And its stump may die in the ground, Yet at the scent of water it will bud And bring forth branches like a plant.”

Job 14:7-9 My heart leapt with joy as every word resonated with me. It brought such hope and a feeling of great anticipation for the many promises that have been given to Cornerstone as a church as well as to individuals that these promises, visions and prophecies will surely come to their fruition in the fullness of time.

Hence, Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart, All you who hope in the LORD. Psalm 31:24 / DECEMBER ISSUE /

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