ISSUE 01/2016
38
Transformed by the #Jubilee50K Challenge
44
102
Missions Special 2015
First Prayer Meeting of 2016
“Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.” Proverbs 4:25
www.trinity.sg
104
Are We Still Bound Under The Laws Of The Old Testament?
Guest Speakers Pastor David Godwin
A pastor, missionary-evangelist, and church planter, Pastor David Godwin has experienced many of God’s signs, wonders, and miracles in the missions field. He has spent more than two decades living in four countries and planting churches in more than 30 cities. Pastor David Godwin is passionate about leading crusades and has witnessed thousands come to know the Lord.
Rev Wayne Francis
A man passionate about the underprivileged, Rev Wayne Francis spends much of his time representing Calcutta Mercy Ministries Canada, an organization on a mission to feed, educate, and medically assist the poor of Calcutta, India. A son of missionaries, Rev Wayne Francis has also dedicated his life to bringing God’s love to the people of India.
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ISSUE 01/2016
CONTENTS 32 38 32
ENVISION
LookING Forward, MovING Forward
46
The #Jubilee50k Challenge Setting Faith Goals
38
Once is Not Enough!
Missions at a Glance
65
Back on the Field
48
Missions Report
68
Training and Consultation
107
50
Thank You Trinitarians For Going to the Nations
70
110 104
developing a Heart for the lost
72
Mentoring Pastors
76
Helping the Helpless
47
UP CLOSE
Transformed by the #Jubilee50K Challenge Trinitarian Hero
Nursery and DiscoveryLand Helpers/Teachers
Caught on Trinity’s Camera FOCUS
Tough Questions Answered
HEARTBEAT
61
Watchnight Message 2015
42
50
SENIOR PASTOR’S MESSAGE Pastor Dominic Yeo Shares His Heart for Missions An Overview of Trinity’s Missions Outreach from Jan to Dec 2015
Reverend Wayne Francis Shares About Developing a Passionate Heartbeat
Are We Still Bound Under the Laws of the Old Testament?
57
A Miracle For an Atheist
Pastor David Godwin Shares About God’s Miracles in the Missions Field
Trinitarian
AlphaTrack’s First Alumni Missions Trip
Trinity’s Partner Churches Experience Christmas Miracles
A Highlight of Trinity’s Missions Efforts from Jan to Dec 2015
Impacting the World, One Trip at a Time
A Look at Our Pastors’ Global Ministries in 2015
MIT Trips that Happened from Jan to Dec 2015
54
Trinitarians Share About Their Passionate Heartbeat for the Missions Field
An Update From the M2 Program
Partnering to Help Victims of Human Trafficking
Nurturing The Future Today Singapore Paya Lebar
•
Robin Close
•
Toa Payoh Indonesia Jakarta, Pluit
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ISSUE 01/2016
CONTENTS 78 78 80
18
HEARTBEAT
Touching Hearts, Raising Leaders
Nurturing OVER 1,000 Champions Trinity’s Sponsorship of Children in 2015
A Brief History of Trinity’s Spanish Ministry
Investing in Kingdom Foundations
Loved by God, Loving for God
TCA College
82
Small Hands, Big Impact CCSS’ CareHuts
84
Missions at Our Doorstep Three Decades of Faithfulness
Filipino Ministry Celebrates its 30 th Anniversary
Bearing Fruit
16
Into the Waters
Japanese Ministry’s First Water Baptism
Coming Together, Moving Forward Watchnight Service 2015
Immerse!
Thai Ministry’s Main Events in 2015
96
EXPLODE!
PULSE
98
SEIZE!
All I Want For Christmas
20
Happie Chef!
22
传承, For Generations to Come
DiscoveryLand’s Christmas Event
Chinese Ministry’s Christmas Event
26
28 94
Christmas 2015
Indonesian Ministry’s Multiplication in 2015
101
Family Communion
A “True-Blue” Trinitarian Tradition
Trinitarian
101
DiscoveryLand Camp 2015
IGNYTE Camp 2015
Campus Leaders Camp 2015
First Prayer Meeting of 2016 Starting the Year Off Right
Dear Pastor Dominic, 2015 was truly a Year of Jubilee, a year of God’s favor and restoration. I’m so grateful for your sharing, from Leviticus 25 and 26, during LCE (on November 15, 2015). That message revealed what God was about to do in my life and gave me hope for restoration. My relationship with my dad has been tense and communication was always a struggle. Through LCE, as well as a great deal of encouragement and prayer, I was empowered to take a huge step of faith: I invited my dad out for lunch. Subsequently, I invited him to the Chinese Ministry’s drama, “For Generations to Come.” Through this musical drama, my dad was touched by God’s love. The songs and the resemblances of characters in the drama moved us deeply. In the midst of the drama, God restored my relationship with my dad. Most of all, I saw God restoring the relationship with Him and my father accepted Jesus into his heart that night! I thank God for His faithfulness and for this divine orchestration. I am so blessed to be a Trinitarian and to have you as my Senior Pastor. I pray that you will continue to be inspirational and influential in our Papa’s Kingdom. May our God keep and prosper you, your family, and your ministry.
Just wan t to than k the chu for comin rch a g for the 20 up w ith the brillia nd team nt design 16 Asian-yet- calendar. I also enjoyed th European e mosaic art the CNY p design of acket s. M ega Than J o n a th a k s! n An g (South D
istr ic t)
Dear Pastor Beatrice, Your message on “ABC Christianity” (on November 15, 2015) was edif ying . Praise God for His anointing upon you. May you cont inue burning for Him. Lee Seow Lian
(A regular visitor from Malaysia)
nications te Commu ra o rp o C r D ea Team, l the spec ia d reading e h d e of is a c n e fi e (D I’v arian it in Tr e th ank you edit ion of one and th d ll e W ). n g y o ur Dedicatio , for putt in rk o w rd a for your h it! sweat into blood and inistr ies) C a rr ie L a
m (Creat iv
eM
Yours sincerely, Sharon Kee (West District)
Thank You! Send your appreciation note to connect@trinity.sg
Senior pastor’s message
Dear Trinitarians, Have you ever made a move so bold that, without God’s intervention, it would be doomed to failure? 2016 is a crucial year for Trinity Christian Centre. When I took on the role of Senior Pastor a decade ago, my prayer was not to have a big church but a strong church. Over the past 10 years, God has enabled Trinity to grow from strength to strength – not just in numbers but also in the areas of missions, community, and discipleship. We are a church that is making a tremendous impact on Christiandom. However, God is not done with us yet. In Acts 1:8, Jesus shared that we would, “…be [His] witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” If we are to move forward, it must be done in faith, with courage, and having a desire to journey with God. At Watchnight Service, I shared the plans He has for this church for the next 10 years. These plans are both exciting and daunting – His plans are so much bigger than us! Instead of cowering in fear, let’s choose to look and move forward with courageous faith. Read the Watchnight Message on p32 (or listen to it online at www.trinity.sg), delve deeper into the 21 Bible characters shared during the message, and let faith arise so that we can lay hold of His promises.
Many of God’s plans for the next 10 years require Trinitarians to carry God’s Passionate Heartbeat for the nations. In 2015, we saw God’s love manifest in powerful ways through our missions endeavors both locally and around the world. Be encouraged by what God is doing in our Missions Special 2015 (p44-93). God is calling Trinitarians to come of their comfort zone, to take our boats out of the calm harbor and into unchartered waters. We cannot allow apathy to keep us where we are. We also must not allow fear hold us back. Fear paralyzes but faith releases us into God’s fulfillment. Fear looks back but faith forges ahead! We are created for greatness, so choose to step forward and turn our faith into action. Let’s continue to step out to proclaim the Year of the Lord’s Favor through the #Jubilee50K Challenge. Read about how #Jubilee50K has transformed the lives of Trinitarians on p38. As we continue into 2016, let’s persevere in Meeting the Needs of Others in order to “Bless and Proclaim, Transform Our World!” Looking forward and moving forward with you,
• 15 •
pulse
All I Want For
Christmas “What do you really want for Christmas?” Trinity’s annual Christmas production, held from December 23-25, 2015, explored humanity’s wants and needs in All I Want For Christmas. June Teh reflects.
• 16 •
pulse
As with most Trinity productions, All I Want For Christmas, involved weeks of planning and preparation. No role was too small; from writing the musical score to moving props around the stage, choreographing dances to controlling stage lights, every member of the cast and crew was important in being a conduit for God’s love. As the event drew near, many Trinitarians seized this opportunity and went all out to invite and pray for their oikos to attend the presentation. One Trinitarian couple, Stanley and Nancy Yow, shared about how they went the extra mile to bring their oikos for All I Want For Christmas.
“We invited one of our company vendors (Mindy) to the event and she accepted our invitation. We decided to pick her up for dinner before the presentation so that we could ‘lock in’ her attendance. During dinner, we found out that she went to the same secondary school as my two children and was a classmate of our son-in-law. Those connections brought the conversation deeper and she seemed to relax around us. We met her boyfriend, Shawn, at church and the four of us watched the presentation together. After the show, we asked if they wanted to accept Jesus into their lives. Shawn (a pre-believer) asked a lot of questions but eventually said, ‘Yes.’ Mindy also re-dedicated her life to Christ that night!”
• 17 •
PULSE
Another Trinitarian, Noelle Lim, caught up with a friend whom she hadn’t met in months over lunch and shared about her involvement with All I Want For Christmas. When she took a step of faith to invite her friend, she accepted the invitation. It was encouraging to see how Trinitarians stepped out in faith to share God’s gift of Christmas with our oikos.
All I Want For Christmas was a wellplayed drama that tugged at the heartstrings of many by portraying the pursuit of the world – wealth, success, and love – in hopes of finding joy and meaning in life. In the drama, three lead characters discover how their plans pale in comparison to God’s perfect plan; people and situations can fail us but God will never fail us. Like the father in the presentation, God loves each of us deeply, waits patiently for our return, and rejoices when we come home to Him. Eliza (not her real name), 15 years old, broke down in tears as she was touched by God’s love during the presentation. Carrying a painful heart from her parent’s divorce many years ago, she accepted Jesus and allowed God to begin healing her.
A mother and daughter came for the presentation because they saw the banner hanging outside the church. As the altar call was given, they walked up to rededicate their lives to Jesus. Cindy Ng, a Spiritual Parent serving at the altar area, shared how they were ministered by the love of God and were reminded that they can have joy regardless of circumstances because of the hope found in Jesus. Trinitarian Jane Ng had the opportunity to see her friend rededicate her life to Jesus. With a heart filled with joy, she shares,
“What a lovely evening full of God’s love and presence to have His children coming home to adore and exalt His name.” Personally, I thank God for the breakthrough in seeing one of my oikos, who rejected my previous invitations to attend church events, come for All I Want For Christmas. Though my friend didn’t say ‘yes’ to Jesus that day, she shared how the drama spoke to her in so many ways. Praise God for the work He has begun to do in her life!
• 18 •
PULSE
All I Want For Christmas was a reminder to be thankful for the wonderful gift God has given us over two thousand years ago. May we continue to put down our own plans and choose to seek the perfect plans of God for His “… ways higher than [our] ways and [His] thoughts than [our] thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9)
• 19 •
PULSE
On December 24 and 25, 2015, DiscoveryLand hosted its annual Christmas event, bringing together 673 children to celebrate the joy of Jesus through food. 201 First Time Visitors (FTVs) came for Happie Chef!, the greatest number of FTVs for the year!
• 20 •
PULSE
Happie Chef! was a joyful time where children were given ingredients and asked to decorate their happy food. During a time of sharing, Sister Poh Cheng reminded each child that Jesus was the source of their joy, both during Christmas and throughout the year. We praise God for 121 children that made decisions for Christ during this Christmas event!
“I learned that I can give my fears to God.” – Isaac Lim, 7 years old
“I learned that Christmas is not only about meeting friends and relatives but Jesus’ birthday too! I enjoyed creating and eating the snacks that we used to create things that represent Christmas.” – Genevieve Teh, 11 years old
“I learned that Christmas is not just about presents. It is about Jesus’ birthday. I enjoyed Happie Chef.” – Marabelle Phua, 8 years old
“I learned that Jesus is the joy of Christmas and the Prince of Peace and when I need help, Jesus will help me.” – Chloe Lim, 10 years old
• 21 •
pulse
传 承 For Generations to Come On December 12 and 13, 2015, the Chinese Ministry posed this question in its first large-scale evangelistic production run entirely by laypeople, 传承 (Chuan Cheng or For Generations to Come). More than 2,100 people came to see Chuan Cheng, including 80 First Time Visitors. We praise God for the 38 people that made decisions to Jesus! Hannah See reports.
• 22 •
pulse
Chuan Cheng is a story about Lim Beh Song, a man so devoted to his career that his family life suffered. After realizing the temporal nature of his work, and experiencing a personal encounter with God, Lim discovers what truly matters in life and sets out to mend the strained family relationships, especially with his son who has followed in his workaholic footsteps.
together cast and crew from across generations, ages 8 to 80, for more than 16 weeks of preparation. From writing the script, to designing the promotional material, acting, stage design/setup, and logistics, every part of the 1½ hour musical drama was faithfully organized, managed, and carried out by various members of the Chinese Ministry. “When I saw how short the script was, I was shocked. I thought to myself, ‘Wow! Being able to convey God’s word with such a short script is a really difficult task,’” shared Zhu Hou Ren. “However, I knew that
as long as we are willing to serve, people will hear God’s Word.” After the drama, Pastor Christina Onn continued the theme of legacy with a short message about God’s promises for us and for our generations. Indeed, we serve a God who will reveal His love and promises “For Generations to Come.”
Acting alongside MediaCorp artists, Zhu Hou Ren and Zhou Dai Lan, were two of Chinese Ministry’s own laypeople, Chen Junhong and Tham Supei. Chuan Cheng also brought
• 23 •
pulse
传 承
• 24 •
pulse
我已经为我的妹妹Ivy的救恩祷告 了3年，每一次邀请她来教会的布道 会，她都很敞开的接受我的邀请。 但是每次到了那一天，不是她生病， 就是她女儿生病，要不然就有别的事 使到她不能够来。 就在去年，传承的布道会，我再次的 邀请她。接着音乐剧的感动，上帝也 通过翁牧师的口向她的心说话，她的 心终于敞开了，就在当天信了主！ I have been praying for my sister Ivy’s salvation for three years. She has never rejected my invitation to church evangelistic events, however, there would always be last minute things that would stop her from coming. During Christmas, I invited her for Chuan Cheng and attended with her. She was touched by the musical and the preaching. She finally accepted Christ on that day! - Vivian Lim May Leng
Although Chuan Cheng required a great deal of commitment and faith, serving in the production became a blessing to many who were involved.
testified that God had granted her complete post-event healing! John Tan, Committee Chair, already had a lot on his plate – two reports, an exam, and plans to shift into a new home. Although he felt overwhelmed with so many commitments, God made things work by making sure that nothing clashed. God also granted him divine wisdom for his studies! “It usually takes me one week to complete a report (of 2,500 words). This time around, it only took two days. On top of that, I was only a few points short of a distinction!”
Joanna Chan testified of God’s powerful work through the production. After experiencing blurring in her vision, Joanna consulted an eye doctor and was told that she had bleeding in her retina. As a member of the video team, this eye condition would interfere with her role in the production. However, each time she looked at the screen during the event, her vision would be clear and she could fulfil her duties. She also
• 25 •
PULSE
Family Communion A “True-Blue” Trinitarian Tradition By Daniel Koh Zhiguo
• 26 •
PULSE
Jesus, at the first communion, told His disciples to take bread and wine in remembrance of the new covenant formed from His body and blood.
In the same spirit, biological and spiritual families (carecells) gather every year for Family Communion, to remember God’s faithfulness in the past year and to commit the New Year into His loving hands. The Yong Family has been taking communion together for as long as they can remember. “It’s the best way to end and start a year as a family,” shares Jennifer Yong (DEW Ministry). Having her children and grandchildren – three generations of Trinitarians – breaking bread and drinking from the cup is a tradition of thanksgiving and supplication. “It’s about thanking and committing ourselves to God as a family, especially for my grandchildren so that they can carry on the tradition.”
• 27 •
For some Trinitarians, such as newlyweds Kenneth Chan and Lye Huixian (East District), this Family Communion marked the start of a new tradition. “I remember our first communion as a family during our wedding. God’s presence felt so real at that moment. Amazingly, Pastor Beatrice (our Solemnizing Pastor) came over to pray for us during our first Family Communion!” Melissa Tan (Campus Ministry) looks forward to hearing about the amazing ways God moved in the lives of her carecell during Family Communion. “Even in the flurry of challenges and changes, we are confronted by the truth of an everconstant, loving, and mighty God. He is always faithful not just in His provision but also through His molding work in our lives!”
ENVISION
• 28 •
ENVISION
• 29 •
envision
Coming Together, Moving Forward Watchnight Service 2015 Watchnight Service is always an electrifying, action-packed event that Trinitarians look forward to each year. On the last day of 2015, Trinitarians gathered at Trinity@Paya Lebar to celebrate God’s blessings in 2015 and usher in the New Year. Rachel Lim reports.
There is no better way to conclude the year, and start the next, than to be in God’s refreshing presence. In typical Trinitarian fashion, the queue to go into the Sanctuary started hours before the event. Once the doors opened, the Sanctuary was filled in no time. The night started with a Vibrant Atmosphere where Trinitarians basked in His awesome presence. The IGNYTErs led Trinitarians in enthusiastic praise, an energy-filled anthem of praise unto God. An ensemble of strings accompanied the
• 30 •
praise and worship team in a time of sweet surrender. The diversity of songs and styles was a reminder that the only criterion for praising and worshipping God is a heart that yearns to lift up His name. 2015 marked Pastor Dominic’s tenth year as Senior Pastor of Trinity Christian Centre. The night continued with Trinitarians taking a trip down memory lane with a video montage of the church’s milestones over the past decade. We thank God for His abundant blessings and favor through the years!
envision
A year after the #Jubilee50K Challenge was birthed, we celebrated how God had used this movement to “Bless and Proclaim. Transform our World.” Trinitarians from all walks of life testified about how they have experienced and witnessed countless breakthroughs by partnering with God to bless those around them: salvation of loved ones, God’s intervention in seemingly impossible situations, physical healing of cancer, and a multiplication of faith. Read about some of these Real Life Miracles on p38. “I was deeply impacted by the wonderful testimonies of God’s goodness and faithfulness in this Year of Jubilee,” shares Denise Yim (North District), “ After hearing about how many lives
were transformed through the #Jubilee50K Challenge, I made a personal challenge to do even more acts of blessings in 2016.” Pastor Dominic also delivered God’s prophetic word for the church. As he charged us to keep Looking Forward, Moving Forward, Pastor Dominic rallied Trinitarians to arise in faith and courage to move forward to greater heights in and for God. (Read the full Watchnight Sermon on p32). Terence and Connie Ong (East District) came for Watchnight Service so that they could hear about God’s direction for the church in 2016, “We believe that since God has given this vision to the church leadership, He will definitely provide all the necessary resources.”
• 31 •
“I wanted to receive direction from God for 2016,” shared Pamela Koh (Campus Ministry), “There is a lot of uncertainty ahead for me in the New Year and instead of being paralyzed by fear and standing still, God is calling me to look ahead and move forward to accomplish the different things He has placed upon my heart. I know that God will ultimately be the One to establish my steps as I trust in Him.” As a church, we stepped into 2016 with joy and eagerness to embrace God’s plan for us in the New Year. May 2016 be a year of looking forward and moving forward!
ENVISION
Watchnight Message 2015 Senior Pastor Dominic Yeo
Looking Forward, Moving Forward Proverbs 4:25
• 32 •
ENVISION
Someone once said that you are either going forward, standing still, or falling behind. The question that I want to pose to each of us is this:
Are we going forward, standing still, or falling behind? What was God’s intention when He created humanity? To answer that, take a look at someone’s head. Where are their eyes located? On the top of their head? No! What about the back of their head? Again, no! God put our eyes in front so we will always look ahead and move forward. In the year 2016, God wants us to do just that: to keep Looking Forward and Moving Forward. Let’s look at a portion of scripture for this. “Let your eyes look straight ahead. Fix your gaze directly before you.” (Proverbs 4:25) This verse, penned by the great King Solomon, places a double emphasis on moving forward. Yet, the reality is that some people like to look backwards. Scripture warns us of the perils of doing so. In Genesis 19:26, while fleeing from Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot’s wife looked back at the doomed cities and was turned into a pillar of salt.
“It doesn’t matter what the economy looks like or how a situation seems to be playing out. The reality is that we have no choice but to move forward because that’s what we have been created to do.” Some of us like to look back and relish in past glories. However, God does not want us to look back to the point where we are living in the past. The Bible tells us to, “Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past” (Isaiah 43:18). Some of us look back because there is a sense of security in the past; looking forward means facing uncertainty. By doing so, we will
• 33 •
be caught in a time capsule of yesteryear. It is dangerous because this time capsule will prohibit us from moving forward. Some of us prefer to stand still. Why? The thought of going forward is paralyzing. There is fear of all the challenges that tomorrow brings. There is the fear based on past hurts. Some of us look at the current state of the world and are fearful because of the uncertainties of the future. Some of us stand still because of a sense of apathy; we don’t feel the need to move forward in our walk with God. However, Solomon exhorts us to look ahead and gaze directly before us, looking forward and moving forward. With God, we can step into a greater tomorrow. It doesn’t matter what the economy looks like or how a situation seems to be playing out. The reality is that we have no choice but to move forward because that’s what we have been created to do.
ENVISION
Let’s look at another scripture, this time from Genesis 26:12-13 (KJV): “Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year a hundredfold: and the Lord blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great” From this passage, we read that Isaac “waxed (became) great.” Over time, as he continued forward, he became “very great.” For some of us, we want 2016 to be a year of prosperity, to become “very great.” If we want to be prospered by God, we must choose to move forward. If we are to move forward, we must do so in faith, with courage, and have a desire to journey with God. To do these things, we need the help of the Holy Spirit. As a Pentecostal church, we must understand our Pentecostal tradition, founded on the person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit lives inside of us to empower us. When we go through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we hand over our lives to the Holy Spirit so that He can lead and drive our lives. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is: the power of God that takes us into His purpose and sees the establishment of His Kingdom here on earth; the passion of God to see the nations touched for His glory; the hammer of God to break the grip of sin
“When we go through the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we hand over our lives to the Holy Ghost so that He can lead and drive our lives.” that hinders us from becoming who He meant us to be; the very empowerment of God to make us people of destiny. In order to move forward, we need the help of the Holy Spirit to get us there. My prayer is that each of us will stand up and say, “Spirit of God, we need you!” As a Pentecostal church, it is so important for us to come to a place of Pentecostal encounter. Don’t just come to church for the sake of coming to church. Come to church expecting an encounter with the Holy Spirit! Come expecting to be empowered so that we can look forward and move forward! Let’s look at several characters to see how they moved forward into their God-given destiny.
Abraham – Laying Hold of God’s Vision In Genesis 12:1-9, we read of how Abraham – the Father of Nations – looked forward to a city whose foundations and architecture was built by God. Like Abraham, let’s • 34 •
move forward in faith and lay hold of God’s vision for our lives so that we will live a life of blessing. I believe every Trinitarian is called by God to live a life of blessing. The #Jubilee50K Challenge is a movement, a preparation by the Holy Spirit, to usher us into a life of blessing. Let’s look forward and move forward into a life of blessing.
Joseph – Liberty, Vindication, and Reunion Joseph (Genesis 37-50), imprisoned and forgotten, looked and moved forward to the day of liberty, vindication, and redemption. Like Joseph, let’s move forward by forgiving those that have hurt us, knowing that what was meant for evil, God will turn it around for good.
Moses – Receiving God’s Purpose Moses (Exodus 3), while living in the desert, moved forward towards the burning bush to receive God’s
“Don’t just come to church for the sake of coming to church. Come to church expecting an encounter with the Holy Spirit!”
ENVISION
purpose for his life and claim the inheritance of the Promised Land. God has a “Promised Land” allotted for each of us. Therefore, it is important to seek God about our inheritance so that we can continue to look forward and move forward.
Joshua and Caleb – Crossing Over, Breaking Through Barriers Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:69, Joshua 3) moved forward by standing firm on God’s promises (crossing over the Jordan River, bringing down the city of Jerico, and claiming the Promised Land) because they knew that God never goes back on His Word; when God says that He will give us the land, we will certainly take possession of the land!
“Do not let fear of the unknown stop us from stepping out. Choose to arise in apostolic faith, break through the barriers, and cross over!”
redeemer. Through their lives, we see how these women pressed on because they knew that God was their provider. Some of us may have lost loved ones in 2015. Choose to look forward to God, our kinsman redeemer, because Jesus Christ is our provider.
Hannah – Miracle of New Life As we step into 2016, do not let fear stop you from claiming your inheritance. Do not let fear of the unknown stop us from stepping out. Choose to arise in apostolic faith, break through the barriers, and cross over!
Naomi and Ruth – Kinsmen Redeemer (God is Our Provider) Naomi and Ruth – in the context of poverty, pain, and loss – looked and moved forward to find their kinsman
In 1 Samuel 1:10, Hannah moved forward, in the face of barrenness and despondency, towards the altar of God because she knew that He was in control and would release a miracle of new life. God heard the cries of her heart and she eventually gave birth to a son, Samuel. Some of us may have experienced physical or spiritual barrenness last year. Together with Hannah, let’s move forward to claim the promise of new life in the new year.
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Samuel – Prophetic Voice to the Nations Like Samuel (1 Samuel 3), let’s move forward to become God’s prophetic voice in our families, workplace, and communities. Let’s persevere in being God’s mouthpiece for the nations.
David – Victory Over the Giants The psalmist David, in 1 Samuel 17, moved forward – with five stones – towards a military-trained giant and delivered the nation of Israel from the prospect of slavery. There can be many “giants” in our lives: economic giants, relational giants, even spiritual giants. Regardless, what matters most is the disposition of our spirit-being in the Lord. Let’s look forward and move forward to slay the giants in our lives, and be set free.
Solomon – Building God’s House King Solomon (2 Chronicles 7), moved forward and oversaw the construction of God’s Temple. In 2016, we move forward in the re-development of Trinity@Adam; we will start to see the financing and completion of His House for His Glory!
ENVISION
Elijah and Elisha – Leaving a Legacy, Discipling the Next Generation With Elijah and Elisha (2 Kings 2), we see how they moved forward to leave a legacy by discipling a new generation of prophets. In this new season, it is imperative for us to raise and mentor the next generation of believers. When I look at our IGNYTErs, our youth, I see many others who have yet to come into the Kingdom. Let’s choose to be like Elijah and Elisha and raise up a prophetic generation for His Glory.
Esther – Salvation of Loved Ones With Esther, we see her moving forward to save her people, despite the reality that she could lose her life in the process. Trinitarians, let’s be bold and courageous to see the salvations of our households and loved ones even at the expense of our own lives.
Nehemiah – Rebuilding Broken Lives Nehemiah, upon discovering the pitiful state of his people, moved forward to the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 1-6). In 2016, choose to be re-builders of broken lives. Choose to build into the lives of others for His glory.
Isaiah – Standing for Christ Like Isaiah and the major and minor prophets, I see Trinitarians strong in their convictions and choosing to stand for God despite the opposition that may come their way. It’s important for us to look forward and move forward, calling forth the rule and the reign of the Kingdom of God in our midst.
Daniel – Strategic Leadership Daniel was a stranger in a foreign land. But he moved forward as a strategic leader and became a trusted advisor to four different kings. In Daniel 6, we read how Darius, King of the Medes, declared that Daniel’s god was the Living God. IGNYTErs, move forward to seeing your school come to know Jesus Christ. I believe the educational landscape of Singapore would be dramatically changed, if each of you step forward. To those in the marketplace, move forward and become an apostolic leader. I call upon each of you to
“I believe God has called each of you to be a leader; the head and not the tail.” • 36 •
move forward as God’s strategic leader, influencing and impacting the communities we are a part of.
Zacchaeus – Character Transformation As we step into the New Testament, we read the story of Zacchaeus, a tax collector despised by the Jews. In one encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus moved forward into character transformation (Luke 19:1-10). Like Zacchaeus, choose to commit to daily spiritual formation that will transform us to become living epistles read by all men.
Nicodemus – Seeker of Truth Nicodemus (John 3:1-21), a respected Jewish teacher, moved forward to pursue the truth, relentless in seeking clarity from Jesus. He no longer desired to live in darkness. Choose to pursue truth, the Word of God, and learn to have daily encounters with our Lord Jesus so that the truth of God will set you free.
Samaritan Woman – Forgiven and Freed, Spreading the Gospel With the Samaritan woman, she moved forward to become forgiven
ENVISION
“Choose to pursue truth, the Word of God, and learn to have daily encounters with our Lord Jesus so that the truth of God will set you free.”
Peter – Bouncing Back From Failure
and free. When she was touched by Jesus, her assignment was to bring her entire town to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (John 4). Can it be possible for us to see the different townships in Singapore come to know Jesus? Let’s move forward to a mission-minded life, impacting our communities so that they will know Jesus Christ as Lord of Lords and King of Kings.
If you look at our Vision statement, the last line of Strategic Leadership is, “Every Trinitarian a leader with a ministry.” I believe God has called each of you to be a leader; the head and not the tail. I’m not calling for everyone to be a carecell leader, though that is an awesome call. I’m asking for all of us to look forward and move forward and take our place in leading the people around us from faith to faith.
Father of the Prodigal Son – Embracing Prodigals, Extending Grace
Barnabas – Relentless Belief
The father of the prodigal son moved forward to embrace his son who was still filthy and stinking, a consequence of the son’s lifestyle choices (Luke 15:11-32). Like the father, move forward to extend grace and love to the prodigals in our lives until they return to the Lord Jesus Christ. For some parents with children who have walked away from God or fallen away from the church, choose to embrace them and be God’s grace and love wrapped in skin.
Going into the apostles, despite Peter’s denial of Christ (John 18:1527), he moved forward to become the “Rock,” a leader that was foundational in building the early church.
With Barnabas, he moved forward to disciple and bring Saul of Tarsus, a man known as a vicious persecutor of Christians, into the community (Acts 9:19-31). Many of us have seen the salvation of our loved ones in 2015. Through the course of the year, Spiritual Parents have been assigned Spiritual Babies – men and women who received Jesus and desire to make Trinity their home church. Choose to move forward and demonstrate Relentless Belief to those God brings into your sphere, to nurture and
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disciple them to strengthen their walk with God so that they, too, can nurture others.
Paul – Knowing God, Walking in His Power Finally the Apostle Paul, looked and moved forward to know Jesus and walk in His power. As a result, he became the greatest apostle of all and the writer of most of the New Testament. Like Paul, you and I can look and move forward to a life of power and miracles by intimately knowing Him. “…that I may know Him in His death and resurrection...forgetting what is behind…I press on toward the goal to win the prize which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:10, 13,14) In 2015, Trinity turned 45. With each passing decade, we thank God for leading us from glory to glory and strength to strength. Like the different Bible characters, let’s choose to look and move forward in the different assignments that God will give to us in the coming days. Listen to this sermon at www. trinity.sg/media/sermons/ keynotesermons
UPCLOSE
Transformed
by the
#Jubilee50K Challenge Tenessa One day, during recess time, I saw a classmate fall down while she was running. Even though she was taller and bigger than me, I immediately went to help her. She had hurt her knee and it was bleeding badly. I helped her up and accompanied her to the General Office. She thanked me for my help and now we are even closer as friends.
Siblings Tenessa and Josthan Chua may be young but God allowed them to impact their world in a very big way through the #Jubilee50K Challenge.
Through the #Jubilee50K Challenge, I’ve learned that we should always help when we see others in need. I’ve also learned that no matter how big or small we are, we can always bless others. We just need to be willing to help. Josthan Earlier this year, after finding out that my grand-uncle had a stroke and could not walk or talk, I made a card for him. In the card, I wrote a short prayer of healing and a reminder that God loves him.
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When I visited him at the hospital, I gave him the card and asked if I could pray for him. He nodded in agreement. As I prayed for God to touch and heal him, he started to grip my hand very tightly. I felt something warm stir inside me; it’s a feeling that’s really hard to explain but I know it was a touch from God. I believe my grand-uncle was also touched by God because he started to tear during the prayer. Today, grand-uncle can walk normally and talk a bit. I believe God will heal him completely and that grand-uncle will accept Jesus into his heart soon. Through the #Jubilee50K Challenge, I’ve learned to take every opportunity to bless someone in need. We can be a channel of God’s power and healing.
UPCLOSE
Rachel Yong and her Campus carecell saw their peers weighed down by the stress of exams and decided to share the love of God with them. Their small acts of blessing opened the door to breakthroughs in their lives.
During the month of November, when the examination period drew near, we saw many students studying hard on campus. My carecell took this opportunity to prepare small gifts, coupled with encouragement notes, to pass out to our peers, even those that we do not know. We wanted to show them that God knows and loves them so dearly. Moments after I posted the act of blessing on Instagram, a friend of mine texted to say it was very nice
to see us doing these kind acts around school. This friend is an oikos that I’ve been reaching out to for a few years. He has been to my water baptism and several church presentations but hasn’t accepted Christ into his life. We actually lost contact but God used the #Jubilee50K challenge to reconnect us. I used this opportunity to invite him for All I Want For Christmas. Although he couldn’t come, I believe it was God’s timely reminder for me to press on in reaching out to my oikos. Besides this reconnection, two students who received our blessings shared it on their own social media platforms and even hashtagged #Jubilee50k on their posts! When my carecell members saw how their acts of blessings had touched lives, they were greatly encouraged
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to continue stepping out of their comfort zone to be a blessing to others.
We have learned not to belittle our acts of blessings. No matter how “small” our blessings may seem, what’s important is that God’s name is glorified in all that we do.
UPCLOSE
Patrick Koh saw that his colleague was in dire straits. Though the situation seemed impossible, Patrick held on to the promise of God’s favor in this Year of Jubilee.
My colleague, a forklift driver from Malaysia, shared that his application for a Long Term Work Permit had been rejected after several appeals by his MP. He was in a big dilemma because he needed to stay in Singapore to take care of his wife, a Singaporean, who requires dialysis on a regular basis.
they would need to pay a higher levy for him if his Work Permit was approved.
get a Work Permit. Instead, God gave something even better: Singapore Permanent Residence!
After several weeks, I received a call and an email from ICA informing me that they would process my colleague’s application. Soon, we got a response from them. He did not
Praise the Lord! With God, there are no boundaries on whom and how He blesses. I’m glad that my colleague was able to experience the Lord’s favor and blessings through this #Jubilee50K act. All glory to God!
I offered to assist him and wrote to the ICA to appeal the rejection. Although I was relentless in my follow-up, I did not receive a response. I committed the appeal to the Lord in prayer and continued in my follow-up, believing that this was the Year of the Lord’s Favor. In the midst of this process, I also persuaded the Human Resources department to retain him as an employee even though
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UPCLOSE
The morning started off like any other. For Charissa Kok, meeting the needs of others turned her day from ordinary to extraordinary.
While queuing at a coffee joint one morning, and next in line to place my order, the cashier, an elderly aunty frantically exclaimed, “We’re closed and not taking orders anymore! My colleague is sick!” I bent over and saw the barista sitting with her head faced down. Since she appeared to be resting, I didn’t think much of it and went to a nearby stall for coffee. While I was in the other queue, I could hear some office workers curtly exclaiming, “Well, if your colleague is sick, tell her to get an MC!” After getting my coffee from the other stall, I observed that there was still a crowd lingering and demanding for their coffee from the first stall. They didn’t accept that the barista was sick.
I’m not the type of person that would step into such a tense situation. However, when I saw how helpless the elderly auntie was, I stepped in to alleviate the stressful situation. Once the crowd thinned, the auntie pointed to her colleague and asked me, “What should I do now?” The barista, Miss Yu (a foreign worker) was breaking out in a cold sweat and having difficulty breathing. Miss Yu grabbed my hand and told me that her heart was racing and that she felt like she was dying. Although the auntie told me that Miss Yu’s husband was on his way, I decided to be safe and called for an ambulance. While we were waiting for the ambulance to come, I used my broken Mandarin to comfort Miss Yu and shared the love of Jesus with her. By God’s grace, she received and accepted Jesus into her life before the paramedics took her away. A few hours later, I received a text message from Miss Yu letting me
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know that she had suffered from a drug allergy but was now resting and recovering. Two weeks later, I visited Miss Yu to see how she was doing and share more about God and blessing her with Chinese bible. Through our short fellowship, I realised that she stays just beside Trinity@Paya Lebar. How divine! Though she has been unable to attend Celebration Services due to work, I continue to pray that God will give her opportunities to grow in her relationship with Him. Looking back, I could have missed out this by going through my normal of routine of drinking coffee and having my own quiet moments. I never expected that a simple care act would result in a salvation! Through this experience, God reminded me to take hold of every opportunity to share the love of Christ with those around me.
ENVISION
As of January, we have crossed 21,000 #Jubilee50K posts on social media. All glory to God! Our #Jubilee50K Journey 60000 50000 40000 30000 20000 10000 0 Jan-15 Apr-15 Jul-15 Oct-15 Jan-16 Apr-16 Jul-16 Oct-16 No. of #Jubilee50K posts
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ENVISION
According to the Hebrew calendar, the Year of the Jubilee ends on October 2, 2016. Therefore, every post matters! Each one of us plays an important part in transforming our world through the #Jubilee50K Challenge. Every #Jubilee50K Act has the potential to go far in meeting the needs of those around us, to light up his/her day with hope! For Earnest and Meiling Chua (East District) participating in the #Jubilee50K Challenge became much more than a call for action in 2015. The #Jubilee50K Challenge enabled them to experience a year of transformation and step into a lifestyle of intentional blessing.
Meiling: When the #Jubilee50K Challenge was first announced, my struggle was overcoming the fear of proclamation. When I brought this fear to God, He spoke to me through Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” I began to rely on God and He gave me boldness to proclaim every time I blessed the people around me: my family, friends, colleagues, and even strangers.
Meiling: We want to thank God for the #Jubilee50K Challenge. As we actively blessed and proclaimed, we saw how our world transformed. We never expected that our acts of blessing could lead to the salvation of loved ones. Praise God for working in wonderful ways.
Earnest: During Christmas, my husband and I blessed our families with a combined lunch. We also gave gifts, an act that we have never done before. We could see that they were touched by our thoughtfulness.
Earnest: During a trip back to my hometown, I found out that one of my uncles was diagnosed with cancer. Although we seldom meet, the Holy Spirit prompted me to visit and bless him (and his family) with gifts and quality time. During our visitation, I shared the Gospel with my uncle and he accepted Jesus that night! Some weeks later, he passed away. I know he’s in a better place with our Lord Jesus and free from pain. In December, we went back for another visit and blessed our relatives with gifts. This opened opportunities to share Christ with them. As a result, my grandfather also accepted Jesus into his life! What a wonderful gift to give him for Christmas.
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Together, we have done over 180 acts and posts of blessing. Our #Jubilee50K lifestyle has spurred our carecell members to live a lifestyle of being intentional blessors. To date, our carecell has done over 300 #Jubilee50K posts. Our carecell Faith Goal is to do at least 500 #Jubilee50K posts by October 2, 2016.
As we continue into 2016, continue to press on in our #Jubilee50K Faith Goal, both as a carecell and personally, to continue to be a blessing in the Year of Jubilee. Let’s persevere in Meeting the Needs of Others so that we can “Bless and Proclaim, Transform Our World!”
Missions Special 2015 An Overview of Trinity’s Missions Endeavors from Jan to Dec 2015
46 47 48 50
Senior Pastor’s Message Missions at a Glance Missions Report 2015 Thank You Trinitarians For Going to the Nations
Missions Articles 54 Developing a Heart for the Lost 58 A Miracle for an Atheist Missions News 61 Once is Not Enough! 66 AlphaTrack Alumni: Back on the Field 68 Reaping the Christmas Harvest 70 Impacting the World, One Trip at a Time 72 Mentoring Pastors 76 Helping Victims of Human Trafficking 78 Nurturing Over 1,000 Champions 80 TCA College: Investing in Kingdom Foundations 82 CCSS: Small Hands, Big Impact 84 Missions at our Doorstep - Filipino Ministry - Indonesian Ministry - Japanese Ministry - Spanish Ministry - Thai Ministry
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• 45 •
MISSIONS SPECIAL 2015 SENIOR PASTOR’S MESSAGE
Dear Trinitarians,
I want to thank each of you for partnering in Trinity’s Missions endeavors over the past year. Whether it was through praying, giving, or going, 2015 was a year where your partnership saw the love of God manifest in powerful ways. Globally, your partnership has allowed our pastors to disciple the next generation of pastors and leaders. As Trinitarians stepped out to proclaim the Gospel in various nations, we have also seen thousands encounter God and make decisions for Jesus. Your generous giving has also allowed us to sponsor over a thousand children to be nurtured and discipled in the ways of the Lord. Did you know that missions can also be in our own backyard? Locally, our language ministries experienced breakthrough after breakthrough in the past year.
Through Care Community Services Society (CCSS), our social outreach arm, children are empowered to bless their communities. Scholarships for TCA College allow students to focus on building their theological foundations without worrying about the cost of their education. Indeed, God is using Singapore to be a conduit for greater things. Friends, our God is powerful and He has enabled this church to be His mouthpiece, hands, and heart to the nations. While we rejoice in what He has done through us, God is not done with us yet. In the next 10 years, we will see Trinity play a larger part in the missions arena. We will embark on church planting movements and intend to establish centers of discipleship, divine wholeness, and training. Trinity will also deepen its engagement in social justice issues. Our partnership with Project Rescue – specifically in the nations of
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Spain and India – will put us on the frontline to rescue victims of human trafficking and restore them so that they can fulfill God’s purposes for their lives. For over 20 years, AlphaTrack has trained and released men and women to be Harvest Warriors and Strategic Leaders. In the next 10 years, I’m looking to establish the Omega Track, a program where we send Trinitarians into the missions field so that they can use their skills and gifts to empower local churches. In order for Trinity to look and move forward in the area of missions, each of us will need to continually carry God’s Passionate Heartbeat for the nations. Therefore, join me as we continue to pray, give, and go to the nations in 2016 and beyond. Looking and moving forward with you,
STATISTICS FOR JAN-DEC 2015
11
GO–MISSIONS IMPACT TEAMS (MITs)
Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan
49
FIRSTTIMERS Trinitarians going for the first time
GO–TRAINING AND CONSULTATION TRIPS
40
TRIPS
Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, USA, Vietnam
56
HEALINGS
20 4,136 MITs
201 1,199
DECISIONS FOR CHRIST
GIVE
25
MINISTRIES SUPPORTED
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SPONSORED
1
CHILD
discontinued from home/school
Destitute children in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand sponsored
20
GRADUATED Children graduated from home/school
Missions Report 2015 In 2015, Trinity continued to carry God’s heartbeat for the nations through Church Development and Community Development. We thank God for Trinitarians that prayed fervently and gave generously toward Trinity’s missions endeavors. Over 200 Trinitarians also went to the nations by participating in missions trips, sharing the love of God in 11 countries. These individuals brought hope to many by preaching the Gospel, healing the sick, and conducting medical camps.
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Church Development (Helping churches transform by impacting their ministries, ministers, and members)
In the first quarter of 2015, 517 pastors and leaders from 31 nations gathered in Trinity for the biannual Cell Church Conference. At the conference, delegates learned strategies on how to steer their churches toward growth and transformation through the TCC Cell Church Model. Many of the delegates testified of how they had been blessed and empowered to bring their churches and ministries to the next level. Trinity pastors continued to go on training and consultation trips to equip churches in Bulgaria, China, Columbia, Japan, Malaysia, Poland, Romania, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Spain, the US, and Vietnam. The churches were strengthened in faith and equipped to grow their carecells.
Japanese, Spanish, and Thai communities through our language ministries. Read more about the breakthroughs each ministry had this year on p84-93.
Community Development (Helping rebuild communities through tangible acts of love so that they can experience the love of Christ)
Trinity seeks to give destitute children an opportunity to know Jesus and to be developed to their fullest potential by sponsoring more than 1,000 children in Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Thailand. Some of our children expressed their gratefulness with handmade Christmas cards. See a few of these cards on p78. We rejoice with the 20 children that graduated from the sponsorship programs.
We rejoice with Pastor Wojciech Włoch (Senior Pastor, Kościół Jezusa Chrystusa w Krakowie (KJCH)) and Dr Lalith Mendis (Senior Pastor, Brookside Community Church) on how the TCC Cell Church Model has equipped their churches for Christmas. Read more about these Christmas miracles on p68.
Due to new requirements by the Thai authorities to streamline children’s homes services, Home of Blessing, which is a joint partnership between Trinity and Thailand Jitmaitree Church, will cease operations by the end of March 2016. The local management have also decided that the children will be channeled to other homes. We thank God for the opportunity to nurture and disciple these children. Do pray that they will continue to grow in the Lord.
Locally, Trinity continued to be a blessing to the Filipino, Indonesian,
Trinity has also been active in the social justice arena, particularly
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through its partnership with Project Rescue, an organization that exists to rescue and restore victims of sex slavery through the love and power of Jesus Christ. Two missions trips partnered with Project Rescue: one to India that ministered to the victims of sexual slavery (children, youth, and women), another to Spain that ministered inner healing to women. Find out more about Project Rescue on p76. 2015 was a year of two MIT firsts: • The first AlphaTrack Alumni MIT to Iloilo (Philippines); and • The first MIT to Colombo (Sri Lanka). Closer to home, 134 Trinitarians partnered regularly with Care Community Services Society (CCSS). Two Local missions trips (11 Trinitarians at a CARElderly Senior Activities Centre (SAC) and 10 Trinitarians at a CareHut, respectively) blessed the elderly and children over three days. Over 10 carecells and nearly 300 Trinitarians also were involved in events such as rations distribution, an end-ofthe-year party for the children, and activities at the SAC. Trinitarians, thank you for being a blessing locally and to the nations.
Here’s a look at Trinity’s missions trips in 2015. Let us continue to pray for the lives that have been touched and the decisions that have been made for Christ. May every seed that is sown be watered and nurtured to fruition!
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philippines
Iloilo • apr 10-17
TAIWAN
Bangladesh
KAOHSIUNG • JUN 27-AUG 3
Dhaka • Mar 3-9
made 595 decisions for Christ
SINGAPORE
34
decisions made for Christ
CCSS • JUN 25-27
MYANMAR
25
decisions made for Christ
TAIWAN
YANGON • Mar 3-9
KAOHSIUNG • AUG 17-21
1
decision made for Christ
INDONESIA
158
YOGYAKARTA • JUN 23-29 decisions made for Christ
81
decisions made for Christ
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120 lives touched
Trinity’s Missions Trips in 2015
INDIA
NAGPUR • SEP 7-14
CAMBODIA
INDIA
PHNOM PENH • AUG 4-10
HYDERABAD • SEP 29- OCT 5
133 LIVES TOUCHED SRI LANKA made 417 decisions for Christ
COLOMBO • SEP 8-14
TAIWAN
made 691 decisions for Christ
spain
KAOHSIUNG • AUG 24-30
madrid • oct 4-11
37
decisions made for Christ
MONGOLIA
Ullanbaatar • SEP 29-OCT 5
34
23
decisions made for Christ
70
decisions made for Christ
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lives touched
Trinity’s Missions Trips in 2015
philippines
Iloilo • nov 13-20
taiwan
MYANMAR
taipei • nov 3-9
YANGON • nov 30-dec 6 made 1059 decisions for Christ
indonesia
22
padang • nov 17-23 decisions made for Christ
philippines
made 220 decisions for Christ
SINGAPORE
Iloilo • nov 13-20
CCSS • DEC 9-11
5 houses built made 692 decisions for Christ
THANK YOU TRINITARIANS FOR GOING TO THE NATIONS
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40
lives touched
Developing a Heart for the Lost By Reverend Wayne Francis
“The beauty of God is that He has never seen a man, woman, or child that He could not love.” A physician once said that the best medicine for humans is love. Someone asked, “What if it doesn’t work?” He smiled and replied, “Increase the dose!”
Step 1 – Love God In developing a heart for the lost, you must first develop a heart for God. The resources of His love are limitless. The compassion, passion, and agape (unconditional) love you need in life is found in the Heart of God. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
The closer you get to God’s heart, the closer you will get to the lost. The beauty of God is that He has never seen a man, woman, or child that He could not love. Wrapped up in God’s desire to love a lost world is a commission to go and flesh out what we have received in our relationship with Him. “I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” (Galatians 2:20). The Scripture goes on to say that “…as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you,” (John 20:21) and, “… go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)
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Step 2 – Exchange Your Heart for His Heart Bob Pierce, who founded World Vision during the Korean War, once cried, “Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.” The pursuit of God’s heart will lead us into a world encompassed by rebellion, poverty, chaos and sin. Why? So that we can be His conduits, bringing life and hope, eternity and healing, to those outside of the Kingdom. A true vision of God’s heart was displayed on the Cross – selfless, abandoned, and devoted. If we embrace His heart and the experience the depth of His love, we can start a movement of grace and mercy that will be unstoppable. George O. Wood, Chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, once said that, “When an authentic message from God is wedded to an authentic hunger in the heart, a powerful spiritual movement gets underway.” The authenticity of our faith will make a great impact, not only to the lost but also within our own hearts.
“If we embrace His heart and experience the depth of His love, we can start a movement of grace and mercy that will be unstoppable. ”
The journey to a transformed heart is far from easy. The late Keith Green, a Christian musician, also penned this struggle in one of his songs. My eyes are dry, my faith is old My heart is hard, my prayers are cold And I know how I ought to be Alive to you and dead to me Oh, what can be done for an old heart like mine Soften it up with oil and wine The oil is you, Your Spirit of love Please wash me anew in the wine of your blood.
powerful spiritual movements. Our hearts are a great place for that movement to begin.
God’s Heart Surgery in My Life
William Shakespeare once penned that, “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” You may not have had a biblical prophet foretell your purpose on this earth but as God’s child, you surely have a mission.
For me to demonstrate God’s heart to the masses of Kolkata, I first had to allow God to purge me of prejudice. Before stepping for into India, I asked God for a baptism of love if I was ever to have an effective ministry there. Never did I dream how God would lovingly work that out in my life.
“I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way” – “a voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’” (Mark 1:2-3)
Let me explain. I arrived in Kolkata by rail. While waiting on a railroad platform for the missionaries to pick me up, an old leper man full of sores approached me for money; he reached out and touched me.
Throughout Church history, the Holy Spirit used unusual places to begin
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“You may not have had a biblical prophet foretell your purpose on this earth but as God’s child, you surely have a mission.” Although I had asked God for a baptism of love, I immediately turned away from the man. With my back facing the leper, God asked me a simple question, “Why did you come to India?” I offered God various reasons. He asked me again. I offered Him more reasons. When He asked a third time, I had run out of reasons. Then God spoke these words into my heart, “If you will turn around and look at that man, I will show you why I came to India.”
leper colony in South India. At the colony, people embraced him, shared the Gospel to him, and eventually led him to Christ. With treatment, and by God’s grace, his leprosy was arrested and he became a man who lovingly handed out candies to the children in the colony. This man’s life was transformed by God’s love – and so was mine!
I turned around and, for the first time in my life, I saw the greatness and depth of God’s love for mankind. I walked over to the leper and held him in my arms. It was in that moment that God gave me a deep love for India; my prejudices were taken away and He replaced them with a desire to serve the people of that nation.
Christ is the heartbeat that the world desperately seeks to hear. As we develop a passion and compassion for the lost, I pray that God will soften our hearts and transplant His love into our being. I truly believe that developing a heart for the lost comes from first developing a heart for God. My prayer is that we will be able to increase our dose of God’s love so that not one man, woman, or child will be left behind or left unloved.
Eventually, we took the leper to our church compound and ministered to him. Soon after, we sent him to our
Moving Forward with the Heart of Christ
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Reverend Wayne Francis spends much of his
time representing Calcutta Mercy Ministries Canada, an organization dedicated to providing holistic care for the people of India. A son of Canadian missionaries, Rev Wayne Francis grew up in Kenya and has been raising awareness for India’s underprivileged children since 1970. Trinity is honored to have him as our guest speaker for Missions Convention 2016. Be inspired by his message, catch a new passion for what God is doing, and discover how you can impact the world for Jesus!
A Miracle For an Atheist By David E. Godwin
She was frightened beyond words. The doctor pointed to huge x-rays on the wall showing signs of a malignant condition in the lungs. Delia had asked for the examination because of the severe pain that affected the ability to raise her arms. After learning that there was no light on the horizon, Delia went home to a feeling of dark, piercing hopelessness. Every day became an increasing struggle for her. When she could no longer lift her hands to feed herself, she contemplated suicide. Residing near the Panama Canal Highway, Delia decided that she would end her life by stepping in front of a semi-truck. In her pocket, she would include a handwritten note exculpating the truck driver from all charges. What she did not know is that God, in His mercy, was engineering a miracle that would change her future. As she prepared for her
gruesome end, Delia suddenly heard a voice she had never heard before, “If you want to be healed, go to the crusade at the Templo Vista Hermosa.” Instinctively, she knew it was the voice of God. The place she was sent was a theater converted into a church, our first plant in Panama City. Even when faced with such a bleak future, Delia argued with the voice, “But that is not my religion!” The reality was that, at that point in time, she had no religion. She had followed religious traditions in her early life but never experienced anything. Ten years before this encounter with God, she had become an atheist. But cancer had a way of changing things. It only took a moment for her to decide.
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I remember the first Sunday evening I saw her standing in the crowd in the 1960s. However, that was not her first time into our church; Delia told me she had come for the earlier morning service and hugged a back wall, “to make sure we weren’t some weird religion.” After hearing the Word of God and the powerful testimonies of people transformed by Jesus, she returned to the night service and was seated front and center. What happened next was nothing short of miraculous. At the conclusion of the service, Delia responded to the call for prayer. Just as we were about to pray, and knowing nothing of her (or the circumstances), I felt moved to publicly ask about her need. She answered that she could not
raise her hands because of severe pain. She made no mention of the malignancy or the desire to end her life. However, God knew her inside and out; her answer would come from Him, not from human effort.
After praying for the group, I asked if she wanted to check for any improvement. Slowly, she started raising her hands. All of her sudden, her arms shot up towards the sky! Everyone in the crowd was moved by what they saw, a miraculous and instant healing! Sunday Night Rally, 1960s, Templa Vista Hermosa (Panama City, Panama)
Delia was so overcome with joy that she burst into tears and began to praise God. I presumed she was visiting from another church so I asked if she was already a believer. “No”, she replied, “Not until tonight!”
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This instantaneous healing changed her life. Delia went back to work, bringing with her new x-rays that showed no malignancy. The doctors were amazed and so were those that heard her testimony.
She continued to be a faithful member of our congregation, sharing her testimony at every opportunity: in services, on the radio, and in crusades in other provinces. Seeing miracles like this, the church in Panama City became a place where the hopeless received hope from God. Their songs and testimonies centered on the power and majesty of God Almighty; they embraced the truth that there was none like Him! The miracle God granted Delia, and many others like her, contributed to the growth of the Assemblies of God of Panama (El Concilio General de las Asambleas de Dios en Panamá). Today, the fellowship has grown to
include over one thousand churches throughout the country.
What “Miracle” Means to Me Miracle. Today that word is used everywhere. If a husband cleans the kitchen after dinner, or a child completes his/her homework on time, a mom may say, “It’s a miracle!”
A true, divine miracle, however, is not merely an unusual or unexpected event. A miracle, in the Biblical sense, speaks of something that could not
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have happened without God’s supernatural intervention. When Jesus called Lazarus from the tomb, He reversed time, erasing the effects of three days of decay. When He instantly calmed the violent waves on Galilee, it was a miraculous act of controlling nature. When He multiplied the loaves and fishes there was no visible proof until He gave thanks for a meal that, with only a boy’s lunch in hand, would feed thousands (John 6). He anticipated the miracle before it came to pass! As pioneer church planters in twelve nations – and ministry to many more – be assured that these
churches would not exist without the supernatural miracles of God. The entire missions enterprise, missio dei, is based on the miraculous hand of Almighty God. There is the miracle of open doors. How does the Gospel enter areas where it is unwelcome or forbidden? Only by God’s miraculous intervention! How do hundreds of people, after hearing about an experience they have never known, suddenly decide to respond and pray for God’s transformation? How phenomenal that God responds to prayer and that people are healed in spirit, mind, and body! There is also the miracle of supply. On the field, there is never enough for property, crusade outreaches, or meeting space. However, these provisions come at the last minute and almost always from unexpected sources. Incredibly, God speaks to people we did not know – vessels who were sent to meet our needs. They were like angels from Heaven!
The Miracle of Putting God’s Agenda First As amazing as the missions field can be, miracles really begin in the home church. They are essential to support the teams bearing witness to Christ around the world, trusting God
to supply funds which are not yet visible requires faith in a miracleworking God. I have been amazed to see how God honors a sincere Faith Promise. The power of the Faith Promise is that it is not based upon what we may be on hand, or in our accounts, at that moment in time.
The true Faith Promise is based on a prayer of faith. We simply ask God what He wants to supply through us during the next year. In the feeding of the 5,000, Jesus saw far beyond Philip’s account balance. In fact, the Bible clearly shows that Jesus knew how to multiply bread; He knew what to do! Though feeding so many people would require a miracle, miracles are what God does best!
Choose to partner with God, to align with His global agenda, and be a part of bringing more miracles into the world
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David E. Godwin serves as a pastor, missionaryevangelist, and church planter. Having spent more than two decades living in four foreign countries (including Panama in Central America) and planting churches in more than 30 cities, David also leads crusades around the world and witnessed thousands of people coming to know the Lord. Trinity is honored to have him as our guest speaker for Missions Convention 2016. Be inspired by his stories, catch a new passion for what God is doing, and discover how you can impact the world for Jesus!
Once is Not Enough! Trinity’s MIT Veterans
Michael Ang
Sarah Lau
Have you ever wondered what it’s like on a missions trip? Let our missions trip veterans tell you more! Nyon Yit An reports.
Cheryl Chong
Chia Ban Seng
Please introduce yourself and share how many missions trips you’ve been on. I’m Michael Ang from Creative Ministry. Since 2008, I have gone on 10 missions trips with Trinity: seven evangelistic and three humanitarian. I’m Sarah Lau from West District. I have gone on 12 missions trips, 11 overseas and one local (with CCSS’ Senior Activity Centre) since 2004. Cheryl Chong from IGNYTE Ministry. I’ve had the privilege to go on six trips with Trinity. Praying for the opportunity to go on more! I’m Chia Ban Seng from Chinese Ministry. I have been to more than seven missions trips with Trinity,
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Amanda Lee
both evangelistic and humanitarian, since 2004. Hello! I’m Amanda Lee from East District. Since 2013, I’ve gone on five missions trips, four evangelistic and one humanitarian. Wow, that’s an amazing number of missions trips! Isn’t it a big sacrifice to go on so many? Sarah: I have to commit time and money, which are precious to me. Even so, I willingly saved up my annual leave and money to go for missions. It is my choice to set aside personal agenda, wants, and needs to make missions a priority in my life because to me, going for a trip is a privilege, not a sacrifice.
Trinity’s MIT Veterans
Ban Seng: Generally, I don’t have much difficulty in terms of leave application or time commitments. For me, the most challenging aspect of a missions trip is giving up my preferences in order to minister effectively as a team. In each trip, I have to work with team leaders or members with personalities and perspectives that don’t quite match mine. I also get assigned roles that are not natural to me. However, these are all little tests that God uses to shape me. Learning to be people-centric and team-centric is a continual journey for me.
Michael: In Chennai, our team organized an evangelistic night rally at an open field. As the area gets very dark at night, we had to make sure there was enough light for the stage. We installed two lamp tubes on both sides of the stage. We also used car headlights as spotlights. As people came that night, guess what else came? All kinds of flying bugs! The bugs, both big and small, were attracted to the lamp tubes and started flying to the stage. Although some of the ladies were really afraid of bugs, they pushed on and didn’t show their fear.
Is every missions trip the same? Amanda: The spiritual climate differs in different countries. Some are more open than others and the people we encounter come from different religious backgrounds. The nature of ministry also varies in different countries and cultures. Some ministries involve large-scale evangelistic events whereas other countries are more receptive to door-to-door ministry. The felt needs of the people we ministered to also differ. What are some of the inconveniences you’ve faced while on a missions trip?
Cheryl: One of the challenges for me during a missions trip are the long journeys (ranging from 1-4 hours) on bumpy roads. I’m very prone to motion sickness and have to take necessary precautions before setting off on these rides. I am thankful that teammates offer me the better seats. Apart from their concern for me, I think they gave me these seats so that I don’t “merlion” (vomit) on them!
for the orphans and the widows, because they are close to God’s heart. It is also a reality check that the needy are everywhere and that I must be thankful for all that God has given me. Sarah: Inconveniences are wonderful experiences that God used to stretch my limits and overcome my fears and weaknesses. I experienced God and found that I have been transformed after each trip. In each trip, God’s presence is always there to empower and remind us that the people there really need God. I came back with new trophies after each trip – a new experience of partnering with God and encountering Him, learning to flow with the Holy Spirit, breaking mindsets, having more compassion for people and reaching a higher level of faith.
Given the inconveniences, what drives you to keep going out into the missions field?
Cheryl: Despite the “sacrifices and inconveniences,” I am passionate about missions simply because it is the very heartbeat of God. Whether it was 2,000 years ago or now, God’s mandate remains the same – “Go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matt 28:18)
Michael: For me, it is more of compassion for the poor, especially
Furthermore, missions trips are exciting! Programs change, plans
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Trinity’s MIT Veterans
change, the crowd size is a lot larger than anticipated. No amount of preparation is ever enough. Although I might feel inadequate, it’s awesome to see how God moves and changes things so that His plans and purposes are fulfilled. I’ve learned to just go with the flow and let God take charge! Amanda: I am driven to do missions because it is God’s will for all man to know Him. God has called the church to be His primary instrument in His mission to restore and heal creation, to reconcile all man to Him. Just as Jesus was sent to reconcile all things to God by preaching the Good News, I believe God has called His church to be a blessing to the nations by spreading the Gospel through missions. Share with us one event during missions that greatly impacted you. Cheryl: For one missions trip to India, our team partnered with Project Rescue to minister to children and youths who are victims of sex trafficking. Some of their mothers were still working in the red light districts. These children do not know who their fathers were and had no opportunities to get an education.
A few of these children were also suffering from HIV/AIDs. It was exceptionally heart-breaking for me to hear them tell their stories. I will never be able to understand what their lives were like before encountering the love of Jesus. Truthfully, I don’t think any of us can.
people and uniting them as one despite their living conditions and neighbors that persecuted them. These people possessed a Contagious Faith that left an indelible mark in me. Since that trip, I became determined to live for God, to serve Him and His people, and not to give up.
During the trip, I learned to look beyond their dreadful past and recognized that God is the One who gives eternal hope. I am immensely humbled to have been God’s conduit in bringing healing and breakthroughs to these young lives, helping them walk in freedom towards their God-given destiny.
Michael: One day after service, Pastor Beatrice asked me to go with her on a missions trip to Coimbatore (India). While singing during a night rally, I noticed one of the girls in the audience, eyes closed and hands clasped in prayer. This little girl looked very familiar. Suddenly, I realized that the entire place looked familiar. It was like déjà vu! In that moment, God brought me back to a dream that I had more than 10 years ago where I saw a young Indian girl worshiping in church. He had already planted the seed for my first missions trip to India long before I ever set foot in the nation!
Sarah: My missions trip to India was the first time I saw the living conditions of the poor, something that I had only seen in National Geographic documentaries. What amazed me was that, even with such dire living conditions, the faith of the people was unlike what I had seen in Singapore. Materially they live like paupers but spiritually they live like sons and daughters of the Most High God. An illiterate mother leading a carecell with assistance from her young daughter. A poor widow and her son faithfully serving the church as a family. I saw the hand of God strengthening these
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After that trip, I signed up for the next four missions trips to India. Two years later, I had the opportunity to go back to Coimbatore and God gave me the opportunity to pray for the “girl of my dream!” Since this experience, I never stopped going for missions trips and even increased the number of trips to two per year.
Trinity’s MIT Veterans
Can you share with us one sign/ wonder/miracle you witnessed, or were a part of, during a missions trip? Cheryl: During a missions trip to Nias Island (Indonesia), one lady asked for prayers to heal a pain in her leg that made it difficult for her to walk. I sensed God telling me that she needed to surrender certain areas of her life to Him before we could pray for physical healing. I shared this with the one of the Bahasa Indonesia-speaking pastors and, together, we helped this lady deal with these issues. When that was done, we prayed for physical healing and the pain immediately went away. Hallelujah! I used to think that only pastors could heal the sick. I never expected God to use an ordinary person like me! During that trip, I learned that God can choose to manifest His power anytime, anywhere, and through anyone. All He needs is for a person to be available and willing to step out in faith. Amanda: During a recent trip to Myanmar, I was given opportunities
to serve as the Prayer Coordinator as well as share God’s word during an evangelistic event for the youths. On the morning of the event, our local prayer coordinator shared a breakthrough word for the team. She declared that this would be the day that the walls of Jericho come crashing down (Joshua 6) and there would be victory in the lives of those we ministered to. Prior to this, when I was preparing my message, I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to call for a surrendering of sins, addictions, and difficult situations to God. As I shared God’s word that day, I could really sense the powerful presence and ministry of the Holy Spirit. Many youths were touched by God’s love and began tearing in their seats. When I gave the altar call, I was amazed to see so many of them stepping forward to surrender their lives and situations to God. Indeed, God was doing something special in their hearts and lives. I was also deeply encouraged that God had already foretold this victory that morning. There was indeed a deep partnership with the Holy Spirit and with one another in our ministry.
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Do you have a word of encouragement for someone who is thinking of joining a missions trip? Cheryl: For those of you who feel that you are not ready to go on a missions trip, I will encourage you not to think too much about it. Just take a step of faith and go! I promise you that your life will never be the same once you embark on your first missions trip! You will be amazed at what God can do in and through you! If you are unable to take vacation leave to go on an overseas missions trip, you can sign up for a local missions trip, too! Ban Seng: I believe very strongly in “heart before skills.” If you feel you are not “skilled” or experienced enough, don’t worry. Our church has a good system in ministry training undergirded by a breakthrough anointing from God. You will not drown in deep water! You might take in a few mouthfuls of water but you will swim. Sarah: Wait no longer, fear no weakness, leave no regrets.
Back on the Field AlphaTrack’s First Alumni Missions Trip
From November 13-19, 2015, AlphaTrack sent its first Alumni missions trip to Iloilo, Philippines. Together, the AlphaTrack alumni worked alongside current Trackers (Batch 45) for a powerful time of ministry. Eugene Cheng (Batch 38) reflects on his experience back on the AlphaTrack missions field.
2012 was the year I entered the AlphaTrack program. If you ask around Trinity, you will know that AlphaTrack missions trips are unlike any other. Given the magnitude of the ministry/evangelistic events, preparations are especially demanding and times of ministry can be high-stress situations. Regardless, all of the hard work pays off. Through the trip, I saw how God could use me as long as I was willing to avail myself to His work. Three years have passed since my AlphaTrack days. I missed the
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encounters I had with God during that season and longed for another opportunity to partner with Him on the missions field. Then, during the BIG Alpha Track Reunion, Pastor Dominic announced the AlphaTrack Alumni inaugural missions trip. Something in my heart stirred and I immediately sought the Lord about going. After a time of seeking, I knew it was His desire for me to join this trip. The AlphaTrack Alumni team comprised of 10 individuals from different AlphaTrack batches. Even
though we didn’t know each other, we knew that developing strong relationships was essential in order for us to effectively minister to the people of Iloilo. After six training sessions, we started bonding as we practiced for our evangelistic programs and skits. Since we were AlphaTrack Alumni, ministry expectations were set much higher for us. We were worried. Could we work together as a team? Were we capable of running our programs? Could we keep up with the demands of the ministry? For some of us, our AlphaTrack days were many years ago. We didn’t know if we would have enough time to prepare – physically, spiritually, and mentally – for the intensity of the trip. However, God is so good. Not only did the team come together – learning to appreciate and use each person’s strengths – we worked together to accomplish everything we had set out to do. Together with Batch 45, over 1,600 people made decisions for Christ!
God also has been good on a personal level. Before the trip, I audaciously asked to be used in a miracle, specifically one involving physical healing. During a time of house-to-house evangelism, three of us encountered three elderly ladies. After sharing the Gospel with them, they all accepted Christ! Before parting ways, we asked how we could pray for them. One lady shared that she wanted to be healed of glaucoma (in her right eye). At first, I was taken aback. “What if God doesn’t show up?” I thought. Nevertheless, my partner and I stepped out in faith and prayed. To our amazement, God immediately healed her! Not only could she see from her right eye, she could clearly see 20 meters ahead of her!
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Through this trip, I was reminded of what God can do through us. As long as we choose to avail ourselves – our time, gifts, and talents – He will multiply our work for His glory and purpose.
AlphaTrack is a three-month full-time experiential training program that equips and empowers ordinary believers to become Harvest Warriors and Strategic Leaders. Be immersed in the presence of God. Be transformed by His power. Be released to impact the church and marketplace.
Transform your life in 2016. Sign up today! Batch 46: March 14 - June 11 Batch 47: August 22 – Nov 18 Want to find out more about AlphaTrack? Find out by: • Picking up an AlphaTrack flyer at the Information Counter (Level 2); or • Visiting the Trinity website, www.trinity.sg, (I want to Develop my potential > AlphaTrack) for more information!
Reaping the Christmas Harvest Training and Consultation Christmas is a special time for many cultures. Holiday lights twinkle at every corner and weeks are devoted to preparing for this end-ofthe-year celebration. For some churches that we give consultations to, Christmas was a time of breakthrough. We spoke with Pastor Wojciech Włoch, Senior Pastor of Kociół Jezusa Chrystusa w Krakowie (KJCH) and Dr Lalith Mendis, Senior Pastor of Brookside Community Church on how the TCC Cell Church Model has equipped their churches for Christmas.
KJCH is a Polish-speaking church in Krakow, Poland. Since 2014, KJCH has experienced constant growth in attendance and leaders. 2015 was no exception and the church is finding it increasingly difficult to contain the number of members in their current building. Moreover, to meet the needs of the Russian-speaking community – many migrating to Poland for economic or political reasons – we started our first Russian service in July. In November, during a time of prophetic prayer, God challenged us to be intentional about reaching out to our oikos during Christmas, to invite at least 10 people and bring at least one for our annual
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Christmas event. We saw how God was preparing us for this challenge as we had already rented a separate, larger venue to host the event. With the help of Pastors Margaret Tay and Alana Mah, who came to our church in November, the leaders prepared five weeks of Gear Up and Go. For six weeks, about 60 members also prepared for the event in various capacities. The children rehearsed a drama and a group of singers practiced Polish and Ukrainian Christmas carols. In Poland, Christmas is a holiday that is very family-oriented. Therefore, members focused their invitations on family members and
close friends. The church also came together to organize three Care Events: one for the children, another for the youth, and a separate event for university students. As the members rose in boldness to invite their oikos, God’s granted them favor. 320 people, 80 of which were First Time Visitors (FTVs) came and experienced the joy of the Lord through the Christmas presentation. Attendees shared that the event left them with a positive and open attitude about God and church. During after-service fellowship, FTVs were encouraged to come back to celebrate the launch of KJCH’s second Polish language service on January 10. Knowing the Polish love for free things, the invite included a coupon for a free cup of coffee! As the leaders and members stepped out in faith, we were amazed and excited to see God bringing in the harvest. The Christmas event saw an attendance three times greater than our average weekly services! We praise Him for the opportunity to share the Gospel with so many in our community. 2016 promises to be an exciting year for us. With the help of Pastor Ivan Iurchyshyn, a migrant from Ukraine, the Russian-speaking members intend to expand their efforts to reach out to more of the Russian-speaking community.
Brookside Community Church caters to the English and Sinhala-speaking communities of Colombo, Sri Lanka. This Christmas, our Sinhalaspeaking congregation experienced a tremendous breakthrough in the area of evangelism. Weekly attendance of the Sinhalaspeaking congregation averages around 250 people – 200 adults and 50 children. For Christmas, the congregation spent 16 weeks preparing for Nattal Sith Ruu (Colors of Christmas) – a production that included songs, choreographed dances, an apeksha band, a short drama, and a nativity act by the children. Two teams, a Core Team and a Practical Logistics team, worked very closely with each other and with members of the congregation to ensure that the production would run smoothly. As our members invited their oikos for Nattal Sith Ruu, leaders were mobilized to connect with people, share Christ with them, and to ensure that there was follow-up for as many FTVs as possible. In Matthew 9:37, Jesus shared that, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.” This Christmas, our Sinhala-speaking congregation saw
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this verse in action. We had only expected to cater to 150 people for the Christmas production. However, God brought over 700, of which 550 were FTVs! The congregation was absolutely amazed and overjoyed to see how God was working in our communities. Though it was impossible for us to speak with every FTV that day, we thank God that most FTVs were oikos that could be traced back to the person that invited them. Each leader, now with a renewed heart for the harvest, encouraged members to continue connecting with their oikos. Since Nattal Sith Ruu saw many FTVs that were students, the congregation has come together to organize a Care Event just for them. As the congregation invested their time, talents and treasures, we saw that God took what we had – our five loaves and two fish – and multiplied it for His Glory. Praise God for the open heavens and hearts this Christmas!
Impacting the World, In 2015, our pastors traveled around the world to equip, inspire, and “…make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). Here’s a look at some of the cities and countries they went to this year. Project Rescue Fundraiser Training and Consultation
USA
Pebble Beach Orlando
Conference Speaker Training and Consultation
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COLOMBIA Bogota Barranquilla
One Trip at a Time
UK
Birmingham Liverpool Coventry London
Preaching Conference Speaker Alpha Global Week Prophetic Ministry
POLAND Krakow Tczew
Conference Speaker
Training and Consultation
ITALY Turin
JAPAN
Okinawa Shikoku Yokohama Nanki
RoMANIA Training and Consultation Bucharest
SPAIN Madrid
Training and Consultation DEW Ministry (Project Rescue) Children’s Ministry
ISRAeL
Jerusalem
PWF Executive Meeting
Training and Consultation
VIETNAM
Conference Speaker Training and Consultation
Ho Chi Min
TAIWAN Conference Speaker
APAGF Meeting PAM World Congress
Training and Consultation
Taipei Hualian Kaohsiung Tainan Shimen Xinzhuang Jilong
Thailand Bangkok Chiang Mai
Training and Consultation Children’s Ministry DEW Ministry (Project Rescue) Prophetic Ministry Prophetic Worship Ministry
SRI LANKA Colombo
MALAYSIA
Kuala Lumpur Petaling Jaya
INDONESIA
Training and Consultation Preaching
Surabaya
Preaching
Australia MacKay
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Conference Speaker
Mentoring Pastors An Update from the M2 Program
Terence Ooi and Deborah Chan are missionaries with the Assemblies of God Malaysia. A husband-and-wife team, they were based in Cambodia for almost two years before relocating to Sabah (East Malaysia) in January 2016. Terence and Deborah support Legacy of Hope International (LOHI), a local non-governmental organization focused on educating, elevating, and empowering young people who are at risk of exploitation, maltreatment, and poverty. Their ministry involves training and empowering local pastors/leaders, building and developing rural literacy centers, mentoring local young people, as well as bridging the gap between rural and urban youth. We’re grateful for the opportunity to find out how their ministry has been
Missionaries Terence Ooi and Deborah Chan
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enriched since joining the Ministry and Mentoring (“M2”) Program in June 2015. We are glad that you are able to join us at Trinity@Paya Lebar in October 2015. How have you been blessed during your time here? We always look forward to our visits to Singapore, especially when it coincides with a weekend where we can come to Trinity Christian Centre. Since our first visit (to Life Conference) in June 2015, we have been extremely blessed with an extended spiritual family and more importantly, a prayer answered for a spiritual mentor in our lives. Pastor Janice and Pastor Wendy Chang made time to fellowship with us, taking us out for a delicious meal and sharing about God’s goodness in the missions field. They also offered words of encouragement about what He is doing in and through us. How has your ministry benefited from being involved in the M2 Program?
When we first left our comfort zone to serve the people of Cambodia in May 2014, we prayed that God will bring people alongside us on this new adventure, particularly a mentor. God answered our prayer when we crossed paths with Pastor Dominic at a missions conference in Bangkok, Thailand. Through the M2 Program, we are now connected with a network of co-laborers in Christ from all over the world, as well as a spiritual mentor that we can turn to for guidance. What is one thing Pastor Dominic has done (or shared) that has left a lasting impact on your ministry? Pastor Dominic’s leadership style is very straightforward and strategic but not lacking in grace. During a small group session, he encouraged us to review and re-think about the three P’s so that we can be more effective for God’s Kingdom: the purpose of our ministry; our position in Christ (i.e., who we are
God spoke to us to go into the missions field when our son was still very young. Being in the missions field as a young family is a challenge. Not only would we have to adjust to a new environment – a foreign language and a different culture – we have to do so while taking care of a small child. However, we knew that if God called us, He would also equip us.
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and what our giftings were); and our posture to receive more training in the areas where we lack. We continue to use these principles to ensure that our decisions are aligned to the vision that God has given us. Where do you see God taking your ministry in the next 5-10 years? Quite honestly, we left Malaysia with the expectation to return to our professional jobs after a year (or two) of doing missions work in Cambodia. However, God revealed that He has other plans for our lives. During our time of training, we learned to trust God 100 percent, even when it felt like we were wandering in the wilderness. Our (spiritual) ears have become more in tune to His voice and our faith has grown. Doors opened for us to relocate to Sabah for another ministry
opportunity this year. As we transition into this new season, we believe that our family is going from strength to strength and glory to glory. We would love to support you in prayer. Share with us some areas we can pray along with you and your ministry! Please keep our family in prayer as we become accustomed to life in Sabah. It is a bigger leap for us as the size and scale of the projects we would be involved in (i.e., mentoring youth in rural Sabah) will be greater.
In addition to adjusting to a higher cost of living, we will be welcoming our second child in May 2016! This pregnancy has been a miracle as there were some complications during the first trimester. Through
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this experience, we have experienced much joy in knowing that God fights our battles for us; we continue to believe that the rest of the pregnancy will be smooth.
Explore the Wisdom books of the Bible – Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. Draw out the significance of these books which were a valuable resource for the Israelites in their daily life and worship. Go deep into the truths found in these books and learn to apply them your life, work, family and ministry.
Sat, Apr 2 & 9 10am - 3.45pm Trinity@Adam
Did you know? If you take a Bible Series course every quarter, you will complete the Bible in three years! Register and begin your journey today!
Leaders’ Empowerment and Discipleship
To Register: SMS: Send CR to 8481 4277 or 8481 4273 (select Bible Heb Poetic Wisdom) Online: Register online at www.trinity.sg Trinity’s iPhone app or Walk-in
Helping the
Helpless Partnering to Help Victims of Human Trafficking
“The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners...” – Isaiah 61:1 In 2015, Trinity worked with Project Rescue in Spain and India to bring victims of human trafficking from the darkness of exploitation to freedom in Jesus Christ.
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Project Rescue began in 1997 when K.K. Devaraj and team members from Bombay Teen Challenge went into the red-light district of Mumbai, India. Their ministry team was stunned to find an estimated 100,000 women and children living in sexual slavery.
“We are honored to partner with Project Rescue in ministering to victims rescued from sexual slavery. Project Rescue’s emphasis on providing physical, mental, and spiritual restoration means that those under their care can learn to live in freedom and with a sense of purpose in Christ.” — Senior Pastor Dominic Yeo
In this first encounter, over 100 women were challenged to new life in Jesus Christ. However because they were in slavery they could not leave, but instead they asked K.K. to take 37 of their little daughters to a place of safety in order to prevent them from a life of prostitution. So out of that night, Project Rescue and Bombay Teen Challenge created a safe aftercare home. The shelter became a secure environment. Most importantly the children were introduced to a heavenly Father who loves them and has good purposes for them. In 2013, Project Rescue-affiliated ministries ministered to over 32,000 women and children impacted by sexual slavery. Through aftercare homes, vocational training, afterschool programs, night care shelters, HIV/AIDS and medical clinics, red light district churches and Sunday schools, and awareness and prevention programs women and children are being rescued and restored.
Over the past 16 years, Project Rescue has seen God miraculously work on behalf of women and children in the darkness of sexual slavery. The strongest ministry staff today are former madams and young women who themselves found freedom through the ministry. In the past year, Trinity partnered with Project Rescue by sending teams to Spain and India to train Project Rescue staff and minister to victims rescued from human trafficking and prostitution.
Trinitarians, your giving has allowed our church to bring God’s healing into the lives of those rescued from human trafficking. Let’s continue to partner with these organizations with our giving and through prayer.
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For the Victims • Experience freedom and rescue • Receive spiritual, emotional, and physical wholeness • Continued safety and reintegration with their families and communities
For the Frontline Staff Fighting Against Human Trafficking • Safety as they interact with, rescue, and protect victims • Physical, mental, and spiritual strength
For the National Leaders • Courage and wisdom to fight against human trafficking
For the Traffickers • Repentance and a desire to give their lives to Christ Source: Project Rescue. (n.d.). Accessed January 11, 2016, from http://projectrescue.com/
Cambodia: In December, we received over 290 letters written and beautifully decorated by the children we sponsored. Here are two of them.
Dear Trinity Happy Merry Christmas! How are you doing? I’m fine. I wish you happiness, protection, long life and good health. Be successful in everything you do. May God bless you and your family! Thank you so much!
Dear Trinity Happy Merry Christmas! Thank you sponsor for all the school’s materials. May God bless you with peace.
Trinitarians, your giving allows us to continue sponsoring over 1,000 children around the world! • 78 •
Thailand: We have also been able to give a special groups of children a place to call home in our Home of Champions. During the yearly feedback given by the children, one boy (age 11) shared that, “I love to stay in this home a lot. I don’t want to leave this place. Because this is God’s house. God chose us to be here.” Sister Cal-Lin Neubronner, our Ambassador to Thailand, shares a story about a life transformed by the Home of Champions.
India: On top of sponsoring our children for food, medical expenses, school fees, school uniforms, shoes, stationary, school bags, we also gave these children Christmas gifts and new clothes! Here are their bright smiles to share!
Hannah (not her real name), 11 years old, entered The Champions@Maerim in 2014. Over time, as she heard about Jesus and what He had done, she decided to receive Jesus into her heart as her Lord and Savior. We began to see a quiet, melancholic girl transform into one exuberating with joy through the hope of the Gospel. She became the conduit of God’s blessing of joy and hope to all those around her.
school, she has shared the Gospel with a few of her friends and led them to Christ. Hannah would follow-up by sharing what she had learned from morning devotions or her own Time Alone With God.
On occasions where her mother would call, Hannah would speak words of encouragement to her and commit the family’s problems through prayer over the phone. In
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When she went back home to her village in April 2015, Hannah shared about Jesus Christ with her aunt and led her to salvation! God is indeed using Hannah mightily as His light in her world!
Investing in Kingdom Foundations By Toni Er, Dean of Students, TCA College
“Without a scholarship, I would never have been able come to TCA College to study the Word of God and be equipped for ministry”, shares June Caroline Moses, a Burmese student currently studying in the School of Theology. These words echo the sentiments of other international students who have received financial assistance, in the form of scholarships, from the Missions Fund. Over the years, TCA College’s scholarship fund has made it possible for students from around the world – China, Columbia, India, Indonesia, Finland, Ghana, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Poland, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam – to come to TCA College. Through scholarships, these students are able to focus on their studies since cost of studying (e.g., tuition fees, hostel accommodation fees, and some daily living expenses) are already settled. Armed with a strong theological foundation, many of our scholarship
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recipients return to their home countries and into the ministry. Some have risen into positions of Strategic Leadership as senior pastors and denominational leaders. Others have become Bible school teachers, passing on the knowledge they had acquired at TCA College to the next generation of spiritual leaders. At the end of this year, June will graduate and return home, joining many fellow scholarship recipients as workers in harvest field. “When I graduate from TCA College, I will teach in a Bible school. I want to use what I have learned to bless the churches in Myanmar.” Trinitarians, your Missions Faith Promise allows TCA College to continue training the next generation of global leaders and teachers. Thank you for partnering with us.
God Centered • Life Transforming • Culturally Relevant
School of Counseling Postgraduate Diploma in Counseling Master of Arts in Counseling Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling School of Creative Arts Continuous Learning Program Creative Arts Workshops Trainings and Consultations School of Theology English Department Certificate in Ministry Diploma in Theology Bachelor of Theology Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies Master of Arts in Ministry Master of Divinity
神学系（中文部） Chinese Department
圣工证书科 Certificate in Ministry
神学文凭科 Diploma in Theology
神学学士 Bachelor of Theology
圣工硕士 Master of Arts in Ministry
道学硕士 Master of Divinity
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Global Recognition, Global Partnerships • Asia Theological Association • International Registry of Counsellor Education Programs • Singapore Association for Counselling • Theological Seminary of the Assemblies of God of Spain (Facultad De Teologia Asambleas De Dios, Spain)
Master of Theology 249 Paya Lebar Road #03-11 Trinity@Paya Lebar Singapore 409046 www.tca.edu.sg • 6304 7602 • admin@tca.edu.sg
Small Hands, Big Impact Care Community Services Society’s CareHuts As the saying goes, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.” Amy Lin shares about how one of its children’s programs cultivates the value of blessing others.
What is a CareHut? At Care Community Services Society (CCSS), our mission is to serve the community through various programs and services. However, CCSS also believes in influencing and equipping individuals and families for empowered living through all generations. Our organization seeks to transform and empower beneficiaries with a renewed sense of purpose, so that they can live in wholeness, reach their fullest potential, and to become channels of blessing to others in their community. One way we instill the vision of “Empowered People” is to engage our children beneficiaries in characterbuilding exercises. In our Stamford CareHut (a school-based student care center), one such exercise is their Food Distribution activity, a bi-yearly event that started in 2011 and has become a much-anticipated event in the children’s calendar. During the school holidays (in June and December), children get involved
in distributing basic essentials (e.g., bread and biscuits) to the rental and low-income flats surrounding the CareHut. Last December, 49 Stamford CareHut children distributed biscuits (purchased through donations from our partners) to 175 households in the Jalan Besar neighborhood. “We are glad that the kids have learned to bless others as well,” shares Sook Fun, a supervisor of Stamford CareHut. “All the children received joy and satisfaction from the meaningful activity. They were also proud that this activity could break their previous record of blessing 70 households.”
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CareHuts are school-based student care centres which cater mainly to children from low-income and/ or single-parent families. The character development of each child is emphasised in its daily programs so that the children can enjoy opportunities and experiences in their learning journey through the platforms made available. Currently, CareHut operates in five primary schools island-wide. CareHut fees are tiered based on household income, with some parents paying as low as $10/ month. To keep CareHut student care center fees affordable for parents, CCSS depends largely on donations from partners like you. Find out more about CareHuts, as well as our other services for children, at http://www.carecom.org.sg/ > Services > Children Services.
Missions at
Our Doorstep Three Decades of Faithfulness Filipino Ministry’s 30th Anniversary and Employer’s Sunday Event
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Missions at Our Doorstep
November 8, 2015 marked a milestone for the Filipino Ministry as it celebrated 30 years of God’s faithfulness and partnership. Pastor Michelle Dolendo shares more about the celebrations that took place.
30 years ago, a group of Filipino sisters were brought to church by their Trinitarian employers. The sisters began to meet every Sunday to pray for more of their community to hear the Gospel. Soon, the number of attendees grew and continued growing to what the Filipino Ministry is today. The Filipino Ministry also has discipled many leaders – Spiritual Parents, Associate Leaders, and Carecell Leaders. Some of these leaders have gone back to their hometowns to be the salt and light for their communities. To celebrate this milestone, our annual “Employer’s Sunday” event was not only a time where members give back to their beloved employers but also a time to celebrate
dances from different regions in the Philippines, giving all a glimpse of the rich and diverse heritage of the Philippines. Gracing the event was Pastor Danny Leong who shared a message on “Great Relationships.”
generations of Filipino Ministry members. Employers and their family members added to the celebration by dressing in traditional Filipino costume. A “fiesta” is not complete without food and dancing. As attendees feasted on a spread of national delicacies, every carecell (dressed in colorful attire) showcased festive
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Indeed, God has remained faithful through the years and has a wonderful plan for our growing family. We look forward to experiencing great things He will unfold for the Filipino Ministry in 2016!
Missions at Our Doorstep
Bearing Fruit
Indonesian Ministry’s Multiplication in 2015
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus’ declared that His followers are called to, “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” Pastor Steven Tay shares how members of the Indonesian Ministry committed to discipleship and multiplication in 2015.
By God’s grace, the Indonesian Ministry has steadily grown from an average attendance of 65 (December 2012) to 85 (December 2015). However, an increase in the flock meant more shepherds were needed. To alleviate stress on the existing carecells – each had an average attendance of 30 – the Indonesian Ministry needed to train up more Spiritual Parents (SPs), Associate Leaders (ALs), Carecell Leaders, and Section Leaders so that multiplication could occur. When asked to become an SP, Atun Tunerah Deborah shared that, “At first, I couldn’t believe it. However, I was ready to be used by God if that was His will for me.”
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Masingan Tamin Joseph shared a similar sentiment, “I decided to become an SP, even though I had my doubts, because I believe God is the one who will empower me. I know that I can’t fail because the Lord Jesus makes me the head and not the tail.” For Irsan Jie, becoming a Carecell Leader was not a natural choice. “When I was asked to rise in leadership, I didn’t know what to expect and was hesitant. I am naturally not people-person and prefer to mind my own business. I cried to feel His compassion towards people. One day, God transformed my heart by letting me feel with His heartbeat for the lost.”
Missions at Our Doorstep
To become equipped for ministry, members attended LEAD courses conducted in Bahasa Indonesia. Since many members had work commitments over the weekends (some were only able to attend church once/twice a month) course schedules were modified so that members would not miss too many classes. In order to go through the entire suite of leadership development courses (SP1 to CCLT2), some members would have committed at least 2½ years to training. Jool Jeliana shares that, “I accepted the role of an AL because it was an opportunity for me to exercise what I had learned in LEAD class. This role is also a way to prepare me to be used by God when I return to my hometown in the future. Trinity is the place where I can be trained to be God’s strategic leader.” In 2016, there are plans for additional multiplications, increasing the total number of carecells from five to eight. Praise God for a fruitful year!
Safe Place
Indonesian Ministry’s Christmas Evangelistic Event On December 13, 2015, the Indonesian Ministry ended the year with a Christmas evangelistic event, Safe Place. Pastor Martin Sunardi, an evangelistic singer/songwriter from Jakarta, led 163 attendees (including 19 First Time Visitors (FTVs)) in a time of song and shared about how God had transformed his life. India Permata, an FTV, was invited by her sister, Gati. She shared that, “Pastor Martin’s message really touched me, his story was so similar to the story of my life. I really felt Jesus’ amazing love that day.” We praise God that nine people made decisions for God that day! *** We asked Pastor Martin to share a word of encouragement for the Indonesian Ministry.
“The Indonesian Ministry is so passionate about Jesus! I learn a lot from them and I love them. You all do amazing things for His glory. My prayer is that the Indonesian Ministry will continue to develop a greater sense of belonging. Persevere not only in becoming a church but also becoming one family. Every time each of you learns to be more selfless, you will become a greater blessing to others.” ***
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Missions at Our Doorstep
Into the Waters Japanese Ministry’s First Water Baptism
はじめは自分がまさか教会に通い、神 様を信じることになるとは思ってもみま せんでした。朝が苦手な私を母がしつこ く教会に誘ってくれたのは今でも忘れま せん。説教も半分寝ながら聞いていまし た。でも、いつからか、教会に通うことが 習慣となり、説教にも耳を傾け、いつの 間にか神様を信じてました。今ではワー シップチームにも入れてもらえ、神様に 賛美することができて感謝しています。 これからも主を信じ、主が計画してくれ た道にそっていけるような人生を歩みた いと思っています。– 安竹梨穂
“In July 2015, God told me that the Japanese ministry must be ready for the coming days. Many in the Japanese community would soon cross the bridge and come to the church. Therefore, we must be ready to sacrifice for this time of harvest. I immediately shared this God’s message with the core members of the Japanese Ministry. God will never change what He promised. Now, it is the time for us to trust God’s promise and align ourselves to His plan. September 13, 2015 was a day of great joy for Japanese ministry, our first water baptism! More than three years after the ministry started, three ladies stepped forward as evidence of God fulfilling His promise for the Japanese Ministry. ” – Pastor Toyomi Sanga
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Before coming to Trinity’s Japanese service, I could never imagine myself believing in God and regularly attending at a worship service. I thank my mother who relentlessly asked me to join her for service on Sunday morning, especially since I’m not a morning person. Initially during service, I would be half-asleep. Eventually, going for service would become a habit; I started to listen to the preaching eagerly and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Last year, I joined the worship team. It has become my joy to worship God. I will continue believing in Jesus and I hope to live my life according to God’s perfect plan. – Riho Yasutake
Missions at Our Doorstep
私は今から３年前に礼拝に通い始め ました。月に２回の日本語礼拝を聞くこ とにより、毎日祈ること、賛美のすばらし さ、イエス様のなされてきたことを知りま した。食事をする前の感謝の祈り、いつ も自分は一人ではない、神様がいてくだ さるという安心感が持てるようになりまし た。死を恐れなくなりました。ゴスペルで 歌うことにより、もっと父なる神との関係 が近くなり、いつも、どんな時でも歌うこ とによって、P_O_W_E_R_をいただいてい るということ。残されたこれからの人生、 神様と共に歩んで生きたいと思っていま す。 アーメン。– 安竹保枝
私が教会へ足を運ぶようになったきっ かけは、2_0_0_9_年の春頃、クリスチャン の友人より子供集会に誘われた事から でした。子供達のサマースクールや教 会学校、子育て集会に参加するようにな り、日曜礼拝に出るようになりました。暫 くこのように「聖書を学ぶ」と言う時期を 過ごしていました。そして2_0_1_1_年春、 私と家族にとって兄が倒れると言う突然 の悲しい出来事と東日本大震災が起 こりました。私はシンガポールにいて二 重の悲しみと心配で胸が裂ける思いで した。この間、たくさんの方に祈っていた だき、また私自身も神様にお祈りしまし
I have been attending Japanese service for the last three years and have learned many things: who Jesus Christ is; how wonderful worshipping Him can be; and the importance of daily prayer.
In the spring of 2009, my Christian friend introduced me to church by inviting me to bring my kids to the children’s event. After attending a summer school, Sunday school, and a parenting seminar in her church, I also started to attend Sunday service. During that time, I learned about God’s Word through the Bible.
Praying before every meal gives me peace because it is a reminder that God is always with me. I feel close to God while singing gospel songs. Through singing, God gives me His power and strengthen me. My desire is to live the rest of my life together with Jesus Christ. – Yasue Yasutake
In the spring of 2011, two incidents broke my heart. One was the sudden death of my brother. The other was the Tohoku earthquake. During this time, many of my Christian friends prayed for me and I also learned how to pray. Prayers warmed my heart and I felt as if there was a light in my heart. I remember that I experienced a peace and calm like never before. From that point on, I believed that God was real. I held
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た。お祈りをしていただくと、心に灯りが ともると言う言葉のように胸の奥が温か くなりました。それは、それまで感じた事 のない感覚で、 _心が次第に穏やかに なっていった事をはっきりと覚えていま す。この時にはすでに神様がいらっしゃ ることを信じていたのだと思います。この とき励ましていただいたみことばのピリ ピ4_章6_から7_節は特に心に残る箇所 となりました。それからは神様にもっと近 づきたいと思う気持ちと、「わからない事 ばかりなのに、洗礼なんて」という気持ち が交錯していました。そのような時「神様 に、自分がわからない事を告白し、教え てくださいとお祈りしてもいいのよ」という 言葉をかけていただきました。神様があ りのままの私の祈り受け止めて下さるの だと思うと、洗礼を受けたい、受けようと 気持ちが変化していきました。神様の愛 が時間をかけて私を導いてくださった ことに感謝します。今日から神様の霊的 家族の一員として歩み、成長させていた だきたいと願っています。アーメン。– 渡 部久美子
on to Philippians 4:6-7, a verse that is still in my heart. It was a struggle for me to proceed for water baptism; I felt I didn’t know enough about God. One day, my Christian friend told me that I could confess that I don’t understand enough about Him but that I want to know Him more. After this prayer, God revealed that He simply accepts me for who I am. When I learned that truth, my heart gradually changed, and I was finally ready to go for water baptism. I thank God for His patience and love that has guided me all these years. Today, I desire to grow as part of God’s family. – Kumiko Watanabe
Missions at Our Doorstep
Touching Hearts, Raising Leaders A Brief History of Trinity’s Spanish Ministry For over 20 years, Trinity Christian Centre has worked with churches all over the continent of South America to raise and develop leaders. In 2012, Trinity’s outreach into the Spanish-speaking community came closer to home when a decision was made to reach out to this small, but growing, population in Singapore. Pastor Frank Smit shares more about how the ministry has grown over the past few years.
In The Beginning… My family and I moved from Columbia to Singapore in February 2012 for a period of training under the TCC Cell Church Model. In that year, Pastor Dominic shared his heart to reach out to the Hispanic population of Singapore. His vision was for Trinity to have a service where the Spanish-speaking community of Singapore could worship the Lord in their own language and culture. We started by providing Spanish interpretation during the English Celebration Services. In August, we also started the first carecell in my • 90 •
home (at Clementi Crescent). The carecell gathered every Saturday after service. We organized several Care Events so that carecell members had opportunities to invite others to join our fellowship.
Establishing Spiritual Authority in Singapore Before the Spanish Ministry started, I sought the Lord on how we could be more effective in reaching out to our community. For reasons unknown at the time, outreach and evangelism was very difficult. The Lord revealed that the spiritual climate for the Hispanic community
Missions at Our Doorstep in South East Asia was extremely dry. An internet search confirmed this revelation. With no formal church for the Spanish-speaking communities in South East Asia, there was no one to establish spiritual authority for our people in this region. Once the Spanish Ministry launched on August 15, 2013, I made it a priority to engage our community in spiritual warfare. For one year, the leaders committed to prayer and fasting on the first week of every month. In the first half of that year, our prayers would start at 5.00am over Skype. In the second half, we decided to meet for prayer at 7.00am at Trinity@Paya Lebar. Truly, prayer moves the hand of God. At first, the Spanish ministry met every two weeks. Eventually, we started having weekly services. Individuals who were lukewarm developed a strong passion for God. Service and carecell became a home away from home, a place where believers bonded with a spiritual family.
lifting up. Next, members would pray that these people would experience great favor with their oikos (in Singapore and their home countries). Then, prayers were extended for God’s blessings to be upon that nation, specifically in the areas of: governance, finance/economy, education, politics, religion, communications, and the arts. The blessing ceremony would end with a blessing to strengthen ties between that nation and Singapore.
Loving God, Serving His People The Hispanic community has also become a blessing for Singaporeans with a heart for the Spanish-speaking community. For them, the Spanish Ministry became an opportunity to serve the His people without leaving Singapore. The Spanish Ministry is also a place where members are discipled to become leaders, equipping them through LEAD leadership courses conducted in Spanish. To date, 14 members have risen to become Spiritual Parents.
The practice of corporate prayer is still an integral part of the Spanish Ministry. One of the ways we practiced corporate prayer this year was through blessing ceremonies. During the national days of every country represented in our community (10 in all), we would uphold that nation in prayer. First, members circle around the people whose nation we were
Some of our members have returned back to their native countries, bringing back what they have learned and expanding the Kingdom of God by being the salt and light for their community. With each passing year, I see the desire of the Spanish Ministry to grow in their walk with God, to be equipped in order to be a blessing to their community. Trinitarians, our community thanks you for first being a blessing to us through your prayers and acts of service. May God continue to bless the works of your hands and hearts. “Being part of the Spanish Ministry has been a great support because I have found a home away from home. When I arrived in Singapore, I felt the need to seek Him. Then, God led me to find this group that has been such a blessing in my life. I am so glad to hear the word of God in my own language.” – Elizabeth Gonzales “The Hispanic Community at Trinity has been a blessing for all the members in our family. When my mother visited us from the Dominican Republic, she felt very blessed to worship the Lord in her mother tongue. For my family, this is our spiritual family and we feel very blessed and happy to be part of this community, to help spread the Gospel and the power of God among our Hispanic friends in Singapore.” – Stanly, Denisse, and Benjamin Fernandez-De la Rosa
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Missions at Our Doorstep
Loved by God, Loving for God Thai Ministry’s Main Events in 2015
“For God so loved the world…” (John 3:16) 2015 was a year where God’s love moved strongly among Thais living in Singapore, giving them new life, joy, and peace. Pastor Kim Chong Pae, who became Pastor for the Thai Ministry in 2015, shares how God’s love manifested both in Singapore and Thailand.
Recharging and Reconnecting National Day is one of the few times where the majority of our members can come together. Instead of joining other Thai churches in Singapore for an event, we organized our National Day Seminar – from August 7-9, 2015 – with Reverend Giatisak Roongrawiwan (former pastor of the Thai Ministry) as the key speaker for the event. In addition to the 50 that registered, knowledge of Reverend Giatisak’s presence drew many former church members to the seminar for a chance to fellowship with their beloved former pastor.
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Some of these members had been absent from the Thai Ministry for many months, even years. During the seminar, Reverend Giatisak spoke on topics ranging from daily Christian living to developing a stronger relationship with God. Members of the Thai Ministry learned practical ways to partner with God so that they could continue to live victoriously. He also shared how some of the former members of the Thai Ministry have answered the call to be fulltime pastors in Thailand. Praise the Lord for continued fruitfulness from the Thai Ministry!
Missions at Our Doorstep
Making a Stand for God In the later part of 2015, four members of the Thai Ministry decided to make a public declaration for God through water baptism. However, the road to baptism proved to be a challenging one. Upon submitting their applications, each of the candidates experienced intense hardship. One candidate, in the late stages of pregnancy, learned that her husband had been caught by the police and thrown into jail. Another discovered that her husband was suffering from liver cancer. A third faced strong objection from her husband who neither understood nor agreed on his wife’s decision for water baptism. However, these barriers did little to deter the candidates from their hearts’ desire and on November 8, 2015, each of them went through the waters of baptism. May God continue to work mightily in their lives.
A Home Away from Home Spiritual Parents are often the pillar of strength for young believers, nurturing and encouraging them in their walk with God. As a result of their faithfulness, the Thai Ministry celebrated the launch of a new carecell on November 16, 2015 – the first that gathered at a member’s home!
Sending God’s Love to Thailand Since joining Thai Ministry in 2015, reaching out to the families of members in the Thai Ministry has been one of our desires and main prayer items. In December, God answered that prayer by allowing me to visit the families of three members during a ministry trip. Before my arrival, the members would prepare the way by inviting their friends, family, and neighbors to one place to learn more about the Gospel. During these visits, I partnered with them to share the Gospel. For some families, this was the first time they had heard about the Message. For others, the visitation was an opportunity to ask every questions they had about Jesus.
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One member shared how grateful she was for the visit and how her oikos were now more open to the Gospel. We pray for continued favor with the families and for the Message to extend to the surrounding community.
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Immerse! DiscoveryLand Camp 2015 “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you!” – Acts 1:8
From December 9-10, 2015, 175 of our children found out the answer to this question at DiscoveryLand’s annual day camp, held at Trinity@Paya Lebar.
Can a child receive power from the Holy Spirit?
At the start of camp, each camper was given a cap and encouraged to earn as many badges as possible through station games, assignments, and by working together to complete tasks. Throughout the day, God’s sweet presence could be felt as the children learned that they, too, could receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
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“I have never been baptised in the Holy Spirit. During the two days of camp, the presence of God was overwhelming and I spoke in tongues.” – Faith Chua, 11 years old
“I prayed for God to send me a word and He gave me a picture of heaven.”
“Before the camp, I always wonder if God really exists as I can’t see Him but during the camp, I received pictures from God. And now, I know our God is real and He exists.”
–Theophila Tan, 10 years old
– Evelyn Phua, 9 years old
“On Day 2, we were asked to pray for our Group Facilitators (adult leaders). I asked God and prayed in tongues for what to draw/ write. God heard me and gave me three pictures!”
“I had fun on the first day as we played laser tag and bubble soccer. When I was worshipping with my friends, God’s presence was overwhelming and I knew that I had to believe in God fully.”
“I learned that the Holy Spirit leads me, knows what God is going to say to me, and helps me overcome my sins.”
– Joshua Ho, 11 years old
– Lisa Ng, 9 years old
– Genevieve Teh, 11 years old
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PULSE
IGNYTE Camp 2015
From December 7-10, 2015, 497 IGNYTErs travelled to Batam (Indonesia) for their annual IGNYTE Camp. Benjamin Voon reflects on his time there. As I got ready for camp, I thought to myself, “It’s probably going to be like the previous camps. We’ll play the same old games, sit through three-hour night services, and take photos on the last day with our groups”. I couldn’t have been more wrong. we even had six First-Time Visitors (FTVs) coming with us. When I got to Trinity@Paya Lebar in the morning, I was surprised to find the place buzzing. In fact, people around me looked like they were going to EXPLODE with excitement! 497 IGNYTErs had signed up for camp this year and
During the night service, I took back my initial doubts about camp. God moved among us in such an amazing way and words can’t describe the awesomeness of His presence. IGNYTErs cried out for more of Him and, for the first time in a long while, I started tearing in the powerful presence of God. In that time, I knew lives were being touched and hearts mended from past hurts.
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Pastor Gary shared a message about the power of our devotion, reminding us that He is interested in our lives. Every life matters to God, including mine!
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Today, Brother Ch ris and Sister Irene conducted a work shop about what it mean s to make Godly decis ions in a world th at is not so black-and -white. I was blown away by their wisd om and reminded of how blessed we are to have of our DefinYt ion teache rs.
Adventure beckons! We spent the day playing extremely crazy games, getting muddy and soaked.
The most memora ble event for me wa s the night meet ing wh ere leaders prayed over and anointed us. I know that God has called me and I wi ll never be the same again.
By night service, the IGNYTErs had screamed themselves hoarse; our adult leaders were not satisfied with the volume of our group cheers (“Not loud enough! ”). Although our voices were failing, our spirits soared. God had set an unquenchable fire within our hearts and we wanted more and more of Him.
During camp, an explosive passion for God was sown into us. We even witnessed two salvations! Each of us left Batam knowing that our journey was not over; the end of camp was really the start of new beginnings.
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Camp Seize!– Seized By God, Seize For God Campus Leaders Camp 2015
From December 28-30, 2015, 76 leaders from the Campus Ministry braved the causeway crowd and traveled to Johor Bahru (Malaysia) for Camp Seize! In those three days, God challenged the leaders to go deeper in the areas of discipleship and their personal walk with Him. To continue winning the campuses for Christ, the leaders would have to risk it all. Felix Tan shares how they seized God’s heartbeat for their generation.
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“Expect the unexpected!” This rallying cry rang in the ears of each camper as they huddled into camp. Moments later, their stomachs were put to the test in an unexpected food-eating competition filled with raw bittergourds, instant noodles with chilli padi, and watermelons “seize”-soned with vinegar and sesame seeds.
sunlight, and to prune (cleanse) the healthy branches from debris and chokage. Maxine Voon (Year 2, Singapore Management University) testifies of how God revealed Himself as faithful in a year rocked by a major event. “Although I often questioned and doubted God, He began to uncover the issues I had and reminded me that He wanted to be the gardener of my life so that He could prune away the difficult parts.”
At the start of Camp Seize! Pastor Wendy Chang shared that our ministry would soon be heading into unchartered waters, seizing the campuses for Christ. But God first needed to seize our hearts. In her first message (Jesus’ model of discipleship) Pastor Wendy shared how discipleship must be undergirded by strong relationships that are intentionally (not incidentally) forged. Additionally, discipleship cannot shy away from confronting and correcting people when they are not living right with God. “God spoke to me that being a leader is about loving my disciples, investing time into their lives, and having relentless belief in their God-given potential,” shared Guan Hua (Year 4, National University of Singapore (NUS)).
The morning of Day 2 was a time of contemplating of our walk in God in 2015. Pastor Wendy reminded us that God is our gardener and we had to remain in Him, even during the painful times of pruning, for Jesus shared that, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit He prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (John 15:1-2) Though our natural tendency is to take flight in seasons of pain, we have to remain in God so that He can “lift up” the branches that need
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Through this revelation, our hearts were seized by God once again. “I had been consumed by unhappiness throughout the year. Through the worship sessions and sermons, God reminded me of His everlasting love. I choose to carry the everlasting joy which allows me to seize those around me for Christ,” says Amanda Tan (Year 3, Nanyang Technological University). “Expect the unexpected!” What had initially been a harmless surprise celebration for our beloved pastor turned out to be the camp finale activity: a night mission! When the unexpected event was announced, some of us had already powered down for the night, washed and in pajamas. Mentally and physically drained, we used the last of our strength to rescue a group of kidnapped campers. Emotions ran high and resolves were tested through a series of grueling tasks. Through this activity, our hearts were humbled when we were confronted with this question: How much would we be willing to sacrifice for God’s agenda?
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Camp Seize! also equipped us with ministry skills and scriptural knowledge to disciple others in areas such as tithing, baptism, and gifts of the Holy Spirit. Timothy Lim’s (Year 2, NUS) breakthrough from Camp Seize! was learning to depend upon God for ministry. “When I was starting to serve as a Spiritual Parent, there were many uncertainties on my mind. At times, I did things by my own strength. But I thank God that, through this camp, He brought me back to a place of surrender and obedience, reminding me that His ways will always be higher than mine.” Leaders, now that our hearts have been seized by God, let’s get ready to seize our campuses for Him!
Being God’s Light in the Marketplace Campus Grads’ Camp 2016
Each year, Campus Ministry helps graduates transition into the marketplace through Grads Camp. This year, from February 9-10, 2016, close to 40 university graduates came to Trinity@Paya Lebar to gain godly perspective on areas such as money, ethics, and career planning. Through workshops and a panel of speakers, several marketplace Trinitarians shared their journey in putting God at the center of their careers. At the end of camp, Pastor Wendy pulled it all together by charging each graduate to walk in God’s destiny by loving and fearing the Lord. Graduates, continue to be the salt and light of your new community!
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Moving Forward in Prayer First Prayer Meeting of 2016
During Watchnight Service, Pastor Dominic called on the church to build on the spiritual discipline of prayer. At the first prayer meeting of the year, on January 8, 2016, Trinitarians came together to commit the new year to the Lord. Rachel King reflects.
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When I WhatsApp-ed my carecell to join me for the First Prayer Meeting of 2016, one of my members asked what we would be doing in prayer meeting? My response: “Praying!” In my heart, I knew that the First Prayer Meeting was more than just praying. It’s a time of dedication, proclamation, confession, and repentance. In the midst of praise and worship, Pastor Dominic had Richard Lim share about a miracle God had performed on him that week. Richard testified that he wasn’t supposed to be with us. Earlier in the week, he suffered from intense heart pain. Because of a history of heart problems, he spent the night in the hospital for observation. His family and carecell covered him in prayer and the next day, the doctors let him go home; they could find nothing wrong with his heart! Indeed, we serve an awesome God! Read about Richard’s Real Life Miracle by scanning this QR code!
Individually 1. Unbelief (Hebrews 3:12) – Doubt that God has something new/good in store for us 2. Apathy (Revelation 3:15-16) – A lukewarm Christian, one that lacks passion for God
In a time of sharing, Pastor Dominic shared a prophetic revelation regarding the Year of Jubilee. The #Jubilee50K Challenge had another nine months to go, the same amount of time a woman would go through pregnancy. At the end of these nine months, Trinity would experience a birthing of something new! Were we ready to move forward to receive the new things God is going to give us in nine months? As a continuation of his Watchnight Service, Pastor Dominic shared about ways we will be hindered from “Moving Forward,” both individually and as a church.
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3. Lack of da’at ( ) (Hosea 4:6) – Lack of knowledge of God and the Word of God
Pastor Dominic challenged each of us to turn unbelief into faith, apathy into passion, and ignorance and lack of da’at to a place where we will understand, meditate, and memorize the Word.
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Pastor Dominic also called for the church to “…make every effort to keep the unity of peace” (Ephesians 4:3), sharing the three things that will hinder our corporate (church) unity: disunity, distrust, and deception.
These words forced me to search my heart that night; to see where I really was in da’at. Other Trinitarians were also convicted by what was shared during the First Prayer Meeting. Ann Loh (West District) said that, “I was blessed by what Pastor Dominic shared. It reiterated what God was speaking to me in this season.” Shermaine Toh (Campus) shared how God moved in her heart, “I came wanting to know and pray for what is important for the church and whatever focus the church has. Instead, God showed me what it means to pray for individuals and corporately for the covering of the people. I am especially going to pray for my family’s salvation this year!”
As the congregation prayed for the lay leaders and the church as a whole, Pastor Dominic encouraged and released prophetic words for specific groups of people. Trinitarians, let’s continue to “Move Forward” in prayer this year!
“Section Leaders, you are the face of the pastors, acting in a capacity that is of a prophetpriest. Associate Leaders and Carecell Leaders, you are the pastors. One of the roles you take on is that of a shepherd, working alongside your Section Leader to pastor a group of people. For the Lord will say to you this day, ‘I will put sword in one hand and a key in the other. With the key, you will open doors for His presence to come. As the presence of God comes, you will have power. With the sword yielded in your hands, you will fight the battle and you will win because My presence is with you this day.’ As I was preparing for tonight, God specifically told me to pray for Spiritual Parents and carecell members. There is a cup of anointing that God wants to pour into your life to do two things. The first will be to enrich you into fruitfulness. For too long, some of you have not risen in your faith because of the lack of fruitfulness. This year, God will make you fruitful to prove to you that He is your God so that you will step up. The second thing that the cup will do is to protect and vindicate you. There’s a group of you that’s awaiting the vindication of God. This year, God will vindicate you so that you can step into a place of success and favor.”
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TOUGH QUESTIONS
By Rev Joseph Tan
TCA College
Are We Still Bound Under the Laws of the Old Testament?
In Matthew 5:17, Jesus declared, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.” Does that mean that we are still required to adhere to the laws found in the Old Testament? Are we bound to follow all of its rules and regulations? To answer this question, we must first understand the different laws found throughout the Old Testament, as well as their theological purpose. Then, we must understand the context in which Jesus made this declaration. Defining the “Law” The Jewish people refer to the first five books of the Old Testament– Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy – as the Torah () תּוֹרָה, the “Law of Moses” or simply, the “Law”. In Hebrew, the word torah means “law” or “instruction.” Christians refer to the same five books as the Pentateuch (e.g., Matthew 5:17-18; Luke 2:22). There are only a few instances where
the Law is in reference to the Old Testament as a whole (cf. John 10:34 concerning Psalm 82:6).
The Ten Commandments – The Foundation for All of God’s Laws
For this article, we will refer to certain portions of the Law: • Ten Commandments and the Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20-23); • Tabernacle laws (Exodus 25-40); • Laws of Leviticus (Leviticus 1-27); and • Laws of Deuteronomy (Deuteronomy 12-26).
Given 430 years after Yahweh’s covenant with Abraham (Genesis 15, 17; cf. Galatians 3:17-18), the different laws can be viewed as an extension of the Ten Commandments: the first four commandments had to do with one’s relationship to God while the last six dealt with one’s relationship with fellow human beings. Additionally,
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TOUGH QUESTIONS
the Israelites were to remember that God, not man, was the author of the Law (Exodus 20:22). The last six commandments (and their later extensions) dealt with the moral and civil laws of the day: how the Israelites were to relate to, and treat, their neighbours. These laws were very similar to the laws in the ancient Near East. However, there were also major differences. For one, biblical laws demanded a higher moral sensitivity than the laws of neighbouring nations. For example, the laws of ancient Near Eastern nations stated that when an official committed murder, their punishment would be a fine; if the same crime was committed by a slave, the punishment was death. Under the Law of Moses, all men were considered equal before God in judgment and punishment. The laws of the ancient Near East were primarily concerned with moral ethics of the day. The Law of Moses combined moral ethics with God’s Commandments.
Intent of the Law All these biblical laws revealed a great deal about the character of God (Yahweh), His Will, and His promises for His people. • The Ten Commandments centred on the themes of God’s holiness and omniscience, His redemption of the Israelites from slavery, His concern for the Israelites, and the need for faithfulness.
• The Laws of Leviticus concentrated on His holiness and set requirements for worship and everyday living. • The Laws of Deuteronomy focused on the truth that God’s love for Israel must be reciprocated with obedience to Him. The intent of the Law was not salvation or deliverance since they were introduced to the Israelites after the Exodus. Instead, the Law was given to the Israelites to show them how to live as “…a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). The Law was to be kept (Genesis 26:5; Deuteronomy 32:46) and obeyed (Deuteronomy 31:12) to represent a special and distinct relationship between Yahweh and His people. The moral and ethical laws of the Bible led to the principle of developing holiness in God’s people (cf. Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:16) The Law should not be treated as a long list of rules and regulations to be followed. Instead, it should be viewed as a set of lasting principles to be obeyed. For example, the Laws of Deuteronomy shared many similarities with the Ten Commandments and the Book of the Covenant (found in Exodus), but also a number of differences – revisions and expansions – in order to make the Law relevant for the new generation of Israelites (e.g., the phrase “no other gods” in Exodus 20:2-3 finds an echo in Exodus 22:19; 23:13, 24, 32 and Deuteronomy 5:7 and is expanded in Deuteronomy 6:14; 7:4; 8:19; 11:16, 28).
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To further demonstrate the Law’s adaptability, Numbers 27:1-11 recorded an interaction between the leaders of Israel and the daughters of Zelophehad regarding inheritance (their father had died without a male heir). When the case was brought to Moses, who ultimately brought this issue to the Lord, it was God who decided on how the land should be allocated to the daughters of Zelophehad. This divine decision later became the foundation to the issue of land rights for the tribe of Manasseh in Joshua 17:3-6. The principles of the Law do not change. However, the practice of the Law must adapt to new situations and circumstances. Said in another way, the theological purpose of the Law remained constant with every generation. Since the Law was given to the Israelites in their cultural context, they could literally apply them in their daily lives. Likewise, for modern-day Christians, we are called to apply the principles of the Law, namely, loving God and loving one’s neighbour.
Old Testament Law in the Context of the New Testament With this in mind, we go back to the question posted at the beginning of this article: what exactly does Jesus mean when He said He did not come to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17; cf. Romans 10:4)? To what extent are we required to obey the Old Testament Law?
TOUGH QUESTIONS
The Sacrificial System By Rev Joseph Tan
TCA College
Just as the Law taught the Israelites how to be a holy people in the Old Testament, the Word of God (revealed in Jesus Christ) will teach believers – both Jews and Gentiles – how to be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation before God (cf. 1 Peter 2:9; Revelation 1:6; 5:10). Therefore, any interpretation of the Law for the Christian community must be Christological (i.e., Christ’s interpretation of the Law). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus quoted a specific portion of the Law, “You shall not murder,” (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17; Matthew 5:21) and elaborated to the one who was angry with his brother would also face the same judgement. Again, the principle of the Law does not change. However, Jesus adapted and elaborated this principle for a new community of believers. On this note, let’s look at one area of the Law and its present-day requirements.
In the Old Testament, sacrifices and offerings were an important aspect of the Jewish culture; an integral part of worship of Yahweh. Altars were built and various types of offerings (e.g., burnt, fellowship, grain, drink, peace) were presented to indicate dedication and sincerity. Some offerings, such as the burnt offering, were a form of consecration to Yahweh. With the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem in AD 70, the old system of presenting offerings became impossible to perform. However, the lack of a physical place to perform sacrifices did not terminate the principle of doing so. So what were worshippers to do? With the arrival, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the writer of Hebrews makes it clear that Jesus has come to be our perfect sacrifice, taking away our sins once and for all (Hebrew 10:11-12). Through Jesus, we can come boldly into the presence of God without the need to present Old Testament offerings (Hebrews 10:19). Now, every Christian is called to consecrate themselves and “…be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind He will find acceptable…” (cf. Romans 12:1).
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Are we bound by the Law? Certainly not! (Romans 7:6) However, we are required to adhere to the principles undergirding the Law. Through Jesus and the help of the Holy Spirit, we can apply and live out these principles in order to live out our call as “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation,” making every effort to love God and love people (cf. the Great Commandment, Matthew 22:38-39; Mark 12:28-31). Sources consulted Selman, M. J. “Law.” In Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch, edited by Alexander, T. Desmond and David W. Baker, 497-515. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2003.
Rev Joseph Tan
has been a faculty member at TCA College since July 2011. He earned his Th.M. in the Old Testament from Trinity International University in Chicago, Illinois (USA) and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Bible and Theology from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary in Springfield, Missouri (USA). Rev Joseph’s teaching interests include Biblical Hebrew, Hermeneutics, and books of the Old Testament.
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Nursery/DiscoveryLand Helpers and Teachers How do Trinitarian parents attend service without worrying about their children? By entrusting their care to our Nursery and DiscoveryLand Helpers and Teachers! Lye Huixian finds out more about what they do and what keeps them serving.
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Please introduce yourselves to our readers. I’m Kenneth Chew from North District. I’ve been serving in N3 (children between the ages of 2 ½ to 4) since 2012. Currently, I serve as a Teacher In-Charge (IC). Hello! I’m Melissa Teo from East District. I started as a District Helper (DH) in DiscoveryLand for about seven years. I eventually became a DH In-Charge and recently became a Regular District Helper (RDH).
Melissa: As a DiscoveryLand RDH, I am scheduled to serve at least twice a month. I also serve during for events. Initially as a DH, I partnered with the teachers to keep the children attentive and focused during service. Over time, my roles expanded to include setting up for service and assigning roles to other DHs.
I’m Ronald Wong from Campus. I’ve been serving as a DiscoveryLand RDH for about three years. Can you tell me more about what it means to be a Helper/Teacher? What do you do and what is the commitment like? Kenneth: Like most Nursery Helpers, I serve once a month. To me, serving as Nursery IC means ensuring things run smoothly so that our children enjoy learning and playing in a safe and godly environment. I also help to train our Nursery Helpers and make sure that their time of service is an enjoyable one.
Ronald: As a DiscoveryLand RDH, you will definitely need to be committed. I serve twice a month and have to come earlier to set up, pray, and rehearse roles (Acting and Praise Teams).
Melissa: In DiscoveryLand, I can unlock the child within me. When I serve, I can enjoy the company of the children. Above all, serving alongside the like-minded Pastors, Teachers and my fellow DHs makes me feel at home in DiscoveryLand. It is one big happy family of God’s children! Ronald: When I was in IGNYTE, I suddenly had a passion for children and wanted to serve in DiscoveryLand. Before that, I didn’t really like children. Somehow, my heart and patience for children expanded and I can see them from a different perspective. As I serve in DiscoveryLand, I started to love these children more and see that they are precious to God. Despite the sacrifices, what joy do you find in being with the children?
Why do you serve in Nursery/ DiscoveryLand?
Kenneth: As the children grow up, I get to see how each child has grown up and how each of the Nursery Helpers has impacted their lives.
Kenneth: It is important to bring up children to be Christ-like from an early age. I serve with the hope that God will use us to impact the lives of our children.
Melissa: Children are trusting by nature and remind me of the childlike faith that I often forget. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and
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become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Just as the children trust their earthly fathers, we also should trust our Heavenly Father. Ronald: The simple sermons help me understand God’s Word and fan the flame to read the Bible. Worshipping with the children also reminds me to have child-like faith. When I see children encountering God and hungering for Him, that encourages me to press in and focus on Him in my daily life.
Ronald: Wow, only one memorable event? At the last camp, Immerse, we focused on the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Many children responded to the altar call. It was amazing and faith-building when I saw and heard different ones start to speak in tongues! God’s presence was so close and intimate that I started tearing. It was like being in our Heavenly Daddy’s arms and being filled with His love and comfort.
fulfillment from serving the children. Some children may be shy or challenging, but your brothers and sisters in Christ serving alongside you will help and guide you along the way.
Lastly, what would you say to someone who is thinking of serving the children?
Ronald: Come and be challenged to grow in patience and love. You may feel awkward at first, but be open and interact with them. You’ll find yourself loving these children and looking forward to your next serving opportunity.
Kenneth: Just come and serve! As long as you are willing to let God use you, God will give you a sense of
Melissa: All you need to do is to love the children. Do not undermine what you can do. The little care acts of love you sow into the children’s lives will be etched into their hearts.
Can you tell us one memorable event that has happened in ministry? Melissa: I remember a moment when one of our children asked whether I remembered him. I tried very hard to recall but before I could answer, he said, “You let me sit on your leg in Nursery when I was very small!” I am happy to see how he has grown and moved on to Pre-Teens.
Let us know by: • Filling out our online form at www.trinity.sg (Contact Us > Volunteer with Us > Serving the Church > Children’s Ministry); • Emailing us at connect@trinity.sg; or • Telling your carecell leader you want to serve with us!
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(Top most) Main Service at Trinity@Paya Lebar has moved to the Summit! (Top) Main Service at Trinity@Paya Lebar has moved to the Chapel! (Right) Check out my Water Baptism Certificate! (Far right) 18 IGNYTErs were water baptized on Jan 16.
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Trinity Christian Centre
Celebration Services
Encountering
God Lives
Transforming
Trinity@Paya Lebar 247 Paya Lebar Road
Trinity@Adam 21 Adam Road
English Services
English Services
IGNYTE Services (ages 13-20) Sat 5pm • Sun 10am
IGNYTE Services (ages 13-20) Sat 5pm • Sun 11am
Pre-teens Services (ages 10-12) Sat 5pm • Sun 10am
Pre-teens Services (ages 10-12) Sat 5pm • Sun 8.30am
Discoveryland Services (ages 4-9) Sat 5pm • Sun 10am
Discoveryland Services (ages 4-9) Sat 5pm • Sun 8.30am & 11am
Chinese Services
Chinese Services
Weekend Services1 Sat 5pm • Sun 10am
Sat 5pm • Sun 10am2
Weekend Services1 Sat 5pm • Sun 8.30am & 11am
Sun 8.30am & 11am
Filipino Service Sun 10am
Indonesian Service Sun 10am Japanese Service Sun 10am Spanish Service Sun 10am Thai Service Sun 10am
Tel: 6468 4444 • Email: connect@ trinity.sg • Website: www.trinity.sg
Concurrent Nursery services With Cantonese interpretation via headsets. 1 2
Information is correct at time of printing and is subject to change.