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W I T H G O D W I T H O N E A N O T H E R

The Newsletter of Covenant Evangelical Free Church

SEPTEMBER 2010 ISSUE NUMBER 2

MICA 214/07/2010We Turned 32 This Year!

The beautiful thing about this adventure called faith is that we can count on Him never to lead us astray.” Charles swindoll

ContentsWe turned 32 this Year! 1

Volunteers said “It Was Fun!” 4

God At WorkHis Perfect Healing 6

40-day Prayer Journey 7 At our Corered Bar vs Blue Bar 8

WIde AnGle Growing In PdA – A Personal Journey 9

Close-uPIn Him I trust 10

reCent & uPComInG eVents 12

CoVenAnt moments 12

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In high spirits as we celebrated Covenant’s growth over the last 32 years!

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t his year marks the 32nd Anniversary of Covenant evangelical Free Church; our Bukit Panjang (BPJ) Centre’s 10th Anniversary; Woodlands

(Wdl) Centre’s 2nd Anniversary, as well as the start of a second english service at Wdl Centre.

the celebration followed in quick succession to the IdmC Conference 2010, which was more than well received by more than 2700 local and foreign delegates (more on pages 4–6).

Food And Fun For eVerYoneunlike the large-scale celebrations we used to have in previous years, this year’s was smaller in scale, with a greater focus on fellowship as a family. It was

a rare sight to behold—elder Barney lau, director of operations, distributing ice-cream bars to anyone who wanted them. He confided in us later that he’d specially requested for roti prata to be on the Asian menu, besides fried carrot cake (commonly known as chye tow kway) and mee siam.

He shared his thoughts on Covenant’s 32nd birthday: “this year is significant because it’s the first time Covenant is operating as one church, two centres without our senior Pastor, reverend edmund Chan, at the helm, being away on sabbatical. It’s wonderful to see our lead Pastors, reverend tan kay kiong and reverend tony Yeo, rising up strongly to lead the church in unity towards our IdmC vision. our thriving social service

arm, new life Community services, turns eight years old this year, and we are growing in various aspects towards a disciplemaking church!”

Amidst the jarring pops of bursting balloons, inviting sounds of Christian songs played and sung by our very own VoICes young adults wafted to my ears as I sought out the snaking queues for my favourite childhood confection—the candy floss. kacang puteh and popcorn stalls were set up around the foyer, reminiscent of the good ol’ days at the movie theatres. there was something for everyone. kids and adults with “tattoo” ambitions parked themselves at the face-painting (or hand/arm-painting, for that matter) corner. Younger children were fascinated by the balloon sculptor

Cover Story

It was all food and fun at CoVenAnt eFC’s 32nd AnnIVersArY CeleBrAtIon on 5 sept 2010. louisa koh discovers that behind the 32 years is a rich history, guided by our faithful God, with even more exciting times ahead of us.

Professional magician engaging the crowd with tricks up his sleeve.

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our senior Pastor edmund Chan at the anniversary service.

who worked deftly with his fingers. even adults (like yours truly) marvelled at the professional magician who pulled out cards from his mouth, made fluffy balls disappear or reappear at will, and guessed the card you picked from the deck with striking accuracy.

our Best dAYs Are AHeAdAt the celebration service, our senior Pastor (sP), Ps ed, lovingly asked the congregation: “Where is your life heading?” (Jn 14:2–3). He reminded us, as individuals and as a church, to live life with a purpose, that the future is important for us because, like Jesus, we must live life with the end in mind.

We were exhorted to hold fast to three important things as we look into the future: 1) there is hope because Jesus has redeemed us by dying for our sins on the Cross; 2) there is certainty because Jesus is returning for us, 3) there is life because Jesus will restore all things to us. thus, we needn’t fear the future, because indeed, we have hope in Jesus Christ!

sP revealed that during his sabbatical, the lord had spoken many things to him but one thing was crystal clear: “It is time for Covenant to arise in global missions—I believe this with all my heart. God is still sending forth His message to the spiritually lost and homeless, to come home to a love relationship with Him, which is the most important thing in life. our greatest days are ahead of us, not behind us, so stop cruising on autopilot. the best is yet to be!”

Acting sP (Jul–dec 2010), Pastor kay kiong, added, “my desire for Covenant is for us to regain the integrity and credibility of our faith.”

our FAItHFul FAtHer doesn’t FAIlone story Ps ed recounted left a particularly deep impression on me: A true story was told of an earthquake that shook a town, causing a school to collapse. the father of a boy in that school went in frantic search of him, digging for many hours, until he heard a faint knock on the other side and finally uncovered the boy and his friends, hiding under a large table. they were the only ones who survived. As he carried his son, the boy

“Believe that when you come into the presence of God

you can have all you came for. You cantake it away, and you can use it, for all the power

of God is at your disposal in response to your faith.” smith wigglesworth

said in a weak voice, “I knew you’d come. You promised.”

Jesus, our Heavenly Father, promised He would come again, and unlike earthly promises that are easily forgotten or broken, God is faithful; His promises are never in vain.

elder Johnny tan, Church Board Chairman (profile story on pages

10–11), had this to say about our anniversary, “God is faithful! At our 11th

Anniversary, sP shared that God had given him a promise for Covenant from Isaiah

60:22, that we would grow to 1,000 in 10 years’ time. our average attendance back in 1989 was about 200. despite my reservations then, God convicted me that He is faithful to His promises: When BPJ Centre opened in september 2000, the attendance for the first worship service was 1,100!

“God has always been there for us. All of this has been God’s work. even after the lord clearly revealed His plans to the Board and sP separately, during sP’s study leave in 2004, that Covenant would have multiple centres, He continued to guide the leadership of other churches eyeing the plot of land where our Wdl Centre now lies. the clear message to them was: ‘the land is not yours, you are not to bid for it’—the land was clearly for us. God is doing exciting things for Covenant!”

our Acting sP for January–June 2010, as well as lead Pastor of Wdl Centre, Pastor tony, had this to say, “All glory to God for His bountiful blessings upon Covenant eFC’s 32 years—His wonderful provision, His faithful promises and His joyful presence!”

“Our greatest days are AHEAD OF uS, not behind us, so stop cruising on autopilot. THE bEST IS YET TO bE!”

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IDMC Conference 2010

Volunteers Said “It Was Fun!”

t ensions rose as the impatient delegate shouted at the young volunteer stationed next to the shuttle bus. the older man had been asked to join the

queue, as an exception couldn’t be made for his group to board first.

observers nearby watched, with bated breath, to find out how the 18-year-old boy would react. With grace, he kept calm until another traffic volunteer intervened.

this was one moment the spirit of those who served at this year’s IdmC Conference shone through brightly. later,

michael samuel, the young volunteer, said it was “challenging” working with adults but still “fun and interesting”!

the phrase “It was fun” kept popping up when volunteers were asked to describe their experience—never mind that most had either been working under the sun or on their feet most of the day.

this year’s IdmC Conference saw some 480 volunteers sign up to serve in areas such as catering, transport, traffic marshalling, ushering, security, medical, photography, registration, hospitality, VIP, resources and at the Command Centre.

many had taken leave and some had even given up their seats at the conference to non-Covenanters due to overwhelming demand. But for most, the reward of volunteering outweighed the sacrifices.

“We are fairly new to Covenant, and this was a such a good opportunity for us to get to know other Covenanters too,” chimed in meng Hwi, who served as an usher with her husband Benedict leong.

“some would question—‘Why can’t I go this way?’ But it’s worth it when people return a smile or say just a simple thank-you,” Benedict added.

IdmC ConFerenCe 2010 saw more than 480 volunteers step up and go out of their way to serve with their best smile, best effort and great joy, truly distinguishing themselves as disciples of “a certain kind”, as Yvonne Cheong finds out.

Pastor tony’s constant reminder to himself, “I’m living on borrowed time from God.”

united Colours of Covenant: thumbs up to the 480 volunteers who went beyond the call of duty this year!

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It Is A Common AdAGe In Covenant eFC that “truth does not change lives; it is truth applied that changes lives”. But how are we to apply truth if we do not know how to discover the truth in the first place?

through IdmC Conference 2010, I learnt ways to approach God’s Word in order to help me move from the “Huh?” to the “Wow!” But beyond the methods, I encountered Jesus through the Word of God, and my shallow grounding in and understanding of the Word were exposed.

It was the second day of the conference and senior Pastor edmund Chan was highlighting the need for us to take note of the tone in scripture. He used John 4 as an example, a familiar passage on Jesus’ meeting with the samaritan woman.

As he interpreted the tone of their conversation and explained the cultural background of the time, I came to see that passage like I’d never seen it before. (I had been one of those who had thought that Jesus was rebuking the samaritan woman for being loose and that He was skilful in asking good questions in order to get her to recognise her sin.) I came to the beautiful realisation that Jesus was in fact addressing her emotional pain of losing five husbands and staying with a man who did not even bother to marry her, and reached out to the deep spiritual longing of her heart which was crying, “Where is God?” And there, Jesus revealed Himself and said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

As the story unfolded in my mind’s eye, I literally sensed in my heart the wonder the samaritan woman must have felt. I found my hand cupping my mouth, my eyes wide open, filled with tears at this encounter with my messiah through an accurate interpretation of the Word.

there was another realisation, and this time, a painful one: my six-year journey with God and faith in Him have been anchored shallowly in emotional experiences.

not that what I’d learnt of Him was untrue, but over time, what I remember and know about His

uncovering A shallow Faith

“IT’S A NEW ExpERIENCE for me, but I want to MOVE OuT OF MY COMFORT zONE and do something different.”

character have faded, as have my emotions. like a ship that was not anchored deeply into the seabed, so was my faith in God. It was not deeply rooted in His Word and I knew it. When storms and strong winds assailed and caused the ship’s anchor to loosen, my faith in God would too waver whenever I was struck by difficult circumstances in life.

In those moments, I, like a ship’s crew, would scramble for the anchor, i.e. the Word of God, to dig the anchor deeper into the seabed so that it would not drift to an unintended place. I had been an irresponsible guardian of my own ship and had chosen to scramble repeatedly to the anchor, rather than dig in deeply, once and for all.

now that God has graciously revealed the condition of my faith to me, I am determined to change the way I approach His Word which has been given to me.

I no longer want to be satisfied with the “Hmm?” or even the “Aha!” more than ever, I desire to see the “Wow!”—Jesus—through the Word which I want to intentionally study each day.

And as I begin to see Jesus in light of scripture, may the application of His finished work on the Cross transform me more and more into His likeness!

— rutH FonG lI lInG

the camaraderie was evident at the resources Centre, where nine counters stood shoulder-to-shoulder à la a supermarket, as cashiers merrily “fought” to get more “business”. some might think the empty queues meant sales were bad but the reason was the improved system and cashiers were so efficient that few were kept waiting for more than a few minutes, except on the last day.

missions Pastor Alvin tan from Bartley Christian Church agreed, “It’s a lot better organised this year.”

“It’s fun serving people and cute [sic] to face different kinds of customers,” said resources cashier nancy Yap, beaming as she praised her co-worker Yeoh Yong Chyuan, who was serving at an IdmC Conference for the first time.

>>> Cont’d on page 6

“man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (matt 4:4)

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>>> Cont’d from page 5 With the true mark of “a certain kind”,

Yong Chyuan had written to his CG and urged them to sign up as volunteers in the week leading up to the conference.

“It’s a new experience for me as I’ve never served in resources, but I want to move out of my comfort zone and do something different,” he wrote in an email.

Another volunteer who went the extra mile was loh mee lan, who served at the registration counter. A uk delegate had walked away looking very disappointed when she realised her preferred workshop

was full. But a seat came up later and mee lan went in search of her among the thousands of delegates—and found her.

other grateful attendees included church leaders shanta Bahdari and karki Beni from nepal. “everyone’s enthusiastic. the volunteers take their initiative to help. We have much to learn,” shanta said. their only complaint: “We wish the accommodation was nearer.”

then there were generous Covenanter delegates like Charles lee, who bought copies of senior Pastor edmund Chan’s new book Growing deep in Faith to give

away to overseas delegates he’d met, as a blessing. diana ooi, who was in-charge of volunteers this year, said feedback had been overwhelmingly positive. “delegates and pastors have said we are evidently more experienced. the waiting time was shorter, communication was clearer, and people were serving patiently.”

traffic marshal kC Cheah summed it up best: “looking around at the sea of maroon united in the same colour, it reflects how the body of Christ should be like and will be a testimony to the delegates, every one of them, for generations.”

God At Work: Testimonies

I n may 2010, I was diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid. the operation to remove my thyroid was scheduled for 5 July in the same year. I learnt then that I

would have to undergo radiotherapy after the operation and be on lifelong medication.

When I first heard the news, I broke down and cried. I was very afraid. my pastor from the Hokkien ministry visited me the next day to pray for me and

His perfect Healingencouraged me through romans 8. As I read and meditated on God’s Word, I felt God strengthen me. A group of sisters in Christ also visited me. We prayed, worshipped and praised the lord. I was encouraged and was filled with joy and peace.

I attended the Hokkien ministry’s monthly prayer meeting three days before the operation. there, the lord spoke to me through a sister with Isaiah 26:3. I memorised God’s word and

was again filled with peace.on the day of surgery, I was in the

operating theatre at 7.30am, although the operation was scheduled at 9.30am. As I laid waiting, I became gripped with fear. then I remembered God’s word in Isaiah 26:3 — “You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you.” God’s peace immediately filled my heart.

Amazingly, the operation showed that there was no cancer in my thyroid and thus there was no need to remove my thyroid. I praise and thank God for healing me of cancer miraculously! All glory to Him!

tAn Geok kWAn, HokkIen mInIstrY (BPJ Centre)

sHAre Your testImonIes! Write us at publications@cefc.org.sg

IDMC Conference 2010

IdmC Conference 2010: moving from the “Huh?” to the “Wow!” singing with one heart, one voice, as one church.

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our recent 40-dAY PrAYer JourneY kicked off at BPJ Centre on 1 Jul 2010, built up to a 24.7 Prayer Chain with a dawn Prayer session every morning from 2–6 Aug, and closed on national day itself. these are just two testimonies out of the many that were birthed during the journey. may you be blessed by them.

There Must be More Than This …

durInG tHe WorsHIP serVICe, I saw Jesus “coming out” of the screen, appearing on the stage.

I had visions of Jesus in the past—He always appeared with long hair, looking very gentle, in bright white light.

this time, He had shorter hair (shoulder length), the glow from Him was a bright golden light. He looked a lot more muscular and tanned—very much like a Warrior.

the impression I had was: the time is near, the moment is coming. Jesus has been preparing Himself for this time.

I asked God: the Bible tells me that when Jesus died on the cross

and rose again, satan has already been defeated. Why does Jesus need to prepare Himself for this time?

I sensed God was saying: Just like a boxing match, the stronger party knows that he is going to win the match; nonetheless, he still needs to prepare himself through training and practice.

Jesus has already won the war. nonetheless, He has been preparing for this time. His preparation is to remind all believers of the seriousness of these end times.

— kelVIn nG, CorPorAte serVICes mAnAGer, neW lIFe

CommunItY serVICes Centre

40-Day prayer Journey

God seems to Be HArd At work in stretching my capacity when it comes to Personal divine Appointments (PdA)!

I was at BPJ Centre’s 3rd floor office last saturday morning doing some ministry work when a young couple in their mid-20s walked in.

the wife was 4 months’ pregnant. they’d signed up for the Christian Parenting class but hadn’t received any information. I offered to help contact the person-in-charge while striking up a conversation with them.

to my surprise, they were not Christians; they’d been attending BPJ services for a few months but didn’t take the step to attend the newcomers’ tea.

I felt they were very open to the Gospel. there and then, I shared the message and led them to Christ.

the joy was evident on their faces—I offered to disciple them and they agreed! I wanted to do that as I felt I had something to offer them, and my wife would be able to guide her along during her pregnancy period.

this was a major breakthrough for me because I’ve not led anyone to Christ for a long time even though I have been praying hard for such fruitfulness!

— JosHuA WonG, CoVenAnt stAFF, sunBeAm mInIstrY

(BPJ Centre)

Getting down on our knees to pray as we gathered for the 40-day Prayer Journey season.

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At Our Core: Covenant’s Values At A Glance

WHAt Is our deFInItIon oF suCCess In lIFe? We live in a world that celebrates red-Bar qualities—a person’s affluence/acquisitions (what you have), associations (who you know), appearance (how you look), abilities (what you can do), and accomplishments

(what you have achieved). these are external or temporal measures.

the red bar is the default way of the world. like a flashy red Ferrari, the red-Bar person measures life success by the world’s yardstick—a person’s accomplishments or net worth. the red bar gravitates towards the outward.

the blue bar, on the other hand, is the discipleship way of God. like the deep blue sea, the Blue-Bar person celebrates deeper things, like integrity, character and the posture of the surrendered soul to God. It is a life that seeks to grow from the inside out. It gravitates towards the inward.

In life, while we need both the red and blue bars to reflect one’s true status, yet when the red bar supersedes the blue bar, i.e. when competence and accomplishment are emphasised above character and authenticity, we compromise the development of depth in life. Hence, we need to develop the blue bar (inner growth) of life and not neglect it!so even though the world may applaud red-Bar accomplishments, the wise mentor is one who does not neglect the more important orientation of growing as a Blue-Bar person in a red-Bar world!

A red-Bar PersonFocuses on externals

Values Accomplishments Values Performance/results

Competence firstdoing Good with the aim of looking Good

display: outward showesteems status and statureCompetitive and boastfulCraves attention/approvalInsecure without limelight

stressed and flusteredreacts to criticism

Cannot let go of controlrestlessness in spirit

default way of the world

A Blue-Bar Person Focuses on the Inner-life

Values AuthenticityValues Growth and learning

Character firstdoing Good flows out of Being Good

depth: Inward securityesteems substance

Genuinely celebrates otherssecure and self-effacing

Quiet Confidence/securitysteady and calm

responds to criticismempowers others

restedness of spiritdiscipleship way of God

Red bar vs blue bar

How do we steer our lives? In his book mentoring Paradigms: reflections on mentoring, leadership and discipleship, senIor PAstor edmund CHAn tells us that our life’s

orientation can be reflected by a bar chart with two colour-coded bars—a red bar (representing the externals) and a blue bar (representing the inner life).

vs

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Wide Angle: A Column by Covenant Staff

W itnessing. the very sound of that word can make us uncomfortable. It may even give some

of us jitters or send us reeling. We often don’t know what to say or how we should answer a difficult question when asked. We fear rejection should someone say no. We wonder how we should “close the deal” and whom to refer people to after they’ve said yes!

I have a confession. I’m not a natural when it comes to witnessing. I’m not like Pastor Gilbert (our Hokkien pastor) who can speak in tongues and talk to the elderly about Jesus for aeons. I’m also not creative like the Apostle Paul, who could use different strategies for different hearers. neither am I like Jesus, whose bowels churned when He saw the crowd as sheep without a shepherd. In fact, I often get irritated with the inconsiderate behaviour of others! All I know is that I am far from being the witness God wants me to be. And keep growing I must!

In the midst of recognising my own lack of competence and compassion, I am encouraged by our senior Pastor reverend edmund Chan’s redefinition of evangelism as “loving people in Jesus’ name”.

What if witnessing was simply that? What if witnessing was simply doing

Growing In pDA — A personal Journey

what God leads us to do, out of love for people? It could mean being a listening ear to someone who is having a difficult time. or offering to pray for someone who is sick. or sharing what Christianity is about through the Good news Cup. or inviting someone to an event. What if witnessing was simply being Jesus to someone by loving them?

As pragmatic singaporeans, we are fixated with the bottom line and on getting the job done. We’re always eyeballing the results and in this case, how many people say the sinner’s Prayer and “tip over” to the other side. Please don’t get me wrong! I absolutely believe that while we plant the seed and water it, God WIll give the increase (1 Cor 3:6). But often during the witnessing journey, we don’t have much to show. Because when God works in the hearts of the unbelievers, we may not see what He’s doing until we have the benefit of hindsight. one

of those hindsight moments for me happened when a good friend invited my wife and I for dinner with his family at his home. I was taken by surprise when he asked me to give thanks for the food! Harvesting also takes time. Very often, lots of time. those of us who’ve undergone Covenant’s Intentional discipleship training (Idt) would be familiar with the engel scale. It’s a very visual reminder that everyone whom we are making an effort to reach for Jesus is on a spiritual journey. research shows that, usually, pre-believers will have heard the gospel six to seven times before finally making a decision to receive Jesus. that could take months. or years. But the harvest WIll come, in God’s good time!

Welcome to the club if evangelism is not your forte. But may you love people in Jesus’ name, thereby being Jesus to someone. And watch what God will do!

BY PAstor edmund WonG, outreACH PIllAr

Research shows that, usually, pre-believers will have HEARD THE GOSpEl SIx TO SEVEN TIMES before finally making a decision TO RECEIVE JESuS.

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Close-up: leaders & Staff behind Covenant

elder Johnny tan, Board Chairman of Covenant evangelical Free Church, is easy to warm up to, even if you’re meeting and getting to know

him for the very first time. His sanguine and affable nature, with “no shyness, and thick skin” had, by his own admission and in all probability, won over his wife, Clara Yap, to whom he has been married since 1991. they have three children, Jessica, 17, Jeremy, 15 and Jessilyn, 13.

GroWInG PAInselder Johnny has many a story to tell from his younger days. He accepted Christ in 1981, when he was 16, amidst objection from his Peranakan mother, a matriarch who practised ancestral worship. the youngest son in a family of 10, his mother had pinned all her hopes on him, as boys were commonly favoured in traditional

Chinese families back in those days. He did not have the opportunity to

go to church as he had to help out at his father’s fruit stall every weekend. “Yet, six of my classmates from Bukit merah secondary made the difference in my Christian growth by forming a Bible study fellowship group. We met every week, even during the

exams,” he said. When he was released from his duty at his father’s fruit

stall four years later, he joined emmanuel

Chapel, which merged with emmanuel Christian Fellowship (eCF) in 1989, forming Covenant eFC in 1992.

As I chatted with elder Johnny, it was evident

that he has always been a natural leader—he was

the Assistant Head Prefect in secondary school; a class monitor in Pre-university; the youngest Captain of the Boys’ Brigade ministry at 26 years old; a worship leader; Covenant Group leader

In Him I TrustGet to know the man who chairs the Church Board at Covenant eFC, elder JoHnnY tAn, as he reveals what it’s been like serving the lord. By louisa koh.

In Hong kong, 2005.

(CGl); Area overseer; currently deputy Course Commander at the singapore Command and staff College in sAF, and Chairman of our Church Board.

“I WAsn’t reAdY …”even before he was jointly appointed Church Board Chairman in march 2009 by his predecessor elder liu Hock Choy and senior Pastor (sP) edmund Chan, elder Johnny had served in the Church Board for a year back in 1989, to help see through the assimilation of emmanuel Chapel with eCF.

He rejoined the Board as a deacon when our Bukit Panjang Centre opened in 2000 and served as Vice Chairman when he became an elder in 2004. At this point, he confided, “I was not ready to be Chairman. elder Hock Choy shared that when he became Chairman, he too was not ready. no one is ready; you just grow into the appointment.

“When elder Barney (lau) answered God’s call to enter into full-time church ministry, it was clear from the lord that I had to step up. It’s no longer about me; it’s about God and His purpose being done through me. He gave me an insight from Jeremiah 29:11–14: Whatever I ask of Him, He will give; whatever resources I needed, He will provide; there is nothing to be afraid of. When I said to the lord I wasn’t ready, He said: ‘You do not need to be ready. Just step up and do it, I will be there for you.’

“so my wife and I sought the lord together. she gave me her blessings, as the lord spoke. After all, when I become

elder Johnny with his wife, Clara, in malaysia, 2008. With Jessica (far right), Jeremy (front) and Jessilyn (far left) in disneyland, Hong kong, 2005.

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Chairman, she, too, has to step up to fill in for me in the family when I’m away from home more often.”

It’s All ABout relAtIonsHIPs When asked to describe the relationship between the Church Board and the senior Pastor’s office (sPo), elder Johnny smiled, “We have a very unique relationship. Apart from monthly Board meetings, the Board members and sPo meet every saturday morning for dawn Prayer. that’s when we seek the lord together as we process certain issues. the beautiful part about dawn Prayer is not just spending time praying together, it’s the fellowship we have over breakfast afterwards. Imagine having no agenda to follow, we talk about anything under the sun, over food, so that’s when relationships are formed and deepened. You know, quite a lot of good ideas, like

the one he has with the church. “many a time, sP would mentor and disciple during Board meetings, urging us to get down on our knees together on the spot to pray and seek the lord during difficult decisions.”

He elaborated, “As Board members, we are stewards of God, trustees of the church, in directing Covenant towards God’s destiny. Hence, it’s no small matter; we have to be very diligent about what we do and leave no stone unturned. We believe that when the lord speaks, He speaks not just to one, but to all or many, so we strive for unanimous decisions, whenever possible.

“It’s truly a blessing to serve the lord in Covenant, on the Board, and as Chairman.”

tHe lord oF HIs lIFe

Full nAme Johnny tan Cheow HockBIrtHdAY 28 march 1965dIAleCt GrouP HokkienFAmIlY married to Clara Yap Joon Yong on 15 June 1991, Children: Jessica, 17, Jeremy, 15, and Jessilyn, 13ConVersIon & BAPtIsm dAtes Converted on 16 mar 1981, Baptised on 30 mar 1986eduCAtIon master of Business Administration (mBA) from university of Western AustraliaCurrent oCCuPAtIon directing staff in singapore Command and staff Collegemost AdmIred PreACHer/mentor rev edmund Chan, mentored by rev edmund Chan in current years and elder lau Cheng Ho in younger yearsmost meAnInGFul ACComPlIsHment Awarded scholarship by sAFmost memorABle moment When I led a CG member’s father to Christ using mandarinmotto In lIFe In Him I trustFAVourIte Verse Jer 29:11FAVourIte Book (otHer tHAn tHe BIBle) “leading with a limp” by dan B AllenderFAVourIte sonG “When I look into your Holiness”FAVourIte tV sHoW ’Allo ’Allo! and mr BeanFAVourIte Food satayFAVourIte Quote “think about the consequence.”leAst knoWn FACt Won the Best Actress Award (as delilah) in a church camp dramaWHAt HIs WIFe lIkes most ABout HIm “listening to him, especially his life experiences.”

In A Word

“Have courage for the great sorrows of life and patience for the

small ones. And when you have finished your daily task, go to sleep in peace. God is awake.”

viCtor hugo

“When I said to the lord I WASN’T READY, He said: ‘You do not need to be ready. JuST STEp up AND DO IT, I WIll bE THERE FOR YOu.’”

new life, actually germinate from these breakfast fellowships!” He chuckled.

elder Johnny added, “the other platform that builds board-staff relationships is what I call ‘car park meetings’.” When I looked at him quizzically, he explained, “these are post-Board meetings. We’d find ourselves continuing our discussions at the car park, as we’re about to head for home, so we’d adjourn for coffee.”

You’d think our church leaders have lots of opportunities to bond, but there’s more—“We have had a Board retreat annually since 2001, on labour day. We always say: we labour for God on labour day! We’d book a room at Apollo Hotel, spend time seeking the lord together, and discuss and deal with strategic issues of our church. In the last three years, the retreat has extended overseas, to places like mesilau and kuala lumpur, where we’d visit other churches and learn from them as well.” mentorInG tHe BoArd, mentorInG CoVenAntAt this point, elder Johnny talked about the special mentoring relationship senior Pastor has with the Board, not unlike

In his own life, elder Johnny enjoyed an intimate walk with our lord Jesus, even during his Pre-university days when he used to go to school early every morning to spend quiet time with the lord.

the lord has been faithful to the promises He has given to him. Back in the day, his Chinese results were dismal and he didn’t know if he could pass to enter the university. Yet, God spoke to him through Philippians 4:12–13, assuring elder Johnny that he would indeed make it through. true enough, he passed his Pre-university Chinese examinations, made it into the national university of singapore on an sAF scholarship, and the rest, as they say, is history.

up till today, elder Johnny is still fervently seeking and following the lord’s plans for him as he approaches retirement (the retirement age in sAF was recently extended from 45 to 50)!

12

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23–25 sept men’s & Women’s Austin Hills, JB silent retreat (leaders)

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