Over the last three days, your social media feed might have been flooded with posts on the Celebration of Hope (COH).

Perhaps you have your doubts – can such an evangelistic rally be effective in our day? Was the enormous effort poured out for an event of this scale worth the hours of toil? 

Having had the privilege to be a part of the publicity team for COH, I too had my moments of scepticism. At times, it was easy to feel like I was just getting people to come and fill the seats of the National Stadium.

But after all that has been said and done, I’ve come to the conclusion that COH is not about marketing an event. It’s not about creating hype for the rallies with media coverage. 

Through COH, many have heard stories of hope that have never been told before.

Many have reached out to their friends and family to share the Good News in ways never done before.

Many who have never stepped into a church service have now heard the gospel and seen the power of it displayed in the lives of others – from ordinary Singaporeans to local celebrities and the biggest stars in Asia’s entertainment industry. 

As Pastor Kou Shao-en from Taiwan shared during the Chinese rally, these artistes could have very well kept quiet about their unsavoury past. With a reputation and career to protect, these public figures could have avoided the media scrutiny. But they chose to open up their lives and allowed themselves to be vulnerable.

The hope that they received in Christ was so abundant that they could not remain silent.

We’ve heard a lot about hope over the past few months, especially in the last 48 hours. COH may have ended, but it’s only the beginning. We’re sowing seeds of hope that might only bear fruit in years to come. We’re stirring up a fire in our belly to share about the hope that we’ve found. We’re spreading the message of hope to all – Christians and non-Christians.

I don’t know the full impact that COH has had. But I do know that heaven is rejoicing over that one person who was far away, but has now come home. I also know that God must be delighted because his children from over 200 churches have come together to organise this massive celebration on behalf of the Father. 

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

I truly experienced this over the weekend with our team who worked tirelessly alongside so many other volunteers towards the common aim of lifting the name of Jesus. I know that if anything, God is already very pleased with our desire to be one as a body of Christ. 

If you’ve missed the opportunity to be part of COH, here’s your chance to catch up on what went on during all the rallies! For easy reading, here are the links to all of our stories published over the weekend. 

Hope is abundant and our ever-present help.

Hope is pure joy.

Hope is real.

Hope is exchanging the stains of our past for new colours.

Hope is freedom.

Hope has many different meanings. Let’s not lose the passion to bring hope to our loved ones. Hope never ends. 

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13