Were you at Day of His Power or PraySingapore in 2018?

The two prayer meetings organised by unity movement LoveSingapore drew a combined crowd of almost 40,000 people. Some 9,000 gathered at the Indoor Stadium for Day of His Power and 30,000 filled the National Stadium for PraySingapore.

Being at both prayer meetings last year was a step out of my “home church bubble” because I’d only ever been to events and prayer meets organised by my home church. And my home church isn’t a small one, so seeing thousands gather in prayer and worship wasn’t new.

But it was different seeing leaders and pastors of different churches, organisations and denominations together on the same stage. As I looked on, I wondered about the relationships between the pastors and the leaders: Did they like each other? How supportive are they of one another?

CLOSE-UP OF THE SUMMIT

Last month, 800 participants from 110 churches and 46 Christian organisations attended Summit 2019 – LoveSingapore’s annual prayer retreat for pastors and leaders.

The focus of the annual prayer retreat has always been unity and coming together to seek the welfare of Singapore as leaders of the land.

As a first-timer at the Summit, it felt like I got to look behind the curtains at all the real work that happens backstage.  

I was listening to leaders who have been in ministry longer than I have lived.

An older, more experienced pastor said that he attends the Summit every year because he’s excited to meet his fellow pastors again: “That relationship is something so precious. I never knew when I signed up for ministry that this is what God allowed me to walk into.”

He shared that the Church in Singapore has come a long way. We now have a generation who grew up “like that” and didn’t know how the Church was like back then; there is unity in the churches today.

I quickly realised that I was listening to leaders who have been in ministry longer than I have lived. I was in the presence of faithful men and women who have fought battles and paid great costs to serve and unite the Church.

CLOSING RANKS

One of the younger pastors at the Summit had this to say: “As a person who first came in as a 20-year-old, I was always watching the leaders. When they disagree, do they disengage?

“I was always watching to see what’s their bottom line … Seeing the pastors’ relationship gives me hope that maybe Singapore can make it.”

So I wasn’t the only one who wondered about the relationship our leaders have.

One pastor shared that he had to stand up for another pastor in one of their meetings when a crisis had occurred, and he spoke up for that pastor on the basis of respect.

On the importance of friendship, another pastor shared: “God knits hearts together in a special way. It is a place of safety where you can get help and encouragement.”

That was what he shared about the value of LoveSingapore, adding that a certain pastor he used to dislike eventually became someone dear to him.

WE STILL HAVE A LOT TO LEARN

Seeing some of the senior leaders up close made me realise that they really are not getting any younger. We don’t always think about it when we see them at a prayer meeting or behind a pulpit, but these leaders are the ones who have been building the Church in Singapore and standing firm through the decades.

Being at the Summit gave me a glimpse into the tenacity and devotion our leaders have towards God and His Church. Their respect for one another goes deep because of their deep desire to honour what God has called them to do. 

WHAT ABOUT US?

As younger people we have much to learn from their experience. And we need to first hold back judgement and pause to consider that we don’t know everything either.

The next generation is on the minds of older leaders – and they want us to succeed.

We may have a different way of seeing things, and new methods to reach our world – but that doesn’t mean that they are wrong. And what guarantee is there that our new ways are the right ones? Both generations need humility.

“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” (Hebrews 13:7)

Finally, I learnt that we’re on their minds. The next generation is on the minds of older leaders – and they want us to succeed.

“What can we hand the next generation?” asked Pastor Lawrence Khong, chairman of the LoveSingapore network, at last August’s Day of His Power.

“A dream that Singapore can be one for Jesus Christ. That Singapore will be saved.”

May our generation – as we reach our world – also please God’s heart in the way we honour our leaders and submit to their leadership.

May we set an example for the next generation to follow.