As 2018 comes to a close, we thought that we’d take a closer look on what the local Church has experienced this year. Living up to its designation as the Year of Prayer, 2018 was filled with many events emphasising intercession both in the personal and corporate sphere.
A lot of these events had a focus on evangelism: Equipping Christians to get out there and share the Good News. And even spiritual giants who have left for Heaven remind us that just one life lived wholly for God’s purposes can make a divine dent on the world – a real kingdom impact.
As we ring in the new year, we should be conscious that this brings us one year closer to Jesus’ return.
The harvest is plentiful. Now for us to play our part in the labour.
Here’s a round-up of the biggest events that went down in local Christendom in 2018:
JANUARY 2018
The LoveSingapore Pastors’ Prayer Summit took place on January 8 to 11 at Hotel Equatorial in Melaka – the same location where the annual event has been hosted for more than two decades.
The Summit sets the spiritual climate for the year ahead, as church and para-church leaders come together in a spirit of humility and unity. Summit 2019 is shaping up to be memorable, with the Equatorial booked to overflowing by local pastors and church workers.
This was the closing message at the 2018 edition of the Summit:
FEBRUARY 2018
February 21 saw the passing of spiritual giant, Reverend Dr Billy Graham, at the ripe old age of 99.
Dr Billy Graham has a special place in the Singapore churches’ hearts because of the groundbreaking impact of the evangelistic crusade held at the old National Stadium in 1978.
Forty years later, Singapore is preparing to usher in a new era of proclamation through Celebration of Hope (COH). In COH Chairman Bishop Rennis’ words, “The vision is of personal evangelism on a mass scale, culminating in Gospel rallies at the 50,000 capacity National Stadium over three days.” Mark out May 17 to 19 on your 2019 calendars!
MARCH 2018
On March 24, Reverend Rick Seaward was killed in a car accident in Brazil. He went the way he lived: He was in South America for a missions conference as well as to conduct training for local pastors in the area.
Reverend Rick Seaward was the founder of Singapore’s first megachurch, and deeply involved with missions and the local Church’s unity movement as LoveSingapore president from 2002 to 2008.
April 2018
On April 19, Bishop Terry Kee was elected President of the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS), succeeding Bishop Rennis Ponniah.
Bishop Terry Kee’s election is his second term as President, having previously served from 2012 to 2014.
May 2018
Momentum 2018, held on May 1 at the Star Vista Theatre, saw Dr Suzette Hattingh deliver a rousing message on prayer – calling for personal revival as a precursor to national revival.
The message was timely, given that 2018 was designated Singapore’s Year of Prayer. 2019 – the Year of Proclamation – is set to be one rich in evangelism-driven revival.
June 2018
Well, 100 billion church camps.
July 2018
July 24 saw the public announcement of the upcoming Celebration of Hope before a gathering of pastors and ministry leaders.
Gathering for a time of worship and sharing, the vision for the COH was outlined to hundreds of local church leaders at Saint Andrew Cathedral’s New Sanctuary.
Canon J John was also introduced as the main evangelist for the rallies, preaching a humorous message on unity and evangelism.
August 2018
On August 8, Day of His Power 2018 saw Pastor Lawrence Khong revive his vision of having a prayer group in every block in Singapore. The Singapore Indoor Stadium was so packed that hundreds had to be turned away at the door.
A call for missions was also given, which made for a memorable sight: Hundreds of young Singaporeans running to take their places over a world map projected onto the arena’s floor, each claiming their destiny as a missionary for God.
On August 10, 3:16 Church held their TrueLove.Is Youth Conference at Church of our Saviour — a conference aiming “to equip and empower youths to be a positive influence in their local church with regards to LGBTQ matters”.
September 2018
September saw much debate over Section 377A, culminating in two widely-circulated petitions to “keep” or “repeal” 377A. This saw believers compelled to look deeper into the issue.
October 2018
PraySingapore was held on October 7 at Singapore’s National Stadium. The non-denominational national prayer meeting saw tens of thousands unite in worship and prayer for the nation.
November 2018
The Burn_ FOPx Conference 2018 was held from November 29 to December 1. More than 2,000 young Singaporeans gathered to learn about God, and praise Him in electrifying worship.
Pastor Brian Barcelona of One Voice Student Missions spoke at the conference; when the call was given for young people to dedicate their lives to Christ, hundreds responded and went up to the altar.
December 2018
On December 4, a special service was held at Wesley Methodist Church to commemorate the 40-year anniversary of the 1978 Singapore Billy Graham Crusade.
Some members of the original 1978 Crusade’s organising committee shared their memories of the rallies, and their insights on the revival that followed.
Those seated in the audience listened earnestly – perhaps in anticipation of a new and powerful wave of evangelism next year.
And December 5-8 saw the first time Todd White’s School of Power and Love came to Singapore.
White touched down with fellow evangelists Tom Ruotolo and Robby Dawkins for a 3.5-day conference on teaching and street evangelism, designed to help believers ground their identity in Jesus Christ and strengthen their confidence in the Holy Spirit.
