Back when I was working in the newsroom, I used to tell my interns that news is what people need to know and want to know.

How does that apply to our faith? The Gospel is what people need to know. But the question is, how do we then make it something they want to know?

That’s where stories come in. There is a unique, spiritual power to the stories that we tell. And all of us have our own stories to tell. All of us are called to tell our stories. Today, let us hear from these three great storytellers:

What’s your story?

ANNETTE LEE: To be honest, I have always thought that my story isn’t very interesting. But the truth is that it’s interesting to God because each of our stories is unique.

I am a cradle Christian. But when I was in secondary school, I had many friends who were leaving church. That made me start learning more about my own faith and my relationship with God. It was only when I was in university that I started taking my faith seriously and putting a lot more thought into it.

So if you are a second-generation Christian who doesn’t have a dramatic or mind-blowing story, know that your story is not any less. It is still a unique story in God’s eyes.

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FELICIA CHIN: I’m a first-generation Christian who received Christ nine years ago, and my story revolves around encountering God through acts of obedience.

In 2015, a few months after receiving Christ, I felt prompted to pass a Gospel booklet to a stranger in a mall. While I was really scared as a new believer, I still passed the booklet to him and ran away afterwards.

“I think the most important message of our stories is that God cares.” 

There was another incident a few years ago, when I witnessed a commotion between two cleaners at a food court. I didn’t understand why, but I just felt prompted in my heart to give $10 to one of them.

To my surprise, the uncle was very grateful and told me he was arguing with his supervisor about the overtime pay. He really needed the money.

I told him that I was a Christian, and I felt that God was asking me to give him the money. Eventually, I gave him an invitation to accept Christ into his life – which he did! He was convinced that God loved him because of the care he received through that incident.

So, I think the most important message of our stories is that God cares. His love is different and He even cares for people that we sometimes neglect, and that humbles me.

NORMAN NG: Before I became a pastor, I spent 10 years in the marketing industry. I spent millions of dollars telling stories called advertisements.

Deep in my heart, I knew that marketing could be used for Kingdom purposes. I had a desire to use these gifts to tell God’s stories, but I didn’t know how.

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Long story short, my wife and I eventually became full-time staff at the church that we planted. That was also when the opportunities to tell stories that intersect faith and culture arose.

We started sharing stories of LGBTQ individuals who chose to follow their faith instead of their feelings on TrueLove.is, and also stories of women who struggled with abortion on HeartbeatProject.sg.

While these stories reached more than 50 nations and millions of readers, I realised that it is as important for us to reach the ones as it is to reach the millions.

We have received emails from individuals sharing how their lives have been transformed by these stories that we put up. That’s why I believe that for every story that we share, there will be someone who needs to hear the story. 

What’s the power of a story?

ANNETTE LEE: Stories help people to remember. I believe that’s why the Bible is full of stories and parables.

Stories are also more impactful. They help people to put themselves into the story and relate to the emotions. They help us to remember things not just in our minds but in our hearts.

That is also why I feel convicted to tell parables in my own way, through the simple videos and simple stories I share.

FELICIA CHIN: I believe that stories are even more powerful with prayer. Whenever I share a story or play a role, I pray this to God: “Let this mean something to someone.”

Over the years, many people have shared with me that they resonated with certain roles that I played in different shows. They saw something of themselves in those characters, and they felt seen.

When we tell stories, we show people that they are not alone in what they are going through. And that brings hope. A story is powerful when it is real and vulnerable, and it can minister to other people.

“… shame dies when stories are shared in safe places.”

PS NORMAN NG: Stories have a unique power because shame dies when stories are shared in safe places. And I believe that our churches are called to be that safe place.

Stories can take us to places where truth alone struggles. In every generation, the Gospel flows through a struggle and an issue in that time. And the most powerful way that can happen is through our stories.

So how can we all get started?

ANNETTE LEE: Just start with the person right next to you. People are often more open than we think. Just have a conversation with them and share honestly about your thoughts.

It doesn’t always have to be about sharing the Gospel. Just open up a space for honest conversations and share what we think. Remember that God is the One who makes the story move in people’s lives, so leave it up to God to move in their hearts.

FELICIA CHIN: Don’t be afraid to start small. As long as we have a willing heart, we will never know how our stories might impact someone regardless of how small they might be.

Just be obedient as the Holy Spirit prompts us to love and minister to the people around us.

PS NORMAN NG: Know that truth is confrontational, but beauty is invitational.

As you share your story, always remember that you are not the main character in the story – that should take the pressure off us!

I once thought my parents could never be saved. Ten years later, I baptised them together

God has a restorative heart, and He has given us our stories for a purpose. Our stories allow us to comfort others with the comfort that we have experienced from God.

On top of that, we can also be seen, known and loved by God when we share our stories. That’s why we sometimes short-change ourselves when we don’t share our stories!

“But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.” (1 Timothy 1:16)

Before Paul knew Christ, he acted in ignorance and unbelief. He was a persecutor, a blasphemer and a violent man. He was the worst of sinners.

His trajectory was downwards towards the pits of hell, based on how he was going. However, something changed in the story when he encountered Jesus.

The truth is that all of us have a version of that story. The trajectory of our stories changed when we allowed Jesus to come into our lives. And it changes our final destination to eternal life.

We are all still a work in progress. But we trust, we hope, and we pray. We see the trajectory of our stories when we allow Jesus to do His work in our lives.

God poured out His grace onto your mess so that you can proclaim His message. So what’s your story?

Everyone has a story to share. Submit your story here or reach out to us at [email protected] to get started!