Searching Right
More than 300 church members attended a singles seminar organised by the church on 13 August 2011 at the Rock (Level 6). The Matters Of The Heart seminar was designed to give singles aged 29 and above, a biblical perspective on relationships, and to learn more about God’s Word on finding a life partner.
“It’s important to frame our lives according to the Word,” said Pastor KE Mathews, who was the seminar speaker. “When we have the Word, we lack nothing, and I believe that God will provide you with the wisdom you need in matters of the heart,” he said.
Pastor Mathews also encouraged singles to step out of their comfort zone, and to widen their social circles.
Other programme highlights included games, and a practical grooming session by Joshua Luke, a leading image consultant who regularly instructs on poise and communication skills to airline staff.
“At any time, on every occasion, our Lord Jesus is always calm and composed,” Joshua said. “How we present ourselves and our body language matter.” He shared tips on grooming, social etiquette and body language during the light-hearted session.
Get MAD! Be Blessed!
There were MAD events over two Sundays at the Rock Auditorium and Suntec Galley West.
More than 70 staff and volunteers decked out in orange, black and white packed the booths outside both venues on 17 and 24 July 2011 on a MAD campaign. “Ambassadors” from various ministries launched a recruitment drive for the Making A Difference (MAD) campaign, distributing promotional pamphlets and answering questions on their MAD quest.
A MAD video was also screened during services, featuring personal testimonies of joyful service and the deep satisfaction gained by making a positive difference to the quality of our shared church life.
“We wanted to show church members how fun and exciting it can be to serve in the many different ministries,” said Robin Chua, Creative Executive in our Visual Arts Department. “Each server’s experience is very personal and every server feels blessed by getting MAD!”
Want to make a difference and be blessed? Click here
Crowned Daddies
It was a Father’s Day celebration at all four church services on 19 July 2011. In line with the year’s theme verse from Psalm 65:11, fathers were “crowned” with gifts including golf umbrellas printed with crowns and “His Crowned Goodness” at the English services. Rain or shine, church Daddies now have a constant reminder of God’s goodness and favour over their lives!
“I think it’s a really useful present,” said Mr W K Huang, a father of two boys. “It’ll come in especially handy when I have to pick up my children from school in the rain!”
Fathers attending the Chinese services were blessed with equally practical gifts – thermos flasks printed with the Psalm 65:11 verse – to keep papa’s favourite beverages hot or cold.
The Benjamin Generation Celebrates!
Almost 2,000 youths aged 13 to 29 from The Zone, our church’s youth ministry, thronged the Toa Payoh Stadium on Saturday, 2 July 2011 to celebrate Youth Day.
Youths revelled in adrenalinepacked activities including races in giant zorb balls and sparring at inflatable gladiator stations. Sports challenges and talent showcases also added to the festivities at the carnival.
But it was Pastor Benjamin Lim’s message that was the undisputed highlight. He shared how the Lord will restore what have been lost with greater quality and quantity than before.
“We are not a lost generation!” Pastor Benjamin declared. As he spoke, five F15 fighter jets roared over the stadium in thunderous affirmation. Even the carnival organisers were surprised by the spectacular timing of the National Day Parade rehearsal flypast!
“The Lord has clearly marked the heavens with the roaring thunder of Grace!” observed Jansen Kwok, a GenRev Royal Service Ministry server.
A powerful time of praise and worship followed. As the worship team broke into the song, Run, Zone youths gathered spontaneously on the running track, and broke into an impromptu run.
“It’s the Benjamin Generation running with the gospel of grace and taking it to the ends of the world with a united spirit of liberty!” said Anna Cheng, a Zone executive.
Grace Broadcast
Sunday, 26 June 2011 marked another special broadcast recording for the world’s largest Christian network, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN). The US team was in town to record a special worship and teaching service for TBN’s Praise the Lord television programme.
A key programme highlight was the announcement of the highly anticipated Israel Tour with TBN and Pastor Joseph Prince in 2012. TBN will film and broadcast the message of grace to millions of households worldwide.
Included in the 26 June 2011 recording is an interview with Senior Pastor Joseph Prince, where he spoke of his love for Israel and its people with TBN hosts Matt and Laurie Crouch.
“God imparted into my heart a supernatural love for Israel,” he said. “It is not just a country, it’s more like family.”
“It’s always been in my heart for the gospel to be preached in Jerusalem,” he added. “We will have an exciting time listening to Jesus-centred, grace-based messages.”
The unique Israel Tour with TBN and Pastor Joseph Prince will be recorded in September 2012.
We Love Mummies!
Mothers who attended NCC English services were pampered with gifts on the 1 May 2011 service which celebrated Mother’s Day.
All Mums and expectant mothers received a beautiful bottle of anointing oil and prayer cards specially designed for the blessed occasion.
“I usually bless my children with oil before they leave on the school bus, so this gift is very precious to me!” said Marketing Manager Esther Ho, a mother of two.“It also reminded me of the importance of praying over and blessing our children,” she added.
Among the special items during the service was 10-year-old Miguel Antonio Vedanaigam’s moving rendition of Jim Brickman’s A Mother’s Love. The song was accompanied by handwritten “love notes” penned for mothers and screened at all four services that day.
Meanwhile, delighted mothers at the Chinese Ministry services each received a unique gift - a “magic shawl”, a versatile accessory that can be worn in more than 20 different ways.
“The venue for our Chinese services tend to be quite cold due to the air-conditioning so we decided to bless our Mummies with something practical,” said Denise Toh, Senior Executive of NCC’s Chinese Ministry.
Resurrection Sunday
It was a simple yet poignant celebration at the Rock Auditorium on Resurrection Sunday. Over 27,000 people filled various service venues to celebrate Christ’s glorious resurrection on 24 April 2011.
Senior Pastor Joseph Prince shared a powerful message on the victory of the resurrection. He explained how the death of Jesus is assurance for every believer’s blessing today. “Jesus not only conquered the grave, but He has conquered the sorrow, fear, doubt and discouragement that attack our human hearts,” he said.
Other service highlights included Imagine (On The Cross), an original song composed by Karen Lim, NCC’s songwriter and music arranger; and a lyrical dance item By His Wounds depicting the Lord’s sacrifice and resurrection. All church members left the special service with an Easter gift — a hardcover book entitled Healing Promises by Pastor Prince.
“I was so surprised to receive it! It’s a thoughtful gesture and I like how it nicely compiles many healing scriptures,” Catherine So, 45, a banker, said. The book highlights meditations on the finished work of our Lord Jesus.
Happy Campers In Malacca
Age crossed all barriers at the inaugural Chinese Ministry Servers’ Camp 2011.
Over 180 Chinese Ministry servers aged between 21 and 81 spent a fun-filled week together over ministry sessions, fun and games. The camp was held in Malacca between 19 and 22 April 2011 at the Holiday Inn Malacca.
Besides dynamic sermons by Pastor Mark Ng, other highlights included a team bonding session that involved campers racing around Malacca, a retro “cha cha night”, and a surprise durian party. Pastors Wee Soo Teck, Christina Wee and Joash Sioe attended the camp.
Chia Keow, 71, an usher in the Chinese Ministry, felt right at home among the mixed group of servers. “The younger ones helped the older ones, and we would all encourage one another during the camp,” he said.
“Although the ages varied widely among the campers, this is the first camp that I really felt like I was a part of a big family,” said Anjolene Kaw, 21, one of youngest campers there. “It was a wonderful experience!”
Heart Check With Darlene
Over 650 New Creation Church ministry servers had the privilege of engaging in a heart-to-heart chat with Pastor Darlene Zschech on 9 April 2011 at the Rock Auditorium.
Participants included servers from Media Communications, Publications, Video & Sound, Visual Arts and Worship Ministries.
Pastor Darlene of Hope Unlimited Church, Australia, urged ministry servers to remember their “First Love” in the midst of their busy schedules. “When you are living under that constant revelation of the love of God, worship and all the things you do becomes a necessity, not a chore,” Pastor Darlene said.
There was a surprise short film screening of the “Prodigal Son” which left a deep impression on many servers, reducing them to tears with its message of how our Abba Father always looks out for us.
Chinese New Year Service
What do Mandarin oranges have to do with Jesus? Quite a lot, as Pastor Mark Ng explained to churchgoers during an eye-opening Chinese New Year service on 6 February 2011.
Visitors exchange kum (oranges) and red packets. In Hokkien, the word kum also means kum guan (willing). The red packet signifi es Jesus’ blood shed for us on the cross. “To me, giving these items represents sending out the good news – that Jesus willingly shed His blood for us so that we can be blessed,” said Pastor Mark.
The special service also included song items and a side-splitting Chinese acrobatic performance by servers from the Visual Arts Ministry.
Our New Worship Venue At one-north
As work marches on at the one-north site, Senior Pastor Joseph Prince and Church Council members paid a special visit on 1 February 2011 to tour the progress for themselves.
Pastor Prince anointed the site with oil. He took Holy Communion with the group and prayed for the safety of the site workers. Hexacon, the project’s main contractor, conducted a briefing tour with the group protected by hard hats and boots.
To everyone’s delight, the group was informed that the entrance of the new worship venue shares the same east facing as the tabernacle of Moses. The cutting edge auditorium is also located on the fifth level – the “floor of grace”.
Pastor Prince only realised the biblical significance of the auditorium’s facing when he was actually on site. “We definitely didn’t plan this,” said Deacon Matthew Kang, Chairman of NCC’s Church Council.
The Year Of His Crowned Goodness!
Over 27,000 people attended the New Year service on 2 January 2011 as they looked forward to the first message of the year. Senior Pastor Joseph Prince customarily marks the first service of a new year with an anointed message focused on a specific theme.
Pastor Prince proclaimed the rhema word over 2011, declaring it “The Year of His Crowned Goodness.” Everyday of this year, we can expect God’s supply of life and grace to supply our every need.
The 2 January 2011 services marked a record-breaking attendance for New Creation Church.
NOEL: The Reason For The Season
More than 25,000 people attended the special NOEL Christmas service on 26 December 2010 at the Rock Auditorium.
The stage was adorned with twinkling fairy lights, snowflakes and lighted candles to celebrate the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Entitled NOEL, the spectacle included memorable performances of familiar Christmas songs including We Are The Reason and O Holy Night. Senior Pastor Joseph Prince blessed all present with an anointed sermon.
Members of the congregation left the special service with a NOEL bookmark and a sermon DVD by Pastor Prince.
A “DARE” Of A New Age
Dirty. Smelly. Happy. These were some of the words used to describe overjoyed youths at the I Dare You Camp on 22–24 November 2010.
Held at Camp Challenge Sembawang, the camp marks the graduation of Primary Six children from Fearless Rock Kidz, NCC’s Childrens Ministry, and their transition to DARE, NCC’s Youth Ministry for 13 to 16 year olds.
Over 150 youths bonded with each other through wacky games and team activities. Besides sliding through a “sauce pool” made up of a pungent mix of soy sauce, tomato ketchup, fruits, flour and more, campers also participated in field cooking challenges and a Gladiator-style game, where they wore watermelon helmets and mouth guards made of orange peel.
On the final day, the youths underwent a special rite of passage for young men and women stepping into adulthood. Patterned after Jewish tradition, parents were invited to anoint their child with oil and gift them with a specially chosen item of significance.
“The camp signifies a time of spiritual awakening for youths, when they begin their own journey with the Lord,” said Pastor Benjamin Lim, Ministry Leader of DARE.
The heart-warming event concluded with fathers speaking words of affirmation and blessings over their children and a celebratory photo-taking session.
Raising Rock Solid Kids
What does parenting with grace mean? That was in the minds of over 350 parents when they attended the first-ever Raising Rock-Solid Kids seminar on 20 November 2010.
“We believe God is raising up a generation of grace-based parent coaches who will in turn raise up rock solid kids,” explained Pastor Lim Lian Neo who heads Rock Kidz, NCC’s Children’s Ministry for children aged 12 and below.
The highly-anticipated seminar was led by Pastor Lian, Deaconess Karen Tan and Rock Kidz teacher, Ronnie Lew. The afternoon included a tea break and a special Q&A forum.
Besides receiving practical knowledge and advice, parents went home with a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit on how to raise their children to be secure, significant and strong in the Lord.
Queens For A Day
You don’t normally see domestic helpers being served and waited upon. But this was the case at NCC’s Banquet of Honour at Furama RiverFront Hotel on 13 November 2010.
“We wanted to take the time to honour our foreign domestic workers who have been working quietly behind the scenes,” said Care Group leader Thomas Lim, 36, an oil trader. “So we specially organised an afternoon where they got to be the queens for the day!”
Over 270 domestic helpers – many from the Philippines, Indonesia, Myanmar, India and Sri Lanka – attended the meaningful event. They were blessed with a special eight-course luncheon served by 90 leaders from the Care Group Ministry.
Care Group leader Janice Yue, a music educator, said, “It was especially thrilling to see the Lord’s hands orchestrating everything so beautifully. Everyone served joyfully and wholeheartedly and there was such a buzz in the air!”
Pre-lunch activities included jewellery making and a fun phototaking session with props like wigs, feather boas and funky shades. The highlight of the afternoon was three blessed draws that gave away prizes which included shopping vouchers, digital cameras and practical items like hairdryers!
We Sang Hosanna
The Rock Auditorium erupted in a spectacular explosion of light, sound and resounding worship on 15 and 16 October 2010 during the “live” recording of NCC’s latest praise and worship album, I Sing Hosanna. More than 5,500 church members participated in three sessions and sang their highest praises to the Lord.
“It was a fantastic experience!” said Diane Ong, a secondary school teacher. “It is amazing to be a part of God’s family and have a hand in spreading the gospel around the world through songs.”
Backstage, the atmosphere was just as electric. “The most awesome thing for me is experiencing people connecting with and worshipping wholeheartedly to our songs,” Karen Lim, NCC songwriter, said. “Worship took on a whole new level of relevance and intimacy.”
The I Sing Hosanna album was launched on 19 December 2010 and is available for $20 at Rock Gifts and Book Centre (call 6333 8856).
Rock Kidz — Children’s Day Party
The children at Rock Kidz had a blast on 4 October 2009 at a special Children’s Day party. Held at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre, a total of 2,420 children had an awesome time of praise and worship, enjoyed exciting games and were blessed with gifts.
Mid-Autumn Celebration 2009
Fuelled by a desire to share the love of Jesus with the Hokkien- and Mandarin-speaking communities in Singapore, our church’s Chinese Ministry has been organising an annual Mid-Autumn Celebration since 2006. This year’s Celebration was held on Saturday, 26 September 2009, over two sessions (2.30pm and 7pm).
We rejoiced with an entertaining programme that included song items by special guests Kelvin Soh and Xia Hui, a testimony from Kelvin, and a time of sharing from the Word of God. Pastor Mark Ng preached in Hokkien, with simultaneous interpretation into Mandarin by Pastor Christina Wee.
Around 10,900 people attended the event, and 155 individuals made a first-time decision to receive Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Praise God!
The Zone Youth Conference 2009
On Saturday, 25 July 2009, the Singapore Expo became the venue for an outpouring of the Spirit. Organised to impact youths in Singapore with the gospel of grace, The Zone Youth Conference even attracted youths from overseas!
The event kicked off with three afternoon workshops which were designed to help young people understand God’s purpose in their lives. Conducted by Pastor Judah Smith of The City Church in Seattle, United States, and members of the Hillsong United team, the workshops were attended by close to 2,200 youths aged 17 to 29.
Come evening, about 7,000 young people gathered at the MAX Pavilion, eager to experience God’s love and grace through the praise and worship led by Hillsong United, and the sharing of the Word by Pastor Judah. Pastor Benjamin Lim, our church’s youth pastor, was there to welcome the youths as well as our guests.
It was an amazing day that resulted in a total of 72 salvations. All glory to Jesus!
Launch Of The Zone
Saturday, 23 May 2009, saw a sandy strip in a quiet corner of Sentosa called Tanjong Beach transformed into a colourful, exhilarating carnival ground complete with giant inflatables, a mini gladiator game set-up and a reverse bungee station!
More than a thousand young people between the ages of 13 and 29 thronged the place from noon, engaged in friendly yet challenging games and competition. In the evening, the gaiety and frenetic activity gave way to a rousing time of praise and worship, filling the air with the tangible presence of God. Set against the beautiful backdrop of lapping waves and swaying coconut trees, the sight of thousands of hands raised in exultant praise and sweet worship was enough to elicit misty-eyed awe in any onlooker.
In this event, the young people from our three youth ministry groups (DARE, Arrow and GenRev) came together not only to have fun, but also to mark the launch of the youth ministry’s new name — The Zone. This officially united all three youth groups under the auspices of one integrated and synergised ministry.
And judging from the crowd’s response to Pastor Benjamin’s short but impactful sharing on the ministry’s new name, be on the lookout for amazing things to happen in and through The Zone in the days to come!
Chinese New Year Celebration 2009
The evening's festivities opened with a dynamic dance item by the Performing Arts ministry, melding the traditional Chinese fan dance with modern hip-hop moves.
Immediately after, the New Creation Church worship leaders, band and choir led everyone gathered into a time of joyously lively, yet quietly intimate, praise and worship in the midst of God’s loving presence. Following that, we were treated to the night’s music-and-drama highlight — The Love Story Of Xiao Niang!
Though inspired by the recently concluded Channel 8 drama The Little Nyonya, the musical’s plot drew mainly from the biblical story of Ruth in the Old Testament. In it, the young widow Xiao Niang chooses to follow her widowed and bereaved mother-in-law to Singapore from their hometown in Malaysia. Alone in a foreign land and faced with difficult circumstances, she nonetheless chooses to put her trust in the favour of God.
Finding work in a bread factory, Xiao Niang is reviled by her fellow workers first as a jinx and later as a flirt, since their boss, or Shao Ye, has taken a fancy to her. Drama and hilarity ensues as Shao Ye and Xiao Niang subtly attempt to suss each other out in the midst of her co-workers’ self-absorbed preening, gossiping and plotting (fellow worker Bao Zhu wants to snag Shao Ye for herself!).
The story ends with Xiao Niang finding love and happiness as Shao Ye’s wife, demonstrating that God’s love, grace and favour will put you at the right place at the right time, and that He will work all things out for your good despite the darkness that seems to surround you.
Pastor Mark then took the stage, delivering a truly eye-opening message on how the blessings that the Chinese desire to obtain through their various rituals and symbols during the Chinese New Year have already been abundantly supplied by God. Whether it is long life, prosperity, peace or happiness, Jesus is the answer and He has already made a way for His people to enjoy them all!
At the end of the service, 26 precious souls were added to the kingdom of heaven. All glory to Jesus!
Rock Kidz Musical
Our church’s first-ever Rock Kidz Musical was held on Saturday, 22 November 2008. Both the 4pm and 8pm shows were packed to overflowing by an enthusiastic crowd of 2,501 children (aged four to 12) and parents.
The audience was treated to an exciting live-action adventure-fantasy. In the story, eight-year-old Timothy and his nemesis Billy (the school bully) are accidentally left behind in a museum after a school trip, and are surprised when three superhero exhibits come alive. Subsequent events, however, prove that superhuman powers are nothing compared to Jesus, the true Superhero.
To the glory of God, a total of 395 children received Jesus as their Saviour during the two altar calls! The Lord certainly used Rock Kidz and our 280 volunteers mightily in bringing about this amazing harvest of young souls. Pleased parents later commented that the event was very well-organised, professional and enjoyable.
