Posted by Admin

by Persh dela Serna

Happy anniversary, CCF Singapore!! We’re four years old! There’s no better time than now to thank God for what He alone began years ago, to take stock of where we’re at, and to gear up for the future. One might say four years is a rather short time, and indeed it is short when viewed in retrospect. But then again, to have witnessed how much the church has grown since the first few families began meeting is indeed a call for celebration — a call to celebrate the faithfulness and goodness of God.

Memories of our church’s early years evoke pictures of fellow believers serving one another in whatever capacity needed, brothers and sisters in Christ sharing long lunches that lasted until late afternoons, toddlers and young children busily having Sunday School in a small bedroom, and even the baby high chair being constantly used as the Sunday pulpit. One particular picture though that stands out is how testimonies where always excitedly being shared of how God was moving amazingly in our midst.

When one thinks about it, these are the very same things (except perhaps the usage of the baby chair) we see happening in our church today amongst small group settings. In a good sense therefore, our church hasn’t changed. We are still functioning as a family albeit in a much bigger capacity now.

This is the essence of church being lived out — when believers come together to worship God, to edify one another through various ways and ministries, to encourage and spur one another on in overcoming everyday struggles through the power of the Holy Spirit, and to reach out and actively share the love of God with other people.

Celebrating our anniversary means that we remember God’s sovereignty in bringing us together as a church — as a family — here in Singapore. It means acknowledging how He has been powerfully moving among our midst — enabling us to work here, to build families here, to be bold enough in making new friends for the sake of Christ, and to be bolder still in helping existing friends and family know more of Christ. It means being thankful for the dozens of people at church who tirelessly give their best in helping ensure members’ needs are taken care of, worship services flow smoothly, and ministries and events proceed without glitch. It means giving glory to God alone for the people He alone brings to our church, for the granting of the church’s legal operating license, and for providing the support and resources needed to operate.

Celebrating our anniversary means that we remember God’s love and faithfulness in helping us through the years. As a church, we have numerous members whose lives are all testament to the magnificent power of God. We’ve seen people without work become blessed with jobs they didn’t dream getting; we’ve seen people whose families and homes God miraculously spared in the midst of the Ondoy flood; we’ve witnessed how God brought miraculous healing and provision to the sick. We’ve also experienced the sorrow of losing loved ones here and abroad, and yet through it all, God has given us individually and as a church the peace and joy knowing that Heaven awaits those who truly believe in Christ. We’ve rejoiced over broken relationships being restored, new relationships forming, marriages taking place, and babies being born. We’ve seen people come and go, and we’ve even been nomads many times not knowing where our next venue would be; and yet, again and again, God has never failed to provide for the numerous needs of the church. He is indeed a compassionate and faithful God. With one voice, let us together declare that indeed God is truly Awesome in this place!

Celebrating our anniversary means that we also take stock and gear up for the future of our church. This means emphasizing the need for every believer to realize his role as a minister; hence our continuing church theme on ‘Every Believer a Minister’. It also means encouraging one another to rekindle our first love with God by continually deepening our spiritual roots in the basics of the Christian faith. It means instilling in all the all-time importance of constantly abiding in God’s Word and in obeying what He calls us to do.

As we celebrate, let’s continue the race and press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Let’s give all glory to God alone and continue to trust in Him for the good work He alone began in us. Happy Anniversary, church!!

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