Dear friends,
Greetings in the blessed name of Jesus!
Welcome to EMERGE RISING 2009! WOW! What a weekend we are having! First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome my pastor, Rev. Dr. Kong Hee and all of you to our annual youth conference. All of us are in for a treat as Ps. Kong will be speaking at all the 5 sessions in this year’s EMERGE!
This year’s Emerge is by far the largest. We have had over 100 competitions and 300 medals up for grabs. On top of that, there are also other attractive prizes to be won. This is a very exciting season because we are able to unearth some of the hidden potentials and talents of our young people. I want to see today’s youth engage life and all that God has given to them. I want to see them engage in healthy activities and through this live a more dynamic and fulfilled life. Apathy is a subtle killer. It drains us of our strength and our zeal for life. It saps us of our energy. Therefore, it is my dream that through Emerge, young people will once again celebrate the life and the creativity that is in them! Don’t be boxed up. Don’t think you can’t do it. Don’t be intimidated by fear. Learn to take steps of faith, one at a time. I believe when we begin to do that, we will see significant changes, one that will launch us into greater things in life.
Apart from all these activities, Emerge is also a time for us to encounter Jesus. It is a time for us to be in touch with our spirituality and seek the meaning of life. Our world is getting noisier. The demand on us is getting heavier. We need to learn to take pauses and ask ourselves, ‘Why am I here?’ and ‘God, what is it that you want me to do with this life that you have given to me?’ I believe, when we are able to have such retreats every now and then, we will discover the purpose and the joy of living a life for Christ! Let’s grow in balance; both physically and spiritually. Let’s Emerge and make a difference in our generation.
Yours for revival,
KEV
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Hi Church,
Greetings in the blessed name of Jesus!
WOW!!! In less than a week’s time we will be having our 5th Emerge Conference!!! And it is getting bigger and better! In terms of planning and preparation, I think this is one of the best that we have ever had. Not only did we manage to organize more events, we also received a lot of sponsorship from different companies and organizations! Praise the LORD! I want to take this opportunity to encourage all of us to be bolder in engaging culture and society. Go and make more friends and be the salt and light for Jesus. Emerge is a time to unearth potential and celebrate creativity. But it is also a time to shine and testify for Jesus! So, let me encourage you to both win medals and win friends for Jesus! Amen!
And starting this week, we are also entering into our 4th Arise and Build. This is the season for us to build the house of God, a time for us to focus on the physical building of God so that we may grow the church further and meet the needs of different people. Church growth is both a privilege and a responsibility. As we grow, we also need to care for those around us. I pray that as we remain planted in the house of God, we shall continually prosper and have enough seeds in our hands to sow into the work of God. At this point of time, we are designing a church that seats close to 2000 people. Our team has been working very hard in trying to reduce the cost of constructing the building, eliminating anything that is unnecessary, concentrating only in areas that matter.
So, as your pastor, I covet your prayers. We need wisdom from God to turn this vision into reality. And church, let’s once again join our hearts together and embark on this great work of God. Let’s leave behind a spiritual legacy for our future generation so that they too may be able to discover and serve the Lord our God all the days of their lives! Amen!
Arise and Build,
KEV
Greetings in the blessed name of Jesus!
WOW!!! In less than a week’s time we will be having our 5th Emerge Conference!!! And it is getting bigger and better! In terms of planning and preparation, I think this is one of the best that we have ever had. Not only did we manage to organize more events, we also received a lot of sponsorship from different companies and organizations! Praise the LORD! I want to take this opportunity to encourage all of us to be bolder in engaging culture and society. Go and make more friends and be the salt and light for Jesus. Emerge is a time to unearth potential and celebrate creativity. But it is also a time to shine and testify for Jesus! So, let me encourage you to both win medals and win friends for Jesus! Amen!
And starting this week, we are also entering into our 4th Arise and Build. This is the season for us to build the house of God, a time for us to focus on the physical building of God so that we may grow the church further and meet the needs of different people. Church growth is both a privilege and a responsibility. As we grow, we also need to care for those around us. I pray that as we remain planted in the house of God, we shall continually prosper and have enough seeds in our hands to sow into the work of God. At this point of time, we are designing a church that seats close to 2000 people. Our team has been working very hard in trying to reduce the cost of constructing the building, eliminating anything that is unnecessary, concentrating only in areas that matter.
So, as your pastor, I covet your prayers. We need wisdom from God to turn this vision into reality. And church, let’s once again join our hearts together and embark on this great work of God. Let’s leave behind a spiritual legacy for our future generation so that they too may be able to discover and serve the Lord our God all the days of their lives! Amen!
Arise and Build,
KEV
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Hi Church,
Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!
How are you doing? I pray that you have had a fruitful and blessed week. This week was especially special because we have had an awesome prayer meeting on Tuesday night. The power and presence of God was so strong that we just continually worshipped and prayed. Church, I really want to encourage you to be a part of it each time we have our CWPM. Prayer meetings are significant because they revive our inner-man as we learn to dwell in His presence and intercede. Such dwelling and lingering helps build our spiritual stamina and increase our spiritual sensitivity. And very often, we see lives transformed, problems solved and weary souls refreshed simply by immersing oneself in the presence of God. The atmosphere generated by a collective faith can change us from the inside. Truly, there is nothing like a church that prays together.
Well, we are in the last lap of the year and I know all of us are super busy with Emerge, Arise & Build and exams all coming at the same time. Hence, I want to ask all of us to pray and have wisdom in how we organize our calendar. Be sure to make time for everything. Do not procrastinate. Do as planned. Maintain a balance. Eat healthily. Exercise. Actually, this should not only be practiced during the busy periods of our lives. We should maintain such a lifestyle on a regular basis. Our lives will only get busier. The demand on us will only increase. If we do not develop such habits, how can we do greater things for God? How can we achieve more in life?
Friends, there is no shortcut to greatness in life. There is no such thing as an easy ride. If we are not willing to pay the price, we will always live an average life.
So, let’s rise up and Emerge! Let’s use our lives to be a blessing to this generation!
So proud of you,
KEV
Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!
How are you doing? I pray that you have had a fruitful and blessed week. This week was especially special because we have had an awesome prayer meeting on Tuesday night. The power and presence of God was so strong that we just continually worshipped and prayed. Church, I really want to encourage you to be a part of it each time we have our CWPM. Prayer meetings are significant because they revive our inner-man as we learn to dwell in His presence and intercede. Such dwelling and lingering helps build our spiritual stamina and increase our spiritual sensitivity. And very often, we see lives transformed, problems solved and weary souls refreshed simply by immersing oneself in the presence of God. The atmosphere generated by a collective faith can change us from the inside. Truly, there is nothing like a church that prays together.
Well, we are in the last lap of the year and I know all of us are super busy with Emerge, Arise & Build and exams all coming at the same time. Hence, I want to ask all of us to pray and have wisdom in how we organize our calendar. Be sure to make time for everything. Do not procrastinate. Do as planned. Maintain a balance. Eat healthily. Exercise. Actually, this should not only be practiced during the busy periods of our lives. We should maintain such a lifestyle on a regular basis. Our lives will only get busier. The demand on us will only increase. If we do not develop such habits, how can we do greater things for God? How can we achieve more in life?
Friends, there is no shortcut to greatness in life. There is no such thing as an easy ride. If we are not willing to pay the price, we will always live an average life.
So, let’s rise up and Emerge! Let’s use our lives to be a blessing to this generation!
So proud of you,
KEV
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Hi Church,
Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!
How are you all doing? I trust that you have had a great and awesome week. I have had a very fruitful week, especially on Tuesday night where I get to spend some quality time with all our leaders. We shared, we talked, we laughed and I taught… it was all very good. I really treasure and appreciate all the time that I can have with them. Being a part of this great spiritual family is truly a blessing and I know it is this connection that helps us define our destiny in Christ. Hence, I pray that we can continue to groom more leaders who will share the same vision and burden with us to transform our generation for the LORD. I am believing God that we will continually grow our church beyond all that we can ask or imagine.
And as our church grows, the demand for a larger space also increases. We need to have a larger facility to minister to people from different walks of life, and people from different seasons in life. With this in mind, we are beginning our Arise and Build Season once again. This is a period that we set aside every year to give of our best to God to build His house. All throughout the Scripture, we read how the people of God sacrificed and gave of their best to construct God’s temple. Why? It is because the house of God allows us to worship and experience Him corporately and gives us the opportunity to serve Him and touch lives. From this we can see the importance of the church. So many things can take place by just being in it.
Therefore, I am asking all of us to seriously consider and pray for the right amount that God would like us to give. Let us not give out of compulsion but out of a heart of love and out of a vision that He has birthed forth within us. When we do so, I am certain the LORD will bless us many folds in return. With that, we will continually have seeds in our hand to sow!
Church, let’s arise and build,
KEV
Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!
How are you all doing? I trust that you have had a great and awesome week. I have had a very fruitful week, especially on Tuesday night where I get to spend some quality time with all our leaders. We shared, we talked, we laughed and I taught… it was all very good. I really treasure and appreciate all the time that I can have with them. Being a part of this great spiritual family is truly a blessing and I know it is this connection that helps us define our destiny in Christ. Hence, I pray that we can continue to groom more leaders who will share the same vision and burden with us to transform our generation for the LORD. I am believing God that we will continually grow our church beyond all that we can ask or imagine.
And as our church grows, the demand for a larger space also increases. We need to have a larger facility to minister to people from different walks of life, and people from different seasons in life. With this in mind, we are beginning our Arise and Build Season once again. This is a period that we set aside every year to give of our best to God to build His house. All throughout the Scripture, we read how the people of God sacrificed and gave of their best to construct God’s temple. Why? It is because the house of God allows us to worship and experience Him corporately and gives us the opportunity to serve Him and touch lives. From this we can see the importance of the church. So many things can take place by just being in it.
Therefore, I am asking all of us to seriously consider and pray for the right amount that God would like us to give. Let us not give out of compulsion but out of a heart of love and out of a vision that He has birthed forth within us. When we do so, I am certain the LORD will bless us many folds in return. With that, we will continually have seeds in our hand to sow!
Church, let’s arise and build,
KEV
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Hi Church,
Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!
I am back!!! It is just so good to be back. Actually not quite… hahaha… I am actually writing this week’s Pastor Writes on the plane but because they allow wireless internet during our flight, I am able to write this and send it back to our office at the same time. How cool is that! This is really ‘not-even-the-sky-is-the-limit’.
First and foremost, I want to say a big thank you for your love and understanding for allowing my family and I to be away for so long. I also want to thank Keith and David for holding the fort while I was away. They have done an amazing job! Amen! This trip away is very important for me because it gives me time to think through our vision and strategies for the coming year and come out with new plans as to how we can continually grow and take our church to the next level. Apart from that, my wife too had a great time, being able to catch a musical at Broadway. This has allowed her to dream bigger and do better productions for us in the coming year. Well, to sum it all up, we have been greatly refreshed. I am sure 2010 is going to be bigger and better!
But before we get there, let’s first work on making this year’s Emerge the best ever! I know the competitions and atmosphere has been overwhelmingly amazing so far! Abel and his team has been doing a great job organizing and putting everything together. I want to encourage all of you to join as many competitions as possible. Explore yourself. Do things that you have never done before. Be involved. Participate. And during the conference, bring as many friends as possible to experience the tangible presence of God and the creativity that He has put within us. Church, Emerge is a time for us to go all out and discover the creative side of us. It is also a time for us to engage the world and show them the glory of God through our gifts and talents. So, let’s not just give a 50% commitment. Let’s not even give a 99% commitment. Let’s go all out and give our 110% to God! Let us rise up and transform our generation for the LORD!
I am excited!
KEV
Greetings in the wonderful name of Jesus!
I am back!!! It is just so good to be back. Actually not quite… hahaha… I am actually writing this week’s Pastor Writes on the plane but because they allow wireless internet during our flight, I am able to write this and send it back to our office at the same time. How cool is that! This is really ‘not-even-the-sky-is-the-limit’.
First and foremost, I want to say a big thank you for your love and understanding for allowing my family and I to be away for so long. I also want to thank Keith and David for holding the fort while I was away. They have done an amazing job! Amen! This trip away is very important for me because it gives me time to think through our vision and strategies for the coming year and come out with new plans as to how we can continually grow and take our church to the next level. Apart from that, my wife too had a great time, being able to catch a musical at Broadway. This has allowed her to dream bigger and do better productions for us in the coming year. Well, to sum it all up, we have been greatly refreshed. I am sure 2010 is going to be bigger and better!
But before we get there, let’s first work on making this year’s Emerge the best ever! I know the competitions and atmosphere has been overwhelmingly amazing so far! Abel and his team has been doing a great job organizing and putting everything together. I want to encourage all of you to join as many competitions as possible. Explore yourself. Do things that you have never done before. Be involved. Participate. And during the conference, bring as many friends as possible to experience the tangible presence of God and the creativity that He has put within us. Church, Emerge is a time for us to go all out and discover the creative side of us. It is also a time for us to engage the world and show them the glory of God through our gifts and talents. So, let’s not just give a 50% commitment. Let’s not even give a 99% commitment. Let’s go all out and give our 110% to God! Let us rise up and transform our generation for the LORD!
I am excited!
KEV
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Hi Church,
Greetings from the Big Apple!
Another week has come and gone and I trust that you have had a great one. I was in New York with my family and one of the highlights of our trip was catching a musical at Broadway – Wicked! It was amazingly well orchestrated and performed. From the props to the cast, everything was done professionally and excellently. The whole time I was there, I kept watching and learning how they did the backdrops, the lights, the music, the changing of scenes and everything else, I ended up not really knowing the story! Boy oh boy, were they good or what? It was seamlessly flawless! I was mesmerized to say the least. I am humbled and we really have a lot to learn. Hence, it has given me a lot of new ideas as to how we can do better and improve in the future. I am excited. Our future production is going to go one notch higher! Amen!
On another note, I want to remind all of us that we are in the last lap of the year. In less than 70 days we are going to end 2009. I want us to take this time to take stock and evaluate all that we have done or failed to achieve. In the very little time that we have left, let us do all that we can to end the year with a bang! We still have Emerge coming up and our annual Arise and Build Program. As we seek to build lives, let us not forget to build the house of God as well. Truly, there is nothing more meaningful than living our lives for the glory of God. And I truly believe that this is the only way we can live our lives larger than ourselves! A dream, a vision greater than all that we can ever ask or imagine! What a fruitful and meaningful life that would be.
So church, let us not give up doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. The future is gonna be awesome, if we allow God and His people to mold us and shape us into His image!
Running with you,
KEV
Greetings from the Big Apple!
Another week has come and gone and I trust that you have had a great one. I was in New York with my family and one of the highlights of our trip was catching a musical at Broadway – Wicked! It was amazingly well orchestrated and performed. From the props to the cast, everything was done professionally and excellently. The whole time I was there, I kept watching and learning how they did the backdrops, the lights, the music, the changing of scenes and everything else, I ended up not really knowing the story! Boy oh boy, were they good or what? It was seamlessly flawless! I was mesmerized to say the least. I am humbled and we really have a lot to learn. Hence, it has given me a lot of new ideas as to how we can do better and improve in the future. I am excited. Our future production is going to go one notch higher! Amen!
On another note, I want to remind all of us that we are in the last lap of the year. In less than 70 days we are going to end 2009. I want us to take this time to take stock and evaluate all that we have done or failed to achieve. In the very little time that we have left, let us do all that we can to end the year with a bang! We still have Emerge coming up and our annual Arise and Build Program. As we seek to build lives, let us not forget to build the house of God as well. Truly, there is nothing more meaningful than living our lives for the glory of God. And I truly believe that this is the only way we can live our lives larger than ourselves! A dream, a vision greater than all that we can ever ask or imagine! What a fruitful and meaningful life that would be.
So church, let us not give up doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. The future is gonna be awesome, if we allow God and His people to mold us and shape us into His image!
Running with you,
KEV
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus!
How are you guys doing? I trust you have had a great and awesome week! My family and I have had a great week with Ps. Kong, Sun and Dayan in LA. I spent much time with Pastor, listening to his heart and receiving from him a greater vision for the coming year. When I come back, I will share more with you.
But all in all, Esther and I have been greatly enlarged by what we saw here. 2 days ago we went to Disneyland for the first time and we were simply blown away by their boldness and creativity. The whole place was so lively and colorful. The cast really brought all the cartoon characters to life! It is indeed The Magic Kingdom! Truly, if we do not put a lid on our dreams and abilities, there is nothing that can stop us. Church, I want us to learn to dream and believe that we can achieve all that God has put within us to achieve.
I want to see City Harvest becoming one of the livelier, more charismatic and more creative churches in the nation. I want us to be daring enough to venture out of our comfort zone and attempt to do things that we have never done before. Do not be afraid of failures. Do not be intimidated by the challenges ahead of us. Learn to overcome them one by one. Take courage in the LORD. There is no guarantee that all our ventures and investments would be successful. But the most important thing is that we learn from our failures and we move on to the next level. God will always be there for us. He will never forsake us. Do not doubt Him. Do not resist Him. Do not take shortcuts. As long as we pursue our work and God with purity and sincerity of heart, I believe He will honor us for our courage and trust in Him.
Church, this is my dream for you. This is my heart’s desire for you. Never compromise even when everything has failed you. Your hope is in the LORD!
Get ready for a great and exciting season ahead!
In Him,
KEV
Greetings in the mighty name of Jesus!
How are you guys doing? I trust you have had a great and awesome week! My family and I have had a great week with Ps. Kong, Sun and Dayan in LA. I spent much time with Pastor, listening to his heart and receiving from him a greater vision for the coming year. When I come back, I will share more with you.
But all in all, Esther and I have been greatly enlarged by what we saw here. 2 days ago we went to Disneyland for the first time and we were simply blown away by their boldness and creativity. The whole place was so lively and colorful. The cast really brought all the cartoon characters to life! It is indeed The Magic Kingdom! Truly, if we do not put a lid on our dreams and abilities, there is nothing that can stop us. Church, I want us to learn to dream and believe that we can achieve all that God has put within us to achieve.
I want to see City Harvest becoming one of the livelier, more charismatic and more creative churches in the nation. I want us to be daring enough to venture out of our comfort zone and attempt to do things that we have never done before. Do not be afraid of failures. Do not be intimidated by the challenges ahead of us. Learn to overcome them one by one. Take courage in the LORD. There is no guarantee that all our ventures and investments would be successful. But the most important thing is that we learn from our failures and we move on to the next level. God will always be there for us. He will never forsake us. Do not doubt Him. Do not resist Him. Do not take shortcuts. As long as we pursue our work and God with purity and sincerity of heart, I believe He will honor us for our courage and trust in Him.
Church, this is my dream for you. This is my heart’s desire for you. Never compromise even when everything has failed you. Your hope is in the LORD!
Get ready for a great and exciting season ahead!
In Him,
KEV
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