Blog

What changes on the first day of the New Year besides the date? What does God have in store for me in the new year? Let’s look at how we can have a Fresh Start in a New Year.

Personally, Christmas is my favourite time of the year! Historically, Christmas marks a momentous point in redemptive history. It is God becoming man so that He might give His life as a ransom for many (Isaiah 9:6). It means unto us a Saviour is born (Luke 2:11)!

This will be the first Christmas when everyone is in town. I would like to share some ways we can celebrate Christmas meaningfully. As you consider them, let the Holy Spirit inspire you to think of other creative ways too.

I was called into vocational (full-time) ministry at age 45.

In August 1991, Bartley Christian Church started an outreach extension in the new Pasir Ris estate with 123 adults and 75 children in 6 cell groups. Within 6 months, we started another worship service. Our cell groups also grew. I assisted our two pastors, Vincent Lun and Joseph Tang, to coordinate our cell network.

Right from the beginning, the Bible taught me that the workplace is where human beings labour together to reflect God’s glory (Genesis 1 and 2). However, in this fallen world, can God be glorified when many folks are living without God? In walking with God, I discovered that if I make my workplace my mission field, I can yoke with Christ to win souls for Him so that all shall glorify Him.

God our Father is the source of life. As heads of households (Colossians 3:18-19), earthly fathers are to represent our heavenly Father to their children. In the light of this, fathers have a disproportionate impact on the faith life of their children. Does this mean moms are not as important? Certainly not! Moms are absolutely crucial!

As parents, it is tempting to outsource discipleship of our children to the church, thinking we are not spiritually mature or knowledgeable enough to disciple our children. But Scripture gives a clear mandate to parents to teach children about who God is and what He says.

In discussing discipleship at home, Dinah and I have asked the question, what about singles? We have had long conversations with single friends and pondered on this area. Here are several things we have learned so far on what discipleship can look like for singles.

Recently, I read this illustration of marriage: A wedding is unlike buying a Ferrari – gorgeous, expensive and plenty of engine power that we are to maintain and keep up to standard forever. Instead, marriage is like buying a build-your-own-vehicle kit. It will take a lifetime to build together. We will put things in the wrong places and make mistakes. But eventually, as we depend on God’s grace, we will create something with beauty and purpose for the journey together.

By God’s grace, I have the privilege of owning a business with offices in Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore, employing 73 people.

I see myself as having been given stewardship over these circles of influence and seek to develop a corporate culture based on biblical principles and values. Colleagues are to be treated as family; my wife, Lina, and I are the parents to ensure their development and welfare.

I have used the term Micro Groups when discussing disciple making and several have asked if I can elaborate.

We start with the biblical basis – Jesus had twelve disciples, not because it is the ideal ratio for making disciples. Rather, some scholars believe that He was making a statement about the twelve tribes and a new Israel. The number twelve also represents government in biblical numerology.