Testimony - Eternal Life Assembly

Honouring Our Pastors – Lives of Faith & Obedience

Joyce Tham — Sat, 26 Sep 2026 08:44:38 +0000

The Call to Abandon My Nets

God’s calling came when I was 20 years old and still studying in Polytechnic.

After winning the top prize in an international competition, I was offered promising career opportunities that could offer a significant career edge – the temptation was real!

Yet through Scripture and worship songs, God kept drawing my heart back to His call upon my life.

Like the disciples leaving their nets to follow Jesus, I learned that obedience sometimes involves sacrifice.

With no ministry blueprint, I declined all the opportunities. I wanted to obey God.

Front-row Seat to the Supernatural

Long before my ministry calling, I had front-row seats to the supernatural.

Growing up, my dad regularly opened our home to church members seeking prayer for healing and deliverance. Some would begin manifesting the moment they saw him and had to be carried into our house. They would take them into a room for prayer and deliverance.

Meanwhile, I would be in the next room trying to do my homework. All efforts to soundproof my room failed – I could hear everything.

Whenever my dad returned from his overseas crusade ministry trips, he would constantly show me videos and testimonies of healing.

Looking back, I realise those were formative years when God was exposing me to a world of ministry that would become a significant part of my calling.

In time, I, too, began witnessing healings for the people I had prayed for!

The Lonely Road of Obedience

Calling can be exciting. Obedience can be lonely.

In my 20s, while many conversations with friends revolved around careers, relationships, and starting families, I found myself returning from missions trips talking about healings, bombings, and moments of God’s protection from danger. I often felt like the oddball, unable to fit in and relate well with my peers.

After graduating from Bible school, I joined a church as a full-time staff and thought, “Finally! I’m stepping into everything that God has been calling me to!”

Instead, the first four years became my most difficult years in ministry.

I was moved from one department to another, struggling to find my main area of ministry. I felt unwanted and wondered whether there was really a place for me.

The future was a blur. The wait felt like forever.

But one thing remained clear: God had called me.

So I stayed. I served. And I kept obedient.

Into Deeper Waters

A significant turning point came when some church members and I accompanied my dad on his overseas healing ministry trips.

What we witnessed changed us.

We saw many people encountering God through healing and giving their lives to Jesus! We were so inspired that we wanted to begin a similar ministry in Singapore. That was the birth of Healing Room!

Initially based in my previous church, the ministry grew steadily and expanded to two locations!

Then, another unexpected call of obedience came.

I sensed God leading me out of the security of full-time church employment to serve the wider Body of Christ.

It was frightening.

Leaving church employment meant giving up my stable salary and stepping into a ministry that would need to raise its financial support.

Still, I trusted God. I resigned. And Jesus Heal Me was formed.

Stepping Out in Faith

In the early days of the ministry, I began writing to churches and organisations, sharing the vision and inviting people to partner with us.

God surprised me! Within the first month, enough funds came in to cover an entire year’s salary, including surplus!

God is faithful to provide where He leads.

What began as a mustard seed faith has grown beyond what I could have envisioned. Today, Jesus Heal Me serves churches across denominations and nations through healing services, gospel crusades, ministry training, and equipping believers to pray for the sick. All glory to God!

Multiplication

Yet, what gives me the greatest joy is not ministry growth but the multiplication of impact.

My heart leaps whenever those whom I have coached begin praying for the sick themselves and return with testimonies of healing. Some have gone on to equip their own church members and mission teams.

Equipped Jesus Heal Me team members praying and ministering to others

Ministry is no longer one person’s impact but multiplied through equipping. It is my greatest privilege to play a part in multiplying Kingdom impact!

When Healing Doesn’t Happen

Healing ministry also means learning to live with unanswered questions.

While we celebrate every testimony, there are also those who experience the pain of unanswered healing.

One lady on our team was known for praying for cancer patients—even while battling cancer herself. People she prayed for subsequently reported improvements in their cancer markers, and some reported that their tumours had disappeared.

Yet her own healing did not come. After three years of battling cancer, she went home to be with the Lord.

Before she passed away, I asked her if she was ever angry with God. Her answer stayed with me:

“When they are happy, I am happy.”

Those words taught me something profound about ministry.

We do not serve God to earn “healing merits” or be guaranteed a problem-free life.

We serve Him simply because we love Him, and it is our privilege to participate in His work.

I still struggle with unanswered questions, but they do not dismiss the testimonies of God’s power. I will continue walking with people through the miracles and the mysteries.

Finding Our Spiritual Family

As the ministry grew, my wife, Serene, and I discovered that God was restoring our need for belonging.

My frequent travels made it difficult for me to remain rooted in a small group, while Serene yearned for a community where she could simply be herself. That often came with the unspoken expectations of being “the pastor’s wife.”

Things worsened when the pandemic hit. We both longed for a church where we could serve, worship, build friendships, and simply belong.

After leaving my previous church, we found our spiritual home at Eternal Life Assembly.

There, Serene and I found genuine friendships. Serene also serves joyfully on the Missions Committee.

Ps Matthew and his wife, Serene, with friends made in Eternal Life Assembly

Knowing that Serene is loved, supported, and thriving brings me tremendous peace, especially as ministry continues to take me to different churches and nations.

God has faithfully met our needs as we remained obedient to Him.

One ‘Yes’ At a Time

Looking back, I realise that God’s calling was never about chasing extraordinary moments, but about consistently saying “yes” to Him, one step of obedience at a time.

I used to think calling was primarily about discovering what God wanted me to do. Over the years, I have learnt that

calling is just as much about who God is shaping us to be as it is about obeying Him.

Perhaps, the greatest lesson this journey has taught me is this: we rarely receive the whole roadmap when God calls. Usually, His call is an invitation to respond in trust and obedience — an ongoing relationship!

I have never regretted saying “yes” to God. Two decades since the Lord called me, I am still learning to respond the same way.

One “yes” at a time.

October is pastors’ appreciation month! As we honour our pastors, remember that behind every sermon preached, every prayer offered, and every life impacted are many unseen moments of obedience.

Let’s take a moment to thank our pastors for their dedication and faithful service to God and to us. What are some ways you can express your appreciation to them?
Is God calling you into an area of work or ministry? Who is He shaping you to be? Pray and speak to trusted believers or church leaders for guidance and accountability.

The post Honouring Our Pastors – Lives of Faith & Obedience first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.

Shaped by God, Sustained by Grace: No longer “the girl with a chronic illness”, but God’s beloved daughter

Michelle Chiang — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 04:00:00 +0000

It began with increased thirst and urination, constant fatigue, and frequent cravings for sweet drinks. Then one day, I fell very ill, and my mother rushed me to the hospital. The doctor told her that I was in diabetic ketoacidosis – a life-threatening complication from Type 1 diabetes.

Had I gone to the hospital a day late, I would have died!

At eight years old, I did not understand what having Type 1 diabetes meant, nor expected needles, insulin, and medication to become my daily companions.

Besides pain, the injections also left scars on my abdomen and thighs, to the extent that my body was not absorbing the insulin well at one point, due to the build-up of scar tissue. The insulin pump would also malfunction because it could sense that it was unable to deliver insulin into my body.

While other children could freely enjoy ice cream, cakes, and sugary treats, I could only look at them longingly through the shop display windows.

There were activities such as swimming that I had to avoid too. School camp was out because my teachers did not allow it. I almost could not join the ultimate frisbee team because the teacher-in-charge was concerned about my condition.

Gradually, the burden of living with diabetes took over. Shame crept in as my lifestyle was different from my peers’. Fear of being seen as weak and fragile lowered my self-esteem. All the missed opportunities and the challenges my friends never had to think about made me resentful.

“The girl with a chronic illness” became an identity I gave myself.

As years passed, new worries emerged. Would I become a burden to my parents? Would anyone be willing to marry me? Could I have children, and would they inherit my condition? The future felt uncertain and discouraging, prompting countless cries to

God: “Why me?”

God did not answer my question.

In His time, He revealed His grace in the midst of my struggles.

Managing diabetes is something that cannot simply be put on hold. Any malfunctioning device or an unexpected change in blood sugar levels demands immediate attention. In those anxious moments, God gently reminded me to lift my eyes from my circumstances to Him.

One such occasion came during a school elective in India. The buttons on the insulin pump were stuck, and the pump could not work. That was my only pump for the trip, and the nearest help centre was at least two hours away. Panic set in.

My friends and my family in Singapore prayed for me fervently. God answered!

He gave my friends, who were trawling the Internet, the solution to fix the buttons. By His grace, I survived!

Even in everyday situations, God has reminded me of His care and of how real He is. There were times when only high-sugar or high-carbohydrate food was available. I would then have to administer more insulin to curb my blood sugars from spiking after meals. But there is no guarantee that my blood sugar would remain stable. Yet on many occasions, my readings had remained stable or risen only slightly. Medical science cannot fully explain this, but

truly, it is God’s gracious hand at work, even in the smallest details.

Experiences like these remind me that God is in control, even when life feels uncertain.

Over time, the condition I once resented became the very means through which

God taught me dependence

not on medication but on Him. Through every challenge, He has faithfully sustained me.

Spending time reading His Word, praying and growing in my relationship with Him led me to know who I am in Christ and to reconcile with my condition.

Yes, living with diabetes requires sacrifices, but they pale in comparison to Christ’s sacrifice for all who would believe in Him.

That truth has given me hope, purpose and strength to persevere.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

As God continued to shape my heart,

He showed me that my identity is not defined by my illness or my limitations. I am a deeply loved daughter of the Most High King.

Indeed, the fears I carried were largely unfounded. New friends did not see me as “The girl with a chronic illness”. They accepted me for who I am. The truth that my identity is firmly rooted in God’s love freed me from the insecurity that had held me captive.

It gave me a new purpose – to live for God’s glory and serve Him faithfully.

Today, I embrace life with gratitude. Rather than dwelling on what I cannot do, I choose to focus on what God has enabled me to do through His strength. His love has given me the confidence to move forward with hope.

Years ago, a pastor prayed over me,

“God is going to turn your infirmities into inspiration for people”.

At that time, I could not imagine how that would happen. Looking back, God’s hand is evident throughout my journey with Type 1 diabetes. More than a story of living with a chronic illness, it is a testimony of God’s sustaining grace, unwavering faithfulness, and overflowing love.

His grace is unending, His love is overflowing, His mercies are new every morning.

Reflections:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

2 Corinthians 12:9

Bring your “Why?” to God. Trust that even when He does not answer your questions, His grace will sustain you.
Let God shape you. Allow Him to use your struggles to transform you.
Look for God’s faithfulness every day. Recognise and thank God for His constant presence and provision, even in life’s ordinary moments.

The post Shaped by God, Sustained by Grace: No longer “the girl with a chronic illness”, but God’s beloved daughter first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.

Another Chance to Live for Him – A journey of trust and surrender

Philip Sng — Sat, 30 May 2026 04:08:43 +0000

“You have cancer.”

Those were the only words that registered when the doctor called me in January 2026 with the final biopsy results. A large, bleeding polyp had been discovered during a colonoscopy—and it was cancerous. Just weeks earlier, on the last Sunday of 2025, I had experienced severe abdominal pain accompanied by a significant amount of blood in my stool. Two doctors initially diagnosed it as a colon infection, which subsided after a course of antibiotics and a pain injection. I thought the episode had passed. I did not expect it was only the beginning.

The news left me shell-shocked. My doctor explained that I would need surgery to remove about 20cm of my colon, or else the cancer could spread beyond control in 3 years as it would hit the lymph nodes and liver. For now, the cancer had already reached the deeper layers of the colon tissue. He reassured me that the cancer was in its early stage, and that the prognosis was good.

Yet, despite the hopeful outlook, the word ‘cancer’ felt like a death sentence and the three years, a timeline.

I struggled with the sudden news and tried to make sense of it all.

Cancer? Where did that come from? Why me? What happens next? Questions flooded my mind.

Would I face long-term treatment like my late father did with kidney failure? Would I even survive the surgery, or have the same outcome as my mother, who passed on the operating table during an angiogram? I was confronted with a future I was not ready for. What made it even harder to grasp was that I had already been dealing with autoimmune conditions—vitiligo (a chronic skin disease in which cells that make pigment are attacked and destroyed, causing the skin to turn a milk-white color) and a dysfunctional thyroid. Since August last year I had been seeking medical treatment to manage and prevent further complications. And now cancer? Why another health battle?

I was not afraid of dying.

Really. I was anxious about what life would look like after the operation if I should survive the surgery. Honestly, I was a little disappointed at this setback. There was so much I was looking forward to in this new season. I had just completed my doctorate. I had just stepped into a new leadership role in the church. I was teaching at Bible Institutions. There was momentum, vision, excitement and suddenly, everything felt interrupted and put on hold. I just couldn’t process it.

I began making calls to close friends and colleagues, informing them of the diagnosis. I am deeply grateful for my brother, family, godfamily, mentors, ministry partners, colleagues, and church friends. Though they were equally taken aback by the news, they rose up in faith — praying and walking with me in the weeks leading up to surgery.

Community became a tangible expression of God’s assurance that I am never alone in my struggle.

I was scheduled to travel to Baguio, Philippines before my surgery, to speak at an international women’s conference. With my mentor’s prompting and reminder, I decided I would focus. I chose to do so through worship, prayer and the Word. I curated a Spotify playlist titled ‘Songs of Comfort’. It played constantly — throughout the day and even during my hospital stay. I held on to God’s word daily, especially Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.” As I fixed my thoughts on Him daily, His peace guarded my heart. I prayed in the Spirit as often as I could because I just had no words to describe my pain, disappointment and confusion. Praying in the spirit strengthened me spiritually and it also prepared me for the days ahead. As my body was wasting away, God was giving me life through his Word.

During the final session of the women’s conference in Baguio, in a time of worship, I was overwhelmed by the presence of God. I found myself on my knees, face to the ground, weeping. In that sacred moment, the Lord quietened my fears and spoke gently to my heart:

This is a reset. A new season. You can trust Me.

The encounter was deeply personal—reminiscent of when I first received my calling. But this time, it was not a calling; it was a recommissioning and I had to come to a place of surrender. I had to surrender my confusion and the need for all answers. Surrender my plans, my future, my will and my entire life to Him. God was beginning to expand my faith, my perspective, and my vision. I still wrestled with my “whys”, “how comes” and “what ifs”. Surrendering was a daily exercise.

There were many moments of tears. But each time in my struggle, I sensed the Lord gently reminding me: Trust Me. Trust my plan.

I told the Lord that I would walk through this fiery trial, as long as I was assured of His presence. And He reminded me that my life was not my own. You see, when I was two years old, I had been miraculously revived from an epileptic episode that almost took my life away. My parents had prayed me back to life. For 50 years, God had held me in His hands. He would not fail me now.

I told God, “If I live, I will continue to live for You, for You are my strength and my victory each day. Because You live, I can face tomorrow, whatever the outcome. And if the surgery does not go well and I die, it is truly gain. I will be with you.”

In fact, in a conversation with Sister Diana, Pastor Gary’s wife, I told her that this was my stance – “for me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Two days before the surgery, I attended my last onsite service. I remembered singing the song ‘Firm Foundation’ loudly.

I was declaring truth: My house is built on You. Christ is my firm foundation.

The announcement of my surgery was made to the church after the service. The congregation prayed earnestly. I felt an overwhelming sense of love, support, and, above all, the peace of God.

God has always been faithful to see me through every fiery furnace and deep waters. In this season, I sensed that the Lord was inviting me to live out the very message I have been preaching to the church for the year:

To trust the Master’s plan, to yield to the Potter’s hand and to allow Him to empower me for expansion even through this trial.

On 24 February 2026, I went into surgery with a deep sense of peace that Jesus was with me. When I woke up from surgery, there was a deep rejoicing in my spirit although I was in pain.

I was alive! There was no infection, no stay in the high-dependency ward, no blood transfusion, and no complications. The surgery was described as “uneventful”—the best possible outcome.

I had a good surgeon—and an even greater God who presided over it all. The first words I uttered to those waiting for me in the ward were: “I am alive!” I was so grateful for another chance to live for God!

During the eight days in hospital, I witnessed God’s healing hand at work – swift, steady and sure. Each day brought good progress and much encouragement. I cleared one milestone after milestone swiftly, much to the medical team’s delight and surprise. I received exceptional care from doctors and nurses, and was surrounded by the love of family and friends. Visits, prayers, and messages strengthened me. I rested well and soon had all four tubes removed from my body. After discharge, I continued my recovery at home.

I learnt to rest and be patient with my recovery. I chose to focus on thanksgiving and praise. I curated another Spotify song playlist and played it daily, giving thanks to God and strengthening my spirit because I knew if I didn’t, I would be consumed by what I couldn’t do, couldn’t eat and where I couldn’t go. It was a season of deep restoration—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. I thank God for people who sent groceries, lunches and made healthy meals for me.

On 11 March 2026, the full pathology report was released. My surgeon called with the news:

All was well – I could now be considered cancer-free. No chemotherapy. No further treatment.

This is nothing short of the grace of God. My heart overflowed with gratitude. I stood in awe of God’s mercy and kindness. He is my Healer, Deliverer, Redeemer, and Restorer. I have been given another opportunity—to live for Him, to love deeply, and to embrace the relationships and calling He has entrusted to me.

I trust Him still to bring healing to every other area of my body.

I have learned that surrender is not a one-time moment, but a daily choosing – of laying down my plans, my questions, my need to understand. And a daily renewing of my trust in my Lord.

Today, I stand on the other side of what once felt impossible. Cancer is no longer my diagnosis. Christ is my everything and my all. I carry in my body the marks of surgery which are evidence of God’s mercy and grace. What could have taken me out became the very place where I encountered God more deeply than ever before. He did not just bring me through — He met me there, walked with me and worked in me there.

I was finally able to return to church for Good Friday service. My heart was filled with joy as I stood among my church family once again in worship. In that sacred moment, I was deeply reminded that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, I am not only a cancer overcomer I am more than a conqueror.

My life is not my own. It never was. And now, more than ever, I live remembering that every breath is a gift, every day is grace, and every step forward is an opportunity to live fully for Him.

For me to live is indeed Christ and to die is gain – ultimate, full restoration and everlasting life with Jesus. But it is not the end until He says it is the end. I look forward with faith to the good things He has prepared for me in the days to come.

The post Another Chance to Live for Him – A journey of trust and surrender first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.