Life Group - Eternal Life Assembly

From Seeds to Potted Herbs : A Journey of Gardening, Faith and Community

Swee Fay — Fri, 24 May 2024 06:24:00 +0000

My heart has always been for charity and supporting mission work, but my job didn’t allow me to travel much for overseas missions. While I contributed to our EL Cambodia Missions through finances and prayers, there was always a yearning to do more.

In late March this year, during a chat with Eve, one of my Life Group (LG) members, I shared an idea to sell 100 potted herb plants to raise funds for the Cambodia Missions.

The plan was to do it with Asher, my 11 year old son, and to have a leisurely bonding time of gardening over eight months. Yet, this project turned out anything but leisurely!

Eve, who also loves gardening, jumped on the idea and suggested we do it together as an LG project! I’ve always told my children that they are unique and need to exercise their God-given talents which He will bless and multiply.

Suddenly that same advice spoke to me. Could my simple passion for gardening be a God-given talent that God could use and multiply?

Could my simple passion for gardening be a God-given talent that God could use and multiply?

While excited, I worried about the project’s execution. Where would I store 100 potted herbs with enough air and light to grow? How would 100 plants sell in a short time frame?

Within five days, without seeking help, a friend offered to sell potting soil in bulk at a discount. Another friend offered space at the monthly HortPark event—Gardeners’ Day Out. I was convinced this was His plan, and He provided what we needed.

When the idea was mooted to my LG, everyone was excited and ready to act. I felt relieved by their enthusiastic support.

Many turned up at my home to help with soil potting, planting, and labelling. I was happy to share my passion for gardening and to see the LG experience the joy of serving and gardening together.

While we could pot the plants, their growth rate was beyond our control. Would the plants grow fast enough, big enough, or well enough in time for the sale event at HortPark?

Each time a worrying thought came, I prayed and surrendered it to God, claiming His promise in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7:

“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

It was a daily journey of letting go and letting God take control of His project.

After three weeks, every single pot flourished, and none perished! This had never happened to me before, as it is common to have some pots die away.

During the sale event at HortPark, many of my LG members helped with the sales. With their enthusiastic selling, every single pot was sold out! We raised $1,282 for EL missions.

Initially, the goal was to raise funds, but in the end, my LG and I received much more. By bringing our five loaves and two fishes, we experienced the love and joy of being part of the LG community:

“then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” (Phil 2:2)

By bringing our five loaves and two fishes, we experienced the love and joy of being part of the LG community

God used this project to strengthen my faith in Him. No passion or talent is too small for Him to use.

God was leading this gardening project, and his favor was evident from soil to pot, from seed to plant, from LG to the sale event. I just needed to be obedient to His calling and to trust Him in my journey.

Don’t underestimate your God-given talent; don’t underestimate the power of a team (our LG) working toward a common vision; and remember, where God leads, He provides.

The post From Seeds to Potted Herbs : A Journey of Gardening, Faith and Community first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.

“The Power of Intergenerational Outreach” – Never too young nor too old to be a community of love and impact

Joyce Tham — Sun, 14 Apr 2024 03:20:00 +0000

A cosy pavilion brimmed with fairy lights, lanterns, and streamers as one pair of intergen life groups (LGs) welcomed about 20 residents to their Chinese New Year block party.

Following the successful Christmas block party organised by Safe Haven LG last December 2023, Safe Haven partnered with their fellow intergen LG, Blessings, to organise a Chinese New Year block party as a follow-up with the residents.

“The last round, we had some older folks. When it was just our LG [hosting the party], it was a bit difficult to engage them,” recalled Safe Haven’s co-cell leader, Yong Chian.

“It’s exciting that somebody organises such parties for residents. I think it’s a good idea; at least people know there is a LG in Telok Blangah area,” commented Panny, the leader of Blessings LG.

Initially, some of her LG members had difficulty seeing the purpose of having the intergen cell group. This started to change as members of both LGs bonded together through the collective preparation and evangelism efforts.

Preparations started with prayers and brochure distribution. Their faith was challenged when there were only a few sign-ups. The waiting game seemed forever.

There were questions if the correct date or timing was picked for the party. But with persistent prayers, more sign-ups streamed in, with most attending the party for the first time!

Initiating conversations does not come naturally to everyone. To equip members with the confidence to strike up conversations, Safe Haven conducted a mini role-play to share handles and to practise holding conversations with different profiles of people.

The profiles included gender, age, marital status, number of children, etc. Members then gave feedback to one another on how the conversations went and shared ways for improvement.

During the party, members mingled with and befriended the residents. “We saw a lot more conversations going on. People are not just standing alone or with people they are comfortable with,” recounted Safe Haven’s co-cell leader, Brenda.

“I was afraid to approach the residents as I didn’t feel confident carrying on conversations,” shared Joyce, a young adult member from Safe Haven.

“But this was an opportunity to share God’s love. Hence, I plucked up my courage and paired up with another life group member to speak with one resident with 2 young children. My partner and I took turns to converse with the resident and we learned more about her and her family. I was glad I took that first step to connect with her.”

Another member from Blessings life group, Judy, initially felt apprehensive, “When I heard about the outreach, my first reaction was to find an excuse not to attend. I am an introvert. I don’t like to socialise, entertain, or be involved in big gatherings. But I decided to attend to support my LG leader.”

At the party, she noticed a lady in her 60s. Remembering that the objective was to reach out, she walked over and began talking with the lady. “I shared that I am from Eternal Life Assembly (EL) and that we hoped to get to know the residents at Telok Blangah,” recalled Judy.

“I noticed a hump on her back and asked if I could pray for her. That opened an opportunity to share about EL’s Healing Room Ministry. As a volunteer serving in this ministry, I have seen several healings and I am glad that I was able to share testimonies to encourage her.

In the past, I would not know how to approach and talk to people, let alone share about God. I am thankful that God is using me in the Healing Ministry.”

The night ended with the residents receiving door gifts packed in the church’s red packets. It was a meaningful night of connecting with the residents. Now, the intergen LGs look forward to having more touchpoints with the residents in the future!

“An outreach should have some form of follow-up. It’s not a touch-and-go thing. We are there to know people and bring them in. The only way to do that is to form a relationship,” chimed in Brenda.

This intergenerational effort has proven that age is and never will be a barrier. Everyone can and has a role to play in sowing for breakthroughs in evangelism as long as we are willing to.

“Just start small, start simple. Then grow from there,” said Yong Chian. “We just have to start somewhere and the best time is now,” concluded Brenda.

The post “The Power of Intergenerational Outreach” – Never too young nor too old to be a community of love and impact first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.

“It takes a kampong to reach a kampong” – How 30 neighbours heard the Gospel for the first time

Grace Tham — Tue, 16 Jan 2024 15:46:00 +0000

Brenda and Yong Chian have been residing in Telok Blangah for the last 5 years. They also have a cute Singapore Special dog, Belle, whom they bring out for night walks. Upon meeting other dog owners during these walks, the couple got to know many neighbours in their block.

“Yong Chian and I have been living in this flat for 5 years, and there’ve been neighbours that we’ve tried inviting for church events, but it never got through to them. It was just too ‘churchy’,” Brenda mentioned.

As it’s always been the couple’s desire to reach out, they would occasionally invite their neighbours to church events. This included Ladies Fellowship or musicals – but to no avail. With much effort and no breakthrough, the couple were discouraged at times.

When the opportunity arose to go door to door during Good Neighbour Day*, Brenda suggested to her Life Group (LG) to give the mugs to her neighbours. Bringing the church right to the doorstep of her neighbours would be a new way to reach out to them. Moreover, the LG gatherings were at Yong Chian and Brenda’s house every Friday, and there was no better place than the block to start their outreach.

Everyone was agreeable, and the LG didn’t stop there. They agreed that reaching out should not be a one-time project. “We want to do outreach with a follow-up, and a Christmas Party would be a good platform to keep in touch with our neighbours,” shared Joyce Tham, an LG member. Hence, the idea for a Block Christmas Party was birthed.

The planning of course came with some doubts

The planning of course came with some doubts. “My LG members were initially a bit hesitant if we could pull it off or have the attendance we were hoping for,” Brenda commented.

Different members played to their strengths – some took charge of decorations, others anchored the games and others hospitality. The LG continued to pray for God’s hand to be upon the party.

The entire planning process culminated on 22 December. Safe Haven transformed their neighbourhood pavilion into a Christmas wonderland. 30 neighbours came! Some of them were invited by the LG and some simply walked into the festivities. The gathering was filled with great food, fun games, and even a special moment where an LG member, Ryan, shared his testimony of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

The lively and enjoyable moment gave everyone a time full of laughter, joy and bonding. One neighbour, touched by the experience, expressed her keen interest in visiting the church with her that week.

”It was very heartening to see the LG coming together to organise this party. Everyone enjoyed themselves, and many neighbours asked when the next community event would be.”

The Block Christmas Party was no doubt a success, bringing joy and creating new bonds. With its success, Safe Haven is currently planning to organise another gathering for Chinese New Year, along with their inter-gen LG.

“It takes a kampong to reach a kampong”

“It takes a kampong to reach a kampong,” Brenda commented, “Reaching out to non-believers should be the heartbeat of every LG.”

When the couple was doing it alone, it was difficult to reach out to their neighbours. But when the LG came together to organise a party in the comfort of their neighbourhood, people came.

LGs are not only a platform where we fellowship and feel comfortable, but a place where we can spur each other to live out Matthew 28:19-20 and to make disciples of all nations. Safe Haven’s experience has shown us that, it is easier to toil together in unity for His kingdom than to do it alone.

Discipleship can’t just be read, it has to be done”

Discipleship can’t just be read, it has to be done,” Brenda commented, “Same with evangelism, we just have to do it. It is normal to be anxious, but the more we do and practise, the easier these skills become.”

Practising discipleship is easier when done together as an LG. We can find strength in unity. “Doing” discipleship isn’t just an individual pursuit, but a shared experience. We can walk alongside each other and offer mutual encouragement and support.

As Eternal Life Assembly embarks on the Year of Discipleship, it’s time to start living Christ in our everyday lives. As an LG, how would we act differently this year? How can we be more intentional in living Christ? And even as a member of an LG, can I influence my LG to live Christ this year?

*Good Neighbour Day Project: A church-wide evangelistic initiative where Life Groups in EL will approach their friends/neighbours to give them a mug.

The post “It takes a kampong to reach a kampong” – How 30 neighbours heard the Gospel for the first time first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.