Missions - Eternal Life Assembly

Shaped for Mission – At Every Age

Michelle Chiang — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 04:00:08 +0000

“Missions begin when we recognise that God has already been at work in our lives – shaping our stories, using our gifts and experiences for His redemptive purposes. Every believer has a role to play in His mission, both locally and across the globe.”

Rev Dr Daphne June Lau

In 2025, Eternal Life Assembly’s (“EL”) Missions Committee organised 14 mission trips and outreach events to share God’s love and spread His word in Singapore and beyond.

A total of 212 intergenerational ELites – children, youths, adults and seniors – answered God’s call to “do the good works which He has prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).

Let us hear from eight of them what prompted them to step out in faith, and what they experienced while serving.

Q: Which mission trip did you go for?

Bernard (aged 76, English Congregation): Cambodia Care Centre.

Declan (aged 18), Gordon (aged 23), Alythea (aged 21), Hannah (aged 20) and Zanna (aged 24) (Youth): EL Cambodia

Junxiang (aged 34, Mandarin Young Adult): Outreach to migrant workers at Tuas Recreation Centre.

Frank (aged 33, Mandarin Young Adult): EL Tanjung Pinang.

Q: What prompted you to sign up for the mission trip?

Bernard: I felt God call me to step out of my comfort zone and serve others.

Declan: Honestly, my flesh was unwilling at first. But I knew that a heart of service, love, and sacrifice must be lived out through action. Cambodia, far outside my comfort zone yet hungry for God, felt like the perfect place for my first mission trip.

Gordon: I’d heard that mission trips are eye-opening experiences, so I wanted to experience one myself. I’ve received blessings throughout my life and wanted to give back.

Zanna: I had not been to Cambodia since my first mission trip in 2017. Hearing how much had changed encouraged me to go because the people there are on God’s heart.

Junxiang: Migrant workers build our homes and infrastructure, yet they are often overlooked. I joined the Tuas South outreach to show appreciation and share the love of Jesus.

Frank: I did not say “yes” immediately. After praying about it, I sensed God prompting me to step out of my comfort zone. That gave me the confidence to go.

Q: What impacted you most on the trip?

Bernard: The faith and joy of the people despite their circumstances. Many had little materially, yet their gratitude, generosity and trust in God were remarkable. I went thinking I would give, but I received far more – renewed gratitude and a deeper awareness of God’s presence.

Declan: Same here. I was blessed! Cambodia may appear “lacking” to many, but to me there was abundance – of faith, hunger for God and heartfelt worship. Seeing believers sacrifice so much to serve Him reminded me to keep God at the centre of my life.

Gordon: It has to be EL Cambodia’s love for God. The leaders served sacrificially while juggling school and ministry, yet always with joy. And even though many of the team members fell ill before the trip, God carried us through. It reminded me to trust Him fully.

Zanna: Indeed, God was with us all the way. I was supposed to preach with notes on my iPad, but it couldn’t connect to Wi-Fi. After a quick prayer, I spoke without a script, and ideas kept coming as I spoke – even demonstrating “being the light of the world” with a headlamp. It reminded me that God equips us when we rely on Him.

Alythea: I was deeply moved by the believers’ hunger for God despite persecution from friends or family. Their sincere worship and bold faith showed me what genuine faith looks like – trusting God even when it is costly.

Hannah: Missions are not limited to overseas trips. We can reach people around us in Singapore who have yet to know Christ. I want to continue bringing God’s love to the people around me – to be the salt and light wherever He places me.

Junxiang: I learnt that sometimes a simple act of service opens doors. Offering to take a photo for two migrant brothers led to a friendly conversation.

Frank: The people we met made the biggest impact. Even though we were together for only a few days, the bond felt deep. It reminded me how God’s love connects people beyond differences.

Q: What would you say to someone considering going on a mission trip?

Bernard: Don’t wait until you feel ready. Missions is not about ability but willingness. God will work in your heart as you serve.

Declan: Go for it! Even when doubts come, trust that God will provide. Missions bless not only others but it also allows God to enrich our spiritual lives.

Gordon: Go! Stepping outside our “little red dot” helps us see how God is working beyond our familiar surroundings.

Zanna: Mission trips allow us to experience God’s empowerment for His kingdom purposes.

Junxiang: Missions does not always mean going overseas. There are many opportunities in Singapore to bless others and share God’s love.

Frank: Step out in faith. God works powerfully through willing hearts, and the experience will transform your faith.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

Eternal Life Assembly thanks every ELite who has answered God’s call to carry out the Great Commission – spreading His love in Singapore and beyond.

Age is no barrier. We are all SHAPED FOR GOD’S MISSION.

Step out in faith today. Click here to find out more about EL’s missions and indicate your interest for the upcoming mission trips in 2026.

The post Shaped for Mission – At Every Age first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.

“I went to heal others, but God healed me.”

Zanna Ker — Sat, 22 Feb 2025 03:00:00 +0000

It was a low period in my life.

My mother passed away seven months ago in March 2024. As it neared my birthday, memories of her flooded my mind, leaving deep feelings of grief and loss.

At that time, I pretended that I was strong and doing well, yet inside I was very broken, and didn’t know how my brokenness would heal.

Two options for briefly leaving the country were presented to me – either a leisure trip with friends or a missions trip to Cambodia with a team from the Healing Ministry.

I’ve always had fears regarding safety. I am also very timid, afraid of even lizards, much less the bigger uncertainty that comes with missions trips. Would I really be alright on this trip?

Fears crept up on me, but I heard a voice telling me to stop dwelling on my grief and get up to do something. After much deliberation, I decided to join the missions trip team. My prayer was for God to help me focus more on helping people instead of my pain.

“ I heard a voice telling me to stop dwelling on my grief and get up to do something ”

I went there thinking I could bless them by speaking healing into their lives. But God had so much more in store for me.

God’s Tender Touch

On one particular day, the team was to visit Location A to pray for children, adults, and the elderly. But there was a miscommunication, and our drivers brought us to Location B instead, where there were only children.

In light of the situation, Pastor Matthew suggested that we minister to the children there and pray for them while waiting for further instructions. So I rallied the children, took out the cookies and biscuits we had prepared, and was just about to pray for anyone with physical pain when Ps Matthew piped up.

“Before we pray, why don’t all the children give Auntie Dolly a hug first?”

The children approached me, one by one, throwing their tiny arms over my shoulders. These kids longed for love, yet they uninhibitedly poured their love into me, a total stranger to them. A deep sense of love flooded my heart as they embraced me, and tears of joy sprang to my eyes.

This was a genuine, tender, wordless exchange of love and tears, and in that moment, I knew that the Lord had touched me deeply. He had seen my pain and was assuring me of His love for me , which I needed at that point in my life.

“ He had seen my pain and was assuring me of His love for me ”

God continued to renew my inner being through the healing of an old lady who was blind. After Pastor Matthew prayed for her, she was so happy because she could finally see and recognise the faces of the people she knew by voice.

It dawned upon me then, that in the same way God has given this lady a new lens to see the world, so will He also give me a new lens to see my life very differently.

The old lady walked away rejoicing at her own healing, and so did I, because God enabled me to see things in a brighter way. I could sense a renewed joy in my heart that chased away the gloom of the past.

“ I could sense a renewed joy in my heart that chased away the gloom of the past. ”

Never The Same

Ever since God used this healing missions trip to heal me emotionally, I’ve received a greater calling and a greater purpose in life. My emotions may fluctuate and there are times I feel inadequate. But God reminded me that He loves me, and I’m precious to Him. If He can use a donkey, He can use me too.

I’m also more convinced that there is power in God’s healing, and want others to feel the same joy I felt when God touched me! God has changed the timid me into someone enthusiastic about reaching out to more people so that they can experience God’s healing.

Beyond my personal encounter with the Lord, the missions trip was filled with miracles too. Lots of locals approached us with pain in their joints, legs, and arms, and they were healed after praying in the name of Jesus. They were so hungry for an encounter with the Lord. Witnessing the joy in their faces when healing happened was truly remarkable.

It actually made me reflect on our faith in Singapore. Living in a first-world nation, complacency tends to kick in because we have access to medical care and the Gospel. But seeing the hunger that the Cambodians have for God made me pause. Are we as hungry for God as they are?

Going on missions has deepened my faith in God too. He makes the impossible, possible! Whatever He says in the Bible is indeed true – when He says the lame shall walk, I saw the lame walk! When He says the blind shall see, I saw the blind see. When He says the deaf shall hear, I saw the deaf hear.

“ He makes the impossible, possible! ”

Seeing the smiles on the Cambodians’ faces and their joy upon being healed, it is evident that God is real and working in our world.

CALL TO ACTION:

Today, as you’re reading this article, I encourage you to make missions trips a priority in your life! Don’t wait for time in your schedule. Make time for God to work in and through you.

Will you partner with Jesus to reach more for Him?

Give to missions: your time and finances will go a long way, both locally and overseas.
Pray for missions: pray for our mission partners and the work there.
Go for missions: be God’s hands and feet to a world yet to know Him.

The post “I went to heal others, but God healed me.” first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.

“As long as I am a willing vessel, God will do the rest” – Trusting God boldly on a missions trip

Zanna Ker — Sat, 17 Feb 2024 06:08:00 +0000

When the pastoral team announced this decision at the airport, our team’s morale was shaken.

Out of the 17 youths who were to go on the Cambodia Mission Trip, five contracted COVID-19, and they were seasoned youth leaders with key roles for the trip. Some of the members cried at the prospect of losing five older leaders and the uncertainty that came along with it.

God is still in charge of this mission. Gideon had his 300 and we have our 12! Our pastors encouraged and prayed for the remaining 12 youths. After repacking some logistics, our team of 12 checked in for the flight.

Lunch was the most sombre meal I ever had, with most of us silent and shaken. There were many unknowns. How would the responsibilities held by the five leaders be shared? Who could fill the role of Bro Jireh in facilitating a leader’s training session? How would we conduct the children’s ministry?

After we reached Cambodia and settled down in our accommodation, we spent our night praying and worshipping God. Yun Fei, one of the 12 members, had been praying for the team during the flight and encouraged us individually with some words that she received from God. That night, we felt a deep sense of God’s peace and were encouraged to move forward.

Restrategizing the ministry was needed. As the five COVID-positive leaders held heavier responsibilities, the rest of us had to step up to fill their roles. I was assigned to take over Bro Jireh in training the Cambodian youth leaders and facilitating ministry time.

My faith in God was fiercely challenged – not only was this something I had never done before, I was also not a leader back in the youth ministry! Although I do help to initiate and plan outings for my LG, I’m not an “official” youth leader.

I am not even an official “leader”; how can I train leaders, or even facilitate an altar call?

I thought to myself: I am not even an official “leader”; how can I train leaders, or even facilitate an altar call?

Thankfully, God provided Bro Jireh to guide me. He spent time preparing with me that night over a call. I also memorised and rehearsed the script with whatever time I had.

I was so nervous the next day! Initially, it was awkward as we were new to the Cambodian leaders. But I thank God that those feelings gradually went away as the training carried on, and they slowly warmed up to us.

Their hearts were so hungry for God, and He met them.

During the session, God showed up. Many raised their hands to respond to the altar calls, and our team went forward to pray for them. His presence was so evident, and He was ministering to the youth leaders. It didn’t matter that there was no air-conditioning in the sweltering heat, accompanying music, or a capable facilitator. Their hearts were so hungry for God, and He met them.

It was wonderful to witness how everyone stepped up to fill the gaps. The Cambodian youths also joined in and practiced with us for the skit for the children’s ministry. Though it was our first time working together, they were so ready to serve. Their willingness to step up was vital in successfully engaging the Cambodian kids, conveying the message clearly, and helping them learn new dance moves. Serving alongside them was truly memorable, and I miss fellowshipping with them.

Last but definitely not least, I was able to witness firsthand healing from our group prayer. We had the opportunity to pray for many people, one of whom was the grandfather-in-law of Ps Vutha*. He came with a walking stick and some pain in his leg.

After attending Ps Matthew’s training to pray simply and pray until the pain is gone, the elderly man stood up, shook his leg, and walked around without his walking stick. Seeing how well he walked after our prayers, felt like he was pulling a prank on us the whole time, but we knew it was God’s miraculous power at work.

Praying simply and having child-like faith is as effective as any vocabulary-filled prayer

That was also when I understood how praying simply and having child-like faith is as effective as any vocabulary-filled prayer.

Looking back, this missions trip is definitely one with many firsts for me. When asked why we wanted to go, I remember saying that I didn’t want to miss out on what God would be doing in Cambodia.

Indeed, by God’s grace, I got more than I asked for.

I would have been more than happy to work behind the scenes and assist the team. However, God’s ways are higher. Through this trip, I’ve learned that all we have to do is trust God’s sovereignty and omnipotence in every situation.

As long as you are a willing vessel, God will do the rest of the work

If you have been hesitant about going for missions, or are considering going for missions, I encourage you to just go for it with an expectant heart! You will be amazed at how God will move, and how He can use you. As long as you are a willing vessel, God will do the rest of the work.

Participating in missions is on God’s heart. Here’s what you can do:

Give to missions: dedicate your finances to the Lord and support missions efforts.
Pray for missions: challenge yourself to pray for one country every week. That’s 52 countries in a year!
Go for missions: sign up in faith for upcoming missions trips!

ELites, in this Year of Discipleship, may we Give-Pray-Go and make disciples of all nations!

*Ps Vutha is the pastor in charge of EL Cambodia

The post “As long as I am a willing vessel, God will do the rest” – Trusting God boldly on a missions trip first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.