Unity - Eternal Life Assembly

三位牧者，三重旅程，同一使命

Diana Lim — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 04:00:00 +0000

谭伟良弟兄（谭弟兄）：今天能进行这次访谈，我内心充满欣喜！非常感谢三位牧师拨冗参与。首先，可否请您们分享，当初神是如何带领您们来到永生堂的？

谢国平牧师 (谢牧师)：在新冠疫情期间，主带领我离开了之前的教会，以便能更深入、更有意义地为神的国度作出贡献。我的前主理牧师，杨牧师Rev Dominic Yeo，向我推荐了两间教会，其中之一就是永生堂。当时在永生堂，除了曾在神召会活动中与刘牧师同工过，我几乎不认识其他人。

在我第一次与前主任牧师林牧师见面时，他分享了教会丰富的历史和教会的五个核心价值观。

在他讲述的过程中，我内心被深深触动，清楚地听见圣灵微声说：”就是这间教会。”

那一刻令我永生难忘。经过两周的祷告寻求，并与妻子Diana商量后，我凭着信心顺服神的带领，从此以后我就再也没有回头。

刘葳琳博士牧师（刘牧师）：由于我一直在神召会（AG）圈子中活跃，我已经认识永生堂（EL）很多年了。我的父亲，当时神召会的总监督，也曾与林牧师一同服事。2011年，林牧师邀请我的弟弟参与永生堂的音乐剧《天选之子》(Heavenly Hero, Chosen One) 创作，我则担任声乐指导一职。

2011年12月音乐剧《天选之子》(Heavenly Hero, Chosen One) 演出后，刘牧师全家与林牧师及师母Dorothy合影

当林牧师得知我正在从之前的牧职岗位过渡时，他联系了我，觉得我可能适合永生堂的青少年和敬拜事工。

那次谈话带来了出乎意料的清晰，并深深触动了我的内心，一种安静确据告诉我，神并没有结束我全职事奉的呼召。

2012年2月标志着我在永生堂这段旅程的开始。最初的几个主日崇拜带来了深刻的医治。主更新了我的灵，并在我心中确认这就是我应该在的地方。在其中一次崇拜中，当林牧师讲道歌罗西书时，歌曲《更深》（Deeper）就是这样诞生的。

林斌牧师（林牧师）：我十岁的时候，一位家人的朋友带我来到了永生堂的华语主日学。老师们的温暖关怀和弟兄姐妹间真挚的情谊，让我自然而然地融入了这个信仰大家庭。永生堂成为了我信仰扎根和成长的地方。随着年岁增长，全职服事的呼召日益清晰，但我始终犹豫是否要打破现状。毕竟，我当时作为一名平信徒领袖，服事得很舒适。

神当然知道如何“摇晃我们的船，甚至让它倾覆”。在与一位牧师同工的交谈中，他的经历与我相似（从企业界转入全职事奉），他说了一句话深深地触动了我：

“我唯一的遗憾，就是对神的呼召回应得太慢了。”

这句话直击我心。我不愿重蹈这样的遗憾。就在那一刻，心中所有的抗拒终于消融，全然降服于神的呼召之下。

谭弟兄：在您的事奉历程中，哪个关键挑战让您特别经历神的信实？这些经历如何塑造了您今日的牧养心志？

谢牧师：从三一基督徒中心到永生堂的过渡感觉就像亚伯拉罕的旅程，被呼召离开熟悉之地，前往一个尚未完全知晓的地方。

但就在复活节主日，当我作为客座讲员讲道时，会众虔诚的信仰和对上帝的渴望令人动容。圣洁的空间弥漫着期待的氛围；会众敞开心扉，热切期盼神恩的临在。仿佛神圣的声音宣告：“这就是我为你预备的土地。

真正的挑战始于这个呼召延伸到我的家庭。这个过渡不仅仅关乎我个人，更涉及我的妻子和孩子们需要适应全新的生活节奏、人际关系和文化环境。我的女儿尤其挣扎，前六个月异常艰难。但我和妻子选择坚持信靠，深信神在幕后动工。

随后迎来了突破。女儿Megan找到了朋友，安顿下来，并开始享受这个群体。我的儿子Gabriel结交了新朋友，并与神有了个人的相遇，最终受了水洗。那一刻不仅仅是象征性的；那是神向我们保证，在这段过渡期中祂与我们的孩子们同在。

然而最大的神迹是什么？我的父母开始定期参加永生堂的崇拜。周复一周，有一股力量持续吸引他们回来。

如今，我们三代同堂在同一个屋檐下敬拜神：

我的妻子活跃于音乐事工和媒体传播事工；就连属于建国一代的父亲，也加入了教会的网站服事团队！

这段旅程深刻提醒我：当神呼召时，祂必在前方开路。我们所需要的，就是凭信心相信，并勇敢顺服。

刘牧师：最具挑战性的时刻之一发生在2017年，当时我担任永生堂50周年庆典的主席。我正负责统筹永生堂50周年庆典的各项活动——包括大型制作、营会及社区外展。就在筹备最关键阶段，我敬爱的母亲安息主怀。悲痛的重担让我无法承受。然而，在那场危机中，神的恩典是如此真实可触。

林牧师、Alvin吴牧师和永生堂领导团队给予我充分的哀悼与疗愈空间。主也差遣许多同工陪伴我走过低谷。

神的信实带领我走过了深切的悲痛和抑郁的时刻。确实，祂的怜悯每天早晨都是新的。

这段经历让我学会以更多耐心和同理心陪伴哀伤者，并帮助他们从伤痛中恢复。为此，我甚至考取了悲伤疗愈辅导师认证。

林牧师:进入全职事工后，我面临的最大挑战之一是用中文撰写讲道搞。过去职场生涯中，我的思维、写作和沟通全以英文进行。虽然中文口语流利，但从开始构思中文讲道真是极大的挑战。每篇信息都需耗费双倍时间与精力，这过程让我学会谦卑。

永生堂的团队文化给了我关键支持——

这里没有森严的等级，从牧师到行政同工都如家人般彼此服事。

林牧师以身作则展现谦卑与团契，常在用餐时分享生命经历。这种支持氛围为我提供了成长空间。

直到今日，用中文撰写讲道搞仍然是一个挑战。但神的恩典一直托举着我。通过这一切，我学会了更深地依靠祂。

谭弟兄：请问您感受到神对永生堂未来的展望是什么？

林牧师：圣灵正在我们中间激起一种深刻的感动——这是一个迈向更深合一的季节。神所预备的，不单是让不同世代并肩而坐，更是要我们携手同行。

我们已在华语堂会中亲眼见证这样的迹象——新一代青年与年轻人正蓬勃兴起！这里不再仅是六十岁以上长者的聚会，而是一个充满活力的跨代属灵家园。

神正在我们中间行新事，但我们需要主动回应这份感动：要以合一的步伐同行，虽世代不同，却同心，同属一所教会。

刘牧师：这不是放缓脚步的季节，而是“重新出发”（re-tyrement）的时刻！我深感主带领我们更深进入祂的话语、祷告，以及真实的生命关系。这些一直是永生堂的优势，并且在未来的日子里将变得更加关键。

神的计划始终是跨代的——祂是亚伯拉罕、以撒、雅各的神。《诗篇》145篇提醒我们，要将祂的信实代代相传，直到子子孙孙

让我感到兴奋的是，永生堂已经将这一切活出来了——老少一同敬拜，一同服事，彼此学习。

如今我们整装待发，要以新的恩膏与热忱，延续影响社区与列国的使命。

请为我们祷告，作为你们的主理牧师团队，求使我们始终以基督为中心。也询问主：”我在这幅蓝图中扮演什么角色？该如何参与建造祂的事工？”

这是属于我们的时刻——让永生堂在教会的呼召中成长，深化教会的核心价值观，并勇敢地迈入神所赐予的未来。

谢牧师：神正在带领永生堂进入新的领域。每一个新领域都伴随着一个新的呼召：需要更大的信心、更深的勇气和坚定不移的合一。

在我们近期举行的2025年英文堂退修会中，我们已窥见跨代合一的真实样貌——老中青三代合一敬拜、服事、奔跑。

对我来说，这不仅是对永生堂的异象，更是神对新加坡教会的先知性启示！

致我们的开拓者与忠心的前辈：感谢你们！因着你们的信心、祷告与坚忍，永生堂才能有今天的根基。我们是站在你们的肩头上，继续建造你们所传承的产业。

现在，正是时候了！
是每一代人兴起的时候，
以更炽热的祷告、
以更深的生命扎根、
以勇敢的步伐迈进，
去支取神给永生堂的应许！

前方的未来充满盼望，不是因为我们是谁，而是因那位引领我们的主。能与你们同心同行，如同一家人、一个教会、一心一意，是我莫大的喜乐与殊荣。

The post 三位牧者，三重旅程，同一使命 first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.

Three Pastors, Three Unique Journeys, One Shared Call

Diana Lim — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 03:50:00 +0000

Bro Jireh (BJ): I’m really excited for today’s interview. Thanks so much for being here today. Would you share with us, how did God first lead you to Eternal Life (EL) Assembly?

Rev Gary Chia (GC): There came a season when I sensed the Lord stirring my heart toward a new chapter of ministry—one where I could grow deeper and serve the kingdom in a more meaningful way.

Through the counsel of my former Lead Pastor, Rev Dominic Yeo, I was introduced to two churches, one of which was Eternal Life Assembly.

The only familiar face at EL was Ps. Daphne, with whom I had previously served in Assemblies of God engagements.

During my first meeting with Ps Bob, he shared the rich legacy of EL and her five core values.

As he spoke, something stirred deeply within me, and I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, “This is the church.”

That moment was unforgettable. After two weeks of seeking the Lord in prayer and discussing with my wife, Diana, I took a step of faith to follow His prompting, and I’ve never looked back since.

Rev Dr Daphne Lau (DL): Having been active in the AG circle, I’d known of EL for years. My father, then General Superintendent, had also served alongside Ps Bob.

In 2011, Ps Bob invited my brother to work on EL’s musical – Heavenly Hero, Chosen One – and I joined the team as vocal coach.

When Ps Bob learned that I was transitioning out of my previous ministry role, he reached out, sensing a potential fit for EL’s youth and worship ministries.

That conversation brought a surprising clarity and stirred something deep within, a quiet assurance that God wasn’t finished with my call to full-time ministry.

February 2012 marked the beginning of this journey with EL. Those first Sundays were deeply healing. The Lord refreshed my spirit and confirmed in my heart that this was where I was meant to be.

In one of those services, as Ps Bob preached on Colossians, the song “Deeper” was birthed.

Rev Lim Ping (LP): At just 10 years old, a family friend brought me to EL’s Mandarin Sunday School. The warmth of the teachers and the fun environment of the community made it easy to stay.

EL became home to where my faith took root and grew. Somewhere along the way, the call to full-time ministry became evident. But I hesitated to rock my boat. After all, I was serving comfortably as a lay leader.

God certainly knows how to rock our boats and tip them over. During a conversation with a fellow pastor whose journey mirrored mine (from corporate life to full-time ministry), he said something that pierced deeply:

‘My only regret is that I responded too slowly to God’s call.’

That line cut to the heart. I did not want to make the same mistake. In that moment, my heart stopped resisting and surrendered to God’s call.

BJ: What has been a defining challenge in your life or ministry journey; and how did you experience God’s faithfulness through it? How has it shaped the way you lead or serve today?

GC: The transition from Trinity to EL felt like Abraham’s journey, called to leave the familiar for a place not yet fully known.

But on Easter Sunday, as I preached as a guest, the congregation’s deep hunger for God was unmistakable. You could feel the room was leaning in, hearts wide open to receive.

It was as if God was saying, “This is the ground I’ve prepared for you.”

The real challenge began when the calling extended to my family. The transition wasn’t just mine. It involved my wife and children adjusting to entirely new rhythms, relationships, and culture. My daughter especially struggled.

The first six months were tough. But my wife and I pressed on, trusting God to work behind the scenes.

Then came a breakthrough. Megan found friends, settled in, and started to enjoy the community. My son, Gabriel, forged new friendships and had a personal encounter with God, leading to his water baptism.

That moment was more than symbolic; it was God’s assurance that He was with our children during this transition.

But the greatest miracle? Our parents started attending EL regularly. Sunday after Sunday, something kept drawing them back.

Today, three generations of our family worship together under one roof.

My wife serves actively in Music and Communications & Media Ministries. My dad, belonging to the pioneer generation, even joined the church’s website team!

This journey has reminded me that when God calls, He goes before us. We only need to trust and obey in faith.

DL: One of the most challenging moments came in 2017, when I chaired EL’s 50th anniversary celebrations. My mum passed away in the same season, right in the middle of planning major events—productions, camps, community outreaches.

The weight of grief was overwhelming. Yet in that crisis, God’s grace was tangible.

Ps Bob, Ps Alvin, and the EL leadership gave me space to grieve and to heal. The Lord also sent many others who came alongside and walked with me.

God’s faithfulness carried me through deep grief and moments of depression. Truly, His mercies were new every morning.

My journey with grief taught me a lot about being patient and compassionate with those in grief and helping them to recover and find healing from their pain. I even took up a course to be certified as a grief recovery specialist.

LP: One of my biggest challenges stepping into full-time ministry was writing sermons in Mandarin. I had spent my entire working life thinking, writing, and communicating in English.

Speaking Mandarin was fine, but writing sermons from scratch was a real stretch. Every message took twice the effort and time. It was humbling.

What helped me most was the culture at EL isn’t hierarchical.

Everyone, from pastors to admin, served like family.

Ps Bob modelled humility and togetherness, often sharing life over meals. That support gave me space to grow

Today, writing sermons in Mandarin is still a stretch. But God’s grace has carried me. And through it, I’ve learned to lean on Him with greater dependence.

BJ: What do you sense God speaking to EL for our future?

LP: There’s a stirring in the Spirit that this is a season of deeper unity. A time where generations don’t just sit side-by-side but walk hand-in-hand.

We’re already seeing signs of this in the Mandarin congregation. A fresh wave of young adults and youth are stepping up.

It’s no longer just a ministry for those in their 60s and above. It’s a vibrant, multi-generational family.

God is doing something new, but we must be intentional. To walk forward as one family. Many generations, but of one heart, one house.

DL: This is not a season for slowing down. It’s a season for re-tyrement, not retirement.

I sense the Lord leading us deeper into His Word, into prayer, and into real, authentic relationships. These have always been EL’s strengths, and they’ll become even more crucial in the days ahead.

God’s heart has always been generational. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Psalm 145 reminds us to declare His faithfulness to our children, and our children’s children.

What excites me is how EL is already living this out — young and old worshipping side by side, serving together, learning from each other.

And now, it’s all hands on deck, to impact the community and nations just as we always have, but with new anointing, new passion.

So pray for us as your Lead Pastors Team, that we will keep Jesus at the center of it all. Ask the Lord, “Where do I fit into this story? What part do I play in building what You’re doing here?”

This is our moment — to grow EL in her calling, to deepen her core values, and to walk boldly into her God-given future.

GC: God is leading EL to new territories. With every new ground comes a fresh call: for greater faith, deeper courage, and unwavering unity.

At our recent English Church Camp 2025, we caught a powerful glimpse of what intergenerational unity could truly look like. A picture of generations worshipping, serving, and running together as one.

That, to me, was a glimpse of the prophetic image – not just for EL, but even for the church in Singapore.

To our pioneers and long-timers, thank you. This church stands where it does because of your faith, your prayers, and your perseverance. We are standing on your shoulders, building on your legacy.

Now, it’s time. Time for every generation to rise. To pray with greater fervency. To grow with deeper roots. To advance boldly and lay hold of God’s promises for EL.

The future ahead is full of promises, not because of who we are, but because of the One who leads us. And I count it a great joy and privilege to walk this journey with you, as one family, one church, in one heart.

The post Three Pastors, Three Unique Journeys, One Shared Call first appeared on Eternal Life Assembly.