Bro Jireh (BJ): Iโm really excited for todayโs 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):ย There came a season when I sensed the Lord stirring my heart toward a new chapter of ministryโone where I could grow deeper and serve the kingdom in a more meaningful way.ย
Through the counsel of my former Lead Pastor, Rev Dominic Yeo, I was introduced to two churches, one of which was Eternal Life Assembly.ย
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.ย
As he spoke, something stirred deeply within me, and I heard the Holy Spirit whisper, โThis is the church.โ
That moment was unforgettable.ย 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 Iโve never looked back since.
Rev Dr Daphne Lau (DL): Having been active in the AG circle, Iโd known of EL for years. My father, then General Superintendent, had also served alongside Ps Bob.ย
In 2011, Ps Bob invited my brother to work on ELโs musical โย Heavenly Hero, Chosen Oneย โ 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 ELโs youth and worship ministries.ย
That conversation brought a surprising clarity and stirred something deep within, a quiet assurance that God wasnโt 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 โDeeperโ was birthed.
Rev Lim Ping (LP): At just 10 years old, a family friend brought me to ELโs Mandarin Sunday School. The warmth of the teachers and the fun environment of the community made it easy to stay.ย
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:ย
‘My only regret is that I responded too slowly to Godโs 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 Godโs call.
BJ: What has been a defining challenge in your life or ministry journey; and how did you experience Godโs faithfulness through it? How has it shaped the way you lead or serve today?
GC: The transition from Trinity to EL felt like Abrahamโs journey, called to leave the familiar for a place not yet fully known.ย
But on Easter Sunday, as I preached as a guest, the congregationโs deep hunger for God was unmistakable. You could feel the room was leaning in, hearts wide open to receive.ย
It was as if God was saying, โThis is the ground Iโve prepared for you.โ
The real challenge began when the calling extended to my family. The transition wasnโt 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.ย
That moment was more than symbolic; it was Godโs 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 churchโs 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 ELโs 50th anniversary celebrations. My mum passed away in the same season, right in the middle of planning major eventsโproductions, camps, community outreaches.ย
The weight of grief was overwhelming. Yet in that crisis, Godโs 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.
Godโs 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.ย
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 isnโt 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 Godโs grace has carried me. And through it, Iโve learned to lean on Him with greater dependence.
BJ: What do you sense God speaking to EL for our future?
LP: Thereโs a stirring in the Spirit that this is a season of deeper unity. A time where generations donโt just sit side-by-side but walk hand-in-hand.
Weโre already seeing signs of this in the Mandarin congregation. A fresh wave of young adults and youth are stepping up.ย
Itโs no longer just a ministry for those in their 60s and above. Itโs 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. Itโs a season for re-tyrement, not retirement.ย
I sense the Lord leading us deeper into His Word, into prayer, and into real, authentic relationships. These have always been ELโs strengths, and theyโll become even more crucial in the days ahead.
Godโs 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 childrenโs children.
What excites me is how EL is already living this out โ young and old worshipping side by side, serving together, learning from each other.ย
And now, itโs 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, โWhere do I fit into this story? What part do I play in building what Youโre doing here?โ
This is our moment โ 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 โ 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, itโs time. Time for every generation to rise. To pray with greater fervency. To grow with deeper roots. To advance boldly and lay hold of Godโs promises for EL.ย
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.
