Recently, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19) will continue for some time – a year, and maybe longer. ^[1]

Quite a few things have happened in this past week.

1. 1. Malaysia has issued a nationwide lock-down, restricting entries and exits until 31 March.
   2. Singapore saw our highest number of confirmed daily infected cases.
   3. There are also a few more local churches with reported cases of Covid-19.

In light of all these, what should 3:16 Church do?

While we will work on the precautionary measures, we do not want to miss the prophetic message that God wants 3:16 Church to carry in such times.

Before I share on 3:16 Church’s new precautionary measure, there are 2 things I would like you to understand:

1. 1. Practising good personal hygiene, temperature taking, cancelling large group gatherings, and practising of social distancing are important. We must do our part to help our nation’s leaders fight the Covid-19. Many doctors, nurses and front-line workers are working hard do their part and like them, we too have a part to play. We cannot let them down.
   2. The gathering of believers is a basic necessity for our faith. We do not check-in on Sundays just to listen a sermon. We do not want to be sermon-centric but Saviour-centric.

      As written in Hebrews 10:25, we must not forsake the assembly of believers. This is especially true in times of crisis.

      Regardless the measures 3:16 Church adopts, we do not want to forgo this. Social distancing cannot and must not lead to spiritual distancing. In times like these, we should redeem it into a movement for spiritual discipleship.

So, what would 3:16 Church do?

1. 1. Despite 3:16 Church’s average attendance being lower than 250 people – 250 is the maximum capacity allowed for all events by the Ministry of Health ^[2] – We will be reducing our gathering capacity through decentralising our weekly Sunday Worship Services into 12 smaller satellite locations for 5 weeks starting from 29 March 2020. This will help us to be Covid-19 ready for the long haul.
   2. In the event any person or family is unable to join us at one of these gatherings, we will be streaming our sermons online to serve you and your family better.

I will be sharing more this Sunday at Capital Tower.

We are not only understanding these precautionary measures but also the prophetic message that God had for 3:16 Church in this season. Come and be a part of this redemptive move in this national health crisis.

Pastor Ian

^[1] Full text of speech by PM Lee Hsien Loong on the Covid-19 outbreak
^[2] New measures added by Ministry of Health on 20 March

The post 3:16 Church Decentralised first appeared on 3:16 Church.

We waited 22 years for our baby.

Pastors Shane and Susan Comiskey thought that getting married and having kids was the most natural thing in the world. They never gave conceiving much thought after witnessing friends get pregnant with such little effort.

Their first few years were fun and they worked hard together as missionaries but soon got a sense that starting a family may not have been as easy as they once thought.

Days stretched into months, months into years, then decades…

They never gave up expecting. Even after a devastating miscarriage and Susan’s pregnancy-killing battle with thyroid cancer, they continued to hold onto hope for that miracle baby.

Watch this story of never-ending hope.

#BelieveInLife

If you know of anyone who is struggling to find support with a pregnancy, please contact Safe Place at 6265-6522 or email them at safeplace@lakeside.org.sg.

The post Believe In Life first appeared on 3:16 Church.

This Mother’s Day, we’re celebrating our #MiracleMums! For fighting for us when we couldn’t fight for ourselves. For conquering your fears so that we can conquer ours, thank you Mum!

After 2 heartbreaking miscarriages, Doctors told the Reyes that their 3rd pregnancy only had 50% chance of survival. Their baby had holes in his heart and fluid in his brain, lungs and kidney…

If you’re someone or know of someone who’s struggling with a pregnancy, find hope in this miraculous story of overcoming love.

#BelieveInLife

If you know of anyone who is struggling to find support with their pregnancy, please contact Safe Place at 6265-6522 or email them at safeplace@lakeside.org.sg.

The post Caleb The Conquerer first appeared on 3:16 Church.

“and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” – Matthew 5:45

I am so thankful that God pour out His grace and sends His rain of love on someone like me. My baptism of love happened in the evening at a particular Church camp. I had walked over to the auditorium early to avoid those dinner small talk. As I sat at the back, surveying the praise band as they did a soundcheck, suddenly, in that space, Jesus embraced me. Not physically, but real enough to almost feel the warmth of His skin, the wrapping of his hands. That enveloping symphony rippled through sinews in my being. I began to tear.

Sporadic tears quickly turned to streams down my cheeks, running along my jawline and blossoming into dark patches on my sleeves as they fell. He had noticed me, even when I desperately tried to remain guarded and inconspicuous. Jesus had met me in the stillness of my auditorium seat. He wasn’t finished with me yet, though. “Follow me,” He whispered on the final day of camp. Perhaps it is no coincidence that I love to fish. My seat became the seaside. Jesus had asked the same thing of Simon Peter and Andrew the fishermen, who were at the seaside and they responded to His invitation of love.

Jesus wanted to use me despite me: a man ensnared in the miry nets of a broken, world. “Follow me” wasn’t a stern command but an invitation to walk with the lover of my soul. I exchanged my PHD for His PHD. A Poly-Halfway Dropout to a Privileged-Happy Disciple. A Redeemed Rebel.

After 12 years of walking in the showers of blessings, God amazingly led the birth 3:16 Church in 2013! Many probably could guessed that the name “3:16” was based on the iconic verse in the Gospel of John. But fewer knew that “3:16” also releases the passionate, mad love of God the Son. For that you need to turn to the First Epistle of John, Chapter 3 Verse 16. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

Jesus was the Rain of Love that came down from our Heavenly Father and now He wants to flood the nations with the love of the Son through you and I. We are both a receiver and releaser of this passionate, crazy love to people around! After 4 years of pastoring 3:16 with my wife Lilis, and the team of pastors, God brought all of us to the place of Revival, Tung Ling Bible School （Tung Ling means – Eastern Mountain. We could all feel in our spirits that God took us into the ridges of the Eastern Mountain to be strengthened in the LORD. Our hearts were never to merely be a Church within four walls, but an open movement of love creating Grace-ripples in society.

When Dean Guek Ju revealed on the first week of the term that the theme was Revival, my thirsty soul cried out, “More rain, more rain! Soak us and send us, Lord!” God indeed has used the team at Tung Ling to pour out His grace. Dean Guek Ju, Dean Philip and the out-of-the-world class (better than world class) lecturers were truly endued with wisdom and grace and we benefitted so much in this learning journey.

I want to take this opportunity to give a special shout-out to Dr. Joseph Umidi for coaching us on Leadership Coaching and Resolving Leadership Conflict. He gave our team much to think about and incite much rigorous discussion amongst us. A big THANK YOU to our class monitors and all the course-mates! You guys are truly God-sent. We have grown so much because of all of you!

Keep walking with the Holy Spirit.

Keep walking in the rain.

Pastor Ian Toh
Lead Pastor, 3:16 Church

The post Walking in the Rain of Love first appeared on 3:16 Church.

The struggle with same sex attraction is real. But you don’t have to struggle alone or in silence.

You’ve heard my story. Now, on behalf of my dear friend, Vincent, we are unashamed to share his (LGBT) story with you too.

God has been so good to free Vincent from 29 years of sexual bondage which started from a childhood incident when he was 5 years old. Vincent has chosen to share his story in hope to be a voice of encouragement to others who may find themselves in a similar situation.

If you are a victim of sexual abuse or inappropriate advances, you need to know that you have a voice to change your situation.

It is possible to break out of the shadows of shame and addictions. You don’t have to feel hopeless or powerless.

Take the small step to share your story with someone you trust and let the healing process begin.

Come Out. Come Home.

Pastor Ian

The post The Struggle Is Real first appeared on 3:16 Church.

I believe shame dies when stories are told in safe places.

When I shared my story to my church and Dad, I found myself freed from the bondage and repercussions of being sexually abused when I was 5 years old.

Today I choose to share my story with you. My hope is that it will help many others to experience the freedom and love as I did.

I believe every story counts. It counts to know that you are not alone.

If you are a victim of sexual abuse. If you are wounded and silenced, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to share your story with someone you trust and let them journey with you.

Shame has no place in our purpose, plan and destiny. Be unashamed to speak.

Pastor Ian

The post Come Out. Come Home. first appeared on 3:16 Church.

In school, there were 250 of us from 30 nations serving, worshiping and seeking the Lord. We had the privilege to hear from amazing speakers including the founders and missionaries from other nations. Besides soaking and listening to the miraculous stories, we too had a chance to minister. We went to at least 10 different villages to preach the Gospel and heal the sick. We witnessed instant healing before our eyes – blind eyes seeing; backaches and headaches healed; even a growth of a leg that was 2 inches shorter than the other. The Lord also used my sister in Singapore to help set a woman free from spiritual attacks and nightmares. I remember meeting a lady who had been experiencing chest pains, and after praying for her she was healed and she danced and praise God for the first time.

I was blessed to be able to bless the people and and see how God moves through His people. Currently, I am waiting on the next step/direction. Instead of just bumming around, I am taking bible courses, working part-time and praying for the sick. I have been joining a group of brothers and sisters in Christ to reach out and pray for the sick. I believe that in this season God has called me to prepare, to wait and continue to exercise the gift while waiting. Missions is not just limited to overseas but includes local ministry too. I get to pray for the sick and release words of knowledge to bless and encourage the people I meet. For those who have a desire to serve in missions but are wary of the financial and cultural differences, you can start from where you are now. We live in a strategically-placed country where we have access to many nations!

You are free to join me or you can join our outreach efforts in the Church’s Sports Ministry or other missions organisations.

Alisa

The post Alisa’s Mission Story first appeared on 3:16 Church.

I want to say a big thank you to every cast and backstage crew member involved in the Broken production who has worked so hard in the past two months to present to us a message so powerful and stirring through drama and dance. Thank God for each of your labour of love behind the scenes and the unquantifiable amount of effort you’ve put in so that many of us can discover hope and healing for the brokenness in our own families and our friendships. Thank you for building the church today with your talents and passions, with your energies and your focus. This church is truly not built on just the gifts of a few but the sacrifices of many!

I also want to express thanks to the many who came alongside to serve as ushers, the audio-visual crew, the Praise Band, Team PICS, the video production team, the lay ministers and also the service team who coordinated the entire program and prepared the venue for us. Special thanks also to those who managed the ticketing booth and the merchandise sales. There is also the group of kids volunteers who helped organised the Dino Party program on both days of the production and served the kids in love so well that deserves much thanks and appreciation.

Also, let me honour and appreciate all the friends and family members and everyone in the audience for taking time to come down to support this production. Thank you for the love shown to the production cast and crew by your applause and gracious words of commendation. May the message of hope and reconciliation continue to speak to your hearts and let your individual stories become as how the drama unfolded – a glorious happy ending.

Most importantly, I want to thank our Daddy God for giving His heart for families to us and turning dreams into realities. Thank You Jesus for being the first to sacrifice in such radical love so we would know what God’s family feels like and do likewise. Thank You Holy Spirit for without His working together with us, every labour would have been in vain.

Credit Roll

Producer & Director: Liang Shinan; Playwrights: Liang Shinan & Angela Chew
Choreographer & Make-up Artist: Bianca Tham; Stage Manager: Angela Chew

Casts: Kathleen Ang, Darrell Tan, Lydia Lim, Roslina Chua, Mandy Lai, Mavis Huang, Joseph Heng & Heather Lim

Voiceover Casts: Dawn Teo & Bianca Tham

Stage Crew Supervisors: Joseph Heng & Ivan Tan
Stage Crews: Cheryl Tan, Leonard Tang, Chong Wei Jian & John Pang

Audio-Engineer & Music Supervisor: Eunice Foo
Lighting Designer & Supervisor: Shaun Beins; Lighting Technician: Jerome Tio

Publicity Manager, Visual Art Director & Director of Photography: Mavis Huang
Still Photographers: R.Y & Tay Yi En
Trailer Editors & Graphic Designers: Mavis Huang & R.Y

Production Administrative Assistant: Mandy Lai

Praise Band: Eishen Serra-Lee, Stephanie Yow, Francis Lee, Marc Wan & Pastor Joel Peh

Venue Coordinators: Amy Foo & J.Q

Front of House: Tan Chuan Ho, Joyce Tan, Tabitha Tan, Catherine Wong, Isabel Beins, Ng Xiuzhen, Sundy Wiliam Yaputra, Iris Ee, Doris Khoo, David Khoo, Toh Ser Nguang, Catherine Sew, Jennifer Lim, David Ong, Adeline Ong & Annie Teng

Children Care Givers:: Jessie Tan, Oktaviani Sia, Isabel Beins, Debbie Yow, Adeline Ong, David Ong, Tan Chuan Hoh, Lily-Mae, Amanda Lee, Jenny, Jan Ng, Mitchie, Malcolm Tan & Linda Wong

Lay Ministers: Alisa Choor, Dawn Teo & Teresa Soon

Media Coverage Supervisor: R.Y
Still Photographers: R.Y, Austen Chua, Harry Derkenne & Tay Yi En
Videographers: Gabrielle Soon, Harry Derkenne & R.Y

And others who have made sacrifices in secret and loved in ways that went unnoticed!

On behalf of 3:16 Pastoral Team,
Joel Peh
3:16 Church Youth Pastor

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“The place that I went to hide in was pornography”, I shared with my youths one Saturday evening, while they were gathered in my living room. We were having a life group session titled, “Where’s your hiding place?”

We wrestled with such questions: Where do we hide when we are in pain? Do we know where to turn to for comfort and safety?

Then God reminded me that evening – He is my hiding place.

In December last year, I brought to light my “dark” secret in front of a camera, as part of a 3:16 video series on people who experienced God’s redemptive power in their struggles. Pastor Norman had preached a related powerful Christmas message on how our scandal needn’t be our story, because we have a God who redeems. I had volunteered my struggle with pornography (while serving as a Church pastor) as one of the examples of “scandals” which God can redeem.

Mixed feelings of disappointment and relief arose when my “scandal” wasn’t eventually chosen to be aired that Christmas service. Disappointed, as part of me eagerly yearned to see how God would use my story to impact the world through its release, yet relieved, because I didn’t have to confront my fears of how things would actually turn out.

But I know my God.

He always has a perfect timing and plan in mind. Recently, Pastor Ian used my video in his sermon on the topic of sex.

When I agreed to letting my video be used, I cannot say that I wasn’t afraid at all of the way people might look at me after they knew of my dark secret, but I found myself more concerned that the enemy would continue to have his way with my purity and others’.

Let me be honest: between the filming of the video interview and its actual release, I did fall back into pornography a few times. I’m thankful that I managed to confess to someone each time and receive needed prayer, yet I was angry at how I could still lose the same battle.

I found out later that God was waiting to speak life into cracks deep within my soul.

The Holy Spirit gently brought me into a place of repentance and breakthrough with Him during the first week of the 21-day Church-wide fast this February.

“You’ve had bad memories of beauty”, I felt the Holy Spirit whisper.

God spoke to me about how I am created to be a beholder and protector of a woman’s beauty, as a man. Yet every time I was hurt by a lady and felt less than a man, I valued what I was meant to protect less. I began to view beauty not as something to behold and cherish, but as something to fix and control.

Pornography’s secret appeal was a sense of control over beauty. Viewing pornography was my act of rebellion against the beauty I was made to cherish and protect. Instead of becoming a loving guardian of beauty, I turned into an abuser of beauty. I witnessed how a love of beauty, when distorted, can become a lust for beauty.

I felt a significant breakthrough and victory over my sexual sins, when I allowed the Holy Spirit to go through a list of past failed relationships in my memory. I submitted to Him every pain-related encounter that I had with the opposite sex, be it virtual or real-life, from those that were physical and sexual, to those that were emotional and verbal. Allowing myself to acknowledge every sense of rejection and hurt experienced with women in my life, I asked the Holy Spirit to heal and restore every broken piece.

I believe that God’s timing – divinely coinciding my video’s release and the Church-wide fast – was an invitation to journey into deeper healing and restoration of my identity in Him. It meant a lot as the video sealed what God had spoken to me this season with regards to my identity in Him. It is my heartfelt prayer to see God use my testimony to bring people into a vulnerable space, where they can meet the God who heals brokenness and binds up the broken-hearted.

For a lot of us, man or woman, we struggle with sexual brokenness. A distorted view of beauty has often caused purity to become like a city without walls, susceptible to invasion of an originally sacred space. To see healing and restoration in a world that is sexually broken, we need the Holy Spirit to reveal and illuminate to us the true worth of beauty.

It’s time for us to rebuild walls, guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus, and make God our constant hiding place. I promise that the Creator of beauty will heal unpleasant memories and show us who we really are in Him.

Pastor Joel Peh

The post Memories Of Beauty first appeared on 3:16 Church.

We started our pre-service prayer and I asked if he wanted to help Pastor Joel on stage. Without blinking an eye, he gave an affirmative yes. I nodded in the direction of the stairs and without hesitation, he proceeded to march confidently up the stage. He was a boy on a mission. Nothing could have stopped him.

Then before a crowd of the most amazing leaders and volunteers, he started hosting the presence of God. Yet to him, there seemed like there was little special about it. After all, He’s done this countless times at home when it was just him and the Holy Spirit. Maybe.

I wonder what the Holy Spirit told him. Because Pastor Joel wasn’t singing. But Josh was. He went… “Open up our eyes surround us with your light your love endures forever.” And at that moment, Angela prayed for the God of angel armies to surround us. That we might open up our eyes to see the light and love that surrounds us by His Spirit and angels.

One of the sayings that we have in our church family is that we don’t just believe in the potential of our children, we believe that they can make an impact today. As Josh played on his modern day harp, there was an elevation in the atmosphere, a shift in the spiritual temperature. The Psalmist wrote “Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.” It was amazing. And I’m not just saying this because he’s my son. Ok that is why I’m saying this. But still, it was so awesome and you should have been there.

As I look back at what unfolded, my heart is full knowing that we are known and loved by God who sees our hopes and dreams. I am thankful for a church family who does not belittle the gifts and the passion of the little children. I am grateful for a people who is humble to let a 3 year old lead them into the presence of God.

Most of all, I’m excited for our next praise practice that happens in his little room with Woody and Buzz Lightyear.

Pastor Norman Ng
Assistant Pastor, 3:16 Church

The post Joshua The Brave first appeared on 3:16 Church.