HOPE SINGAPORE FILIPINO CHURCH 13TH ANNIVESARY
Soaring at 13: Hope Singapore Filipino Church Defies Gravity
Thirteen years ago, Filipinos were scarce in Singapore. Most came as healthcareworkers or domestic helpers. It was very expensive travelling to and from the Philippines as Philippine Airlines was the only carrier. It was unheard of for Filipinos to receive permanent residency. Religious communities among Filipinos were popular yet remained in its infancy.
2 Corinthians 9:10 “Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of righteousness.”
Against a seemingly constrained backdrop, God breathed a vision to a then Singapore-based Malaysian accountant, Christie Ong to pioneer a Filipino group. As Christie, together with a handful of Chinese and Filipinos, laboured to build this group, they witnessed God’s powerful hand right from the start.
Singapore’s immigration policy opened up allowing more unskilled and highly skilled foreign workers in, permanent residency and citizenship requirements were relaxed, budget airlines were introduced. God’s power cannot be mistaken – He moved beyond government policies and boardroom strategies to bring in the Filipinos. He is, indeed, the God of the harvest!
This is why Hope Singapore Filipino Church’s 13th Anniversary held on 26 September 2010 at Suntec Convention Hall 601 was such a celebration and spectacle. Three months in the making and three full-dress rehearsals later, the anniversary brought out the best of Filipinos’ creativity and performance excellence. It was an outstanding assembly at all fronts. It was the largest Hope Filipino gathering by far, the biggest troupe of dancers and choir singers, the longest Filipino service. It was promoted heavily across various media: ringtones, phone wallpapers, video clips, invitations, Facebook and Twitter. It was an extravagant worship meant for An Audience of One.
And God remained the Master Orchestrator of the entire Anniversary. Streams of Filipinos from all walks of life made their way into the hall which was effortlessly brought to full capacity. Even up until the last full rehearsal on Anniversary day, errors and inconsistencies were evident. However, amidst such nail-biting experience, the Anniversary Celebration carried on perfectly as planned without a hint of hesitation. Pastor Christie delivered the message about the miracle of Jesus from 2 Chronicles 20 with such power and conviction. That day, the church saw more than 3,000 in attendance and 371 believing and accepting Jesus. What a harvest!
Hope Singapore Filipino Church is all set to grow in leaps and bounds. More than a culmination of past blessings, encounters and strength, Hope Filipino Church’s 13th Anniversary is only a preparation for new frontiers and far greater milestones that the church will embark upon. Its 13th Anniversary theme song, “United We Soar” expressed this anticipation aptly when it says:
From strength to strength
Side by side
Hands and heart
For You
United we soar
Sing praises to You alone our everlasting God
Lord Jesus we are
Empowered to go and spread Your Word
United we soar,
In Jesus we soar,
For Jesus we soar, we soar, we soar!
Today, Hope Singapore Filipino Church is, by far, the largest Filipino congregation in Singapore. Thirteen years ago, many would have said it was not possible. However, natural barriers and limitations exist to be defied; proclaiming that all things are possible in Christ!
