Dear brothers and sisters,

Our journey of growing the church through disciple making began on January 2010 when we began to expound how the acronym of our church’s name (WRPF) captures the values we represent as a church, as well as what we want to nurture in all the disciples that the Lord has entrusted to our care. The distinctive traits are as follows: 

In 2010 we focused on developing WORLD (evangelism and missions); and PRAYER (intimacy and intercessory prayer).  In 2011, we focused on REVIVAL (gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit) and FELLOWSHIP (d0iscipleship in community). This was in accordance to the Batam retreat 5-year direction to inculcate the distinctive traits of a WRPF disciple, traits which were drafted out by a group of 20 key leaders of our church in 2009. According to this same 5 year direction, 2012’s focus would be on FELLOWSHIP; 2013 – WORLD; and 2104 – REVIVAL.

The leadership has decided that for 2012, there are good reasons to continue to follow the 5 year general direction. So the theme for this year would be “GROWING TOGETHER IN GOD’S LOVE”. The verses that anchor this theme are from Ephesians 3: 17b -21:

 ^“17 ….. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”

 Let’s make this our prayer for the church in 2012. Let us nurture this distinction in our lives. 

The highly anticipated locally produced drama rolled out on Christmas Eve, a cool Saturday afternoon. There had been practices for weeks. Much backstage props, costumes, door gifts and publicity had gone into the event. Everyone in church was doing something. It was marvellous to watch the body of Christ at work in harmony and energy. The event began with funky young emcees and some Christmas carolling and quickly proceeded into a drama that moved many hearts and left some in tears. Pastor Thomas then preached about God’s love and the true meaning of Christmas. More than five made decisions to trust in Jesus.

Mr Soh, from the Chinese congregation, is in the Econ nursing home in Upper East Coast Rd. He lives alone and suffers from diabetes, kidney and heart problems. One leg has been amputated. He is quite well cared for in the nursing home. His stay there financed in large part by renting out his three room flat. On occasion the Chinese pastor will fetch him to the church service. He enjoys the company of congregation and his faith is renewed as he hears the preached Word. As we reflect on Christ’s coming as a babe in the manger, we are keenly aware that God’s concern was that the good news first reached the the shepherds, the peasants, the foreigner – the poor and needy, the periphery of society, the heart-landers – not the elite, the powerful or rich and famous. God’s meritocracy is not of this earth. For him, last is first. Will Mr Soh, and others like him, be recognized and remembered this Christmas?