Singapore's calling and destiny

At YWAM class yesterday, we had Joseph Chean come talk to us about missions. It was an inspiring class.

One thing that struck me deeply was just how God's hand had always been on Singapore. We are a tiny red dot nation, located in the backwaters of Southeast Asia. But God knew he had a destiny for our little land. And He sent missionaries from the early days to evangelise our forefathers.

So shortly after Stamford Raffles arrives to found Singapore in 1819, the first Protestant missionary sets up a local ministry here. In 1826, the Anglican church is founded in Singapore. In 1835, the Armenian church, founded by the Sarkis Brothers who built our iconic Raffles Hotel, is built. The missionaries also set up schools and hospitals - praise God for them! In 1885, Rev William F. Oldham arrives to head the work of the Methodist Church of Singapore - I grew up a product of the Methodist Church!

In the 1930s, John Sung - known as the Billy Graham of Asia - preaches in China and the overseas Chinese population in Southeast Asia. Wikipedia says by 1936, it is believed that more than 100,000 Chinese were converted through his ministry. Today, some in Singapore are second or third-generation Christians because their parents or grandparents believed in God after hearing John Sung.

In 1978, Billy Graham preached in Singapore, and people crowded into the 55,000-seat National Stadium each night to hear the message. More than 19,600 people - many of whom are leaders and pastors today - surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ. It was Billy Graham who called out Singapore's destiny - saying God wants our little nation to be the 'Antioch of Asia' ... a hub or stepping stone for the rest of the world into Asia. I think our strategic location in the middle of key trade and air routes is no coincidence!

I was almost in tears when I considered our illustrious Christian heritage. What are we after all? A citystate with no natural resources and no hinterland, and just over 4 million people. It is a miracle that we survived independence, let alone be transformed from a third-world country to a first-world nation in one generation. For that, we have to thank God and the leaders He gave us. Indeed, in Singapore, we have been blessed beyond all measure - both materially and spiritually. And now, we have this amazing calling as 'Antioch of Asia' - to send out missionaries, to bless the Asia people materially, to be a place of refreshing and refuelling for the church workers in our neighbouring lands.

As I was reminded of the torchbearers - the men and women God sent our way to point the way to Christ - I thank God for their obedience. Truly God, you have done this. May we do the same for those who do not yet know Him.

Postscript: In 2017, Lou Engle released a prophetic word over Singapore. 2018 marks the 40th year of Billy Graham's word to Singapore that we are an Antioch to Asia. 40 years is a significant timeframe in the Bible, as it denotes a generation. Would we come into fulfillment of our calling and would we care enough to contend for it, or would we be satisfied with where Singapore is now? Would we pay the price for our nation to come into its fullness of all God has for us? To read what he said, click here.