Tag Cultural Mandate

My state of “crossover”

andrewong2024 3 Comments

It’s been almost 3 years since my personal “crossover” in heeding the call of the cultural mandate.

As expected, it has not been an easy ride. In fact, it has been tough to the point of frustration.

However, I must acknowledge that most of the frustration stems from me being impatient in wanting to see results.

At these moments, I have to constantly remind myself that I’m following God’s timetable, not mine.

I’m His beloved

I’m also tempted many of a times to just settle for less and be ‘contented’ at where I am. From a humanistic viewpoint, I know I’m doing reasonably okay, especially taking in consideration of my past.

So why even bother to press so hard and make my life so difficult?

Everyone’s just cruising through life, why must I be different?  

But in the face of such derailing thoughts, I’m reminded that I’m His beloved. If He only desires the best for me, then why should I short-change myself by forfeiting my rightful inheritence?

I’m His follower

Another reminder or factor that has anchored in holding me steadfast is His vision given to me.

I’m truly convinced that God has launched an all-out mission to reclaim what has been lost- territories in the marketplace.

And I don’t wish to be a spectator. I want to be in the thick of the action!

But with all that has been said, I’m learning that obedience to a call or fulfilling His vision is not just about accomplishing a task, in this case the Great Commission.

It is also becoming the person God has destined us to become. Therefore, I’m hanging on and pressing onwards.

My Open Letter to Pastor Kong Hee

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This is my open letter to pastor Kong Hee that I’ve penned to express my deep appreciation for what God has done through Him that has impacted my life. It is also my way of presenting another perspective of the sort person and leader that he is to his congregation. If he ever reads this, I hope my words would be of some encouragement to him in this difficult period.

Dear Pastor,

I’d joined this CHC family less than two years ago and you were one of the main reasons that had influenced my decision.

In our local Christian community, there ain’t many spiritual leaders that dare to live out the word of God with the kind of convictions that you display which I deemed as all-rounded, balanced and progressive.

Before I joined CHC, I must confess that I was one of your critics that didn’t approve of your scriptural teachings and brand of Christianity. But that changed after a defining moment in my walk with God a few years ago.

During a period where I was seeking God desperately over my holy dissatisfaction of my spiritual life, CHC came into my life as His answer to my cry. I stumbled upon CHC’s website and watched the online sermons. The word of God that was presented provided me with clarity on my situation.

There’s this saying that best describes that defining moment when this happened: “When your mind is open, the teacher appears.”

That teacher is YOU.

After observing and listening to you weekly with an opened mind and heart, I saw what I didn’t see before when I was a critic- your deep passionate love for God and people.

Your love for God and for people is evident, and that love explodes through your preaching and practical service to those around you. Your exemplary lifestyle of servanthood never fails to challenge me to love God and people in my life more than ever before.

Your message of the cultural mandate has also given me a new leash of faith and spiritual fervour to be the Church in the marketplace and not merely doing church that’s confined within the four walls.

Now I can see through the extravagant, colourful, loud and sophisticated themes and style that is commonly associated with CHC. Beneath all of that is just a simple and genuine LOVE that strives to reach to those who have not experienced Jesus in a way that truly glorifies God.

In this trying times, I would just like to take this opportunity to say that I believe in you and I trust you. And regardless of the outcome of the ongoing investigations, I’m standing with you and this church (spiritual) family.

Finally, thank you for your faith and obedience to God’s call upon your life that has resulted with many lives (including my wife’s and mine) being drawn closer to God!

In His love,

Andrew Ong