In the only evangelistic session of CGI-AC 2010, hearts are turned to Jesus Christ.
Contributed By Chng Shi Jie
Indonesian band True Worshippers kick-started the only evangelistic service in the entire CGI-AC 2010. Although it was the final day of the conference, the crowd was still hungry for more. In his southern drawl, Dr. John Avanzini, father of biblical economics taught on the principles of sowing.
Video footages of Taiwanese music legend Tsai Chin filled the LED screens as the crowd cheered themselves hoarse for a full minute before Tsai made her appearance. She gave a rendition of popular hit “Reading You” and afterward shared about her personal salvation.
It was New Life Church in Taiwan where she was inspired to dedicate her life back to God. She credited Kong Hee with helping the Taiwanese churches learn about staying relevant to culture. Tsai urged fans who came specially to see her to try to know God. Thereafter, she crooned the ever-popular “Over The Rainbow” with piano accompaniment. Her rich vocals underlined her credentials as one of the finest singers in Taiwan today.
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| CN PHOTOS: Carol Lee, Raymond Lee and Desmond Tan |
Tsai’s exit made way for the City Harvest drama team. CHC’s district pastor Aries Zulkarnain introduced the City Harvest drama as a staple in all of its “Big Day” events, depicting God’s love and the message of the gospel. The lights dimmed as the story unfolded opening with a scene on set of a television show, How Compatible Are You. The show aimed to find out which couple knew each other best. Embittered by the failure of a past relationship, the cynical host, Alex, aimed to sow discord and strain the relationships of these couples. The show’s ratings dropped and a new host stationed in Hong Kong was brought in. To Alex’s horror, his new co-host turned out to be Trina, the girl who broke his heart and left him at the altar years ago. But Trina, having accepted Christ thereafter and found peace in her heart, patiently put up with Alex’s hostility. Unfortunately, Trina took a gunshot while defending Alex from a gun-toting contestant whose marriage broke up because of Alex’s constant taunting. Trina was at the hospital for three days and awoke to find Alex sleeping beside her hospital bed. They mended their relationship and once again became co-hosts with sizzling chemistry.
Kong took to the stage and continued in the same vein as the drama’s storyline, talking about second chances. Sharing from Luke 15 about the story of the prodigal son, Kong was in his element as he gestured animatedly and preached a heartfelt message on the three great sufferings of the prodigal son, drawing parallels to the problems faced by many in the world today.
1. Destitution—Just as the prodigal son was lonely in a foreign land, so are many who are devoid of God’s presence in their lives, without a hope for the future.
2. Devastation—Without his father,
the prodigal son felt weak and helpless. Likewise, Christians without their heavenly Father would be overwhelmed by life’s challenges.
3. Humiliation—Born into a wealthy family, the prodigal son left his father and became so poor he had to sell himself into slavery and feed swine. Stripped of all his pride, he came to an end in himself and sought to repent and return home. Little did he expect that his father was already running toward him with open arms after having seen him from afar.
Like the father of the prodigal son, Kong told the congregation that God the Father does not judge nor condemn His children. Rather, He waits patiently to celebrate the return of the one who had left Him. In the altar call, Kong declared that God washes away big sins and tiny sins just the same. He then urged those that needed the Lord to come forward. At his call, many in the congregation came forward and the altar area was a sight to behold, filled with people, hands outstretched in total surrender to God, as people echoed a prayer of salvation and dedicated their lives to God.
