Nineteen-year-old Megan Mok recalls the transformational role of City Harvest Children’s Church teachers in her life—from a timid child with poor self esteem to a confident youth sold out for God’s calling on her life.
Young Megan (in red)
Photo courtesy of Megan Mok
When I was young, I was afraid of everything. Some of my fears included the fear of dark, fear of being alone, and a fear of dogs. I was a very timid child with low self-esteem. I didn’t like how I looked and I didn’t think I was good at anything.
Even though I was born into a Christian family, I would often cry at night because I was afraid of dying. The concept of heaven, hell and eternity was too profound for me to understand. I would always think, “What if God didn’t make me? What if I didn’t exist?” Such thoughts made me feel very insignificant and small. Every time this happened, I would always go crying to my Mum, and no amount of coaxing was able to remove the fear that I had.
My family joined City Harvest Church during the early days at the old Hollywood Theatre. For a very long time, I hated being sent to Children’s Church and being separated from my Mum. I was one of those kids who would cry and cling on to my Mum outside the Children’s Church room every week. Teacher Anson (Ang) was so patient and persistent with me. Every week he would peel me away from my Mum and patiently deal with all my crying so that I would eventually attend and benefit from Children’s Church.
Megan in foreground, first from left
Photo courtesy of Megan Mok
I really thank God for such teachers because it was in Children’s Church that I found my reason for existence. I had a revelation that my mission in life was to reach out to the lost with the love of God. I made it the whole purpose of my life. At that time, I was about six years old. I didn’t know how I was going to do it, but I was sure that was God’s plan for me.
Every week, the Children’s Church teachers would speak love and words of affirmation to the children. Words like, “You will grow up to do great things for God” really helped build my faith in God. It also helped me gain self-confidence, knowing who I am in Christ.
I will never forget this one time when Teacher (Png) Xin Wei looked at me from the stage and said into the mic, “Megan you have a very pretty smile! You’re so pretty when you smile!” You see, I had a chronic eye problem since I was five years old. My eyes were always swollen and blood-shot. I wasn’t the typical cute kid, so it was really rare for me to hear such compliments. That day when teacher Xin Wei said it, it was the first time I began to feel confident in the way I looked. The Children’s Church teachers played a big part in building my self-esteem and self-worth. They see greatness in the children that the children themselves do not see.
In Primary 3, I had a revelation inspired from a sermon preached in Children’s Church. I learnt that God has called us to be the head and not the tail, above and not beneath. I found a new motivation to study and shine for God in school. I studied very hard and moved out of the lowest class to being among the top 3 classes for the remaining years in Primary School. Eventually, I managed to score well enough in my O levels to get into Nan Hua High School. I’m studying in Singapore Polytechnic now, and I made the Director’s Honor list in my previous academic year. All glory to God!
Megan shares her testimony during weekend service CN PHOTO: Michael Chan
Back in Primary 4, I made friends with a girl who was also very timid, with low self-esteem. From my experience, I was able to encourage her and show her God’s love only because of what the Children’s Church teachers had done for me. When we were in Primary 5, I invited her to a Children’s Church camp. In one of the sessions, Pastor Eileen (Toh) was praying for the baptism in the Holy Spirit and she laid hands and prayed for all the children. That was the first time, both me and my friend experienced the presence of God in a supernatural way. We fell under the power of the Holy Spirit and wept in the presence of God. None of us understood what was going on, but that night, my friend gave her heart to Christ.
The teachers in Children’s Church always encouraged us to use our talents for God. When I was in Primary 4, teacher Xin Wei encouraged me to audition for the Children’s Church drama production “When I Grow Up” I was casted as one of the main actors. After that, I realised how much I loved being on stage. Right now, I take regular singing and guitar classes as I believe in working on the gift God has given me. I am preparing for the day I can use my talents to bring more people into God’s house.
Today, Children’s Church is now known as Harvest Kidz. Thank you Harvest Kidz for helping to shape the lives of young ones. Your love for us will go a long long way!
The above testimony was shared on stage by Megan Mok during CHC’s weekend service on May 28 and 29.
