Have you ever wondered what goes into setting up a hall as large as Suntec Singapore Hall 603 and 604 for worship services? City News brings you the scoop in pictures.
“How many of you are glad that you are in a big hall setting like this?” Aries Zulkarnain, City Harvest Church’s executive pastor asked as he greeted the congregation last weekend (Dec 11 and 12). That weekend marked the first time CHC members returned to the main hall in Suntec Singapore for its weekend services.
When COVID-19 hit and Singapore went into the Circuit Breaker phase in April 2020, CHC brought its worship services online. As safe management measures eventually eased, the church reopened its doors in December 2020 and services were held in Hall 606, otherwise known as the Theatre, with a seating capacity of 250. Following guidelines set out by the authorities, churches (and other religious organisations) were able to gradually increase seating capacity. After almost two years, CHC reopened its main hall for service with a maximum capacity of 1,000 people, in line with safe management measures.
For a hall as large as Suntec Singapore’s Hall 603 and 604, the facilities team only had two short weeks to transport all the equipment back from the warehouse for a massive reinstallation in the halls. From the installation of the LED panels to the building of the stage and setting up of the sound system, the staff of CHC, along with contractors, laboured tirelessly to ensure that the hall could be set up in time for the reopening weekend. The audio and TV crew also worked round the clock to set up their systems.
The facilities team had to move equipment from the warehouse back to Suntec Singapore. Here is senior facilities executive, Adrian Chueng, hard at work.
CHC’s facilities manager, Lim Wee Lee and his team only had two weeks to get the halls ready for the first weekend.
Senior logistics executive, Alan Seow flexes his muscles for a good cause.
The gargantuan LED screen had to be installed panel by panel.
The stage being rebuilt from scratch.
Up go the giant speakers. One wonders how Jesus projected His voice to the multitudes.
Testing out the sound system to ensure the best sound quality for the weekend services.
Hall 605 houses the Hangout, the Hotspot and The Inkroom Bookstore. These different departments came together to make the entire place warm and cosy.
Partitions for the nursery rooms and ministry rooms being installed
Christina Low, CHC’s nursery worker and her team prepare the nursery to welcome the babies back to church.
The reception area that greets City Harvesters as they step into Hall 605.
One of the cosiest corners in Suntec Singapore is the member’s lounge, or The Hangout. These structures are keys to creating that industrial cosy vibe.
Book lovers will be happy to see The Ink Room back in Hall 605. We can finally “smell” the new books again!
Events executive Woo Zhishen transporting picket fences to the Harvest Kidz rooms. These create a warm and cosy environment for the children.
Joanna Yap, CHC’s hospitality manager ensures the guest room is spick and span.
CHC’s graphics team setting up the beautiful Christmas trees, spreading the warmth of Christmas all around.
Three days before the first service, the hall came together and was almost ready. Different departments arrived on-site to put in the final touches and do dry-runs for the services.
William Ng, director of audio and lighting is on hand to ensure the best sound quality in the halls. Helping him is Daniel Lee, one of the main volunteers in the Audio ministry.
Senior audio engineer, Lee Shuxia, troubleshooting and operating the sound console.
Assistant audio enginner, Wee Pei Shan, at work setting up the equipment for the band.
Alan Chan, one of CityWorship’s music directors, helping to set up the musical instruments ahead of the sound check.
Chew Siou Ling, a senior media editor from CityTV, finding the right angle to shoot footages.
CHC’s senior pastor, Kong Hee (in pink), getting a feel of the stage before the weekend service.
Checking out the height of the LED board.
The CityWorship doing a round of sound check before rehearsing for the weekend’s praise and worship.
Sun Ho, CHC’s executive pastor (second from right) deliberating the stage set-up with the Creative and Visual Communication teams.
Joseph Koh, technical director from CityTV, waiting for his cue to prepare to roll.
Ephesians 4:16 reads, “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” This rings especially true in the reinstallation of Suntec Hall 603 to 605. In the face of life’s challenges, this sanctuary will be a place for the body of Christ to draw strength from God and edify one another in love.
