Klessis Lee is a procurement executive at City Harvest Church. After 17 years, the time is finally right for her to enrol in the School Of Theology. As City News’ 2023 SOT correspondent, she shares her first day of school experience.
Klessis with her husband Isaiah
I first thought about enrolling into CHC’s School of Theology in 2006. My husband had attended SOT the year before and it was going to be my turn next. I had just become a full time worker on the church staff a few months before. But the next thing I knew, I was pregnant. Since that moment, life got so busy that I forgot all about my desire to go to Bible school!
Three years ago, I took on a new portfolio at work which required me to do a lot of research pertaining to spirituality and biblical concepts. The more I researched and discovered new things, the more I felt there was so much I didn’t know! Even though I have been a Christian for 30 years, there is just so much I have yet to learn and understand about the Bible. I developed a desire to experience God in a different way, to be soaked in His presence and to see His Hand move uniquely in my life—all the things I believe I would experience through SOT.
But I had my apprehensions as well. Would I be able to manage my time, juggling between SOT, work and ministry? How was I going to pay for my school fees? Would I still have time for my family and myself? I had my anxieties and concerns, but I felt the Lord speak to me during service one weekend in church: “What better way to experience Me as your provider than to go to SOT? See for yourself how I will provide for you!” When I heard His words, I felt faith arise in my heart and I registered for SOT that very night! Praise the Lord!
Since then, the journey has just been amazing. Even before I started SOT, I began experiencing blessing after blessing of provision from the people around me. Many encouraged me, telling me they are rooting and praying for me. Some gave me gifts for my new “school journey”: a new haversack so that I can carry my workbooks to SOT every day, a thermal flask so that I can have hot coffee during lessons, Starbucks vouchers and even Grab vouchers so that I can take a taxi to school if I happen to wake up late! One of my friends also blessed me with a love gift and I was really touched by such a kind gesture. Deep down, I know that God is showing me that He can provide for even my smallest need, through all the wonderful friends around me! I am beyond grateful.
AND SO IT BEGINS
Finally, it’s the first day of school: SOT Orientation Day (yesterday, 27 February)! I was so filled with anticipation to starting this journey! I was also excited to meet my teammates, with whom I will be spending the next six months of my life with.
A team of hearts: Klessis (second row, second from right) is the Team Leader of Team 5
In my team, there are foreign students from Myanmar and the Philippines, and I look forward to learning about their cultures and their lives. I am privileged to be able to serve as the Team Leader for Team 5 this year, and while there are many added responsibilities that come along with this title, I know I will be able to witness, first-hand, the wonderful transformations that will take place in the lives of my teammates.
We started off with a great time of praise and worship led by our dear Bro Poh (worship leader Teo Poh Heng). The atmosphere was electrifying and everyone was excited, clapping and singing really loudly! The presence of God was so tangible especially during worship, when the whole cohort sang beautifully from their hearts. There was such a freedom in the air! This was exactly what I was looking forward to, coming to SOT this year!
Then, Principal of the school, Rev Bobby Chaw shared a great word to encourage the 2023 cohort. Reading to us from John 15:5— “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing”—he reminded us to stay connected to Christ and to strive for greater intimacy with the Lord. He also encouraged us to stay open and “naked” before the Lord, because two are the two keys to intimacy in any relationship. When we are able to do that, our relationship with the Lord will be organic, one without strife or stress. In other words, a life of easy yoke and light burden. What a powerful message to kick start SOT 2023!
A familiar sight for all SOT grads: the pure and liberating praise and worship before classes begin every day
After some administrative briefing, we had a time of team games to get to know our teammates better and have some fun! We had a ball of a time running up and down CHC’s Jurong West church building, completing tasks and answering questions. The best thing was that my team came in first place for the games! We even created a team cheer on the spot and video’d it: “North, South, East, West Who’s the Best? Team 5, Team 5, we’re the BEST!”
SOT 2023 is off to a great start and I can’t wait to see how the Lord will show Himself to us in the next six months. I believe, I know that lives will be transformed and we will form kingdom friendships that will last till eternity. Exciting days ahead!
Signing off for now,
Your SOT 2023 correspondent,
Klessis
