The atmosphere on the seventh floor auditorium of One Marina Boulevard last Friday was charged with excitement and expectancy as a roomful of 500 marketplace advocates converged to give audience to Dr Ed Silvoso, also widely known as the “Apostle of the Marketplace”.
This man of God hails from Argentina and is well recognised by many as a successful missions strategist. He is the president and founder of Harvest Evangelism.
In this current season of economic turbulence, Silvoso’s message proved to be illuminating and uplifting. He was eager to point out early on that the current financial upheaval is God’s way to reveal flaws on the existing capitalistic system. More importantly, this shake-up is also an opportunity for godly Christians to change the world by implementing kingdom principles in the marketplace, which is the heart of the nation.
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| PHOTOS: David Teo |
He gave the example of an ice-cream seller who decided she was going to be pastor of her ice cream cart. She prayed over the ice cream and for everyone who bought her goods. One day the governor bought an ice cream from her, and she had a chance to share with him. He went to a church meeting with her the next Sunday, where the preacher talked about corruption. Convicted, he tried to return a US$1 million bribe to a group of people who could not accept it as they had accepted a US$500,000 bribe. Ultimately, they decided to take the US$1.5 million and buy drinking water for the people, who used to have to pay money for their water. That, said Silvoso, is transformation at work.
Silvoso painted his vision of marketplace transformation around the world — of how the church will rise up and win nations over to the Lord. He defined marketplace as the three arenas of business, education and government. Each of us, said Silvoso, is, and reminded each and everyone of the audience from various industries that they have all been called and anointed by God to disciple nations. If we are willing to go into all the world and bring the Gospel, he said, God will open the doors.
The message touched many in the audience. Robert Dodd, a 50-year-old business man, was both moved and encouraged: “Dr Silvoso’s message helped me to enlarge my vision of the anointing that God wants to put on all of us to reach out to people”.
Business-owner Berlynn Teh shared that the message had served only to fortify her own business practice and philosophy. “There should be no compromise on God’s principles. You only stand to gain if you serve and glorify God in your works.” Indeed, this time of economic of chaos is certainly the time for all believers to rise up, do their part for society, and demonstrate to the world that we serve a living God.
