By Yong Yung Shin
CN PHOTOS: Michael Chan.
Come March 5, 2012, City Harvest Church’s School of Theology will see its 18th student intake for the Advanced Certificate of Theology course. Started in 1994 as a full-time Bible college, the SOT aims to train potential pastors and missionaries to establish strong local churches in their own cities and nations. The seven-month program will include courses such as Gifts of the Holy Spirit, Spiritual Warfare and Deliverance as well as the Five-Fold Ministry.
For anyone who is on the fence about enrolling into the SOT, the School’s academic dean Tan Kim Hock has some encouraging words. “The best two years of my life were those I spent in SOT from 1997 to 1998. It was a time of getting closer to the presence of God while going deeper into His Word. It was also where great friendships were forged —friendships that last for a lifetime.”
The motivation works both ways. As the dean, he is encouraged by the students’ hunger for God and His Word, knowing that with each intake of the SOT, the kingdom of God will see further extension.
“SOT is like a spiritual pressure cooker. It is a simulated environment —we create an intensive spiritual environment where you are constantly exposed to the presence of God, the strong teaching of His words and the practical application of these truths in your daily living and ministry,” Tan explains.
The rewards of being in SOT are plenty. “You will realize your strengths and weaknesses, and more importantly, the spiritual gifts and potential He had already deposited in you,” says Tan. “You will experience for yourself His grace which enables you to go beyond your natural abilities. You will laugh with joy unspeakable at the great work He will do in and through you. You will weep at His amazing love so freely poured out in your life, despite of all the failures and mistakes you make. Yes, there will be correction, discipline or even rebuke at times, but all these experiences will shape and mold you into the image of Jesus Christ.”
To date, 5,482 students have graduated from the SOT.
Applications for the 18th student intake of the School of Theology is open until Feb. 1, 2012. Log on to sot.chc.org.sg for more information.
