Jonathan Ashley Ng – W450

What are you doing before SOT? What make you want to come to SOT?

I had just completed my National Service. After hearing so many wonderful testimonies from my friends on how their lives have been changed and impacted, I had a great desire to be part of SOT as I want to see the same in my own life.

Any challenges or adjustment you have to make to come to SOT?

It wasn’t easy for me to come SOT as my parents did not support my decision. I also had to sacrifice and give up my opportunity to get a full-time job – at the same time forfeiting the income that could have came along with it. However, I trust God that He will not short-change me, and I am determined to fulfill His calling for me.

What do you hope to gain or achieve for the next 6 months in SOT?

Through my journey in SOT, I really desire greater spiritual sensitivity and practical biblical skills that would aid me in my future.

Daniel Richard – w525

What are you doing before SOT? What make you want to come to SOT?

I am an IT engineer by training. I joined SOT because I want to build up and strengthen the habits and discipline of a prayer life. More important, I really want to fall in love with the word of God more and more each day.

Any challenges or adjustment you have to make to come to SOT?

To attend SOT, I had to change my work environment – I previously did support work, now I have to fully concentrate on communications work. SOT also meant that I had to make adjustment in my daily life, such as getting out of my house early to make it in time for school when I struggle with time management and am often late for my appointments.

What do you hope to gain or achieve for the next 6 months in SOT?

Even though SOT has just barely started, I’m already finding this a blessing. It’s so encouraging to know that we aren’t alone in our personal challenges, after some deep heart-to-heart sharing with my teammates. Besides graduating and having my personal life changed, I also want to apply the the things I learned in SOT to be a greater blessing to my friends around me in my daily life and my work challenges, to the glory of God and to be a good testimony.

Doris Kwoh – w542

What are you doing before SOT? What make you want to come to SOT?

I completed my A’levels and was working at CPF as Customer Service Officer. Attending SOT was my desire ever since 2009, when I came back to God as a backslider. Even when I was separated from the house of God, He was still really good to me. Attending SOT not only meant that I could also learn more about God and His Word, I could also apply what i have learnt in SOT to impact the lives of others and to do greater things for God.

Any challenges or adjustment you have to make to come to SOT?

In order to attend SOT, I have to quit my CPF job which I really enjoyed. This meant that I had to watch my own financial budget even more closely and I am restricted to finding jobs that are of suitable timing so as to allow enough time for my fellowship with my SOT team and family. I also had to find courage overcome my parental objection to live out this dream which I feel is really a calling God has for me.

What do you hope to gain or achieve for the next 6 months in SOT?

Through the journey of SOT, I hope to mould myself to become a more Godly person. I pray that I can learn so much about God and really change to become more and more like Him. I desire to be a living testimony so that my parents shall see the changes in me and be open to Christ, eventually my prayer is for them to receive salvation. I also hope that I can be more equipped with the Word of God and better understand His kingdom. Last but not least, i hope to build good and genuine friendships by the end of SOT.

James Yeo Yi Quan – w479

What are you doing before SOT? What make you want to come to SOT?

I was a student at Republic Polytechnic. I have a great desire to understand God’s own heart through His Word and immersing myself in His Presence in SOT.

Any challenges or adjustment you have to make to come to SOT?

Through this time I am committing myself to SOT, I have to deal with the challenge of supporting myself financially, as SOT meant a time where I can’t work full time. Also, I have to face my family’s unhappiness as they do not understand my decision to attend SOT.

What do you hope to gain or achieve for the next 6 months in SOT?

Through SOT, I really desire to have an even closer walk with God. I want to be even more dependent on Him, to strengthen my prayer life and spiritual disciplines, and to live an even more consecrated life. Also, through this challenging time, I hope to learn to manage my finances better and eventually learn to be financially independent from my parents.

Joyce Nathaniel – W300

What are you doing before SOT? What make you want to come to SOT?

I have just graduated from my poly education, and is currently a connect group leader helping out in the cg. I really desire to be better equipped to lead and help my fellow cg members to love God even more. Through SOT, I hope I can learn the practical skills and know-how of effective leadership as well as learn to love God even more myself.

Any challenges or adjustment you have to make to come to SOT?

During this time, I am unable to work fulltime, where the additional income could have been used to support my family which was financially not doing well. As a result, I faced much family objection to attend SOT, particularly from my father who was very angry with me and in one incident, he even locked me out of the house. However, I have made this decision for God and I trust God will work things out in my family.

What do you hope to gain or achieve for the next 6 months in SOT?

In this time in SOT, I pray that I will be able to rise up to become a cell group leader in God’s house. Personally I hope to also learn to be even more sensitive to the Holy Spirit, and to the needs of others. Most importantly, I want to know God and His word even more, and be able to apply whatever I have learned in SOT in my personal life.

Lim Weijian Jason – N205

What are you doing before SOT? What make you want to come to SOT?

I was serving my National Service. I wanted to attend SOT to know God even more, and to grow spiritually in my walk with God.

Any challenges or adjustment you have to make to come to SOT?

It was a step of faith for me to attend SOT.

What do you hope to gain or achieve for the next 6 months in SOT?

Through my time in SOT, I hope to be able to help out more in the cg and also to rise up and serve in the cg more as a cell group guitarist.

Alvan Tan – W541

What are you doing before SOT? What make you want to come to SOT?

I was serving my National Service. I felt God challenged me in my heart to prepare myself for what He wants to do in my life. I want to grow even more spiritual and closer to God, and to be ready to serve Him even more.

Any challenges or adjustment you have to make to come to SOT?

It was challenging for me as SOT began 1 week before my ORD, so I had to make adjustments in order to fit in my schedule. Also, personally it was a step of faith for me spiritually to be even more committed to God and His calling upon my life.

What do you hope to gain or achieve for the next 6 months in SOT?

I hope that through SOT I will be able to graduate with an even greater hunger for God’s word, a larger capacity to love people and a greater empowerment to fulfill His calling. I hope to learn the practical skills and know-how in SOT to be able to build God’s kingdom.

To make matters worse, my father left behind a business and a huge pile of debts. After his death, his creditors came after us and demanded for money. The banks started calling and sending their letters to demand for payment. Almost daily, I would receive calls from banks and lawyer letters that threatened to sue us. I was so tired and afraid of the calls that I resorted to plucking out the phone line. The business that my father left was in chaos. There were uncompleted projects and since we were not familiar with the operations of the company, my family did not know what to do and wanted to close down the company. All that happened were physically and emotionally draining for us.

I wanted to give up the idea of going to SOT as I was afraid I would not be able to cope financially. But thank God for my mother, who encouraged me to go ahead and enrol into SOT. She assured me that our family was behind my decision and would support me financially.

During the SOT orientation, even though I looked excited, I carried a heavy heart. I was constantly disturbed and affected by the death of my father and the financial situation my family was in. During one of the sessions, God spoke to me through Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we have great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” I thought to myself, if the devil wants to take me down, then I shall make it even harder for him.

My 5 months in SOT proved to be the best decision I ever made. One of the principles I’ve learned in SOT is found in The Sermon On The Mount series, where I learned the importance of developing good relationship with people, being a peace maker and learning how to relate to people that are different from me. Applying this knowledge has actually enabled me to resolve conflicts among my colleagues at work.

Another principle that I’ve learned in Christian Faith and Ministry is the Lifestyle of Tithing and Giving. This is a lesson that touched me deeply. Despite the lack of finances, I continued to sow into the Kingdom of God faithfully. The teaching on sowing and reaping has helped me to navigate through the problems we faced in my dad’s company. As a result, my family was able to slowly clear the debts and business even began to pick up.

Today, the company is doing well and by God’s grace, we managed to finish the uncompleted projects and secured new projects in spite of the economic downturn. While other companies are cutting bonuses and salaries, we gave out pay increments and performance bonuses to our staff because we experienced tremendous breakthrough in our sales. In a span of 6 months, we hit an all time sales record of S$1.6million dollars. Praise the Lord!

As I went through the series on Home Cell Leadership, God began to rekindled my vision of being a cell group leader. Now I am undergoing training and I’m looking forward to leading a cell group within a year.

Joining SOT 2009 was a decision I never regretted. And I thank my family, especially my mom, for all their support and encouragement. The Bible says that “God is faithful even when we are faithless.” Through SOT, the presence and encounters I have had with God has built up my faith, love and trust in Him. Even though I lost my earthly father, God has never failed to fill the emptiness within me.

I want to thank Pastor Kong and Pastor Bobby for the teachings and impartation during SOT and most importantly I want to thank God because with Him all things are possible.

One of the modules to learn in SOT is Homilectics, which means the art of preaching. Not only we have to learn the theory, we have to apply it practically too! We prepared 10 sermon outlines in total and preached 5 of them. 

It was fun sharing my revelations while preparing it. My first audience was my team mates. We laughed at our bloopers and whangdoodles. My team mates are very supportive and encouraging. This gives me great courage to preach the word of God. 

By having 10 book review assignments, 10 sermon outlines, 15 mock cellgroups in a week and 4 hours of non-stop bible study every day, it is no doubt that my capacity is being stretched. But just like a rubber band, once it is stretched, the size of it will never the same. 

Through SOT, my walk with God gets even closer. I have not only received head knowledge but I have also experienced God myself. Through times like this, God has shown Himself more faithful to me even when I am not faithful. 

All in all, I encourage you to join SOT. Just like what other SOT graduates will always say, it is an experience that you will never forget. =)

In the beginning, I do not have any intention to go SOT this year as I always thought that SOT is for the very mature members in the church like the PCGL, CGL, church staffs etc. Even a good friend of mine encouraged me to go SOT as she told me that I should make good use of this time before I enrolled in the university. But without much consideration, I turned down her good intentions as the school fee is one of the major hindrances.  Then on one Saturday, while I was travelling on a train to church, God spoke to me to enroll myself into SOT. Initially I thought it was just a random thought so I did not think much about it. That same day during the pre-service prayer meeting, as pastor Zhuang began to pray for the upcoming SOT students, I began to feel moved in my heart. At the end of the meeting, I told God that if He is going to show me one more confirmation, I will go for SOT this year. And true enough, just 15 minutes before service, my CGL told me to meet Yilun after service. Immediately after service, Yilun met some of the zone members and she encouraged us to go for SOT. By the end of this meeting, I was convicted to enroll myself into SOT 2009.

During this five and half month of SOT, there were countless of close encounters with God. My passion for Him was ignited to another level. I enjoyed those ‘moving in the spirit’ sessions with Pastor Derek and Pastor Ming, they were unforgettable, and I do not even know how many times I had cried in the presence of God. Pastor Kong, Pastor Tan, Pastor Aries and Pastor Bobby’s teachings on the word of God brought laughter and convictions.  My values were challenged, my attitude was fine-tuned and my character was molded.

I had a lot of fun in SOT as well. I will never forget all the friendships that were crafted in SOT.  There are times all of us were struggling to stay awake during lessons, times where we practiced the gifts of the Spirit on one another, times when we made full use of the breaks to sleep, times when we stay up late in the nights to complete our assignments, the awkward moments we had during mock cg and preaching tests and so much more. Last but not least, my hunger for God grew even more. I had never regretted coming to SOT though there are many sacrifices that need to be made. Lastly, I believe all of us should really go for SOT. I assure you that you will definitely fall in love with God once again in SOT.

Hi friends. My name is Yuliana from N423. I am a graduate of the School of Theology 2009. 

I used to think that SOT is not for me. I remembered I told my leader that it is impossible for me to go, bible study is just enough for me. But I was prompted by God to go this year. And I have never regretted this decision in my life.  

The friendships that I have made in SOT is unforgettable. I have met friends from Sweden, India, China Hongkong, Korea & Japan. These friends also had a calling from God to join SOT. This is like an international school, where different nations come together to know God more. 

I remembered very vividly, once Pastor Derek was leading the meeting. He was moving in the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the session, it was the first time that I felt so near to God. I started to tear, God began to give me flashbacks of my life and comforted me. God gave me a vision of what I am going to be. 

I went to my home country for my mission trip. It was the first time I saw my own countrymen worshiping God passionately. I was very touched by their love for God. And God spoke to me during that session about being a successful professional to bless the lost & the needy.

After SOT, I know that I have yet to finished my race. There are still many things that I have yet to do. I grew to be more fervent about God’s purpose. That is to love people wholeheartedly, love God fervently. 

SOT has really transformed my life in these 5 months. I experienced a heart “operation”. I had a greater understanding of the love of God so that His love can manifest out from me. It is the goodness of God that leads to man’s repentance. 

If you think that you have known God enough, think again. There’s so many things to learn about Him! Just join SOT, it will be an experience you will never forget. = )

Four and a half months ago, I enrolled myself into School of Theology 2009. I attended bible school because I want to be equipped with the word of God and for my capacity to be expanded.

Truly, my capacity was greatly enlarged when it comes to the Week of Prayer. Everyday I need to wake up very early at 5am and reach JW to pray. God is good all the time, He never fails to turn up in my personal time with Him during all the 3 Week of Prayer we had in SOT. God renewed my visions again and again during those Prayer Meetings and I could still remember that I would just weep in the midst of the prayer meetings.

During the lessons on Cultural Mandate, I felt challenged to really shine in the marketplace and to excel in my career as an Accounts Assistant. Although it’s a small position in the Finance Department, I determined to do my best to shine for God. It’s not just the position it’s about the attitude for excellence. I want to thank God for motivating me during my time in SOT. With a renewed vision and equipped capacity, I can run the vision of Pastor Kong to penetrate the marketplace with greater purposes.

Hello everyone! My name is Angela and I am here to share about how SOT has really changed my life.

I was already involved in cell group ministry and helping out in other church ministries like JAMS when I was just a Christian for 1½ years. I certainly did not expect to enrol into School of Theology (SOT) as I thought it was a school meant for older Christians. However the 5 ½ months of training and moulding really transformed my life totally.

On the first day of SOT, I called a friend to complain about the numerous assignments, bible readings and overnight prayer meetings. As I am a part-time tutor, I was also feeling physically tired because I had to rush off for work after SOT. I had 7 tuition jobs and my life seemed like a whirl of events. But deep in my heart, I knew it was God moulding my character.

In SOT, we learnt about home cell group leadership, the art of preaching, cultural mandate and many other lessons. All these teachings deepened my love for God. I started to have a vision of wanting to impact the people around me and to eventually become a cell group leader.

It was during my education in SOT that I began to serve more than ever before. I would avail myself to serve in the Nursery ministry during the weekend services and to serve in the Choir during the weekdays in school.

I also had the opportunity to be part of the Choir during a mission trip in Batam. I really believe that it is important to bring down the presence of God. Every ministry is important and significant in the church. My mindset regarding serving was changed.

Today, I am still serving in the Nursery ministry because of the revelation I had received during SOT.

Most importantly, I became much closer to God in my walk with Him. During the toughest period of my life, I realised that I could only turn to God. I began to commune with God not just during my quiet time but wherever I went. I also went to school, expectant for yet another mind blowing lesson! God spoke to me clearly through these lessons and I began to apply the knowledge I had learnt in the cell group meetings that I attended. I was able to feel God so tangibly and to see how He works in our lives.

When we firstbuild God’s house, He will build ours as well. God multiplied my finances and I also experienced God’s grace tremendously when I had to apply for leave from my job to attend church prayer meetings. My 5 ½ months of sacrifice in SOT were not in vain. I have received so much - in terms of knowledge, the lasting friendships and the vision that I received. It is truly an experience that money cannot buy.

I believe we are moving from a ”School of Trials and Tribulations” to a “School of Triumph”.  Truly, eye has not seen nor ear heard the things that God has prepared for His people who love him. Greater things are yet to come! 

It was in SOT that I saw God’s mighty hand moving in me. Now I feel ready for the challenges and destiny ahead because of what I have experienced in SOT. Hallelujah! To God be the glory!

Hi LYL, I’m Jasmine Tai from E491. During our SOT graduation dinner, Pastor Bobby shared with this batch that we make 20,000 decisions a day, but all of us, 634 students all made one same decision to enroll into this year’s SOT. And I agree that this decision was right. Why out of many millions of decisions choose to come to SOT? In SOT, I learnt how to move in the gifts of the Holy Spirit (during lessons on Gifts of Holy Spirit & Deliverance) to prophecy on one another lives, to learn how to exercise the gifts that were given to us. I remember once when Pastor Mike Connell came to our school to teach on deliverance and we were given exercises to do on; giving the joy of the Lord to our partners, there was such an overflow of the joy that we (my teammates and I) were continue laughing in the car back to the east. Another was when I prayed for a Taiwanese during lesson where we prophesied over each other’s lives. We knelt down, prayed and cried together as the Spirit of God touched us. These are little little personal experiences that I’ll never fail to remember and keep them close to my heart.

SOT has brought me to a higher level in my spiritual walk with God.  Now, entering into the presence of God is easier am loving it more and more each day. Going through SOT has been an experiential time of my life. There were times when we had fun fellowshipping, times when we had to mug for exams, times when we need to rush our bible reading… But one thing for sure, though the path was tough, God was the strength that brought me through. One of the major takeaways from the whole course was the friends that I had made during these 5 months. This picture below shows my team (19) photo.

Team 19 is made up of people from 4 nations: Korea, Japan, India & Singapore. Though we may come from different nations, different backgrounds, we all had a common desire; to love God and know more about Him. Throughout the whole course, I was truly blessed by all their testimonies. During the mock cell group week, our team became closer to each other because we shared with our testimonies about how we came to SOT. One of which was the testimony of 2 team mates from Japan, Hiro and Miki Kato, about how they quit their jobs to come to Singapore to study in bible school and their desire to go back to Japan to impact the lives of the youths. They shared with us how they started a cell group for the youths and how they grow the group. I was really blessed by their enthusiasm to bring revival into Japan. With the knowledge that we’ve learnt in SOT, I believe that we will hear of their great testimony in time to come. (: Also, there is another vibrant teammate, Jin-Hee from Korea who aspires to become a missionary for God. She lives a life of transformation. From the first time I saw her to the time she graduates, she has changed a lot. In the midst of the 5 months, she did a 40-day fast which all of us were really impressed by. She desired so much for a breakthrough that she sacrificed her meals; something which I would really find hard to. But indeed, she grew from glory to glory! She was transformed! Her dressing improved, and even her singing got better! In school, she was a back up vocalist and during our graduation weekend, she was also singing on stage for the congregation! (: Indeed, seeing the transformation of these people in SOT has been a great blessing, also a great takeaway from SOT

During the last week of school, Pastor Kong met up with the Singapore students for a Q&A session where we were able to ask any question under the sun. And pastor shared that one of the key to success is the association we have. The people that we associate with determine how far we can go in life. In SOT, I really made friends with people of great faith & perseverance. Proverbs 27:17 says “As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” The people I’ve met in SOT really do inspire me to go forth to do greater things!

I am also blessed by the teachings by all the different bible teachers and the practical lessons that we had. I began to experience God greatly in wonders. I began to step out of my comfort zone and want to serve God more. In the past, I would have fear in many things that I do. I fear whether I will do it well, I fear whether people will like what I do, I fear about all things that any other would fear. But as I continued to move on in the Lord, I began to focus on the promises of God (it works!) and kept meditating on it when I feel weak and fearful. Now, I can say that I take more courage in everything that I do. And I have found my hope in the Lord. (:

Having said all, I really encourage all of you who are reading this sharing to sign up for next year’s SOT! Your life will never be the same! (:

Being in SOT 2009 batch has been an amazing time where I have expanded my capacities of juggling between family, work and church commitments. Ironically, what I treasure most after going through these 5 months of bible theology is really the simplicity of loving Christ!

The whole concept of “Loving God wholeheartedly and loving people fervently” illuminated before me. My walk with God went up many levels as I began to understand how wrong my initial perception of God was. Right now, I can proudly say that I know-by-experience the fatherhood of God and also how our El Shaddai is omniscient.

My relationships with my parents have improved, my attitudes towards people have bettered, and my character has been moulded in the most unimaginable ways. I have not regretted the decision to join SOT and instead strongly encourage all to join this life changing journey.

Woke up feeling like a millionaire,
Walking down the street with the wind in my hair,
All the boys stare, say I look so good,
No, I’m not cocky but I knew that they would,

Cause everywhere I go my life is a party,
I don’t have a worry, the sun keeps on shining on me,
Look how it’s shining on me, (Oh),
You can’t tell me nothing, look out cause I’m coming,
The street is my runway and everyone’s looking at me,
All of their eyes are on me, (All of their eyes are on me)
And I….

I feel so beautiful, (I’m lovely),
Can’t no one tell me no (I’m fancy free),
My life’s a circus show (It’s lovely),
No matter where I go (I’m fancy free),

Dee, dee, dee, dee,
Dee, dee, dee, dee, dee, dee,
Dee, dee, dee, dee, dee, dee, dee,
I’m fancy free

Feels just like I’m on a shooting star,
Made my wish to be a super star,
If I’m wrong and dreams don’t come true,
I’ll just make today what I want to.

Have your say, you can’t break my high,
You should join me on my carpet ride,
Let’s play, what you say,
Say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah

It’s so easy,
See that’s your problem right there,
You’re too cool, (yeah, yeah)
I’m just trying to have fun, stop worrying so much,
And just follow me.

Cause I feel so beautiful,
Can’t no one tell me no,
My life’s a circus show,
No matter where I go,
I’m fancy free.