A Prophetic Act: The Birth of Archippus Awakening

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On Sunday, 3 Aug 2014, we held a little event at Bartley Christian Church and it was attended by about 150 people comprising fellow ministers, friends and family. Although many would refer to it as a launch, I still prefer to call it a prophetic act and event to mark the birth of Archippus Awakening.

It was a very encouraging turnout for a Sunday afternoon as guests arrived for the 3:30pm tea reception, quickly filling the foyer of Bartley Christian Church. The mood was warm and vibrant as everyone mingled, some meeting for the first time and many others re-connecting with brothers and sisters in Christ from various churches. That was an air of excitement and expectation as most didn’t know what to expect of the event and of Archippus Awakening.

At 4:20pm, the guests were ushered to Hudson Taylor Hall on Level 2. Although the hall capacity was 125, we brought in more chairs and accommodated everyone! David Ang was the emcee for the day and did a wonderful job hosting the proceedings. Pastor Martin Tang put together a “kingdom” worship team comprising members from different churches and led the entire assembly in an awesome time of praise and worship!

I then shared my journey, carefully detailing how the Lord had led me over the past one and a half years. What might have appeared as an overnight decision to step down from my pastoral and dean positions was actually the culmination of a period of seeking the Lord intently for the next steps. On 27 Oct 2013, the seed of Archippus Awakening was planted in the womb of my spirit. What followed was a period of gestation and incubation as I slowly processed this ‘pregnancy’ of a new ministry. Along the way, it became clearer and more obvious that Archippus Awakening is indeed of the Lord and prepared for such a time as this.

3 Aug 2014 is exactly 40 weeks from 27 Oct 2013, hence the choice of this date for the birth event. And as any parent would attest to, it is one thing to carry a baby to term and yet totally another to birth it. And until the baby is birthed, no one really knows how the baby will look like. It is the same for Archippus Awakening and that is why I keep referring to this birth event as a prophetic act! Only the Lord knows what will take place after this and how He will direct and develop Archippus Awakening. My part is to keep seeking Him and to be obedient to respond as He leads.

That said, the Lord has already prepared me for what’s up ahead. During our 10-day consecration fast, I found myself in tears one morning. As I saw the tear drops fall onto the floor, the Lord spoke the words of Psalm 126:5-6 into my heart:

“Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy. He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” Psalm 126:5-6

After my sharing, it was truly encouraging to have had Senior Pastor Lawrence Lee (Glad Tidings Church) and Sanford & Anna D’Souza (Cornerstone Community Church) share their perspectives of Archippus Awakening. What followed was a Consecration Prayer for Serene and myself led by Rev Francis Khoo, together with Rev Noel Goh, Rev Dr Edward Pousson, Rev Tan Kay Kiong and my parents, Henry & Helen Lim. The surprise element was when Rev Noel took out his shofar, explained the significance of Jubilee and promptly blew it to sound an awakening across the entire nation!

With that, we declared “How Great Is Our God” and closed the event at 6:15pm. It was a very simple affair but no less significant! Indeed, the prophetic act of birthing Archippus Awakening has been done. I believe that in the spiritual realm, certain doors have been opened. We have entered into yet another season and it is one of sowing the seed of the word of the kingdom. It won’t be easy but the Lord will be with us. We will work hard but from a position of restedness; not by power, nor by might, but by His Spirit. For sure, we will reap in joy as we look to the day when we bring in the sheaves – a harvest of Archippuses! Amen!