2016: Entering the 3rd Year with Expectation

If 2014 was a year of baby steps, and 2015, a season of sowing, then 2016 has been a year of entering with expectation.

After more than two years of operation, declaring the message of Archippus Awakening, we started this year with a sense of expectation – not quite knowing what to expect, and yet, there was this air of anticipation that God had something else in store for us.

The year began with a follow-up seminar at Hakka Methodist Church. Awakened from their church camp in 2015, the leaders felt it necessary to revisit the lessons learnt, to stay awake, to check alignment that each may be found faithful in their kingdom assignments. In March, another “Awakened. Aligned. Assigned.” Seminar was held at Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church, drawing more than 200 participants. Wesley Methodist Church was next in May, requesting for the message of Archippus Awakening to be declared at their zone congregational meeting.

In April, Archippus Awakening hosted our second Awakening Event: AWE2016. Just 8 months from AWE2015, we were concerned if it might be a bit too close for another one. In the end, everything worked out so well! [Register for AWE2017: 17-19 Feb 2017]

To date, Archippus Awakening has been shared with more than 40 churches across various settings. Whether church services, retreats, cell group meetings, or camps, God has been opening doors to more and more communities for this message to be declared. In June, I was invited back for another Glad Tidings Church Camp (the first was in 2014). With the theme, “Made for More”, this community readily embraced Archippus Awakening principles as they posture for the next season of their church life! At the Good News Baptist Church Camp, “God’s Assignment for the End-Time Church”, the AA message helped members understand how each can be ready for the soon coming of the Christ.

2016 has also been a year of collaboration. In February, we co-hosted the “Kingdom Worldview” Seminar with Darrow Miller, with Worldview Partners. In September, Archippus Awakening was invited to be a part of the National Prophecy Conference, organised by 3:16 Church.

Turning two on 3 August, as we entered into our third year, the Lord showed us that we were symbolically entering into the third ‘day’. Through words and pictures about Rosh Hashanah, trumpets and the well of Rehoboth, the expectation of what’s ahead increased! It was time to be even bolder, to trumpet the wake-up call. And we are to prepare for new frontiers because the Lord has made room for us, bringing us into a place of spaciousness (Rehoboth)!

Quite immediately, we saw this fulfilled. Firstly, in the commissioning of the Chinese version of SAY TO ARCHIPPUS, 要对亚基布说, on 5 September. With more than 800 copies of 要对亚基布说 in circulation, we can expect new opportunities to reach more Archippuses in the Chinese congregations. Secondly, through our very own “Awakened. Aligned. Assigned.” Seminar on 3 December, where 300+ Archippuses assembled, representing 80+ churches! This must surely be the high point of the year! And all glory and praise goes the Lord!

Our aligning initiative, KINGDOM101, quietly progressed in the background, one session at a time. With short breaks in between, this expository journey through the book of Matthew continued its trek through the Sermon on the Mount. At the last session of the year on 23 November, KINGDOM101 reached Session #51 – we are just midway through Matthew 6. KINGDOM101 is now on an extended break, and will resume on 19 April in the new year at a new venue.

The kingdom of God is also being proclaimed amongst the younger ones. This December, at Bartley Christian Church’s Youth Camp, “The Village” theme allowed a deeper exploration of a kingdom community. At Bedok Methodist Church’s Young Adults Camp, I was asked to speak about “Seeking the Kingdom”. I gladly spoke about knowing the King, embracing His kingdom and receiving kingdom assignments. And finally, at Bukit Panjang Methodist Church’s Youth Camp, the assigned text was the book of Colossians. What a wonderful opportunity to declare the pre-eminence and sufficiency of Jesus Christ! And then to work my way through to Colossians 4:17, our ministry’s theme verse.

We are also excited to close this year with a new partner, one that will extend our capability and reach through the visual medium. For a start, a series of introductory videos has been produced and uploaded on our website. We hope that these short clips will help new visitors understand what Archippus Awakening is all about. Feel free to share these videos with your friends! More teaching videos will be produced along the way.

A full year? What an understatement! And yet, not just a full year, but more significantly, a fulfilling one! This might be the end of 2016 but our third ‘day’ has not ended yet. In fact, it has only just begun. For sure, we are entering 2017 with even greater expectations!

It is only appropriate to end this reflection by recognising the many helpers and volunteers – Archippuses – who have sacrificed much of their time, effort and resources. Although from different local churches, these rally with a common kingdom cause, believing that the message of Archippus Awakening is relevant, timely and critical for the Body of Christ. Those in the prayer team deserve special mention as they gather faithfully to pray and to intercede throughout the year. I thank and praise the Lord for each and every one of these saints for their devotion and partnership in the work of the ministry!

Above all, God deserves all praise, glory and honour! It is His grace that has seen us through, and it will be His grace that will take us into the new year. As we plan the way, it is the Lord who will direct our steps. What a privilege to be counted worthy to partner Him in all that He is doing. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey!