Share with us your thoughts on transformation and revival. Do you see it happening to churches in Singapore today?

In my view, the pace is certainly picking up and there is a sense of ‘now’, a sense of immediacy and urgency.  And that’s not just here in Singapore and Asia - I sense it all over the world. There is plenty of reconciliation going on and walls are coming down. I see signs and transformation taking place.

But I think the first major and most important thing when you talk about transformation, revival is the unity of the body.  When you see pastors, uniting together, crying and opening to hearts to one another, no matter what church you’re from - like what’s happening here at the conference, that’s the first great step towards revival. So it’s all about unity among the leaders.

What is your view on the spiritual climate of the church today?

Over the past couple of days, I’ve been speaking and sharing with pastors here at the summit and I get the feeling that there is a spirit of ‘holy unrest’.  Alot of them are saying, “There has got to be more!” To me, that is a sign of the moving of the spirit where there is a need and thirst in the lives of pastors here in Singapore.  Nobody seems to be satisfied and to me, that is the birth of revival.  When you’re satisfied, as Jesus said, it’s difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.  If you are a satisfied pastor – your church is growing, your congregation loves you, you have influence and get respect from your community and the people are getting saved, I think the enemy, frankly doesn’t really mind and doesn’t get too upset. Why? Everything is status quo – no big deal. What he doesn’t like is to see this ‘holy unrest’ where pastors are saying ‘there has got to be something more’ and ‘I want something more’ which really signals the beginning of transformation of the church and unity of the body of Christ in Spore.

What do you think God is trying to tell the spiritual leaders of the church today?

I think the Lord’s spirit is directing and prompting that the walls between pastors has to come down – emotionally and organisationally. Primarily, on the emotional relational level, there’s got to be a real oneness in mind where there is a genuine liking and oneness about each other – a delight in each other’s presence. A delight to share ministry without the fear that somebody is going to steal my thunder, or somebody is going to steal my sheep. I think God is telling the leaders that everyone has to be focussed on sharing His word and expanding His kingdom together. That really is the foundation of transformation and what being one in the Spirit is all about.  Once that happens, revival takes place, the miracles start to happen!

So how important is unity and this oneness in the Spirit that you are talking about? Has it always been a stumbling block in the expansion of God’s Kingdom and purpose?

Well, let’s put it this way. Nothing happens unless unity takes place. Unless there is this genuine love among our church leaders, nothing else happens. God doesn’t pour himself into smashed broken jars – into little fragments of pottery.  Whenever there is discord and splits in the church, there are cracks. And what was supposed to be a beautiful pot becomes a mess of broken pieces. In fact, I’ve met some pastors over the years who are actually proud of their broken piece of the pot, running around and saying, “my piece is bigger than your piece!” That really makes the Lord weep. But when the pot is cemented together, it then again becomes a beautiful vessel that God can pour His spirit into. Then, His miracles and wonders start to take place. And that’s what God is saying here in Singapore, ‘I want to see my family embracing each other. I want to see my family as ONE family.

Is that why you decided to name your ministry Broken Jars?

Well, there are really two sides to metaphor and symbolism of Broken Jars. I think Paul sums it up nicely where he says that only when we allow these vessels where we store our earthly treasure to be smashed, we will discover God’s power. It is in our weakness that His strength is made perfect. Broken Jars is a message and reminder to church leaders the need to have their own jars smashed because it is in our weakness that God’s power is made perfect. The other symbolism of Broken Jars is the representation of God’s desire to heal the church so He can pour out His power and spirit to fully restore the vessel.

What are your final thoughts on the summit?

I think the Lord’s favor is upon the conference and I think He’s glad with the unity, togetherness and love that is overflowing here. I’ve seen so many wonderful things and I think certainly God is pointing us towards love, healing and transformation. And I think that the transformation that people are praying for is not round the corner – I think it is happening right here and now - in the unity of God’s people!

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