If you did not get a chance to hear Jon Koh speak yesterday, please take a listen: https://youtu.be/4fbw9HDxlOg?t=2248
There are many gems and much wisdom that can be gleaned, but today I want the entire church family to hear Jon & Brenda’s heart in our lead up to these moments:
At our last AGM, I asked that every leader (Elders, Board of Directors, Deacons) engage in listening prayer to hear from God if they were in the right position. The focus was not on skill, fit, ability – the focus was simply hearing God whether or not each leader was in the right position at the right time. As a church family who so desperately wants to be at the centre of God’s will, we risk the pains that God’s plan are not always our plans.
It is a bitter-sweet moment when a leader senses the Father leading them elsewhere, but we celebrate obedience when putting our ears to the Lord.
Jon, Brenda, and Isaac have been such a blessing to the church family and to my family personally.
Please see below email from Jon in what he felt the Lord doing in his family’s life while putting his ear to the Lord..
We love you Koh family!!!
Hi Gabe,
For the past 4 years, I’ve had the privilege to serve as an Elder at Lifespring. Before I am a Father to the Lifespring Family, I am a father to my own family. My greatest responsibility is to bring up my son to know, love and follow Jesus. Isaac was invited by his classmates to a youth group in our neighborhood with many kids his age. He has been attending the fellowship for several months and always looks forward to going there every week to be with his friends.
We plan to send Isaac to the public high school in our neighborhood. Since he will no longer be in a Christian school, having a group of Christian friends his age takes on a greater importance. Especially during the critical teen years. As we all have heard from your own testimony, it was the Overflow group of Christian friends in your teenage years that played a major role in your Christian walk.
To this end, I will be stepping down from my role as Elder. And we will be leaving Lifespring. So that we can worship together as a family.
Lifespring is the church that has a special place in my faith journey. Since coming in 1987, I was part of the original Teens Group with Lynnette and Joo Lip and Joo Meng. Thereafter I was a part of Young Adults Ministry YAM days with Mae Tuin and Adrian & Sherene. I led the Oikos Life group when April & Alex, Nick & Helene were still single. I’ve served as worship leader, Missions Deacon and Teaching Deacon, preached on Sunday, sent out as missionary to South Africa.
Brenda was part of the team to count Lifespring’s offering for many years up until Covid. Brenda and I also served together as Life Group Leaders, as Shepherds in Kid’s Harbour and as an Eldership couple. We played a role in the Incorporation of Lifespring. We’ve helped people move house. Helped others in marriages. Helped at Street Mission. We’ve been faithful in prayer. As members of Lifespring family, we have both served in Lifespring for many years in many ways.
Lifespring is in a good place with you, Gabe as lead pastor. Jerry as Elder. Ryan, Laura and Andrew on the Pastoral team. Leona, Carol, Mae Tuin, Tse and John Tan on the Board of Directors. As you listen to God and are quick to obey Him, I have every confidence that you guys will take Lifespring to the next level.
Thank you,
Jon.