Every building journey in Covenant EFC has been an adventure to see the unseen, because we are called to “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7).
The BPJ Journey
We were a congregation of 400 when we began our BPJ journey. Many of us were young — in our careers and with young children to raise. We had been nomads for years. Our conservative attempts to bid for land resulted in us succeeding only on our third try. The gift of BPJ was need-based, and a big relief after the wandering years. God saw our inexperience and fears and graciously met us where we were. He gave us the security of a bank loan even though He provided exceedingly above all we could ask or think. God signposted this journey with gifts from the most unexpected sources. We completed the BPJ journey without ever drawing on the bank loan.
The WDL Journey
The WDL journey was different. It began shortly after we completed BPJ. Our then Senior Pastor Edmund Chan invited the Church Board to gather on the second level of Vista Point carpark. His instruction was simply to look over to the vacant land (where WDL centre now stands), pray, and cast our secret vote according to “what God was saying to us”. I looked but could not see. However, my heart prompted “take the land”. The Board’s unanimous vote that day was to buy the land.
What happened next confounded us. As soon as we could, the Board took steps to secure a bank loan, but all our attempts were inexplicably roadblocked. Looking back, I now understand that God was stretching and growing us. Unlike the BPJ journey, God had removed the “training wheels” of a bank loan in this one.
The WDL journey was marked with a lot of wrestling — balancing prudence and faith; overcoming our fears; finding faith and courage to follow God’s calling; discerning God’s direction each step of the way. In the end, it was clear that God called, led, and brought us to completion. He provided enough funds in time for both the land and building without a loan ever being taken. The One who calls us is faithful and He will do it (1 Thess 5:24).
This blog barely does justice to the memories that makes my heart strangely warmed as I see and recognise that my Saviour is with me on these journeys. The journey of a church building is really about building us, His church. Imagine the Almighty Creator God meeting us in our brokenness and limited understanding. He has led us to Himself through a track record of goodness and faithfulness. May this seed fund faith journey be a time when our hearts burn afresh within, recognising that our Saviour is with us on this journey.
