And today is a new legacy. My second son, Eann, is actually sleeping by himself. I put him to sleep. My elder son, Aden, is following Teacher Charng, where my youngest son Evan is with my parents. I’m just out from the house for my evening walk with my poodle Loki again. It’s a little bit drizzling. It doesn’t stop me. This is what I’ll call 风雨不改—unwavering despite wind and rain.
We just had our very first Every Nation Johor Bahru service. This is a historical moment of something great.
Morning Movement, Robotic Reflections
Today was such a busy day. Early in the morning, I brought Karyn and Zen to breakfast. Then I went over to Stellar International School to attend the robotics competition. Well done, teachers. They have really done well.
I was asked to give the closing speech, and I anchored on something simple, but powerful. Students cheered for Group 9, the champion group. I asked them, “Why?” They said, “Because they are my friends.” I respected that. Then I asked the first runner-up, “Why were you happy?” They said, “Because we earned it.” Fair. I turned to the losing team: “How do you feel?” They replied, “Nothing.”
That moment made me realize— people have attitude towards winning and losing. But I told them this: the best kind of losing is when you’ve given your all. When you can lose and still feel fulfilled when you’ve done your best—that’s growth.
We talked about teamwork too. Sometimes you do your best, but your teammate lets you down. Like Aden. He was really good at robotics. But he didn’t win—not because he failed, but because his teammate pulled him down. That’s life too. Sometimes we are pulled down by others. And sometimes… we are the ones who pull others down.
But I reminded them: in the long run, it’s better to go together than fast. That’s what legacy is built on—not instant wins, but enduring progress.
Lunch with a Master of Integration
Right after the robotics competition, I rushed over for lunch with Pastor Shawn, the senior pastor of Every Nation Malaysia. He drove from KL instead of flying—just so he could spend time with one church member.
That’s integration. He aligns his travel, his mission, his relationships—all in one move. One domino. High impact, low effort. That’s wisdom. And I’m learning.
Legacy Launched: The First Every Nation JB Service
Then, it was time. I went to Stellar International School again to get ready for our very first Every Nation Johor Bahru service. People came from KL, Penang, Sabah, Sarawak. World-class people serving humbly. No ego. Just spirit.
The school hall transformed. Elevated. It made me wonder: for four years we’ve used this hall—but never like this. The limitation wasn’t the hall. It was our skill.
The Every Nation team showed us what excellence looks like—not for show, but because we give our best to the Lord. The worship was better than a concert. The sound quality—unreal. But it wasn’t about performance. It was about Honour God. Make Disciples.
My Welcome Message: A 100-Year Vision
I was asked to host and welcome the crowd. I told them, “Welcome to the first Every Nation Johor Bahru service. So… any newcomers?” (Everyone laughed. It was the first service—everyone was new!)
But I got serious. I asked them to imagine the year 2035. Then 2125. This isn’t just a one-day gathering. This is a 100-year church.
Then I invited the kids to their service. And I continued with Hebrews 13:7–9: “Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you… imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
I shared how in 2019, we received a vision for a home church. We didn’t even know what that meant. Today, it’s real. We prayed for the city. Then the pandemic hit. But we kept praying.
In the years that followed, we met Karyn, who introduced us to Pastor Tim. We began building Every Nation JB. But after just a few meetings, Pastor Tim passed away.
I asked God for a sign.
- On April 7, I visited a local church. The pastor preached: “JB needs more churches.”
- On April 8, our accountability group met a couple who previously attended Every Nation in China.
- On April 9, at Pastor Tim’s wake, all our future core team members were there.
This was no coincidence. It was confirmation.
John 12:24 says, “Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed…” Pastor Tim was that seed. And now, this church is the fruit.
Why This Matters to Me
I used Proverbs 3:9–10 to close my welcome: “Honor the Lord with your wealth… and your barns will be filled.” We sowed in faith. And we’re already seeing the firstfruit.
Pastor Shawn followed with his message: the joy of salvation. I’ve heard a lot of sermons in my life. Some use big words. Some are deep in theology. But what Pastor Shawn did that day? It was something else. It was simple. So simple that even a child could understand—yet packed with legacy-level wisdom.
He was speaking on the final words of Jesus, the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19–20. And to explain it, he told a story from his home:
“Whenever my wife and I go out, we leave our kids with a final instruction. We don’t say, ‘Water the plants,’ or ‘Tidy your room.’
We say, ‘Do your homework.’
Why? Because the last word always carries the highest priority
It reminded me that Jesus’ last words weren’t casual. They were commissioning words.
Not suggestions. Not nice-to-haves.
But the final call before departure:
“Go and make disciples of all nations…”
So simple. So clear. And that’s what we’re doing here.
The Why Behind My Yes
After leaving my previous church of 30 years, I visited many churches in JB. Most were focused on tradition, not transformation. On religion, not restoration.
But I don’t believe in a form of faith that doesn’t impact the city. If a church doesn’t restore families, heal relationships, or add value to its community—what are we doing?
We are the body of Christ. That’s where church starts—from self.
This isn’t just a story of a church launch.
This is a tree. And one day, it will become a forest.
A strong church. A strong city. A God who is honored.
And today, as we mark the first step of what is to come,
We look ahead with faith—not just to the next 10 years, but to the next 100.
From 2035 to 2125 and beyond, may this church echo through generations.
Every Nation Johor Bahru: The first step of history in the making.
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