Unable to attend Watchnight service on-site in 2020, Trinitarians were abuzz with excitement for 2021’s service and the prophetic word of the year.
By Lye Hui Xian
The anticipation for Trinity’s yearly Watchnight service began as early as 8pm on December 10, when online booking was first available. Within a minute, all the seats were snapped up.
On New Year’s Eve, Trinitarians made their way to the Sanctuary with excitement, eager to cross over into 2022 with God and His people.
Others tuned in online across Singapore, Trinity’s three regional centres, and various continents around the world.
Those who arrived early for the special pre-event program were greeted by Pastor Melvin Lim (Area Three) and Sister Hannah Lee (Trinity Broadcast) who drummed up the atmosphere with a fun, challenging quiz on 2021 church happenings.
Roving cameras also captured the emotions of Trinitarians both on-site and at their homes as gifts lovingly crafted by various pastoral staff were given away as surprises, stirring cheers from the audience.
After a time of exuberant worship, eight Trinitarians – five from our local ministries and one from each of our regional centres – shared their personal stories of God’s provision, healing, transformation, and breakthrough in their lives despite the uncertainties and difficulties of the global pandemic.
Ivan Cheong was visibly moved by the testimonies. “Eugene’s testimony especially spoke to me. I also have the same reoccurring back issue as he did. The healing of his back proves that our God can heal! My faith has been built up. I want to continue declaring God’s healing and restoration over my body.”
Our God will repay
With the global pandemic operating like “swarming” locusts that have eaten away much in the past two years, Lead Pastor Dominic Yeo felt God impressing on him Joel 2:25-26:
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten — the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm — my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed.”
On this note, God gave Pastor Dom the theme of the year: Restoration for His Mandate (full-sermon available on the Trinity App).
“The years the locust has eaten represents content, time, possibilities, and potentials you have lost. Scammers may have robbed you, investments went wrong, or relationships soured. Perhaps you’ve been robbed of your joy and are feeling indifferent and filled with apathy.
"Beyond our human understanding of restoration, which is limited to the broken returning to its original state, biblical restoration will bring something to a state even better than the original,” encouraged Pastor Dom.
God’s restoration will renew our joy, expand our influence, remove our shame, and defeat our enemies. How? God will first restore our vision and direction in Him. From there, He will accelerate us into His great plans for our lives. On top of restoring our personal well-being, God desires to rebuild the spiritual walls of our nation by restoring His House and strengthening families.
What a now-word to start the year! Trinitarians were uplifted and hopeful, ready for the restoration God had in store for 2022 and the second half of the Decade of Expansion.
Hope for 2022
Desmond Koh and Angie Ong, who were led by their daughter and son-in-law to receive Christ in October 2021, shared: “This is the first time we prayed through the new year instead of counting down. It was a very meaningful experience. The testimonies shared were very touching and showed that God works in amazing ways. Pastor Dom’s message on restoration gives us hope for the new year. We are excited to learn more, grow, and understand what God’s plan is for our lives.”
Koh Hwee Cheng, from Area Five, was excited to hear the prophetic message: “It was a clear affirmation from God that 2022 is going to be a year of the fulfilment of His plans and promises for me, even with the uncertainties and impossibilities. The message encouraged me to stand firm and stay focused on what He has promised. I am looking forward to how He is going to unfold and direct the fulfilment of His mandate.”
Herchelle Valentina Felix, who shared her testimony of God’s miraculous provision for her family earlier at Watchnight, was inspired by the message: “In the new year, I believe that God will restore the lost years of my career and bring me to an even better position than where I started. I also believe that this year, my relationship with God will strengthen as my communion with Christ deepens.”
Teo Miao Chin, who tried for weeks to book a seat for Watchnight service, was thrilled to be on-site: “The testimonies, especially that of Joel and Eugene trusting God for healing, encouraged me tremendously. My faith is strengthened when I see the Lord’s goodness and faithfulness working in the lives of fellow Trinitarians.
Pastor Dom’s message greatly encouraged me too. In the past two years, the ‘locusts’ have indeed eaten some of my relationships, brought some health concerns, and caused me some lost opportunities.
In 2022, I claim what the Lord said in Joel 2:25-26, that He will restore, give back, and repay everything that the locusts have eaten, and more!”
About the writer – Hui Xian, a Trinitarian since 2011, serves as a Spiritual Parent with her lifelong-Trinitarian husband Kenneth. Together with their two lively daughters, they love exploring Singapore’s parks.
Reflect & Respond
What testimony of God’s provision, healing, transformation, or breakthrough for you in 2021 can you share with a friend this week?
What area of your life are you trusting God for biblical restoration in 2022?
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