Church of Singapore (COS) was established in 1963 as an independent charismatic local church. We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit and the operation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Over the years, God has blessed us greatly. We presently have over 4,000 members worshipping in 15 different weekly Services. As a family church, our congregation is a diverse mix of young people and elderly folk from all walks of walks of life.
The past year has been turbulent, marked by natural disasters, human-induced crises, military conflicts (Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine), and trade wars leading to rising prices and inflation. These challenges have significantly impacted the quality of life globally. Yet, we thank God for His continued protection and grace throughout it all.
In 2024, the theme God gave the church was: It’s Harvest Time! Let’s Go! This was accompanied by three key emphases: “Catch the Vision,” “Stand in the Gap,” and “Make a Difference.”
Brothers and sisters recognised the urgency of the harvest through the theme seminar, Sunday pulpit messages, and life group Bible studies, which led to active gospel-sharing, bearing witness, and bringing others to Christ. According to the church’s August 2024 annual survey, 74.9% of members reported witnessing to others in the past year—a significant 15% increase from 59.9% in 2023. Thank God for this wonderful progress as our brothers and sisters continue going forth into the harvest field.
However, upon reflecting on last year’s progress, church leaders observed that while members had gained a general understanding of the theme and focus, there was a need for deeper personal conviction, life transformation, and greater responsiveness to God’s call. As such, the church has decided to carry forward the same theme for 2025: It’s Harvest Time! Let’s Go!
The three emphases—“Catch the Vision,” “Stand in the Gap,” and “Make a Difference”—will remain as our focus.
We believe that to see lives transformed, we must seek the light of God’s Word, the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and His anointing and power. As we stand in the gap, we rely on the Holy Spirit to bring about these transformations.
This year, let us humbly consecrate ourselves in prayer, seek the Lord’s face, and offer our lives as a living sacrifice to Him. The first Sunday of this year, Consecration Sunday, marks the start of a year devoted to seeking and praying to the Lord!
Catch the Vision
May the Lord open our eyes to see His vision for this generation and the perilous times we are living in. Today, people are self-centred, materialistic, and distant from God. Let us follow Jesus’ example, who, when He saw the crowds, recognised their distress and lack of direction, likening them to sheep without a shepherd. He declared to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.”
Let us see what Jesus saw and receive the vision for these last days. The harvest is ripe and ready, and we must act! Let us pray to the Lord of the harvest to send more workers into the field and equip us to do His work.
Stand in the Gap
Globally, Christians (including Catholics) make up 33% of the population, yet 42% of people remain unreached, spanning 42% of the world’s ethnic groups. In Singapore, Christians account for only 18.9% of the population. Many, including foreign workers and others in our midst, have yet to hear the gospel and know Christ.
These gaps are vast and evident. Are we willing to stand in these gaps and intercede for them? In our communities, there are many living in hardship who need love, care, and, most importantly, the grace of God’s salvation. Let us respond with Isaiah’s words: “Here am I, send me!”
Make a Difference
Our lives, once weak and burdened by sin, were transformed through God’s love and redemption. As His redeemed children, we now carry the gospel of grace. This treasure within us can bring transformation to others, turning old lives into new ones.
We are called to be the light and salt of the earth, bringing hope and direction to the lives of those around us. Through the gospel, we can help others find meaning and fulfilment in their lives.
Plans for the Year
The church will continue to share the theme and its emphases through the pulpit. Life groups will also explore these emphases in greater depth, seeking God’s will and responding in action.
The first Sunday of March has been designated as Evangelistic Sunday, themed “Let’s Get M.A.D. Sunday” (Make a Difference). The church will present and publicise its various outreach and community service ministries, aiming to lead people to know and accept Christ, thereby bringing transformation to their lives.
A Call to Prayer
Lord, we come before You with one heart, seeking Your face in prayer. We turn away from our sins and commit to following You alone. May You forgive our transgressions and anoint us afresh with Your Spirit. Make us faithful soldiers of Christ in these last days, bold in preaching the gospel so that more lives may be saved and discipled for Your glory.
On behalf of Elder Board,
Bro Chao Tian Kong
Church Elder
05.01.2025
By 2007, our congregation size has grown to over 3,000 members. And in 2013, we celebrated our 50th anniversary with a series of celebratory events – an Open House, a Combined Church Camp, High Praise and a Thanksgiving Celebration Dinner. As we continue to grow and expand, construction works started for the building of a new hall, Zion Hall, and it was completed in 2019.
2007 - PRESENT
1996 - 2006
By the late 1980s, the church membership has grown to approximately 1,000. Our leaders started engaging the owners of 145 Marine Parade Road to purchase the property. In 1987, the owner finally agreed to sell the freehold property to us. Praise the Lord!
In 1989, the old building was demolished and construction of the new building began. During this time, our services were held in Odeon Katong Theatre and 41 Koon Seng Road. The new building was finally completed in 1992.
To better serve our community, we joined hands with three other churches and para-church organisations to found St Luke’s Hospital in 1991. Tung Ling Student Care Centre was also set up in 1995.
1985 - 1995
As the church grew, there was a pressing need for more space. In 1977, the chief tenant offered us the chief tenancy of 145 Marine Parade Road on the condition that we continued to operate a school under the name “Tung Ling”. With that, “Tung Ling Bible School” was established in 1978.
We also branched out into Church of Singapore (Balestier) in 1979, Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah) in 1981, Church of Singapore (Woodlands) in 1987 and eventually, Church of Singapore (Harvest) in 1996.
Apart from branching out, we also sent our first missionaries for church planting work in 1977.
1974 - 1984
Our first meeting place was under a canvas roof at 8 Siglap Plain. As the number of believers increased, a new meeting place was urgently needed and we started meeting in an old bungalow at Mt Sophia that was due for demolition. At this time, the number of English-speaking members increased and the service language was changed to English and Mandarin.
In 1965, a church member learnt that the rooftop of a pre-war control building was available for rental. After successful negotiations, we moved into 145 Marine Parade Road.
1963 - 1973
Church of Singapore was founded by the late Bro Goh Ewe Kheng, the late Bro Cheng Kai Ho, and the late Bro Huang Jen Shen. In 1963, there was a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Singapore and Malaysia. Many Christians, including our 3 founding elders, were baptised in the Holy Spirit. Church of Singapore was founded in December 1963 to take care of these newly Spirit-filled Christians who were hungry for the Word of God and knowledge of the Holy Spirit.
DECEMBER 1963