29/10/2018
There has been a statement misattributed to my father, Canon James Wong, that Billy Graham did not make the pronouncement that Singapore is an Antioch for Asia in 1978. For the record, his specific stance is that he is unable, after a 40 year lapse, to recall the specific details of where and when Dr Graham made this remark.
I understand that checks have been made with Billy Graham Evangelistic Association on whether there are any records of him making that statement. Unfortunately none have turned up.
Since there are no official records of this statement, it was probably not made during the public night rallies. However, it could have possibly have been made in a closed door private address eg to a Pastors gathering - and perhaps even as part of a prayer.
Nevertheless, it is hard to fathom that this association between Billy Graham and “Singapore as an Antioch” came from out of thin air. A statement to this effect would surely have created enough of an impression then, for the quote to even have been attributed to him in the first place. I guess we will only find out the truth about this “kingdom legend” on the other side of eternity ......where all memories will be made perfect 😉
All said, it is evident that Dr Graham’s visit in 1978 has proven catalytic in the missions orientation of the Singapore church. My Dad took a one year sabbatical from the Diocese of Singapore that year to organise the Asian Leadership Congress on Evangelism in November 1978 (which followed on from the Lausanne Global Congress on Evangelism convened by Dr Graham in 1974).
On 2 January 1979, a meeting was called for Christian leaders at the national level to establish a Singapore association for Missions to advance the missionary task of World evangelism. The result of this meeting was the setting up of the Singapore Centre for Evangelism and Missions (since renamed Singapore Centre for Global Missions).
I am sharing this now because I believe in my spirit that we are entering into the final 40 day season to humble ourselves before the Lord and respond in simple faith and obedience to what the Lord may be leading each of us to do as individuals, and corporately as a body, to see Singapore enter fully into her high calling in Christ as a nation.
I woke up yesterday morning with a deep sense of despair. Unable to shake off the feeling, I began to pray and worship the Lord. I was then led back to the word Lou Engle released over Singapore on 16 March 2017 at Kingdom Invasion.
Please watch the video in the attached link:
http://redeemedforever.blogspot.com/2017/03/2018-40ths-year-of-billy-grahams.html?m=1
Upon listening to Lou’s original word, the thought occurred to me that if Singapore has been in a cyclical review since 2017, then perhaps it is drawing to a close this December. 40 days from today is 8 December - which is smack in the middle of the 5 days of the Billy Graham Crusade from 6-10 December 1978.
From an AFA perspective - Here’s a timeline of events leading up to this current point:
On 28 Feb 2017, the Lord put into our hearts to register a company limited by guarantee with the Singapore registrar of companies. It took us a full nine months (which is considered Long by Singapore standards) to get the registration approved.
16 Mar 2017 - Lou Engle first released the word about a 40 year cyclical review for Singapore at KI2017, and the need for Singapore to enter into the fullness of its Antioch call through prayer and fasting.
On 28 Nov 2017, the ACRA registration was approved. A day later, Lou Engle was passing through town and spoke at a Pastor’s lunch. He reminded Singapore of its Antioch Call and the cyclical review for the nation which was first released at KI 2017.
13 March 2018 - The message was reiterated by Lou Engle again during Kingdom Invasion 2018. http://thir.st/blog/dont-choose-antioch-end-arrogance-apathy-lou-engle-warns-singaporeans-kingdom-invasion-2018/
23 March 2018 - launch of AFA, about 50 people showed up via word of mouth.
23 June 2018 - clear word received during prayer time at Marina Bay reservoir reiterating the significance of this AFA offering basket as a first step for the nation to “choose antioch”
Week of 27 Oct 2018 - multiple words received from different sources that time is running out for Singapore to respond to the antioch call. I am reminded of the personal word received and the need to respond in simple faith and obedience
Three times now, the message has been proclaimed publicly over Singapore - what will be her response?
Here are three suggested next steps:
1. Join in the monthly AFA prayer meetings to discern collectively what the Holy Spirit would have us do in response to this mandate. Follow this page for updates on dates, time and venue.
AFA was set up as a response to this call. It is intended to be a grass roots equipping movement to encourage every Singaporean believer to play their part in this Antioch call.
It is envisioned that each generation can and will play a role in fulfilling the great commission - fathers and mothers (generation blessed) will help to resource and send our best and our brightest, and that sons and daughters will respond to the call to go (generation blessing).
2. Enter into this season of prayer and fasting for a Jesus movement to take hold in Singapore and the nations around us. Deny the pleasures of this world for the next 40 days, in order that we may lay hold of God’s word for this season - in particular the books of Daniel and Esther (the two books which Lou mentioned in 2017 as being given to Singapore)
To understand more about the heart around this, would recommend reading “The Jesus Fast: The Call to Awaken the Nations” https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AO3OS0K/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1
3. Sign up for the upcoming “School of Power and Love” from 5-8 December by evangelist Todd White. See the following link for details https://powerandlove.org/si2018/
Its no coincidence that this falls on the exact dates that Billy Graham held his crusade in Singapore in 1978.
It also resonates with a prophecy that Lou received in 2012 (see p184 of The Jesus Fast) that “The call” will move from fasting and prayer to proclamation of the gospel with signs and wonders, and that Billy Grahams’s mantle is falling on the nations. https://youtu.be/J8nH3zaFvjk
Yours In Christ,
Timothy Wong
https://www.antiochforasia.sg/
Antioch for Asia is a relational network dedicated to serving Singapore fulfill its call as a training, equipping and sending center as an Antioch for Asia.
