Singapore is coming...
I had the wonderful privilege of spending some time with Tony & Christine Seow who are part of St John - St Margaret's church out in the beautiful country of Singapore.
Tony and Christine have a real desire to host Worship Academy in Singapore. When asked why he thought Worship Academy would be an asset to their country Tony replied "there is a real hunger to go deeper in our worship and to find a deeper reality of what the heart of worship really is."
Tony also said that the vision for a Worship Academy was to completely honour God in every day life, and as this lifestyle of worship was lived out he firmly believed that it would spill over into the corporate worship.
As to what role Tony and Christine would play in setting up a Worship Academy they were unsure, but with the vision and passion they both have I am sure they will be a great asset to moving the vision forward.
Singapore Contact
We are excited to report that we have had well over 100 people express an interest in taking part in Worship Academy Singapore! For this reason there has been an Academy email address registered with Tony - if you would like to chat to him or a member of his team about the Singapore Academy please email here: worshipacademy@ymail.com
Worship Academy Team visit Singapore
The worship academy team are currently ministering in Singapore and Thailand where they have been visiting churches as well as hosting worship seminars and having strategic planning meetings for the development of Worship Academy.
After just a few days in the Singapore and some extremely encouraging gatherings Chris had this to say (Tues 9th Sept):
"An amazing day in Singapore. The casting of the Academy vision has exceeded our wildest dreams . I am even more convinced that after sowing for over twenty years the time is right to develop Worship Academy here - the door is open into Malaysia, Indonesia and China."
These are extremely exciting times for Worship Academy - so many partners are expressing interest in having Worship Academy in their country.
In Thailand the team have hosted further church meetings bringing together huge crowds for worship and teaching. A powerful word was released concerning the youth and worship and so large subscriptions to the sessions were anticipated. The numbers exceeded expectations and at least 2000 per night gathered for the sessions - absolutely staggering considering that only about 1% of the population are believers!
For the last few days the team have been leading teaching at a conference in Korat, Thailand, before returning to Bangkok and the home to the UK. Once again they are having big responses to the challenges being brought up in the times of ministry. Chris reports (Sat 13th Sept):
"Returning to bangkok. Three services tomorrow, two Monday and one Tuesday - then home! Conference in Korat exceeded all expectations - I am so humbled and honoured to serve these lovely believers."
Please click the link below to view a photo presentation from one of the seminars at the Thailand conference:
On 3rd September 2008 Chris Bowater landed at Singapore Changi airport with Lesley, Mark and Rebecca, Steve, Martin and Lawrence. They were met by members of St Johns - St Margaret's church and were taken to the home of the Hou family, their home for the duration of thier stay in Singapore.
Chris' ministry in Singapore began the following evening at SJSM where he spoke and ministered to worship leaders from various churches. The next two days saw the team fully occupied with plenary sessions in the mornings, workshops in the afternoons and worship n concerts in the evenings. Over 220 participated in various workshops. Sunday was spent ministering at two morning services at SJSM. This is what Li Huan, Music Minister at SJSM had to say:
"The Worship Festival was organised by St John - St Margaret's Church to enable congregation members and those involved in worship ministry to encounter King Jesus and be able to engage His World. We were privileged to have Chris Bowater and his wonderful team come to lead us in deep and heartfelt worship. We were ministered to not only by the word that Chris released to our congregation, and the ministry that poured forth as a result, but also by the team members themselves and the humble and loving fellowship that they provided to all who came into contact with them!"
On Tuesday 9th Bishop Rennis hosted a session for about 100 Pastors and Worship Ministry Leaders from various churches and denominations at St Andrew's Cathedral. Chris shared about the vision of Worship Academy and many registered their interest. This was followed by a meeting of leaders at the Chapel of Christ the Redeemer and an evening of worship there.
The team left for Bangkok, Thailand, on Wednesday 10th September. the next morning we were driven to Korat, north-east of Bangkok for the worship camp 'Created to Worship' in Nakornratchasrima. Workshops (seven in total) were conducted that afternoon with a revival meeting in the evening. The final morning at camp was spent in worship with Chris ministering the word. There were about 250 delegates with another 50 joining in the evenings. We broke camp and drove back to Bangkok.
On Sunday morning Chris ministered at two services Seub Samphantewang Church. There were three nights of 'Power of Worship' meetings held in the auditorium of Bangkok Christian College - these were all well attended. on the morning of the 15th Chris had another inspiring meeting with Pastors from various churches in the surrounding districts.
The team left Bangkok for home on Wednesday 17th September. Here are some of the quotes that delegates left behind:
"Worship is not about rules...it's about relationship and attitude...and everyone is to have a worship lifestyle and give the highest honour tp God through worship." Ms Yokkajee
"I was blessed by worshiping and spending time with Chris and the team. I led worship with the youth on the following Sunday and felt a big difference from other times. I felt His presence in my spirit and all I had to do was listen and follow what He wanted me to do. I think it was because I had spent time with those who are deep in worship and have learnt to listen to the Holy Spirit." Joe
"In the camp we learnt that true breakthrough would begin from our lives...the seminar didn;t only teach on theory, but also taught on the 'real worship' which would bring us to God, and in the process, change and deliver us. Chris prophesied over Thailand using the colours of the Thai flag: red for the blood of Jesus covering the nation, blue for the control of God over the nation and white for the Holiness of God over the nation. During worship at the revival nights many were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, as well as healings of physical and emotional illness. Many were delivered and filled with joy and peace." Mr Pornchai
The Thai visit was especially meaningful because during Chris' visit two years ago he had prayed over the youth and prophesied that they would be in the forefront of what God would be doing in Thailand. When Chris and the team arrived in Bangkok this time we found out that a prophecy had been given the week before that God will move around the nation "with the young ones first...and they will camp and worship...the churches will be filled with My worshipers and My sound will overcome the sound of the enemy in this land." Most of the participants at the camp were young.
During one of the meetings Chris invited the congregation to come forward to pray for Thailand - every person present went forward, held the Thai flag and prayed for their nation. It was an extremely emotional moment.
It was exciting to meet the organisers form the Thailand Worship Network. They were a team of young professionals who love the lord and serve Him and His people with much enthusiasm. Mr Mongkhol, chairman of the TWN, had this to say:
"As a follow up to the camp we're setting up a committee for song writing and Thai translation of songs to bring unity. Also our website, which will be a resource for Thai worship, will be launched. Next year we will be discussing the possibility of regional worship training...there is still much to be done and it is in the hands of the young - please keep us in prayer."
