November 2, 2025
CCF Singapore’s last Annual General Meeting and D-Leaders Assembly was an afternoon filled with
praise, thanksgiving, and refreshing. It was a time of reflection, looking back at all the wonderful things that
God has done in and through our church this past year. From our thriving ministries like Movement, B1G,
Women2Women, Across, Sports, NXT Gen, and Elevate, to our 19th Anniversary celebration, to our
growing number of newcomers, d-group members and leaders; each milestone was a testament to God’s
blessing, presence, and hand at work in our church.
It was also a time of refreshing, as Bro. Popit Aragones shared a devotional filled with lessons from the life
of Nehemiah. Lessons that encourage us as we continue to lead and serve in ministry.
Nehemiah’s story began in Persia, while he was serving as a cup bearer to King Artaxerxes. It was at this
time that he heard about the trouble and disgrace that the Jewish remnants who survived the exile were in,
and how the wall of Jerusalem was broken and its gates burned with fire. He felt a burden for Jerusalem,
prayed to God, and asked for permission to go and rebuild the wall. Thus, began his story that spoke not
only about building, but also about leadership, perseverance and faith to serve God despite challenges.
Four Powerful Truths from Nehemiah’s Story:
1. Look Back to Your Calling: The journey of serving God is not always easy. It’s often filled with
bumps and obstacles, that even the most devoted of servants have at times felt weary to serve. It is
in these seasons, that we need to look back to that first moment when God called us, and to
remember the very purpose why He has placed us where we are today. For Nehemiah, this was
the moment when he heard about the Jewish remnants and felt a burden and calling rebuild the
walls of Jerusalem. It was this purpose that gave him focus. Just like a camera shot that needs to
focus for the image to turn out clear and not blurry, we too like Nehemiah need to focus on our
calling for God to be able to work and fulfil His purpose in our lives.
2. Passion is Contagious: One heart stirred by God can ignite many. This was the case for Nehemiah,
who stirred the hearts of the people building the walls. These were people who came from different
trades with different skills, yet Nehemiah’s leadership united them with the same passion to rebuild
the wall. Similar to our church and ministry today where we all come from different backgrounds
and experiences, having the same passion as Nehemiah can also contagiously ignite willing hearts
that are united to serve and live out God’s purpose.
3. Persevere in Faith and Trust God: Moments when we begin work to live out our calling are often
also the very moments when opposition comes. For Nehemiah, this came in the form of Sanballat,
Tobiah and Geshem who mocked and ridiculed their work on the wall, and who also schemed to
harm him when they saw how well they were progressing. For us today, opposition may come in
the form of distractions or maybe even discouragement when progress seems slow. Nehemiah’s
story reminds us to keep our hands and heart on the work. He persevered and trusted God despite
opposition, and by God’s hand complete the wall in 52 days. Like Nehemiah, we too need to pray
continually and faithfully trust God to finish the work that He has begun in us.
4. The Greater Work, Restoring Hearts: Nehemiah knew something even more important that required
attention – people’s hearts. After the wall was built, he turned his attention to the people
themselves, intentionally making an effort to guide them back to God. Ezra, the teacher of the Law,
brought out the Book of the Law of Moses and read it aloud in the presence of men, women and
others who could understand. As the law was read, the people wept because they understood how
much they strayed. The greater work was not the wall, but the people whose hearts needed revival.
Like Nehemiah, our greater work is not the ministry but the people we need to shepherd,
encourage, and lead. We must not only be builders of walls, but more importantly be builders of
hearts.
As we look ahead to next year when CCF Singapore marks our 20 th anniversary, we also look forward to
how we can continue faithfully heeding His calling and joyfully serving Him for His glory.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Col. 3:23).