News report on NCC's Miracle Seed Sunday - My Paper: Mar 10, 2009

News @ AsiaOne

$19 million in less than 24 hours

The congregation at New Creation Church raised a whopping $19 million for the construction of its new premises at Buona Vista. -myp

Tue, Mar 10, 2009
my paper

THE congregation at New Creation Church raised a whopping $19 million for the construction of its new premises at Buona Vista - in less than 24 hours.

In a show of support, a record number of 22,000 people turned up for services at the Rock Auditorium at Suntec City Mall three weeks ago.

The donations were collected over four services on Feb 15.

In comparison, a month-long charity drive by NTUC Income, Project Love, raised about $375,000.

Following the success of its fund-raiser, the New Creation Church announced the amount it raised to its members on Feb 22. However, when contacted, the church declined to comment.

New Creation Church-goer Angelique Lee, 26, a full-time student, said her donation was a form of thanksgiving and appreciation "for all that God has blessed me with".

'Attending church has helped to transform my life and make me a better person over time,' she explained.

Graduate student Huang Wei Hsuan, 26, who is not a member of the church, felt that part of the funds could be used to "help those who are really in need, instead of being fully used to construct a new building".

'Is it really a good idea to build a new building now? Should the church members be advised to keep more for rainy days?' he asked. But many others who are not from the church were heartened by the congregation's generosity.

'I feel it's incredible that such kindness, empathy and generosity can be shown in such bad economic times,' said Mr Shawn Chin, 24, a civil servant.

joyfang@sph.com.sg

Straits Times report on NCC's Miracle Seed Sunday (2009)

STRAITS TIMES - 11 March 2009
CHURCH COLLECTS $19m IN ONE DAY FOR LIFESTYLE HUB
By Theresa Tan & Melissa Sim

MEMBERS of the New Creation Church and their friends donated an average of $864 each one Sunday last month, netting the church a whopping $19 million for its upcoming multimillion-dollar lifestyle hub in Buona Vista.

The sum is believed to be the largest ever collected in Singapore in one single day and comes at a time when charities say donations are dipping, as the recession worsens and people are keeping their hands firmly in their pockets.

This, however, is not the first time the New Creation Church, an independent church led by Senior Pastor Joseph Prince, has collected such a staggering sum in one day. One Sunday in April last year, the church collected about $18 million during its first 'Miracle Seed Sunday'.

The church declined to be interviewed, saying its affairs were 'a personal expression of worship'.

But The Straits Times understands that 'Miracle Seed Sunday' is a day when the church's members 'sow a seed, expecting miracles'.

Mr Prince declared during his sermons early last month that Feb 15 would be a 'Miracle Seed Sunday'.

A record 22,000 people, including members and their friends, showed up on Feb15 for the church services and pledged $19 million. The proceeds are to go to the church's new cultural and entertainment complex being developed by its business arm, Rock Productions.

Last September, Rock Productions told The Straits Times it had raised about a third of the $500 million it needed to build the complex. It is partnering property giant CapitaLand to build the close to $1 billion project, envisioned as a 'futuristic complex with restaurants, shops and a 5,000-seat theatre'.

CapitaLand will own and manage the complex's retail and entertainment zone. Rock Productions will own and manage the civic and cultural zone, which will house the 5,000-seat theatre to be used for the New Creation Church's Sunday services.

Church members interviewed said they were happy to donate to the new complex. Bank executive Marcus Wong, 28, said: 'It's not compulsory. Whoever has the heart and wants to give can come forward to give. The building is for God, so we see it as an offering.'

When asked whether she thought the money should go to helping the poor instead of constructing a building, another church member, a businesswoman who declined to be named, replied: 'I believe with the new building, we are giving to the kingdom of God, and God will be able to bless more people.'

The New Creation Church is one of the fastest- growing churches in Singapore. It was founded here in 1984 by a group of young Christians and has grown from 25 believers to more than 18,000 members today. It had an income of $55.4 million during its last financial year.

Do you believe in love at first sight?

My response to the question, "Do you believe in love at first sight?" is as follows:

I feel the word "love" is used so loosely, it has become confusing rather than useful during communication. The word is used to described uncontrolled, fluctuating FEELINGS. The same word is also used to define an informed DECISION and a deliberate COMMITMENT.

Do I believe in love at first sight? I cannot answer that question until the question is re-framed in terms that are more precise and accurate.

Feelings of attraction and fondness at first sight - Yes

Have I ever had a feeling of fondness for someone I met for the first time? Yes. Have I ever experienced a strong feeling of attraction to someone when I saw her for the first time? Yes.

Do I believe that in future, I may meet someone for the first time and instantly feel a liking for her? Yes. I don't think that is an unlikely scenario. Do I believe that in future, I will see someone for the first time and experience a strong feeling of attraction to her? Probably, yes.

Decision to a life-long commitment at first sight - No

Have I ever committed my whole life, all that I am and all that I have, to someone I met for the first time? No. Have I ever decided to protect, to provide for, to respect and to cherish someone as long as I live, when I saw her for the first time? No.

Do I believe that in future, I will meet someone for the first time, and I will deliberately commit my whole life - all that I am and all that I have, to her? No. Certainly, not. Do I believe that in future, I will see someone for the first time, and I will make an informed decision to protect, to provide for, to respect and to cherish someone as long as I live? No. I am sure I will not.

From initial feelings (beyond one's control) to life-long commitment (deliberate decision)

Do I believe: (a) I would meet someone, (b) and at first sight, the both of us become mutually attracted/ connected to each other, (c) and after getting to know each other more deeply, we find ourselves compatible/ complimentary to each other in the key areas, (d) and after careful considerations, we decide to commit exclusively to each other in a life-long relationship?

Yes. I believe.

The first part of point (b) though, may read alternately as "after meeting each other over several occasions" rather than "and at first sight".