New Creation Church

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New Creation Church
Country Singapore
Denomination Non-denominational, Evangelical, Charismatic
Website www.newcreation.org.sg
Clergy
Senior pastor(s) Joseph Prince
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New Creation Church is a megachurch in Singapore founded in 1984. The church currently has a congregation of more than 31,000. It held its inaugural service at The Star Performing Arts Centre on 23 December 2012 to celebrate Christmas as well as its move to the new performing arts venue at one-north.[1] Joseph Prince is the senior pastor of the church. While it is charismatic in practice and evangelical in belief,[citation needed] it is non-denominational[citation needed] and is not affiliated to any church overseas. It is a member of the National Council of Churches of Singapore.[2]

History

The church was founded by a small group of young pioneer leaders including Joseph Prince, Henry Yeo, David Yeow and Jack Ho in 1983. It was later officially registered with the Registrar of Societies in October 1984. It began its Sunday service with an average attendance of 25 people. Gradually, it grew to about 150 members in 1990 when Prince was appointed as the senior pastor of the church.[1]

During the period between 1984 and 1999, the church used different worship venues such as a hall within the premises of the Young Women's Christian Association of Singapore and the ballrooms in local hotels to accommodate its growing congregation.[1]

In 1999, the church moved to the Rock Auditorium in Suntec City Mall. On 23 December 2012, its services were shifted to The Star PAC.[1]

The church grew from 150 members in 1990 to more than 10,000 members in 2004, later tripling that number to 30,000 as of April 2013.[1][3]

Since 2009, Prince has not been on the church payroll, and currently serves as a volunteer pastor at the church.[4]

Outreach

The church is actively involved in outreach work and missions throughout the Asian region, and sends its pastors, leaders and volunteers to several Asian countries annually.[5]

Ten per cent of the church's annual budget which was about US$4 million (as of Year 2007) was set aside for missionary work.[6] Currently, the church is still committed to helping missionaries. In addition, the church also makes donations to local charities annually.[7] Specifically, the church has given SGD581,500 to community groups and charities during the period between April 2007 and March 2008.[8][needs update][dead link]

Media and publications

Broadcast programmes

Prince's English-language broadcast program called Destined to Reign reaches out to more than 200 countries on cable television and satellite networks.[9][10] In addition, Prince's television ministry uses media technology like YouTube and podcasts to allow viewers to watch the broadcast program online and on the move.[10] The church started a television broadcast ministry in 2014 that reaches out to those in Asia and Europe. The programme New Creation Church TV carries Prince's messages and praise and worship segments.[11]

Magazine publication

The church's Communications ministry which is supported by church volunteers (reporters, photographers and designers) currently publishes its own magazine named Solid Rock. [12]

Services

  • English Services The English congregation is led by Senior Pastor Joseph Prince. Four services take place at The Star Theatre in The Star Performing Arts Centre every Sunday, and are broadcast to various overflow service venues in Singapore.[13]
  • Chinese Services These services reach out to the Mandarin- and Hokkien-speaking communities in Singapore. They are held every Sunday at Shine Auditorium along Beach Road.[14]
  • The Zone This ministry oversees the preaching of Christianity to youths aged 13–29.[15] The Zone encompasses four sub-divisions, dealing with Secondary (DARE), Tertiary (ARROW), Varsity-aged (Varsity), and Young Adult (GenRev) churchgoers.[15]
  • Rock Kidz This is a ministry for children from 1 month to 12 years old.[16] The ministry reaches out to various age divisions and has a unit dedicated to children aged 4 to 12 with Autism Spectrum Disorder.[17]

Affiliates

The official affiliates are specifically mentioned on the church's website.[18] These affiliates are:

  • Rock Productions
Rock Productions, which is a business arm of New Creation Church, was founded in 1998 at Suntec City Mall. Rock Productions runs The Star Performing Arts Centre at one-north, in Buona Vista. The shares of Rock Productions are held in trust for the church by four of its registered shareholders. All shareholders and directors are not paid any salary, bonus, fee or dividend. Rock Productions also manages other business entities.[18]
  • Rock Gifts & Book Centre
Rock Gifts & Book Centre, which is managed by Rock Productions, is a Christian bookshop.[19] It was set up at Suntec City Mall in 1999 to sell Christian books, music, sermon resources and gifts. In September 2012, its new store opened at The Star Vista at one-north, in Buona Vista.[18]
  • Daystar Child Development Centre
Daystar Child Development Centre (also known as Daystar) is listed as a Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWO) under the church. It has two branches - which were established at Holland in 1994 and at Jurong West in 2004. This centre is run by management committees under the church.[18]
  • Omega Tours
Omega Tours (also known as Omega Tours & Travel Pte Ltd), which was set up as a travel agency in 2004, is managed by Rock Productions. Omega Tours organises Bible-based tours for New Creation Church members and other interested participants to Israel and other Bible lands.[18][20]

Worship venue

The church moved to a new 5,000 (5,142) seat theatre, now its main worship venue, at The Star PAC in Buona Vista on 23 December 2012.

Officially opened on 1 November 2012, The Star PAC spans levels 3 to 11, known as the civic and cultural zone, of the building called The Star. It is owned and managed by Rock Productions, the business arm of the church.[21][22] The Star PAC comprises a 5,000-seat theatre, a multi-purpose hall, an outdoor amphitheatre, special function rooms and other facilities. The church rents The Star PAC for Sunday services.[23]

The levels from Basement 4 to Level 2 of The Star, known as the retail and entertainment zone (including the car park lots), is called The Star Vista, and is owned and managed by CapitaMalls Asia.[24][25][26]

The Star, comprising The Star Vista and The Star PAC, was envisioned as a "futuristic complex with restaurants, shops and a 5,000-seat theatre", and costs an estimated SGD1 billion.[22][23][27]

See also

References

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  17. Sub-divisions of the Rock Kidz Ministry
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  27. http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20121001-374677.html

External links