The City
Annual Report 2025
Lead Pastor’s Address
BECOMING A CONSECRATED COMMUNITY
Dear Church,
As we look back on the past year, it is natural to take stock: to reflect on initiatives launched, programmes run, attendance figures, and finances. These things have their place. They serve as indicators of activity and, to some extent, growth. But they are not the full picture.
Over the course of this past year, I have found myself returning to a more fundamental question:
What is our metric for success?
Is it how much we accomplish or how much we are becoming?
Is it how moved people are in the moment or how transformed they are in the long run?
Is it how excellent our production is or how yielded our posture is before God?
We are living in a time when many of the familiar markers of success — both in the world and in the Church — are being called into question. We are more connected, yet more isolated. More resourced, yet more restless. We have access to more content, more community models, more platforms than ever before. Yet beneath the surface, there is a quiet ache, a spiritual fatigue, a longing for something real.
Psychologists have a term for the moment that ache becomes unignorable: the crystallisation of discontent. It is when vague unease solidifies into clarity. Something is wrong, and it cannot stay this way.
The Asbury Outpouring in 2023 captured this tension. What began as an ordinary chapel service became a sustained move of God, marked not by lights, production, or celebrity, but by repentance, hunger, and simplicity. Students lingered in worship. Confession became normal. There were no big names, only surrendered hearts.
At the heart of that movement was something they called the Consecration Room — a space behind the stage where leaders would go to pray and be ministered to before leading worship. If their hearts were not ready, they did not lead. Sometimes worship paused for an hour or more simply because no one was ready to step forward. And yet, God met them.
In contrast to our culture of image and immediacy, Asbury bore witness to something slower, deeper, and more costly. It gave language to something many of us feel but struggle to express: a yearning for the presence of God in a way that is not curated, not manufactured, but holy.
In a culture driven by production, visibility, and metrics, it is easy — even in the Church — to confuse busyness for fruitfulness and activity for transformation. But the true work of the Church is not simply to expand or impress. It is to become a holy people, consecrated, set apart, and responsive to the Spirit of God.
The word consecration may sound weighty, perhaps even old-fashioned. But I believe it is a word we must recapture. To be consecrated means to be devoted — deliberately oriented around what is sacred. It is not primarily about what we do, but who we are before God. It is about our posture, our hidden life, and our willingness to be interruptible, formable, and yielded.
So as we reflect on 2024, I believe the deeper work God has been doing in us is not easily measured. It may not appear in charts or summaries. But I see it—in the quiet confessions, the growing hunger, and the desire among many of you to slow down and be formed. I believe God is preparing something — not first around us, but within us.
As we step into 2025, I am not interested in overextending ourselves with more plans or noise. My hope is simpler, though perhaps more demanding: that we would become a people God can rest upon. A consecrated community. The aim is not to become more impressive, but to become more trustworthy with His presence.
Thank you for walking this journey with us. Thank you for persevering when it has been difficult, and for embracing the unseen work of formation that often goes unnoticed but never goes unfelt by heaven. I am deeply grateful for each of you. And I believe, with all my heart, that the deepest and most lasting work God is doing in us has only just begun.
With gratitude,
Andre Tan
Lead Pastor
Next-Gen Ministries
GROWING OAKS KIDS
“They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.”
Isaiah 61:3
Our Vision: From Acorns to Oaks
Back in 2020, God placed a vision on my heart for the children of our church rooted in Isaiah 61:3. Though they may seem small and delicate now, like tiny acorns, through our love, our prayers, and the power of the Holy Spirit, they are growing. Rooted in Christ, they are becoming oaks of righteousness: strong, steadfast, and living to glorify God.
Out of this vision, God gave us a new name for the ministry: GO Kids — Growing Oaks Kids. This new season marks a renewal and realignment, not just for the ministry, but for family discipleship as a whole. I believe God is raising up a generation of children who will flourish, stand firm in Him, and glorify His name.
The name carries a prophetic purpose and imagery. It builds on the “growing” theme from our past, pointing us forward — from strength to strength and glory to glory. And this growth is not only for the kids. It is an invitation for all of us to grow deeper in Christ together.
What GO Means for Us
• GO Kids — Our children’s ministry
• GO Fam — Our church families
• GO Team — Our volunteers
As Jesus welcomed the little children, so must we. Let us love them, pray for them, and grow them — from acorns to oaks — for His glory.
———— Phoebe Wu, Children’s Pastor
LEGACY YOUTH MINISTRY
2025 was a year of transition for our youth ministry. We recognised that pre-teens (ages 12–13) are at a particularly formative stage, growing in independence not just as individuals, but in owning their faith. More than a programme shift, the move from Sunday School into youth ministry marks a step toward becoming committed believers. With the support of passionate parents and selfless leaders, we piloted and launched the GROOTs (Growing Roots) Class — a space for pre-teens to explore their faith in a genuine way alongside experienced guides as they step into their teenage years.
We also relocated our youth gatherings from 66 Kampong Bugis to Pico Creative Centre. This move has given our youths greater ownership of their space. One where they encounter God, build community, and invite friends to know Jesus. It also sparked a new initiative within the main worship ministry to start a mentoring programme to champion youths in their musical gifts, equipping them to lead and serve their peers at Saturday gatherings.
By God’s sovereign grace, we saw growth in the ministry, including youths from more challenged backgrounds come into the fold. This season has stretched our youths who grew up in church to love across differences in background and struggle. I am endlessly proud of the amazing youth leaders who have pastored our youth through this season of growth, the social service practitioners in our midst who advised and equipped us in helping youths-at-risk, and the mentors and pastors who stepped into the mix to show love and care to these youths who are lavishly loved by our Heavenly Father.
As we step into 2026, we do so with a greater clarity of the task before us to disciple the youths of The City to be young people who love God’s presence, are formed through deep relationships, and carry the compassionate heart of Jesus to their friends. May our young ones start living lives of consequence and radical obedience to our Lord now.
———— Timothy Seow, Youth Director
The Life Of A Disciple
The Life of a Disciple sermon series was a key focus for our church this year, intentionally guiding the congregation into a deeper and more holistic expression of discipleship. Over 16 weeks, the series was anchored on three key dimensions: cultivating a lifestyle of hearing God’s voice, embracing Christlike character through the Beatitudes, and living out our faith through intentional witness and mission.
The series began by re-establishing the centrality of relationship with God, equipping believers to recognise and respond to His voice with greater clarity and confidence. This foundation flowed into a season of inner transformation, where the teachings of Jesus in the Beatitudes challenged and shaped our attitudes, values, and daily conduct. In the final phase of the series, the church was mobilised outward. We were stirred to embody the Gospel through acts of love, bold evangelism, and Spirit-led engagement in everyday life.
The impact of the series has been both tangible and encouraging. Across the congregation, there has been a deepened hunger to hear God intimately, a greater desire to be formed into the likeness of Christ and a growing boldness in living out one’s faith. This has been expressed in meaningful and practical ways, some members have opened their homes during festive seasons, intentionally welcoming and sharing meals with those who might otherwise have been alone, reflecting the heart of Christ in simple yet profound acts of hospitality. Many have also stepped into new levels of obedience, surrender, and missional living. More significantly, the series has contributed to a strengthening of our church culture where discipleship is increasingly understood not as a programme, but as a lifelong journey of becoming like Christ and participating in His mission.
As we reflect on this season, we give thanks for how God has used this series to anchor our church more firmly in Him, drawing us into a deeper walk with God and a renewed commitment to live as faithful disciples of Jesus in every sphere of life.
Evangelism
GRACEHAVEN
Over the Good Friday weekend, in the spirit of Lent, we called for The City family to practice generosity by caring for those in need with Christlike love.
More than 120 volunteers, including children and youths, responded to serve across five different organisations. These included engaging dementia patients in meaningful activities at Ng Teng Fong Hospital, gardening and weeding efforts at Ling Kwang Home, leading seniors in crafts and singing at CareElderly@Circuit Road and Thye Hwa Kwan Nursing Home, and delivering grocery packs to more than 500 rental households in the MacPherson estate.
In December, our volunteers brought the Christmas cheer to CareElderly@Ginger and Thye Hwa Kwan Nursing Home. A group of volunteers also took on the creative task to share the Christmas story with children from the Singapore Christian Home. It was a multi-sensory as the volunteers brought props of different textures, sounds and smells to engage the children.
For many participants, it was the first time they participated in a Love Our City outreach and they were deeply impacted by the opportunity to serve the forgotten and the unseen, and also to serve together as a church family.
MISSIONS REPORT
BY TEO PAULIN
We got our first miracle before we even landed. Our shipment of donated clothes was stuck in warehouses and had threatened not to arrive in time for the giveaway bazaar. But on the morning of our first group meeting in Sonshine Center, the three giant cardboard boxes were already sitting in the next room. God had made sure of it.
This was The City’s third mission trip to Iloilo, and our first time at Sonshine Center’s new building in Atria Park District. In the weeks leading up to the trip, team leader Pastor Phoebe had called for aweekly fast for all 21 members. We prayed for everything from travel safety, physical health, good weather, spiritual encounters, to signs and wonders. Chief intercessor Carol sensed that God would show us miracles, and boy, did He.
During our home visits to disadvantaged communities, our guide Florence led us to her grandmother’s house because she was ill from fever. We laid hands on her arms, and felt her temperature drop from hot to cool in a matter of seconds. At another site, an elderly man suffering from a stroke for 10 years on the right side of his body felt electricity when we prayed for him. “You won’t believe me, but I’m telling you, I feel electricity,” he told our guide and translator in disbelief.
The weather forecast said there would be showers throughout the week, but we saw only sunshine in the day and warm breezes at night. God gave us good weather so we could move about and do home visits with great ease. Another plus? Our 4 teenage boys - Joshua, Lucas, Judah and Emmanuel - could play basketball in the center’s playground with the Sonshine staff every day. Sports really is the biggest cultural ice-breaker.
On day 3, right when we were gearing up for a few key ministry events, three members of Calvin’s family went down with vomiting and diarrhoea. More fell in quick succession - 9 out of 21 were eventually hit. Unfazed, Pastor Phoebe rallied the troops with medicine, comfort food and some quick adjustments. Margaret, who was not rostered to share that night, was roped in at the last minute. With her powerful message of covenant in the face of heartbreak and loss, she was the unexpected super-sub who knocked the ball out of the park. At least four attendees gave their lives to Christ last night. The enemy wanted to play, but the Lord always wins.
There were healings and forecast-defying good weather. But the greatest miracles we witnessed were the lives that God transformed through the work of Sonshine Center. As we served alongside the staff over 5 days, we heard story after story of hope and redemption. Pastor Zach, 29, said he was a penniless street kid who was drawn to Sonshine Center for one thing only: “Snacks.” He, along with the scores of children and youths who have passed through its doors, grew up attending its weekend programmes of worship and teaching. Today, he is building a church to do outreach ministry in the outskirts of Iloilo, and soon to marry a fellow Sonshine youth leader.
Then there is Juvy, a single mother of three with different fathers, who is now into her 20th year working on staff. Her life is now a complete 180 from her past, thanks to her children who attended Sonshine and drew her into its orbit.
We got to know the center’s youth leaders (called “leaders-in-training”), whose education is sponsored by Sonshine and who serve at the center’s programmes, and were instantly struck by their crazy top-notch singing, dancing and MC-ing skills. Some are attending college, others have dreams of becoming teachers (at Sonshine!) and pastors. We saw first-hand how invested and intentional its kids ministry directors Nomil and Valerie were in recruiting, nurturing and training the LITs to serve the community. Warm, confident, and full of joy and energy, the LITs are Sonshine’s biggest ambassadors.
Sonshine’s centre director and lead pastor Chris and his wife Ma’am Des didn’t need a bunch of Singaporeans to help with their already well-run operations. The things we did - grocery-shopping to make food hampers, sorting donated clothing items, visiting homes in the underprivileged areas, hosting the kids and youth parties - could all be done without us. Yet they welcomed us to share in the work and witness how God is moving among them.
The trip allowed the 11 youths on our team to step up like never before. Nataniah boldly shared her testimony at the youth party; Shaniah and Emiliah led in games; even our 4 boisterous boys volunteered to lead morning devotion. Adeliah, Joshua and Judah prayed earnestly for healing and blessing at the home visits, and all 11 made new friends with the LITs through karaoke, dodgeball and photobooths.
Overall, this mission trip felt like church camp - but on steroids. We bonded over hotel breakfasts (best Filipino dish is undoubtedly Chicken Tocino, much like bakkwa!), worshipped and served together, supported one another through sickness, ate and prayed together, but with healings, Xian Yi’s Tiktok memes and dusty rides on the iconic Jeepney thrown in. “Family” took on a fresh new meaning.
Back in Singapore when we had a post-mission gathering, we pondered over the highlights. Andrew, our tireless church missionary who trained and prepared us from the start, said it was seeing how well our team blended in and connected with the locals. Kate was proud that her dad Ivan’s message at the youth party “transformed hearts”. Emiliah said the Ukaay Ukaay bazaar was fun but sobering at the same time, alluding to the stark realities that some in Iloilo live in. The kids’ party, where we met so many beautiful and precious children, showed us what gratitude and child-like wonder look like in their purest forms.
Moving forward, Calvin and Joyce’s family have decided to sponsor a child in the Sonshine programme. Choon Ling, whose faith was ignited during the home visits, has found boldness in praying for strangers in Mandarin - a new ministry is born. Paulin, having seen the unbridled joy on the faces at the Ukaay Ukaay bazaar, has already started a donation pile of good-quality clothes at home. When asked if we would do this again, there were lots of yes’s and one emphatic arm shot up high. We had the greatest time. All glory to God.
CHRISTMAS CAROLLING AT ST. ANDREW’S HOME
About 20 volunteers comprising of adults and kids
Community
THE CITY X GRACEHAVEN BEACH OUTING
On a sunny, breezy Saturday morning, The City volunteers partnered with Gracehaven for a meaningful day out at the beach with families from the Befrienders programme. It was a simple but intentional time of creating space for connection with the families we are caring for.
We kicked things off with group games that quickly brought out the competitive spirit, especially among the children and teens, all eager to win the snack hampers. Laughter filled the air as teams cheered one another on, and what started as friendly competition soon became a shared sense of excitement and camaraderie.
Over lunch, we slowed down to connect more personally, catching up with the families and listening to their stories. These unhurried conversations became a highlight of the day, reminding us that presence often speaks louder than programmes. Each family also received a bag of goodies, including Popular vouchers for the children and board games to encourage meaningful and fun moments together at home.
Our volunteers went above and beyond to thoughtfully plan every detail, ensuring the families felt welcomed and cared for. For some, it was their very first time visiting Sentosa’s beaches. This was a small but significant experience that made the day even more special. We are deeply grateful for every volunteer who gave their time, energy and heart to make this day one of joy and lasting impact.
APPOINTMENT OF PASTORS
On 6th April, the church
ers went above and beyond to thoughtfully plan every detail, ensuring the families felt welcomed and cared for. For some, it was their very first time visiting Sentosa’s beaches. This was a small but significant experience that made the day even more special. We are deeply grateful for every volunteer who gave their time, energy and heart to make this day one of joy and lasting impact.
On 20 April, we celebrated the water baptism of eight members of our community, each one taking a meaningful step of obedience in following Jesus. It was a deeply encouraging moment for our church, as we witnessed lives publicly declaring faith and new life in Christ. Ps. Andre also brought our series on the Seven “I Am”s of Jesus to a close, preaching on Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life, reminding us that because He is risen, we too are raised to new life in Him.
Following the service, we gathered for a Community Lunch as a church family, sharing a meal and enjoying unhurried time with one another. There was a warm, celebratory atmosphere as conversations flowed across tables and generations connected. A special highlight this year was the flower bar, where everyone could build their own bouquet to bring home, a simple but thoughtful touch that added colour and joy to the day.
Altogether, it was a beautiful and memorable time of celebrating God’s work in our lives, marking new beginnings, strengthening our sense of family, and giving thanks for all that He has done and continues to do in our midst.
RESURRECTION SUNDAY + BAPTISMS
HOLY SPIRIT SUNDAY: INTER-GENERATIONS
As part of The City’s rhythm, the year-end focus of the church was on the “doing the works of Jesus in out city” from our Passion Statement. To highlight this, we planned a sermon series — Caught Up In God’s Story, where we featured speakers from different walks of life and experiences to share their stories of how they stepped into God’s calling for their lives.
Alongside the sermon series, we opened up registrations for people who work in the same field and/or passion to form Missional Groups. The aim of these groups are to share experiences and challenges concerning living out the Christian faith in their spheres. 12 groups with over 100 members were formed with representations from industries like Corporate Accounts, and passions like Pastoring Neighbourhood Kids.
We also hosted 3 Learning Journeys with churches who are actively walking in their missional calling. We were invited to visit the churches at their services, followed by a session with their team who shared aspects of their community works and efforts in stewarding their church buildings beyond weekend services.
CAMP PILGRIM
As part of The City’s rhythm, the year-end focus of the church was on the “doing the works of Jesus in out city” from our Passion Statement. To highlight this, we planned a sermon series — Caught Up In God’s Story, where we featured speakers from different walks of life and experiences to share their stories of how they stepped into God’s calling for their lives.
Alongside the sermon series, we opened up registrations for people who work in the same field and/or passion to form Missional Groups. The aim of these groups are to share experiences and challenges concerning living out the Christian faith in their spheres. 12 groups with over 100 members were formed with representations from industries like Corporate Accounts, and passions like Pastoring Neighbourhood Kids.
We also hosted 3 Learning Journeys with churches who are actively walking in their missional calling. We were invited to visit the churches at their services, followed by a session with their team who shared aspects of their community works and efforts in stewarding their church buildings beyond weekend services.
Longing For Home
We gathered on 22nd December for our annual Christmas Service, Jesus in Scripture and Song. The theme for the year was “Come and See”, an invitation to come and behold the Saviour for who He is, as we journey through various individuals’ experiences surrounding the birth of Jesus.
The theme was especially meaningful as it contrasted the theme of the Advent Series, “Missing Jesus”. Throughout Advent we were exhorted to not miss encountering God for who He is because of our own fear, control, religiosity and overfamiliarity, eventually culminating in seeing the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ at the conclusion of the Christmas Service.
Alongside Illuminate Productions, we harnessed light effects, stage design, video, song and visual aids to bring the church into an immersive walk-through of the Christmas story, to bring the focus back onto Jesus in the midst of the festive distractions.
The service started with the “Spoken Word”, calling us to step out of the rush and noise, and into the wonder of the Christmas story. This was followed by 4 movements depicting the experiences of “The Shepherds”, “Simeon and Anna”, “The Magi”, and “Mary and Joseph”. Each segment was followed by a time of worship in song. Reading what Scripture says about the experiences of each group of people and following it with worship in song gave us a deeper appreciation of the emotions and wonder surrounding the birth of the Messiah.
Everyone also received a stone and a candle prior to the start of the service. As we heard and sang about the Saviour who is worthy of our worship, we laid down the stone in our hands as a symbol of laying our burdens or simply our lives before the Lord. The unlit candles in our hands reminded us of the yearning and longing that Israel felt as they awaited the coming of their Messiah. As the candles were lit, it declared that the King has come, the Light has come, no darkness, burden, sin, or despair—is too great for the light of Christ to overcome. A call was given to receive the salvation that the Lord provides and the service ended with a time of worship and praise.
The Christmas Service was a unique departure from the usual busyness, hurried faces and long queues of the festive season. Its meaning can be lost at times as we go through the routine of Christmas. Remembering the birth of Jesus through Scripture and Song helped us anchor our celebration in the deep wonder, significance and meaning of Christmas, the birth of the One who will bring light in the darkness.
At A Glance
226
Main Service + GUSH Kids
Sunday Average
80
GUSH Kids
30
Legacy Youths
10
Tertiary Young Adults
15
LifeGroups
34
Sent Out To Mission Trips
8
Water Baptised
9
Children Dedicated
123
Love Our City Volunteers Mobilised
Closing
We closed the year with hearts full of wonder, gratitude, and renewed devotion, we are reminded that every story, every outreach, every gathering — whether grand or quiet — is part of a greater narrative: the story of God making His dwelling among us.
Looking ahead to 2025, we sense the Spirit continuing to draw us into deeper consecration, community, and commission. We believe He is preparing The City not just for more activity, but for greater intimacy with Him and greater impact through Him. This will require courage, clarity, and a collective willingness to say yes — not to busyness, but to obedience; not to performance, but to presence.
Let us remain a people who stay hungry for God, tender before Him, and faithful in the small and hidden things. May we continue to raise the next generation with vision, serve the city with compassion, minister to the nations with humility, and worship Jesus with undivided hearts.
The journey continues. Not by might, not by power, but by His Spirit.