A landmark event took place in Singapore’s Indian faith community on November 21, 2024.

Called the Celebration of Hope (not related to the 2019 national event of the same name), this event brought together 500 pastors from 40 different churches in an extraordinary show of unity. 

Pastors and leaders from various denominations—Anglican, Methodist, Charismatic, and Pentecostal—came together under one roof in worship and surrender.

Organised by the Alliance of Indian Ministries, the meeting was hosted by Pastors Joel and Sandy Samuel Jerome and the team at Cornerstone Community Church, Tamil at Odeon Katong. Ps Joel, a lay pastor with Cornerstone Community Church, Tamil, is the National Co-ordinator in AIM’s leadership team.

“We have been planning for this event since December 2023,” Ps Joel told Salt&Light. “The Alliance of Indian Ministries (AIM) organises a monthly meeting with pastors and this was where the vision for such an event was shared.”

Such a vision was no small feat to realise.

“There are around 70 Indian churches under AIM and this is across multiple languages like Tamil, Telegu, Punjabi, Hindi and Malayalam and across multiple denominations like the Anglicans, Methodists, Pentecostal and Charismatic churches,” Pastor Joel added.

“Every month that the AIM pastors met, we kept talking about oneness and unity, to come together as Indian churches to reach out to the Indian community.”

Pastors Joel and Sandy Samuel Jerome of Cornerstone Community Church hosted the launch of COH 2024 on behalf of AIM at Cornerstone Community Church, Katong.

Celebration of Hope 2024 was a historic event that marked the launch of a church growth initiative for Indian churches to collaborate and reach out to the community as the Body of Christ.

“It illustrated the possibilities that arise when faith communities unite under a common goal,” Ps Joel said. 

From dream to vivid reality

Planning took two years, but the dream of such an event was birthed back in 2018 when AIM held its first Leadership Conference. Guided by AIM, with Pastor Sam Gift Stephen as chairman, the event embodied a shared purpose amid diverse backgrounds.

Chairman of the Alliance of Indian Ministries, Ps Sam Gift Stephen and his wife Grace giving the charge for evangelism.

“It’s a testament to the power of a united faith and vision,” said Ps Joel.

He elaborated: “Previously, Indian churches were not united. Many church pastors were protective and apprehensive about collaboration, fearing that members of their congregations might leave to join another church if they opened up. While unity and oneness appeared to exist on the surface, it was not genuinely reflected in their hearts and minds.”

For an event like COH to have taken place marks a genuine change in the hearts and minds of the Indian churches.

“This event is significant because over 40 churches are now committed to the COH initiative, agreeing that we need to work together,” Ps Joel said. “We can no longer operate as fragmented and competitive entities; instead, we are coming together as a united church to reach out to the Indian community.”

COH is a collective church initiative over a nine-year period, ending 2033.

It brings the focus on evangelism to the forefront for every church and ministry that reaches out to the Indian community. Given the many different languages and denominations, there is room for these churches to do evangelism their own way during Easter and Christmas.

“On the other side, we are coming together as the Body of Christ, joining hands, praying and interceding together for the Indian community,” he said.

“According to the current statistics, the Indian Christian population in Singapore is 37,000. The mission of COH is for this population to grow to 100k by 2033. Why 2033? That’s the year when, 2000 years back, Jesus gave us the Great Commission.”

It is a lofty goal but Ps Joel emphasised that it is “not just aspiration but a strategic plan for outreach and healing.”

An event to remember

The day stood as a testament to faith, fellowship, and focused vision. The Indian churches worked together to run the event.

Worship was led by Kingdom Generation (KG), another initiative launched by AIM in January 2024. KG empowers Indian youth and young adults to seek His Kingdom first and equips them to be warriors for Jesus. The KG worship team consists of around 30 members, comprising youth and young adults from seven different churches.

Worship led by Kingdom Generation (KG), a next gen movement launched by AIM in early 2024. KG has volunteers of all ages, Sairah Samuel Jerome being the youngest.

The ushering and serving teams were led by Cornerstone Community Church, Tamil, with support from other Indian churches, including Life Centre, Jesus Lives Church, Parish of Christ Church, Praise Evangelical Church, City Missions International Church, New Home Family Church, and Jeevan Apostolic Church.

Special guests, Pastor D Mohan and his wife, Pastor Getziel, from New Life Assemblies of God Church (NLAG) in Chennai, India, graced the evening. Pastor Mohan, who grew his church from seven to 50,000 members in 50 years, shared an inspiring story of what faith and perseverance can achieve.

Pastor Mohan’s church focuses on two things: prayer and evangelism. These were the two fundamental aspects of the church growth NLAG experienced. Pastors Mohan and Getziel are also very close to Rev Naomi Dowdy, the former senior pastor of Trinity Christian Centre. Under her mentorship, the couple replicated her cell group strategy in their church successfully. NLAG is a testament to the cell group church growth concept and one of the early adopters. 

Pastor D Mohan from NLAG (New Life Assemblies of God) Chennai was the guest speaker. In 50 years, he grew his church from 7 to 50,000 people.

Pastor Mohan closed his message with a call to action and fervent prayer for pastors, leaders, and congregants, emphasising compassion for the lost. 

Alvin Reggie, Pastor of Praise Evangelical Church, told Salt&Light: “It was truly an indescribable night of oneness where we all came together: One Spirit, one Body, one Church.”

Hope for the future

The true power of the church is its people – united in purpose and ready to spread the Gospel to the community.

“This gathering wasn’t just about numbers, it was about transforming lives,” Ps Joel said. “The Tamil and Indian communities, facing challenges like broken families and addiction, found hope in the unified efforts of the church.”

As Ps Mohan gave the altar call, young and old gather at the altar, united by their passion and desire to become evangelists and shine God’s light within the Indian community in Singapore.

Many leaders and dedicated church members present at Celebration of Hope were thrilled to witness the Indian Church united.

“For decades, pastors constantly guarded their congregations, so collaboration with other churches seemed impossible,” the pastor explained.

“Now, however, there is healing in their hearts, knowing that there is unity and oneness, and this allows them to work together.

“The event was more than a gathering; it sowed seeds of evangelism and hope. Attendees left with renewed commitment to shine light and hope in their communities.”

There are plans for a COH gathering of the saints meeting in October or November 2025.

Ps Joel said: “We are planning to invite Pastor Satish Kumar from Hyderabad, the founder and Pastor of Calvary Temple. Calvary Temple is now the fastest-growing church and the largest church in the world with over 350,000 members.”

Attendees at COH were surprised and inspired by what they witnessed.

Senior Pastor of Jesus Lives Church, Jonathan Suppaya told Salt&Light: “To be very honest, I never thought this could happen but to actually see the saints gathered were on November 21 were unified, joined, combined, allied and bonded for just one purpose alone and that’s soul-winning.”

Revd Paul Xavier from the Parish of Christ Church added: “It was such a joy to see the churches from so many denominations coming together because we love Jesus, and we want to share that love of Jesus to the Indian community.”

Major Kunam, the oldest member and leader of AIM, led the attendees in an opening prayer.

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