Kirk Lee and Angie Chan tell the story behind their bustling catering business.

Kirk Lee and his wife Angie Chan are the founders of KIGI Catering; KIGI being an amalgamation of their names. Their business has a simple motto—fresh, simple, delicious. To them, catering is not just about food, it’s about delivering an experience. It is this insistence on quality and dedication to excellence that has spurred KIGI’s customers to spread the word to their friends, which explains why the majority of their business comes from word of mouth.

Lee, 40, elaborates, “The first event we did was a church wedding. The event brought multiple referrals as so many guests enjoyed the food. Even today we are still getting referrals from guests who recall that event!”

The couple started the business in 2007. Lee focuses on the business development aspect, while Chan, 38, oversees the management of the business. They met each other when they were working part-time for a catering business. Their relationship blossomed into romance along the way, and after getting married, they decided to start their own catering business.

The company has since branched into other markets—besides church weddings, they now cater for corporate events.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF KIGI CATERING

Lee counts it a success that despite the growing business, KIGI still uses the freshest ingredients, and keeps food simple and unpretentious. The signature dishes are Fried Hokkien Prawn Mee, Panna Cotta and Chocolate Mousse as well as Fresh Fruit Tartlets.

When it comes to their favorite kind of event, it would still be church weddings for the couple. “Church weddings are where we receive the most compliments from the guests on our flower decorations, the buffet set-up and the food,” says Lee. These compliments spur the business growth. Not only that, the couple has even become friends with some of the clients for whose events they have catered.

Family comes first for this couple, who abide by the company policy of not working on Sundays, as it is a day for God and family. Making this stand for their beliefs has paid off for them. While they do encounter customers who get upset about their no-catering days on Sundays, “most of them usually understand our position and some even change their event dates so they can have us as their caterer!”

At three years old, the business is still relatively young, expansion is definitely in the works as they are already looking for a bigger space for their operations.

Log on to www.kigicatering.com for more information.

One mother’s account of the pitter patter of hundreds of feet at the Cold Storage Kids’ Run 2010.

PHOTO COURTESY OF IRIS TAN

“He’s got the whole world in His hands, He’s got the whole wide world …”

This was the theme song of the Cold Storage Kids’ Run 2010, to which the crowd sang, amidst squeals and peals of laughter. Kids were chattering nineteen to the dozen with their parents, while refrains of “Ready, set, go!” and “I’m going to be first” could be heard.

Despite the blistering sun, there was a smile on every little face. The anticipation and enthusiasm in the air was undeniable and infectious.

On May 23, at 9:40 a.m. on a Sunday morning, hundreds of children and their families gathered at the F1 Pit building, waiting for the signal to takeoff.

My 5-year old son turned to me and asked, “Mommy, it doesn’t matter whether or not we come in first, we’d still get a medal, right?” Judging by the scores of people who showed up, he could see that there was very little chance of us coming in first.

The Cold Storage Kids’ Run is an annual event, third year in its running. Children age 6 months to 12 years can take part, competitively or non-competitively. Events are held for all ages, and these events have catchy names, such as Speedy Purple Dash and Sunshine Orange Chase. For the toddlers this year, there was an event called the Gain Stroller Chase, where the toddlers could sit in their strollers as their parents did all the footwork.

“A family that runs together, stays together!” cheered the emcee as we ran past his station.

At the finish line, the children were presented their certificates and medals. Goodie bags filled with fresh fruits were also given out. Cheery balloons in many colors were seen floating in the air tugged along by the young ones, faces beaming with pride at the medal hanging from their necks.

The Cold Storage Kids’ Run is a great opportunity for parents to bond with their children while inculcating in them an understanding of fitness and health from an early age.

Dr John Avanzini was in Singapore on 4 December 2009, spending the evening, at 1 Jurong West Street 91, in an auditorium with a crowd that spilled into the overflow areas. To the people comprising mainly business owners, entrepreneurs and working professionals, he extolled the importance of devoting time to studying the Word of God.

Dr John, or “Brother John” as he is called by millions all over the world, has been sharing revelation he has received concerning prosperity since the 1970s. This 73-year old man has written 52 books, which has generated 12 million copies. Dr John through his revelatory teachings has raised more than US12 billion dollars for the work of God’s kingdom all over the world.

Addressing the crowd, he fondly recalled how when he first came to speak at City Harvest Church (CHC), he saw bicycles in the car park. Today he sees cars. Dr John first preached in CHC way back in 1993. Many of the phrases that have spurred and challenged members of CHC were coined by Dr John; phrases like ‘open heaven’, ‘end-time harvest’ and ‘memorial prayer’.

The main thrust of his message on Friday evening was that believers should not allow traditional interpretations of the Bible to mask the truth of what God is trying to say to Christians today.

Dr John proceeded to expound on the bible passage found in Genesis 4 where Abel’s offering of the “firstlings” was accepted by God, while Cain’s offering was consequently rejected. Dr John encouraged the Business Breakthrough crowd to remember that giving to the house of God ought to come before the worldly concerns of rents and bills etc., and not the other way round.

PHOTOS:  Albert Soh, Lee Boon Bee and Daniel Poh

There was an atmosphere of openness and liberty at the end of the evening as the people gave to the offering with prayer. While the offering buckets were brought to the front of the hall, people were seen running up with their offerings.

As with how Dr John’s words stirred the church to give freely to the church building fund years ago, resulting in the S$42 million structure the session was held in that night, the business people were inspired and motivated to build a memorial before God, and mix their faith with their giving.

PHOTOS: Desmond Tan

On a Thursday evening, about 400 people gathered at City Harvest Church’s premises at The Riverwalk to listen to Reverend Robb Thompson, who spoke on “The Anatomy of Influence”.

It was a relevant and timely message for this regular group of business individuals and professionals who had been hearing related messages emphasizing the need as influencers to wield influence by doing community works.

Thompson, an internationally-renown leadership speaker, author of 18 books and senior pastor of Family Harvest Church in Chicago, said to his audience: “Our main purpose must be to know God; our purpose is not to make money or even do works of compassion.” When the purpose is right, the right works will follow. God-centered compassion is not just about doing the right thing, but about realizing that when we know God and try to influence others to know God, we become people who do what we believe in, instead of believing what we do. And as a result we become people of influence. Just a moment spent with a person of influence can have an eternal impact on our lives.

Robb Thompson also reminded the business group that leaders are people who lead by influence, not position. Hence, employees of corporations can be people of influence. There is good influence, and there is bad influence. A person can choose to influence by force, intimidation, manipulation, position, exchange, persuasion or by respect. Influencing by respect is when a person is influenced by someone to do what the person requests for, and also out of respect for the person.

He also shared 7 qualities of a person of influence: unflinching courage, a submissive heart, deep-seated self-control, integrity, unswerving diligence, uncompromising relationships and a commitment to sow.

Robb Thompson ended the meeting by telling the people that our future is created by something we are doing in the present. He encouraged the people to be people of character. If we lose our wealth, we lose nothing. If we lose our health, we lose something. But when we lose our character, we lose everything.

Writings on the Walls is the latest album produced by City Harvest Church (CHC). This album is essentially a sampler of the latest songs, majority of which are written by KC Gan and David Yem, Creative and Music Directors of CHC. The tunes found in this album sound the heartbeat of CHC. The main focus of WOTW is to present heartfelt melodies that carry the redemption message of Christ.

WOTW features different styles and genre from CHC’s previous albums, such as ‘Your Generation’ and ‘Beautiful’, crafted and styled with evergreen talents in mind—Annabel Soh, Alison Yap and Calvin Ho.

For Gan, who has written numerous songs for local productions, musicals, films and the pop industry, it is a privilege to pen the love of God down in songs that enable people to be drawn closer to God.

One particular track on the album that tugs at the heartstring is ‘Because of You’. This song is the especially personal to Gan, as it symbolizes the 20 years he has been a believer of Christ, reminding him of God’s unfailing grace, love and forgiveness.

There is a simple, hymn-like track in the album entitled ‘For Janelle’. Janelle is the 4 year old daughter of a personal friend of Gan and Yem, who is diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. This song is dedicated to the brave girl who is battling for her life, telling her that God is holding her in His hand, just like how He hung the stars and carried the cross. It’s a song of comfort and assurance of the love of God.

Writings on the Walls is available at Attributes Online.

Teo Poh Heng, or Poh, as he is affectionately known, has been one of the faces of City Harvest Church (CHC) for the last 18 years. One of the anchor worship leaders, his exuberance and energy inspires the congregation week after week as he leads the people in praise and worship.

On 2 April 2008, Poh was doing what he had always been doing when an extreme accident happened to him on stage, one that caused the congregation to miss seeing him for half a year. Few people knew that Poh had a really close shave with death by electrocution on stage during a mission trip.

“We were at a meeting in Jakarta,” he recalls. “At the end of the meeting, Pastor Kong turned to me and said, ‘Poh, let’s sing a closing song’. I walked to the microphone stand and proclaimed ‘Hallelujah!’ as the musicians started playing. Then I placed my two hands on either side of the microphone to start singing. The moment I did that, I felt a great jolt surge through my hands. I was shocked and took a step backwards.

Then I felt nothing in my arms; I was totally numb from my hands to my shoulders. I knew then that something was wrong with the mircophone and I did not want to touch it anymore. I turned to Ally (worship leader Allison), who was standing next to me and told her to pass me her microphone. I grabbed onto it as tightly as I could as I had lost all sensation by then. As I sang, I slowly began to feel pain stretching from my shoulders to my palms. I finished the song and as the meeting closed, I was rushed to the hospital.”

PHOTOS: Gary Sim

When asked why he continued singing instead of going downstage immediately when the accident happened, he replied matter-of-factly, “I had already given the command to sing the song, the music had started, the people were ready to sing. I had to finish the song.” Only a true professional and someone who puts others before himself would have acted this way.

“We are talking courage here. He not only pushed through the pain and persevered that night, he stayed positive and upbeat throughout his recovery and therapy. For someone who almost lost his life on stage, to come back so soon and lead in faith is really something,” says CHC’s music director David Yem.

The moment Poh came back to Singapore, he went straight for an operation as his right shoulder had suffered a linear fracture due to the electric shock. Since then, he has been recuperating and going for his physiotherapy sessions twice a week. Doctors have advised him to swim regularly to strengthen his arm muscles. During this period he also spends time praying and reading the Bible, and as he puts it, encouraging himself in the Lord, “just like David did in the book of Psalms.”

“My orthopedic surgeon is not a Christian, but he was telling me that I am very blessed because I could have easily lost my life as the electric shock actually passed through my heart. Coming away from that with just a linear fracture in the shoulder is a miracle! So every time I go for my appointment at his clinic, he will tell his nurses, the ‘Miracle Man’ is here,” laughs Poh.

Now that he is slowly making a comeback, we will see more of Poh onstage. His first priority is to prepare himself for the coming Asia Conference. Poh is believing that the meetings will make a great impact on the people coming from different parts of the world. He is also currently working on some new songs with the band and getting back into the swing of things in his job as an Assistant Music Director.

As colleague and songwriter KC Gan says, “Poh’s commitment and dedication is exemplary for the music team. I am glad he is back in action.”

The congregation in City Harvest is glad that Poh is back too, many having written to the church office to congratulate him on his speedy recovery. For that, Poh would like to thank everyone who has prayed for him during this time.

The next time you see Poh on stage, let faith arise in your heart as you sing, because this is one “Miracle Man” who is a living testament of God’s power and love!