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.
