Alvin Ng (FLN12, June 2024)

First and foremost, I wish to express my appreciation to James for introducing FLN to me. Initially, I knew nothing about FLN. As I go through the classes, God begins to show how it can help me.

I find timeline very useful. It helped me recalled events in my life and how God was instrumental in every aspect of my life. It reinforces His character i.e. His Faithfulness, His Sovereignty and His Loving Kindness towards my family and my life. Through it, I saw patterns in His dealings, direct intervention or behind the scenes.

It reminded me His Hand lovingly averted a cancer risk for my wife, healed my daughter with a hole in her heart and help to bring down my high uric acid level to normal range which I am eternally grateful to God.

PCS had helped me find the sweet spot in the role that God had designed for me. That is to be involved in supporting roles for mission works. It is easier for me to say “No” now to works that does not align to my PCS especially it is taking up too much of the resources and energy. Serving God has taken a new purpose / meaning and I become more joyful when I intentionally serve in this area!

Timeline to me is like teeing off. You can slice the ball, hook the ball or even top the ball. Only when you hit the sweet spot that it goes straight and far. The feeling is hard to describe in words. Only the player knows the joy and fulfilment and makes it so enjoyable.

I like to thank God for using FLN to bless me and people around me.

Jason Yap (FLN12, June 2024)

It was at a Silence & Solitude retreat in May 2023 that I was convicted of the need to carve out time to wait upon the Lord. Little did I knew what the Lord had in store for me on 20 Jan 2024 when I embarked on the incredible journey of FLN course.

It was a perfect timing as the plan to cut down one day of work on Tuesday after 10 Feb would be implemented. Thanks be to God! I could devote uninterrupted time to reflect upon my ‘personal timeline’, put in writing my biblical purpose, life-ministry values and craft my personal calling statement.

I am a family physician in a large group practice. I wore many hats and carried heavy responsibilities both at work and in church ministry. I also work long hours with paper work to clear after busy clinic sessions, official/company meetings to attend in the evening and on Saturday. In addition, there are continuing medical education updates, numerous meetings with district/zone pastors, cell leaders, zone/cell members, hospital visits, monthly Sunday service team duties and even wake services to conduct.

After crafting my personal calling statement (PCS), “To live a life that is Christlike and pleasing to God (Eccl 2:26), using health education and personal insights to connect with pre believers and individuals under my care to draw them a step closer to God, to know and love Him (Hosea 6:6).”, I found it truly liberating!

It was the Lord who helped me to relinquish my official appointments which lifted my heavy burden and responsibilities. The loss of titles did not bother me as my PCS crystallises on what matters most. I can now say ‘No’ without any sense of guilt. Decisions I now make are aligned with my core values and long-term goals. I avoid distractions and pursuits that do not contribute to my overarching mission.

I found the listing of ministry and life roles, one-year results and monthly objectives most beneficial. Being intentional in ‘calendaring’ or scheduling activities to meet the goals is pivotal and I review my day, week and month and often check if I am on target or off tangent.

The quest to finish well and knowing that time is short has prompted me to embark on this FLN journey and I highly recommend it to everyone who wish to say like Christ : ‘I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given me to do.’ (John17:4 NKJV) To God be the glory!

Testimony from Ayako Kawasaki, a Japanese church pastor. (FLN 2020 participant)

FLN gave me a precious moments of looking into the past, present and future, to find my renewal in my calling and assurance of what I was made for, with biblical vision and mission.

Each session was a refreshing time for me. I looked forward to it and enjoyed participating.

I am thankful that I was invited participants online, beyond National borders during the Covid lock down time.

My viewpoint shifted from only current ministries to a lifelong path that God guided me into.

FLN is for pastors and church leaders, in their middle age and up, especially for those who are struggling and feel stucked.

I also strongly recommend FLN to retiring-age pastors and leaders. I'm sure they will be refreshed and discover their meaningful calling till the end of their lives.

FLN stands out, compared to other leadership seminars as it targets active and energetic leaders in their current ministries. Through the sessions, I'm sure participants can dig deeper into their heart and hear their calling from God. They will be encouraged to know that their lowest moments were not just darkest but be able to embrace and be carried along in God's gentle and mighty hands.

Testimony from Solomon Huang, Market place consultant (FLN 2020 participant)

An ex-colleague introduced me to FLN. I was searching for my calling. It came to me at an opportune time. FLN facilitated me to look back at my life and put major events into a timeline, connect the dots, and review major turning points and events. I was able to reflect on my past and see how God had blessed me in various ways. Though my FLN group began in the midst of the Covid pandemic lockdown, it was an excellent time for me to reconnect with God and discover my destiny. My group was supportive, I received wise counsel from the organisers; many of them had walked the journey before me, and I was able to benefit from them. At the same time, I met new friends, and we supported one another on our journey to discover our calling and destiny. My FLN journey continues to this day. I reflect on my extended timeline since I 'graduated' from the group, and I thank God for always thinking of me, providing for me, and seeing me through all the way from the past, present, and the future. I look forward to an exciting journey with God in 2023!"

Testimony from Ayako Morioko, consultant & coach (FLN 2019 participant)

Participating in FLN has made such profound impact on my faith journey and has drawn me significantly deeper and closer to the Lord. This happened in such a personal way that the sense of conviction and the intimacy of my relationship with the Lord has been far elevated than ever.

The contents and structure of FLN are designed to guide us to look at our past, present and the future with a set of well-thought questions for reflections and lead us into much deeper and personal dialogue with the Lord.

As I join each session along the course of several months, I could feel the questions that had been floating in my mind like clouds have been removed layer by layer. Instead, joy and gratitude have filled up my heart increasingly as the God’s footprints and presence in my life and my God-given direction have become clearer and clearer.

FLN helped me to learn a great deal of the spiritual leadership and what it takes to finish well as a Christian leader and minister. This is very important aspect of FLN, as we will continue to face challenges and unexpected in our life. As Jesus says “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Mat 7:24)”, we have to learn how we can put them into practice and live out our callings not only have them.

One thing that FLN really stands out is the open, warm and authentic sharing and dialogues of the participants and the facilitators. This is a safe place in which we can be vulnerable to share our emotional life stories and personal revelations from God. We talk to, listen to, and pray for each other with integrity and sincerity which makes FLN a very special community.

If you are at crossroads of your life; if you are seeking for clarity of your direction in your faith journey; if you are in deep hunger for the personal touch and conviction in your relationship with the Lord; if you are facing with the real concern of burning out with too many demands from the people around you; if you are being challenged in your spiritual leadership; FLN is the place for you. It is surely worth committing some months (nearly to one year) of your time to embark the journey of self-discovery in FLN.