CVC Missions Overseas Ministry

When Covenant Vision was first started, the Word the Lord gave to Rev Francis Khoo was that “…ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  Bro. Francis understood that God was asking him to focus first upon establishing the ministry in Singapore. 

However, towards the second half of 1999, the Lord began to put the desire on Rev Francis' heart for mission work outside of Singapore. As he sought the Lord in prayer and fasting, the Word was clearly given, “I have given you the nations as an inheritance, ask of me of the nations.”  As he fervently asked the Lord, a open vision was given, and a map of the Indian continent was shown. He was burdened as he did not know where to start, and as he felt Sis Shirley, his wife was not ready for India. More seasons of prayer and fasting were to follow.

God's response was for him to invite to preach and minister in several Tamil Churches as well as a Hindi Church. This exposure open Sis Shirley's heart and resulted in her telling Bro. Francis that she will go. Go, but where and how? Bro. Francis was then introduced to various Pastors from India. Letters of invitation were to follow, but each time a check in the spirit was received. Months of uncertainty followed, with only one assurance, “HE KNOWS!” 

A Divine Appointment

In March 2000, Bro Malcom Rajore brought Dr. S. John Solomon of Miracle Ministries International, Chennai , India to meet Rev Francis. At the meeting the Lord spoke to both Rev Francis and Dr John and the first stepping stones were laid. In the same month, Rev Milton Lazarus introduced Rev Francis to Bro Mohan C. Lazarus of Jesus Redeems Ministry, Nalumavadi, India. At that meeting, Bro Mohan said to Rev Francis “You are the first Evangelist I have met in Singapore that is not trying to be a Pastor.  I want to invite you to come to preach in India.”  In the same moment the Holy Spirit led a gentle word, “Yes, I have sent him.”

From the aforesaid two meetings, the foundations for Covenant Vision's Missions Overseas Ministries were laid.  The first overseas crusade in Chennai (August 9-14, 2001), organised by Dr John Solomon started with a Pastors' Seminar, a 3-night Miracle Crusade, a Conference of some 1,200 Local Evangelists as well as preaching and ministering with MPA Church and the New Life Assembly of God Church.

Since then the Lord has extended the overseas ministry to Australia, Bangladesh, Thailand, Pakistan, China, Malaysia, Mauritius, Philippines and Indonesia. We have seen various ministry teams going to different countries, extending the evangelistic, the teaching, equipping and training ministry as well as the social concerns, welfare and care objectives of Covenant Vision to the aforesaid countries.

Building On Laid Foundations

The underlying philosophy of Covenant Vision in this area of work is that we do not have to “reinvent the wheel”. The ministry seeks to work in partnership with Mission Partners in the various countries. We are not seeking to transplant the ministry there. For example, in Pakistan , our Mission Partners is the Methodist Church of Pakistan (Independent Assembly). In partnership with them, Covenant Vision Bible College has been established in Lahore. Many other different areas of ministry are also presently being developed.

In Indonesia, the work has been ably co-ordinated by our Mission Partner, Bro Benyamin Simorangkir. Seeds have already been planted in Batam, Bintang, Lombok, Sumbawa and Tanjong Pinang. In the first half of 2001 alone, 3 ministry trips have been made to Batam, wherein Pastors' Seminars, a Leadership Seminar, Evangelistic Meetings, Revival Rallies and various ministries in various churches have been conducted.

Catching The Missions Bug

The greatest testimony from ministry team members have been that even as they have gone out with an aim to be a blessings, it is truly they who are blessed.  Many team members have become repeaters. Careful, missions can be addictive!

As we reflect, we see much have been accomplished in very short a time. However, we realise that it is not because of our human capability or endeavours, but we all know that all glory truly belongs to our God. With man, many things are not possible, with God, all things are possible!