SONGWRITERS


a a
 Joshua Wan

I sat and thought about how Christmas really is a time of beginnings as well as of endings - the obvious ending of a calendar year, but more importantly the beginning of a new one; and really, how the passage of time demands reflection - how we have achieved/failed, how we have hoped/despaired, built up/torn down...

As we put past us the failings, fears and frustrations of the last twelve months, and fill our Christmas stockings anew with hopes of success, smooth sailing and prosperity, how naive it would be to expect those Christmas wishes to be fulfilled without centering them on Jesus first. Certainly His will for us is the greatest wish that we could wish for ourselves. And yet, how often is the event of Christ's coming blurred and buried by the tyranny of the Christmas period - 'more shopping, more parties, more stuff...'

So as we "hang our hopes high on the tree", the tree of God's forgiveness and ultimate grace, let's instead focus on His best for us and make it a brand new year.



Caleb Garcia

Caleb is the Worship Director for Cornerstone Church, Katong. A prolific song writer, Caleb began writing songs for the Lord soon after his conversion. It came to represent part of his desire to 'live with the heart of a servant’. With the business of life and ministry, Caleb cannot emphasize enough the importance of hearing that call, the drawing of the Lord ‘to come away with Me' and that is when the inspiration of the Holy Spirit can be known.

I Will Live For You
Two years ago I really felt the burden to write again and that’s when I wrote 'I will live for You'. It all started with the Lord drawing me and saying "come away". The reason that was so important to me was that I felt the Lord say "You have left your first love, you're busy with life, with ministry, with everything but Me!" In many ways this song is a response to His call... I will live for You, I will drink of You, I will lay my life down as an offering… Lord I love You.


Clement Chow

Clement has been in the field of media entertainment for 29 years now. He is best known for winning the National Talentime with his group Dissonant Affair in 1982 & for singing “Count on Me Singapore” in 1986. Over the years he has sung, written & produced countless songs, musicals, music events & concerts for Government ministries, corporate companies, schools, shopping centres, Christian concerts & events both locally, overseas & still is expanding his horizons both in marketplace ministries & missions. Clement is also a member of the International Special Events Society.

"Song writing is a muscle one must exercise everyday. There are good & bad days but efforts are never wasted. It’s 10% inspiration & 90% perspiration, but it’s all God’s creation, as long as you are in Him & He in you."

“Seek ye 1st the kingdom of God & His righteousness & all these things shall be added to you”.

Lead Me On
‘Lead me on’ was prophetically written during a time in the late 80’s where convictions screamed that it was going to be all or nothing for God. If it meant going through the stretching and growth, the change of mindsets, facing fears… my spirit was ready. It was my heart's cry to submit this tainted but forgiven life in obedience and as worship to Him… to go where so few have gone! Never in my wildest imagination could I have foreseen where this desire & prayer would lead me to today. He’s still not done with me. Thank you Lord!


Elizabeth Sia

Elizabeth serves as a Worship Leader at RiverLife Church in their vibrant music ministry. In the marketplace, she works for a talent management firm. When asked how her songwriting inspiration is energised she writes, ‘I am always inspired by songs that are based on the scriptures and promises of God. I find that when God gives revelation through the scriptures, singing it back to Him as a praise offering can be a very powerful thing. To be able to write songs like that encourages me to write.’

Hear My Cry
This song came about during a time when I was wondering about my life's purposes and what it means to have victory in Christ. I was really having a lot of questions and it finally came to a point when i realised God wanted me to surrender.


Ernie Song

Ernie serves at RiverLife church in the Youth department with responsibilities in Worship and Music as well as the creative arts.

Be Exalted
'Be Exalted' captures a particular season in my life where I’m just so grateful for the opportunity to be able to enter into the presence of God and to worship Him in His presence, something that I take for granted a lot. I also forget frequently, that it cost God everything for me to come into His courts to worship and enjoy His presence. So, my cry is that as I worship Him, God will Be Exalted above my singing, my emotions and my desires. Also, the song captures my heart for worship. That as we exalt the name of Jesus, strongholds will be broken down, wounded hearts will be healed and the church of God will be strengthened.


Quek Li Huan

Li Huan serves at St John's St Margaret's Church as head of the Music Ministry Department. With a strong connection to the Worship and Christian music scene of Singapore for many years, Li Huan has been involved in many related projects and ministries including All Good Gifts Ministries(AGGM), Festival of Praise and the list goes on. When speaking of inspiration and songwriting, Li Huan reduces volumes of theological insight into one simple, heartfelt phrase that sums up the heart of the worshiper - tenderness before the Lord.

Teach Me To Worship
I think the song speaks for itself; that we need to remain tender before the Lord as He teaches us day to day.


Sarah Oh

As a Production Editor in the field of Education, Sarah reveals that God’s gift of songwriting has been ‘crucial’ in her walk with Him. As a way to journal the lessons learnt in her walk with God, Sarah’s inspiration often comes to her as answers to prayer and in times of reflection. All part of His process of bringing her to perfection in Christ.

Praise
Our church was studying 1 Peter at that time, and when I reflected on the opening verses, I indeed found much to praise God for. This song is a reminder that God is faithful even if we cannot see why we have to hurt, and to look at the best gift He has already provided us - the new life we have in Jesus. Everything else that we can ask for pales in comparison, and all that we endure in life prepares us for that Day when we stand before Him, judged and justified.


Susan Choo

Susan Choo was an Internet Security Analyst with a foreign bank before joining FCBC as a member of the staff in 2000. She has played on 2 FCBC albums - “It Is Now” and “Your Presence”. Apart from playing the keyboard, she is also a songwriter and a Worship Leader. She believes that God has given her these talents and she is responsible to develop her skills and impart them to other aspiring keyboardists. Her course is a great starting point for beginners to learn how to be a worship keyboardist.

Only You
The song was inspired by a pastor friend who shared of his wilderness episode.

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
Psalm 139:7

I had a friend who sinned against the Lord. As he couldn’t forgive himself, he chose to escape by running away from home. He flew to a remote place and everyone lost contact with him. God works in marvelous ways. His wife consistently emailed him, begging him to come back. The best part was, God gave her wisdom to locate where he was. She managed to catch him there and consistently showed him love. To cut the story short, the Lord touched him in a very special way and he felt God’s TLC. Though he tried to run away from Him, the Lord knows how to seek him out and restore him.