Consider the year 1950. A small mission begins. It starts with a simple “Story Hour” in Cantonese. This was for children in the Alexander estate. That humble beginning marked the start of Grace Assembly of God.
Grace Assembly of God has grown significantly since then. It is now one of the 48 affiliated members of the Assemblies of God of Singapore. The church operates from two locations. These are Grace @ Tanglin and Grace @ Bukit Batok.
The mission quickly evolved. Church services were soon conducted in Cantonese. Parents and neighbors of the children attended these services. This shows the growing interest in Christianity. A Bible study and prayer meeting were introduced. This became a mid-week service. By the end of 1951 church attendance reached about thirty. This included adults teenagers and young children.
Vallance and Lula Baird were the missionaries. They started this mission at 50 Odin Square. This was off Alexander Road. In 1951 the Bairds left Singapore. Lau To Chan then managed the mission. He was recommended by the Principal of the Hong Kong Ecclesia Bible Institute.
In 1954 Rev. Jarmilla Wagner arrived. She was a Czechoslovakian missionary. The Assemblies of God USA sent her to run the Alexander Mission. Soon she rented a place along Prince Philip Avenue. The Alexander work needed more space. The church continued to grow.
A significant milestone occurred in 1958. The church secured a property at 355 Tanglin Road. It was 41000 square feet. The cost was $40000. The two works merged at the Tanglin property. It was named Grace Assembly of God.
Leadership transitions have shaped Grace Assembly. Rev. Wagner passed away in 1961. Lau To Chan left to start Kim Tian Church. Rev. David Nyien led from 1962 to 1966. Rev. Oh Beng Khee led from 1966 to 1990. Rev. Dr. David Lim led from 1990 to 2011. Pastor Calvin Lee led from 2011 to 2019. Rev. Dr. Wilson Teo became Senior Pastor on December 31 2019.
Grace Assembly of God conducts multilingual services. These services occur over the weekend. Lay participation is a key feature.
Today Grace Assembly has a large staff. There are 78 members. Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Wilson Teo leads them. The church offers over 25 services. These services are in multiple languages. They are held at two locations. Gracians of all ages attend. They seek and worship God every week. On average about 4800 people attend Grace Assembly each weekend. These services cater to different groups. This includes children youth young adults and young professionals. There are also services for Filipino attendees.
Grace Assembly of God stands as a testament to faith. Its history is rich. It started from humble beginnings. It has grown into a significant religious institution in Singapore. Its commitment to multilingual services. Its diverse congregations reflect its inclusive spirit.