Amos 9:13-15 is a strong prophecy about a bountiful harvest and restoration for Israel. It promises God's favor, where the hard work of planting and harvesting will be blessed with immediate and abundant results. This prophecy can be seen as a symbol of revival, a spiritual awakening where God's people experience a significant increase in faith, commitment, and the desire to spread God's word.
<aside> <img src="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/d5218f9e-4a53-4067-9211-0f58826e7a3d/kings_college_skinny.png" alt="https://prod-files-secure.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/49de0235-e8bc-4eca-bf20-2a9d6d267a02/d5218f9e-4a53-4067-9211-0f58826e7a3d/kings_college_skinny.png" width="40px" /> "The time is coming," says the Lord, "when the person harvesting will be overtaken by the person planting, and the one treading grapes will follow right behind the planter. New wine will flow from the mountains and hills. I will bring my people Israel back from exile. They will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them. They will plant vineyards and enjoy their wine; they will make gardens and eat their fruit. I will establish them in their own land, never again to be uprooted from it," says the Lord your God." (Amos 9:13-15)
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Over the past thirty years, Oikos Fellowship has been a fertile ground for such a revival, much like the one Amos prophesied. The fellowship has established youth evangelistic teams since the early '90s, during its time as a 'church-in-flats'. This period can be compared to planting vineyards and making gardens in the prophecy, with Oikos sowing seeds of faith in the hearts of the youth and the local community.
The move out of Crichton Close during the time of the Filipino revivals to city venues in the early 2000s marks a new phase in Oikos' journey, similar to the transition from planting to harvesting in the prophecy. This move, driven by a vision of being a pro-family, family-friendly outreach, expanded Oikos' reach and impact, bringing the message of God's love to a wider audience.
The most recent phase of Oikos' ministry, characterized by anti-vice campaigns in Geylang's back lanes and alleyways, represents the prophecy's promise of new wine flowing from the mountains and hills. It demonstrates Oikos' commitment to reaching out to the marginalized and the lost, bringing light to the darkest places.
Throughout these phases, revival prayer has been a crucial part of Oikos' ministry. Just as the prophecy speaks of God bringing His people back from exile, Oikos has continually sought God's guidance and power to bring about a spiritual awakening in the city of faith. These prayers, grounded in deep faith in God's promises, have supported the fellowship's efforts to spread the gospel and have fueled the revival fire that burns in the heart of Oikos' ministry.
Following the phases of revival in Oikos' ministry, a deeper understanding of the Hebraic roots of the New Testament (NT) and the practice of Shabbat were embraced. This shift was not just a theological awakening but a revival of the ancient rhythms of rest and worship, much like the restoration prophesied by Amos. The Shabbat, a time of rest and spiritual enrichment, has since played a crucial role in the life of the Oikos community, providing a regular rhythm of rest, reflection, and rejuvenation amidst the busyness of ministry life.
The discovery of the Hebraic roots of the NT and the practice of Shabbat were part of a broader journey into the 7seeds paradigm of higher order learning. This journey, which began with a revelation of the 7seeds paradigm, has since opened up new avenues for learning and growth in the Oikos community. The 7seeds paradigm, with its focus on holistic, experiential, and life-integrated learning, has provided rich soil for the seeds of faith to take root and flourish in the hearts of the Oikos community.
This period of theological deepening and educational expansion was also marked by the establishment of the seminary, family, and nations gates in the wider Oikosian network of ministries and impacts. The establishment of these gates, which occurred in quick succession, marked a new phase in Oikos' ministry journey. The seminary gate, in particular, has served as a key gateway for disseminating the 7seeds paradigm of higher order learning, providing a platform for the Oikos community to engage with and contribute to broader conversations on theology, education, and ministry in the city of faith and beyond.
