FALLING INTO GRACE
Jael Eu
“My fall into grace, quite paradoxically, is probably the reason I will finish stronger than if I hadn’t fallen into grace,” Timothy Khoo reflected when asked about the moral failure he experienced. “I fell into grace. And I remained there. And tasted the incredible love of God.”
What would your authentic self be if stripped off all titles and accoutrements of power?
That was the struggle Mr Khoo had to face at the height of his positional power. In his heyday, Mr Khoo was not only a priest at the Anglican Diocese of Singapore, but he was also the former president and CEO of Prison Fellowship International. However, 14 months into the position, all these went up in flames when he was caught in an inappropriate relationship outside his marriage.
“To cut the long story short, I offered my resignation. The rehabilitation plan was for me to take a year, get my life back in order.” Mr Khoo said, “I made the painful decision not to go back, neither to prison fellowship nor to the diocese. Even though in the prison ministry we are all about second chances, I realized I cannot inhabit the role anymore.”
Not only was Mr Khoo asked to step down from the positions he inhabited, the episode also caused a breakdown in his family and marriage. Yet, looking back, Mr Khoo realized that it was also the day he had a renewed revelation of what God’s grace looked like.
Through such pain, Mr Khoo took comfort in the words of Friar John Wong (Order of Friars Minor) who explained to him how he has ‘fallen not from grace, but undeservedly, fallen into grace.’ “Because grace was unmerited to begin with. There’s nothing I did to deserve it.” Mr Khoo continues, “That’s why while the world derided me, while there was judgment and condemnation, I never for a moment doubted God. I was ever more convinced that not for a moment has He ever turned His face away from me. And that’s the power of the Gospel.”
Through the transformational power of God’s love, Mr Khoo’s journey of restoration now serves as a testimony to strengthen all who are going through similar predicaments. The experience gave him the ability to understand and to share the thoughts and feelings of another.
“I remember an encounter I had with God whilst cycling. God said, ‘you talk about shame, guilt, letting people down, betrayal, and disappointing others (during Mr Khoo’s time in prison ministry). It was all in theory. Timothy, you had no clue about what all that meant. Now you do.” Mr Khoo shares, “And then came a torrent of tears. There was a conviction of the depravity of my sin. But there was also the understanding that God loves me.”
Mr Khoo’s call to encourage the broken subsequently led him to establish “Desert Odyssey”, a program that organizes retreats for the wounded and broken. There, Mr Khoo serves as a sojourner guide and does existential coaching. Through the program, participants embark on a journey of reconciliation and transformation.
“The reason why I call it ‘Desert Odyssey’ is because, like Moses, I went from royal robes to pauper’s rags. What caused him to go into the desert? His sin. And it is there that you can find yourself, beyond the clamor and the noise of the world. Guess what happened at the end of Moses’ life? He finished strong. Because he discovered his real estate: as a friend of God.”
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Eagles Leadership Convention 2021 continues to inform and inspire participants online. It’s rich reservoir of resource for leadership was available online for a whole month following the hybrid event in September. You may view the full report here.
Eagles Rendezvous featured four presentations by Dr Ho Boon Tiong on the Book of James in October 2021. Entitled Living Wisely, Dr Ho exposited the text and gave deeply meaningful and greatly helpful applications from God’s Word. For the first time, we hosted a “live” webinar on the final session of the presentations. Participants asked questions to which Dr Ho gave perceptive answers drawing from his own experiences. Participants deeply appreciated Dr Ho’s humility and sensitivity in addressing issues raised by attendees.
Dr Ho will lead a 5-session Rendezvous cycle of studies next year on the Book of Titus.
The James series is still available at www.eagles.org.sg.
After a month long break, Peter’s Ponderings resumed on October 17, 2021. These hour-long webinars feature a 10-15-minute recorded reflection by our founder, Peter Chao. Participants who attend “live” share their responses in a small group. These interactions have been very insightful and helpful to participants. Peter concludes the session with a short summary of the subject under consideration.
The next Ponderings online gathering will be on Sunday, November 21, 2021. You can register to participate in the “live” webinar at our website www.eagles.org.sg.
VACANCY
We are inviting applicants for the positions of Finance and IT Executives to join our staff.
If you have a heart for ministry and desire to use your relevant skills for Kingdom purposes, we invite you to explore a vocation with us. Please forward your resume and statement of intent to william@eagles.org.sg.
FALLING INTO GRACE
Jale Eu
“My fall into grace, quite paradoxically, is probably the reason I will finish stronger than if I hadn’t fallen into grace,” Timothy Khoo reflected when asked about the moral failure he experienced. “I fell into grace. And I remained there. And tasted the incredible love of God.”
What would your authentic self be if stripped off all titles and accoutrements of power?
That was the struggle Mr Khoo had to face at the height of his positional power. In his heyday, Mr Khoo was not only a priest at the Anglican Diocese of Singapore, but he was also the former president and CEO of Prison Fellowship International. However, 14 months into the position, all these went up in flames when he was caught in an inappropriate relationship outside his marriage.
“To cut the long story short, I offered my resignation. The rehabilitation plan was for me to take a year, get my life back in order.” Mr Khoo said, “I made the painful decision not to go back, neither to prison fellowship nor to the diocese. Even though in the prison ministry we are all about second chances, I realized I cannot inhabit the role anymore.”
Not only was Mr Khoo asked to step down from the positions he inhabited, the episode also caused a breakdown in his family and marriage. Yet, looking back, Mr Khoo realized that it was also the day he had a renewed revelation of what God’s grace looked like.
Through such pain, Mr Khoo took comfort in the words of Friar John Wong (Order of Friars Minor) who explained to him how he has ‘fallen not from grace, but undeservedly, fallen into grace.’ “Because grace was unmerited to begin with. There’s nothing I did to deserve it.” Mr Khoo continues, “That’s why while the world derided me, while there was judgment and condemnation, I never for a moment doubted God. I was ever more convinced that not for a moment has He ever turned His face away from me. And that’s the power of the Gospel.”
Through the transformational power of God’s love, Mr Khoo’s journey of restoration now serves as a testimony to strengthen all who are going through similar predicaments. The experience gave him the ability to understand and to share the thoughts and feelings of another.
“I remember an encounter I had with God whilst cycling. God said, ‘you talk about shame, guilt, letting people down, betrayal, and disappointing others (during Mr Khoo’s time in prison ministry). It was all in theory. Timothy, you had no clue about what all that meant. Now you do.” Mr Khoo shares, “And then came a torrent of tears. There was a conviction of the depravity of my sin. But there was also the understanding that God loves me.”
Mr Khoo’s call to encourage the broken subsequently led him to establish “Desert Odyssey”, a program that organizes retreats for the wounded and broken. There, Mr Khoo serves as a sojourner guide and does existential coaching. Through the program, participants embark on a journey of reconciliation and transformation.
“The reason why I call it ‘Desert Odyssey’ is because, like Moses, I went from royal robes to pauper’s rags. What caused him to go into the desert? His sin. And it is there that you can find yourself, beyond the clamor and the noise of the world. Guess what happened at the end of Moses’ life? He finished strong. Because he discovered his real estate: as a friend of God.”
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Eagles Leadership Convention 2021 continues to inform and inspire participants online. It’s rich reservoir of resource for leadership was available online for a whole month following the hybrid event in September. You may view the full report here.
Eagles Rendezvous featured four presentations by Dr Ho Boon Tiong on the Book of James in October 2021. Entitled Living Wisely, Dr Ho exposited the text and gave deeply meaningful and greatly helpful applications from God’s Word. For the first time, we hosted a “live” webinar on the final session of the presentations. Participants asked questions to which Dr Ho gave perceptive answers drawing from his own experiences. Participants deeply appreciated Dr Ho’s humility and sensitivity in addressing issues raised by attendees.
Dr Ho will lead a 5-session Rendezvous cycle of studies next year on the Book of Titus.
The James series is still available at www.eagles.org.sg.
After a month long break, Peter’s Ponderings resumed on October 17, 2021. These hour-long webinars feature a 10-15-minute recorded reflection by our founder, Peter Chao. Participants who attend “live” share their responses in a small group. These interactions have been very insightful and helpful to participants. Peter concludes the session with a short summary of the subject under consideration.
The next Ponderings online gathering will be on Sunday, November 21, 2021. You can register to participate in the “live” webinar at our website www.eagles.org.sg.
VACANCY
We are inviting applicants for the positions of Finance and IT Executives to join our staff.
If you have a heart for ministry and desire to use your relevant skills for Kingdom purposes, we invite you to explore a vocation with us. Please forward your resume and statement of intent to william@eagles.org.sg.