Church of Our Saviour, Singapore

The Church of Our Saviour defines its vision as, "Making people powerful in God. Restoring destinies. Transforming communities." Missions to foreign lands are hosted and conducted, with an emphasis on cultural sensitivity for relevancy. The beliefs of the church are defined as: • God • Jesus Christ • Holy Spirit • The Bible • Salvation • The Church ==Choices ministry==

The Church of Our Saviour in 1991 established the ministry Choices with the purpose of assisting people "who struggle with homosexuality recover their God-intended sexual identity. In overcoming same-sex attractions, clients are empowered to take responsibility in maintaining moral and relational wholeness." Essentially a sexual orientation conversion therapy of a religious nature. Choices stated that it provides for "self-discovery and growth". It also emphasises having a nurturing environment and network to support the conversion. ==Controversies==

Treatment at Choices ministry The Singaporean-managed homosexual support website, www.yawningbread.org, features a testimony of an ex-member of Church of Our Saviour, who suffered a nervous breakdown due to the treatment. Opposition to repealing of homosexual conduct penal code 377a In 2007, a review of the Singaporean Penal Code suggested that code 377a, which criminalises homosexual conduct between males, be removed. The Church of Our Saviour responded by adding to its website a "position statement" stating its firm stand against homosexuality and that homosexuality is a sin against God. In addition, Senior Pastor Derek Hong gave various sermons on the issue. In a sermon in August 2007, titled "God's Church and Homosexuality", Hong insisted on the existence of an agenda by gay activists. In Hong's view, this agenda seeks to silence all ex-gay groups, eradicate anti-homosexuality groups such as churches, strive for legalising same-sex marriages, and strive to promote homosexuality as a viable lifestyle. An email allegedly written by Derek Hong in April 2007 has surfaced, encouraging acquaintances to influence public opinion and lobby the government. The email recommends a suggested format of writing and to protest to the Singaporean government feedback website at reach.gov.sg. Many letters to the national press questioned the nature of the reforms to be expected from the new committee members. An extraordinary general meeting was called by the members to carry out a vote of no-confidence on the new committee. Hong urged members of the church to join AWARE to support the new committee but was criticised by the Singapore's National Council of Churches for misusing his pulpit, for which Hong subsequently apologized. The new committee was ousted in May 2009 during the EGM. Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng voiced his disapproval of the incident that "a group of conservative Christians, all attending the same church, which held strong views on homosexuality, had moved in and taken over AWARE because they disapproved of what AWARE had been doing", and called for tolerance, cautioning that religion and politics must be kept separate. ==Notes==