{{Short description|Megachurch in Singapore}} {{EngvarB|date=May 2018}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2018}} {{Infobox church | denomination = Non-denominational, Charismatic | name = New Creation Church | image = New Creation Church Service.jpg | image_size = 270px | caption = Church service at The Star Performing Arts Centre in 2015 | country = Singapore | location = The Star Performing Arts Centre, one-north | website = {{URL|https://www.newcreation.org.sg}} | founded = 1984 | capacity = 5,000 seats | logo = New Creation Church Logo.jpeg | logo_size = 150 }}
'''New Creation Church''' (abbreviation: '''NCC''') is a non-denominational Charismatic Christian megachurch in Singapore. Founded in 1984, it holds church services at The Star Performing Arts Centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Star Performing Arts Centre {{!}} Event Venue Singapore |url=https://www.thestar.sg/discover-venues/#:~:text=The%20Star%20Performing%20Arts%20Centre%20is%20a%20dazzling%205%2C000%2Dseat,arts%20theatre%20in%20Singapore%20today. |website=The Star PAC |access-date=5 April 2023 |archive-date=5 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405085909/https://www.thestar.sg/discover-venues/#:~:text=The%20Star%20Performing%20Arts%20Centre%20is%20a%20dazzling%205%2C000%2Dseat,arts%20theatre%20in%20Singapore%20today. |url-status=live }}</ref> It is a member of the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS). New Creation Church also manages a business arm, '''Rock Productions Pte Ltd''', which owns and operates a performing arts centre and shopping mall, The Star, and a travel agency, Omega Tours & Travel.<ref>{{cite web |title=CapitaLand to sell The Star Vista to Rock Productions for S$296m |url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/capitaland-sell-star-vista-rock-productions-s296m |website=The Business Times |access-date=25 July 2024 |language=en |date=20 November 2019 |archive-date=27 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240827082249/https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/capitaland-sell-star-vista-rock-productions-s296m |url-status=live }}</ref>
The church was one of three megachurches to make it to a list of Singapore's 10 largest charities, according to a report by ''The Straits Times'' in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Tai|first1=Janice|last2=Tan|first2=Theresa|date=2019-07-21|title=NUS, NTU and three mega churches are Singapore's largest charities with business units|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/half-of-10-biggest-charities-here-have-business-units|access-date=2020-12-08|website=The Straits Times|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108001725/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/half-of-10-biggest-charities-here-have-business-units|url-status=live}}</ref> The senior pastor of the church is Joseph Prince.
== History == thumb|250px|right|The Star Performing Arts Centre, where the NCC conducts its church service The church was founded by a small group including Joseph Prince, Henry Yeo, David Yeow and Jack Ho in 1983. It was later officially registered with the Registrar of Societies in October 1984. It began its Sunday service with an average attendance of 25 people. Gradually, it grew to about 150 members in 1990 when Prince was appointed as the senior pastor of the church.<ref name="ncchistory">{{cite news |url=http://www.newcreation.org.sg/about-us/about-ncc#milestone_2012 |title=History |publisher=New Creation Church |access-date=17 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115010751/http://newcreation.org.sg/about-us/about-ncc#milestone_2012 |archive-date=15 January 2013 |url-status=live |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
During the period between 1984 and 1999, the church used different worship venues such as a hall within the premises of the Young Women's Christian Association of Singapore and the ballrooms in local hotels to accommodate its growing congregation.<ref name="ncchistory" />
In 1999, the church moved to the Rock Auditorium in Suntec City. On 23 December 2012, its services were shifted to The Star Performing Arts Centre.<ref name="ncchistory" />
== Worship venue == {{Main|The Star, Singapore}} The church moved to a new 5,000 seat theatre, now its main worship venue, at The Star Performing Arts Centre in one-north on 23 December 2012.
Officially opened on 1 November 2012, The Star PAC spans levels 3 to 11, known as the civic and cultural zone, of the building called The Star. It is owned and managed by Rock Productions, the business arm of the church.<ref name="The Star">{{cite news|url=http://www.newcreation.org.sg/the-star/introduction|title=The Star Performing Arts Centre – Introduction|date=17 September 2011|publisher=Asia One|access-date=17 September 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927233551/http://www.newcreation.org.sg/the-star/introduction|archive-date=27 September 2011}}</ref><ref name="asiaone19m">{{cite news | url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/the%2BStraits%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20090311-127585.html | title=Church collects $19m in one day for lifestyle hub | work=Asiaone | date=11 Mar 2009 | access-date=19 May 2009 | author=Theresa Tan & Melissa Sim | archive-date=15 March 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090315030931/http://www.asiaone.com/News/the+Straits+Times/Story/A1Story20090311-127585.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The Star PAC comprises a 5,000-seat theatre, a multi-purpose hall, an outdoor amphitheatre, special function rooms and other facilities. The church rents The Star PAC for Sunday services.<ref name="Asia One">{{cite news|url=http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100830-234555.html|title=New Creation Church collected S$21 million in fewer than 24 hours|date=30 August 2010|publisher=Asia One|access-date=31 August 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831201009/http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100830-234555.html|archive-date=31 August 2010}}</ref>
== Business arm == New Creation Church's business arm, Rock Productions Pte Ltd, owns and manages The Star and Omega Tours & Travel.<ref>{{cite web |title=CapitaLand to sell The Star Vista to Rock Productions for S$296m |url=https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/capitaland-sell-star-vista-rock-productions-s296m |website=The Business Times |access-date=25 July 2024 |language=en |date=20 November 2019 |archive-date=27 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727012207/https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/capitaland-sell-star-vista-rock-productions-s296m |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Star is a 15-storey mixed use complex located in one-north, Singapore, integrating a performing arts centre called The Star Performing Arts Centre, and a shopping mall called The Star Vista. The building was designed by Andrew Bromberg of the architectural firm Aedas,<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Star, designed by Andrew Bromberg for Aedas |url=https://www.architectmagazine.com/design/buildings/the-star-designed-by-andrew-bromberg-for-aedas_o |access-date=2022-04-25 |website=www.architectmagazine.com |archive-date=2022-04-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424040510/https://www.architectmagazine.com/design/buildings/the-star-designed-by-andrew-bromberg-for-aedas_o |url-status=live }}</ref> and cost S$500 million to develop.<ref name="500m">{{cite web |title=Star, Singapore |url=https://www.mottmac.com/article/2190/star-singapore#:~:text=The%20Star%2C%20Singapore's%20striking%20SG,scientific%2C%20business%20and%20residential%20facilities. |website=www.mottmac.com |access-date=24 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The Star Performing Arts Centre is used as the church service venue for New Creation Church.<ref name="newcreation1" /><ref name="newcreation2">{{cite web |title=New Creation Church business arm buys The Star Vista mall from CapitaLand for S$296 million |url=https://mothership.sg/2019/11/new-creation-church-star-vista-296-million/ |website=mothership.sg |access-date=24 July 2024 |language=en |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929054350/https://mothership.sg/2019/11/new-creation-church-star-vista-296-million/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
The Star Vista is a shopping mall occupying three floors in The Star, and was developed by CapitaLand.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About the Mall {{!}} The Star Vista|url=https://www.capitaland.com/sg/malls/thestarvista/en/concierge/mall-info.html|access-date=2018-07-29|website=www.capitaland.com|language=en|archive-date=2018-07-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730021221/https://www.capitaland.com/sg/malls/thestarvista/en/concierge/mall-info.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2019, Rock Productions Pte Ltd acquired The Star Vista for S$296 million from CapitaLand, after CapitaLand was purportedly in talks with buyers for a potential sale. New Creation Church explained that the acquisition was necessary "to protect the interest of the church", citing concerns of buyers with interests conflicting with the church's use of The Star PAC for religious purposes.<ref name="newcreation1">{{Cite web |last=Yong|first=Clement |date=2019-11-21 |title=New Creation buys Star Vista for $300m: 9 things to know about the church, Pastor Prince and the mall |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-creation-buys-star-vista-for-300m-9-things-to-know-about-the-church-pastor-prince-and |access-date=2020-12-17 |website=The Straits Times |archive-date=2020-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201025200759/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/new-creation-buys-star-vista-for-300m-9-things-to-know-about-the-church-pastor-prince-and |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="newcreation2" />
Omega Tours & Travel Pte Ltd is a travel agency that specialises in package and private tours to Holy Land destinations in Israel, Jordan, Turkey and Greece. Pastor Joseph Prince has been known to be featured in high-profile Holy Land tours speaking alongside other prominent pastors such as Joel Osteen.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bohon/TBN|first=Dave|title=You Can Now Tour Israel With Joel Osteen and Joseph Prince|url=https://www.charismanews.com/world/66623-you-can-now-tour-israel-with-joel-osteen-and-joseph-prince|access-date=2020-12-17|website=Charisma News|language=en|archive-date=17 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917135305/https://www.charismanews.com/world/66623-you-can-now-tour-israel-with-joel-osteen-and-joseph-prince|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Controversies == === Adam Lambert's performance at The Star Performing Arts Centre === In May 2013, the National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) said it was looking into a complaint about singer Adam Lambert performing at The Star Performing Arts Centre, a commercial entity fully owned by Rock Productions, the business arm of New Creation Church. Lim K. Tham, general secretary of the council said it had received a complaint that "the gay lifestyle may be promoted at the concert", a reference to Lambert's homosexuality, and that "The NCCS has conveyed this concern to New Creation so that it can make a response."<ref name="adam1" /><ref name="adam2" />
In a statement, the church said that according to stipulations from the authorities before the tender was awarded to Rock Productions, the venue had to operate "on a purely commercial basis and will not implement any leasing or pricing policies that will discriminate between religious groups, institutions or organisations from hiring the venue". The church said all public events require a public entertainment licence from the police, and it had "utmost confidence" in the policies and ability of government bodies such as the Media Development Authority to "protect the interest of the general public". The statement added that any event at the performing arts centre "should not be misconstrued or misunderstood" as the church "approving of its artistic presentation or endorsing the lifestyle of the performer".<ref name="adam1">{{Cite web |last=migration |date=2013-03-06 |title=Church feels the heat over gay singer's gig |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/church-feels-the-heat-over-gay-singers-gig |access-date=2020-12-26 |website=The Straits Times |language=en |archive-date=20 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020091132/https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/church-feels-the-heat-over-gay-singers-gig |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="adam2">{{cite web |title=Churchgoers dismiss controversy over Adam Lambert's Singapore gig |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/churches-council-receives-complaint-over-upcoming-adam-lambert-gig-192455264.html |website=Yahoo News |access-date=27 August 2024 |language=en-SG |date=6 March 2013}}</ref>
===Pastor Mocking Taoist beliefs=== On 15 June 2010, Pastor Mark of the church gave a sermon mocking Taoist beliefs.<ref>{{Cite web | title=NewspaperSG | url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20100615-1.2.2.1?qt=new,%20creation,%20church&q=new%20creation%20church | access-date=2025-08-11 | website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | title=NewspaperSG | url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes20100615-1.2.8.4?qt=new,%20creation,%20church&q=new%20creation%20church | access-date=2025-08-11 | website=eresources.nlb.gov.sg}}</ref>
== See also == * Christianity in Singapore * Evangelism * Nondenominational Christianity
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{Official website|http://www.newcreation.org.sg/}} * [http://www.rockproductions.com/ Rock Productions] * [http://www.thestar.sg/ The Star Performing Arts Centre]
{{portalbar|Christianity|Evangelical Christianity|Singapore}} {{Churches in Singapore}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Christian organizations established in 1984 Category:Evangelical megachurches in Singapore Category:Religious organisations based in Singapore Category:1984 establishments in Singapore