Business Breakthrough Group

In 1999, Jean-Jacques founded a new business in Singapore that dealt with real time news. At the same time his wife Celine quit her own job to join Jean-Jacques venture as General Manager. As they went through several rounds of fund raising exercises to finance systems and content developments, they had to tighten their belts and lower their costs that included their salaries. By the time their technology was ready and they started marketing their product, the overall market demand for internet-based solutions had changed dramatically and with every day passing the going got tougher and tougher. Still, they kept believing that it would work out and kept their business going.

In the period between 2001 and 2002, they were still developing their product with total staff strength of 20. Their financial woes continued and it took a turn for the worse when they even stopped drawing salaries. During this period they did give offerings in the church, but it was quite sporadic and not consistent. Then another jolt to them was when for some non-related reasons, Celine was forced into bankruptcy. At this time they were not tithing yet and had not integrated into a cell group yet.

Then, in 2002, they had a specific word from God that came as a revelation from the below verses:
Luke 21:1 (parable of the two minas) says:
"...And he looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts in the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites".
Matthew 19:17 (parable of the ten minas)
"...Well done good servant. Because you were faithful in a very little, have authorities over ten cities".

They realized that if Jesus watches and counts our offerings then it makes sense for them to keep a count too! It would be difficult to ask for a 30 fold increase when they didn't have a count of how much they where sowing in the kingdom of God.

So, in 2002, they decided that they would start counting what they gave as offerings and tithe. Though the individual amounts seemed small, they calculated that in their season of drought they had managed to give more than S$7,000 in 2002.

That year indeed proved to be a year of great miracles! Though their tithes and offerings exceeded their income but they were not in lack in money or favor! Though they couldn't pay the rent for over a year their landlord never chased after them. That year Celine got pregnant and they were blessed with their third child! Twice that very year, they were also blessed by loving Church friends who gave them S$14,000 and then S$70,000 so that they could just pay their staff salaries and carry on hoping for their business to turn around.

In 2005 they were blessed again by another S$10,000 love gift. In 2003, they had to let go the business but Ines, our third child, was born, and of course, they didn't lack in anything. So they continued plowing and doing their best to be faithful in the small things that the Lord was entrusting them with. And they kept experiencing the blessings from God. Their income grew by 34%, 48%, 82% year to year in following three years! In late 2005, they bought a better car for their family. And in 2006 their tithes and offerings, including building funds were close to S$40,000 which were more than 5 times their 2002 contribution.

In mid 2006, Celine was released from bankruptcy an all debts were cleared and JJ finally became a PR in Singapore after his fourth attempt.

In late 2006 they bought a home which was another great miracle as initially they really had no money to buy it! But it all worked out as God told them to go for it. Between government grants, family and friends blessing they were blessed with another S$60,000 that they received or saved! That was for them as a couple a 30-fold return on the church building fund that they had pledged.

With their income getting steadier, in earlier 2007 Celine was able to become a full-time home maker! Meanwhile the Cell group that they attended grew to 30 members as well.
Jean-Jacques now works for a reputable local company and manages its leisure and lifestyle business developments. On top of his my full-time job, he is also getting a salary as the Executive Director of the Superyacht Singapore Association.

Truly, they have experienced so many miracles in adverse circumstances that they could write a book! More importantly, they love and are loved by many great friends. From their experiences they have learnt to trust and obey for only God could salvage them from an impossible situation.