To me, being a worshipper isn’t just about what we do on stage or on Sundays. It is about how we live when no one’s watching. It is recognising that worship isn’t just for a moment, it’s for a whole lifetime.

And whether we realise it or not, we’re all worshipping something. The real question is: Who, or what, are we giving our heart to?

Worship is how we live when no one’s watching

My journey in worship didn’t begin on stage. It began in my bedroom when I was a kid, tinkering and teaching myself how to play the piano and guitar.

There was no congregation, no lights, no expectations, just a desire to play some worship songs that I heard last Sunday. Looking back, those were some of the purest moments of worship!

Jesus says in Matthew 6:6: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” Even now, I remind myself that what I do when no one sees is what God values most.

The discipline to worship in the mundane, how I respond in frustration, how I love my community, how I show up when I feel overlooked, is what reveals the true posture of my heart. 

As a second-generation Christian, I grew up longing for that heaven-shaking, cinematic moment, thunder, lightning, or a dramatic sign that God was speaking to me.

But God chose a different way. His voice came not in spectacle, but in stillness.

It was during an overseas worship conference I was serving at, in a quiet corner backstage when I felt His presence so clearly. I can’t explain what happened, it wasn’t loud or flashy, but in that moment, God stirred something deep in my spirit. And from that point on, I knew I had to serve Him with everything that He has given me.

Worship is our whole lifetime

Along the way, God opened doors for me to serve in different spaces.

I currently lead the worship ministry at my home church, Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Mission. I’m also part of the local worship band, The Encounter, where I serve as keyboardist and music director. In recent years, I’ve also had the privilege of being part of Stream of Praise (赞美之泉), serving as a guitarist and keyboardist.

TK leading worship at his church, Paya Lebar Chinese Methodist Mission.

TK (second from right) served as bassist at Stream of Praise’s concert. Seen here with the SOP team.

The author (far left) served as keyboardist and music director with The Encounter.

Each role has shaped me differently, and stretched my understanding of what it means to carry the heart of worship beyond the stage.

Romans 12:1 urges us to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.” Worship isn’t just a Sunday sound; it’s an offering we give unto God every day of our lives.

Of course, there are still days I’m exhausted from rehearsals but I have learnt that worship isn’t about convenience, it’s about surrendering.

I’ve had to choose worship when it felt difficult, like showing up early to church to serve when my body wanted rest; or staying behind after service to ensure that the premises are well kept. But every time it felt impossible to obey, God somehow still gave me that grace to say yes. 

John 4:23–24 says: “true worshippers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth.” God is always more interested in alignment than appearance.

Sharing the gift of worship on TikTok to encourage

I never saw myself as a teacher, or believed I had the gift of teaching. I didn’t go through formal music training, and most of what I play comes from feel and instinct rather than technical theory. So when people ask me to explain what I’m doing, I often struggle really hard to put into words because it’s all just in my head.

But as someone who enjoys recording my own music, I started to realise that the little things I was doing – chord progressions, transitions, arrangement idea – could actually help others too.

So I began posting short video tutorials on TikTok, and later Instagram, sharing not just what I was playing, but also the thought process behind it.

TK’s TikTok account @thatworshipkeyboardist attracts worship musicians from Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.

A sincere message from a young worshiper to TK on TikTok.

My videos unexpectedly took off and I started receiving DMs (direct messages) and comments from people across Singapore, Indonesia and Philippines. 

One brother from the Philippines, Kyle, shared: “I was going through a really tough time and your video popped up. Just hearing the song you played reminded me that God hasn’t given up on me.”

That humbled me. It reminded me that God can use even the simplest offering to bring hope and encouragement to someone else.

Looking ahead: Worship as eternity’s language

Revelation 7:9-10 gives us a glimpse of heaven: “a great multitude … from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne … crying out in a loud voice: ‘Salvation belongs to our God.’” That’s where we’re headed.

I think about that moment quite often. No more tired fingers from playing, no dry throat from singing. Just pure, undivided worship, fully present with the One we’ve been singing to all along. 

Since that defining moment back in that worship conference when I heard God’s gentle voice, my convicted soul has been preparing for that eternity. Not just as a musician, but as a worshipper in all of life.

Whether it’s leading worship or serving as an usher, I want my life to reflect worship. Because worship isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am – it’s what we are all called to be.

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