OPEN DOORS

We thank the Lord for opening doors for ministry and missions in the following countries:

Malaysia

A team of ten True Lifers just returned from conducting a Vacation Bible School (VBS) in Kemaman led by Dn Tai Mern Yee and Dn Charles Kan. By God’s grace, the Lord has been using the Kemaman Life Bible-Presbyterian Church under Dr and Mrs Wee Tiong Soon for over a decade to reach out to the children in Kemaman. Of the many children who came to hear the gospel, some got saved (eg the Lee sisters, Mei Foong, Mei Hua and Mei Yee who are now worshipping and serving the Lord at Calvary Jaya Bible-Presbyterian Church). A full report on the VBS will be forthcoming. Thank God for providing preachers to go up to Kemaman to preach in the English and Chinese worship services. The journey there takes about seven to eight hours from Singapore by night coach one way. Thank God for journey mercies each time.

Philippines

Praise the Lord for the Philippines Bible conference, the 3rd to Mindanao, organised by Dr Jose Lagapa and his co-workers (one of them a university professor—Mdm Pat Solidum—whom we have invited to our church camp next year). The conference was held at Central Mindanao University in Musuan, Bukidnon. A total of 95 mostly Baptist pastors attended the conference, half of them for the first time. The conference was very well organised and everything went like clockwork according to Singapore time and not “Filipino time” as one conferee (a school principal) testified. The Harmony of the Gospels was the subject of this conference, and I praise the Lord that the teaching of the harmony and unity (Harmonity) of the Four Gospels has strengthened the faith of those who have heard and received the Word. A report with testimonies and photos will be published in the next weekly.

 

Cambodia

Serena Tan graduated with a DipTh from FEBC in 2005, and is now working as a Preschool teacher. She has been attending True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church since January 2013.

Serena has a burden to reach out to the children in Cambodia especially those in a village church in Kompong Svey which was started by former Life Church missionary Lee Young Lyoung. Serena will be there from December 10 to 25, and Elizabeth Mok will be going with her. Here is Serena’s testimony:

“Glory Church, a village church in Kompong Svey, is where I stay and teach whenever I visit Cambodia during the college semester breaks when I was a Bible student. Having graduated from FEBC and after ten years of absence due to working hard to earn my keep, I returned to serve the Lord, once again stepping foot on Kompong Svey in 2014.

“During the two trips I made in June and December last year, I received both encouragement as well as discouragement. Discouragement because the family residing in the church premises were left to fend for themselves without pastoral care. Nevertheless, God encouraged my heart to see them grow in faith through the testimonies they shared of their trials and persecutions. They shared that during the time I was with them, waking up daily at 6.30 am and studying the Word of God together as a family, had enabled them to grow spiritually. I was humbled to know first-hand God’s blessing upon them.

“The morning devotions were later also welcomed by another family and I hope to extend it to more families, God willing, in the forthcoming trip from 10 to 25 December 2015. Besides, I have a burden and desire to build up the children’s ministry. In addition, I would like to reach out to the villagers in a nearby impoverished village, Prey Thourng. Evangelising the many lost souls there will be the highlight of this trip.

“However, I foresee challenges ahead. The interpreter has taken up a job in the city and is not able to avail herself. Although I could speak simple functional Khmer language, telling the Gospel and teaching the Word of God in their native language on my own is something I dare not do. Please pray. John 9:4 says, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.” JESUS, the name above all names, I will follow wherever He leads.” (The Session has decided on a love gift of $1000 to Serena in support of her mission trip.)

Pray for Cambodian student, Tan Bun Kouy, that he will study hard at FEBC and return to serve in such churches in need of full-time preachers. A new Cambodian student, Long Titratanak, will join FEBC when the College reopens in January 2016. True Life will sponsor his studies at FEBC. JK

CHRISTMAS GOSPEL MEETING

Evangelism must be done always, throughout the year. We have our E-Band that go door-to-door tracting every month. FEBC held a Gospel Rally in September, and the Chinese Fellowship held one just last month. We will hold another Gospel Rally on Saturday, December 19. This is our annual Christmas Gospel Meeting cum Children’s Christmas Party. It is another wonderful opportunity to invite family and friends, classmates and colleagues to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Evangelism makes our Christmas celebration meaningful.

A group of young musicians from Calvary Batam Bible-Presbyterian Church will pay us a special visit on December 19 to play Christmas carols on their pianicas (blow organs). They will also be ministering to us on the Lord’s Day Service, December 20. The Rev Kiantoro Lie, pastor of Calvary Batam, will be the Lord’s messenger. Do warmly welcome our brethren from Batam and make them feel at home as they worship and fellowship with us. JK