AFRICAN MISSIONS

On November 16, 2023, four True Lifers (Deacon Dr Chan Kay Heem and his wife Soksin, Deborah and Judith) joined me on a missions trip to Africa. The primary purpose was to visit the missionaries and institutions True Life BPC has been supporting in prayer and in kind. We all visited the Bible College of East Africa (BCEA) in Nairobi, Kenya and in Arusha, Tanzania. In addition, I made a side trip to see the work of International Covenant Christian College (ICCC) in Kigali, Rwanda by invitation of the Rev Dr Mark Kim Kyungsoo.

The Lord used the Rev Dr Mark Kim to head the Reformed and Presbyterian Bible College movement in East Africa. After he graduated from Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) in 1990, he answered God’s call to Kenya to be Principal of BCEA under the Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions (IBPFM) USA. Then, in 2006, the Lord used him to found BCEA in Arusha, Tanzania, and in 2011, Kigali, Rwanda. BCEA Rwanda is now called International Covenant Christian College (ICCC).

There is a lot to share but I would just limit myself to what we had done and taught. This was what the Apostles did after Jesus sent them out on a missions trip in Mark 6: “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two… And they went out, and preached that men should repent. … And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.” (vv 7, 12, 30).

First in Rwanda. The day I arrived, I attended a fellowship meeting in Kimena and was asked to share the Word on short notice. Since it was an open air meeting at a home surrounded by hills, I chose to speak from Psalm 121, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.”  Rwanda is called the “Land of a thousand hills”. Most of the church members live in poverty, but they are thankful to the Lord for their daily provisions, and continue to trust in Him. “And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, “Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled.” (Luke 6:20-21a).

The Kigali Bible-Presbyterian Church is situated on the campus grounds of ICCC. I had the privilege of preaching in the two church services on the Lord’s Day, November 19. My message was titled “The Way Home” (John 14:1-6). The services were attended by 1500 combined. About 20 stood up to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour when the call was issued. The people in Rwanda are hungering and thirsting for the Word of God and they make it a point to come to church to hear it, some walking long distances.

Pray for the accreditation of ICCC by the Higher Education Council (HEC) to come through soon so that classes can begin. Thank God for this visionary work under the Rev Dr Mark Kim with strong support from his wife Hannah and daughter Deborah.

In Tanzania, we have BCEA in Arusha whose current Principal is the Rev Dr Park Seungkyu. He and his wife Chaewon and daughter Jonghwi are serving there together with the Rev Judah Pallangyo and the Rev Joseph Amos. All are FEBC alumni. As such, Dr Park is thankful that they all serve with one heart and mind without any misunderstanding.

On November 23, I preached at the morning chapel hour on the irresistible grace of God from Acts 26:15-19. We can never run away from God’s call to salvation and service. I wish to highlight that the chapel building requires major repairs, and a mission house is being built. Pray for provisions.

Last but not least, Kenya. Thank God for the opportunity to speak five times in Kenya, twice at the BCEA chapel hour on the Signs of the End (Matt 24:3-14) and on Israel in the Last Days (Jer 30:1-7). I also spoke at the Lenkijape Maasai Church under the Rev Stephen Omweri, a graduate of BCEA and a faithful pastor. He was about to go to Nairobi Hospital for surgery to remove a tumour from his brain. He had surgery 10 years ago in Korea, but the tumour came back. The church gathered to pray for him.

 

The Rev Dr Mark Kim spoke to the people from 2 Kings 20:1-6 on God’s healing of Hezekiah, granting 15 more years of life. I gave a word of encouragement from Hebrews 6:10, “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Thereafter we prayed for our brother. Thank God the surgery which lasted for eight hours went well. He said the Lord heard our prayers.

Then there was BCEA’s 52^nd Graduation Service on Saturday November 25. There were a total of 21 graduates, most of them getting their Advanced Diploma in Theology after four years of studies. I spoke on “Truth, Charity, Unity” (Eph 4:11-16). I encouraged all to promote unity in their respective churches and ministries by applying this biblical formula: Truth plus charity equals unity. It was well received.

I am thankful that I could renew fellowship with FEBC alumni who attended the Service. Besides the Rev Dr Mark Kim (Principal), the Rev Eben Yoon, Missionaries Bai Eunyoung, James & Shermaine Tan, Bishop Kivai, and Lorna Were who teach at BCEA Kenya, we had the Rev Dr & Mrs Park, and their daughter Jonghwi from Tanzania, the Rev Dr Michael Koech, the Rev Dr Jonathan Langat, and Benard Too who came all the way from Bomet, and the Rev Dr Nelson Were from Kisumu.

On the Lord’s Day of November 26, I preached at the Campus Church of BCEA Kenya. I spoke on the topic “Eat to Live Forever” (John 6:48-59). Jesus said, “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. … I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” (vv 27, 51).

Dr Chan Kay Heem conducted a health screening for BCEA students which was much appreciated. The team brought books, medicine, foodstuff and clothes for the people. Thank God for the opportunity to visit the missions field and to see what more we can do for the Lord and His missionaries.

There is a great need for more missionaries. I pray the Lord to raise up Singaporeans to answer the call to full-time service and missions. “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.” (John 4:35-38). “Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” (Matt 9:37-38). JK