CLERK OF SESSION’S REPORT
FOR 2007
(Annual report by Dn Wilson Tan on behalf of the Session to members of True Life BPC at its ACM, April 27, 2008)
“…as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Joshua 1:5
Truly, the Lord has been faithful to True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church, as we reflect upon His dealing toward us in the past year.
VISION AND MISSION
According to Article 3 of the Church Constitution, the objects for which the Church is established are:
3.1 The salvation of souls;
3.2 The edification of Christians through the teaching of God’s Word;
3.3 The promotion of godly worship;
3.4 The defence of “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints”;
3.5 The establishment and extension of Christian missions and institutions for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom on earth;
3.6 The promotion of Christian relief for the poor and needy;
3.7 The strengthening of mutual fellowship, encouragement and unity among individual Bible- Presbyterian Churches and other Bible-believing churches of similar stand “for the Word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev.1:9).
GOVERNANCE
The Church is governed according to the Presbyterian system of rule by Elders, with a Session consisting of Pastor, Elders and Deacons. The Session of True Life Bible-PresbyterianChurch for Electoral Term 2005 to 2008 comprised Rev Dr Timothy Tow as Pastor; Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo, the late Eld Eric Mahadevan and Eld Geoffrey Tan as Elders; Mr Charles Kan, Mr Tai Mern Yee, Mr Tan Beng Lee and Mr Wilson Tan as Deacons. Rev Stephen Khoo served as advisor by invitation.
MEMBERSHIP
As of December 31st 2007, 15 adults were admitted to communicant membership of the church by water baptism, 6 by reaffirmation of faith. There were 2 infant baptisms (non-communicant membership). In addition, a total of 23 were admitted to membership, having been transferred from other churches.
The Church continues to call for its congregants and visitors to register to become Church members either by water baptism, reaffirmation of faith, or transfer of membership.
ATTENDANCE ON THE LORD’S DAY
The Church was blessed by the Lord with an increase in attendance in its worship service as well as prayer, teaching ministry and fellowship groups. Average attendance each Lord’s Day for worship service was about 350, including children.
MINISTRIES
Worship Service
The Church holds its worship service every Lord’s Day, 10.30am at the Regional Language Centre (RELC), 30 Orange Grove Road, Singapore 258352. The pulpit is jealously guarded, with only preachers of the same doctrinal persuasion, ie: of the reformed faith, taking a stand for biblical separation and standing squarely on the perfect inspiration and perfect preservation of Scripture, are invited to preach the Word. Some of our guest preachers include: Rev Koa Keng Woo, Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew, Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy, Rev Tan Kian Sing, Rev Stephen Khoo, Dr Tow Siang Hwa, Rev Ronny Khoo, Rev Errol Stone and Rev Nguyen Gia Hien.
Korean Worship Service
The Korean worship service at True Life B-P Church since inauguration in 2006, has seen a steady increase of attendees to 50. Our Korean brethren hold two services on the Lord’s Day, at 10.30am and 1pm at the Chancery Room (#503), RELC.
Children’s Ministry
The children are ministered each Lord’s Day through the Children’s Ministry. The younger ones will attend the Children’s Worship, and those of schooling age will attend the Children’s Choir.
Prayer Meeting
Prayer meetings are held every Friday evening at the RELC, and for the first Friday of each month, Family Worship cum Prayer Meeting is held at the homes of True Lifers.
In keeping with the format of John Sung revival meetings, the study of God’s Word led by Dr Jeffrey Khoo or Rev Stephen Khoo isfollowed by a season of thanksgiving and testimonies, whereby the faith of members are fortified by hearing how the Lord has been good to the brethren. Prayer meeting attendance has grown to about 90, with a good number of children, who come to pray and seek the Lord as well.
Sunday School
The Adults’ Sunday school has been taught by faithful and dedicated pastors. The following books taught in 2007 were: 1-2 Peter by Dr Jeffrey Khoo, Philemon by Rev Ronny Khoo and 1 Samuel by Rev Stephen Khoo/Eld JT Joseph. Classes are held in auditorium, and there is a regular attendance of about 80 students.
Catechism classes are held twice a year for 12 weeks each time for those who wish to be baptised, reaffirm their faith or join the church as a member. The lessons are on the fundamentals of Christian faith and Bible- Presbyterian distinctives conducted by Dr Jeffrey Khoo and Dn Tai Mern Yee.
The Children’s Sunday School is led by Mrs Jemima Khoo, and ably assisted by a committed team of teachers and helpers.
Evangelism
Door to door HDB flat’s evangelism is held at Bukit Panjang every last Lord’s Day of the month, with close to 20 (including children) coming each time to share the good news of salvation.
Missions and Outreaches
The Church supports missions in Brisbane (Rev Nguyen Gia Hien and Brisbane B-P Church), Kemaman (Dr Wee Tiong Soon and Kemaman Life B-P Church), Kuching (Marilyn Nanta), Myanmar (Amos Go and Thang No), Bethlehem (Rev Danny Awad) and the Bible College of East Africa (Kenya and Tanzania).
Choir Ministry
The choir ministers to the congregation through music. The choir committee was led by Mr Tay Bee Heng.
Bible Study Groups
The Filipina and Indonesian Bible Study groups continued to minister to the Filipina and Indonesians in the Church. The groups were led by FEBC students as part of their ministry practicum.
Fellowship Groups
Adults’ Fellowship
The fellowship meets monthly at the home of Mr and Mrs William Teo. The group studied “Church History” led by Dr Jeffrey Khoo who spoke on “Church Fathers and Martyrs,” “Monks and Popes,” “Apostasy of the Roman Church,” “Reformation Forerunners,” “The Reformation in the Fulness of Time,” and “Calvin the Reformation Theologian.” Other speakers were Rev Ronny Khoo, Rev Tan Kian Sing, and Rev Nguyen Gia Hien.
One highlight of the year was the Christmas Carolling where the group visited 3 homes and the Ju Eng Home for Senior Citizens, where messages on the gospel of Jesus Christ were shared by Rev Ronny Khoo in the respective homes.
Family Bible Study Fellowship
The group seeks to build up godly families, a key pillar of the church. It meets every month at the homes of various member and the children are being taken care of by FEBC students who arrange activities for them.
The group had a fruitful year studying the book of “Philippians” under Rev Stephen Khoo, going through a series of “Focus on the Family” messages by Elder William Seah, having a retreat at Sofitel Palm Resort, JB where Elder William Seah spoke on “Who Builds Our Home?” (Ps 127:1) with devotions by Bro Dominino; and organising a Christmas Gospel Meeting on 22 December 2007 held at RELC with Rev Ronny Khoo preaching and Bro Samuel Kwong interpreting into Mandarin. Praise God over 70 people attended this gospel meeting.
Ladies’ Fellowship
The Ladies Fellowship meets every 1st Wednesday evening of the month at 7.45pm at the RELC and is open to all True Lifers, and not just the ladies of the Church.
The group studied the book of James under Dr Jeffrey Khoo, and were privileged to hear the Word of God delivered by Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy, Rev Ronny Khoo, and Rev Errol Stone also.
Young Peoples’ Fellowship
The Young Peoples’ Fellowship meets every Saturday at the home of Mr and Mrs Foo Chee Yong. The theme for 2007 was “Living for Jesus” taken from the book of Proverbs. Activities included Bible studies with brethren of Berean Bible-Presbyterian Church, cottage meetings at the homes of church members, combined meetings and youth conferences with the YF of other liked-minded churches.
In December 2007, True Life YPF and Calvary Pandan YF held a combined camp at Lautan Biru Resort, Mersing, with Dr Jeffrey Khoo speaking on the theme, “Are You on the Lord’s Side?”
SPECIAL SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES
The special services on the church calendar included: the Good Friday Service, 6 April 2007; Easter Sunrise Baptismal Service at Labrador Park, 8 April 2007, 7am; Christmas Eve service 24 December 2007, 8pm; Watchnight Service, 31 December 2007.
Some other special activities included:
4th True Life Bible Camp, theme of “Glorifying Christ in Perilous Times (Gal 2:20)” by Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew and Rev Errol Stone at Bintan Agro Beach Resort with 155 participants.
On 1st September 2007, a six-day mission trip to Sarawak was led by Dr Jeffrey Khoo with a team of 20 True Lifers to strengthen and encourage our missionary Marilyn Nanta and the brethren in Kuching.
4th Anniversary Thanksgiving lunch, 7 October 2007, 385 attendees.
Carolling sessions organised by the various fellowship groups to spread the Christmas message: the good news of salvation to mankind.
RELATIONSHIP WITH FAR EASTERN BIBLE COLLEGE
The symbiotic relationship between the Church and the College lies in the sameness of spirit and doctrine.
The Church functions as training grounds for the students of the College, and it also supports a number of them through scholarships.
FUTURE PLANS AND COMMITMENTS
True Life B-P Church shall continue to worship at the RELC Auditorium, and will rent more space as and when required. The Church Building Fund was borne out of a spontaneous desire by members for a permanent home, and it is our prayer that God would show the way according to His will.
The Church will also continue to redouble its efforts in evangelism, outreach and missions to hasten the coming of our Lord.
To God be the glory!
