We learnt to live by faith, the Lord provided for our needs. After our first academic year, two students left the College—one to a Bible College in Hong Kong, the other to another Bible College in Singapore. Why? Because one of our lecturers told us, “Quick, jump out of the sinking ship (FEBC), even the rats will run away.” But God did not tell me to go, so I was the only one left. I graduated in 1966. Looking back, life in the College through the years has not been easy, but God is with us, His presence is with us, He leads all the way.

God’s Preservation

In the early years of the College, some church leaders wanted the Rev Tow to close FEBC. I remember after that meeting as the Rev Tow walked up the stairs to the parsonage, he was weeping. In spite of opposition, the Lord did not allow the College to close. He strengthened, helped and gave wisdom to the Rev Tow to press on to teach and to train many students from many countries including Singapore.

 

Although not all FEBC graduates are faithful, many faithful ones have started churches and even Bible colleges in their own countries. Thank God for giving the Rev Tow the discernment to train some faithful FEBC graduates to continue the teaching ministry in FEBC. “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” (2 Tim 2:2).

 

Many Bible seminaries in the United States began to compromise and promote the new Bible versions, and this  influenced  many  churches  and this  influenced  many  churches  and Bible colleges in Singapore, even the FEBC and Life Bible-Presbyterian Church (LBPC). But by God’s grace, the Rev Tow and some of his faithful FEBC lecturers took the stand to defend God’s Word and Truth. Some lecturers, not willing to take the Dean Burgon Oath, left.

Because of the intense opposition of some of the LBPC leaders, the Rev Tow, the Founding Pastor of LBPC and Founding Principal of FEBC, had to resign from LBPC. The Lord then led the Rev Tow to start a new church called “True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church” in October 2003. Because FEBC believes and teaches “Verbal Plenary Preservation” (VPP) of the Holy Scriptures, the LBPC leaders wanted to evict FEBC. We had no place to go, but God in His mercies, faithfulness and sovereignty protected FEBC and granted FEBC the victory. “Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless: For their redeemer is mighty; he shall plead their cause with thee.” (Prov 23:10-11).

 

 

Having witnessed God’s grace and faithfulness in blessing and preserving FEBC over these 50 years despite opposition, troubles, trials and difficulties, I am so thankful to the Lord. I would like to encourage the younger generation to continue the ministry faithfully until Jesus comes again. “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” (Rev 2:10b).