Dwelling Together in Unity
A Report by Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew of FEBC’s Annual Retreat at Resort Lautan Biru, Mersing, 10-13 May 2010
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Ps 133:1). About 100 brethren from 16 different countries dwelling together in unity by the common grace of Christ Jesus was what I experienced at the Resort Lautan Biru from the 10th to the 13th of May 2010! These 16 countries include Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nagaland, South Korea, Australia, China, Philippines, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Congo, Ghana, and last but not least Singapore. From extremely different walks of life the LORD assembled all of us together through the amazing workings of the Holy Spirit. The students have all come to Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) to be trained in the Word and to encourage one another in the work of the LORD. At FEBC, these students live together, study, eat, interact, debate, encourage and challenge one another in the things of God. The Holy Spirit will shape and mould their characters for the Master’s use in the great vineyard that is white unto harvest. You do not really know these students until they share their testimonies of their homeland and struggles. Every one of them envisaged facing many challenges and struggles upon their graduation and return.
The theme of the main message at the retreat was “The Minister’s Witness” taken from 2 Corinthians 6:1-13. The three main points of the message were: (1) The minister can turn the grace of God into vanity if he lives a life of sin, (2) The aim of the minister’s witness is not to bring shame to the Name of Christ, and (3) The scope of minister’s witness is in all things and the approval from God.
Three DVD films were screened to challenge our hearts: (1) “Here I Stand” (on the history of Biblical fundamentalism in the 20th Century), (2) “Bamboo in Winter” (on the life of a young Chinese girl searching for the meaning of life and finding Christ during the Cultural Revolution), and (3) “Fanny Crosby” (on her life as a hymn writer). There were skits performed by the students, the singing of hymns of praise, testimonies by some of the new graduates, and the sharing by students about their own countries. The latter was most instructive because the students introduced their respective countries from a Christian perspective. Some of these countries have less than 1% Christians (e.g. Thailand) and others have nearly 80% (e.g. Kenya). These statistics comprise a mix of Roman Catholics, Charismatics and Conservatives and they highlight how influential the ecumenical movement has been in various parts of the world in these last days. One of the richest countries in the world with many natural resources is Congo. The country has gold, and many different types of precious stones and a large forest with trees of many different colours. There are trees with trunks so huge that it requires ten men holding hands together to encircle it. Yet the people are very poor because of bad management. Wars have plagued the country of Congo for years. The weekly prayer in Congolese churches is for peace!
Some students come from Bible Colleges founded by missionaries. These students testified of the blessings they have received in these Bible Colleges. Their desire is to return as teachers in their respective Bible Colleges after graduating from FEBC. These Bible Colleges include the Bible College in Ethiopia (under the care of Gethsemane BPC), Bomet Bible Institute, Kenya (under the care of Rev Michael Koech, an FEBC graduate), Faith College of the Bible in Eldoret, Kenya (the majority of faculty members are FEBC graduates), and the Bible College of East Africa, in Kenya and in Tanzania (under the care of Rev Dr Mark Kim, an FEBC graduate).
God’s servants shared about their countries’ needs. The common prayer in all the testimonies is that they would preach the gospel of Christ faithfully upon their return to their homeland and that what they have learnt from God in FEBC would stand them in good stead as they earnestly contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints. Charismatics have overrun their countries. These graduates have now been equipped with God’s truth. They need prayers for strength and courage to fight the good fight of faith. What they have learnt from God in FEBC will be put to the test. Head knowledge will soon become heart knowledge. The DVD on “Here I Stand” told the story of courageous defenders of the faith like Dr J Gresham Machen, Dr Carl McIntire, and the Rev Ian Paisley. The DVD also showed how the mighty like Billy Graham have fallen into ecumenism, denying that Jesus Christ is the only way to salvation. Our students pray that the LORD will keep them faithful. Not only must God’s ministers begin well in the ministry, it is paramount that they end well too.
As I sat there listening to the testimonies of the graduates, I could not help but reflect upon the work of God in the life of one man— the late Rev Dr Timothy Tow—who by God’s high calling started FEBC in 1962 to train men and women from all walks of life and from faraway countries. These graduates who experienced life together in the dormitories, in the kitchen, in the classrooms, in the chapel, at prayer time, will in all likelihood never meet again when they leave the College. Nevertheless, the few years they have had together have helped shape and transform their lives to be more like Christ and have equipped them for the years of ministry ahead, fighting in the forefront of God’s battle against the forces of Satan. Through the obedience of one man, hundreds if not thousands of lives have been and continue to be impacted by the Word of God for eternity. God enlarged the cause of Christ when the Rev Timothy Tow heeded the call to found FEBC 48 years ago. We owe God so much. We thank God for Rev Tow in so many ways that are beyond what words can say. Personally, I owe Rev Tow so much. How can you thank someone who was used by God to turn your life around to know the truth and to have your theology straightened out so that your earthly life will not be lived foolishly?
FEBC may be located on a tiny island. However, the outreach FEBC has to the many distant continents of the world must not be underestimated. It is the work of the Almighty God. With the strong Singapore dollar, and the stable government (both by the grace of God), FEBC and God’s people in Singapore can do so much without leaving the shores of our tiny island. It is no wonder Satan wants FEBC destroyed. The work of God in FEBC might appear small and insignificant in the eyes of man but the global impact it has will be revealed one day when the LORD returns. One graduating student summed up her testimony very well when she said, “If we do not meet again, let us meet in heaven.” Please pray for FEBC.
FEBC’s Annual Retreat at Resort Lautan Biru, Mersing, 10-13 May 2010 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity” (Ps 133:1)
