FAR EASTERN BIBLE COLLEGE
It is with much thanksgiving and gratitude to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that the Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) continues to carry out His holy work—training not only Bible-believing servants for ministry and missions but also Bible-defending soldiers to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). This the College has faithfully done since its founding in 1962.
Then and Now
Founded in 1962, FEBC is now in its 63rd year. The first graduation service was held in 1966, when the first Certificate of Religious Knowledge (CertRK) was awarded to Jeanette Shirley Packer, and the first Bachelor of Theology (BTh) degree was conferred on Ivy Tan Swee Lian. Jeanette Packer was from Australia and was called home to the Lord in 2017. Ivy Tan became Mrs Tow when she married FEBC’s founding Principal—the Rev Dr Timothy Tow—and served faithfully as a pastor’s wife and as FEBC’s Matron until she was called home on May 17, 2024.
FEBC has come a long way since then, having graduated a thousand students who are now serving in more than 40 countries. Compared to others, we are but a small school with only a little strength. Nevertheless, one thing is certain: our Lord is strong, and He is able to protect, preserve, and provide for us as long as we remain faithful in teaching and defending His forever infallible and inerrant Word without compromise.
FEBC comes under constant attack from Satan and his agents, who falsely accuse in order to deceive and destroy—from within and from without, and not only by word of mouth but also through print and social media. But our God is able to shut the mouths of lions and quench the fiery darts of our enemies—not only in the past, but also today. Indeed, He has done so many times throughout our history. And even if He does not, we will hold fast to the truth and never depart from Him to the very end. That is the spirit of FEBC.
We rest in the all-sufficient grace of Christ and echo the words of Paul: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” (2 Cor 12:9–10)
FEBC’s Board of Directors (all eight members, both young and old), along with our faculty (comprising 11 lecturers and seven tutors) and six administrative staff members, have all served lovingly and diligently to uphold and sustain the College.
Last semester, FEBC had 39 full-time residential students and 559 part-time and online students—all zealous for God’s Word and growing in Christ. God willing, in the new semester, we shall see the matriculation of 14 new students.
50th Graduation Service
The 50th Graduation Service, held on 11 May 2025, saw 28 students graduating with their diplomas: six with a Certificate of Religious Knowledge (CertRK), nine with a Certificate of Biblical Studies (CertBS), three with a Diploma in Theology (DipTh), one with a Bachelor of Ministry (BMin), three with a Bachelor of Religious Education (BRE), three with a Bachelor of Theology (BTh), one with a Master of Ministry (MMin), one with a Master of Religious Education (MRE), and one with a Master of Divinity (MDiv).
Dean Burgon Oath
FEBC has not wavered in its commitment to teach and defend the old-time faith and uphold the Verbal Plenary Inspiration (VPI) and Verbal Plenary Preservation (VPP) of the Holy Scriptures.
Every year at its annual convocation, the Board and Faculty reaffirm this commitment by taking the Dean Burgon Oath: “I swear in the name of the triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—that the Bible is none other than the voice of Him that sitteth upon the throne. Every book of it, every chapter of it, every verse of it, every word of it, every syllable of it, every letter of it, is the direct utterance of the Most High. The Bible is none other than the Word of God, not some part of it more, some part of it less, but all alike the utterance of Him that sitteth upon the throne, faultless, unerring, supreme. So help me God. Amen.”
Annual Retreat
A total of 71 members of the FEBC family—comprising Board members, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends—participated in the annual retreat held at Resort Lautan Biru (RLB) in Mersing from 13 to 15 May 2025. It was a blessed time of worshipping the Lord, fellowshipping with one another, and studying His Word. During the six devotional sessions, the following sermons were preached: (1) “God Our Provider” (Gen 22:14) by Rev Clement Chew, (2) “Treasures in Heaven” (Matt 6:19–24) by Rev Dr Haposan Siregar, (3) “Living within Your Means” (Phil 4:11–13) by Rev Zhu Jianwei, (4) “Earn, Save, Give” (Acts 20:35) by Rev Samuel Joseph, (5) “Owe No Man” (Prov 22:7; Rom 13:8) by Rev Dr Koa Keng Woo, (6) “Faithful Stewardship” (Matt 25:14–30) by Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo.
Five graduates presented their theses and fielded questions: (1) Jonathan Hendricks—“Church Discipline and Its Practice According to the Pauline Epistles”, (2) Martin Eliezar Siregar—“Biblical View on Entertainment”, (3) Cho Hyeonseo—“The Sacredness of Life: A Biblical and Ethical Defence against Modern Justifications for Abortion”, (4) Maria Mae B Durango—“Biblical Principles on Co-Labouring in the Life of Paul’s Co-Labourers”, (5) Hkaw Du Htin Htut—“A Biblical Evaluation of the Prosperity Gospel”. It was a meaningful time of interactive learning and mutual edification.
During the retreat, we celebrated Rev Dr Koa Keng Woo’s 96th birthday. By the grace of God, Rev Koa continues to serve as a director on the Board and a lecturer at FEBC, despite his age. He follows the principle taught by our founding principal to his students—that there is no retirement in the Lord’s ministry.
Mersing Youth Campsite
FEBC’s Matron—Mrs Eileen Khoo—gave a historical overview of RLB from 1996 to 2025 through a video slideshow, highlighting God’s gracious providence through the ministry of our founding principal—Rev Dr Timothy Tow— whom God used to establish this youth campsite for the blessing of His people.
You may view the presentation—“Remembering the Beginnings of Resort Lautan Biru, Mersing Youth Campsite”—on the TLBPC and FEBC YouTube channels.
Our recent retreat at RLB may well be our last after 25 years, as its trustees—Calvary Jaya Bible Presbyterian Fellowship—have put the property up for sale. We hope and pray it can be saved. God knows best and may His will be done (Eccl 3:1–2). We thank God for all the blessings His children have received in Mersing through the years.
The Burning Bush
The July 2025 edition of FEBC’s theological journal, featuring the article “The Communion of Saints and the Ministry of Prayer: A Reformed and Protestant Perspective” along with other biblical articles, is available for free on FEBC’s website.
Day of Prayer
FEBC reopens for a new semester with a Day of Prayer tomorrow, Monday, July 21, 8.30 am. The service will be held at the sanctuary of Life Bible-Presbyterian Church, 9A Gilstead Road. All are welcome. JK
Rev Li Yahui with Ordination Council Members after His Ordination Service on 22 June 2025
