FAR EASTERN BIBLE COLLEGE

The Far Eastern Bible College opened its new semester on July 21, 2008 with a day of prayer and registration at the Shalom Chapel, Calvary Tengah Bible-Presbyterian Church which is located next to our nation’s defence airbase which makes us feel very safe.

A total of six vans from Berean, Calvary Pandan, Gethsemane, True Life, and Truth B-P Church, plus FEBC’s very own, were profitably used to fetch the students to Calvary Tengah. The green and quiet surroundings of Shalom Chapel were most conducive for a time of worship as both faculty and students besought the Lord to protect and preserve FEBC in a most trying time of its history. We thank the Session of Calvary Tengah for their kind hospitality, not only to open the church premises for our use, but also to provide amost sumptuous lunch for the 80 or so people who attended the service.

Praise the Lord for a blessed and peaceful first day and week without incident. The Principal—Rev Dr Timothy Tow—in his welcoming word to the students read from 2 Timothy 2:15-18, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” He told the students, “You have come to FEBC to study the truth; not to have your faith overthrown but strengthened.” We thank the Lord that our beloved founder and principal at 88 years of age, though physically frail, is still very much alive and alert to share with us his faith and wisdom. The Lord has kept His faithful servant for such a time as this.

The FEBC faculty is united in doctrine and spirit to fulfil this holy purpose of training God’s students with His inspired and preserved words to the jot and tittle, 100% perfect without any mistake to the glory of His Name. Dr Boaz Boon, Secretary of the FEBC Board, and Elder of Calvary Tengah, spoke from Romans 8:31-39 on being “more than conquerors” in Christ Jesus our Lord. Mrs Ivy Tow, the College Matron, shared how she was worried for FEBC, but the Lord encouraged her through Deuteronomy 3:22, “Ye shall not fear them: for the LORD your God he shall fight for you.”

This semester we welcome the following 12 new students: Bong Sak Tet (Indonesia), Paul Ferguson (UK), Alongkorn Harichaikul (Thailand), Tann Heng (Cambodia), Ho Xiao Wei (Singapore), Tammy Ho (Singapore), Kim Ki Moo (Korea), Kim Ki Yeon (Korea), Kim Mi Gyeong (Korea), Karen Lee (Singapore), Josias Llego (Philippines), and Sun Srei Leakena (Cambodia). Praise the Lord for the three Singaporean girls from Truth BPC (Pastor Dennis Kwok) who have answered God’s call to full-time service. Pray for two new African students who are still waiting for their student passes to be approved.

We especially welcome brother Paul Ferguson to the FEBC family. Mr Ferguson was a practising lawyer in London before the Lord called him to full-time ministry. He shared how he was moved to serve the Lord through our principal’s personal testimony and biography of the famed Chinese revivalist—Dr John Sung. Brother Ferguson has just completed his studies at Foundations Bible College in the States, and will work towards his doctor of theology degree at FEBC. As part of his doctoral requirements, he is assigned to teach Church History this semester. He readily took the Dean Burgon Oath before the faculty and student body, and signed FEBC’s Statement of Faith, a testimony of his kinship with FEBC, and his allegiance to God’s inspired words preserved in the Hebrew Masoretic Text and Greek Textus Receptus on which the Authorised Version is based.

FEBC is introducing a distance learning or online course this semester. The Lord has moved the heart of brother Murray Ong (MSc in Computer and Information Sciences, NUS) to serve at FEBC as IT Manager and Tutor in IT. Murray teaches a new course on “Information Technology in Ministry.” The first course to be offered through the distance learning mode is “The Apocalypse: A Study of the Book of Revelation” by Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew. FEBC’s distance learning courses will follow the schedule of the regular semesters of weekly lectures and assignments culminating with an exam at the end of the semester. The online distance learning programme is still at the preliminary, testing stage, and thus not yet open to all. In time, FEBC hopes to offer a wide array of distance learning courses that will allow the laity to work towards their Certificate of Religious Knowledge/Biblical Studies (CertRK/BS) or Diploma in Theology (DipTh) in fulfilment of the teaching aspect of the Great Commission. This is another step of faith on the part of FEBC to advance the Bible College movement worldwide to the glory of God.

Letter from Dr Robert Kluttz, Hokkaido, Japan

27 June 2008

Beloved Brethren,

We know your hands and hearts are full with the confusion resulting from the concision in Singapore. Praying for you mightily, and are sure that the LORD is going to vindicate His Great Name, His Testimony, and His Truth because of your valiant stand.

Enclosing a bit more of the Lord’s money for your needs there, and continue to hold you dear to our hearts, for the infallible and inerrant Word of our Great God and for the Testimony of His Precious Son.

Psalm 26

A Psalm of David.

Judge me, O LORD; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide. Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth. I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers. I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.

A brother in Christ,

B Kluttz

Letter from Rev Hien Nguyen, Brisbane, Australia

21 July 2008

Dear beloved principal Rev Dr Timothy Tow, our beloved Matron Mrs Ivy Tow, our beloved academic dean Dr Jeffrey Khoo, and the FEBC Board of Directors, and all the lecturers and students,

We greet you in the holy name of our living Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

We are much thankful to the Lord for establishing, preserving and blessing FEBC over the years despite all the difficulties, opposition, and trials she has encountered.

We really thank God for strengthening you, sustaining you, guiding you and helping you trust in Him step by step at a time and boldly carry on your ministry and FEBC’s new semester today regardless of the threats and oppression from those who are against God’s Truth.

We do humbly and fervently pray for you all and trust in our living and true God and His sovereignty, faithfulness, love, grace, mercy, truth and justice. You are honouring the Lord and His Word, and surely He will honour you, preserve you, and grant you His timely deliverance and victory.

May the Lord our God be with you and for you, strengthen you, go before you, guide you, mightily bless you with another successful and fruitful semester and see you through all your troubles and difficulties triumphantly.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

Hien Nguyen

On behalf of Brisbane BPC

Letter from Rev Errol Stone, Perth, Australia

21 July 2008

Dear Rev Dr Timothy, Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo, (Board Members), Lecturers, Administration Staff and Students of FEBC and families,

Greetings in the blessed name of our risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Praise God for the FEBC “Day of Prayer” yesterday and commencement of a new term/new era today.

When a faithful Bible College stands for God having a high view of His Word, the adversary will attack. Prayerfulness, faithfulness and courage are thereby required, remembering that this is a spiritual battle, (not flesh and blood), and to put on the armour of God (Eph 6:10-18).

A good minister will warn and teach about false doctrine (1 Tim 4:1-6), and earnestly contend for the faith, which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3). God will preserve FEBC, while it remains faithful. When Moses commissioned Joshua, he said to Joshua and the people, “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee,” (Deut 31:6).

In His Service,

Rev. Errol D. Stone.

Pastor: Faith Presbyterian Church-Perth