GOD’S KINGDOM MARCHES ON

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt 28:18-20)

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” (Matt 24:14)

Birth of Blessed Hope BPC

Praise the Lord for the founding of another Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore named Blessed Hope, officially registered on 28 January 2014. The preacher in charge of the new Church is Lek Aik Wee (above), an FEBC graduate (MDiv 2007) who had served at Calvary Pandan and New Life BPCs. Elder Siow Chai Sheng and Elder Paul Tsao, formerly from New Life BPC, are deeply involved in this new ministry.

Blessed Hope BPC holds its Sunday services in the afternoons at the Salvation Army (Upper Bukit Timah). I had the privilege of preaching there last Lord’s Day and delivered a message on “Building and Keeping God’s Church” (Ps 127:1). I was glad to see some True Lifers (like Jeremy and Bonnie) supporting the work there.

What is encouraging about Blessed Hope BPC is that it is not ashamed of the good doctrine of the verbal and plenary preservation (VPP) of the Holy Scriptures, and has taken a declared position on this vital doctrine in its constitution together with FEBC and other likeminded BPCs. Let us not despise the day of small things (Zech 4:10). May the Lord bless this new work and may it grow from strength to strength to the glory of God.

New BPC in the Philippines

Praise the Lord for the planting of a new Bible-Presbyterian Church in Pangasinan, in the Philippines. Our sister Felisa, a member of True Life, is thankful that her loved ones especially her mother have a Bible-believing and Gospel-preaching church to attend so that they can learn more about the Lord Jesus Christ. Her mother and relatives visited Singapore last Christmas and worshipped and fellowshipped with us at True Life for a few weeks.

Donald Dela Cruz who graduated from FEBC last year with his MDiv is the resident preacher of this new evangelistic outreach. He is supervised by the Rev Dr Prabhudas Koshy, pastor of Gethsemane BPC. The church had its first worship service on February 9, 2014.

Below is a group photo after the worship service (Felisa’s mother is seated 5th from left. Preacher Donald is standing on the extreme right). JK

 

News from BCEA Tanzania

 

Dear Rev Dr Khoo, all in FEBC and True Life BPC family,

Greetings in Jesus’ blessed name. Wishing all a blessed year 2014. Happy Chinese New Year coming soon!

It is a great joy that the Lord has blessed us with another year of service. May we take it as a great privilege and serve Him more earnestly. The ministry is full of challenges and sometimes hardships but I thank the Lord for how He has directed our steps so far as we always trust Him and wait upon Him as He has promised to direct our ways in His most holy, inspired and preserved Word.

Let me take this opportunity as we begin this semester to send this letter to you with many thanks. At Bible College of East Africa (BCEA) Tanzania, we are so thankful to you personally, True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church Session and members, and FEBC friends for your sacrificial giving for the support of God’s work here. Your support has been of great importance for the daily running of the College. Most of our students are not able to pay their fees due to their poor family background. Because of this, the College depends fully on the support and giving from donors. Therefore through your giving it has been possible to train those who are willing to serve but limited in financial status.

We have just begun our new semester. It is now the second week of the semester. We expected to receive six new students this semester, but I think because of the economic situation in most of the families and definitely because of God’s own timing, only three reported. Including the returning students there is a total of 23 students this semester. Three students completed their studies and one diploma student moved to BCEA Nairobi to continue with his studies there.

It is a semester with many challenges. Chano (one of our lecturers whom you know well) has left the teaching ministry at BCEA TZ. At the same time, sister Apasia had her leg broken. She cannot teach for six weeks from the beginning of this semester. We expect that she will resume her duties by the end of February 2014 if the healing will be okay. Missionary Kim can only teach Church History and English. Thank God for Joseph Amos as we are laboring together in teaching and administrative work. Just to let you know we have two streams since July 2013, one for Diploma and another for Certificate. You can imagine how much work there is for Joseph and me this semester. Anyway we are not complaining. We are so thankful to God for the opportunity to carry such burdens to teach and to do the other administrative and ministerial work. We need your prayers for this semester.

Pray with us for the following items: (1) Pray for strength for lecturers, and special prayers for Apasia’s recovery. (2) Pray also for financial support for the upkeep of the College. According to Rev Mark Kim, there seems to be a serious financial problem. (3) Pray for provision of various needs in the College. Pray for the enrollment of new faithful students to be trained in God’s Word.

I thank the Lord for the Church Session for your consideration and invitation to me to attend the True Life Church Camp this June. Pray that all obstacles may be removed and that God may give a clear direction for this good and blessed occasion. Hope it will be a good and blessed time to share the ministry experience face to face.

Greetings to all beloved friends in Christ especially those who love the Lord! “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor 15:58).

In Christ’s Bond,

Judah Kundael Pallangyo

23 January 2014

[Ed: The Rev Judah Pallangyo is a BMin/MDiv graduate of FEBC and academic dean of BCEA Tanzania.]

Letter from a Fellow Labourer in Christ

Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo

Far Eastern Bible College

Brother in Jesus Christ, greetings in His precious name. It is my joy to send you a short note of greetings and congratulations on the soon graduation of another college year. We pray for you daily, that God will give you grace to endure the hardships of Christian leadership. I had wanted to be at your college graduation but many health issues are looming in front of me.

Please accept our Christian love and thanks for preparing the Kenyan pastors for Jesus.

Your humble co-worker for Him and His glory,

Rev Dr R P Carlson

402 Whitehall Drive

Manchester MO 63021-5143

USA

February 5, 2014

[Ed: The Rev Dr Raymond Carlson is a veteran missionary to Kenya and was instrumental in the building of Bomet Bible Institute (BBI). The Principal of BBI is the Rev Michael Koech, a BTh/MDiv graduate of FEBC.]

VERSE FOR THE WEEK

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov 28:13