What a Golden Jubilee!

“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” (Ps 138:2).

What a week of rejoicing and thanksgiving to our God and Saviour Jesus Christ for His good hand upon the Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) all these 50 years of her existence. It was a double thanksgiving and blessing! The College held two services, an Alumni Thanksgiving Service on Friday, September 21^st, and the Golden Jubilee Thanksgiving Service on the Lord’s Day, September 23^rd, 2012.

The Alumni Thanksgiving Dinner and Service was attended by 400 who dined alfresco under royal and coconut palms at the college grounds. The Lord heard our prayers and withheld the rain. A brief shower at 4 pm cleansed the grounds, and by the time the dinner started at 6 pm, the air was cool and fresh, and all enjoyed the food and fellowship under the clear, sunset skies. The highlight of the Service was no doubt the conferment of the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree on one of FEBC’s faithful alumni, the Rev Koa Keng Woo, 83 years of age but still going strong, serving the Lord with much joy and zeal. As the honoured speaker that night, he gave a most pertinent message, “The Need for Godliness in Ministry.”

FEBC’s Golden Jubilee Yearbook— To Magnify His Word—was given out that night, hot off the press. All who came also took home a souvenir coffee mug with the FEBC logo and the words,  “Self  help with God’s help is the best help”—one of Timothy Tow’s famous sayings, well known to all his students.

Kenyan students singing a Kiswahili hymn

Sunday night saw over 800 at the Golden Jubilee Thanksgiving Service held at the John Sung Memorial Chapel, Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church. The Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew, pastor of Calvary Pandan, chaired the service, and Dr S H Tow, senior pastor of Calvary Pandan and one of the patriarchs of the Bible- Presbyterian Church, was the Lord’s messenger. Dr Tow gave many insights into how God promoted and preserved the College, how in many divinely ordered events in the history of the College, life came out of death!

Mrs Ivy Tow—one of FEBC’s first students and graduates—was honoured and she was the founding Principal’s good “right hand” and “helpmeet” since 1966, and truly a mother to all her students.

A total of $68,552.90 (plus about $220 in foreign currencies) of thanksgiving offerings was collected from the two services. All will go to the support of the Bible College movement overseas except for $2,400 which was designated specifically for FEBC by “Grateful Alumni”.

The FEBC ship did not sink as many had hoped, but sails on steadily with Jesus Christ as her Captain and Pilot steering a straight course along the strait and narrow that leads to life. What further challenges and battles lie ahead for FEBC? Only the Lord knows. But with Him in the vessel we can smile at whatever storms that may come our way. To God be the glory, great things He has done! JK

Anniversary Greetings

From Dr Paul Lee Tan

September 20, 2012

Dearly beloved Dr. and Mrs. Khoo:

Congratulations on the 50^th Anniversary of the FAR EASTERN BIBLE COLLEGE, and its Christ-centered, Bible-based churches.

In Psalm 103:2, King David wrote: “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” And truly, God has given many abundant “benefits” to the strategic ministry of FEBC in the vital training of future servants of God for worldwide Christian service.

Today, as we all celebrate another milestone of God’s mission, may God fill all of you with joy, peace, and renewed strength.

It is amazing to see how God had envisioned His servant, beloved Dr. Timothy Tow, to establish the Far Eastern Bible College for the furtherance of the Gospel ministries in Singapore and worldwide. And through this wonderful school, you have motivated, trained, equipped, and sent forth countless servants of God into the mission field.

In this half century of sacred ministries—while waiting for Christ’s soon return—FEBC has stood fast on sound Bible doctrines, and have uplifted Christ amidst a changing world, based on your founding principles and continuing diligence in the Faith.Now, as you enter another chapter (and century) of your sacred service for God, may the Apostle Paul’s prayer be fulfilled at FEBC: “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6).

Matthew 28:19-20 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations … and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Thank you and may God bless you. Sincerely in Christ,

DR. PAUL LEE TAN

From Faith College of the Bible

To the Principal and the whole fraternity of Far Eastern Bible College:

On behalf of Faith College of the Bible Board of Directors, Faculty and students, I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your Golden Jubilee in the service of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The late Dr Timothy Tow, founder of FEBC, had a vision that led to the establishment of FEBC 50 years ago; a vision that God has richly blessed and whose fruit is evident in the large number of pastors and teachers who have graduated from FEBC, the number of churches planted by these men, and the vibrant ministries of graduates of FEBC.

In the light of this great blessing and success, may all the glory be unto God.

I entreat you to continue “serving the Lord with all humility of mind …” (Acts 20:19) that He may continue to bless this wonderful ministry.

Here in Kenya and especially Faith College of the Bible, we have been blessed by the ministry of your students especially, Rev Michael Koech, Rev Titus Nzoka, Rev Jonathan Langat, Pst Nelson Were and Mrs Christine Were, Pst Francis Nyamiwa and Mrs Violet Nyamiwa.

Congratulations and may the Lord bless you and keep you.

Sincerely in Christ

Rev Joshua L Musyoka,
Principal Faith College of the Bible, Eldoret