Sermon Text: Galatians 3:19–25
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 29th August 2021
(Sermon starts around 51:50)
Sermon Text: Galatians 3:19–25
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 29th August 2021
(Sermon starts around 51:50)
Sherra Ng (Baptism)
I come from a superstitious, Buddhist family. My mother believes in “feng shui” (geomancy), whereas my father believes that there is a Creator but rejects that He is perfectly good (as he had been bullied in school before by some so-called Christians for coming from a poor family). My eldest brother is more superstitious than my mother, while my second brother does not have any strong opinion for or against Christ.
My interest in Christianity began when a teacher in NAFA (Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts) first told me about the Book of Proverbs in the Bible. She asked me to read a chapter a day because Proverbs is a book full of wisdom. I did as told, and found it a very interesting collection, so I started reading from the Book of Genesis after reading Proverbs. I realised the Bible answers a lot of our moral questions; there are even things that my parents taught me, which the Bible tells us are wrong. Curious, I had a few discussions with my senior, a Christian, who eventually brought me to join the NAFA-Lasalle Bible Study of Gethsemane B-P Church.
After some time, the Gospel was shared to me. I made my decision to surrender myself to Christ because God teaches us to be godly people, and that’s only possible through Christ, the Saviour, who died to deliver us sinners (which all of us are though many of us are “good people” by the world’s standard). I then attended a church with a friend of mine for a while, where they did not sing hymns, but more of contemporary Christian songs, though not like pop concerts with electric guitars, drum sets and flashing lights. Then on one weekend, I was invited to the Gethsemane Youth Fellowship, where Pastor Koshy was preaching from the Book of Proverbs. Then I enquired about the Sunday service, and I attended a few of the worship services, before switching to live-streaming of the worship when “Circuit Breaker” kicked in.
Of course, my family was not happy with this news at first, especially my parents. My mother hung several religious objects in my room and all over the house, complete with a purple crystal ball placed on my desk. I took down those in my room and left the rest out of respect for her. Thank God, my parents are now fine with me regularly going to church, and are even willing to send me to Youth Fellowship meetings sometimes on the way to their workplace. My father even started reading the Old Testament after finding a Bible at home printed in Chinese. Praise God!
Celine Lim (Baptism)
I grew up in a Methodist church and attended services with my mother and sister from a young age. I was also in a Methodist school, being exposed to regular morning devotions as well as weekly chapels. I accepted the Lord and Saviour into my heart at the age of 14, through hearing a sermon being preached during one of my school chapel services – “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God” (Romans 3:10-11). I came to understand the sinful nature within me, and that I was only able to be born again if I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I realised all I had in this world would fade away, and nothing else could bring me joy except the Lord Jesus Christ. I started attending services more regularly and took more active participation in fellowship meetings.
However, soon I felt alone and discouraged in my walk with the Lord, as many around me slowly started leaving the church and the faith. Throughout my secondary school and JC days, I would visit other churches from time to time, but still returned to my first church to worship. I decided to follow my mum to the adult service, where I learnt a lot about the Lord. However, I continued to feel lonely in my Christian life, as there was a lack of friends (who were of my age) in church. In addition, I felt there were few avenues of service for me in the adult service.
When I later, in university, shared this struggle of mine with a CCA friend, telling her how difficult it was to be a Christian without like-minded friends and active service, she then invited me to her church. The people there were very warm and friendly, so different from my church, where most people were cold and hardly knew one another. However, behind this façade, there were major differences about this church - worship was a lot louder and more emotional, sermons seemed to be surrounding the same few messages each time I went and the Christians around had “gifts” that I had never seen. Some would break out in “tongues”, some would begin prophesying over a brother or sister claiming that they had a given message from the Lord, and some would shout ‘Hallelujiah’ in the middle of a sermon or worship. I was shocked on my first visit, and I thought to myself: “How could Christianity differ so much among churches?” I questioned their practices, but they always seemed to answer readily and fervently. As I engaged in more conversations with them, I started to believe that I was the one who had to adapt and change my stance as a Christian. They spoke fervently about Christ, and it was hard to miss their passion and love.
Little did I know that I had fallen into the hands of the Charismatics! There were many times that I could not comprehend the answers they gave to my countless questions. Yet, in the name of Christian love, I brushed the matter aside again and again, and told myself not to over-think or over-complicate situations. At least, I seemed to be doing the work of the Lord in this new place, with actively and zealous members. But my conscience felt pricked from time to time.
In my third year of university, a classmate started questioning me about my Christian beliefs, to which I gave standard answers that I had always heard from others. He then invited me to Gethsemane B-P Church in January 2020. I came with the intention to learn truths about Christianity, being still deeply rooted in many teachings of my previous church. When I first came to GBPC, Pastor Koshy had started on the Book of Jude where he talked about the apostates of our time. It became apparent to me that Charismatics were one such group that were following the wrong doctrine. I began to wondered whether I had missed something essential which true Christians could see but I had not been able to.
As I continued coming and grew in understanding of the Word, I was also confronted with the Truth. It was difficult to accept that the many things I thought were done out of faith, love and passion in the past, were but lies and deception. A few months on, I knew that I could no longer stay in my previous church. I would be blatantly going against the Lord and living in sin and defiance. By the grace of God, I left the church a few months later. I then had to ask the Lord where He would lead me to next. With more free time on my hands, I watched the services of various churches online, due to the “circuit breaker” measures. As I questioned: “what made a good church?”, I realise it is one that stands for the truth. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:13-18).
I thank God for how He led me to Gethsemane BPC, to show me the Truth, as the Truth had set me free. I now understand that to live the life of a Christian requires good instruction and teaching, not unbridled passion and fervency. “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold” (Proverbs 3:13-14). As the hymn writer wrote:
“A pilgrim was I, and a wandering,
In the cold night of sin I did roam,
When Jesus the kind Shepherd found me,
And now I am on my way home.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life;
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days, all the days of my life.”
Thank God for His grace and mercy.
Ng Hui Fang (Baptism)
I first heard about the Gospel from my elder sister during my secondary school years. Though I cannot remember her exact sharing, I remembered her sharing of why man has been alienated from God, and the only way to reconcile with Him, through a colourful tract. Nevertheless, it was not until during my tertiary education that I came to receive Christ as my personal Saviour. As both of us were from a non-Christian family background, her testimony in recounting the wondrous workings of God in her life somehow moved my heart. Without second thoughts, I received Christ into my life that day.
However, what followed soon after was a series of fiery responses from my parents (my mum especially), when they found out about my faith. Torn Bible, torn bible-study notes strewn on my table were common scenes that I had to face in those days. My relationship with my mum became strained, as we did not speak to each other closely for 2 years. During those first 2 years, my weak conviction of faith, along with my lack of patience and weak endurance of the persecution faced, had not kept me far on my spiritual journey. My faith failed the test. Slowly, I withdrew from God and was swept away by the lures of the world. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life effortlessly pulled me away from God for years. Indulgence in sin was of no grave matter to me and my life was fully filled with carnality, resulting in the downward spiral of my spiritual well-being. By the grace of God, this godless life of mine was brought to a stop when a dramatic turn of events brought me down to the lowest point and I found myself seeking God once again…
In need of spiritual healing, I began to attend church again with a colleague of mine. During the same time, I was being invited by my elder sister multiple times to join her in Gethsemane BPC. Though I liked to continue accompanying my colleague, that church’s charismatic manner of worship service was increasingly not agreeable to me. I finally joined my sister in Gethsemane BPC in 2018. It is deeply enriching to hear Pastor’s expounding on the words of God and his life testimony as a strong witness for Christ. His faithful preaching has led me to understand what it takes for one to be a true follower of Christ. “Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Knowing that tribulations are expected in our Christian life and faith has to be tried, we should not expect an easy battle.
Nevertheless, it is comforting to know that this is not a battle fought alone as we are told in Hebrews 4:15, “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” It is then most assuring to know that Jesus Christ, as God of all grace, is sufficient for me – “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). May I continue to walk under the leading and guidance of the Lord Jesus Christ, as a “stranger” and “pilgrim” on the earth, with strengthened faith and steadfastness.
Benjamin Chong (Transfer)
Thank God for His grace that has kept me close to Him throughout my growing years, and for revealing my depraved and sinful nature. Despite many times that I have slipped, and ignored the wise advice of family and friends, God in His perfect goodness chastised me and brought me back to Him.
I have been immensely encouraged by Pastor Koshy’s messages and constant reprimands to wrestle against worldliness. It is a huge problem that I have seen in many of my Christian friends’ lives, which no doubt is a stumbling block to all who have witnessed the double standards practiced in modern Christianity. My prayer for all Gethsemaneans is: that we will keep our eyes on the heavenly prize, and strive to live a sanctified life here on earth which will bring light for souls lost in darkness.
Sermon Text: Galatians 3:15–18
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 22nd August 2021
(Sermon starts around 38:27)
Sermon Text: Galatians 3:6–14
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 15th August 2021
(Sermon starts around 41:26.)
We publish the testimonies of four TGCM brethren and another from a brother who was formerly from TGCM. May these testimonies stir within every reader a passion for the salvation of souls and to do the level best to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ with urgency and dedication. It is incumbent on everyone, who has tasted the gift of salvation, to ponder about his or her commitment to making the Saviour known and welcoming sinners to Him. “What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people” (Psalm 116:12–14).
Cayson Chok
I thank our gracious and faithful God for hiding me under the shadow of His wings since I came to The Gethsemane Care Ministry about 15 years ago. The Lord has shown great compassion towards me and blessed me abundantly. He restored me through TGCM, and then called me and granted me the honour of serving Him in TGCM.
I would like to mention five special blessings that the Lord has bestowed on me since I came to TGCM:
Firstly, as Psalm 40:2 says, “He brought me up … out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings”. Therefore, I enjoy great peace in Him.
Secondly, the Lord saved me for His purposes, to do His will, not to fulfil my own desires.
Thirdly, the Lord plans everything for me so that I won’t walk astray. I am here now because the Lord has taken care of me and led me till this day.
Fourthly, He restored my relationship with my family, and helped me to bear a good testimony before my family members.
Fifthly, every morning, TGCM brothers have the privilege to sing praises to our Saviour, and pray with each other before we start our day’s work. That I count as a very special blessing.
Although I face a lot of difficulties and struggles in this journey, God’s Word reminds me that they are trials from God to strengthen and purify me. I believe God is moulding me to be a faithful and stronger Christian. He is the Potter, I’m the clay. So, the only way I can overcome all my fears and troubles, and remain faithful in His service, is by trusting and obeying Him.
As I grow in the Lord, my understanding of His Word also increases. God’s Word is so important to me because it leads me back to His path of righteousness when I stray from Him. His Word also comforts me when I’m in sorrow.
I thank God for Pastor Koshy, Eld Mah and the preachers who come to TGCM every morning to teach us God’s counsels. I am also thankful for the fellowship of our church’s beloved brethren and friends, who have encouraged and supported all of us in TGCM.
Praise the Lord for the 16th Anniversary of TGCM. May the Lord be pleased to preserve and use TGCM continually, in order to reach out to those who are lost in drugs and other vices with the Gospel of salvation.
Raja Krishnan
On March 23, 2015, I came to TGCM. Before that, I was working as a kitchen steward in a 5-star hotel. My work began at 10:00am and would end at 10:00pm; I would work for 24 days before I got 4 days off from work. Sometimes, I had to work in the ballroom for wedding receptions and dinners. After the functions, I would be in charge of getting the ballroom cleaned. Often, there would be a lot of leftover alcohol and beer available for the workers’ consumption. My co-workers and I would get them for our enjoyment. After working in Orchard Hotel for about three years, I became addicted to alcohol. My hands would be shivering if I would not consume alcohol. So, I decided to quit this bad habit and planned to go to a halfway house to get help to recover.
When I called a halfway house by phone to seek help, its chaplain, who was a friend of mine, answered and told me not to go there if I am looking for spiritual help. He told me to consider Gethsemane B-P Church and its Care Ministry if I sincerely desire to return to the Lord Jesus Christ and grow in Him. He then gave me a mobile number to call. When I called TGCM, I was asked to come for an interview. Upon the interview, TGCM granted me admission. And by the grace of God, TGCM became the place where I quit my alcohol addiction.
After a few months of my stay in TGCM, Gethsemane Bible Institute began its classes in the TGCM premises. Though I did not plan to attend the classes, I was told that I needed to participate in the GBI classes as TGCM residents were required to learn God’s Word. I thank God for listening to the teaching of God’s Word as I sat in the GBI classes. I praise the Lord for opening my eyes to see how powerful and profitable are the doctrines of God’s Word! Though I had attended an Anglican church for about seven years before I came to TGCM, no one ever taught me such biblical doctrines like Anthropology, Soteriology, Bibliology and Eschatology. I thank God for the great truths that I learned from GBI in the past years, in addition to the daily hearing of God’s Word in TGCM. Learning God’s Word has strengthened my faith and given me the spiritual understanding to overcome temptations and trials of life.
In 2018, I was diagnosed with Stage 5 kidney disease. At first, I was sad to learn about my worsening kidney condition. But the Word of God granted me comfort and encouragement. Today, I am glad to testify that the joy of the Lord is my strength.
I have been in TGCM for six years; the Lord has filled my heart with His divine peace. Oh, how good and gracious is the Lord who helped me to recover from my alcohol problems! The brothers in TGCM are very helpful to me; and I praise the Lord for their kindness to me.
I am glad that God gave me this opportunity to testify of the Lord’s saving, sanctifying and strengthening work in me, and to praise Him during this 16th Anniversary of TGCM. All praise and glory be unto the Lord, my Saviour.
Soh Teck Ern
Born in 1996, I am now 25 years old. On this occasion of TGCM’s 16th anniversary, I would like to give my testimony of the saving grace of Jesus Christ that found me.
My childhood was somewhat normal, growing up as a cheerful child in my parents’ home. I was a fun-loving boy in my early primary school days. However, in my home, I saw my relatives smoking cigarettes, gambling, etc. When I reached Primary 5, I joined some friends who gave me cigarettes to smoke. My friendship circle was not helping me to have good discipline.
I became restless and disillusioned as I entered secondary school. I was least interested in studying and started to skip school. I frequented internet cafes with friends, playing computer games. I began to idolise youths who seem to be fearless and assertive over other youth gangs. I also craved for the thrill of superiority and power. Soon I joined a secret society and was known to be good at fighting. I wanted to show that I can overpower members of other youth gangs. As such, I would engage in violent fights – which soon got me into trouble with the police. The police called me up and served me a stern warning. But I continued to riot among teenagers. Shortly after, I was arrested, sentenced and placed under probation for 18 months. It was in the year 2013. Even then, I would still go to nightclubs and meet with my secret society friends.
However, my heart was troubled. Friendships that I maintained did not help at all. The break-up with my girlfriend led me to sadness and enormous frustration. Around this time, my friends introduced me to synthetic drugs to help me “feel better”. When I entered National Service, my troubles increased. I was detained and charged for drugs and sentenced to detention barrack on Nov 11, 2016. I was locked up in the detention barrack for 7 months and 9 days. Upon release, my life got even worse. Drug addiction continued, resulting in my arrest on July 31, 2018. I was then sentenced to prison for 9 months and another 9 months of probation.
In jail, I met a man named Wayne, who was in a nearby cell. Wayne invited me to attend a religious meeting in prison. It was a Christian meeting. There I met Pr Kelvin Lim from Gethsemane B-P Church. However, I was not very attracted to the Christian faith. Upon my release, I was not a happy person. I did suffer from depression and sought relief by retaking drugs. I also harmed myself by cutting my hand. But I was terrified that the police would arrest me again. To make things worse, I was in need of money. At about this time, I received a call from Wayne, inviting me to lunch. Wayne was very kind to me and offered his help. He also advised me to seek help in TGCM. During this time, Bro Wayne was in touch with Pr Kelvin Lim, and they together helped me come to TGCM.
I first came to TGCM on August 24, 2020, and was accepted into the rehabilitation programme. I stayed in TGCM for about 7 months. During that stay at TGCM, Pr Daniel Lim explained the Gospel to me; the Spirit of God led me to put my trust in the Lord Jesus as my Saviour and Lord. It was on September 1, 2020. I praise the Lord for pardoning my sins and making me a child of God. I was happy in TGCM, growing daily in the knowledge of God’s Word.
However, I was influenced to think of going out of TGCM to find employment. I became impatient to remain in TGCM. In my foolishness, I rejected the counsel given to me by Bro Cayson, and left TGCM on March, 21 this year. It was not wise to leave the loving and caring atmosphere I have received for the past 7 months in TGCM.
After leaving, I looked for a job. But without proper spiritual guidance, I soon approached my old friends for a job. Problems and temptation soon overtook me. I became very frustrated and sank deep into depression. I was back again to drugs. I was admitted to NUH. The Lord worked in my heart to seek Bro Wayne again for help. Pastor and Bro Cayson encouraged Bro Wayne to tell me to return to TGCM, if I am sincere to follow the Lord Jesus. I was happy to hear that TGCM would take me back, and I returned on May 23, 2021.
Since then, I am very grateful that the Lord has restored me to good mind and health. I am happy to be worshipping and learning His Word. My prayer is that the Lord will strengthen and renew me to be an obedient Christian who will be a good testimony for Christ, and a blessing to my family and others. I want to thank all who have prayed for and helped me, as I reside in TGCM and worship in Gethsemane B-P Church. All glory to God, who has loved me and saved me.
David Ng
I praise God for this opportunity to rejoice with thanksgiving on the occasion of the 16th Anniversary of TGCM amid the Covid pandemic.
First and foremost, I praise God for His unfailing Word, which declares, “For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5). Truly, thank God for His grace and mercy towards me that delivered me from years of bondage to drugs and to all kinds of vices which brought me to the point of suicide. I thought that taking my life was the easy and the only way out of all my pain and misery. But God, who is rich in mercy, has in His great love hastened to relieve me from my troubles and hide me in the “pavilion” He has prepared for me, i.e. TGCM. May the Lord be highly exalted, for He keeps all His promises to all His people.
I thank God for His faithfulness in preserving me at TGCM for the past 9 years. It is here that the Lord miraculously liberated me from the chains of bondage. Indeed, with God, all things are possible. May the Lord continue to help me to persevere to the end. Not only was I delivered and liberated, but God has also given me an excellent opportunity to grow in His Word and serve Him.
I thank the Lord for His faithful servants, especially Pastor Koshy, Eld Mah, Pr Daniel, Pr Kelvin, Pr Jeremiah and Pr Samson, for their labour of love in sharing God’s Word with us during the morning devotions. Thank God also for the GBI and FEBC that have helped me tremendously in my spiritual growth into a deeper knowledge of God’s Word. The truths of God’s Word have been my guidance, revival and rejoicing as I incline my heart to perform what God has decreed.
I thank God for sustaining TGCM for the last 16 years through work projects, that we may have the honour to serve God with clean hands and pure hearts in generating income for the ministry, as well as through the generous and cheerful giving from His people in their faithful support of the Lord’s work. Truly, the Lord indeed is our Great Provider, both physically and spiritually, to give us all that we need for life and for godliness.
I thank God also for bestowing the wonderful gift of salvation upon my father. I am also grateful that my mother joins him to attend our Chinese worship service regularly. They also join the Chinese prayer meeting and the Seniors’ Fellowship. It’s my constant prayer that God be gracious to save my mum in His perfect time.
I thank God that He permitted me to develop prostate cancer about two years ago, which taught me to be humble and wholly dependent on Him for restoration and for supply of all my needs. I thank God for seeing me through the surgery and relieving me of the burden of large medical bills through the help of the medical social services, and sustaining me until today without recurrence of cancer.
Praise God also for entrusting me with a new leadership role in taking care of TGCM. With new responsibilities come more problems, but I am not facing them alone. I could go into my prayer closet to cast all my cares unto my Heavenly Father, who is able to accomplish infinitely more than I might ask or think. The Lord had helped, protected, provided and guided me for the past 9 years in TGCM; now, I pray that I will serve faithfully and effectively in TGCM with the sure help that the Lord has promised. Truly, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower” (Psalm 18:2).
Since, according to 1 Timothy 2:4, the Lord “will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth,” I pray that He will be pleased to use TGCM mightily as a channel to save and restore many more drug-offenders. May God also bless the prison ministry undertaken by the preachers and brethren of our church, that more ex-prisoners may come to TGCM and be restored through the Word of God and the fellowship of the church! May the Lord keep the doors of TGCM open! May He remove all obstacles, that more may come to Christ through TGCM and taste His salvation and goodness!
All praise and glory be to God.
Jeremy Mark Ferreira
Finally, I managed to find the courage to share my testimony. On this most joyous occasion celebrating TGCM’s 16th anniversary, I would like to thank God for His grace that enabled me to come forward to testify of His blessings. Particularly for this most blessed ministry of TGCM, which has been an integral part of my life’s restoration back unto the Lord.
This testimony, more an expression of my apology, seeks forgiveness from the Lord, from the church’s leaders and from all members and even brethren outside Gethsemane BPC. The church had lovingly supported me in all my undertakings; the leaders had nurtured me, taught me, and showed me God’s grace. But I failed many times, having succumbed to temptations and left the church.
Despite all these failings of mine, the Lord was still gracious unto me by keeping me safe, blessing me with a wife who has stood by me. He also provided me with a good job. I thank the Lord for convicting me to return unto Him and to follow Him. I sincerely desire to be back in the church and serve the Lord together with all.
I want to take this opportunity to humbly convey my sincere apologies to the church, its leaders (pastors, elders, deacons), and their family members for walking away from the church. Furthermore, I am grateful to the leaders and the brethren for the encouragement shown to me over the last couple of years when I returned. Their show of support, Christian love, and warm welcome stirred a desire within me to be part of the church to serve my Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. I am delighted to be received back into the church’s fellowship and am looking forward to accomplishing His will and purposes as an active, serving member of the church, together with my wife.
Praise and thanks be unto the Lord once again for His forgiveness, loving kindness, and indeed for the ministry of the Word that helps me walk aright.
Sermon Text: Galatians 3:1–5
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 8th August 2021
(Sermon starts around 52:21.)
GBI, Ethiopia (Report from Rev. Ephrem Chiracho)
Dear Rev Koshy and the Session of Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore,
Greetings in the blessed Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
“I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings… Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered” (Psalm 40:1-5).
Truly, we are pleased to inform you that 27 trainees of GBI, Ethiopia will have graduated on the Lord’s Day (1st Aug, 2021). We are thankful to the LORD for the meaningful and fruitful fellowship we have in the Gospel. We praise God for using your wisdom, prayer, labour and support to accomplish His work in Ethiopia. God has been merciful to use us, weak vessels as we are, to extend His kingdom on earth, and to edify and establish His people to do great exploits for the glory of His name. “Many, O LORD my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered” (Psalm 40:5).
By God’s grace, we have been endeavouring to disseminate the sound biblical truths we have been taught by our spiritual fathers. “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:1-2). God has never failed us, even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death at times.
God has graciously provided all the needs of the church ministries, including GBI, Ethiopia. We have no sufficient words to declare His goodness and mercy. All glory and praise to the living and true God!
As you rejoice with us on what the LORD has done thus far, please continue praying for us so that God may help us to hold the fort faithfully and valiantly until Christ our King comes. Please convey our gratitude and greetings to the whole congregation of Gethsemane BP Church.
Yours in Christ,
Rev. Ephrem,
(On behalf of Gethsemane BP Church of Ethiopia and GBI, Ethiopia)
GBI, Cebu, the Philippines (Report from Rev. Reggor Galarpe)
Dear Pastor Koshy,
Greetings to you in our Lord's most blessed Name!
Praise God for His grace and mercies that sustain and keep us in these difficult times. Cebu City has been placed under a "stricter" quarantine protocol because of the increasing number of Covid cases (which include the Delta variant). Thank God that a good number of our brethren has been fully vaccinated.
Last Monday, we had the GBI “Day of Prayer and Registration” for the first semester. Thank God for the brethren who are able to attend physically as well as those who joined us on-line. For this semester, we have 6 full-time students, with another 8 taking part-time courses and another 5 joining the Tuesday Night Class "on-line" via Google meet.
Preacher Edsel is teaching Proverbs and the Gospel of John, and these classes are held via Google meet. Elder Eliezer is teaching the Book of Philippians and Ten Commandments, and his classes are a mix of physical and virtual meetings. As for me, I am handling the class on Homiletics, as well as Survey of the Bible and Practical Issues of Christian Living (Tuesday Night Class). In addition, a good number of them are taking GBI-online courses (Names of God).
Pastor, thank you very much for your (and the church’s) prayers for us, especially for the work and the building project. We have visited a few places recently, but the location (meaning the immediate surrounding) is not so conducive. So, we continue to pray as we continue to search for more prospective venues.
Our greetings to Sis. Carolyn and the children.
Respectfully,
Rev. Reggor
Though many of the evangelistic methods we had used in pre-COVID-19 days are not practicable due to the government-mandated restrictions upon us, let us not assume that the Great Commission is rescinded!
Do not the experiences of the last 16 months prove to us that the church is presented with more opportunities to make the Gospel known to our friends and relatives in our communities and afar off? Members, leaders and staff of our church have been hard at work to create and implement new outreaches through modern media facilities, such as live-streaming, broadcasting pre-recorded programmes and interactive platforms like Zoom.
The recent special evangelistic effort – Bible Witness Kids – by the Bible Witness Media Ministry targeting children in Singapore and other places was indeed thankworthy. Since May 2020, we have had many significant online events for the edification of our brethren – Church Bible Conference, Missionary Conference, DVBS, seminars, etc. Those are in addition to weekly events that we hold via online platforms. We also conduct lessons for the students of Gethsemane Bible Institute through the online programmes.
Much more can be achieved in evangelising the unsaved and edifying the believers through online programmes. We must quickly adapt to new methods that are available for communicating the Gospel and Scriptural truths. Our desire and prayer are that through Bible Witness Media Ministry, our church can produce and make available good biblical content for children, youths and adults. Young adults and youths who are knowledgeable and skilled in the modern media must come forward to serve with humility, patience and dedication. We must not hesitate to give our lives and our very best efforts to proclaim the saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ!
In every age, the church has flourished through the efforts of men and women who have heeded God’s call to serve Him full-time. Christians who have sacrificially and unselfishly served have been instrumental in the church’s triumphing over severe challenges and advancing the kingdom of God. Christians who have extended compassion and care to the sick and needy have also been instrumental in spreading the Gospel and strengthening many in their faith. Likewise, even in this pandemic period, if church members act with love and compassion towards the needy or sick, the Lord will use them to win and establish many souls in the Gospel.
How our church leaders and staff would minister to God’s people, and how the church would reach out to our communities and the mission stations with the Gospel during this pandemic season, will likely shape the testimony of our church in the coming years. Let us all seek to know God’s will and do His pleasure with a renewed zeal, that the love and truth of Christ may be effectively proclaimed through us.
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality” (Romans 12:11-13).
“If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).
Written by Elder Alan Choy
One of the marks of a biblical church is that its members are committed to proclaiming the Gospel of salvation in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ’s “Great Commission”. Witnessing Christ and preaching His Gospel within our neighbourhood and even unto the uttermost part of the earth is the church’s duty (cf. Acts 1:8; 16:5). Every church member should be committed to this duty, which Christ has entrusted His church to carry out.
To help every church member be involved in evangelistic efforts, the Gethsemane Evangelism Outreach (GEO) was established. Before the authorities implemented the COVID-19 restrictions, GEO had organised monthly door-to-door evangelism sessions, giving out Gospel tracts. We frequently attempted to spread the Gospel in our neighbourhoods. We also held Gospel meetings every year.
However, the COVID-19 situation has prevented our regular evangelistic efforts for more than 16 months. The Lord moved my heart to think about the GEO ministry. Instead of just sitting down and wait for the pandemic to be over, we should reach out to our unsaved loved ones - relatives, friends, and even acquaintances. In small groups of two (or more when an increase in number for visitation is permitted), we can either host or visit our unsaved contacts to reach them with the Gospel of Christ. Some of our aged relatives need to be reached out with the Gospel urgently, for life on this earth is uncertain.
Yes, door-to-door evangelism may not be possible for some time. But GEO can restart our Gospel efforts through “targeted evangelism” (i.e. target our acquaintances who have not the saving knowledge of Christ yet). With the Holy Spirit’s guidance and strengthening, we can win more souls these days. The following plan is suggested to help us achieve this goal.
A hotline number (+65 8541 4200) is made available for the church members to contact an assigned person from GEO for help to reach out to their contacts. If you provide relevant information about your contacts and an appointment time, GEO will reach out to them with the Gospel. (A contact form will be made available to you by GEO for you to provide relevant information for reaching out to your contacts). We would appreciate your presence when GEO members visit your contacts.
Let us pray and make every effort to bring someone to hear the Gospel. Like our Saviour, Jesus Christ, who came seeking the lost souls, may each one of us, His followers, say, “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (Jn. 9:4). Brethren, “For we are labourers together with God” (1 Cor. 3:9).
Give me a passion for souls, dear Lord,
A passion to save the lost;
O that Thy love were by all adored,
And welcomed at any cost!
Jesus, I long, I long to be winning
Men who are lost, and constantly sinning;
O may this hour be one of beginning
The story of pardon to tell.
Sermon Text: Galatians 2:16–21
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 1st August 2021
(Sermon starts around 50:40.)
Sermon Text: Galatians 2:11–16
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 25th July 2021
(Sermon starts around 40:22.)