By the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, my wife and I are able to attend this 13th Seniors’ Ministry Anniversary in the form of a retreat. We realise we need the Word of God for our spiritual blessing, and also the support for one another so that we will not be drawn into temptation and fall by the wayside.
First, I like to say what a joy it is to look forward to the Seniors’ gathering every Thursday, where we can have fellowship, pray for one another and most importantly, listen to the precious Word of God. I am particularly thankful for the people in our midst who work very hard to ensure that the seniors are cared for spiritually. They are Pr Daniel, Eld and Mrs Mah, Sis Gina, Sis May, Sis Stella and the two guitarists, Sis Kim Lei and Sis Elizabeth, as well as our ever so reliable driver, Pr Jeremiah, who without fail will fetch us from designated locations and also administer God’s Word to us. Many of us are in our twilight years, with some not being physically mobile or mentally agile, yet praise the Lord that we can share to take care of one other.
Thank God for His love and mercy that He did not forget me when I kept away from Him. I was a teenager when I attended Bethel Assembly of God Church, a charismatic church. I was faithful in attending Sunday services, visitations and Bible study during my youth. But when I started working, I kept away from church and busily devoted my time to work and other activities. I was “in the wilderness” for many years. My life was in a mess but the good Lord was gracious in bringing me back to His fold.
I have two daughters; the elder one and my son-in-law accepted the Lord as their personal Saviour in Melbourne, where they have settled down. My wife and I visited them quite often, during which time they brought me to church. I was surprised and touched that the church they are attending was also known as “Bethel”. I strongly believe the Lord was telling me that He still loves me and has not forgotten me, and wanted me to return to His fold.
Well, the Lord in His providence opened the door for me. By His grace, my daughter arranged for me and my wife to attend the Gethsemane Seniors’ Ministry meeting 3 years ago, held at Punggol. We were accompanied by Sis Patricia from Bethel BP Church, Melbourne, who had come to Singapore to visit her family at that time. From then on, we havebeen attending Gethsemane B-P Church. Since my return to the Lord, I have repented and asked the Lord for His forgiveness. I have found peace and joy in the gracious and merciful Lord. He has sustained me all these years.
The Lord has also been kind to my wife. We want to thank brethren-in-Christ who prayed for her when she was recently diagnosed with glaucoma in her left eye. This is an eye disease that affects the sight of the elderly. If left untreated, it may cause blindness. The Lord has a hand in getting her treated early as the doctor said that some of her optic nerves were affected. She underwent the treatment successfully, and praise God she can join us in this retreat. My prayer is that she will be saved and join me in worshipping the Lord.
The Lord is my Shepherd. He cares for each and every one of His sheep. I pray God will be merciful to us as we journey through this life in our evening years, and that He will not forsake us but give us the strength to
proclaim His wondrous love, mercy and righteousness.
Sis Jessie Ng
I thank God for another blessed year of thanksgiving for our Gethsemane Seniors’ Ministry. Truly, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him” (Psalm 34:8). I count it my greatest joy each week to come together to study more of God’s Word and to enjoy sweet Christian fellowship with our seniors. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb 10: 25). In fact, I’ve always looked forward to seeing the smiles on our seniors’ faces when they arrive.
Thank God for faithful preachers like Elder Mah and Preacher Jeremiah. Through this ministry, I’ve learnt many biblical doctrines that are applicable to my Christian walk. God’s Word is powerful to chastise and rebuke me to show forgiveness, love and patience towards those who had offended me, just as how He has so graciously forgiven me of my own sins. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword ... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb 4: 12).
I’ve learnt to cast my eyes upon God whenever I am faced with trials, trusting He will carry me through. I only need to trust and rest in Him. Indeed, God never fails in His promises, and is always faithful to lift me up whenever I seek Him in humility. He grants me peace that passesth all understanding which people, money and fame cannot give, because He is our living God.
I praise Him for the privilege of having a full-time interpreter, Pr Daniel Lim. Without him, our Mandarin-speaking brethren will have much difficulty in understanding and receiving God’s Word. Being a part of this ministry helps me learn to be a patient and caring sister to other brethren. I thank Him for the wonderful opportunities to serve in whatever small ways and to reach out to those who are unwell.
Last but not least, I thank God for Sis Gina’s labour of love and patience in coordinating transportation for our seniors at different pick-up points every week. This is not an easy task as there are sometimes last-minute cancellations and changes. May God continue to sustain the Senior’s Ministry and we be worthy vessels to win souls for Him. I pray that He will continue to grant us much strength and grace to seek Him first in our daily walk with Him, and to grant us much wisdom to spend our time wisely until Jesus comes again.