All praise and thanks to the Lord for His grace and mercy towards the Gethsemane Seniors’ Ministry. As we commemorate 21 years of God’s abundant goodness, care and faithfulness upon this ministry, our hearts are overwhelmed with joy and gladness. “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever” (Psalm 107:1).
This year, we rejoice that the Seniors’ Ministry had the privilege to hold a retreat on 29th April 2026. It was a blessed and spiritually enriching gathering, centred on the theme “Walking with God”. A total of 77 seniors and helpers gathered at the National Service Resort & Country Club (NSRCC) bungalow for a day of fellowship, instruction, and encouragement in the Lord.
The morning session was led by Elder Mah Chin Kwang, and all the participants sang together joyfully to praise the Lord. Our speaker, Pastor Prabhudas Koshy, expounded from Scripture on what it truly means to walk with God, drawing on the example of Enoch (Genesis 5:24). He emphasised a life marked by continual trust, communion, obedience and hope in the Lord, reminding us that our earthly life is brief and swiftly passing. The message was not only doctrinally enriching but also pastorally fitting in addressing the unique spiritual needs and challenges faced by seniors. Pr Daniel Lim joyfully interpreted the sermon for the benefit of our Mandarin-speaking brethren.
We thank God for Daniel Svasti, Thomas Tow and Francis Tan, who testified to the goodness of God in their lives in recent years. Pr Daniel and Bro Peng Kwang interpreted the testimonies. One common thread running through their testimonies was the edification and encouragement they received through the fellowship of the Seniors’ Ministry’s weekly meetings.
The retreat also provided an opportunity for non-Christian friends of our church members (who attended the retreat) to hear the Gospel from those assigned to them. The fellowship among the participants during lunch and in the post-lunch activities (e.g. games) was warm, rich with mutual encouragement. Participants were greatly refreshed by the hymn singing, sharing sessions, and times of interaction, which strengthened the bonds of Christian love among the seniors.
For the glory of God, unknown to many, much effort had gone into the smooth execution of the entire retreat. Behind the scenes were lots of hard work and logistical arrangements, as well as extensive planning by brethren who truly laboured with much love. We thank the Lord for His gracious presence throughout the retreat and for helping all who laboured to make it a pleasant and edifying event.
The Seniors’ Ministry covets your prayers, that we may live graciously for the testimony of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him” (Psalm 28:7).
Held on 1st May 2026
Apart from our own youths, about 35 non-Gethsemane youths also participated. We thank God that one youth turned to the Lord Jesus in repentance and prayer of faith at the end of the meeting. There were also youths from overseas (Malaysia, Philippines and Canada) who joined the meeting online. Let us continue to pray for all who heard the Word which Pastor Koshy expounded from Luke 12:10–21 on the topic, “A Materialistic World: A Distressed Mind”. Let us prayerfully encourage our youths to be excellent witnesses of Christ amongst their peers!
A Note from a Participant:
Hi Titus, it was truly a privilege to be sitting under faithful teaching tonight. This was a very timely reminder for me, especially being in a season of waiting that often accompanies uncertainty. I thank God for revealing my hidden sins of desiring control, and how tonight’s exhortation was a conviction that walking the way of the cross and thus gaining Christ alone is far, far more precious than the lures of this world. May God help us not to waste our lives on this side of heaven.
