Our upcoming Daily Vacation Bible School (DVBS), to be held from 25th to 27th November 2026, offers a precious opportunity to bring children under the teaching of God’s Word. Its theme, “Shine as Lights in the World!”, reflects the gracious purpose for which the Lord saves and nurtures His people. In a world darkened by sin, our children need to know the Saviour and learn to walk in His truth. Let us prepare for these days with earnest prayer, loving invitations, and a readiness to help children attend the programme.
The theme draws our attention to Philippians 2:15–16: “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life”. Paul’s exhortation calls for a life shaped by obedience to God. In the preceding verse, he commands, “Do all things without murmurings and disputings”. Shining for Christ includes the everyday conduct through which His people display the sanctifying and transforming influence of His grace.
How relevant this is for our children! They encounter competing voices about what to believe, whom to admire, and how to live. Through conversations, entertainment, and digital media, they continually receive instruction from the world. Some influences openly contradict Scripture; others subtly encourage pride, discontentment, selfishness, and a careless attitude towards sin. We must therefore make diligent use of opportunities to teach them God’s truth. They need to understand the Gospel, recognise the deceitfulness of sin, and learn the joy of trusting and obeying Christ.
Our desire for DVBS goes beyond keeping children occupied during their holidays. We long for them to hear the Word by which God makes sinners “wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:15). Children cannot produce spiritual light merely by trying to appear good. They need Jesus, who declares, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Let us pray that the teaching will direct their hearts to Him.
Dear parents, please make these three days a priority in your children’s holiday plans. Set aside 25th–27th November and make the necessary arrangements for their attendance. Explain to them why learning God’s Word matters. Encourage them to come with attentive hearts, ready to listen, ask questions, and receive instruction. Your attitude will help shape theirs. When they see that you value the Scriptures and gladly make room for their spiritual instruction, they will learn an important lesson even before DVBS begins.
Please also consider whom your family could invite. Your children may have classmates, neighbours, cousins, or friends who seldom hear the Gospel. A thoughtful invitation could open a valuable opportunity for them to learn about Christ. Speak warmly to their parents, explain the purpose of DVBS, and share the available information. Where possible, offer practical help with arrangements. Encourage your children to invite others graciously, remembering that the message of salvation is good news to be shared.
This concern belongs to the whole congregation. Members whose children have grown, as well as those without children, can also play a meaningful part. Pray for the families you know. Could you also invite a neighbour’s child, encourage a relative to send their children, or assist a family facing practical difficulties? Let us look beyond our own households and ask how the Lord might use us to bring children within reach of biblical instruction. The church’s love for the young should be evident throughout the congregation.
Above all, let us pray. Pray for the teachers and helpers as they prepare, that their service may be faithful, patient, and loving. Pray that the Gospel will be explained accurately and clearly, in language children can understand. Pray for attentive minds, receptive hearts, safety, and orderly arrangements. Plead for the unsaved, that the Spirit will enable them to trust Christ, and for the believing children, that He will strengthen them. Remember also the unbelieving parents of children attending, that conversations arising from DVBS may provide opportunities for the Gospel to enter their homes.
Parents, continue the lessons at home by asking your children what they have learned, listening to their answers, and helping them apply biblical truth to their relationships and responsibilities. Pray with them that they may grow in faith, have honest and gracious speech, cheerful obedience, kindness, and resistance to sinful influences. As we prepare for DVBS, let us unite in prayer and loving effort, trusting the Lord to bless His Word. May many children come to know Christ and, by His grace, shine as lights in the world!
As Gethsemane Burmese Fellowship marks its first anniversary, let us gratefully acknowledge the Lord’s gracious leading. “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory” (Psalm 115:1). Every opportunity to proclaim Christ, explain His Word, and encourage a soul is a gift of divine grace.
Launched on 12 October 2025, the fellowship began with a burden to reach out to the Burmese community in Singapore, strengthen believers through biblical teaching, and prepare for Gospel opportunities in Myanmar. God gave this burden about starting a Burmese Fellowship to Pr Cornelius Koshy, who shared it with the Board of Elders and me. We rejoiced that a new door of the Gospel was opening before us, and we approved it readily.
To work with Pr Cornelius, we formed a committee comprising Dn Tan Eng Huat, Bro. Gideon Lee, and Bro. Amoz Choy. We praise God that our preachers also co-laboured to minister the Word of God as GBF met on the second and fourth Sundays. FEBC students, Bro. Timothy Lal Hu Thang and Bro. Joel Thang Sian Khual, helped interpret the messages into Burmese. We also praise God for those who joined to encourage the Burmese brethren and provided refreshments for the fellowship gatherings.
Beloved Burmese brethren, treasure the fellowship God has provided. Attend faithfully, receive His Word humbly, and encourage one another lovingly. May your lives commend the Gospel to your families, friends, and colleagues.
Let the congregation uphold this ministry in earnest prayer. If you have Burmese domestic helpers, bring them to our Burmese Fellowship. Let them hear the Word. Befriend Burmese neighbours, invite them to the fellowship, join the special effort to evangelise Burmese people, and offer practical help. Pray for Burmese FEBC students that they will be well equipped to serve the Lord, and especially that unbelievers will come to Christ and believers will grow in holiness.
As we enter another year, may this petition guide us: “that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).
