Our church’s Filipino connection started at the turn of this millennium when the Lord led some Filipino brethren to our church. Among them were Rev. Reggor Galarpe, Pr Dennis Kabingue, Bro. Brian Bono and Bro. Kent Limosnero. With these brethren coming together for fellowship, Gethsemane Filipino Fellowship (GFF) was inaugurated on 28th October 2001. Since then, the Lord has prospered our ministry among the Filipinos in Singapore, and even in the Philippines. Today, we thank God for not only about thirty brethren who regularly attend GFF, but also for the five mission churches, as well as GBI-Cebu and TGCM-Cebu, in the Philippines.
We pray that the Lord will continue to use GFF to reach more Filipinos with the truth of God’s Word. In Singapore, there are many Filipinos who have come here to work. Our church can continue in reaching them through evangelistic efforts and by providing good Bible studies and fellowship. Through those who become part of our ministry, if the Lord permits, we can continue to reach many cities, towns and villages of the Philippines with the Gospel. There are also those who leave Singapore to immigrate to other parts of the world, such as the US, Canada, UK and Australia. We pray that the Lord will use them to be faithful witnesses wherever His providence leads them.
Gethsemane Filipino Fellowship has been a far-reaching Gospel work. So, let us pray for its continuity and growth.
My prayer for you, dear Filipino brethren who have been part of Gethsemane, is that you will continue to grow in the truth of His Word so that you become joyful and glorious witnesses of Christ here in Singapore, and back in the Philippines, or wherever the Lord leads you. May yours be a testimony like that of the Thessalonians - "For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing" (1 Thessalonians 1:8).
To our beloved brothers and sisters in Christ (our "Kababayan") in Gethsemane Filipino Fellowship,
"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (2 Thessalonians 2:13).
On this happy occasion of your 17th Anniversary, we join you in remembering the Lord’s goodness, and rejoicing and praising His Name for yet another year of fruitful service for Him.
We rejoice in hearing of the recent additions among you. I had the opportunity to meet some of them when they attended the fellowship meeting for the first time in
September, and I’m glad to hear that there have been more who followed thereafter. It is the Lord’s doing – all praise and glory be unto Him!
To our dearly beloved brethren at the Filipino Fellowship and to our dear brother, Preacher Dennis Kabingue, may you be encouraged to press on in the work of the ministry. Look back and remember when the Lord called you and for what purpose He has called you. Then resolve in your hearts to serve the Lord to the very end!
I would like to take this opportunity to greet our beloved Pastor for all his labours and love for the Lord’s work and His people. Pastor, thank you so much for "your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name…" (Hebrews 6:10). Please know that we are praying for the Lord to sustain you in all your labours and struggles along the way.
Also, I want to greet the Church Session and all Gethsemaneans, thankful for all your prayers and support for the Filipino Fellowship in all these 17 years.
To our Kababayan, may the Lord richly bless you and continue to prosper your labours and enable you to do even greater things for His glory.
Blessed 17th Anniversary to you all!
Yours in Christ,
Reggor B. Galarpe
Gethsemane B-P Church (Cebu)
Cebu City, Philippines