GYAFis a ministry specially organised to reach out to the young adults of Gethsemane B-P Church who are in the age range of about 23-35 years. The very first time a young adults’ group was formed in Gethsemane BPC was in 1996. A few years later, when the young adults went on to form the Adults’ Fellowship (GAF), the young adults’ ministry was discontinued. Nevertheless, with more young adults in Gethsemane by the year 2007, we re-established GYAF. Praise God that till this day, it has continued under different committees, and scores of young adults have been spiritually strengthened through its ministries.

Presently, GYAF programmes are coordinated by a committee (Aron Ong, Matthew Mah, Ernest Lim, Ng Kwan Teng, Misty Nguyen, Kamalamangai). Pastor and Dn Low Boon Siang provide supervision and advice to the GYAF Committee.

GYAF serves to edify and equip young adults in the church with a strong biblical foundation for living a fruitful and effective life. We are very mindful that during this stage of their lives, many of them are being led by God’s providence either into family life or to remain in singlehood. Those who are led by the Lord into marriage, receive Biblical counsels through the Bible studies. Single adults in GYAF are also equipped with much spiritual wisdom, joy and strength to overcome their challenges and trials. We thank God that GYAF has been an effective channel in helping many youngsters to grow up to be strong, faithful and effective men and women in the church.

The brethren meet on alternate weeks for a time of Bible Study, prayer, singspiration and fellowship over meals. GYAF also conducts outings, seminars and combined fellowships with YAFers of like-minded B-P churches. Annually, a retreat is organised to spur the young adults on in the way of the Lord through messages and “Q & A” sessions. These “Q & A” sessions allow the brethren to ask questions pertaining to doctrines and contemporary issues.

GYAF thanks and praises God for keeping and blessing this ministry for His glory. “Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you” (1 Samuel 12:24).

GYAF cordially invites all young adults to join the following regular activities:

• Fellowship activities every 1st Saturday (Please check the announcements in the bulletin for information on venue and time);
• Bible Study with Pastor (presently on “Love God & Love Man”, based on Hebrews 10:25) every 3rd Friday (with dinner fellowship @7.30pm, followed by Bible Study @ 8.30pm).

If you would like to join the activities of GYAF, please contact Aron Ong (mobile: 8183 6395), or Misty (mobile: 8535 2285).

Fellowship of God’s People in Evil Times

Christians of our time live amidst unusually sinful circumstances, especially so in this present generation of our Christian youths and young adults. It is most disturbing to think how increasingly difficult it is for our young children to keep to the path of righteousness as they grow up into their youthful days.

Not only do people pursue sin with great passion, Christians are also under tremendous pressure from the world to accept the evils of our time, and adopt their ungodly philosophies, conduct and culture. Unless Christian youths and young adults conscientiously and assiduously make an effort to be different from the world, they too will be driven by the sinful aspirations that surround them today. These are very subtly introduced to them as the social norms of our time. As a result, many Christians are affected by unrestrained materialism, pride, immodesty, fornication, etc. I have known certain church fellowship groups which have been destroyed by great degradation of members’ conduct. They became profane towards God, and treacherous towards one another, with the result that frequent quarrels, divorces, fornication and adultery became common among them – thereby severely destroying the testimony and effectiveness of Christians and churches!

The best remedy is for Christians to avoid the company of their worldly friends, and be involved in close and fervent fellowship with Christians. The role of a closelyknit Christian community in strengthening individual believers to overcome worldliness can never be overemphasised. Close affinity with believers who have a commitment to God’s truths will help us develop a healthy and fruitful spiritual life.

Brethren, let us band together for the promotion of God’s truth and His righteousness. Let our communion with one another be spiritually edifying and Godhonouring. The more wicked the world becomes, the greater our need of Christian fellowship! More hearing of God’s Word and more mutual correction and encouragement would help us to live godly lives. So, let us get together for godly fellowship as often as possible – “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” (Hebrews 10:25).

In the past one year, especially in the recent months, the Lord has brought more worshippers to Gethsemane BPC. We warmly welcome all lovers of Christ and His Word to our beloved church. Our desire and prayer is that all worshippers will be ministered and will have opportunities to serve and thus be a blessing to others for the glory of Christ. By God’s grace, Gethsemane’s various church ministries and fellowship groups are well-placed to help all the worshippers to fulfil those goals. In the coming weeks, we would publish brief introductions and reports on the ongoing activities of the ministries and fellowship groups. Please consider them and participate in whichever ministry or fellowship activity that befits you. Many members of the church attend and serve in more than one of those church activities. May you “abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us” (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:7).

Today, Pr Jeremiah Sim writes about the Lions Home Ministry (LHM). Pr Jeremiah leads this ministry and the Gethsemane Seniors’ Ministry (GSM), which meets on Thursday. While GSM is mainly a fellowship gathering of retirees on Thursday (11am- 1.30pm), the Lions Home Ministry is a Sunday outreach to residents of old folks’ homes. Consider what part you can play in the LHM or GSM. For more information, please contact Pr Jeremiah Sim (Mobile: 8333 9483).

Lions Home Ministry – Its Joys and Challenges

Jeremiah Sim

Every Lord’s Day, we look forward to a special, delightful experience that brightens our countenance. It is a joyful privilege to serve the Lord, after worship and Bible study on the Lord’s Day, by preaching God’s Word to the elderly folks in the Lions Home for the Elders.

The objective of the Lions Home Ministry is similar to that of the Gethsemane Seniors’ Ministry. The fundamental purpose in our hearts is the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. We desire and endeavour to reach out to the elderly with the Gospel message and thus to lead them to Jesus Christ, the only Saviour of mankind.

Every Sunday, a group of zealous, dedicated brothers and sisters (and even children) gladly get together to serve in the “Lions Home Ministry”. This is a Sunday afternoon ministry, which reaches out to two old folks’ homes in Bedok and Bishan respectively. Upon reaching the homes, we would gather the residents together at the meeting room and lead them in the singing of hymns and spiritual songs. After the singspiration, those who are appointed would teach God’s precious truths. There would also be time set aside to pray with the participants and to encourage them through fellowship.

Many of the old folks in those homes are physically impaired, with some suffering also from dementia. Their afflictions make them weary and sad. They often struggle to cope with their physical disabilities. Some of them have come to think of life as futile and meaningless. In such situations, we find it a necessity and privilege to encourage them with the knowledge of God’s truths in the Bible, which strengthens them with the promises of His grace. We are glad that several of them have turned to Christ and have been constantly “looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2a).

Despite the sometimes laborious efforts, we find it an enormous blessing and comfort to witness God’s Word to those old folks who are overwhelmed by their ill health and difficulties. We rejoice that “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength” (Isaiah 40:29). Truly, we serve continually among them, Sunday after Sunday, only because of His power and strength which He has abundantly bestowed upon us.

It is our earnest desire that you will pray for the Gethsemane Seniors’ Ministry and the Lions Home Ministry. Join us to minister to those old folks as the Lord enables you. How wonderful is the encouragement in 1 Corinthians 15:58 – “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord”! May our Lord’s Name be honoured and glorified. Amen.

Last year, several of our married young couples became parents and began a new phase in life with all its joys and challenges. Some of the mothers with infants began meeting together on a regular basis to pray and encourage one another. It is also their desire that more young mothers would benefit from such a gathering. This is indeed an excellent effort – one which the Pastor and the Session are most delighted to support and guide so that it may be better organized and more effective.

In a meeting held last Tuesday, Pastor advised the young mothers to effectively function as a new ministry of our church, namely Gethsemane Young Mothers (GYM). The following sisters have come forward to serve in the committee of GYM: Low Hui Lyn (Secretary), Merisa Teong (Treasurer), Lynn Koh (Publicity I/C), Fidelia Mah (Programme Coordinator). While Pastor will provide supervision, being the ex-officio of all the fellowship groups and the ministries of the church, Sis Dorothy Ng and Sis Carolyn Koshy will work with the committee to provide counsel and support. The GYM committee will meet soon to plan for the meetings and various activities.

All the young mothers are encouraged to join the fellowship of GYM and grow in the Word, prayer and fellowship. Through GYM, you can also be a blessing to other sisters in the church.

Biblical Advice concerning the Ministry towards Young Mothers

For the biblical administration and progress of this ministry, as well as for the spiritual strengthening of every young mother in our midst, the counsel from God’s Word in Titus 2:3-5 must be diligently followed - “The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Young mothers must be open and submissive to the godly advice of aged women in the church. To this end, the aged women are exhorted to be “in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; that they may teach the young women”.

Paul’s advice clearly indicates that young mothers are not to be left to themselves. They must be taught and guided. The “aged women” (matured in faith, knowledge and conduct) must play a very significant role in teaching “good things” of life to the younger women. Paul does not think that older women in the church should leave the younger women to themselves to figure out the way forward in life. Neither does he permit younger women to refuse the godly instructions and examples that the older women of matured faith, knowledge and holiness can provide.

Our younger mothers must be guided by older women in the church. This is the will of God. Though younger women receive the teachings of pastors, elders and their own husbands, they are also to be guided by the spiritually matured women in the church, who have been living careful, godly lives. Such training is meant to provide the younger married women with the encouragement that they need to work toward a godly family life.

Hence, Paul continues with the advice that “they may teach the young women to be sober”. The word “sober” translates the Greek word sōphronízō, which denotes the idea of “being trained to think and act soberly, discreetly, and in moderation”. Sober-mindedness is not something naturally inherited. It is a spiritual virtue that ought to be cultivated through following careful, spiritually edifying instructions and examples.

Through the instructions of the aged women in the church, younger women should learn “to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands”. From those purposes mentioned by Paul, it is evident that younger women will face many serious struggles and hindrances to their calling to be wives and mothers. So, younger mothers must be instructed to give great attention to domestic duties that God has entrusted them with. Their duties to their husbands and children should neither be neglected nor be performed indifferently, hastily or superficially. In order to encourage and strengthen every young Christian woman to be a godly wife and mother, the Word of God points to the ministry of the older women among them.

Paul also wrote at the end of Titus 2:5, “that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Young Christian mothers’ failure at home will be detrimental to the glory of God’s Word. Their wrong conduct would cause others to speak slanderously about the truth of God’s Word which they claim to believe. If young mothers, professing to be Christians, manifest lack of love for their husbands and for their children because of their lack of self-control, purity, domesticity, kindness and submissiveness, they would cause the Word of God to be evil spoken of by unbelievers in the society. This warning was further reinforced when Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 5:14, “I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully.” The converse is also true: biblical conduct of young mothers would result in God’s Word being honoured!

So, GLF (Gethsemane Ladies’ Fellowship) and GYM must work closely and fulfil their God-given mandate. We thank God that Sis Dorothy Ng (Eld Ng Poh Kok’s wife) and Sis Carolyn Koshy (Pastor’s wife) have offered their services to help GYM. We pray that this ministry will not only benefit the womenfolk in Gethsemane, but also their husbands and children, and thus the entire church.

Dorcas Koshy (from Singapore)

Praise God for this youth camp; it was a rare opportunity of a lifetime to be so thoroughly girded with the armour of truth against the onslaughts of the wicked one. Every sermon was so filled with the richness of the truth of God’s Word that I will fail to recount all the wonderful lessons learnt out of His clear Word.

During the opening sermon on “Worldliness and its Dangers”, one of my greatest fears was addressed - the fear that I may return to the sins of my pre-conversion enslavement (it is not worthy to be called ‘life’). “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning” (2 Peter 2:20). I pray that God will be merciful to me to spare me and help me not to love the world, neither the things that are in the world, lest I be like a dog which turns to its own vomit again!

From the sermon on “Overcoming Pride”, we were warned against the devil, the author of pride. He uses our wealth, talents, successes (sometimes our failures), and even our worship, service and zeal for the LORD to cause us to be proud! He is so disgustingly manipulative and insinuating. It was the cause of his fall from grace. I must not be deceived but rather resist the devil and draw nigh unto God; these are twin commands in James 4:7-8. He showed me what I was lacking to overcome this sin. Our sinless Saviour mourned and wept voluntarily not over His sins, (for behold, sin cannot touch Him), but rather over the sins of mankind. Should it not then behove me to be afflicted, mourn and weep over my sins and the sins of others?

I was blind to the fact that some of my schoolmates were homosexual. I would have been deceived if not for a mutual friend who alerted me by God’s providence and sovereign stirring. I truly thank God for Rev Reggor’s strong sermon on overcoming homosexuality, which has equipped me with the words to speak should I encounter the opportunity to minister to these lost souls. I might be thinking that for now I standeth, but I will take heed lest I fall into the snare of this sin too (1 Corinthians 10:12)!

Praise God for the time to fellowship with the Christian youths from our mission stations. Thank God for the new friends made, especially from the San Antonio branch, as well as the opportunity to hear how they were brought out of Catholicism and their experiences of persecution too. Their godliness and contentment with food and raiment (1 Tim 6:8) have been very encouraging to me and praise God that the Gospel work is indeed not in vain.

Keiffer Kessler Mingo (from Cebu)

I thank God for the wonderful time of fellowship and feeding upon God’s Word in this youth camp. I pray that we would all be vigilant in our walk with Christ, and that we as Christians would walk not in the way of the world, but in the fear of the Lord. I met so many new people and I learned so many spiritual lessons not only from the preachers, but also from the youths through their interactions. Having enjoyed a blessed 5-day camp away from things of the world, I even wished that my life was always like that being always surrounded by God’s people and His Word, not thinking of worldly things. What encouraged me the most was the testimony of many different youths. Even though we have different lives and choices, I can see that their plans were always God-centred. This encourages me to also plan my life by putting God’s will always into my considerations. I hope and pray that the Lord would give us more activities like this and may God bless us all!

Kate Alvarez (from San Antonio)

Thank God for His Providence that enables me to join the youth camp, which enables me to see our Gethsemane youths in unity in the LORD. Thank God also for the inspiring and convicting messages which brought revival to me. Truly, I was reminded that as human as we are, we sin and come short of His glory; we can only be saved by His grace. Thank God for all the preachers whom God used to preach His Word to His people.

Through this camp, I learn that in this perishing world, there are many temptations and dangers. Youths must guard against sexual sins, against loving money, against envying things of the world, against ungodly friendships, and against addiction to social media, as they will lead to destruction. God calls us to fight the good fight of faith, deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and appoints us to be overcomers of the world. I have also learned how we must be always tuned in to the things of God and heaven. God’s Word has convicted me to be zealous and share His Gospel with my loved ones and friends who have been walking in darkness. “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth” (2 Corinthians 13:8). In our stand for His truth, God will give us grace and strength if we will look to and call upon Him.

Amoz Choy (from Singapore)

It has been a joy to be part of the combined youth camp in Cebu, the Philippines. I have been certainly blessed through the ministry of the Word during this camp. All our missionaries from the Philippines, together with Pastor, Pr Dennis and Pr Andrew laboured in teaching us lessons on the theme, “Overcoming Worldliness”. The stern and bold admonition from the Holy Scriptures has caused me to carefully examine myself. Have I allowed worldliness to creep into my heart? Have I compromised with the world, allowing it to influence my decisions and thoughts?

As youths who face the bombardment of sin’s temptations from the world, it is most important that we make a firm and concerted effort to “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim 2:22). In one of our messages, we were reminded from James 4:7- 8 to ‘resist the devil’ and to ‘draw nigh to God’. How wonderful to know that this command is followed by the sublime promise that the devil ‘will flee from you’ and God ‘will draw nigh unto you’!

The camp has also blessed me with the opportunity to meet and know more about the youths from our mission churches. Their joy in the Lord has encouraged me greatly and may the Lord be pleased to continue to shower spiritual blessings upon our mission churches.

Rezeile Ortega (from Cebu)

Thank God for enabling me to attend this combined youth camp. The theme “Overcoming Worldliness” and all of the 10 messages are very timely for the youths today. I know myself that I am guilty especially of social media addiction. I thank God for admonishing us through preachers from Singapore and Philippines so that our eyes may be open and we may realize that we should not be living in worldliness and sin. I pray that all the lessons learnt will be applied in our daily lives. Thank God also for the warm fellowship that I had with like-minded brethren. All glory be to God.

Amanda Tan (from Singapore)

Thank God for the many lessons that He has taught me through this camp on the theme, “Overcoming Worldliness”. We should not compromise with the world, which is at the expense of spiritual things. I realise how susceptible we are to the different forms of worldliness. It didn’t take long for me to experience that.

Upon landing in Singapore, I received a message (on my handphone) from the manager at my part-time job, inviting all his workers to a New Year celebration lasting until 1 am. I declined the invitation but my manager kept persuading me to come along, saying that there would be sumptuous food and drinks (including alcoholic drinks, of course!). I then recalled a verse from Rev Reggor’s message on “Overcoming Substance Addiction” – “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself” (Daniel 1:8). That gave me the resolve to decline the invitation firmly, whereas in the past, I would have compromised, saying, “I’ll consider” or “Maybe”. Hence, I want to thank God for teaching me not to yield to the world, but to take a firm stand against it. May God continue to give me strength, that I may become an overcomer of the world. All glory to God!

Jansher Khan (from Australia)

One week before the camp, I fell sick with flu and fever, but thank God He gave me the strength to recover so I could get on the plane and receive God’s blessings through this camp.

Thank God for providing us with shelter, food and water throughout the camp. I am very grateful to everyone involved in organising this camp, which must have taken a lot of time and effort. I can’t thank the preachers enough – Bro Andrew, Pr Dennis, Pr Donald, Rev Reggor, Pr Edsel, Eld Eliezer, Eld Richard and Pastor Koshy. They provided so much knowledge from the Word of God (especially concerning the rights and wrongs in this world), and its counsels against worldliness. Truly, as one preacher had put it, “Without God’s counsels, our heart will bring us back into the world”!

“Overcoming Ungodly Friendships” was a message that was very relevant to me as I have friends who are Catholics, atheists and homosexuals. Before becoming a Christian, I was receptive to all types of people and had an “open” heart regardless of their race, religion, gender. I feel uneasy crossing out the friendships just because they are of different religion or if they are homosexuals. Am I not guilty of discrimination if I treat them differently? Should I try to change them and if so, how do I change them? These issues were troubling me. Through this camp, I realise that friendship must be a godly one, and I must influence friends for Christ and His righteousness, instead of them influencing me with their unbelief and sins.

Overall, I have learnt a lot about the Word of God and drawn closer to God. I have also made some new friends and become closer with the youths of Gethsemane. Can’t wait for the next youth camp!

Mary Rose Ocharon (from Bogo)

Thank God for enabling me to listen to His words on how to overcome worldliness, especially overcoming social media addiction. I am now aware of how to deal with it. Thank God also for the good fellowship with brethren from Bohol, Pangasinan, Cebu, and especially youths from Singapore. I am thankful also for how Singaporean friends had previously helped and prayed for my mum’s illness.

My prayer is that all of the youths will stand for the truth of God’s Word and overcome worldliness. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Corinthians 2:12).

Angela Saragena (from San Antonio)

Thank God for this combined youth camp, because the messages had reminded me to shun away from worldliness and all the works of the devil. I know I am prone to being “connected” with the world and the things thereof. Through God’s working, I now realize that I made myself vulnerable by allowing my ungodly friends to influence me to succumb to worldly activities. Indeed, as Romans 7:19 says, “For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.” I know I had failed miserably in the past. These messages have strengthened me on ways a Christian youth should take to handle (and even avoid) varied worldly circumstances that will lure us onto the wrong steps. I should be cautious and mindful of the dangers the world has laid. God’s words are my whole armour for this battle I am facing, according to Ephesians 6:13.

It is heartwarming to receive the joy of fellowship God’s children can extend. It is very visible that lives being well spent in God’s plan will always bring forth genuine happiness which the things of the world cannot offer. I am also very moved and encouraged to see church leaders and youths, especially from Singapore, fully submitting themselves to serve God with much joy and gladness in their hearts, being committed to God’s Word in their life. May our Almighty God give me the strength to be and do the same, with all my might for His glory. Help me, O Lord, to be an overcomer of worldliness! “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2).

Glenda Saragena (from San Antonio)

Thank God for His provision and for enabling me to attend the youth camp – not only to have fellowship with other youths in Singapore, Cebu, Pangasinan and Bohol, but most importantly, to hear His Word. God’s Word has taught me how to overcome worldliness, which can destroy us and damage our body. Truly, “If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15b). Therefore, we must be overcomers of the world!

Titus Ho (from Singapore)

Thank God for His provision that enabled me to attend this year’s youth camp, which was truly a great opportunity and challenge for me. This is my first youth camp and also my first time going overseas without my parents. Despite some problems at the Cebu immigration office, I thank the Lord for seeing me through.

Thank God for the camp theme on “Overcoming Worldliness”, and the preachers who ministered God’s Word to the youths. I have been taught many pertinent things. Firstly, on “Overcoming Ungodly Friendships”, I learn that having a godly friendship will encourage us to provoke one another in Christ to serve the Lord even more. On the topic of “Overcoming Pride”, I learn that the remedy for pride is to humble myself before the Lord, acknowledge my sins and be willing to change. Furthermore, on “Overcoming Social Media Addiction”, I have been taught that social media can be abused. The dangers in social media are lurking “in ambush, waiting for the right time to strike!” Hence, we should not spend too much time on social media, but instead redeem this time as a faithful steward to serve the Lord.

Thank God also for giving me good roommates who made me feel accepted and willingly lent me a listening ear when needed. I am grateful for this chance to interact and enjoy good fellowship with Christian youths from the Philippines and Korea. Not forgetting the youth committee, their labour of love is indeed instrumental in making this youth camp a fruitful and enjoyable one for the youths.

To God be the glory!

Louie Ngojo (from San Antonio)

Thank God for the committee which organised this camp and all the preachers who taught us on the theme, “Overcoming Worldliness ”. Praise God also for His blessings to us youths in Bogo and San Antonio through this camp, including providing for our camp fees. How compassionate the Lord is!

I received rebuke from God’s Word, feeling intense guilt when the preaching exposed my enslavement to worldliness, especially the message on “Overcoming Homosexuality” by Rev Reggor. Living in homosexual sin is an abomination to God and disqualifies people from God’s kingdom. I had unfortunately chosen to be a gay in the past, through weird worldly notions that I imbibed. But thank God His Word reached me and delivered me from that horrible bondage. Though I became a Christian through the late Pr Dominino and received much fervent teachings from him, I lived a life full of deceptions because of my misunderstanding of God’s Word. I took it lightly that God loves me, and will always accept me as I am. It is only by His mercy and through this privilege of joining the youth camp that I have a clearer view of how I should behave according to His Word. I cannot take His words lightly. Yes, God loves me but He will not tolerate my sins! As Pastor Reggor mentioned, being sober concerning the Word is not just about reading and knowing the Word, but about submitting yourself fully unto God’s Word and walking His way.

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of the God?” (1 John 5:4-5). Praise be unto the Lord!

Gethsemane B-P Churches of Singapore and the Philippines were guided by the grace of God to assemble their youths for a 5-day camp (21-25 Dec) in Cebu City, the Philippines. The main aim of this camp was to instruct and equip them to overcome the wicked devices of the world that war against their souls. The youths were taught from the Word of God by 8 preachers who came with prayerful preparation and a holy determination to persuade the youths with God’s Word to be overcomers of worldliness. With much biblical wisdom and discernment, the preachers unmasked the world’s satanic snares that are set against the Christian youths in the world around them. God’s servants pleaded with the hearts of our youths to be vigilant against temptations and bravely stand for Christ with clear understanding and firm conviction of the biblical truths.

There were also 3 youths from Pusan (Korea), brought by Pr Park (a graduate of FEBC), and 2 from Manila (the Philippines) who were relatives of our church members. With much thanksgiving for the ministry among the youths this past week, we publish some of their testimonies below (with more of them to be published next week):

Joshua Ortega (from Cebu)

The recent youth camp was indeed a great blessing to me. It was such a privilege for me to spend 5 days with fellow believers. The messages preached were the LORD’s own rebuke and reminder to me to be very cautious against temptations of sin that would come even through simple and mundane activities and events of life.

Everyone in the camp was friendly, and I felt comfortable talking to the youths from different churches. I thank God for enabling me to be part of this youth camp. I look forward to the next youth camp. All glory be unto God!

Esther Quek (from Singapore)

Ithank the Lord for His bountiful provisions, allowing my sister and I to attend this youth camp. Thank God for the faithful preachers who have expounded on the ways to overcome worldliness. Through the messages, I am reminded to flee away from youthful lusts and to set my eyes on heavenly things only. For youths, temptations are plenteous and the worldly things are alluring. However, the Bible warns us not to be deceived. Instead, we are exhorted to resist the devil and draw nigh to God. I pray that I would be an overcomer and increase my faith in Him so that as I return to school next year, I would be a vessel fit for the Master’s use. All glory be to God!

Lord Timothy Pernito (from Cebu)

Greetings from Cebu! Thank God for the recent combined Youth Camp of Gethsemane B-P Churches of Singapore and the Philippines. I thank God for the provisions and blessings, especially for the payment of fees for the camp. Pastor Reggor told the youths in our church a few months back to save up money in our piggy banks. We managed to save up to about a quarter of the fees. But the Lord provided the rest. He did not forsake us, His children.

I also thank the brethren from Singapore, Korea, Bogo, San Antonio, Bohol and Pangasinan. The camp was full of joy and encouragement. The messages were preached with truth and power. They opened our eyes that this world is filled with temptations of sin, and we need to overcome them all. I hope and pray that we could have this sort of camp again.

Jovial Tan (from Singapore)

I would like to thank God for granting me the privilege to join this youth camp. This camp has helped me tremendously as I do not know how to overcome the worldliness inside me before the camp.

One message that applies to me a lot was overcoming social media addiction. I have been addicted to Facebook, WhatsApp and other apps on my phone. This had taken a lot of my time. I could have used those times to study God’s Word. But after listening to Eld Richard Tiu’s sermon, I know that time is precious and I have to make something productive out of it. We should keep ourselves occupied with spiritual things. May God help me to awake, arise, walk and work in service for Christ.

Another message that applies to me was overcoming ungodly friendships, preached by Pr Donald dela Cruz. I have classmates who are very vulgar. Every sentence they speak has a vulgar word in it. This kind of friendship can be influential, which I have to avoid. I had tried spreading the Gospel to them but all they said was “boring”. If they hate God, they are go with them, I will be destroyed by them (Proverbs 13:20). My friends should be godly, lovely, loyal, as well as humble. As for some of my closer classmates who are unbelievers, I should share the Gospel with them without shame and be a living testimony for others to join me in God’s Kingdom. Through this combined youth camp, I have learnt that I can only overcome worldliness with the power of God (1 John 4:4; Titus 2:12-15). I have to lead my life with godliness and contentment (1 Timothy 6:6).

All glory be to God!

Jenice Choy (from Singapore)

Thank the Lord for a blessed camp, especially for a good time of fellowship with the youths from the Gethsemane B-P Churches of Cebu, Bohol, Bogo, San Antonio and Pangasinan. Thank the Lord for timely rebukes and chiding from the Lord through His Word. How many times I have fallen into the subtle lures of worldliness which I have gotten so used to! How indeed the devil works so powerfully to hinder many of our youths from listening to the Word of God, even by inflicting some of them with illnesses – but thank our Almighty God that He never forsakes His own and healed them quickly. I certainly look forward to the next youth camp soon!

Timothy Tow
An extract from Bible Witness, Vol. 5, Issue 6 (Nov-Dec 2005)

The birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, by the virgin Mary in a manger was celebrated by the announcement of an angel and a big choir of heavenly host praising God in the Highest. So we hold special praise services during Christmas to commemorate His first coming.

To further celebrate this event, the angel extended the message of goodwill to the whole world, “And on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Because the Saviour had now come, God the Father was so happy that He proclaimed an amnesty to us sinners, so that if we turn to Him, He would forgive all our sins and receive us back to Himself.

Christmas is “Glory to God”. Christmas is “Good will toward men”. When Christmas comes round once a year, the whole world rejoices and the amnesty offer is extended once again to those who have never heard of the Saviour.

How can we extend the glad message of salvation to those who have never heard it? One very convenient way is through members of our church – if only you would bring a new friend, yea, even a member of your extended family, to our Christmas Service.

When you bring your friends to church for the Christmas praise service, tell them that Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He was born of the virgin Mary in a manger in the Holy Land – God’s Son becoming man that He might suffer for our sins. He was crucified and buried. On the third day, He rose again that we believing in Him would not die but live forever and ever. This is the everlasting life we, Christians, have found, and so we celebrate His miraculous birth. If you believe in Him, you will receive that everlasting life. Don’t you feel that heavenly touch by the singing of the carols?

Many years ago, the towkay of Yick Woh Watch Company in North Bridge Road came to join our church. How he became a Christian was through the singing of carols one Christmas eve. A group of carol singers sang so sweetly outside his shophouse that he felt the angels were singing to him. He received Jesus into his heart and was saved!

The world celebrates Christmas, not worshipfully for the birth of Jesus Christ, but by making merry and getting drunk for their own enjoyment. In their hearts, however, there is sorrow and sadness, fear and frustration. Christians in many parts of the world are praying in fear of terrorists’ attacks. The world situation is getting from bad to worse, not to talk of international relations. There is no peace in this world outside Jesus Christ, not even between two most intimate persons like husband and wife, mother and son.

A Singapore couple migrated to Perth, but a new country did not hold them together. The couple’s marriage almost went on the rocks. Fortunately, husband and wife repented and returned to the Lord Jesus Christ and so their marriage was saved. The husband said to me, “Today, you see couples going in and out. They appear happy outwardly, but most of them are on the point of breaking down.” Is that the situation with you, especially when familiarity breeds contempt? You need to hear Paul’s triple admonition, “Husbands, love your wives” (Ephesians 5:25, 28, 33), to revive your marriage. The love and peace of Jesus Christ can heal your virtually brokendown marriage. Will you make peace with each other and for Jesus’ sake?

There is no peace between husband and wife; there is no peace between mother and son! An old lady complained to me of the lack of filial piety towards her after her son got married. He used to support her with $300 a month; but after marriage, he reduced it to $200 even though his combined salary with his wife was about $7,000! Here is a lesson to sons. Giving support to your aged parents is part of Jesus’ teaching. Giving support to our aged parents must be done willingly and lovingly. Otherwise, as a Chinese saying goes, it is “no better than taking care of dogs and horses”. This Christmas, let unfilial sons and daughters search their hearts and return as loving children to gladden their parents’ hearts. Let the peace and goodwill of your Saviour reign in your hearts.

“On earth peace, good will toward men” is offered to the Church. How many churches are split? If we submit to the Lordship of our Saviour and realise how many times (yea, even beyond “seventy times seven”) He has forgiven us, we will have no recourse but to forgive one another.

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Admittedly, this timely Christmas offer to a warring world will not be heeded – if a nuclear war breaks out, nobody has the power to restrain it from spreading. But Christians are for peace and we must not cease from praying for God’s peace and goodwill offered to all mankind.

In Gethsemane, much attention has been given in providing sound Gospel-oriented spiritual activities for children and youths since the early years of the church ministry. We continue to pay a lot of attention to providing biblical nurture to all of them. Under the Gethsemane Children’s Ministry, we regularly hold Junior Worship, Catechism Classes, Children’s Choir on Sundays, and have recently resumed our children’s programme on Saturdays (2nd, 3rd and 4th weeks). On the top of all these activities, the GCM committee also holds seminars for parents and teachers. Besides, we publish articles in the church weekly, Bible Witness for children, and air special programmes on Bible Witness Web Radio. As for teens and youths, many programmes are also being organized on a regular basis by Gethsemane Youth Fellowship. Continue to pray regularly for the effectiveness of all these programmes in guiding our children and youths. Pray for those who minister to them as well. I would also like to exhort the parents to encourage your children to participate in all these ministries without fail. If necessary, come with them and also offer your help.

Daily Vacation Bible School (9-12 Dec

Praise the Lord for the Daily Vacation Bible School (9-12 Dec) organized by the Gethsemane Children’s Ministry. This fourday event was attended by 65 children. About 25 of them were relatives and friends of our church brethren. Pr Kelvin Lim and the GCM committee members (Bro Kenneth Wong, Bro Neo Kian Seng, Sis Choy Luan Kheng, Sis Winnie Yap, Sis Kamalamangai and Sis Melissa Mah) have laboured much in the Lord in the planning, organizing and overseeing of this annual Gospel outreach to the children.

We also thank the Lord for those who laboured to teach the Word of God – Pr Jeremiah Sim, Pr Samson Hutagalung and Sis Carolyn Koshy. It was truly joyous to see several fathers and mothers, ladies and youths of our church helping with fetching children, singing sessions, art and craft, games, logistics, refreshments, etc. We are grateful for The Gethsemane Care Ministry brethren who have made their premises available and ready for the DVBS.

The Gospel work among children should never be neglected. Our church must continue to give all diligence to strengthen efforts to guide our children in the ways of the Lord. Parents must enthusiastically support every effort of the church to educate the children in spiritual matters by bringing children to such programmes. Nothing should be given greater priority in our children’s life than their spiritual nurture. The Lord has commanded, “And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters...” (Deuteronomy 12:12).

Youth Camp (Cebu, 21-25 Dec)

Next week, a combined youth camp comprising our GYF and the youths from our mission churches in the Philippines will be held in Elsalvador Beach Resort, Cebu. A total of 103 people (youths, committee members and preachers) have registered to attend this camp. All our preachers from the Philippines (Rev Reggor, Eld Richard Tiu, Eld Eliezer Ortega, Pr Edsel Locot and Pr Donald dela Cruz) will attend the camp throughout and minister to the youths. Bro Andrew Koh, Pr Dennis Kabingue and I will also be ministering God’s Word. Eld Alan Choy, Diana Chan (GYF Committee members), Carolyn Koshy, Choy Luan Kheng and Lynn Koh will also be in the camp to guide the youths. We are glad that some adult members of our church (Sarah Yong, Sharon dela Cruz, Nancy Lau, Cecile Batrina, Katherine Wu, Daryl Kabingue, Jessica Lim and Kenneth Wong) will also be joining the camp.

The camp theme is “Overcoming Worldliness”. There will be 10 messages on the following topics: (i) Worldliness and Its Dangers, (ii) Counsels against Worldliness, (iii) Overcoming Ungodly Friendships, (iv) Overcoming Pride, (v) Overcoming Sexual Sins, (vi) Overcoming the Love of Money, (vii) Overcoming Homosexuality, (viii) Overcoming Social Media Addiction, (ix) Overcoming Substance Addiction, (x) Rewards of Godliness. Apart from those messages, there will also be a workshop and 2 “Question & Answer” sessions.

I praise God for all who have laboured (and continue to labour) to make this event an enjoyable and edifying experience for our youths. And also, I praise God for those who have prayed and supported financially so that all the youths can rejoice as they gather in the presence of the Lord.

If parents or any church member need to contact us or the youths in emergency situation, please call Rev Reggor Galarpe. If no emergency, please do not call him, as he will be busy with many aspects of the camp, including preaching.

By the rich mercies of God, both Carolyn and I finished our 10-day visit to our church’s Ethiopian mission stations. We spent most of our time in Alem Gena, where we have built a churchcum- GBI complex to advance the preaching of the Gospel in Ethiopia and the neighbouring countries. The work of the Lord here has been increasing, but certainly not without struggles within and without. We are very thankful to witness that the Lord has mercifully preserved and blessed the work.

I have taught ‘Christology’ in GBI for 7 days, about 5 hours daily. GBI has presently 15 fulltime students (Mon-Fri) and about the same number of parttime students (certain weekday night classes and on Saturday). Rev Ephrem and his family live on campus, and bear much of the administrative and teaching responsibilities. Pr Engida, who is stationed in Addis Ababa, comes to Alem Gena once a week and teaches in GBI. Pr Imane, who also lives on campus with his family, is juggling his studies (Masters in Theology) at Ethiopia Graduate School of Theology and his teaching responsibilities in GBI.

Two of the students, Bayera Nurgi Tura and Dejene Daka Dantero, have completed their 3 years of theological studies and ministry training. Last Sunday, in conjunction with the combined worship services of our two congregations, their graduation service was held. More than 160 worshippers gathered together for this blessed occasion. Incidentally, Bayera has been reaching out to a farming community in the middle of a very large farming area in Sebeta region, which is about 40 minutes’ drive from our church in Alem Gena. Our Ethiopian brethren have decided to buy a piece of land (of about 2,000 square metres) with the money left from the Building Fund. This is to build a temporary structure for a worship gathering area, and a small mud-house for Pr Bayera to stay while he reaches out to the community there. I have gone with Rev Ephrem and Pr Bayera to view the place, which is a very remote area with no public transportation. People need to walk a very long distance (along a new road that is being constructed) or ride on horse-carts to get to that village. We travelled to the place via the church van – it was a very rough and bumpy ride. People in this place generally worship household idols and are superstitious. Let us pray that the preaching of the Gospel would turn many to the living God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, in order that they may be saved.

We left Ethiopia on Wednesday (2nd Dec) morning (7.30am) and only arrived in Bomet at 8.30pm. We were received at the Nairobi (Kenya) airport by Rev Eben Yoon (Bible College of East Africa, Nairobi) and another Korean young man who is studying at BCEA. Together with them was Pr Charles Sang, an FEBC graduate who now reaches out to a community in the outskirts of Nairobi as a preacher of African Gospel Unity Church (AGUC). He came with two young boys from Bomet in a minivan to fetch us. After a short fellowship with Rev Eben Yoon, we left the airport for Bomet. It was a long journey of about 6 hours. Though we were expecting to reach Bomet by 7.30pm, the van’s tyre burst just about 15km before Bomet. It was pitch-dark everywhere, without lights along the road. The driver tried to change the tyres with help of the light from our mobile phones, but the tools in the van malfunctioned. As we prayed in our hearts, God sent a man, who was walking along a side road, to help us. He kindly called his friend on his mobile phone to bring some help. Thank God, after waiting for almost 40 minutes, help arrived. God has been merciful and we safely arrived in Bomet. We were heartily received by Rev Michael Koech (Principal of Bomet Bible Institute) and Rev Jonathan Langat (Pastor of AGUC, Bomet). Sis Carol Lee (Truth BPC, Singapore) was also there. (She has been coming to Bomet for the past 11 years – during the Nov-Dec period – to train youths and also to help in the Bible College.)

I preached in the Missions Conference of AGUC on Thursday (3rd Dec) and the Graduation Service of Bomet Bible Institute on Saturday (5th Dec). We travelled back to Nairobi on Saturday afternoon and are staying in BCEA, Nairobi. We have been looking forward to having fellowship with Rev & Mrs Mark Kim, who lead the work in BCEA. I am also invited to preach God’s Word in BCEA’s Campus Church during Sunday Worship Service. Soon after the worship, we will head to the airport for the return flight to Singapore via Dubai. Please continue to pray for us and hope to see you all on Tuesday night, at our Bible Study and church prayer meeting.

I am thankful to the Lord for your ardent prayers and generous gifts for the Building Project. Please make it a point to come for the next “fasting and prayer” gathering of our church on Tuesday (15 Dec). Let us seek the Lord’s help to obtain a place that is 4 to 5 times bigger than our present CRC, in order to meet our urgent need for sufficient space for office and fellowship meetings. He who has been our “very present help” will come to our aid, if we sincerely and earnestly seek Him. Come and pray and be a channel of His blessing in the work of the Lord in Gethsemane. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2). “Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God” (Psalm 146:5).

Iwas born with profound deafness, but God is good to me and provided a way for me to have my hearing. I was almost 6 months old when my parents discovered that I was deaf. At that time, hearing examinations for newborn babies were not so advanced. This was the reason why my deafness was not detected. For 6 months, they thought I was a “good” baby who did not cry.

One day, my father tried to get my attention with a wind-up music toy behind me. When I did not respond, he became suspicious that I was deaf. Upon confirmation of my deafness by an audiologist, an era of “uncertainty” began in my parents’ life. Relatives were informed, my parents’ church leaders were asked to pray, and a second opinion was sought from another ear doctor. Thank God for all the people whom He sent to advise my parents and the wisdom He gave the doctor who diagnosed me with profound hearing loss. As Singapore hospitals in those days were lagging in hearing implant technology, a Singaporean audiologist advised that I go to Sydney, Australia, for a hearing implant at The Shepherd Centre.

Thank God for His grace and provision (through my parents) for all my operation-related expenses, which amounted to no small sum. I was operated on 1 September 2001, which lasted a few hours. My head was “all bandaged” (that scene was captured in old photographs taken by my father). On 17 September, Dr Gibson (doctor in charge of my implant) switched the implant on. According to my parents, they called my name, and I responded by turning my head. They were thankful and rejoicing that I could hear them calling my name. Thank God for a successful operation!

But that was not the end of our troubles. I still had to go through many rounds of speech therapy both in Australia and Singapore, until I spoke my first words in April 2003. I truly thank God for my parents’ patience and dedication during this period of time. Hearing was not the only problem I had to deal with. I was delayed in speech and walking as I had bad motor skills and my parents sent me for various therapies in Singapore. It cost them hundreds of thousands of dollars.

That was not all. From infancy, my mother noticed I was unusually quiet and did not interact with other children. She closely observed me and the warning signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) were confirmed by our own research. I was sent for a formal diagnosis at KK Hospital, where the specialists confirmed that I had Asperger’s syndrome, a type of ASD. That was 2005. Unsure of how to handle my hyperactive behaviour, my parents sent me for occupational, behavioural, social skills and even hyperbaric oxygen therapies to mitigate my condition. All these therapies helped me but I know that it is God who has given me the grace to improve. Praise be unto Him!

Looking back, I thank God for blessing my life in tremendous ways. Since I started schooling in 2007, the LORD has led me step by step and helped me in many ways. I enjoyed school though it initially was difficult as people around me did not understand me nor my condition. Some teachers even disliked me as I liked to ask a lot of questions and walked about when the lesson became boring! Yet God has always helped me to do well in my studies, even till today. Thank God my parents did not ignore my early signs of autism but had sought early intervention; as such, that I could attend mainstream schools. I now sit through lessons without walking about. Though I still ask a lot of questions, I learn to wait and be patient until question time. I can talk to schoolmates and engage in class discussions, sharing opinions and ideas. I did many presentations in front of my whole school and even joined an overseas exchange programme.

By God’s grace, my problems with hearing and autism did not hinder me from doing what normal people do. With the cochlear implant, I could hear mostly normally. I could play the piano, participate in physical education-related activities in school, cycle, hold conversations with elderly friends in the park, and sit for my Listening Comprehension examinations under normal conditions. I wholeheartedly thank God that my autism-related problems did not impede me from all of these. Indeed, “autism is not a disability; it’s a different ability.” Praise be to God!

I thank God for sending Aunt Cecille to look after me; she had a great impact in my life. Thank God for her patience and dedication even though I can be naughty at times! It was in January 2015 that I was introduced by Aunt Cecille to tune in to “live” Sunday sermon broadcasts through the Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church website.

Thank God for Pastor Koshy and his preaching of God’s Word and sound Biblical doctrines. God used Pastor Koshy’s preaching to speak to me and convict me of my sins. During that time, I was not active in my church due to lack of support and limited spiritual preaching. I fervently pleaded with my mother to allow me to attend Aunt Cecille’s church, on condition that I finish all my homework and study well. With my mother’s agreement to my proposal, my first attendance at Gethsemane B-P Church was at the “Scripture in Song” event towards the end of December 2014. And I have not looked back since – my parents now allow me to permanently attend Gethsemane. I thank God that I can attend Youth Fellowship meetings, and even Tuesday night prayer meetings. It is my humble prayer that the LORD will sustain me in the faith and use me for His glory.

As I look back, I thank the LORD for His faithfulness in my life, His mercies and compassions towards me, which “are new every morning” (Lamentations 3:22-23). I pray that I will always call upon the LORD and depend on Him for leading in my life. As my “life verse” reads, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3).

To God be all the glory! Amen.

Joel Tan

I always had the desire to serve God. But at the same time, I was hesitant to serve God full-time as I was not sure of my calling. After my Pre-university studies, I thought about enrolling in a seminary in India, but ended up studying computer engineering in university. While studying there, I backslided. But God’s grace brought me back and I began to study the Bible seriously, trying hard to practise whatever it says to the letter. Moreover, I regularly listened to the preaching of various pastors through the internet. I also began to read books and articles relating to the Christian ministry. In the process, I became very legalistic and soon took pride in my socalled spiritual growth.

While I was in my third year, I was made aware (through the preaching on the internet) of the reformed Calvinistic doctrines of the Bible, to which I fully agree as they are completely scriptural. Though my church does not hold to these doctrines, I continued to worship there as there is sadly no reformed church at all in my own state (Kerala). But deep in my heart, I was very convicted of the doctrines in the “Westminster Confession of Faith”. My prayer was that a church holding to the reformed confession of faith could be started in Kerala. The doctrines I learned from God’s Word through these reformed preachers made me understand that I cannot do anything to please God. It is only the sovereign grace of God which has elected me to taste the goodness of salvation.

Meanwhile, thoughts about serving God again came to my mind. But I was in a confused state as I had plans for higher studies and ambitions for a good career. I shared my concerns with one of my close Christian friends in the campus, and began to pray about it. I had been reading through the Bible and was reading Acts during that time. Verse 8 of Acts chapter 1 kept resonating in my mind: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” As I meditated on this verse, I became convicted that I should serve God to spread the Gospel.

After graduating from the college, I began to look out for a suitable Bible college where I could begin my theological studies. Though there are many seminaries in India, very few teach reformed theology. As I knew Rev Koshy, I expressed to him my desire to study theology and enquired about Bible colleges in Singapore, and in particular, about FEBC. He encouraged me to apply to FEBC. After giving much thought and prayer, I applied to the college and God opened the way for me to come and study in FEBC.

Even after coming to FEBC, I still doubted my calling, and frankly had several times thought about quitting my theological studies. At the start of 2015, I had to go back to India but did not come back to continue my studies. During that time, God, through many providential circumstances and through His Word, again convicted me of my calling. Luke 9:62 says, “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” I became very sure that I have no option to look back. I must finish what I had started with the Lord’s prompting. Thus I came back and resumed my studies in July 2015. May the Lord grant me the grace to complete the training to be equipped to serve the Almighty God.

Pastor’s Library

Another Reason for A Larger Church Resource Centre John Peh

For the last 10 years, Pastor’s library has been made available for the reading pleasure and edification of God’s people through the Bible Witness Bookroom at Hong Lim Complex. When it was open to all, about 1,800 books were on display from Pastor’s own private collection. It has grown now to about 2,800 books, some of which have been donated by some like-minded brethren while others are from Pastor’s own acquisition. This library is a treasure house of knowledge in matters related to the truths of God’s Word. Pastor’s prayer and hope is that all the books in this library would be accessible to our church members and preachers.

There are still hundreds of books at CRC in Pastor’s office that are yet to be added to the library. Whenever I meet Pastor in CRC to discuss matters of the ministry, I have noticed that the book cabinets are filled to the brim with books, besides a lot more books being kept on chairs, small tables and the floor of his office. There is no more space for bookshelves in the bookroom or in CRC.

Presently, because the church office and library are in 2 different locations, the books are not easily accessible to Pastor and our preachers. A number of times, in the midst of their study, they have to come down to the bookroom to get the books they need. At times, to make it more convenient for them, I would bring the books down to the church office. When books are at different locations, it is also not possible to catalogue and keep track of them.

We also need space to archive, copy and distribute (in digital format) Pastor’s sermons and teachings, which have been recorded from past worship services, seminars, retreats, camps, etc. Through Bible Witness Media Ministry’s various initiatives, we hope the truths of God’s Word that we receive from Gethsemane B-P Church can be brought to His people in other places for their spiritual nourishment.

As the Lord has given me the opportunity to be more involved with BWMM’s efforts to make all these resources available to believers in our church, country and overseas, I am profoundly persuaded of the acute need for a larger Church Resource Centre. I feel moved in my heart to encourage all of you, my fellow Gethsemaneans, to earnestly pray and support our Church Session’s decision to raise 5 million dollars for procuring a bigger place for the Church Resource Centre. We are still short of 3 million dollars; hence, let us give generously to the church building fund and also pray fervently for the successful completion of this project soon.

May the Lord hear our prayers and speedily answer our request for a bigger place for CRC!