Sermon Text: Psalm 96:1–13
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 8th December 2024
Sermon Text: Psalm 96:1–13
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 8th December 2024
Jesus’ words in John 15:16 proclaim to all genuine Christians, “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.”
Jesus emphasises to His disciples that their calling was not initiated by them, but by Him. He chose them first, underscoring that salvation and service are rooted in God’s gracious choosing. According to Jesus, our relationship with God is entirely based on His initiative, not human choice or merit. God chose us even before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). Our salvation is an act of God’s grace, flowing from His eternal will, in which He graciously and purposefully chooses individuals to belong to Him.
As John later would write, “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). This foundational truth humbles us, dispelling any sense of spiritual pride and reminding us that our relationship with God is a result of His loving choice, not our own merit. Knowing that God has chosen us also brings assurance. If He has initiated our salvation, we can trust that He will sustain it. This gives believers confidence that, despite our weaknesses, His hold on us is secure and eternal.
Beyond salvation, Jesus chose His followers for a purpose: to “go and bring forth fruit”. The “fruit” here includes manifested qualities of the transformed lives of Christians, such as love, joy, patience. Paul lists these qualities in Galatians 5:22-23, as “the fruit of the Spirit”. Even more, “fruit” also includes those who respond to the evangelistic efforts of His followers. When we share the Gospel, and others respond in faith, they become part of the spiritual “fruit” that remains eternally, a testimony to God’s work in the world!
Jesus further encourages His followers by promising that He will provide whatever they ask of the Father in His name. This assurance is given to those who submit to God’s will and are committed to bearing fruit in service to Him. The promise of answered prayer is both a blessing and a reinforcement that God will equip His chosen ones for the mission He has given them. We are not left to our own resources; rather, God supplies all that we need for fruitful ministry, including strength, wisdom, and provision.
As chosen vessels, we are empowered to bear lasting fruit through His Spirit. Each step we take in service, prayer, and obedience brings glory to God, and confirms our calling as His chosen people, equipped to make a lasting impact for His Kingdom.
God’s Word in Hebrews 13:16 encourages all Christians, “But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.”
God calls His people to live lives marked by kindness and generosity, underscoring the importance of selfless acts as a way to reflect His character. Through these acts, we become a living testimony of His goodness. The verse reminds us that the good we do and the love we share are not only beneficial to others, but are also sacrifices that bring joy to God.
The first command, “to do good”, emphasises our duty to reflect God’s kindness practically. Scripture is filled with reminders of God’s goodness, such as in Psalm 145:9, which declares, “The LORD is good to all”. As His children, we are called to mirror this goodness in our own lives. Good deeds pleasing to God include sharing the Gospel with others, praying for those in need, providing practical help to the poor, offering service within the church, and simply showing compassion and patience in our daily interactions. By doing good, we let God’s light shine through us, drawing others to Him.
The second command, “to communicate forget not”, calls believers to a spirit of generous fellowship. The Greek word for “communicate” here is koinonia, which means “fellowship” or “sharing”. This goes beyond merely offering material support; it involves being aware of the needs of others and extending support, encouragement, and love. We are called to a life of intentional sharing, opening our hands to bless those around us, just as Christ gave Himself for us.
The verse also describes these acts as “sacrifices”. True Christian generosity often requires sacrificing our time, energy, and resources. Just as Old Testament sacrifices involved offerings to God, these sacrificial acts of kindness are offerings of our lives, demonstrating our love for Him. Sacrifices involve giving up something valuable to us, and through these acts, we worship God by honouring His care for all people. This perspective transforms our charitable acts from mere duties to expressions of gratitude and worship.
Such acts of charity mirror God’s ultimate act of love and sacrifice in giving His Son for us. When we show generosity, we embody the love He displayed on the cross, making our kindness an extension of His love to the world. In doing so, we honour the sacrifice of Christ and participate in His mission to meet human needs, reflecting God’s compassion and grace.
Sermon Text: Psalm 95:1–11
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 1st December 2024
Beloved brethren,
Warm greetings to you in the glorious name of our Saviour from Nairobi, Kenya! My wife Carolyn and I arrived here on Tuesday afternoon, after completing eight blessed days of ministry in Ethiopia.
We are grateful to God for the continued prayers and encouragement from our elders and staff back in Singapore, who have faithfully kept in touch via WhatsApp concerning the ministry’s progress. Their dedication to the Lord’s work and intercessions for us have been a great source of comfort and strength.
We praise God for His enabling grace upon our preachers, who have ministered His Word faithfully in all the church’s meetings. May the Lord continue to bless and edify you through their diligent service.
Our days in Ethiopia were both challenging and rewarding. The high altitude took a daily toll on me, causing persistent sickness. Yet, God’s presence and gracious strengthening were evident throughout. He faithfully provided timely relief from physical distress, enabling me to teach God’s Word to the GBI students for four hours each day.
Carolyn’s supportive presence and care were a source of great comfort. Additionally, the local servants of the Lord—Rev. Ephrem, Pr Engida, Pr Imane, Pr Bayera and Pr Bedada—were incredibly attentive to my struggles and extended their assistance with kindness and thoughtfulness. The families of Rev. Ephrem and Pr Imane, who reside on the church and GBI campus, also contributed immensely to our well-being. They prepared nourishing and suitable meals daily, ensuring that we were cared for physically, as I focused on ministering spiritually. Through it all, God’s grace and the love of His people sustained us.
Teaching the 26 full-time students of GBI was a joyful experience, as all of them were eager to learn God’s Word. Not all students could communicate in English, so Rev. Ephrem, Pr Engida and Pr Imane helped them interpret my lectures. They also helped in the Q & A sessions, which the students greatly appreciated.
Likewise, Pr Bayera and Pr Bedada helped Carolyn to interpret her teaching of God’s Word to the children who came daily to the Gethsemane Children’s Ministry. About 110 children attend classes held from 8.30am to 12.30pm. Ten teachers, led by the preachers and Sis. Gete, care for and teach these children. Through this ministry to the children, preachers find opportunities to visit families in the neighbourhood with the Gospel, and invite them to the church.
Last Sunday morning, the Addis Ababa congregation came to Alem Gena for joint worship. We praise God for the many familiar and some new faces we could fellowship with. Rev. Ephrem led the worship, the young people’s choir sang Amharic worship hymns, I preached the Word from Ephesians 2:18 on “Our Access to God through Christ”, and the sisters provided a sumptuous lunch for all the worshippers.
Dear brethren, it has been almost 20 years since God opened the door to Ethiopia before us through Rev. Ephrem. This work has been strengthened by fellow labourers joining him to spread the Gospel and teach the Word. The works in Addis Ababa and Alem Gena must be further strengthened with our prayers and support. Upon my return, I desire to share more of the ministry needs and opportunities with you. Your prayers, generous support, and visitation to this mission station have not been in vain, for it continues to bear many fruits that will last for eternity. May God bless and strengthen this Gospel frontier opened to us!
This East African mission trip was not part of this year’s ministry plan. It was unplanned until late October, when the Lord began to burden my heart through a call from Rev. Mark Kim, the principal of Bible College of East Africa (BCEA). Rev. Kim invited me to join him and his co-labourers for the College’s 59th Graduation Service, scheduled for 23rd November 2024. When he called me, Rev. Kim was facing many challenges in a new Gospel work in Rwanda, another East African nation. He has been labouring in Rwanda for the past few years, establishing a mission station. Through his efforts, the Gospel was proclaimed to thousands, and by God’s grace, over 800 people began gathering regularly for worship. However, recent government restrictions have forced the church to cease operations. This has been a deeply challenging and disheartening time for Rev. and Mrs. Kim, and their eldest daughter, Sis. Ha Young, who have laboured tirelessly for the Gospel in that mission station.
Feeling compelled to visit and encourage them during this period of great trial, I sought the counsel and approval of our church elders. They unanimously supported the plan and encouraged me to undertake this journey from 11th to 26th November 2024, accompanied by my wife. They recognised the importance of her presence and support during this mission.
Rev. Kim returned to Nairobi from Rwanda on Monday to supervise and attend BCEA’s graduation. At the same time, his wife and daughter stayed back in Rwanda to support the ongoing work, such as the daily children’s ministry and other administrative matters. During his absence in Nairobi, the work of BCEA has been managed by Rev. Eben Yoon, whose family work with him. He is ably supported by a team of full-time and part-time lecturers, including Pr James Tan and his wife, Sis. Charmaine (both graduates of FEBC and members of Tabernacle BPC, Singapore).
Presently, BCEA (Nairobi) has 76 students undergoing theological training. I have ministered God’s Word to them on three occasions in the last three days. I’m also supposed to preach God’s Word during the graduation service on “Spirit-Separated Men for the Ministry”, taken from Acts 16:1-3.
The Lord has sustained this tremendous work over the past 59 years. The early 25 years of BCEA were under the leadership of American Bible-Presbyterian missionaries sent by the Independent Board for Presbyterian Foreign Missions (IBPFM). Since 1990, this has been under the faithful and fruitful leadership of Rev. Mark Kim. The BCEA has set up a ministry in Arusha, Tanzania, where Rev. Park Seung Kyu and family (FEBC graduates) serve with two other BCEA graduates. We are glad to see Rev. Park’s family in Nairobi as they have also arrived to join the graduation service.
Rev. Ephrem and Sis. Gete, our Ethiopian missionary family, had graduated from BCEA (Nairobi) before coming to Singapore for studies in FEBC. Rev. Ephrem is also joining us in Nairobi and on our scheduled trip to Rwanda. After spending Sunday and Monday with the brethren in Rwanda, we plan to return to Singapore, God willing, on Tuesday.
We praise the Lord for your prayers and support in sending us forward on this journey after a godly sort. May God help us always to do well, according to His Word, for the Gospel mission works everywhere.
Joyfully in His service,
Your Pastor
Sermon Text: Philippians 4:8–13
Speaker: Pr Cornelius Koshy
Date: 24th November 2024
Sermon Text: Philippians 4:4–7
Speaker: Pr Cornelius Koshy
Date: 17th November 2024
Living as a righteous person in a hostile world brings unique challenges and tests. The righteous person’s desires often clash with the prevailing values of the world, which prioritise selfish ambition, power, and material success over humility, integrity, and faithfulness. Yet, the desires of a righteous person remain rooted in seeking God’s will, living justly, and walking in love and truth, even when surrounded by forces that resist or oppose his righteous desires.
I would like to share two thoughts for your instruction, caution, and encouragement, so that you may know how God cares for the desires of the righteous while He opposes the expectations of the wicked.
The desires of a righteous person hold a unique place in God’s heart, for they reflect a soul seeking alignment with God’s will. The Bible teaches that God not only knows our outward actions, but also understands our innermost desires. For righteous people, these desires go beyond mere personal gain and resonate with a longing for God’s presence, purpose, and guidance.
God knows our desires. As David said in Psalm 38:9 – “Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee.” David acknowledged that all his desire is before the Lord. This desire encompasses his deepest longings, needs, and hopes. His desire is more than just material; it is also a spiritual yearning for God’s presence and goodness.
David had been suffering. He said, “There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger” (v. 3a). He also mentioned that his iniquities were a heavy burden on him (v. 4). He yearned for healing and forgiveness from God. Amid his suffering, David turned to God, knowing that God alone understands the full extent of his pain and desires.
God possesses an intimate knowledge of every desire that His children hold. He knows our hearts even before we bring our desires to Him in prayer. Whether spoken or unspoken, each longing is laid bare before Him.
There is no need for elaborate words or hidden feelings—everything is laid bare before the Lord. This echoes the sentiment found in Psalm 139:1-4, where David acknowledged that God knew his every thought, word, and action even before he expressed it. He wrote, “O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways. For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O LORD, thou knowest it altogether.”
There are moments when we may struggle to express our needs and desires clearly, being overwhelmed by our circumstances. Yet, even in those times of confusion or emotional turmoil, God fully understands our inner longings. He perceives our deepest thoughts and knows what burdens our hearts, even before we can find the words to articulate them.
When all we can do is sigh or groan in our distress, these groans, too, become prayers in His ears. A troubled soul’s earnest, heartfelt cry reaches God as powerfully as a perfectly spoken prayer. So David said, “and my groaning is not hid from thee.” Here, “groaning” refers to his deep inner pain, perhaps both physical and emotional. It is a word that conveys more than just sadness—it represents the weight of suffering that David was experiencing. Yet, despite his silent or quiet groans, David knew that God heard and understood even the unspoken cries of his heart.
It is a comfort to know that our loving God sees and understands us completely, even when all we can offer is a groan from our troubled hearts! He is always aware of our needs and desires, and His compassion towards us never wavers.
Proverbs 11:7 declares, “When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.”
Human life is filled with expectations and dreams. People set high goals for themselves: students strive for top grades, professionals aim for career success, and families seek security, comfort and a sense of pride in their homes and possessions. Many people achieve these dreams through hard work and perseverance, in fulfilment of their earthly aspirations. Yet, this proverb provides a stark reminder of a reality beyond earthly success. For those who live without repentance—the “wicked”, as Scripture calls them—there is a bitter disappointment awaiting them beyond the grave.
When people live apart from God, placing all their hope in temporary achievements, they face the crushing truth that those worldly gains cannot follow them into eternity. The Bible reveals that for an unrepentant sinner, death is not simply the end of earthly pleasures and possessions, but the beginning of a tragic eternity. Everything the wicked have worked for—their wealth, power, influence, comforts—will perish. At that moment, their cherished expectations vanish. The “hope” that unjust people cling to in this life is revealed as a mirage, leaving nothing but emptiness and loss.
Moreover, for those who reject the forgiveness and salvation offered through Jesus Christ, death is not only the end of earthly hope, but also the end of any chance for eternal peace and joy. The wicked do not enter into the rest or honour of heaven; instead, they face eternal separation from God. Scripture warns of “the disappointment of endless shame and suffering in hell”, a truth that urges us to reconsider where we place our hope. For those who live without repentance, every earthly pleasure and achievement ultimately become meaningless, unable to satisfy in the face of eternal loss.
In the light of this, Proverbs 11:7 challenges us to examine our hearts. Are our greatest expectations and hopes rooted in fleeting, worldly success, or are they founded in God’s eternal promises? We can only escape the fate of eternal disappointment through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. In Him, our hope becomes more substantial than worldly achievements or wealth; it is the promise of everlasting life, peace, and joy in His presence.
So, let us turn away from sin, and embrace the grace of God through Christ. Let us build our lives not on fleeting dreams but on the solid foundation of faith, which offers hope that does not perish in death. Only by following the Lord can we secure a future free from disappointment and that leads to eternal joy and fulfilment in His presence. Let this truth stir us to prioritise what truly matters, and seek God’s forgiveness, so that we may find lasting peace and hope beyond this life.
DVBS 2024 (to be held 27-29 Nov) is just around the corner, and we’re thrilled to host an exciting and enriching vacation programme designed to help our children grow strong in their understanding of the Gospel and Scriptural truths of our Lord Jesus Christ. With only two weeks to go, it is high time for you to invite and register children for DVBS 2024, which is an excellent opportunity to let them hear and learn of the Biblical promise of “Joy Unspeakable”!
In recent years, an increasing concern about the mental health of children and youths in Singapore has been reported. A report in 2020 read: “In just under three years, there has been a fivefold increase in the number of children between the ages of five and nine calling in to their (IMH’s) hotline to seek help.”1 Another very recent report mentioned: “A significant proportion of youth in Singapore has experienced severe or very severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress, the first nationwide survey on youth mental health by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) found. Nearly a third of young people aged 15 to 35 reported symptoms that included feeling empty, tense or upset most of the time, according to the National Youth Mental Health Study.”
Our children need to know how they can be joyous amidst life’s complex and challenging experiences. There is nothing more vital than that they grow with ‘joy unspeakable’ that God alone provides. Let us pray and bring our children to grow in a close, joyful relationship with God, which He offers to all who come to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of all who trust in Him.
No level of academic excellence, worldly achievements, comfort, wealth, luxury, entertainment, or recreation can free our children and youth from the grip of sin and its resulting guilt, frustration, fear, and sorrow. Only a life grounded in God’s truth offers true liberation from these burdens. Only when our children grow with the assurance of salvation and a loving relationship with God can they be strong and tenacious overcomers of sin and the trials of this life.
The words of Scripture testify of the divine, supreme, unmitigated joy that God gives to all, both young and old, who trust and walk obediently with Him.
When Peter wrote about “joy unspeakable” (1 Peter 1:8), he was talking about the joy that comes from knowing Jesus, even though we can’t see Him with our eyes. Although we haven’t seen Jesus face-to-face, we believe in Him wholeheartedly. We know He loves us, saves us from our sins, and is always with us, no matter where or what we go through. This faith in Jesus brings a joy that is so deep; nothing else in the world can compare to it!
When we love and follow Jesus, His Spirit lives in our hearts and fills us with His joy. This joy shines through us like a light in the darkness, showing others that God is real and His love is incredible. It is the kind of joy we desire for our children and youth as they grow immersed in God’s Word, devoted to prayer, consecrated to His praise, and serving others according to His will.
The teachers of God’s Word in the DVBS will explain to children how to experience “Joy Unspeakable”, and how to “Overcome Sadness” through stories of God’s saints in the Bible. Please pray for the teachers of God’s Word to the children during the DVBS to be guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit to minister to them effectively.
The Gethsemane Children’s Ministry (GCM) has been planning and actively working for several months to organise DVBS 2024. The programmes are designed for children to explore Biblical truths in an engaging and interactive way. They will include a unique blend of creative lessons, singing of spiritual songs, fun activities and meaningful fellowship to help children grow in their faith and build friendships.
Please pray for and cooperate with the GCM committee, that their efforts to nurture our children in a joyful relationship with God may be fruitful.
1 https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/1-3-adolescents-depression-anxiety-only-1-10-parents-spot-symptoms
2 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/depression-anxiety-stress-1-in-3-youth-in-s-pore-had-had-very-poor-mental-health-says-imh-survey
Sermon Text: Psalm 94:1–23
Speaker: Pastor Prabhudas Koshy
Date: 10th November 2024
Our sovereign God calls individuals to church offices so that they may lead, guide, and build up the church according to His divine will. Scripture clearly affirms this divine appointment and the establishment of godly leaders to serve His purposes within the body of Christ.
We thank God for providing Gethsemane with faithful and capable men to lead and nourish the church according to His Word over the years. Let us also praise the Lord for the ongoing work of His Spirit among us, preparing those He has chosen for leadership in the coming three years. It is crucial that we, as a congregation, pray for those standing for election to the Board of Elders. Your support and prayers are integral to the election process.
Below is a summary of the candidates’ prior service in our church. While not exhaustive, many of you are well-acquainted with their dedicated service to the Lord as committed members and seasoned leaders over the years. Let us continue to commit them and their families to the Lord, praying that they remain humble and diligent in their lives and ministries, and be effective instruments in His hands. Our prayers can support them in being faithful and zealous in fulfilling His purposes.
Since 1990, Pastor Koshy has been preaching God’s Word in Gethsemane, and was ordained as the Pastor of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church in 1994. Since 1999, he has been leading the Church Session as its Chairman.
His primary areas of ministry include preaching and teaching God’s Word during Sunday worship services, Tuesday prayer meetings, and various fellowship gatherings, seminars, retreats, and camps of Gethsemane B-P Church. He regularly offers pastoral counselling to members and worshippers, and leads the Pastoral Visitation Ministry. Additionally, he provides pastoral supervision and leadership for the Bible Witness Media Ministry, serving as the editor of the Bible Witness Magazine, and overseeing The Gethsemane Care Ministry and all church fellowship groups. He is the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Gethsemane Bible Witness Limited (GBWL).
He also actively trains men for ministry through the Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) and Gethsemane Bible Institutes in the Philippines, Ethiopia, and India. He conducts lectures on Theology, Book Studies of the Bible, and other topics for GBI Online. Pastor Koshy also holds a special course in Pastoral Biblical Studies for those in preaching and pastoral roles. He maintains correspondence with our missionaries, and visits our church’s mission stations from time to time.
He is married to Carolyn, who serves the Lord by assisting him in church ministries and providing her services in various ministries like GLF, Bible Witness Web Radio, GCM, etc.
They have three married children: their eldest son, Pr Cornelius, serves as a preacher of the Word in our church, leading youth and choir ministries. Bro. Andronicus works as a media personnel with the Bible Witness Media Ministry (BWMM). Sis. Dorcas is married to Pastor Sujith Samuel, and they serve in Vizag, India. Pastor Koshy is also blessed with four grandchildren: Theophilus, Ahava (children of Cornelius and Abigail), Olivet (child of Andronicus and Esther), and Jedidiah (child of Sujith and Dorcas).
Since Gethsemane BPC’s inception in 1988, Elder Mah has been serving in the leadership of Gethsemane as an elder. He served as the Chairman of the Church Interim Committee till 1994, and of the Church Session (1995-1999).
He has laboured in various leadership roles at Gethsemane, such as Clerk-of-Session, Leader of Gethsemane Encouragers’ Ministry, Finance Committee Member, Building Committee Member, etc.
He teaches God’s Word in Catechism Class, Seniors’ Ministry, and The Gethsemane Care Ministry. He takes leadership in organising the Newcomers’ gatherings from time to time. Elder Mah has led several mission trips to places like Kuching, Pangasinan, Cebu, and India. He also serves as worship chairman on Sundays, and renders his advice and help in many areas of church administration. He has also been serving in GBWL’s Board of Directors as its Secretary.
He is married to Lean Choo. She has been serving the Lord in GLF’s committee for many years, and participates in many of our fellowships and ministries with Elder Mah. They have two children, Melissa and Matthew. Melissa serves the Lord in BWMM, and Matthew serves in the GCM committee and other areas of the church ministries. Matthew is married to Fidelia, and they have two children, Ethan and Kate.
In 2008, Elder Ng and his family joined Gethsemane B-P Church. Prior to that, he served as a deacon in Sharon BPC (1978-2002) and as an elder (2002-2008). He also served in Sharon BPC as a Sunday School teacher and as its Superintendent.
Elder Ng was elected as an elder of our church in 2013. In the Session, he has served as the Treasurer. He has also served on the committees of Gethsemane Adults’ Fellowship and Gethsemane Men’s Fellowship. He co-labours with Pastor in the leadership of the Pastoral Visitation Ministry, and actively participates in the Gethsemane Seniors’ Ministry.
He also serves as worship chairman on Sundays, and renders his advice and help in many areas of church administration. He is a member of GBWL’s Board of Directors.
His wife, Sis Dorothy, and their two daughters, Sarah and Sharon, are also members of Gethsemane BPC. Sarah is married to Samuel Yong, and they both actively serve the Lord in our church. Sharon, who was married to our late missionary Dominino dela Cruz Jr, serves the Lord in our midst, together with her son Nehemiah.
Elder Francis and his family joined Gethsemane as members in 2008. Before that, he was a member of Life B-P Church (since 1988), and True Life B-P Church (2003-2007). Upon joining Gethsemane, he rendered his services in various church ministries.
He became a deacon in Gethsemane in 2011 and diligently served in the Session till 2021. He has faithfully served in the Session as the Clerk-of-Session and also as the Treasurer. He has been a member of the church’s Finance Committee.
He has served as the Camp Master in annual church camps, and is currently leading the committees of Gethsemane Adults’ Fellowship and Gethsemane Men’s Fellowship as their Advisor. He also leads the Gethsemane Defenders’ Ministry. He has also served along with Elder Mah in several past mission trips to our mission fields.
He sought theological learning through FEBC and graduated with a Certificate of Religious Knowledge in 2008 and a Certificate of Biblical Studies in 2010. Elder Francis has co-laboured with Elder Alan Choy to teach in our church’s Catechism Classes for the applicants for church membership.
He served as a Project Owner on the Gethsemane Media Centre’s building renovation committee, and is now a member of GBWL’s Board of Directors.
His wife, Stephanie, and their four children, Sarah, Michelle, Samuel and Moses, worship and serve the Lord in Gethsemane BPC, and actively participate in various fellowship groups and ministries. Sis Sarah is married to Jordy Kay, who serves on the GCM Committee. God has blessed Elder Francis with two grandchildren, Elias and Ansel.
Elder Low Boon Siang was saved and baptised in Gethsemane in the year 2001. As he grew spiritually, he served the Lord in various fellowships and ministries of the church: Youth Fellowship; Ushers’ Ministry; Young Adults’ Fellowship Committee; Audio-Visual Ministry; Men’s Fellowship Committee, and Church Camp Committees. He served the Lord in the Fundamental Christian Ministry of NTU and NIE (2006-2008), and the B-P Combined Youth Conference Committee (2007-2008).
Upon his election as a deacon in 2015, he was appointed to be a member of the Finance Committee. He helped to organise the 5th Missionary Conference held in Kuching, Sarawak. In the Church Session, from 2017-2019, he served as the Treasurer, and from 2019 to 2021, he served as the Clerk-of-Session.
As an elder, he actively led as an Advisor to the Young Adults’ Fellowship and Ushers’ Ministry. Since 2021, he has served as BOE’s Secretary and as a member of GBWL’s Board of Directors.
Through part-time studies, he has pursued theological training at Far Eastern Bible College and obtained the Certificate of Biblical Studies (CertBS). He teaches God’s Word to our children in Junior Worship and GCM, and regularly contributes to BWTV’s programmes for children.
His wife, Hui Lin, and their three children, Christopher, Caleb and Claire, are active members of Gethsemane BPC, and they participate and serve in many fellowship groups and ministries.
He was saved in the year 2000 through a tragic event, when his son of 8 years old, Vance, suffered a massive brain haemorrhage and was hospitalised in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital. He was led to the Foochow Methodist Church (FMC) by the 88-year-old Mdm Lim (mother of a good friend of his wife, Chow Lin), who was instrumental in his salvation. She ministered to Dn Ah Sang’s family while Vance remained critically ill. He was baptised on June 11, 2000.
In 2005, a former drug addict and FMC’s pastor together invited him to share his testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ in prison. By God’s grace, he has since served faithfully in the Prison Ministry.
Dn Ah Sang and his family became members of Calvary Pandan BPC on July 4, 2010. He served two terms as a deacon from 2013 to 2019, during which he oversaw the Visitation Ministry and actively served in the Ushers’ Ministry.
Since January 2010, he has pursued part-time theological studies at FEBC, where he has accumulated 84 credits and graduated with both a Certificate of Religious Knowledge and a Certificate of Biblical Studies. Additionally, he regularly attends GBI courses to deepen his theological understanding.
His family was led to join Gethsemane BPC on November 25, 2020. In Gethsemane, he regularly and actively participated in various fellowship groups and prayer meetings. He was appointed a deacon in Gethsemane BPC for 2021-2024. As a deacon, he served on the Pastoral Visitation team and was tasked with leading the Missionary Conference (June 2024). He also co-labours with our preachers and brethren in the Prison Ministry every Tuesday afternoon.
His wife, Sis Chow Lin, regularly participates in GLF and GAF. His son, Vance, also eagerly joins the prayer meetings, GAF and GMF with his parents, despite his severe health complications. As a family, they support the nomination of Dn Ah Sang as an elder of Gethsemane BP Church.
In preparation for his candidacy as an elder, the Board of Elders (BOE) conducted a comprehensive written examination and interview with him, covering all essential doctrines and practical matters. The pastor and elders have also provided him with guidance on effective service as an elder at Gethsemane. Having found him eligible according to Scriptural guidelines, the BOE has approved Dn Lim Ah Sang’s nomination as a first-time candidate for eldership at Gethsemane BPC.