Over the past twenty-four years, the Lord has graciously sustained and blessed the ministry of Gethsemane Chinese Service, establishing it as a faithful witness to His saving grace in the Chinese-speaking community and as a biblical congregation where believers gather to worship Him in spirit and in truth.
Though it faced struggles in the beginning, the Chinese Service has stood upon the unchanging foundation of God’s infallible Word. Through reverent worship, faithful preaching of the Scriptures, fervent prayer, and warm Christian fellowship, the Lord has nurtured believers in the knowledge of Christ and strengthened them to live as faithful witnesses. We praise God for every soul saved, every believer established in the faith, and every opportunity to proclaim the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We thank God for the joyful service of Pr Daniel Lim in preaching the Word and attending to the care of the brethren in the Chinese Service. We also praise God for all who have been co-labouring by offering themselves to lead in worship and the various ministries. There are also brethren who labour sacrificially to bring the worship service online for the benefit of those who are home-bound due to illness or those who are away on foreign assignments. The webcast ministry has been a help to our Chinese-speaking brethren of one of our mission churches, Calvary Kuching BPC in East Malaysia.
This anniversary also reminds us that every spiritual blessing has come solely by the grace of God. Faithful pastors, preachers, translators, musicians, ushers, and many willing brethren laboured diligently, yet it is the Lord who has given the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6–7). We are deeply grateful to all whom God has raised up to serve this ministry through the years.
As we reflect on God’s abundant mercies, we also look ahead with renewed faith. May the Lord continue to preserve the doctrinal faithfulness of the Chinese Service, raise up another generation of faithful servants, and enlarge its witness among Chinese-speaking people in Singapore and beyond. To God alone be all the glory for His unfailing goodness throughout these twenty-four years.
The following report of the 20th Anniversary Service is from Pr Edsel Locot, who serves the Lord in our mission church in Bohol. We thank God for enabling Pr Edsel to serve the Lord faithfully and fervently in his hometown for the last 20 years, upon completing his studies at FEBC. He is ably supported in the ministry by his wife, Sis Juvy, who is a graduate of GBI, Cebu. They have prayerfully been labouring on hard ground. Pastor Reggor Galarpe (GBPC, Cebu) has often travelled to Bohol (almost every month) to provide pastoral supervision for the congregation. Let us thank God for their steadfastness in the work of the Lord for the last 20 years.
Dear Pastor Koshy,
Greetings to you in the Blessed Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
I praise and thank God for the fruitful and blessed 20th Anniversary and Thanksgiving Service held last Sunday. I thank God for His faithfulness in sustaining the mission work in Bohol and for enabling the mission church to reach this significant milestone. All glory and praise belong to our One, living, and true God. As Psalm 115:1 declares: “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.” I praise and thank God for using Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church, Singapore, to uphold and sustain the mission church through its faithful prayers and heartfelt support over the years.
I praise and thank God for enabling Pastor Reggor and 18 brethren from Gethsemane BPC, Cebu, to travel to Bohol to join our anniversary celebration. I thank the Lord for granting them journey mercies and keeping them safe despite the unfavourable weather conditions. I also praise God for strengthening Pastor Reggor to faithfully preach and expound His Word for the edification and encouragement of the members. I thank God that the message of His saving grace was clearly proclaimed to the visitors who joined us.
I pray that the Lord will continue to teach and empower the members of the mission church to trust and serve Him with sincere hearts. May He help us to remain faithful in learning His Word, growing in our faith, and living according to His will each day.
Pastor, I’m sending you photos taken during our anniversary.
In Christ,
Pr Edsel Locot
