God willing, the 5th Missionary Conference of Gethsemane B-P Church will be held in Kuching (Sarawak, East Malaysia) from 5th to 9th of June this year. We thank God that about 170 people have already registered to attend this conference. (If you have not yet registered for the conference, I would encourage you to immediately register and book your flights to avoid disappointment of missing this blessed occasion that the Lord has helped us to organise).
Missionary conferences are held for a twofold purpose. Firstly, that Gethsemane B-P Church, Singapore, as a whole may renew itself concerning her God-given vision of global Gospel advancement – “… ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Secondly, that the church may bring together her missionaries, mission-partners and preachers, as well as like-minded preachers of other churches, in order to encourage and strengthen them through the Word, prayer and fellowship. It is a special blessing to have various servants of God to come together, that we may have an opportunity to cheer their hearts in the Lord and also to learn together from His Word. This conference has hitherto afforded us a God-given opportunity, wherein our care for His servants and worldwide preaching of the truth may flourish again (cf. Philippians 4:10).
The theme of the upcoming Missionary Conference will be: “That the Truth of the Gospel Might Continue with Us” (cf. Galatians 2:5). This theme is utterly important for us, as we see in these days an increasing trend of perversion of the Gospel in churches.
The churches of our time have been careless about Gospel preaching. Many churches propagate a distorted, diluted Gospel, as they are concerned about preaching messages that please people, rather than honour Christ and His redemptive work. Churches have also lost their zeal in declaring the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many are more focused on charitable activities, the promotion of the “health-wealth” gospel, and have neglected declaring the unadulterated Gospel.
We should neither forget nor neglect the primacy of the Gospel in the ministries of our church. God intends for the church to always declare and defend the truth of the Gospel. So in all our mission churches and evangelistic outreaches, the truth of the Gospel must be unashamedly declared.
A team of brethren have been appointed to help run the 5th Missionary Conference. The team leader (who is the Camp Master) is Dn Low Boon Siang, and he has gathered a team to co-labour with him. Let us pray that the Lord will bless their labours in organising the camp. The team consists of Dn Kelvin Lim, Pr Jeremiah Sim, Pr Ho Kee How, Pr Andrew Koh, Dn Lok Kwok Wah, Kenneth Wong, Cayson Chok, Gerry Lee, Matthew Mah, Benny Skariah, Matthew Peh, Ernest Lim, David Tan, Ng Kwan Teng, Arnold Diaz, Cornelius Koshy and Andronicus Koshy.
The estimated fund for the expenses of the Missionary Conference is close to S$50,000. This amount is needed for the plane tickets, accommodation, meals, etc. for our missionaries and needy brethren. Incidentally, in 2005 (i.e. 12 years ago), we raised about S$30,000 for the first missionary conference. After 12 years, it is certain that our expenses will increase. Let us pray and support financially by giving to the Missionary Conference Fund.
The fund must be met quickly, as we need to book the plane tickets for all the missionaries to come from the countries where they serve. Please give cheerfully and speedily. May God bless our efforts to strengthen our missionaries and their Gospel work.