November 8, 2020

My Testimony

Written by:
Rev (Dr) Prabhudas Koshy

Written by Jordan Ballega

Psalm 66:16 declares, “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.” Indeed, I thank the Lord for this opportunity to share my testimony of His marvellous works in my life.

God’s Preservation of My Life

I truly believe that God has preserved my life, and all things that have happened in my life are due to His sovereign works, which are beyond my imagination and ability. I possess no merit of my own. Only God could have weaved such events into my life story. Never did I foresee that I would be able to land and even work here in Singapore.

I was born in a not so well-to-do family, and lived through a rather complicated childhood. All I could say is: those pains and struggles that I came across in those days were too early for my young body and mind to experience. Yet, that “eventful” life was allowed by God’s love and care for me. I managed to read a comics-Bible in my early age, and accepted Jesus Christ while I was in my secondary school. I thank God that in spite of all the hardships in life, I had parents who were dedicated in guiding me along the way. Looking back at all those past experiences, I never found a single moment that God had left me all alone in my struggles. “We love him, because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Due to financial difficulties, I thought I would not be able to continue with my tertiary education. However, God moves in a most special way. I found a scholarship brochure through a fish-wrapper, which gave me the idea to apply. To my surprise, my application was accepted and I managed to enrol in the university. Due to some unforeseen event that happened during my senior level of study, my scholarship was terminated following the closure of my programme. But another scholarship came along the way through God’s using people/ organisations to support my study. This would allow me to get my diploma, which I never imagine I would need later to apply for a job in Singapore.

Finally, I graduated with a B.S. in Civil Engineering and began to search for a job, but God never opened the door for me to work in this field. Instead, I found my way into the multi-media industry. Thank God for the humble talent He has given me, though it never came to my mind that I would be serving God through this gift from Him. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

God’s Leading in My Life

In my early years, I’ve been with various denominations – Seventh-Day Adventist, Roman Catholic and Charismatic. But God opened my eyes and showed me how Jesus Christ saved me from sin. God’s Word spoke to me: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). That was in 1999, and subsequently I was baptised in a Baptist church in Philippines.

I see it as God’s “provision” when I lost my job in 2010 and suddenly decided to look for a job in Singapore. As it was the year when (my son) Jored was born, it was one of the toughest decisions that I made, to leave my family in that crucial time. Never did it come to my mind that God was leading me in the contemplation of my decision.

I came alone to Singapore, not knowing anyone and having no clue of what was going to happen. Upon my arriving at Changi airport, I went straight to Lucky Plaza (around 12 midnight), with no planned place to stay for the night. Through communication with my wife in the Philippines, a brother from a Baptist church (who had been working in Singapore for some time already) came, and helped me to find a place to lodge for that night. Truly, God is full of mercy; He took care of me and sent His help in the right circumstances when I needed it most. By God’s grace and mercy, I found a job. Two years later, my wife, together with my son, were reunited with me here in Singapore. Despite the stringent Singapore government’s rules and regulations concerning staying here with my family, God’s supreme power has also settled that for us.

In Service to God

It was 2013 when God led my family and I to Gethsemane B-P Church (through Pr Dennis Kabingue who shared to us a Gospel tract at a bus-stop in Geylang). That was in the midst of another tough time when I needed to go back to Philippines with Jored, as the renewal application for my E-pass were rejected many times. Those were moments when we were looking for a church (with children’s programme) to worship in. God’s perfect timing brought us to Gethsemane. I thank God for leading my family to a faithful Bible-believing church to worship Him. And from then on, we’ve been drawn closer to Him.

God’s special calling came in the middle of 2020, when He closed every possible way and opened one single door for me to go through. I was retrenched due to the effect of the pandemic on our company, where I had worked for nine consecutive years. All we could do as a family was to pray and trust in our Almighty Sovereign God, and obey whatever He wants us to do. In fact, I had already prepared myself to go back to Philippines. Then, a week before my E-pass was to be cancelled, I messaged Pastor Koshy to bid my farewell and thanksgiving (after I was called upon to pray during one Tuesday Night prayer meeting). We talked over the phone and discussed about my retrenchment. Little did I realise that God would move Pastor’s heart to discuss the matter of my possible employment by GBWL to the church elders. When God brought this to pass, I was amazed that the rest were taken care of by the Lord. God’s counsel prevails despite all the uncertainty. Nothing can resist His sovereign will. As Jeremiah 29:12 says, “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.”

I started my full-time service to the Lord four months ago. There are “learning curves” that come along the way as I am not familiar with many things, but God’s Hand taught me what I should do. “The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD” (Prov. 16:1).

I was assigned to serve in TGCM Print and lead my brethren in this department in terms of designing and social-media marketing. Thank the Lord for His blessing and wisdom He has bestowed upon me, together with brethren who co-labour with me: Sis Dorcas and Bro Andronicus who had assisted and laboured during the early stage and helped in marketing, as well as the dedicated team comprising Brothers John, Cayson, Arnold, and Teck Ern. With godly counsel, guidance and support from Pastor Koshy, the Lord has been blessing the efforts of every co-worker. May the Lord bless us with greater fruitfulness, that TGCM Print may have more projects, in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic affecting every business in Singapore. Although the increased sales (from National Day till the recent clearance sales) are still not sufficient to support TGCM, we trust in God’s Word to keep moving forward. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10). For if God is with us, He will surely give the increase of every labour we expend for His glory.

TGCM Print continues to introduce more designs, even as we promote commonly-used products, such as mugs, bags, T-shirts, masks (including mask-cases that prove to be very useful in this time of pandemic). Incidentally, TGCM Print had received hundreds of orders for mask-cases from different clients, including 900 mask-cases ordered by Bearyfun Gym! Besides the sales, we thank God for giving us wisdom to build a manual “CRM” system to facilitate the smooth and efficient running of our intricately-linked operations. By God’s grace, we are also looking forward to expanding TGCM Print’s network, such as consignment agreement with Tabernacle Bookroom of Calvary Pandan B-P Church. Do continue to pray for these – and more – blessings that God has prepared for this ministry. Likewise, thanks to all our brethren for their continued support, encouragement (to press on) and prayers for our TGCM Print ministry.

Looking back at all the struggles and challenges which all play a part in God’s unerring guidance and perfect timing in my life, I have no doubt that the Lord is with me to serve Him in Gethsemane. As for me, “I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay that that I have vowed…” (Jonah 2:9). Truly, it is God who has prepared everything. My gracious Lord determines the outcome of every action that I take. He has already paved the path where I should walk, and will preserve my life for the days to come, wherever He wants me to be. He has absolute control over every event in my life. On my own, I am nothing. Yet, I have a God who is powerful, and His providence is assuring enough for me to move, work and to thank Him each day. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

All glory and thanks be to God.

Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church adheres to the system of faith commonly known as the “Reformed Faith” as expressed in the Westminster Confession of Faith together with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms.
Our Worship Address
SingPost Centre
Level 5 Auditorium
10 Eunos Road 8, Singapore 408600
(next to Paya Lebar MRT station)
Our mailing address
Gethsemane Media Centre
33 Ubi Crescent
Singapore 408584
crossmenu linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram