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A Thanksgiving Reflection on Giving in Our Church

Over the past thirty-eight years of our church, God has blessed us to witness a powerful truth continually. Our growth in both local and foreign Gospel work has been significantly advanced through the generous and sacrificial giving of our members and friends.

Time and again, when God opened doors for us to proclaim Christ, whether through church planting, missionary support, evangelism, or strengthening of our home ministries, it was your Spirit-led giving that made those efforts possible. Brethren, moved by a desire to see the church advance in her endeavours for the expansion of the Gospel, have consistently responded with open hearts and open hands, giving not only out of abundance, but often through personal sacrifice.

We saw this once again just two weeks ago. When we brought before you the urgent need to meet the deficit for the current financial year, your response was swift and gracious. Many gave cheerfully and promptly, and by God’s grace, the entire shortfall was fully covered.

This is no small matter. It is a clear mark of God’s hand upon our church, working mightily through us as we walk in faith and obedience, with hearts set on seeking first the kingdom of God. Such generosity not only strengthens the ministry, but also fosters unity, faith and joy within the body.

Let us continue in this spirit. This new fiscal year, we have much more to accomplish in the local and foreign Gospel endeavours. God has given us these opportunities, and we should not hesitate to undertake them. For as we give, we grow in grace, Gospel missions, and eternal fruit for the glory of God.

The Practice of Church Giving

Giving in the church encompasses more than finances. While tithes and offerings are important, the New Testament calls the church to a wide-ranging generosity.

Giving Financially

Paul exhorted the Corinthian church to be intentional and cheerful in their giving: “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). 

Our giving should not be under compulsion, but it should flow from a grateful heart. 

Giving Time and Service

The church must also give of her time and spiritual gifts in service. The apostle Peter exhorts: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10). 

Every believer has been uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit, not for self-exaltation, but for the edification of the body and the advancement of the Gospel. When the members of Christ’s church offer their time and talents willingly and joyfully, the whole body thrives. 

Whether one has the gift of teaching, serving, encouraging, leading, praying, showing mercy, or organising ministries, each has a role to play in building up the church. A giving church is a working, serving church. And a serving church is a growing church.

Spiritual gifts left unused are like lamps hidden under a bushel. But when offered to the Lord, they become instruments of divine grace, pointing others to Christ and strengthening the household of faith. 

Likewise, time is also a sacred gift from God, woven with divine purpose. Each moment carries opportunities ordained by His providence—to serve, to grow, to bless, and to glorify Him. To value time rightly is to recognise that every hour holds a doorway to obey the will and purposes of the One who orders our steps. The stewardship of God-given time and gift is not optional; it is a sacred trust. 

Giving Love and Forgiveness

Perhaps the most powerful gift a church can offer is genuine love and forgiveness. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). The early church’s growth was fuelled by her passionate love and hospitality. They broke bread together with gladness and singleness of heart, bearing one another’s burdens, meeting one another’s needs, and welcoming strangers as family. Whether Jew or Gentile, rich or poor, male or female—all found equal footing at the foot of the cross. This Christlike love was the fragrance of the early church, drawing multitudes who longed for truth and hope. When the early church practised this kind of generosity, the results were astonishing: “And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common” (Acts 4:32). Their giving created unity, eradicated need, and built mutual trust in the community.

In these days of selfishness and bitter quarrels, genuine love is very rare in this world. Even in churches and Christian families, many people cease to express genuine love and forgiveness. But the church that yields to the Holy Spirit, whom the Lord has abundantly supplied to His people, can produce the spiritual fruit of love (cf. Gal. 5:22-23).

The Promise of Church Growth

Scripture consistently connects generosity with an increase in the church’s spiritual vitality and outreach effectiveness. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 directly links generous giving to both spiritual abundance and fruitfulness in ministry. “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work”. Those who give cheerfully are promised sufficiency and grace to abound in good works, including outreach and service.

A giving church attracts, not by marketing or manipulation, but by the compelling testimony of God’s love in action. Acts 2 presents this model: “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship… And all that believed were together… And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:42, 44, 47). Notice the connection: They gave. They fellowshipped. They taught. And the Lord added. Gospel growth is God’s work, but He uses the faithful generosity of His people as His instrument.

Hindrances to Giving and Growth

When a church fails to give, her growth is severely curtailed. The Laodicean church in Revelation claimed to be rich, but Christ rebuked them: “Because thou sayest, I am rich… and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor…” (Revelation 3:17). They had ceased to give from the heart. Their spiritual stagnation came from misplaced trust in material wealth. A stingy spirit leads to spiritual starvation.

Hoarding, fear, distrust and selfishness will choke the life out of a church. But the spiritual increase promised will be enjoyed when biblical giving is maintained – freely, cheerfully, and faithfully.

Conclusion

The church of Jesus Christ is called to be a giving body because she represents the giving Saviour. The more she pours out in love, generosity, time and service, the more she will be blessed by God with spiritual vitality and numerical increase that God promised.

It may surprise some to learn that some of the fiercest attacks against God’s Word arise not from secular critics, but from within the church itself. When unbelievers scoff at Scripture, we expect it. But when pastors, leaders, and professing Christians disregard, distort, or diminish the Bible’s authority, the damage is severe, the betrayal more grievous. In such times, the church must not retreat, but rise—humbly and courageously—to defend the unchanging truth she has been entrusted to uphold. As 1 Timothy 3:15 declares, the church is “the pillar and ground of the truth.”

Yet, in doing so, we must ask ourselves: can frail, fallen men truly “defend” the Word of the living God? Scripture itself portrays the Word not as something fragile needing rescue, but as fire, as a hammer that shatters rock (Jeremiah 23:29). It is not God’s Word that needs us; rather, we desperately need the Word. The Lord is our Defender, and His truth is our shield (Psalm 91:4). To presume that the Bible will fail without our help is both proud and perilous. We are not called to uphold it as if it were weak, but to declare it faithfully, for it stands forever (Isaiah 40:8; 1 Peter 1:25).

We must therefore approach the defence of God’s Word with deep reverence, not misplaced confidence. Scripture warns that those who speak for God must be sanctified by Him. “What hast thou to do to declare my statutes?” God asks the unclean in Psalm 50:16. None of us, by nature, is worthy to handle His Word. It is only by His mercy that we are made fit.

So the right posture is not pride but petition: “Have mercy on me, O Lord, that I may serve You.” Let every preacher, teacher, singer, and giver say, “God has helped me.” As Paul testified, “By the grace of God I am what I am” (1 Corinthians 15:10). All our labours for the truth must be grounded in grace.

We do not defend the Word because it is weak, but because we have been entrusted with it. And we do so not in our own strength, but in humble dependence on the God whose Word endures forever.

Worthy Defenders of God’s Word

The record of Jeremiah 23 is a sobering reminder that even those who profess to be God’s people can become miserable custodians of His truth. Israel’s failure to uphold God’s Word stands as a warning to the church today. Some precious lessons gleaned from Jeremiah 23 are shared below that we, who are called to be “the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15), must consider carefully to be worthy defenders of God’s Word.

Be Faithful Believers

God’s displeasure towards the people of Judah was powerfully expressed in the words of Jeremiah: “Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness. For the land is full of adulterers; for because of swearing the land mourneth; the pleasant places of the wilderness are dried up, and their course is evil, and their force is not right. For both prophet and priest are profane; yea, in my house have I found their wickedness, saith the LORD” (vv. 9-11).

The people, prophets and priests in God’s house, who were meant to uphold God’s truth, are declared profane because they are even found with their wickedness within God’s house. The land is described as mourning and drying up because it is “full of adulterers”, symbolising widespread moral and spiritual decay. Those who fail to obey and honour God’s Word become enemies within the house of God.

Even today, passive, indifferent, and disobedient believers undermine the testimony of the church. Faithful defence of God’s Word begins not with grand arguments but with simple, unwavering obedience. When God’s Word commands, we obey. Whether He calls us to rebuke sin, forsake worldliness, or abandon personal ambitions for His sake, our response must be immediate and complete. Obedience is the most basic and robust defence of God’s truth.

Faithfulness to Scripture is essential. The church must uphold truth, pursue holiness, and reject compromise. Without this, even places meant for worship become corrupted. God’s people must remain vigilant, obedient, and reverent.

Be Faithful Preachers

Jeremiah also denounces false prophets who speak “a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD” (Jeremiah 23:16). God’s Word concerning those false prophets: “Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.”

Preachers who substitute their own opinions for God’s truth corrupt their sacred office. They are deceivers of God’s people, certainly not proclaimers and defenders of God’s truth, for they give credence to their thoughts over God’s thoughts.

The pulpit is not a stage for personal display; it is a platform sanctified for proclaiming the unadulterated Word of God. Preachers must renounce all pride and pray: “O LORD, teach me and make me to know what Thou hast spoken in Thy Word.” True defenders of the Word are those who humble themselves under its authority and declare only what God has said.

We must learn to discern truth carefully, test all teaching by Scripture, and reject flattering lies. True spiritual guidance comes from God’s mouth, not human imagination. God’s people must value truth over personal prosperity, prestige, pleasure and popularity.

Be Rebukers of Ungodliness

God abhorred prophets who told evildoers, “Ye shall have peace.” Unmasking their role in promoting sin, Jeremiah declared, “They say still unto them that despise me, The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace; and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. (Jeremiah 23:17). Instead of confronting sin, they comforted the rebellious. Such tolerance of sin invites God’s wrath.

The church today must resist the temptation to soften God’s standards for the sake of acceptance. Pastors and elders must courageously call sin what it is. Fathers must lead their families in righteousness. Every believer must take up the sword of the Spirit to fight off sin. The refusal to rebuke sin is not compassion; it is compromise, and it undermines the authority of God’s Word. 

Be Steadfast in His Counsels

God asked through Jeremiah, “For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?” (Jeremiah 23:18). Those words reveal that not all who claimed to know God truly listened to Him. They may outwardly profess loyalty to His Word by reading it, quoting it, even preaching it. But their lives tell another story. Their conduct, choices, and priorities show an insulting indifference to God’s commands.

Today, many profess to uphold the counsel of the LORD, yet their lives betray indifference to its commands. Marking our Bibles with underlines is not the same as marking God’s Word in our hearts. Some underline verses in their Bibles, memorise Scripture, or attend faithful churches, yet their hearts remain cold, their actions unchanged, and their wills unyielded. They treat God’s Word like information rather than divine instruction. This is not standing in His counsel; it is standing near it without being shaped by it. Such a disconnect is dangerous.

To truly stand in the counsel of the LORD means more than hearing His Word—it means submitting to it in reverent obedience. We must measure our love for God’s Word by our faithfulness to it. Have we truly stood in His counsel? Let us search our hearts and confess, “O LORD, we have heard Thy Word but have not stood in Thy counsel. Have mercy on us!” The evidence of true defenders of the Word is transformation, a people turning from evil and walking in truth.

Be Not Pretenders

The Lord declared, “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied” (Jeremiah 23:21). These men claimed to speak for God without His calling or appointment. These prophets acted with zeal but lacked divine commission. The lesson is clear: not everyone who runs in God’s name is sent by Him.

Today, pulpits are filled with self-appointed preachers who lack divine calling. A true preacher must have an inward conviction of God’s call, visible spiritual maturity and the gifting affirmed by the church. Bible colleges cannot confer a divine call; only God can. Churches must be discerning and prayerful before ordaining anyone to ministry. It is dangerous and grievous to support a man whom God has not called. Pretenders will only lead the flock astray.

Ministry without divine commission dishonours God and misleads His people. Today, we must guard the pulpit and spiritual leadership from men of ambition-driven service. Ministry must be grounded in God’s calling, shaped by His Word, and empowered by His Spirit, not by personal desire or public approval.

Conclusion

How then do we become defenders of God’s Word? It begins with allowing the Word to defend and sanctify us. We do not fight for the Bible by our fleshly strength, but by the spiritual weapons God provides (2 Corinthians 10:4). We must be moulded by the truth we proclaim. Our confidence is not in our intellect or ability, but in God’s grace and calling.

Moreover, the church as a whole must submit to the authority of Scripture. Let every member be a Berean, testing what they hear against the Word. Let us never forget the tragedy of unfaithful men who publicly upheld the Bible while privately denying it. Anyone who disobeys the Word ridicules it and discards it with contempt.

As Jeremiah 23:22 says, “But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way.” The evidence of true defenders of the Word is transformation—a people turning from evil and walking in truth.

Finally, let us remember Paul’s words to Timothy: “That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Timothy 3:15). Our identity as the church of the living God is proven in our role as the pillar and ground of the truth. We uphold the glory of God’s Word by living under its rule. Only then are we deemed worthy defenders of His truth.

Many of us were deeply saddened and troubled upon hearing the sudden news of Pastor Reggor Galarpe’s ill health. Concerned, I reached out to him by phone. Though he was enduring physical pain and facing the uncertainty of biopsy results, his voice remained calm and unwavering—bold in the Lord, as always. Despite the looming prospect of medical treatment, his heart was steadfast, eager to continue serving the Lord, whatever the outcome.

During our conversation, he mentioned an article he had written to inform and comfort the Cebu congregation while he and his family waited for the test results. We are privileged to share that article within the pages of this bulletin. This reflection was penned in the “shadow” of affliction, yet lit by faith.

As I reflected on Pastor Reggor’s ministry in Cebu and how the Lord has used him to strengthen mission stations across the Philippines for more than 20 years (since 2003), I was reminded that those called to serve Christ are often called to serve Him in seasons of unusual hardship. The apostle Paul testified to this very reality, declaring, “Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me…” (Acts 20:19).

To serve the Lord in times of comfort is commendable, but to serve Him in seasons of affliction is extraordinary. The apostle Paul, in his farewell discourse to the Ephesian elders, pulled back the curtain on his ministry to show that it was accomplished not in ease, but with tears. He described it as a path that had been walked in suffering, hardship, and perseverance.

In “serving the Lord with all humility of mind”, Paul knew that divine strength is made perfect in weakness. Paul’s humility was not false modesty, but the fruit of a heart surrendered to divine grace. His Christ-centred service was marked by submission even amidst intense trials.

His service was also “with many tears”. They were not tears of defeat, but of intercession, of burden-bearing for the souls entrusted to him. These tears speak of the depth of his pastoral heart: a man not indifferent to pain of others, but willing to be poured out for others.

The phrase, “and temptations, which befell me”, reveals the severity of his afflictions. His calling placed him directly in the path of danger. Yet he remained unmoved, being focused on his calling as a preacher of the Word.

The servant of Christ is not spared from – but strengthened amidst – affliction!

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Going Through Series of Tests

Rev. Reggor Galarpe

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17). 

For some time, I have been bearing with occasional backache – a kind of painful sensation that many would consider as “panuhot” (bloatedness), which can be easily relieved by applying some liniment. It was no big deal until I started to feel pain on my right upper quadrant (right side of chest and abdomen); that was when I went for a medical check-up in September last year. I thought that it might have something to do with my internal organs (kidney, liver, gall bladder, etc.). I was ordered to go for the usual blood tests, plus ultrasound scan of the whole abdomen. All these revealed no “alarming” result, meaning everything’s fine inside – praise God!

However, the “on and off” pain continued, so the doctor advised that I go for the CT scan (whole abdomen). For some reasons (one of which was the cost), I thought of delaying it for some time later, hoping that the pain would be gone, but it persisted, though still manageable with the “ever-dependable” liniment. Then, in April this year, I noticed a swelling on my back. With all that was going on at that time, especially the preparations for our Combined Church Camp, I thought of seeing the doctor only after the event was over.

Indeed, a week after the camp, we went to see the doctor and I showed her the swelling. The initial impression was somewhat comforting, as she thought that it could be an accumulation of fat tissues. I was advised, in addition to the usual lab tests, to undergo another ultrasound (this time for my back), and also chest x-ray to see if it has affected my lungs. While the x-ray result was normal, the ultrasound suggested further imaging. Thus, the following week, I was scheduled for the CT scan of the whole abdomen (with contrast).

Again, I take comfort that all the internal organs are generally in normal condition, except for the swelling (caused by a mass), in which the result suggested tissue correlation. The doctor explained that the mass would have to be removed and be subjected to examination. I was referred to a surgeon and had been to his clinic last Wednesday. As per doctor’s advice, he will be taking some tissues from the affected part (a procedure that will be performed “out-patient”; no need for hospital admission), and have it examined to determine its nature. And from there, he will consider the treatment procedure, and work on reducing the size of the mass and then its removal.

In the midst of this, many things come to mind, but we (me and my family) look up to the Lord for His mercy and grace, yielding to His sovereign will and purpose. Humanly speaking, times like these can be very troubling and disturbing. But for us God’s children, they are occasions to seek and find (even rejoice) in God’s comfort. 

Come to think of it, it is in such times that we experience the goodness of the Lord in a very special way, and that we are drawn closer to the Lord and His Word, ever realising how helpless we are and how desperately we need the Lord!

Sister Diana Koh is fondly remembered by the Pastor, Elders, Preachers, Deacons, members, and friends of Gethsemane Bible-Presbyterian Church as a dear sister in the Lord who gave her very best in service to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. With diligence, unwavering faith, and thankfulness to God, she served for about 19 years as a devoted member of this church and a pillar in the administrative matters in the church office. 

“Her own works praise her in the gates”—Proverbs 31:31.

From the first day she took her post, she served, not for applause or recognition, but for the glory of God. Her hands were steady, her heart was loyal, and her presence brought order and peace to every task. In quiet strength, she fulfilled the work behind the scenes with excellence. 

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant... enter thou into the joy of thy lord”—Matthew 25:21.

Through seasons of joy and trial, Sis. Diana Koh was steadfast. When others grew weary, she pressed on. When things needed to be done, she did them. Her commitment was not out of duty alone, but out of love for Christ and His church. 

In her last few years, she endured many afflictions of advanced age. Now, her struggles and labour in this world have ended, and her name is called in heaven. She has entered the joy of her Lord. We rejoice that she now stands in the presence of the One she served so well—her Saviour, her reward. 

We thank God for lending us Sis. Diana Koh, such a precious vessel whom He has sanctified and strengthened to be part of Gethsemane B-P Church. 

“Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord... that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them”—Revelation 14:13.

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Q&A with Sis. Diana Koh

(Published in our Church’s Silver Jubilee Book)

How long have you been in Gethsemane?

By the grace and mercy of God, He led me to our Pastor, Rev. Prabhudas Koshy, sometime in early 1999. Pastor Koshy informed me that he needed an office assistant to work for Gethsemane BPC. He briefed me on the nature of the work. He also informed me that Gethsemane BPC did not have an office then and should I accept his offer, I would have to work from home. After much prayer, I agreed to his proposal and started work on 1 April 1999.

How has Gethsemane benefited you as an individual?

By the providence of God, I count it a privilege to serve in Gethsemane BPC alongside Pastor Koshy. He is very knowledgeable in theology and a skilful writer. I enjoy my work very much, especially because the exposure I get through my work is very edifying to my soul. There are many opportunities to learn the ropes and I am still learning new things every day.

Can you recount one blessing God has bestowed on Gethsemane over the years?

O the blessings of His good providence! When we needed a church office urgently, God led us to a small office unit for rental in one of the attics of a row of shop houses near Kallang MRT. That was the first church office of Gethsemane BPC. That enabled Bro. Lok Kwok Wah who joined us in the year 2001 to co-labour with Pastor and me from one location. This was the time when Pastor Koshy decided to produce the Bible Witness magazine. We occupied this office for more than three years until God gave Pastor Koshy the burden to look for a bigger office to accommodate the increasing ministries of Gethsemane BPC and the expansion of the Bible Witness Media Ministry.

What is one challenge you have witnessed God helping Gethsemane to overcome, and the lesson you have learnt from it?

I would say, it was the need of greater and stronger faith in God’s promises and unfailing guidance that God has helped Gethsemane to possess. For example, when Gethsemane BPC needed a bigger office, in the year 2003, we launched out enthusiastically to look for a building to purchase. After many months of ‘house hunting’ exercises, we found several potential places but the asking prices were beyond our means. Under the leadership of Pastor Koshy and the Church Session, the whole church was led to seek the Lord in fasting and prayer.

The Lord increased our faith. Members and friends of the church followed Pastor’s call not to rely on loans. Instead, they learned to give cheerfully whatever the Lord had enabled them to give. We asked in faith from the Lord whatever additional funds we needed. Within the short space of three months, God moved the hearts of His people (including brethren from sister churches) to give generously and sacrificially to the Building Fund. God provided more than what we needed—over $600,000 was given to purchase the office unit, which cost $545,000. This is our present Church Resource Centre. We secured the property in October 2003. It was a great lesson of faith, which we would always remember in the face of our many needs in the ministry.

How do you think Gethsemane has grown over the past 25 years?

Gethsemane BPC’s membership has increased gradually according to God’s will over the past 25 years. The consecration and unity in the leadership is the strength of Gethsemane BPC.

What is your prayer for the future of Gethsemane?

Praying that God will continue to sustain and nurture both the leadership and members of Gethsemane BPC so that they will become mature Christians to glorify His name.

Sis. Diana Koh was called home to be with the LORD on Monday, 2nd June 2025.

(Report by Pr Jeremiah Sim)

It was a sacred and joyous occasion for the Seniors’ Ministry to come together to reminisce and reflect on 20 years of God’s abundant richness and blessings upon this ministry. Our hearts are filled with praise as we echo the words of the psalmist in Psalm 111:1-4, “Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation. The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever. He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.”

We are truly grateful to the Lord for enabling us to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Gethsemane Seniors’ Ministry with a retreat held at Gurney Bay Hotel, Penang, Malaysia (9th-12th April 2025). It was solely by God’s unfailing grace, mercy, and aid that every aspect of the event – from the meticulous planning to the demanding logistics – came together smoothly. We truly wish to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Lord for the brethren who enthusiastically served faithfully and joyfully, labouring in love and unity to ensure the seamless execution of this memorable 20th Seniors’ Ministry Anniversary Thanksgiving.

Upon our arrival at the Gurney Bay Hotel, there were mirthful delight and joyful excitement as we gazed upon the splendid view of the serene sea and coastline, which are wondrous manifestations of God’s marvellous creation (cf. Genesis 1:10). After a hearty dinner, our first meeting began at 8:15pm, with heartfelt praise and worship led by our song leader. Pr Samson then delivered the first exhortation, from Colossians 3:15-17, on the theme: “Be Ye Thankful”.

Over the course of the retreat, Pr Samson preached five encouraging and comforting messages, as follows:

The Reason for Being Thankful to the Lord (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14)

• A Thankful Heart is a Peaceful Heart (Colossians 3:15)
• A Thankful Heart is Ruled by the Word of God (Colossians 3:16)
• A Thankful Heart Proclaims the Word of God (Colossians 3:16)
• A Command to Be Thankful in All Things (Colossians 3:17)

In addition, we were edified by the sharing of God’s Word by Eld Mah, Eld Ng, Pr Jeremiah, and Pr Daniel, through four morning devotion messages, and a night prayer meeting. 

We give all glory to God for the rich spiritual lessons learned during this retreat. It was truly a fruitful time of reflection, thanksgiving, and growth for our seniors. Throughout the four days, many had put their faith into action—encouraging one another in the Lord, and showing care and kindness, especially to those who were less mobile. We praise God for His divine protection throughout our travels and the entire retreat. As the psalmist declares in Psalm 107:1, so too we pray, “O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” 

To God be all the glory! 

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Testimonies from the Seniors’ Ministry Retreat

Dns Diana Chan

Thank God for a blessed GSM 20th Anniversary Retreat in Penang. I am thankful to Eld Mah and the team for their labour of love in organising the retreat for our seniors. In the morning of day one, we were encouraged by Eld Mah’s sharing of Pastor Koshy’s well wishes and prayer for us. Praise God also for church brethren’s prayers and love gifts for the retreat, as well as a blessed time of learning God’s Word and fellowship with retreat participants (not to mention the enjoyment of local delights in Penang). 

I thank God for the exhortation of God’s Word on the theme, “Be Ye Thankful”, preached by Pr Samson, and the devotions by Eld Mah, Eld Ng, Pr Daniel, and Pr Jeremiah (not forgetting the interpretation by Pr Daniel). Praise God too for the singing of hymns and spiritual songs (both in English and Mandarin), from pre-recorded piano instrumentals. 

Among many valuable lessons, I learned that it is the duty of believers to give thanks to God. The duty is not enforced. It is our required role. Realising that we were once wicked and doomed for judgment, but now are justified and saved for the eternal glory of God, we ought to thank God for the sacrifice of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died to redeem us from our sins. Our thanksgiving is rendered only unto God, the most High.

Our attitude in thanking God should be of a joyful and grateful spirit, like the thankful leper, thanking God for what He has done for us. A thankful heart is a peaceful heart. So, “let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15). A thankful heart is also one that is ruled by the Word of God. We are to “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). Furthermore, a thankful heart is one which is filled, controlled and ruled by the Holy Spirit. A person dominated by the Holy Spirit will honour God. 

May I give thanks and pray without ceasing (Acts 12:5), make a joyful noise unto the LORD, serve Him with gladness (Psalm 100:1-2), offer unto God thanksgiving, and call upon Him in times of trouble. All praise be unto God!

Carrie Lee

I thank God for enabling my husband, Raymond, and me to attend the recent Gethsemane Seniors’ Retreat in Penang. Thank God for the faithful exposition of His Word by Pr Samson. Thank God too for the morning devotions by the preachers and elders. I thank God for all who have laboured tirelessly for this retreat, be it in logistics, refreshments or other areas. Thank God for the sweet fellowship among like-minded brethren. May God help me to always remember to come before Him with much thanksgiving for what Christ has done at the cross. Help me to be thankful, Lord!

Wong Ah Yee

I learned much from the messages during the retreat for four days (9th-12th April 2025). God has helped me during the trip to Penang. I returned back home safely on Sunday, 13th April. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to go for the trip. I have to thank God for everything. I am very happy to go for the trip. If there is another chance to go for another Bible retreat, I would like to go again.

Margaret Poon

I praise and thank God for the opportunity to attend GSM’s 20th Anniversary Retreat in Penang, together with my mother (whom many of you call Auntie Rose). Thank God for the caring elders and other brethren, who are constantly on the lookout for the well-being of my aged mum, as well as other elderly members. I would like to express my gratitude to God for their kindness and support. 

May the Lord bless the brethren who had laboured and served joyfully in various capacities for the retreat. Indeed, the retreat’s committee and group ICs went above and beyond to provide excellent support, assisting with web check in, hotel logistics, serving in tea breaks, etc, providing a blessed experience.

 The messages on “Be Ye Thankful” emphasise the importance of acknowledging God’s blessings in our lives. Indeed, “whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Colossians 3:17). 

May the Lord continue to preserve us in our daily walk with Him, with grateful hearts through actions as well as words.

Cheng Han

Thank God for the organising committee of this year’s GSM Retreat, during which I learned many precious lessons from God’s Word through Pr Samson’s 5 messages. 

One lesson that struck me was how the Lord Jesus told the woman who had committed adultery, to “go and sin no more”. We were taught that we ought to thank God for our salvation. When our sins are forgiven, we have peace with God. We must then continue to embrace God’s law and live holy lives.

When we are thankful, we must tell others about the goodness of God. When we count our blessings, our hearts are full of joy. We encourage, edify and love one another, as we do all things heartily as unto the Lord. To do the work of God, we need to heed His Word, study His Word, hold forth the Word of life, and declare the whole counsel of God. I am thankful for Pr Samson, Pr Jeremiah, Pr Daniel, Eld Ng, and Eld Mah for their love for God.

Mary Goh

Recollecting God’s blessings and giving thanks for all His benefits are reflections of our humble desire and gratitude to honour and praise God (Psalm 100:1-5).

On the morning of 25th March, 2025, I slipped on a mango skin at the curb of the road. I lost my balance and fell by the roadside, resulting in the hurting of my left thigh all the way to the ankle. The pain was excruciating. I thank God that, by His mercy, the X-ray taken showed only a slight fracture of about half an inch away from the joint. I had to wear a cast under the doctor’s advice. By His grace, the cast was removed before the GSM 20th Anniversary Retreat, which enabled me to attend the retreat in Penang (9th-12th April 2025). I am truly thankful to God! In addition, I wish to thank Him for another of His blessing, in that as I walked the pain also subsided slightly. All praise be to the Lord (cf. John 15:7)!

The preaching of God’s Word during the retreat gave me times of reflection on God’s abundant mercies and the many blessings He has bestowed upon me, individually and as a fellowship of believers. As a follower of Christ, I have to thank God in whatever things I do (Col 3:17), and for whatever things that happen in life. God is to be honoured and praised in the lives of His people (1 Thess 5:18).

Daniel Svasti

We are thankful to God for Pr Samson’s teaching us through the 5 retreat messages, beginning with the sad but true reality that people are not naturally thankful. We were taught that we can only have peace with God when we are reconciled through His Son, and that “In every thing give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Reinforcing the messages were the daily devotions. Pr Jeremiah reminded us that as the sheep of His pasture (Psalm 100:3), we are to ponder and thank God for His Son, and for the privilege to listen to His Word. Eld Ng taught us to be grateful, just like the only leper (among the ten healed) who returned to thank our Saviour (Luke 17:11-19), and to thank and praise our Lord in times of affliction (Job 2:10). Pr Daniel not only translated every message and devotion during the retreat, but also gave the third devotion in English and translated it into Mandarin. He taught that in times of trouble, we must pray without ceasing (Acts 12:1-5). Eld Mah brought us the final devotion, leaving us with much thought from Psalm 50:14-15, where we learnt of the believer’s duties and God’s assurance. 

We thank Eld Mah for coming up with the Retreat Handbook and WhatsApp messages, to keep us all organised. We thank Pastor Koshy for his foreword (drawn from Psalm 71:17-18), which exhorted us that even when we are old and grey-haired, our Lord will not forsake us until we have shown God’s strength unto this generation.

Stella Svasti

Thanks to God for sustaining the Seniors’ Ministry for 20 years, and for giving Daniel and me this opportunity to attend the Thanksgiving Retreat in Penang. This blessed spiritual event is based on the theme, ‘Be Ye Thankful’, as well as the well-loved, heartwarming hymn, ‘Thanks to God’. 

It was a special joy to hear Pr Samson expounding the 5 theme messages taken from Col 3:15-17. May we let the Word of God manifest daily in our lives, that the new man in us be thankful in all circumstances, knowing that such thankfulness will bring forth peace with God and fruitfulness. We are to let God’s Word govern our hearts, so that we may love to proclaim the Word. We were further blessed by daily devotions from Pr Jeremiah, Pr Daniel, Eld Ng and Eld Mah.

We have so much to be thankful to the Lord for – His grace, mercies, goodness and daily provisions. The retreat helped us to appreciate the heavy responsibilities and challenges the organising committee had undertaken, so as to meet the participants’ physical and spiritual needs. O Lord, may You give me a thankful heart at all times!

Aileen Yan 

A command to “Be Thankful in All Things” is the theme for the messages of the Seniors’ Ministry 20th Anniversary Retreat, held in Penang (9th-12th April 2025). I thank God for enabling me to attend this retreat, together with 48 participants, to receive great blessings to learn from His precious Word.

Thank God for blessing us through Pr Samson’s sermons from Colossians 3:15-17, as well as through the devotions shared by Eld Mah, Eld Ng, Pr Jeremiah and Pr Daniel.

Lastly, I thank God for blessing us with very warm fellowship and willingness in extending care for one another. Praise the Lord for blessing all participants with good health and safety in travels. All glory be to God for granting all of us a very blessed 20th Anniversary Retreat.

Benjamin Chong

I thank God for enabling me to attend the 20th Seniors’ Ministry Anniversary Retreat at Penang. The messages preached by Pr Samson on the theme, “Be Ye Thankful”, are a timely reminder that “whatsoever ye do in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him” (Col 3:17). 

Against the severity of our lost condition, God’s goodness is manifested in the context of the salvation that Jesus has achieved eternally, which secures for us the peace from then on. This peace is constantly being built up through obedience, spiritual discipline, and with thankful hearts. Obedience calls us to have commitment to our duties of proclaiming God’s truth and love through our words and actions, which in turn will multiply thankful hearts within and around us.

It is a joyful encouragement to know that “thankfulness” can be achieved in all situations (Rom 8:28). It is not founded upon baseless worldly hopes, but fully grounded on God’s truth and character.

Ara Ballega

I praise the Lord for His abundant grace and provision in granting me the blessed opportunity to take part in the GSM 20th Anniversary Retreat. Truly, He orchestrated all things perfectly, and my heart overflows with thankfulness for His faithfulness (cf. Colossians 3:15). As I reflect on the Lord’s manifold blessings during the retreat, I’m thankful for the privilege of serving and growing together in Christ. I like to share some key takeaways, as follows:

Joyful and faithful service – I am deeply grateful for the dedicated efforts in the preparations, implementations / execution of the entire programme, including the preaching of God’s Word during the morning devotions (by Eld Mah, Eld Ng, Pr Jeremiah and Pr Daniel).

Nourishment of God’s Word – the exhortation of God’s Word by Pr. Samson on the theme, “Be Ye Thankful” (Colossians 3:15-17), which deepened my understanding of gratitude in Christ.

Spiritual blessings – The retreat was a time of feasting upon the wonderful truths of Scripture, strengthening our faith and drawing us closer to the Lord.

Sweet fellowship among the saints – God’s love was beautifully evident through the mutual care, encouragement, and prayers shared among brethren, a true testimony of His presence in our midst.

God’s provision – The Lord graciously provided a conducive venue, as well as nourishing meals and safety throughout our travels, ensuring our comfort and well-being.

Miriam Wong

I thank God for the preaching of God’s Word, and the fellowship, as well as the labour of love shown by all the brethren in Christ who toiled hard for this retreat. Thank God also for the readily available Grab service to bring us around the place. 

I see God’s goodness upon my father and my mother’s lives through Gethsemane Seniors’ Ministry. I am most humbled by their being alive, and that God is working in them still. Though it is heartbreaking that my mother could not join us in the retreat, I must learn to submit to God’s will in our lives.

Transfer of Membership

Thomas Tow

I was baptised as an infant in late 1951 or early 1952 in Say Mia Tng (Life Church’s English service) at Prinsep Street, and attended Sunday School there. My family later worshipped at Life BP Church at Gilstead Road, when the new building was completed in 1963.

Having been brought up in a fifth-generation Christian family and having attended a Methodist school for 12 years, God made it easy for me to learn the Word during my formative years. I believed in Jesus Christ as my Saviour and regularly prayed. However, I was not living like a Christian ought to live. As a youth, I was lukewarm in my faith and remained far from God. In my early twenties, I went abroad to England to study architecture and urban design. Upon completion of my studies, I remained there to work. I became engrossed in my pursuit of professional fulfilment and remained spiritually lost. After living nearly 10 years in England, I travelled to New York to work. Four years later, my US employer posted me to Singapore to work on a major project. I first met my wife, Melanie, in the Singapore office. I had wanted to return to worship in church regularly, but always procrastinated because of work matters and excuses. I even worked on Sundays when there were urgent project deadlines. Looking back, I’m thankful to God for placing in my life, my prayerful mum, aunts, uncles, brethren and Melanie, who were good, God-fearing influences. Praise God for Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd, for leading me back to His fold when I followed Melanie’s return to the Methodist church. I sought repentance and thanked Him for His grace and mercy (Psalm 145:8).

At church, I served as a church librarian and designed the church library. Being part of the Crisis Relief and Christian Outreach ministries, I taught English to migrant workers in their dormitories. Melanie and I co-facilitated in the church’s spiritual formation classes. We took part in mission trips to Cambodia and designed a couple of buildings for a missionary ministry. God has been good to provide these opportunities for us to serve. Our participation in Bible study groups through the years has helped me to learn God’s Word and to grow in faith. “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend” (Prov. 27:17).

During the pandemic lockdown, I started attending online services and came across Gethsemane BP Church’s website. I was drawn to the forthright, fundamental and Bible-believing sermons by Pastor Koshy and the preachers. In early March 2022, I attended my first service at Gethsemane BP Church.

When I was diagnosed with early prostate cancer in March 2024, I was touched and blessed by the devotions and prayers received during a visit from Pastor Koshy and Sis. Carolyn, followed by a separate visit from Elder and Mrs Mah, and Pr Jeremiah and Sis. Gina. I give thanks to God for enabling me to be part of the Seniors’ Ministry, the church’s evangelistic outreach, St Luke’s Eldercare outreach (at Tampines and Marine Parade), as well as for availing Melanie and me to help out on the Vizag project.

Having received sound doctrine in our church, I am more grounded in the faith (cf. 1 Tim. 4:16). I thank God for the dedication, encouragement and support given by Pastor Koshy, the elders, preachers, deacons, deaconess and brethren, as I look forward to being a serving church member.

Melanie Francis Tow

I learned about Jesus early in life. My mother taught me to pray when I was 4 or 5, but my parents didn’t belong to a church. They sent me to Vacation Bible School and eventually Sunday School, where I became a regular and eager attendee. At age 15, I felt it was time to affirm my faith in the Lord Jesus through baptism. I attended the church’s membership class, and was baptized and confirmed into a United Methodist church in USA in 1972.

I continued to grow in faith through church and Sunday School up through my first two years in university. But when the decision to study architecture took me to a much larger institution, away from my Christian friends and overwhelmed me with course work, I stopped attending church. Striving, achieving and building my career became my priorities. I believed in God and still prayed, but my roots were not deep (Matthew 13:5-7).

It was the diagnosis of late-stage cancer in my mother years later that jolted me out of my spiritual slumber. Prayer became urgent and more regular. I returned to Bible reading in earnest. After quoting Scripture at her funeral, I promised God that I would return to church, which I did the following Sunday after returning to Singapore. I began to take seriously the importance of God’s Word, reading through the New Testament first, and later the Old Testament. God in His mercy opened the opportunity for me to lead a Bible study in church on Sundays for a group of domestic helpers. Over the 15 years I led the group, my knowledge of the Bible grew, and more importantly, so did my efforts to obey its truths in my life. I also served as a facilitator in the church’s spiritual formation classes. On a few occasions, I was invited to write for the church publication. My testimony would not be complete without giving thanks for my faithful, God-fearing husband, Thomas, whom I met on my first day in Singapore when I moved here for work in 1990. His mother was a model for my own spiritual growth, as have been other elderly aunts and uncles in the Tow family. For over 20 years, Thomas and I have been part of a small group which meets bi-weekly for Bible study, currently via zoom. The same group met for some years in our office to pray for missionaries and churches overseas. All these experiences have served to mould and shape who I am today. I can never thank the Lord enough for the great mercy He has shown me.

God is not finished shaping this pot of clay. When I have become too comfortable and confident in my professional work and ministry, God has taken steps to remove them. Significant losses over the last five years have served to dethrone the idols I had grown to rely on. Work in our architectural practice slowed and, soon after, my part-time teaching at the university. During Covid, church ministries I served in ceased. In late 2020, I was hospitalised for two weeks and underwent surgery to remove part of my colon. By God’s mercy, I survived and, in time, regained strength.  But I knew that life would never be the same again.  Two years later, I fractured both arms in a fall and had to rely on my husband to help me with even simple tasks like eating and washing. I believe the Lord used these humbling experiences to strip away vanity, pride and self-reliance that stood in the way of total dependence on Him. “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth...” (Hebrews 12:6). I now value every day as a precious gift. Jesus gave His life at Calvary to purchase me and redeem me (Ephesians 2:8-9). I owe my life to my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Nothing changes us and helps in the slow but steady work of sanctification like God’s Word. At Gethsemane, sermons by Pastor Koshy and preachers continually bring new understanding of Scriptural passages, challenging me to apply them in my daily life. The Catechism classes have deepened my knowledge and clarified doctrines I never fully understood. I have been so blessed by the dedication, warmth, generosity and genuine faith of the elders, deacons, deaconess and brethren I have met, especially through the Ladies’ Fellowship, Seniors’ Ministry and Pastoral Visitation. Particularly touching were visits made to our home by Pastor Koshy and Sis. Carolyn, and by Elder and Mrs Mah, Pr Jeremiah and Sis. Gina, who came to pray and encourage us after Thomas was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I am grateful to be worshipping in a church focused on fulfilling the Great Commission. It is a joy to be part of the monthly evangelism in Bedok and at St Luke’s Eldercare. Moreover, Thomas and I are thankful that we can help with the Vizag project.

Now in my late sixties, I am still learning to surrender to God’s sovereign will. I don’t know when God will call me home, but I do know that I want to use what remains of my time here on earth to serve my Lord with gladness (Ephesians 2:10). Thanks be to God for leading me to Gethsemane BP Church. I pray for His enabling grace to serve as a faithful member in the days to come. 

“Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.

Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in ceaseless praise,

Take my hands and let them move at the impulse of thy love.

Take my feet and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.”

(Frances R. Havergal)

Zhou YuHeng

I was brought to church at the young age of 5, and have been attending church ever since. While I’d repeatedly prayed the sinner’s prayer in Sunday School, I only trusted Jesus as my Saviour and Lord, and worshipped Him, later on as I grew up. 

I’ve been through church dissolution twice, once in 1997 and then in 2023. I was introduced to a BP church and its teachings after the first church dissolution. It was enriching for me – it felt like I’d never been taught so richly about God’s Word. However, following the abrupt church disbandment in Aug 2023, I felt discouraged and upset; I was unable to commit to another church and went church-hopping instead. During that period, I saw many variants in Bible versions, church practices, teachings, and congregations in those churches I visited – both BP and non-BP. There started to rise within me the conviction that, if I should settle down in a church, it should be yet another BP church. 

Subsequently, I started coming to Gethsemane BPC. I saw that this was a church where I was constantly learning the truths of God’s Word and appreciating God for His faithfulness, goodness and righteousness. Both the pastor and congregation love learning God’s Word so much, that there seem to be a retreat or teaching seminar every other month! I thank God that even though I felt discouraged and demoralised in the months after my previous church’s disbandment, He kept me continuing to go to church even when I didn’t want to commit yet. He did not forsake me in all my years as a Christian, and especially during the past 1.5 years when I didn’t belong to any church. I pray that I will be moved to dedicate my life to serving Him more and more, and that I will strive to be more Christ-like in my ways. Praise the Lord! 

Lena Sim

I was baptized in 1990 in a fundamental church. The church dissolved about a decade later when the pastor passed on without a true successor. Subsequently, I attended a BP church and transferred membership a few years later. Then in the year 2023, with the abrupt disbandment of the church, I started to backslide and church-hop for a few months. Our never-forsaking God has led me to Gethsemane BP Church, with a faithful pastor and dedicated elders, preachers and deacons. 

I thank God for Pastor Koshy who unwaveringly expounded on God’s Word, loud and clear. He never hesitates to give us a listening ear, and is honest and sincere to help the needy. My utmost respect for his “walk-the-talk” attitude. May the Lord continue to bless Pastor Koshy with good health and strength to labour for God’s work without ceasing. 

Ong Lian Heoh (Celeste)

About 30 years ago as I was facing deep struggles of life, I was seeking for a Saviour to depend on. Thank God for using special circumstances to gently stir my heart to go to church. Around this time, my son was enrolled in Trinity Methodist Kindergarten. Each Sunday, I brought him for Sunday worship service for about 2 years. 

Thank God that after some time, the Lord led me to Berean BP Church and then later to Berith BP Church. After 20 overs years in Berith, Pastor Wee was diagnosed with dementia and he was unable to continue his ministry. Members were told to find a like-minded church to worship in. I thank God for leading us to worship in Gethsemane BP Church.

I thank God for Pastor Koshy’s faithful preaching of the Word of God, and that the church is involved in many outreach works in mission fields. I pray that the Lord will bless and preserve Pastor Koshy and his family with good health and strength, as they give themselves to the work of the ministry in Gethsemane Church.

Teo Hock Leong

Before I believed in the Lord Jesus l felt lost and empty, but when I realised and heard what the Lord Jesus had done for me at the cross of Calvary, l prayed to receive Him as my Lord and Saviour – and my life was never the same. Thank God for enabling me to overcome my sinful habits in gambling and now I have a purpose in life and joy I never had before. 

Thank God also for leading us to Gethsemane BP Church when Pastor Wee was diagnosed with dementia. When our church was dissolved, each member was told to find a Bible-believing church to worship in. We are much blessed and encouraged by the preaching of Pastor Koshy, drawing many lessons for our Christian life, which helped us not to walk in our self-imposed blindness. We pray that God will preserve and keep Pastor Koshy strong to preach the Word of God on the pulpit during worship services and in his teaching ministries. May the Lord continue to bless the church’s overseas mission outreaches. May the Lord keep all the families and members of the church in good health and strength as we serve Him. Our heartfelt thanks to the church elders, preachers, deacons and members for extending to us your gracious and warm fellowship.

Transfer of Membership

Daniel Svasti

I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour in the early 70’s. It was a time of much confusion and change concerning many doctrines preached in the local churches. Particularly in the doctrine of eschatology and the study of Revelation, where many lessons were being aired and shared in Sunday Schools and various Christian Fellowship groups. But many of these views were incorrect, in the light of what I’ve been enlightened by years later, through faithful Scriptural teachings from Pastor Tow Siang Hwa, Pastor Quek, and Pastor Koshy (cf. 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 4:16-17; 5:9-10).

I also witnessed the shift of many Bible-believing churches turning Charismatic and falling away. Debating with many of my classmates and schoolmates on what the Bible taught was in vain, and I am thankful that our LORD has looked after me through His divine providence all these years. And I am glad that I have received Jesus Christ – the Living One and only begotten Son of God, who was crucified, died, and was buried and whom God raised from the dead on the third day – as my personal Saviour. I take great comfort in God’s continual care and guidance for us: “Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:20-21).

As the days on earth are dwindling to the end, I want to walk circumspectly and redeem the time, for the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15-16). We must be good witnesses to our children and to all whom we meet, and reflect Christ’s love through us. At the same time, we must be vigilant. There will be many false Christs and false prophets (Matthew 24:24). We need to watch out for them as listening to them will lead to death. And I feel strongly that I must earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3), and that the KJV Bible is a faithful translation of God’s true and preserved Word. “For the prophesy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21).

Truly, thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift (our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ) [2 Corinthians 9:15]!

Stella Svasti

As I reflect on my journey of faith and how God has redeemed me with His precious blood and saved me from my sins and the curse of the law, I humbly give Him all the praise and honour and glory (1 Peter 1:3). 

I was raised in an idol-worshipping home. But God, in His abundant mercies, moved my mother to send me to a Methodist school, where I started to learn about the Lord Jesus Christ. Then it was a daily affair to have morning devotion, reciting the Lord’s prayer daily and attending weekly ‘Ethics’ lessons, where the love of God was shared through Christian teachers. I realised that the Gospel seed was sown through those devoted teachers, and I am still thankful to the Lord for them. The school had a tradition of devoting 3 days in a year to conduct Religious Emphasis Week (REW), where pastors were invited to preach the Gospel. When I was in Secondary Two, at one of those REW sessions, ending an altar call, I surrendered my life to the Lord, my gracious Redeemer. 

I then searched for churches to attend. Most of my friends attended Methodist churches, and I followed suit. But I did not grow as I did not understand what it meant to follow Christ, and I was not motivated to read and search the Scriptures regularly. After my marriage to Daniel, we attended Wesley Methodist Church, but we found the doctrines diluted, which did not promote Christ of the Bible. 

We subsequently attended the Sunset Gospel Hour (at Calvary Pandan), and heard Pastor Koshy’s preaching. We decided to find out more about Gethsemane BPC, and the Lord guided us to various materials and resources, which we thoroughly enjoyed for our spiritual growth and learning. The teaching and preaching from Gethsemane’s Pastor and preachers are biblical, sound and faithful. Through the teachings in the BP churches, we learnt that the Bible is a divine, personal and meaningful Book, the Greatest Book of all times and ages (Psalm 119:105). When I face challenges, struggles, fears, doubts, or sin and temptation, I will seek the Lord’s wisdom, strength, and help in His Word to overcome them. What joy and privilege to appropriate God’s wonderful promises to help me cope through all the changing scenes of life. He is moulding and guiding me moment by moment, till I see Him face to face.

I am truly grateful to the Lord for this church, for Pastor Koshy and the preachers, the elders, as well as the deacons and staff. Particularly for Eld Choy, Eld Francis, and all those who labour for Christ behind the scenes, in ensuring the Catechism class to be conducted smoothly for our spiritual learning and benefit. The materials of the Catechism class were so well prepared to help us understand the fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, and to motivate us to read the Word more deeply. May I have the spiritual discipline to love and read His Word, and be a faithful servant. I thank God for this church family’s warm fellowship and kindness. I pray that the Lord will continue to help me to love Him with all my heart, and with all my soul, and with all my mind and also, to love my neighbour as myself (Matthew 22:37-39). Blessed be His Holy Name!

Joan Cheah

I grew up in a Buddhist extended family, where we practised ancestor worship. When I started secondary school, a classmate introduced me to Christianity, and I attended church once. One day, while working overtime, I received an invitation to a Sunday school Bible study. After attending for several months, my life began to change. Through God’s mercy, I became aware of my sinfulness and recognised that only by grace through faith could I find forgiveness and the gift of salvation from God. “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).

I was longing for something deeper than what the world offered, despite my efforts to find fulfilment in friendships and activities. I started attending church regularly and was inspired by the faith of others. I was baptised on December 25, 1992, marking a turning point in my life. I began reading the Bible, joined various ministries, and found support in my faith journey. I’m immensely thankful to God for His blessings over the past decades. My priorities shifted as I began to value relationships, service, and living out Christ’s love. Though I faced challenges, especially when I got distracted by investments instead of godly pursuits, God’s grace again helped me to refocus and regain my direction, and I held onto His promise in Matthew 6:33, which encourages me to seek Him first. It is only by His grace and mercy that I have experienced growth and learnt to trust God during difficult times.

During the COVID years, I experienced a sudden awakening and understood the true significance of biblical worship. I felt a burden to pray and began visiting various churches, including ARPC @ Bishan, Life BP Church, and Gethsemane BP Church. I thank God for leading me to worship alongside my son, Jeremy, in GBPC. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

By His grace and mercy, I was able to visit GBPC twice in 2023. I began worshipping there from January 2024, where I received a warm welcome from Pastor Koshy, the elders, preachers, deacons / deaconess, and brothers and sisters in Christ. I was further edified through my involvement in Lions Home ministry and Ladies Fellowship. At GBPC, God’s Word is held in great reverence, encouraging us to respond with a filial fear of Him. I embrace the lessons from the sermons that inspire me to be vigilant to prepare for Christ’s return, and to continually live in a way that reflects His teachings. As His sheep, we follow Him (John 10:27). May His grace sustain me until we meet Him face to face. God willing, I hope to deepen my spiritual life through worship, obedience, studying the Word, prayer, fellowship, and evangelism, in my journey of faith alongside God’s people at GBPC.  All thanksgiving be unto God the Father.

Reaffirmation of Faith

Danielle Lim

I am privileged to be born into a Christian family. From young, I learnt about the Lord Jesus and His Word. My parents raised me with love and support, and I am truly grateful for everything they’ve done for me and how they’ve raised me with the Lord’s help. It wasn’t easy, but the Lord has blessed and guided my family through the ups and downs in life. I’m very grateful for this church, which holds many special memories and moments as I grew up here since I was a baby. 

Proverbs 31:30 – “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised” – resonates with me as I constantly remind myself what my name means: ‘the Lord is my judge’. Thus, I should not only love Him, but fear Him. I will forever be thankful and grateful towards Him. When I was 9 years old, I asked the Lord to be my Saviour and from then on, He has guided me through thick and thin. He has granted me a good school environment, guided me in selecting my various school activities, and provided me with good Christian friends. Words cannot describe my gratitude for how much He has led me as His child. May God help me to be strong and do my best. I look forward to serving Him with the gifts He has bestowed me with.

Lim Jorim

I thank God for giving me the privilege of growing up in a Christian family. It’s a blessing to be surrounded by Christians since childhood. I thank God for His mercy and grace towards me, to save me from my sins (Ephesians 2:8). Having grown up in Gethsemane, I have been truly blessed to be constantly exposed to the preaching of God’s Word. I also grew in faith and learnt many valuable lessons from GCM, JW and Children’s Bible Study (CBS) as a child, as well as in youth fellowship, in church camps, missionary conferences (and even Tuesday night prayer meetings), from my teenage years. Being in the youth choir also helps me to understand the songs that I sing and to spread the Gospel. 

When I was about 7 years old in primary school, I often broke down due to the fear of being alone in an unfamiliar environment. However, I am thankful for my parents’ constant reminder and encouragement that although they may not be able to be with me every minute of my life, God is always with me, and I should not be afraid. Whenever I feel afraid or alone, I would constantly be reminded of Deuteronomy 31:6. As I matured over the years, this verse was a constant reminder and assurance that God is always with me and will take care of me (even when I am alone), every step of my life. I thank God that I can trust and see His mighty hand working in my life. 

As I continue to grow in my faith and learn from God’s Word, it is my prayer that I will continue to walk closely with God and also be a good testimony for Him. May I be a blessing to others in my life, and remain steadfast in my faith. All glory be to God.

Anna Chong

By the grace of God, my parents have been attending worship services in Gethsemane, which has led me to be able to come to this church since I was a little child. Although I have always participated in the Children’s Ministry classes, and have trusted Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord, there were always some things I still did not understand. However, I’m blessed to be able to attend the Catechism Class, which has helped me to have a deeper understanding of God’s Word. I have learnt many Biblical truths concerning God – His wonderful creation, His Holy Book, how we are all born sinners, how we can rely on Him through all difficult circumstances to live a godly life, etc.

The Bible says, “All have sinned” (Romans 3:23), and “There is none righteous, no not one” (Romans 3:10). This has made me realise that I must constantly go to the LORD, seek Him in prayer, and ask for forgiveness for my sins. I have also learnt that God’s Law helps Christians avoid committing sins, as it shows us the path of righteousness and enables us to walk by the Holy Spirit. Thus, I’m minded to do my daily devotion so that I may learn more through His Word daily. We must abide by His commandments, acknowledge our sin when we have done wrong, and stay close to Him always.

Truly, “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statues of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:7-9). May I continue to cherish the countless blessings I receive from the Lord, and bear a good testimony for Him.

(More testimonies of new members next week)

A testimony by Ricky and Stella Yang of God’s saving grace working through their witnessing! 

“Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying,
Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;
Weep o’er the erring one, Lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus the mighty to save.
Rescue the perishing, Care for the dying;
Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.”

These words from the hymn echoed in my head as we witnessed, with solemnity and rejoicing, the ordination of one of the preachers at the conclusion of our church’s 7th Missionary Conference on 14 June 2024. The passion for souls and the testimonies from the missionaries to preach Christ even amid oppression and in custody, did not deter or distract them from the call to preach and win some to Christ; they spoke of how these things reminded us of the greater urgency and burden to rescue the perishing and care for the dying, and be truly Proclaimers of Faith “Under Fire” – which was the theme of the Missionary Conference. 

On 17 June 2024, shortly after our return from the Missionary Conference, we received a call that one of our relatives, Mr Louis Lee, was taken to hospital and was in critical condition. With the Missionary Conference messages still freshly imprinted and warmly glowing in our hearts, we visited Mr Lee at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit. Though Mr Lee was intubated and in discomfort, he was lucid and was able to respond in short breaths and nods. We praise and thank God for the timely treatment he received and, more so, for the timely reminder of the urgency to rescue the perishing and care for the dying. We shared the Gospel message with him and pointed him to Jesus, who is mighty to save. By God’s amazing mercy and grace, Mr Lee readily said, “Amen”, and acknowledged his faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and expressed his readiness for baptism in the presence of his wife, Ailene. We immediately informed Pastor Koshy and he, together with Sis Carolyn and Eld Mah, visited Mr Lee and reaffirmed his faith that evening. It was such a relief to see Mr Lee’s condition stabilised and such a joy to see how his heart has been prepared by the working of the Holy Spirit, especially through times like this, to turn to Jesus Christ. All praise and thanks to God for saving Mr Lee, and for his confession of his faith in Jesus Christ through his baptism at the hospital. 

In our subsequent visits to Mr Lee, initially at the hospital and later at the nursing home, we prayed with him and regularly reminded him of the day he trusted Jesus Christ for salvation. We also learned during these visits of Mr Lee’s deep concern for his daughter, Marilene, who had Stage 4 cancer in her intestines and had been receiving treatments. Mr Lee repeatedly requested that we reach out to Marilene, and we said we would try. We also encouraged him to pray for the salvation of both his wife Ailene and his daughter Marilene.

We attempted to reach Marilene, and the opportunity came when we were informed that she was hospitalised recently in early February 2025. The Lord again reminded us of the call to rescue the perishing. We were so happy to receive a warm and hearty welcome from Marilene when we visited her at the hospital on 22 February. Though in pain and discomfort, Marilene was open to sharing with us the issues and concerns in her heart as she pondered over the uncertainty concerning which treatment option she should take for her cancer. We offered to pray for God’s direction and peace as she considered the options. At the same time, we asked if she would be open to us sharing the Gospel of peace and salvation. Again, through God’s amazing mercy and grace, she readily responded and said she had been considering doing Bible study with her neighbour. Praise the Lord for His perfect working and timing – her heart and soul have been prepared. Clearly and affirmatively, Marilene prayed with us, and confessed her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ! 

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Rom 10:9). What a joy and assurance it was when she also readily expressed her desire for baptism, and encouraged her mother, Ailene, to come to Christ, too!

Marilene’s condition took a sudden turn on 24 February when there was a rupture in her intestine, causing excruciating pain and intense discomfort. Her condition suddenly became critical, and necessitated an emergency surgery that evening. All praise and thanks to God for seeing her safely through her surgery, which thus resolved the burden of the treatment options that were weighing on her heart.

This also impressed upon us the urgency of arranging for her baptism. We arranged for Pastor Koshy and Elder Mah to visit Marilene at the Intensive Care Unit on 25 February, the day after her surgery. Though drowsy in the morning, she was alert and responsive when Pastor and Eld Mah visited that evening. Though the plan was to affirm Marilene’s faith in Jesus Christ and conduct her baptism, what a happy day and double joy it was when Ailene also opened her heart to the Gospel’s call and expressed her desire for salvation in Jesus Christ and baptism. All glory be to God for His redeeming grace through the precious blood of Jesus Christ! Mother and daughter were baptised in Marilene’s hospital that evening.

“O happy day that fixed my choice, On Thee, my Savior and my God!
Well may this glowing heart rejoice And tell its raptures all abroad.
 Happy day, happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away!
He taught me how to watch and pray, And live rejoicing every day;
Happy day, happy day, When Jesus washed my sins away!”

Salvation is indeed of the Lord. Through His marvellous and providential working and perfect time, salvation has been brought to Louis, Ailene and Marilene in these trying times and on beds of afflictions. Please continue to pray for the Lee household, that the joy of the Lord and the sufficiency of His grace may be their strength through this trying season and in their growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

All glory and praise to God! May the Lord be pleased to use us to “rescue the perishing”, “care for the dying”, and “tell them of Jesus the mighty to save”.

At the start of this year, the Gethsemane Youth Fellowship held an online meeting to encourage and cheer on our young men who are about to enter National Service, as well as those currently serving as NS men. My message to them, titled “A Call to Serve with Faith and Honour”, was published in our church bulletin on January 5, 2025.

A key highlight of that meeting was the testimonies shared by five young adults who have completed their National Service. Their insights were profoundly instructive, offering warnings and guidance about the unique spiritual dangers faced during NS. These testimonies also provided invaluable advice to help young men prepare for and overcome the physical, mental, and emotional challenges of their service.

To edify and equip our young men who will soon don the uniform, we are publishing these testimonies in this week’s and next week’s bulletins. May they inspire and prepare our youths to stand firm for Christ as they serve the nation. Let us uphold them in prayer, asking the Lord to strengthen their faith and testimony in this critical phase of their lives!

“Finding My Identity in Christ”

By Galen Demetrius

This may come as a surprise to everyone, but during the medical assessment phase, I successfully downgraded my PES (Physical Employment Standard) status. This was in 2011. However, in 2012, I decided to enlist as a Regular Officer. In order to do so, I successfully proved to the medical officers that I was physically fit to upgrade my PES status. Eventually, I began my time as a soldier in 2013, in Basic Military Training (BMT). After I completed BMT, I was selected for a prestigious course for the next 1 year and 10 months. 

To sum it up, I experienced many ‘ups and downs’, both good and bad, and I have endless stories to tell. I hope this testimony will prepare you to spend your waking and sleeping hours as a child of God in the army. 

In total, I spent 7.5 years in MINDEF. I started out like everyone, in BMT, but slowly realised that I could endure very tough training courses in the army. Course after course, I felt that I had achieved all by my own strength. I enjoyed celebrating my success, especially the achievement of ‘top graduate’ of the course. I enjoyed people’s acknowledgment of my achievements. My achievements gave me my identity. However, after some time, I got lonely. My joy was short-lived. I realised that people only valued me for what I achieved, and not for who I am. If I stripped away all my achievements, if I did not pass the course, if I was not the top graduate, who was I? I soberly realised that my identity is in Christ, not achievements. I learnt that to be a leader is not about achieving this and that, nor about successfully leading a group of well-trained soldiers, but it’s about serving those who are under us. And that is exactly who Christ is! Jesus left His throne, humbled Himself as man, and suffered the agony of the cross for our benefit. 

Although there were many other struggles, such as managing my spending, and distractions like vices and carnal talk enjoyed by colleagues, finding my identity was one of my biggest struggles. 

Nevertheless, these were the experiences that God had allowed me to go through to mould me to be more like Him. When we face situations wherein we must choose between God and the world, and when we are met with opportunities to show Christ’s love and care to those around us, will you sacrifice even your last drop of water for your bunk-mate who is thirsty? Will you sacrifice your shower time to ensure your men get to rest early? Will you lend a listening ear to your friend in the army who just broke up with his girlfriend, knowing that it might be a Gospel opportunity?

Your actions will show whether you are God’s holy people who are willing to sacrifice our rights because of our Saviour’s sacrificial love for us. You will encounter people from shocking backgrounds which might make you uncomfortable. But always remember, that everyone is made in God’s image and they need to hear the Gospel. You will be spending your next two years, day in and day out, with this group of people. This is a great opportunity to share the love of Jesus with them - don’t waste it.

Don’t think that there’s a long life to live given your very youthful age. Indeed, it is God who gives breath and takes it away. In my time as a Regular Officer, I have witnessed two buddies in the force who die from suicide and cancer. So, while you spend time with your friends, be sure to share the Gospel with them. 

“Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (1 Cor 10:24). 

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).

Be a soldier for Christ first!

“Practical Decisions to Safeguard My Spiritual Walk”

By Benjamin Cho

I’m thankful for this opportunity to share my testimony. Reflecting on my NS (National Service) life has allowed me to see God’s mercy in chastising me during that season. After careful thought, I have identified three main struggles:

Spending too much time in secular relationships.

Shift work (closely related to point 1).

Not establishing my Christian identity.

I will relate my struggles and propose a solution that I should have acted on, but unfortunately did not.

1: Spending too much time in secular relationships

I had two groups of secular friendships then: my relationship with friends from Polytechnic and my relationship with my NS team.

Poly friends: I met with a group of worldly friends with whom I lacked the discipline to distance myself. We stayed near one another and spent a lot of time together. Naturally, we were very close for a long time, and it was so throughout my NS days.

NS Team: In NS, I was assigned to a ground team with a shift schedule of “1 / 2 / off / off”. “1” represents a day shift, “2” a night shift, and each shift averaged 14 hours. Additionally, I had mandatory monthly training sessions and occasional team bonding activities during off days. All in all, I spent 70-80% of my waking hours with my ground team, and the remaining time with my secular friends from Polytechnic. 

In most circumstances, a person will naturally be more attuned to and aligned with whom they spend most time. I spent a great deal of time in the company of these two groups. With my weak and immature faith, it was of a little surprise that this was a period of spiritual lethargy for me.

2: Shift Work

The shift work schedule compounded my struggles, as it meant that I could only attend Sunday worship twice a month. The first opportunity of the month to attend Sunday worship fell on my first day off, and the second opportunity fell on my second day off. My first day off was directly after a night shift, which ended about 8-9am on Sunday. So, I often missed the worship service to recuperate after the night shift.

As such, I only attended Sunday worship service once a month. I did not have the discipline to go for fellowship meetings held on Saturdays. Although I was in church once a month, the faithful preaching from Pastor often pierced my heart, leaving me determined to repent and walk aright. However, due to the sheer amount of time I spent in secular relationships, I frequently fell back into spiritual lethargy.

Solution for 1 & 2: Breaking off secular relationships alone is not sufficient, for the temptation to resume your relationship with them is difficult to overcome. One has to replace secular relationships with Christian relationships. I have noticed that even the warmest of secular friendships crumble when the ebbs and flows of life take us to divergent paths. I had foolishly invested much time and effort into these secular relationships, which ultimately proved fruitless in a few years. 

Christians should invest their time and effort in God-honouring relationships that will never fade, so as to encourage, exhort and edify one another, for these efforts will bear eternal fruit. This is not to say secular relationships are to be avoided entirely, but a Christian’s first and foremost interaction should be within the body of Christ. May Christians prioritise relationships of eternal value, compared to secular relationships which are like a transient and fleeting shadow. Furthermore, replace bad habits with good habits. Discipline oneself to attend fellowship meetings and worship services, and find opportunities to serve the Lord. Service is not only a time of rededication, it also inculcates a sense of responsibility so that slothfulness can be replaced with service to God.

3: Not establishing my Christian identity

Whenever one is spiritually lethargic, there will be compromise in one’s spiritual walk, and sin will definitely abound. I recount a personal struggle I experienced during my NS: NS men were to write log sheets, to account for what we did during that shift. However, on the log sheet, it would be written that we were patrolling a certain location at a certain time, but we were actually resting. Despite my heart feeling grief from the false logging, I too struggled with the desire to sleep in the wee hours of the night instead of doing the duty, thus I did not voice my opinion on the matter.

Solution: Establish your Christian identity at the very beginning. I should have talked to my leader to make known my feeling towards lying on the log sheet, and work out a solution with him. As 1 Cor 10:13 says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I actually recalled a solution that the Lord had placed in view of this situation. I had a second in-charge leader who was strict, and had a ‘by-the-book’ working ethic. I had the opportunity to experience it because occasionally I was partnered with him. Even though I was thoroughly exhausted by the end of every shift with him, the log sheet was true. I believe if I had talked to my leader about it, I could have been permanently attached to my second in-charge.

Young men who are about to enter NS should establish their Christian identity firmly, and as quickly as possible. Bring your Bible to your camp and read it in your bunk, make known to your camp-mates that you are a Christian. When you feel tempted to sin or are about to sin, the presence and observation of your NS mates who know that you are a Christian, will remind you of your responsibility to maintain a God-honouring testimony, so that the name of Christ will not be shamed.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful” (Psalm 1:1).

“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).

Here are the testimonies of brethren in the ministries, who join Pastoral Biblical Studies held on Mondays as part of Gethsemane Bible Institute (Online). This is a 2-hour study on theology and various relevant topics provided for pastors and preachers from around the world. Last week, we published some of the testimonies received. Today, we print the remaining testimonies of PBS participants below.

Pastor Sujith Samuel

I am thankful for the opportunity to study God’s Word as part of Pastoral Biblical Studies under GBI. Unlike traditional courses, there is much time for discussion and clearing of doubts. This allows me to clarify doubts on doctrines and interpretation of verses in Scripture. In addition to the learning, it’s also an opportunity to meet pastors, missionaries, and preachers serving the Lord in different countries. The experiences and difficulties they share occasionally in classes also encourage me. This helps us also to pray for them meaningfully. I am encouraging all graduates of GBI in Vizag, who are in the ministry, to join this course. I pray that more students will join and be blessed by the teaching provided. Thank God for enabling Pastor Koshy to set apart this time in his busy schedule. May the Lord continue to strengthen him as he prepares to teach in the upcoming semesters in GBI and FEBC. Thank God also for the help of Pr Samson, Dn Norefel, Bro Andronicus, Bro Yeh Wen, and others for their help in administrative and technical matters of live online courses offered in GBI.

Pr Anand Taneti

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Pastor Prabhudas Koshy and Gethsemane Bible Institute for conducting such an enriching Biblical class. It has truly been a privilege to sit under the teaching of someone who has been drinking deeply from the treasures of God’s Word for years. 

Pastor Koshy brought the Bible alive to me through his practical, life-transforming applications. His pastoral wisdom is clearly shown forth in his teaching and in the way he interacts with his students in the class. He is not just concerned about our doctrine, but also about our practice. He sets a good example of what it means to be a true man of God, and indeed, we are very happy to have him as our beloved teacher. 

The class on Covenants was like a new revelation to me. I learnt how the covenants in the Bible, such as the Adamic, Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, Davidic and New Covenants, reflect God’s unchanging faithfulness and His unfolding plan of redemption for His people. It clarified how each covenant reveals a deeper understanding of God’s relationship with His people and His ultimate promise of salvation through Christ. 

The recent studies on Eschatology and last semester’s lessons on Tribulation were equally profound. They illuminated me concerning the trials and judgments that will precede Christ’s return to this earth, as described in Scripture. I was struck by God’s assurance of His sovereignty even in the midst of such intense suffering, and the hope He offers to His faithful believers who endure until the end. 

These classes have not only deepened my understanding of the Scriptures, but also encouraged me to reflect on God’s eternal promises, that I may remain steadfast in faith. Thank you once again for these amazing teachings, which have truly transformed my spiritual journey. May God continue to bless this ministry abundantly.

Pr Bujji Babu

I sincerely thank Gethsemane Bible Institute and Pastor Koshy for hosting such an inspiring Biblical study for those in the ministry. I count it a special joy and absolute honour to learn God’s Word under Pastor Koshy, who has been deeply soaking up the riches of God’s Word for years.

Pastor Koshy has given me pastoral wisdom in the practical application of the Bible. This is evident in his teachings and interactions with students, setting an example of being a true man of God. Whenever I attended the classes, I learned many new things that I did not know, making me happy. The teachings that I received were inspirational to me. He is an excellent teacher of God’s Word. I count it a blessing from God to have the opportunity to study His word through the PBS course of GBI.

One enlightening subject that I have learned from PBS is on Biblical Covenants (Covenant of Works, Covenant of Grace and Redemption), which run through God’s covenants with Adam, Noah, Abraham, Mosaic, David, as well as the New Covenant. These covenants in the Bible reflect God’s faithfulness concerning His redemption plan for and His relationship with His chosen people. It gave me clarity that all the covenants are centred on Christ’s salvation. In the past, I misunderstood that the Old Testament covenants had no connection to the New Covenant. But through PBS, I learnt there is a connection between the New Covenant and all of the Old Testament Covenants, even Christ. All the Old Testament Covenants are fulfilled in the New Covenant, for they look forward to the Messiah of the New Covenant.

Last year, I learned Eschatology, the Biblical doctrine of “Last Things”. The lesson on the Rapture and Tribulation provided profound insight. The trials and judgments of God in the Tribulation emphasise how God exercises His rule over His Creation and uses them as tools of His judgment upon this wicked world. Amidst all those calamities and chaos, God will still redeem His people, even the nation of Israel, and secure them for His eternal kingdom. 

The classes have significantly enhanced my understanding of the Scriptures, and encouraged me to reflect on God’s promises that pertain to the ministry’s blessings.

Pr Abhishek Raju

Studying the courses offered through Pastoral Biblical Studies of GBI has helped me to gain a thorough understanding of the topics taught. This enables men to teach God’s Word more clearly.

First, through this course, I learned how important it is to always strive to live a righteous life like Christ, so that I will be a genuine pastor who leads people in God’s way. The lessons taught in this course pointed out my errors, and corrected me with Scriptural wisdom and truth.

This course also showed me how to teach God’s people biblically, and how to strengthen them with Scriptural passages in their critical situations. I also learned how to lead them on the right path with Scriptural proofs. Through this course, I benefited a lot, and God willing, I will be a faithful pastor in His church. Truly, I must lead a biblical life to be an example to my church members. 

I really thank God for the doctrines and practical lessons I received. They are great gifts from God in my life. I am sure that through studying His Word in GBI’s PBS, God is preparing me for His service.

Pr D Shyam Kishore Babu

Praise God for the opportunity to learn and grow through PBS. I am grateful for the knowledge and wisdom I gained during my theological studies at GBI, Vizag. By His grace, I have recently completed my studies and entered the church ministry. I look forward to serving Him and His people, trusting He will continue to guide me in this journey.

I am especially grateful for the opportunity to study Eschatology, focusing on the Book of Revelation, under the guidance of Pastor Prabhudas Koshy. Through his teachings, I have gained invaluable insights and a deeper understanding of Scripture’s profound eschatological truths. His wisdom and clarity have greatly enriched my spiritual life; hence, I am thankful for all I have learned from him.

In addition to his insightful teaching, Pastor Koshy has set a wonderful example through his own life and ministry. He has not only imparted deep biblical understanding, but also shown me how to apply these truths effectively in practical life and ministry. His guidance has shaped my approach to serving God and His people.

I look forward to discovering even greater truths from the Bible, guided by the Holy Spirit through the teaching received in PBS. Thank God for Pastor Koshy’s tireless dedication to teaching us and helping to shape our lives and ministry.

Pastor Klepa Awale

Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for Pastor Koshy’s dedication and passion for teaching Pastoral Biblical Studies. These classes have been a great blessing to me personally and ministerially. The study of Eschatology, in particular, has been life-changing. For years, I longed to study this subject deeply, especially as my “Pre-Tribulation Rapture” view often seemed out of place among the more common Amillennial perspectives prevalent within the Reformed Faith, until I attended the PBS class last year. The teaching, filled with Scriptural and pastoral wisdom, has brought clarity and strengthened my understanding in ways I never imagined. Praise the LORD!