From the Pastor's Heart

by Pastor John Khng

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." - Hebrews 7:25

(An annual report for the year ending 1998)

The year 1998 was a tough year for many of us and also for our church. We have just settled down in our new premises, and were looking to the Lord for His direction on how to build up the ministry. Praise the Lord that slowly but surely the work has taken root and shape. The theme, “Christ, Our Lord” was most appropriate for our church in her infancy year.

The preaching of our specially invited guest preachers from other fundamental local churches refreshed many of us. We had several preachers/missionaries who took turns to preach on the 4th Sunday of each month at our morning service. Another blessing is that we enjoyed sweet Christian fellowship with these like-minded servants of God.

The “Hongbao for Missions” totalled S$1,004 was given to Rev. Shadrach M. Nguli who had planted a new church in Kenya, his home country. Praise the lord that our church was used of God to help take care of the financial difficulties faced by our brother-in-Christ. 

The Bible commands us to go and evangelise the lost (Mt. 28:18-20). With this in mind, we started monthly soul-winning, giving out tracts and witnessing to people near the Aljunied MRT Station. Our first soul-winning on 5th April, saw 15 of us (10 adults and 5 children) giving out tracts and handbills, but the number has fallen since then. Where are the sowers of the gospel? “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few” (Mt. 9:37).

For those who went to church camp at AWANA, Genting Highlands, KL in June, the trip was really a great blessing. We enjoyed the time sepnt together worshipping, praying, discussing, fellowshipping, playing balls, cycling, swimming, horse riding, going up to the mountains on cable cars, taking rides in the outdoor theme park, roaming around or simply relaxing in the cool weather surrounded by God’s nature. We hope more of our church folks can join us for the next camp. 

Missions offering of S$493.20 was raised for Dr. Reynolds and Rev. Mike Red-dick to make a preaching cum teaching trip to minister to 2 Burmese nationals in Myanmar from 18th Sep to 2nd Oct. They reported that Christians there were strengthened in the faith and doctrine and souls were saved. Some even left their Charismatic churches after knowing Biblical truths that tongues have ceased.

Almost the whole church turned for up Church Family Fellowship held at Patrick and Boon Boon’s house on 19th Oct. There were several visitors as well. The screening of the video on the ministry of Rev. & Mrs David Utter in the Marshall Islands was an eye opener to us about the mission work they were doing for the Lord. They have painstakingly and patiently translated the Bible in the Marshallese language and produced gospel tracts and Bible Study courses also in Marshallese. The people of the islands are among the hardest to reach for Christ because of their deeply ingrained misconception about the way of salvation. It was even more inspirational to know that Rev. Utter was my former Greek teacher at Bob Jones University. The Utters’ selfless service for Christ is a great example for us in this modern self-centered society. I preached on “Discovering the Value of Man’s soul” and the f ocus was to challenge both the unsaved and the saved to seriously consider the preciousness of salvation. Patrick’s children, known as “The Wonder Kids” treated us to a thrilling and entertaining acrobatic performance, which left many of us amazed by their feats and professionalism.

We participated again in the sending of used clothing and toys for the orphanages in Cambodia. For Christmas, we sent two “care packages”, one to Rev. Victor Ho in Hong Kong and the other to Rev. Tang in the Philippines. We also sent $600 to Rev. David Utter for his ministry in the Marshall Islands under our faith promised program. The spirit of giving was very evident in our church, for which we are very thankful to God. The Christmas pot-luck lunch was a great success. Many of us felt that the ladies in our church cooked better than the professional caterers! There were varieties of foods to pamper the culinary taste buds, as all of them were so delicious. 

For the past few years, we managed to book a bungalow for our annual watch-night service, but this year we did not succeed the balloting, so we held the service at our church premises instead. We started the gathering with a potluck dinner, which again was an enjoyable treat as there were many different types of good food brought by those who came. Two videos were screened- “The Pilgrim’s Progress” and “Climbing a High Mountain”. The messages on a Christian living and forgiveness were clearly and powerfully conveyed by the two videos respectively. We ended the meeting with praise for the Lord’s blessing in 1998 and prayer for the new year ahead. 

As we enter into the last year before the new millennium, our church theme is “Christ, Our Intercessor” based on Hebrews 7:25. We see the need to turn our eyes heavenward, looking to the Lord Jesus Christ, for His Help, and also having the confidence that He prays for us as well. Indeed, our assurance of salvation depends not on our own effort, but on Christ, our great High priest, Who is able to save us completely to the end.

(Christ Our Intercessor, Church Anniversary Magazine 5)