READY On our Way Home
OUR VISION To be the Bride of Christ ready at His return OUR MISSION We spur one another to grow as disciples of Christ living out fully God’s purposes for our lives OUR CORE FAITH VALUES Rooted in the Living Word Empowered by the Holy Spirit Abiding in Christ only Daring to Hope and to Love Yielding Fruit to God’s Glory
Editor Jimmy Tan Editorial Team Diana Chin, May Wong, Lim Seow Cheng Design and Layout Abigail Ng Printer Gan Offset Services Cover Photo Deborah Quek
Views expressed in published articles are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Team or the Church Council. Your contributions to READY are welcome and should be submitted to editor@bfec.org.sg. The Editor reserves the right to accept, reject or edit any articles submitted for publication. We make no claim of ownership over any images, trademarks, designs, logos, campaigns and other copyrighted materials not originally created by us. They are shown on this publication under the doctrine of fair use and belong to the entities that own them. Photo by Deborah Quek
CONTENTS
Foreword
1
Questions and Answers In Good Company
3
The Right Questions
4
Trusting His Hand, Following His Pace
5
Believing What He Says
6
Bringing Others Along Sharing Hope Over A Meal
21
Home Truly
22
Our Special Need for Jesus
24
Trembling As We Go, Rejoicing As We Return
25
Coming Home
27
Why Am I Even Surprised?
29 31
36
Building One Another Up Observations From The Inside
8
Sowing Lifelong Habits
11
Shining A Light 咏颂来到常青、来到耶稣跟前
From Whom You Learned It
14
Blessings Along the Way
Of Stranger Danger, Dr. Squawk and Willing Hearts
15
Speaking A New Tongue
17
Praise Strings
18
BFEC in 2018
Photo by Abigail Ng
ON MY WAY HOME As I get into my car tonight, I’m focused on taking the fastest way home. My wife, Monika, says the menu is baked fish so she’s hoping I’m home when it’s ready. I wish the same too. Not to worry, Google Maps will help me navigate. If there’s an accident up ahead, it’ll alert me to another route. Technology has made me feel omniscient.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28,29) Inspired by this verse, our 60th year, which we commemorated last year, was themed, ‘Come Home to Jesus’. In these reflections, timed to coincide with BFEC’s 45th AGM, you will read that our journey Home appears to have three signposts: On more than one occasion, we might grapple with deeply frustrating questions. Then for the most part, we soldier on, some impacting others as we do. And then, some of us will even leave the beaten track just to reach another. For the journey Home is too compelling not to share.
Yet the journey from here to our Home isn’t lived out with Google-like foresight (or, even ‘perfect’ hindsight), no matter how we wish for it. We are promised, though, that we have a Driver with us. It sounds derogatory to treat God as such but the truth is we don’t even need to be at the wheel! Though we fret when we aren’t privy to more specific road directions, the Driver already knows how to bring us where we are supposed to go, that is, if we don’t give up, or dismiss the Driver to take over the wheel, or worse, bail out altogether.
Tonight, my drive home took 15 minutes longer than usual, despite Google Maps. There was a car breakdown on the stretch and no alternative route was possible. But I still made it to a warm and delicious dinner. Most importantly, I made it home.
Looking back at my own life, the best of plans didn’t go according to my map. The scholarship that slipped away. That relationship that refused to mend. That premature goodbye. Isn’t it easy to forget He is still in control, that better days will come precisely because I let Him take the wheel? Jesus left no doubt who knew the way better, who knew how to pace.
Jimmy Tan Editor
1
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
IN GOOD COMPANY
by Andrea Raeburn
I wanted to call this faith my own. It was towards the end of this season of my life in 2015 that the Lord spoke to me clearly enough that it was time to proclaim my faith in Jesus Christ through the waters of baptism.
Being one of those who had been “born into” the BFEC family, my earliest recollections about anything to do with God, Christianity and church are of unquestioning Sunday mornings. First, it was Kindergarten Sunday School (KSS). Then, Junior Sunday School (JSS). With many others before and with me, I was singing along to songs and hearing fascinating stories from the Bible. Who can forget Bible stories set amidst colourful illustrations?
Now in my early twenties, I find myself increasingly challenged to apply what I know and believe about God to the critical local and global issues of the day that call out for clear positions untainted by hypocrisy. Not easy.
Then there were the Wednesday nights when I joined my parents at Uncle Laurie and Aunty Swee Keow’s place, mingling with other aunties and uncles in that large cell group. It did not strike me then but these regular interactions and early Sunday School lessons helped lay a strong foundation for my Christian faith.
A short stint in a part-time job and two years of university education to date have put me in contact with a diverse group of people who hold more diverse beliefs and worldviews than I’ve ever encountered. I find myself asking how I can and should best represent Christ as His ambassador. As I continue to navigate this faith journey, I am hopeful for His guidance from His word - be it through the weekly sermons, my own devotions or my community of fellow sojourners in my regular Young Adults (YA) cell group. I expect these will help fan the sometimes flickering flame of my childlike faith and also enable me to withstand the headwinds from an increasingly complex world.
My seven years in Senior Sunday School (SSS), today’s Grow@Noon, were a time of further discovery. “What does it really mean to be a Christian - to believe, to be saved and to share a personal relationship with God?” Trying to make sense of changes within me and with endless questions from my inquisitive mind - all while struggling to cope and fit in at school - I was prompted to find out more, no, to really dig deeper.
Andrea
Andrea with family
3
THE RIGHT QUESTIONS
by Edward Tan
“Ah Boys To Men”. Every Singaporean son faces the arbitrary line drawn by society on his “coming of age”. Society’s fear of entropy causes a penchant for the segmenting of much of our daily lives, the timeline of maturity included. Yet, I stepped out of full-time National Service still unsure of my calling. I left National Service almost the same boy I was enlisting into BMT. “Ah Boys To Men” - if only life was as simple, and maturing only a matter of milestones and checklists. I went into Young Adults ministry (YA) trying to find out what constitutes “adulthood”. I hoped to quantify spiritual maturity the same way “Ah Boys To Men” delineates manhood. One year into YA, I have discovered that spiritual adulthood is not about completing a checklist nor defining a milestone. At 20 years of age, I am still struggling to decipher and appreciate the true meaning of spiritual adulthood. But this I know: that the first step to spiritual maturity is to simply figure out that you don’t have everything figured out. The gateway to adulthood is to first recognise where we are inadequate. YA provided a safe space for me to figure out that I did not have everything figured out. Growing up in a Christian family, I have always taken a life driven and guided by Christianity for granted, sometimes even with conscious ignorance. YA allowed me to challenge and re-evaluate: What do I believe? Why do I believe? What is my worldview? What are the foundations of my life? Who do I want to be?
But this I know: that the first step to spiritual maturity is to simply figure out that you don’t have everything figured out.
I may not have found the answers but I’ve realised that before the answers define me, the questions do.
4
TRUSTING HIS HAND, FOLLOWING HIS PACE
by Tatum Cheah
Tatum at G@N camp 2018
I left BFEC around six years ago and finally came back last year. My life did not miraculously change for the better when I returned nor was I instantly transformed and renewed. Rather, the past year has been one of struggle and growth as I learned to come to terms with many things. There wasn’t an exact moment when I experienced a drastic “change”; instead God has gradually changed my perspective over the past year.
I have come to accept that downfalls and struggles can be blessings in disguise and everything I go through is part of God’s plan. When I encounter difficulties now, I will try to accept that God knows what’s best for me! Trusting that everything happens for a reason and in God’s time has made me turn to Him whenever I have a struggle. This has been a huge growth area for me. Luke 22:42 says, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Jesus was about to face the pain and agony of crucifixion when he said this. Despite this, he stayed faithful and submitted to God. We are often caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life but when something doesn’t go our way, we need to take a step back and turn to God in trust and surrender to His will. Knowing God has me in His plan never fails to comfort me.
A precious insight I’ve gained is that everyone walks with God at their own pace. Our relationship with God is a personal journey; we grow at different paces and it is pointless to compare your progress with another. I remember how I used to look at others and wish I could be as close to God as they were. Or I would regret not returning to church sooner or wish I hadn’t left in the first place. I now realise it is futile to compare or dwell on the past. I should focus on what I can do from now on instead. My walk with God is my own and He is patient. I may be slower than some and faster than others, but it’s completely okay either way! More important is that I learn as I go.
My walk with God isn’t perfect but learning to embrace whatever comes has given me peace and deepened my faith. I don’t know what the future holds but I’m certain God will lead me to places I can’t imagine and wonders I’ve never seen.
I’m also learning the importance of surrender and submission to God. It’s definitely easier said than done but accepting that God is sovereign and always has a plan, gives me peace and security. Before, whenever I faced struggles, I would get frustrated and disappointed and attempt to figure it out alone and get worked up when things didn’t go my way.
I pray all of us will grow in faith and knowledge of God in 2019, living by faith and not by sight (2 Cor 5:7). Turn to Him and trust Him in every situation because His grace and unconditional love is, truly, always more than enough for us.
5
BELIEVING WHAT HE SAYS
by Rachel Cheong
God blessed me in many ways in 2018, and I can never thank Him enough for guiding me through one of my toughest years. Every year, I take part in multiple track and field competitions, and honestly, I never enjoy competing as I always pressure myself to do well. I am a person who is extremely afraid of failure. I trained really hard for the competition season but was always discouraged by my results. Although I did not achieve good results last year, He blessed me with something better - His comfort and the knowledge that my weakness was that I equated good results with happiness. I was running for the wrong purpose. Of course I am still weak and quite frequently struggle with this weakness of mine, so maybe you can pray for me too! I learnt a lot from the December Grow@Noon camp too! I was expecting a lot of fun and games at camp. However, despite not playing a lot of games during camp, I enjoyed myself thoroughly and learnt a lot. Before the camp, we were asked to write a letter to God to tell him what we wanted to achieve at camp and to ask Him to guide us through the camp. I briefly mentioned that I did not want to be so short-tempered and would want to change this bad habit but I forgot all about it during the camp. It was only towards the end of the camp, when I re-read the letter, that I realised that God had indeed made me more aware of this sin during the camp. I found I could catch myself being easily annoyed at certain things. As I became aware, I realised I was behaving badly and that I should and can change, although it is an ongoing struggle.
Rachel (left) with her older sister Grace
I was always full of myself, and thought I knew a lot, but at camp, I realised how much more I had to learn. It does not feel good to be confronted but I was glad it happened, because it made me realise I was weak in so many ways and how I must apply God’s Word in my life and truly believe and want it to transform me.
Rachel with her group at G@N camp 2018
Is there an area in your life you want to trust Him for too? 6
BUILDING ONE ANOTHER UP
OBSERVATIONS FROM THE INSIDE
BFEC’s 60th Anniversary Celebrations by Sharon Ngoo
I was part of the team that organised the four events that formed our 60th Anniversary Celebrations in July 2018. It was a privilege and joy because I learnt that:
Our Church Is Made Up of Real People (Event: My Story, My Song) This was a snapshot of real church life. There were stories of real brokenness and struggle (often hidden behind cordial church interactions) and also stories of the reality of God - His presence and transformation of the everyday and real love from brothers and sisters in Christ. This is what we should be - real.
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We are strongest when we lean on Jesus (Event: Solemn Assembly) Young ones prayed with older ones, people prayed with strangers and all hearts were united in looking outward and upward - worshipping Jesus, the only one who saves. This is our strength, our source of hope - Christ alone.
Our Church Knows How to Love (Event: Anniversary Thanksgiving Service & Lunch) I saw it in the way people hugged those who had left BFEC, in the humble apology extended by our church leaders to those who had been hurt in the past, in the hands that served quietly and humbly. This is how they will know we belong to Christ - by our love.
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Our Church Has a Wider Role (Event: National Day Celebrations) That Sunday, there were Community leaders seated in our pews, hands lifted along with ours as we prayed for our nation’s leaders. It was a reminder that we exist to be a light and blessing to those around us - that God’s love shines through our engagement with the world. This is our witness.
Dear BFEC - Let’s press on in being real with one another, fully dependent on Him, loving one another and the world around us. 10
SOWING LIFELONG HABITS
by Elder Caleb Chua
Our church has articulated the importance of discipleship for many years. Our Church Mission says it clearly: “We spur one another to grow as disciples of Christ living out fully God’s purposes for our lives.”
The distinctive of the EFM group, as compared to a typical cell group, is its more intentional and purposeful approach towards equipping and mentoring brothers and sisters in Christ. The goal is that each comes away with a foundational understanding of their faith in God, be challenged to live a Christ-Centred life and equipped with personal and group ministry skills to not only be a disciple but also a disciple maker.
There is no magic in the word ‘discipleship’. Every Christian should be a disciple of Christ. A disciple is simply a follower of Christ, someone who is a pupil, a learner. In this case, every Christian needs to learn from his master teacher, Jesus Christ. A disciple’s relationship with the Master is not static; we are told to abide in Christ that we might bear much fruit and in the last commission of our Lord in Matthew 20:19, He tells us to go and make other disciples, teaching them to observe all that He has commanded us.
The commitment for anyone who signs up is to meet weekly and regularly for a year. The programme is designed as a small group engagement session anchored on the 2:7 series from The Navigators, which is a foundational and proven curriculum. The 2:7 series is based on Paul’s admonition in Colossians 2:7, “Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.”
Jesus has called us to follow Him (Matt 4:19; Lk 9:23), walk in Him (Gal 2:20; Gal 5:16; Col 2:6), discipline ourselves for the purpose of godliness (1 Tim 4:7), grow to maturity in Christ (Heb 6:1; Phil 3:14) and to be complete in Him (Col 1:28).
The curriculum is comprehensive and one study builds on the other. The first of three 13-week studies is entitled ‘Growing Strong in God’s Family’. It focuses on how one cultivates a daily devotional life that is meaningful, enjoyable and valuable. Book #1 also deals with foundational truths about God, the person and work of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Participants learn to internalize God’s word through memorising scriptures and maintaining a daily reading of God’s Word.
So the motivation behind setting up Equipping for Ministry (EFM) was just that – to make disciples of Christ who will go and bear fruit and admonish and teach every man so that we may present every man complete in Christ (Col 1:28).
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Book #2, ‘Deepening Your Roots in God’s Family’, focuses on maturing in Christ and covers the areas of spiritual warfare, faith, knowing God’s will and walking as a servant. Practical skills include learning to engage in relational evangelism, learning how to share one’s personal testimony and spending an extended time with God in prayer.
There are additional skills taught to help the individual grow and mature in Christ and these include: How to understand and apply the Word of God, how to engage in the sacred reading of Scriptures, how to minister to those in need and pray for healing and deliverance, and how to effectively lead small groups.
The final Book #3, ‘Bearing Fruit in God’s Family’, focuses on the development of one’s character and explores the call to fruitful living, love in action, purity in life, integrity in living and how suffering moulds our Christian character and fruitfulness.
Those who have gone through the series see the value in the basic spiritual discipline of reading God’s word daily. We come together to share our readings each time we meet.
The goal is that each comes away with a foundational understanding of their faith in God, be challenged to live a Christ-Centred life and equipped with personal and group ministry skills to not only be a disciple but also a disciple maker. 12
Jacqueline Chua and her husband Ivan are the two youngest members in the group. Jacqueline has this to share: “When Elder Soon Boon approached my husband and I to join the EFM programme, we were initially hesitant as it was a oneyear commitment. We prayed about it and were convicted to join, realising that this meant 1 year of Sunday EFM classes and that there was no quitting the program. There are no regrets as the EFM course has benefited me tremendously and led me to take a more serious view of my walk with God. Over the course of the year, we committed ourselves to memorising Bible verses, which really proved useful especially when facing difficult situations and when we had to comfort the sick or encourage our friends with God’s promises. EFM also trained me to be more disciplined in my daily Bible reading. I really want to thank the facilitators for pressing on over the past year to lead us in the EFM series.” Cheok Cheng Jan was personally helped by the EFM programme: “The EFM programme provided me with the basic foundation of better knowing God through the three series studies. As a believer for over 30 years, I truly benefited from the very disciplined and structured manner of how the materials were shared with us regularly every week. The one year I spent in the EFM group was the best gift and investment in my Christian growth. My personal commitment is to continue to persevere and walk with anyone who seeks to go through this one-year commitment.” Participants graduate with a certificate and are encouraged to be a disciple maker and be involved in a ministry of teaching and equipping others to become disciples of Christ. Dillon Koh, another who has completed the programme, has this to share: “The EFM programme helped me strengthen and grow in my foundations for Christian Living. It was held over a period of about a year, carried out at a comfortable pace. EFM provided me with key verses to hold on to during the different seasons of my life and has also helped reinforce my “quiet time”. In addition, the sessions prompted us to study scripture in a more analytical way. The facilitators highlighted the key points of each lesson, giving us something useful to take home from each session. I am thankful for having been able to go through the course and would encourage others to join the new sessions.” In 2019 we are running the second round of this programme. We hope to continue using EFM to intentionally disciple others and, by God’s grace, contribute, along with other BFEC initiatives, to build a culture of discipleship and disciple-making in our church. Jesus has given us His authority and assurance that He will be with us as we embark on this exciting journey. Let us respond.
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FROM WHOM YOU LEARNED IT
by K. Soontheri
KSS Parents’ Focus Group
Timothy is one of the first 2nd generation Christians in the Bible. Did you know he became a Christian not because an evangelist preached to him but because his mother and grandmother taught him the Holy Scriptures when he was a child? 2 Timothy 3:14,15 reminds us that the parents’ role is vital. At home and church, it is both a privilege and responsibility to teach little children and lead them to Christ. So the teachers and helpers at the Kindergarten Sunday School try our best to complement what parents do at home.
Teachers too have been blessed spiritually as they guide their young charges; they’ve developed creativity and confidence in their teaching. Children too have grown in obedience and maturity, becoming more disciplined and attentive during Sunday school. We look forward to transitioning the ministry of teaching to the younger teachers. I have served in KSS for more than 36 years. It is a privilege and honour to mentor the new KSS Superintendent, Jeodi Chua. She is young and talented. She has the will and determination to learn fast and aspires to be a servant leader in the KSS.
With this in mind, we mooted the idea of a quarterly Parents’ Focus Group session. This provides a platform for parents to raise any issues they may have and also gain insights about their children and the KSS.
Praise God too, that younger teachers and helpers joined the KSS last year. They inject more creativity in the weekly programmes and annual events and can be groomed for eventual leadership of the KSS. Many teachers are already approaching or in their silver years. We continue to serve because we are waiting for more young BFEC members to step up to the plate.
A number of parents have been touched by these meetings. Though they may take time to open up to the teachers, some do confide their parenting struggles during these sessions. We encourage more parents to attend these sessions as well as suggest topics for discussion. We are, after all, partners in discipling the young.
We only have a limited window to influence our young ones for Christ. Will you seize it? 14
OF STRANGER DANGER, DR. SQUAWK AND WILLING HEARTS
by Wong Lee Pin, Principal, Bethesda (Katong) Kindergarten
How does our Bethesda (Katong) Kindergarten (BKK) create a conducive and stimulating learning environment for our children, year after year? Here are highlights of the many learning experiences both in and outside the classroom implemented in 2018. The friendly neighbourhood police officers visited BKK to educate our children about Stranger Danger. This effort helped the children to be alert about personal safety wherever they are. Pre-nursery and nursery children had an opportunity to be up close with the birds through the ‘Bird Park Flies to School’ programme. It was fascinating to join Dr Squawk as she explored the colourful world of birds. Children could observe and touch the bird specimens and a few even stood on an ostrich egg.
are working and toilets are not leaking. We were surprised when some children cheekily asked personal questions like, “Who is your girlfriend?”, ”What is your salary?”
Our creative Parent Support Group volunteers made a bucket system toilet from cardboard for our BKK children to visualise how the night soil collector collected human waste. Children also experienced how difficult it was to draw water from a well to wash clothes, cook and take a shower. Through these fun and eye-opening experiences, children learnt to appreciate our modern conveniences. We hope they will also learn to be thankful for what they have.
Other people the children have interacted with include Uncle John, our Tech & IT Manager, Aunty Angie and Ms Tan, the cooks and Aunty Pauline, our cleaner. So it is common to hear our children greet Aunty Pauline with “Thank You, Aunty Pauline for keeping the kindergarten clean”. We believe that besides learning to ask questions, the children have learnt to appreciate these common day heroes.
We have begun to teach the 5Ws and 1H question starters in class. Besides the teachers modelling and classroom practice given, children also had the opportunity to interact (and practise) with people working in their environment. For example, Uncle Ngoo, our Estate and Facilities Manager, introduced his ‘good helpers’ (like the screw driver, hammer and chain saw) to the children – tools to help him with simple repairs to ensure lights and fans
We also introduced English Readers into our Nursery curriculum last year. The structured lettersound phoneme awareness programme has seen our four-year olds begin to blend simple letter-sounds to read words and sentences. Most put in a lot of effort to read simple sentences found in the eight Readers. This group will continue to K1 where they will be exposed to more complex phonemes and words. 15
In order to cultivate a giving spirit in our children, we organise a yearly donation drive. The recipient in 2018 was Willing Hearts; a soup kitchen which prepares, cooks and distributes about 5,000 daily meals to over 40 locations island wide, 365 days a year. The teachers engaged the children earlier by sharing about generosity and drew on personal experiences of two Parent Support Group volunteers who have volunteered there with their children. We are proud that many children used their own pocket money to buy the canned food for the needy.
I believe that BKK parents’ co-operation to bring cake that is less sweet and excluding MSG-ladened snacks and sweets in goodie bags for the children scored bonus points for us! We thank God for giving us the wisdom to plan and execute all these activities. To God be the glory for all He has done!
We thank God for the Healthy Pre-school certification again. The two Health Promotion Board officers who came to audit BKK were very thorough, looking into our lesson plans for evidence of us promoting health in areas like nutrition, physical activity, mental well-being, myopia prevention and oral health. Our out-of-classroom events and activities were also examined, like our collaboration with Active SG for exercises and sports try-outs.
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SPEAKING A NEW TONGUE
Those who’ve tried to learn Chinese using romanised Mandarin will find Hanyu Pinyin an excellent tool for learning the language. What made learning Mandarin less daunting than the earlier romanised system was the relative ease with which to master the Pinyin chart, a standard chart for pronouncing standard Chinese syllables. And the second requirement was to get your four Chinese tones right, which was probably the most difficult task for many learning the language for the first time.
by Edwin Tan
It’s probably rare that you’ll find a Hanyu Pinyin class in any church in Singapore. So, how did it start? After I retired in May 2015, I found I had time to blend personal interests with opportunities for service.
When we started the class in 2016, some church members and friends were curious to find out more. A few soon dropped out when they couldn’t cope with the two requirements mentioned above. Others who could already knew how to speak and write Chinese found the lessons too basic for them, and also left the class.
Those of us in the “Merdeka” generation (those born in the 1950s) will probably remember the government Lembaga classes held in community centres in the 1970s and 80s. I first enrolled for Pinyin classes at Joo Chiat Community Centre in the late 1970s but after struggling for about three years to learn Pinyin, my ability to speak Mandarin was still basic.
My goal in learning Pinyin is simple. I hope to be able to communicate in simple Mandarin with stallholders at hawker centres and coffee shops, and with supermarket staff. Concurrently, I hope to be able to read the Chinese Bible in Pinyin with the correct intonation and, who knows, share the Gospel in Mandarin someday. For Chinese like myself who do not speak the language (it wasn’t compulsory in school then and many of us are Peranakan), this is no mean feat.
My Mandarin lessons took a back seat for more than 30 years until my retirement in May 2015. With the passage of time and the exponential growth of IT and internet, learning Mandarin had evolved from listening to cassette tapes to what it is now free and easily-accessible learning tools with audio, video and easy-to-learn Mandarin lessons in the comfort of your own home.
To date, we still have a core group of about 10 persons attending our fortnightly classes. We invite those who wish to learn Pinyin to attend a session to decide if it’s for them. We don’t levy any charge, free hardcopy handouts of the bible text in three versions (Chinese character, Pinyin and English) are given to each student, and the class is conducted in a serious, though relaxed atmosphere. Make your silver years more purposeful by studying the Bible in Pinyin with fellow believers (Hebrews 10:25).
But there are limits to doing it on your own. We started the Hanyu Pinyin class in Frankel nearly three years ago in June 2016, under the auspices of 9214 and Frankel Lights. It was held every Wed afternoon as we knew of many retirees who were eager to learn or improve their Chinese but didn’t know where to go. Our lao shi (teacher) is a retiree, Michael Tham, from Katong Presbyterian Church. We became friends through our church table tennis fellowship and he readily agreed to teach us since he was proficient in Mandarin. In Feb 2017, we started conducting the class twice a month.
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PRAISE STRINGS
by Francis Soh
“I will praise the name of God with song and magnify Him with thanksgiving.” (Psa 69:30) Nine years ago, a group of six not-so-young music lovers decided to learn to play a relatively new fourstringed instrument, the ukulele, after attending a BFEC talk by the late Elder of Yio Chu Kang Chapel, Wong Chai Kee. He was speaking on “Dementia and Alzheimer’s: A Personal Caregiving Journey”. Elder Wong was a clinical psychologist and had authored a book entitled “Even When She Forgot My Name: Love, Life and My Mother’s Alzheimer’s”. In his talk, he emphasized that one must put in effort to learn a new skill or do something new that involved our brain and hands and required coordination of all our faculties. This would reduce the chances of getting dementia. It is with this advice in mind that we decided to learn the ukulele though we had no music background. In the beginning, my aim was basically to benefit myself. But God, through His divine way, prompted me to teach others how to play. In 2014, a couple asked me for personal coaching. I agreed since it involved only two persons. Unexpectedly, the news spread and soon, more than 12 people asked to learn too. Faced with such unexpected enthusiasm, I quickly prepared the first set of training notes with accompanying powerpoint slides suited for a classroom teaching environment.
2015 Ukelele Finger Picking Class @ BFEC
Since then, more than 11 beginners’ classes have been conducted in BFEC and outside the church. About 220 people have attended the classes. Today, we have about 50 ukulele players regularly practising and serving in our midst. They are between 40 and 90 years old, with more than 70% above 60.
Ukulele Team in support of Chinese Evergreen Fellowship sessions
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2015 Visit to Kalvari Orphanage/Old Folks Homes @ Sutera
Ukulele Team performing @ Katong Square during 2018 Christmas
We named our group “UFC” (which stands for Ukulele For Christ, or Uke For Christ). Our group’s objectives are to: • Glorify God through music and praise songs • Use music as an outreach tool • Conduct regular beginners’ courses as an avenue for senior citizens (including pre-believers) to learn a new skill • Support mission trips and ministries • Bring joy and cheer at orphanages, old folks homes, nursing homes and to patients in hospitals. (Music is an excellent form of therapy and helps in patients’ recovery.) • Provide a platform for Christians to fellowship, motivate and encourage one another UFC has played at various events within and outside the church since 2012: 2012 2013-18 2014-15 2015 2016 2016 2016 2017 2017 2017 2018 2018 2018 2018 2017-18 2015-18
Bukit Merah National Library Anniversary Kalvari Orphanage/Old Folks Homes (JB) St Luke’s Eldercare Centre (Changkat) Christmas Nativity at Anglo-Chinese School Christmas Carnival at Siglap South CC National Day Celebration with the Community @ BFEC Christmas Joy & Blessing @ SGH Haematology Centre Lion’s Home (Bedok) Chinese New Year Celebration National Day Celebration with the Community @ BFEC Christmas Celebration at MWS Christalite Methodist Home Thye Hua Kwan Moral Home (Eunos) Chinese New Year Celebration St John Home Chinese New Year Celebration National Day Celebration, and various ministries @ BFEC Christmas Celebration @ Katong Square Chinese Evergreen Fellowship (Wednesdays, outings and special events) Supporting the China Bible Distribution Trips twice a year.
We thank God for the many open doors to serve and share through ukulele music and song. It is our goal to give Him glory in all we do. He alone is our reason to play and sing. “I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength for my work. I thank Him for considering me worthy and appointing me to serve Him.” (1 Tim 1:12) 19
BRINGING OTHERS ALONG
SHARING HOPE OVER A MEAL
by Ng Geok Chye
We came across a novel approach to sharing Christ.
We thank God for providing the speakers. The English talks were more than ably handled by Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon, Darius Lee, Jose Philip and Dr. Freddy Boey. The talks in Mandarin were given by Reverends Koh Hock Soon and Lim Kok Heng
We had heard that Bethesda Church (Bukit Arang) had tried it but it sounded more challenging to organize than Alpha. It would basically mean transforming our entire sanctuary to host dinner talks. “Would people turn up?”, “Is it right to use the main hall this way?”, “Who would be the speakers?” - these questions came to mind. Finally, we decided to launch Life’s Big Questions (LBQ) in faith. Over four Fridays and two Saturdays from 13 April to 5 May, 2018, the pews were removed and placed in temporary storage. The BFEC main hall was transformed into a huge dining-talk set-up, complete with table settings to facilitate hospitality, interaction and learning together over a meal. The committee decided on four pertinent ‘big questions’ for the English dinner sessions: “Why do bad things happen to good people?”, “Does faith contradict reason?”, “Is belief in God still relevant in this modern and fast-changing world?”, “Is there more to life than this?”. Two Saturday brunch sessions were conducted specifically for Mandarin-speaking relatives and friends. Co-helmed by our Chinese Ministry members, the topics were: “Where is God when it hurts?” and “Understanding Chinese customs and festive seasons”. They proved very popular.
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There were lively ‘Question & Answer’ segments for guests to interact with the speakers. Clearly a highlight, many guests scribbled or asked questions to the speakers addressed. We watched in awe as we could sense the Holy Spirit doing the real work. Praise God that more than 1,200 people came over the four weekends to think about questions linked to their destinies. This included 430 friends and relatives of Frankelites whom we shared a meal with and who got to hear the gospel. Equally encouraging was the involvement of many Frankelites - those who invited friends and participated, cell groups who supported in various ways and members who came forward to help. They served as emcees, in the prayer team, at the buffet table, in arranging tables and chairs, often the first to come and last to leave. I’m sure our Lord was pleased. As a follow-up to LBQ, we conducted the Alpha course in May (18, 25) and June (1, 8, 22, 30), 2018. Would you continue to pray that those who came to Life’s Big Questions will eventually find the Answer in Christ and respond in good time?
HOME TRULY
by Ethan Pang
Home is where I can be myself. It is where family members are loved are accepted. It is where we can feel safe. 2018 was the year my wife and I had planned to move house. In the midst of this, Kampong Siglap hummed in the background of my mind. And while I knew about BFEC’s involvement since its announcement in 2017, it remained just a thought as I had decided I did not have time to play any part. Before I learnt about Kampong Siglap Lifeskills Training and Retreat Centre (KS) and New Hope Community Services (NHCS), it scarcely crossed my mind that there were people homeless in Singapore. This little red dot is, after all, one of the wealthiest cities in the world with an advanced economy and world-class infrastructure. A visitor from South America once quipped, after hearing the price of cars in Singapore, that we were driving little houses on our roads. He was right. You need only compare the price of some luxury cars with that of a 5-room HDB flat. While cars and towering buildings are in plain sight, I began to realise that the poor are often hidden from our national narrative households living in rental flats or in transitional shelters. Yes, there are homeless individuals and families among us, and there are families living on less than $1,500 a month. The more I heard about the intent of KS and the work of NHCS, the more I felt God’s challenge, “What does it mean for me to be a Christian?” KS reminds me that it is one thing to receive
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the gospel, and quite another to be obedient to it. The gospel tells us Jesus redeemed us from death by paying our penalty on the cross. When we believe and receive Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we are justified before God. We are saved. But I have come to realise that is just half the story. What are we saved for? 1 Peter 2:24 says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.” It is clear from this and other passages that we have been saved for good works. And Jesus particularly highlighted this in the two commandments on this matter: Love the LORD your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, AND Love your neighbour as yourself (Matt 22:37-39).
Through the past months, I have seen that KS not only presents all at BFEC with new ministry opportunities, it will literally give us new neighbours. Beyond helping them, KS is God’s way of helping us. Through KS, God is pursuing every single one of us in BFEC to radically change us inside-out, to grow our faith and to help us confidently answer the question “What does it mean to be a Christian?” that His name will be glorified. And this might just give us a foretaste of what being home truly means.
I had to choose if I would be obedient to the full Gospel or continue to cherry-pick portions I liked or found convenient. If I call myself a Christian, I cannot love God without loving my neighbour. And so, I got involved with KS. It was and still is an effort juggling my schedule. I did not think it was possible but God, as always, provides according to His grace and purpose.
Beyond helping them, KS is God’s way of helping us.
The Kampong Siglap Management Committe From Left: Lim Bak Chim, Lau Miang Ngee, Jeremy Ong, Michael Lee, Ethan Pang, Ps Andrew Khoo
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OUR SPECIAL NEED FOR JESUS
by Fann Tay
I had put off writing this post for weeks because of demands from school, work, and family. With our next Jesus Club session only two days away, I would have preferred to prepare for it. What do I write about? I think this photo, taken at the January 2019 Chinese New Year celebration, is a good start. We had to arrange our folks in four rows. When we first started in July 2017, we had fewer than five persons with special needs. Definitely we have much to thank God for with this growth in attendance. It’s truly by His grace that we have Jesus Club@BFEC and it’s also because of Him that we’ve been sustained and can even grow. I think this also indicates that there is a “demand” for God and community amongst people with special needs. That’s why they keep coming. Whether or not we have special needs, everyone needs Jesus. I pause and look at the photo again. This is my community. It consists of people with and without special needs. Built on what I mentioned above about demand, one may be inclined to think it’s just those with special needs who need Jesus Club. But I’ve come to learn that I need Jesus Club too. It’s my friends, with and without special needs, who encourage and challenge me to keep the faith. They are the ones who keep beckoning me to come to Jesus. I’ve really been stretched in all areas this season. But I will show up for Jesus Club. I will keep coming to Jesus.
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TREMBLING AS WE GO, REJOICING AS WE RETURN
by Clarisse Chong
Grow@Noon’s mission trip to Hanamaki, Japan from 18 to 24 June, 2018 changed me in many ways. It taught me to love others as Jesus did and to be grateful in every situation. He showed me how spiritually and physically helpless I am, and that my only help comes from the Lord. Many in rural Japan have yet to hear about Jesus. Our desire was to bring the good news to them, so that they have the chance to personally know the one true God who deserves all praise and worship. This was my first mission trip. I felt excited but also terrified as I didn’t know what would happen. Nonetheless, I am glad I went because it enabled me to see for myself how God is doing a deep and great work in Hanamaki.
Clarisse (Left) with Erica and a Hanamaki missionary
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Each morning at 7:30, we would spend personal time with God, followed by team devotions. We wanted to begin our days right with Him and ask Him for strength and courage in all we were to do – be it distributing tracts or interacting with locals with our limited Japanese. Deuteronomy 7:21 says, “Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God.” I now know this to be true. While out tracting one day, I saw a lady tending to her garden. I was afraid to approach her because I feared rejection as I couldn’t speak Japanese well. As I thought of walking away, I felt someone push me gently from behind. I clearly felt God telling me not to be afraid and that He would help me. Plucking up courage, I went towards the lady, trusting the Lord would be by my side. Amazingly, the right words just flowed as I spoke to her. I thought she would not want a Christian tract but to my surprise, not only did she take it, she even read it immediately. What’s more, she thanked me with a huge smile! This incident showed me so clearly that Proverbs 3:5 is true - we ought to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding. Despite the distance between each home, we gave out over 5,000 tracts in three days and had the great privilege of seeing a man two towns away travel to Hanamaki to sign up for English classes with the church! Praise God!
The Christian life is not an easy walk. We will face obstacles and we will struggle with thoughts of giving up. However, if we choose to trust in the Lord unreservedly, we can experience His overwhelming peace and mercy. When it seems our life is falling apart, we can trust that God is eminently sovereign and in control. He will take our broken pieces and and He will make us whole.
Team members helping to fold and prepare the tracts
I felt humbled at the end of the trip when the long-term missionaries, together with our BFEC missionaries Daniel and Joylyn Lau and their children, shared how encouraged they were, seeing us young people taking the leap of faith to serve the Lord with all our hearts, our minds and strength. It’s been some months since we returned to Singapore. My life is nowhere near perfect but I realised a change in my attitude and perspective of my struggles. I went through a difficult period after coming back and almost lost trust in God. However, I remembered how the Lord met me in Hanamaki; the way He comforted me and gave me courage. I decided to keep praying and God slowly changed the way I viewed my situation. He helped me see that whatever happens in my life is part of His higher, wider and deeper purpose for me to learn to glorify Him. I have since become more hopeful and consistent in my quiet time with my Heavenly Father.
Door to door tracting
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COMING HOME
by Patrick Lee, Nancy Ng, Maggie Ong & Johnson Lee
When BFEC announced plans to celebrate her 60th anniversary, some of us thought we also ought to do something special. We had spent our growing up years in the 20th Boys’ Brigade and 12th Girls’ Brigade Companies and we were prompted to reconnect with alumni through a joint homecoming event. The objectives were to rekindle ties and reach out to those we’ve not met for some time. After a core planning team was formed, the church leadership gave their full support. The event was held on Saturday 29 September, 2018 in the church sanctuary. It was exciting to see how we could once again engage former members from the years of 1960s to 1990s even as we recalled our shared history. Invitations for the Homecoming Reunion were issued by word of mouth, through social media and 27
Brother Jeffrey Goh, our guest speaker, shared about God’s sovereign leading in his younger days through the 20th BB and how he had learned discipline and obedience. The presence of the Holy Spirit was evident. At the end of the event pockets of us had the opportunity to pray with one another over specific needs. Some were keen to pick up where they had left to renew ties with church again. “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:30-31 We thank God for guiding our BFEC founding fathers to start both the 20th BB (1963) and the 12th GB (1969) at BFEC. God used these two community outreach arms of the church to reach out to generations of young people - people who might otherwise not have been found in church or come to faith in Christ. Echoing the Brigades’ emphases to advance Christ’s kingdom and to seek, serve and follow Him, we continue to pray that God will preserve his sheep and raise tireless servant-leaders of these and future generations to serve Him in the Church and market place.
What’s App group chats. Slowly but surely, things gathered pace as the RSVPs came in. Some needed a little more persuasion. After all, it has been many years since anyone attempted to organize such a gathering, a recall of three decades worth of ex-BB and GB personnel. We committed every decision and detail to Him in prayer. Beyond mere celebration, we wanted this to be an opportunity to share His love. As it turned out, Father God provided and called each home. From manpower and crew to transform the sanctuary to fit 12 table settings to gifted alumni who executed various aspects of the three-hour programme in music, worship and song items. Prayers were led by former BB and GB members and Captains, and BFEC leaders. We were deeply encouraged that amongst the 120 who came, were dear brothers and sisters who returned for the occasion from Australia, Bangkok, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and the USA. It was truly a reunion celebrating God’s amazing love and faithfulness. Although many have not seen each other for years, it didn’t take long before the sanctuary was abuzz as we traded old memories, old jokes but new stories of how each of us were doing. We were heartened to hear how God has been watching over different ones of us through the years. 28
WHY AM I EVEN SURPRISED?
by a representative of the Street Evangelism Team
Street evangelism is shunned by some of us because we think we aren’t allowed to do this in ‘secular’ Singapore. Others amongst us think witnessing is reserved for the super saints or those who are really thick skinned. We justify ourselves saying we show Christ by our lives, so we don’t need to share Him with our lips. Deep down, I knew these were lies I have come to believe. But there was still an inertia. Out of sheer curiosity, I attended the first street evangelism session in church because I thought it was just a talk. Little did I realise it was actually a training session. I must admit it was very useful and enlightening. But I was still shocked when, at the end of the session, we were told we would go out the following month for street evangelism! I was not at all enthusiastic but I still went because the Holy Spirit gently prompted me, “Are you going to obey the Great Commission to go out of your comfort zone? Do you not trust me to help you as I had promised?” (Acts 1:8, Matt 28:18-20) I had only done door-to-door tracting in the 1970s, never street evangelism. Despite feeling inadequate and afraid, I trusted the Holy Spirit to give me courage. In fact, all of us who participated were anxious and fearful so we prayed and claimed God’s promises; that He would go before us and give us courage to approach people.
Evangelism training
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Our first foray was in August 2017 at a public square in Bedok. Since then, the team has gone for at least 14 such street evangelism sessions. Altogether 14 Frankelites have joined in at one time or another. We always went out in pairs. We have been “rejected” by countless people but we have also had the joy and privilege to lead some to Christ. I remember a PRC lady we met. She asked us many questions before finally praying with us to believe in Jesus. She said God must have led us to her because that morning, she had just been at the library reading about a Christian family bringing up children. Through a contact, we referred her to another church nearer to her home in Bukit Timah. God truly orchestrated our meeting. Another time, we approached a JC2 girl studying at a gathering point in Tampines and asked if we could share the Good News with her. She agreed, so we explained the ‘Steps to Peace with God’ with her. It is a simple tool to present the Gospel. When we finished, we asked if she would like to accept Jesus as her personal Saviour. She said, “Yes!” It was as easy as that! We were overjoyed. She now attends church with her friends and also said she will share the Gospel with her mum. From the time we started to do this monthly in July 2017 up till the end of 2018, do you know our team had witnessed to 153 people, out of which 12 made the personal decision to accept Christ? Along the way, we had also met 48 Christians whom we encouraged. Finally there were 153 we approached but who were disinterested. This last category of people we can only pray will one day turn to Him. I can’t say I have the gift of evangelism or that I know God’s word very well but I have resolved to continue to go in obedience and be surprised by my Lord. Then again, should I even be surprised?
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来到常青、来到耶稣跟前 SHINING A LIGHT by Kuah Leck Ping
今年过春节的同时，常青团契（简称“常青”）也 进入成立两周年了。想当初，一些年长者还闲聊别 的教会办的周日活动的情形-有唱歌、有运动、有 牧师讲道的、等等。他们还提问，“我们这里几时 才有自己的乐龄活动呢？”。没想到不久，常青就 成立了。
传统的约束，来安抚和平衡自己的心理。但是到了 常青这个年龄，已经形成的顽固、自私或自卑的性 格，我们有什么资格指教他们呢？ 一般乐龄活动中心或联络所办的乐龄活动偏向取 悦大家的兴趣，帮助乐龄人士“打发时间”。相反 的，常青筹委珍惜乐龄仅剩的年岁。大家都一致同 意，从年长者平均岁数和健康程度来看，除了要帮 助他们找到正确的人生价值观和方向以外，要尽快 把耶稣介绍给他们。因为，只有耶稣有能力改变他 们，帮他们找回自尊、找回原我，并医治他们的伤 痛。所以我们办的常青的最终目标，是要把常青者 带到耶稣跟前来。
筹委们首先思考要如何针对常青者的需要，成立 事工的目的和其内容。有接触过年长者的，该不会 对“我老了没有用”，这样的口头禅感到陌生吧？ 很难想象他们就是生长在建国时代的人，刻苦耐 劳。许多还没完成基本教育，就得早早出去工作养 家。他们就凭着人生经验和靠自己的毅力成家立业 和建国。怎么到了晚年时，以往的自信和尊严去了 哪里？
一位牧师常说，不是“我老了没有用”，而是“不 会用”。每个出席常青的人，都是宝贵的资源。大 家可以实践“人人都有用，人人被需要，人人皆同 工”的理想。现在常青的组织里，每一个人都归属 一个小组，而且每个小组至少会轮流负责做招待的 服事。这真是“我老了没有用”的解药！这也包括 陪伴常青者来的家庭助手或家人、还有一群志愿服 事尤克里里团队、音响和膳食的退休人士，和几位 牺牲工作时间来帮忙的中年同工。说到家庭助手， 她们在常青真的很重要。没有她们帮忙扶持或推轮
在每个人一生当中，除了累计许多人生经验，也难 免背负看不见的创伤。特别是年长的阿姨们忘不了 嫁到夫家做媳妇后，常与家婆和妯娌之间的发生摩 擦，现在却要面对自己与媳妇之间的碰撞。除了少 数有受过教育的年长者会识字，其余的不会从心理 辅导或去阅读激励人生之类的书籍，甚至读圣经来 安抚和调整心理状态。他们多数是靠民间信仰或 31
椅，许多年长者就无法自己出门。少了年长者，就 没有常青。那么，筹委会看来似乎是精力充沛的年 轻人吧？其实不。大家只不过是从中年到常青年龄 的“同路人”。
（二）另一个福音的管道是信息时间。筹委也斟酌 一番，信息要如何把一般生活话题逐渐转向福音性 质，来触摸人的心。对未信主的人来讲，最忌讳的 话题是关于“死亡”的。然而，常青的讲员们都有 智慧，可以坦然无惧提到死亡的课题，让大家消除 迷信带来的恐惧，慢慢从习惯这个话题，进入听取 如何正面去迎接那一天的到来之类的信息 。信息开 始触摸他们的伤痛和包袱，并教导他们如何放下苦 毒，修复人际关系；然后在剩余的人生，该如何享 受与耶稣同行的轻松自由。信息也安慰病痛中的， 让他们把眼光放在将来，预备离别，无惧死亡。
要如何让常青者在短短的聚会时间里听到福音呢？ 其中有两个管道： （一）投其所好，由唱歌开始。唱歌时间真的没有 冷场过。从节目开始前半小时的热身卡拉OK时间 开始，大家自由从常青收集的怀旧歌曲，民歌或诗 歌集里面点唱。怀旧歌曲集，都是精心挑选，有健 康内容的，还有一些特意被谱上福音歌词的福音版 本。大家唱歌时，还配上手势动作，又可以锻炼身 体和头脑了。到了正式节目的赞美时段，连依靠 轮椅行动的常青者，一听到“赞美神，哈利路亚” 或“唱一首天上的歌”时，也跟着拍手摇手铃，大 家露出童真一面。这让我想起，这不就是圣经描述 当年大卫王在神面前跳舞的姿态吗？
有一位婆婆的两年出席率是全冠98%的。可是她总 是无法开口说她接受主了。其实也有几位常青者 也在慕道中。但是有一次，无意中看到她和所有年 长者跟着讲员的指示闭着眼睛，然后跟着牧师做祷 告。最后当牧师说一句“阿门”，她也和大家说一 句“阿门”。 哈利路亚！（请别告诉她！） 黄昏时，人们所以会点燃灯火因为晓得黑暗近了。 人步入老年时多少会领悟到黑暗的真实，但不一定 懂得去寻找光的源头。愿耶稣继续在常青里发光， 让步入黄昏的常青者跟着光明来到耶稣跟前，得到 永远安息。
有一位带了许多家人来常青的姐妹说，那些老歌让 她的家人感觉如回到小时候的光景。我想，这也促 成他们改变对基督教的严肃刻板印象的偏见，反而 觉得在这里比生活中还可以更轻松自在，有更多的 欢笑。她的母亲信主了之后，也从常青得到喜乐。 现在她的弟弟和弟妇也在慕道中。 音乐无语文界限。有好几位土生华人的年长者（ 最年长的90岁），虽然不懂中文，却以基督的爱在 尤克里里团队里苦学中文诗歌和亲切招待朋友。怎 么能说他们在常青是来消磨时间的呢？最近知道一 位起初还没信主的尤克里里琴手，被诗歌的歌词感 动，开始敞开心认识耶稣了。这证明神爱无疆，祂 但亲近常青者，也亲近服事的人们。
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The Chinese Evergreen Fellowship (CEF or Evergreen) turned two at this year’s Chinese New Year celebration. It seemed like just yesterday when some of our elderly members asked if we could organise weekday activities like those by other churches, such as singing, exercises and talks. After much prayer, a core group got together to set up and run the CEF.. Many elderly people say they are old and useless when in reality, they are a hardy generation who built their family, career and even the nation despite having only basic education. They had to start work at a young age to support their family. Yet in their twilight years, many seem to have lost their self confidence. Some of these seniors nurse hidden hurts from acrimonious experiences with family or relatives. However most cannot or do not know where to find the resources to help them cope or heal. They cannot attend counseling on their own nor read motivational books for their emotional well-being, much less the Bible. Instead, they look to folk religion and tradition for comfort and it is difficult to talk to them about these issues - whether it is about their inferiority complex or pride. Many senior activity centers plan activities to help seniors pass the time. However, CEF believes that besides helping them find value and direction in life, only Jesus can restore their self respect, identity and heal their hurts. A pastor I know used to say it is not a question of whether someone is “old and useless” but rather a matter of “how we can engage them”. Every Evergreener is precious because “all are useful, all are needed, all are co-workers”. This is one reason each Evergreener is assigned to a small group and every group takes turn to serve as greeters. Domestic helpers or family members who accompany the Evergreener, the Ukulele team, sound, projector and food helpers - all are equally important because there would be no CEF ministry without them.
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At CEF, the gospel is presented in various ways:
Two, though the weekly talks. For instance, to many, the topic of death is taboo. However, over time, CEF speakers have managed to dispel Evergreeners’ fear of death by sensitively handling this subject. Other topics at the weekly talks include dealing with past hurts, the need for reconciliation, enjoying our freedom in Christ and how to walk with Jesus. These messages bring timely comfort and encouragement.
One, cater to Evergreeners’ interests through the singing of familiar songs. Half an hour before the program starts, we will have Karaoke, comprising Chinese oldies, folk songs, worship songs and hymns. Chinese oldies are selected for their wholesome lyrics or have modified lyrics added and Evergreeners sing along while doing hand exercises to stimulate their body and brain. Often, even wheelchair-bound members will clap and play the tambourine for familiar songs like ‘Praise the Lord, Hallelujah’ or ‘The Heavenly Song’. These remind me of how David danced before the Lord. I recall a sister who had brought many family members and relatives to CEF say her relatives feel nostalgic whenever oldies are sung. Her own mother came to CEF, accepted Jesus and was eventually baptised! Now her brother and sister-in-law are also attending CEF.
A grandmother who attended Evergreen for two years would never admit she has accepted the Lord (by the way, she is not the only one). But one day, as the speaker ended his prayer with “Amen”, I saw her mouth “Amen” with the rest. Hallelujah! It was clear she had opened her heart to Christ. We turn on the light when we know it will become dark. I pray, through Evergreen, Jesus will continue to shine, drawing the Evergreeners to Him to know and experience His rest.
Music truly has no language barrier. Some of our Peranakan elderly members cannot understand Chinese yet they are learning Christian Mandarin songs and even serve as befrienders. Recently, a pre-believer in the Ukulele group was touched by the lyrics and opened her heart to Jesus. This shows God’s love is so wide that He is able to reach not only Evergreeners but also those who are serving. 34
BFEC IN 2018
BLESSINGS ALONG THE WAY
We do not journey Home alone when we belong to one another in community. After all, we spur one another to grow as disciples of Christ living out fully God’s purposes for our lives. But what does this look like in our church family? Here is a snapshot of how BFEC seeks to walk in obedience and dependence to our Lord to fulfil His Kingdom purposes. Can you see His footprints? Would you follow?
NAMES We are a brethren church led by a Council of Executive Elders and Deacons, partnered by a team of full time Pastoral and Operations Staff and Missionaries. We thank God for Advisory Elders as well as the cell leaders and ministry heads who come alongside as fellow under-shepherds of God’s flock (1 Peter 5:2). Our current Council Chairman is Elder Alex Lo; Treasurer – Michael Mak; Secretary – Lim Seow Cheng; Registrar – John Teo. Within the Council is an EXCO comprising a smaller group of Elders and Deacons serving a term to expedite decision making, within the Delegation of Authority framework approved by Council. Two committees are appointed by the Executive Elders:- the Finance Committee, chaired by our Treasurer Michael Mak, and the Personnel Committee, chaired by Vincent Lim. These ensure that our finance and personnel policies are not just framed by established governance guidelines but instructed first by careful application of biblical stewardship principles.
Council 2018 Sitting (L-R): Elders See Toh Ming Yew, Danny Chua, Joshua Quek Mong Hua, Jimmy Tan, Alex Lo, Advisory Elders Ernest Chew, Lionel Ong, Melville Szto, Elders Chong Kum Wah and Roland Tan (Absent: Elder Caleb Chua Soon Boon) Standing 2nd Row (L-R): Deacons Ng Geok Chye, Michael Mak, Jason Sin, Deaconesses: Shirley Soo, Sharon Ngoo, Lucy Yeo, Wong Lee Pin, Deacons Willy Ong, Ethan Pang, Ngoo Chih Yuan 3rd Row (L-R): Deacons John Teo, Jonathan Cho, Kelvin Ng, Derek Pang, Adam Tang, Vincent Lim (Absent: Ang Teck Soon, Fong Chee Siong and Kiang Tzy Peng)
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Church staff at their staff retreat
NUMBERS
22 Baptised
10
Transferred in
1,303
Members as at end 2018 (nett increase of 13).
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3
Transferred out
16
Called home
WORSHIP & PRAYER Worship Ministry is always heart before art, individual before corporate, always to the audience of One. More than 60 Frankelites roster themselves in teams to serve here, be it by deploying their vocal, musical or technical talents, in front and behind the scenes. How are you worshipping our Heavenly Father with all your heart, soul, mind and strength? Church Prayer Ministry exists to remind us we can do nothing apart from Him, especially as a church (John 15:5). We express our corporate dependence on Him during and after Sunday service and in our cells. We have seen breakthroughs when prayer emails alert the 300 listed in FIRE (Frankel Intercessors Ready Everywhere, Everytime). Have you considered not just the power but the loving encouragement you give when you commit to show up to pray with and for one another?
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DISCIPLESHIP & PASTORAL We aim to make disciples following our W.A.T.CH. framework. It is important to ‘Win’ by connecting to Christ and His cause, ‘Anchor’ by being taught and equipped to grow in Christlikeness, ‘Team’ up with others in authentic community and mentoring relationships, and ‘Charge’ by yielding fruitful works for Him. Our 45 Cell Groups are the primary conduit of pastoral care, discipleship and mobilization for service, led by mature and caring individuals accountable to Elders and Deacon under-shepherds. As this is how we live biblically and authentically as a church, we urge every member to experience body life in cells by giving of themselves to each other in mutual love, sacrificial service and outreach (Acts 2:42-47).
Bible study in homes
We also heed the call of the Faith@Home movement to reestablish the home as the place where faith is authentically nurtured and lived out. The daily outworking of Deuteronomy 6:1-9 in homes, as compared to the once a week encounters in Sunday School, are where true spiritual foundations are built. How are you as a parent taking the lead to set up your ‘family altar?’ BFEC Cares fills in the gap for more attentive care when members go through difficult seasons or crisis. Inspired by Galatians 6:2, we have equipped ome 120 Frankelites to be such intentional Caregivers, widening our pastoral reach beyond cell leaders and pastoral staff. Other churches have been joining us to learn how they can also do this. Do you see how being more skilled in caring for another can build up the Body of Christ and draw others to Him?
GLOW Activity by Wong Lee Pin & Diana Chin’s cell group
Finally, we are grateful to our Pastoral Staff team, each of whom ministers to a segment of our membership – be it in personal discipleship, mentoring, and in times of need - conducting visits, home communions, baptisms as well as helping members in times of grief by facilitating wakes and funerals. Would you pray with us to challenge suitable ones to serve as some staff are nearring or are already in retirement? Cell groups GLOW at foreign worker dorms
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JSS Camp
CHILDREN Before BFEC, there was already Bethesda (Katong) Kindergarten or BKK. Started in 1955, it touched the lives of 360 children last year with blessings of a strong leadership team, dedicated teachers and supportive parents.
VBS
Children are precious to our Lord (Matt 19:14), yet these are perilous times so we are thankful for the many faithful ones who come alongside parents to codisciple the little ones from the Creche (10 children) to Kindergarten Sunday School (40 children) and Junior Sunday School (90 children) ministries. BKK and KSS joined forces once more to organize the ever popular Vacation Bible School (VBS) for 138 children, sowing His life-giving word into their hearts. Is God calling you to minister to our children? KSS Christmas Celebrations
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G@N Camp
YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS Grow@Noon turned 6 in 2018, reaching out to our youth in biblically holistic yet relevant ways. Together with our Young Adults Ministry, they can only yield future spiritual leaders if we continue to invest time, love and resources to disciple them intentionally (2 Tim 2:2). Would you be willing to befriend them as they navigate many critical transitions?
Young Adults
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SENIORS & SPECIAL INTERESTS As a 60 year-old church, it is not surprising that many of our ministries have adapted their programmes to reach out to disciple members in their golden years. Without incentive, many silver generation Frankelites spur us by their energetic service. They go on mission trips, reach out to non-believers, mentor the young and keep themselves abreast how to be equipped to face their golden years with wisdom and fruitfulness (Psalm 92:14). Let us continue to support our 9214, Evergreen Fellowship and Frankel Lights, as well as WAG and Ladies Group though these do not just cater to seniors. In recent years, we have seen new initiatives like Ukulele For Christ, Table Tennis fellowship and Jesus Club. These are not merely hobby or interest clubs but avenues for fellowship and outreach initiated by willing Frankelites in response to needs and opportunities they see. How can you come along to encourage these initiatives? It may be as easy as spreading the word or bringing someone along. Ladies Group
Ukelele For Christ performing at the Chinese Ministry’s Mid-Autumn event
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LANGUAGE MINISTRIES Our Chinese Ministry has grown in vibrancy through initiatives like Evergreen Fellowship as well as participation in concerted evangelistic outreaches. Our church has also been blessed by other ongoing language ministries like Peranakan Ministry, International Fellowship Ministry (mainly to Filipinos and Indonesians) and the Foreign Indian Workers Fellowship. Indeed, the mission field is right in our midst! Pray for more laborers to join in the harvest right before our eyes (Matthew 9:38)! Foreign Indian Workers Fellowship
Emcees at the Chinese Ministry’s Mid-Autumn event
International Fellowship Ministry Christmas celebrations
MISSIONS & EVANGELISM
BFEC has been traditionally strong in missions because we believe it comes from the heart of God. If we do not participate in joining Him on His mission (i.e. not missional), we will wilt instead of grow. Hence, we are privileged to be sending out some of our best Frankelites and their families into focus fields like Japan and East Asia for long term ministry. How might you join them in this work? Our Missions Board also strategizes support for associate missionaries, project workers and missions agencies. It is our goal that every Frankelite and cell group is involved in some way in missions. How are you responding to so great a commission (Matthew 28:18-20)? Our Evangelism Committee organized Life’s Big Questions and Alpha which marshalled great enthusiasm to sow the Gospel seed to our friends and relatives. How are you bearing witness in His power (Acts 1:8)?
Life’s Big Questions dinner
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COMMUNITY & SOCIAL OUTREACH A Frankelite believes that good works flow from genuine faith in Christ, and are both sides of the same coin (James 2:17). We cannot be impactful in society if we do not express our faith through acts of love. To this end, we have been privileged to partner with New Hope Community Services to launch Kampong Siglap Lifeskills Training and Retreat Centre or Kampong Siglap in short. Slated to launch next to us at 10, La Salle Street in the later half of 2019, we are heartened that a core team of younger Frankelites have grasped this as something from the Lord, to serve based on timeless principles of loving our neighbours (Luke 10:37). How will you serve in this groundbreaking opportunity to fulfil His purposes? Yet even before this, our Social Action Ministry continues to keep an eye out for opportunities to serve the more vulnerable in our society, be it by preparing meals or befriending the abused. Within this, the Social Action com facilitates the disbursement of financial aid to needy individuals and families as well as some agencies involved in social outreach. Is there someone you know who ought to be included in this list?
Poverty Simulation Workshop
OPERATIONS & COMMUNICATIONS The Church Office is a hub connecting all Frankelites – be it leadership, ministries or cells - by gifts of administration to further the mission of the church. On the surface they oversee key aspects of Membership (Registrar, Baptisms), Estate Management and Facilities, Tech and IT support (Sunday services and staff support), and ongoing aspects of Finance (Accounts, Offerings) and Communications (Web, FB, Bulletin, banners, notices) and Logistics (e.g. Sunday breakfast). Behind the scenes, they also support Council to coordinate the entire year’s church and ministry calendars, worship and pulpit ministry planning and church wide initiatives by working with subcommittees. Finally, we are thankful for the many other hands that compete the mission of the church by serving in Café Leaf, Flower Arrangement Ministry, stewardship duties, READY magazine, the Library. These and other areas of service may not be as visible but are no less vital as we journey together as One. How are you using your spiritual gifts to serve God and His people?
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FIND US FAITHFUL
by songwriters Larry Mayfield and John Mohr
We’re pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road. And those who’ve gone before us line the way. Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary, Their lives a stirring testament to God’s sustaining grace. Refrain O may all who come behind us find us faithful. May the fire of our devotion light their way. May the footprints that we leave, lead them to believe And the lives we live inspire them to obey. O may all who come behind us find us faithful. Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, Let us run the race not only for the prize, But as those who’ve gone before us, let us leave to those behind us The heritage of faithfulness passed on thru godly lives. After all our hopes and dreams have come and gone. And our children sift thru all we’ve left behind. May the clues that they discover and the memories they uncover Become the light that leads them to the road we each must find.
SUNDAY Worship Services: English - 8 am & 10 am Chinese - 9.30 am Creche, KSS & JSS (Children): 10 am Grow@Noon (Youth): 12 pm International Fellowship (Indonesian & Filipino): 10 am 9214 (Seniors) Bible Study & Fellowship: 10am MONDAY 9214 Frankel Lights: 10 am TUESDAY 9214 Table Tennis: 6 pm Ladies Group: 8 pm WEDNESDAY 9214 Evergreen Fellowship (Chinese): 10.30 am Jesus Club (Special Needs): 7.30 pm (Alternate weeks) THURSDAY 9214 Table Tennis: 3 pm FRIDAY Church Prayer Meeting: 8 pm SATURDAY Peranakan: 4 pm (2nd & 4th Sat) Foreign Indian Workers’ Fellowship (English Class): 8 pm (except last Sat) WAG: 7.30pm (Last Sat of month) Our Cell Groups (for Adults & Young Adults) meet in church and members’ homes throughout the week.
4 La Salle Street Singapore 456930 Tel: 6448 1800 Fax: 6448 0831 Email: bfec@bfec.org.sg Web: www.bfec.org.sg
READY N0.8 May 2019 A publication of Bethesda Frankel Estate Church | MCI (P) 049/01/2019
