READY No*9 - Do You Not See?

READY

do you not see?

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, Hwang Ching Yun Design and Layout Abigail Ng Printer Regent(S) Printing Pte Ltd Cover Illustration Elina Lo

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.

CONTENTS

Foreword

1

New Life

New Mindset Pigsa!

Celebrating My Hope In Christ

4

Wooed By God

5

Better Now Than Later

7

From Troubles to Triumph

8

If Not For His Grace 恩典之路

9

I See Him At Work

12

16

Changing My Shape...Hungrier For God 17 Courage To Be His Witness

19

The Best Gift

20

Commission Or Commandment?

21

Our Privilege Of Love

23

Trusting God In Uncertain Times

25

New Wineskins With Him, Everything Falls Into Place

30

Building A Generation Together

37

Healed To Share His Healing

32

Godsent Surprises & Godly Assignments

38

We Are Designed to Disciple Each Other

33

Unexpected Assignment From God

40

Discovering Our Family At Camp

34

Letting Our Light Shine

42

Because Everyone Matters To God

35

BFEC In 2019

46

The Way To Truly Live

36

Picture taken in Japan by Aaron Tan: Do you see the fisherman?

DO YOU NOT SEE IT? New experiences that come our way can be scary or exciting or even a mix of the two. But as we look back at them, we can often trace God’s Hand in our stories.

I recall when I first became a father, after 6 years of waiting and trying.

Or the time I changed vocation thrice in the last 32 years, each change daringly different from the last.

Or the time I saw a loved one slip away into eternity right before my eyes.

While I’m still learning precious lessons from these times, for sure I can see God at work though these are mere glimpses of the full picture on this side of heaven.

What was 2019 like for you? Our church’s theme verse was Isaiah 43:18,19.

In the New Living Translation, it says: “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do.

For I am about to do something new.

See, I have already begun!

Do you not see it?

I will make a pathway through the wilderness.

I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

We asked some Frankelites to reflect on their 2019, using four possible scenarios: • What new lesson from the Lord did you learn?

• What was one unexpected event you experienced and how did that change you?

• What blessing from God did you experience? How are you thankful for it?

• In what ways have you seen the Holy Spirit at work in your particular community in BFEC or in your family or in your school/workplace?

The editorial team and I trusted God to send in 19 inspiring articles. Well, we received 23 “something new” God-stories to mark 2019, along with our 46th AGM. I do pray you will savour each of these stories, and weep or laugh along, as I did.

Better yet, be challenged to reflect on your own “something new”.

Do you not see it?

Jimmy Tan Editor

1

Therefore if Christ, the n has come: t gone, the new 2 Corinthians 5:17

NEW LIFE

anyone is in new creation the old has w is here!

CELEBRATING MY HOPE IN CHRIST

By Abhishek Singh

My wife, Swati, and I were invited by Mr Loh Meng See to attend the Celebration of Hope at the National Stadium held from 17 - 19 May 2019. We did not hesitate because he is a well-known personality as well as a respected elder whose guidance we valued.

Furthermore, he knew we were exploring Christianity as our religion of choice.

It was very difficult for me to take that step to turn from Hinduism and put my trust in Jesus.

Making the decision required me to overcome the Hindu belief system I had been born into and raised in for 40 years of my life. The hardest part was to let go of the Hindu ways of worship and mindset, specifically the belief system of Karma to forgiveness in Christ.

We knew his invitation would be a strong validation of the quality of the event, so we immediately decided to go.

We have officially changed our religion in official records to Christianity. We intend to continue our journey of self-discovery guided by the Bible and Christian values for the rest of our lives.

The experience of visiting Celebration of Hope was very enriching and the message was inspiring.

Several speakers shared their testimonies of God’s grace and how faith in God has transformed the lives of thousands of people. In fact, the message that touched us the most was that every believer has a direct relationship with God. Following this, we attended four Bible Study sessions at BFEC. During our Bible Study, we were told about the message of the Bible and how to read it effectively. We learnt the valuable principles of Love, Faith and Forgiveness and how to surrender to the will of God. We also learnt about the love of God for all His children and how Jesus Christ, through his ultimate sacrifice, has cleansed us of all sins. Since then, we have read the New Testament and have also started living our lives based on the fundamental Christian values of “loving thy neighbour” and believing in the one true God, his Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Abhishek and Swati at the Celebration of Hope

I became a Christian because of three key reasons: 1. My relationship with God is that of a close and direct relationship between Father and son.

2. Faith in God conquers all fear and failure because man shall not live by bread alone.

3. Loving your neighbour as you love yourself is as important as your love for God.

4

WOOED BY GOD

By Lee Lee Wah

The third incident happened about 10 years ago. My stomach was very painful and I felt extremely cold; it was as if I was walking up a snowy mountain. The pain was still tolerable but the extreme cold that enveloped me was unbearable.

My daughter drove me to Changi General Hospital A&E and they found I had a fever of 42 degrees.

I had acute appendicitis and was immediately operated on. Still, I did not turn to God, yet God remained so patient, merciful and loving to me.

I finally accepted Christ after decades of resistance.

I had always believed there was a God but I did not know where to find Him. This, despite being educated in a mission school for 10 years, where I learnt how to pray and sing hymns to the Lord.

My late mother was a Taoist but she never imposed her religion on me. When I was in my teens, I was put off by a street evangelist who called me a sinner without explaining why. Although this caused me to harbour a grudge against Christians, I still allowed a neighbour, whom I didn’t know well, to bring my daughter to Sunday school. My neighbour said a van would pick my child up and send her back each Sunday. I initially thought going to church would be good for my six-yearold daughter until my late grandmother-in-law cautioned me of the dangers involved.

But God has his ways of reaching me. In the 1990s, I taught Bible Knowledge to Secondary three and four students from various schools in Katong.

I enjoyed reading the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John with them but it was superficial reading. I did not understand the true meaning of the WORD.

Many Christian colleagues also tried to convert me but to no avail. I always replied that God had not called me yet.

My daughter, Pearlyn, was baptised in her twenties and invited me to her church. I went three times but was not comfortable with their way of worship. On one occasion, I even raised my hand during the altar call but was too shy to go up on stage.

On reflection, I think God miraculously saved my life three times when I was at the threshold of death. The first instance was when I was five years old. I was so ill that my mother called the sinseh ma in the wee hours of the night. I heard the sinseh ma saying “if only she can make it through the night”. The second incident happened when I was 50 years old. I suffered a hemorrhagic stroke and was in ICU for five days. I am thankful my friend drove me straight to hospital that day.

Lee Wah and daughter Pearlyn

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Next, I felt the urge to sing the hymns I had learnt in school so I asked a friend to buy me a hymnal so I could sing them at home. I loved `Amazing Grace’ so much that I told my daughter to play it at my wake even though I was not a Christian.

Some classmates and my in-laws even said I have a “Christian look”. Were these all coincidences? I think not.

In March last year, I went for my first China Bible distribution trip. I was not a Christian then but went along because my cousin, Li Cheng, and Helen invited me. They had invited me twice before but I’d rejected them. When they asked me again last year, I initially came up with excuses. As the date grew closer, they invited me once again. This time, I accepted willingly. I observed how Frankelites cooperated well and showed love, care, concern and kindness to everyone, especially to Woon Pheng when she fell ill. I saw the miraculous hand of God at work throughout the trip. I was touched. I witnessed the joy and happiness on the faces of our brothers and sisters in Christ in China when they received their first Bibles and the joy of the elderly when they worshipped God. All this convinced me that this is truly the Wonderful God whom I want to give my life to.

Lee Wah (4th from the right) at the March 2019 Bible Distribution Trip

Getting baptised on 18 August 2019

When we returned to Singapore, my cousin and her church members invited me to attend BFEC’s 8 a.m. service, Evergreen on Wednesday morning and cell group meeting on Wednesday night. Through these, I have come to love, understand and appreciate the WORD, the Holy Bible, better.

I have embraced my True God who promises me SALVATION and ETERNAL LIFE! I was baptised on 18 Aug 2019. My sincere thanks to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. HALLELUJAH!

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BETTER NOW THAN LATER

By Jennifer Chan

I had always thought that baptism can wait and that there is such a thing as “the right time”. I now know that baptism is something you must do as soon as you decide to receive Christ into your life. I am very glad this day has come before it is too late for me. God has shown me mercy.

Looking back, I realise that God loves us all. And throughout our lives, if we pay attention, we will encounter times when God’s message to us is to seek His salvation.

I am very blessed to have my Primary school teacher bring me to Sunday school, then my Secondary school teacher brought me to Youth fellowship (Teachers are great people). Those were happy times, especially at church camps where we sang, prayed, studied the Bible, experienced God’s Spirit and also ate a lot!

2 Corinthians 6:2 says, “For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you’ I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”

8 Dec 2019, my baptism date, marks a new day and year for me. I am returning to Church, to Him, to experience His grace and presence. He has truly blessed me with eternal life. Thank you, Lord.

However, during my youth fellowship days, I met with an unpleasant incident in church. Instead of rising up to the challenge to overcome this test, I gave up and walked away from Church altogether.

But God never gave up on me. I now know He was patiently waiting for me all this time.

Whenever I had fear and worries, I would pray... and He answered! So I thought that was good enough. Until I came face to face with death. My dad was expected to recover from his surgery but suddenly took a turn for the worse and passed away. His sudden death completely shook me.

I am very glad this day has come before it is too late for me.

It made me realise how unprepared I was if my life were to end, how unsure I was of my own salvation. I had always prayed for guidance but I did not know His Word and did not read it. I did not even attend church. I felt lost.

Recently, I walked into BFEC and attended the October baptism class. Through the class, I understand that salvation is God’s gift and I am saved through my faith in Christ. I also know that baptism goes beyond proclaiming my belief. I must allow myself to be empowered by His Holy Spirit and also be a part of the body of Christ here.

Jennifer with her father, Chan Kum Ming

7

FROM TROUBLES TO TRIUMPH

By Flora Rountree

I am so very glad to be baptised in BFEC on 8 Dec 2019. I think the most precious lesson God has given me is the strength to carry on throughout my cancer journey and also to deal with my brother’s cancer and eventually my loss over his demise.

Coincidentally, a friend sent me a text with a verse from John 14:18-19, with a message. “No, I will not abandon you. I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.” This somehow strengthened my desire to be baptized. And so I made the decision to believe in Christ and follow Him.

God has answered my prayers even when I questioned myself about why I want to be baptised.

On Friday the 3rd of November, I found a Bible that has been sitting on top of the shelves in my bedroom.

I had never seen this Bible before and as I opened it, I saw it had my father’s signature on it, together with a card of Catholic Bishop Gregory Ong commemorating his 68th birthday. The writing on the card said, “May God bless you on your 68th birthday.” I turned 68 that Friday! Was this mere coincidence?

Without Him, I know I would have crumbled.

He is my Rock and I am deeply grateful for everything He has done for me. I am so happy that I have found Him again! I am now more committed to follow Him and to love Him and to obey His commands. I thank God everyday for all His mercies.

When I turned the pages of the Bible to where my father had left a bookmark, I read 2 Corinthians 6:1,2, “Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. For he says, “In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” By now, God is surely getting my attention.

Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

Flora (right, middle row) with her loving family

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Mum’s baptism

恩典之路 IF NOT FOR HIS GRACE

by Ng Hwee Ming

During this time, I kept telling her not to think about going to heaven and that she would be fine, given the advancements in medical science. I even I grew up exposed to church-going, beginning with told her the unbiblical thing that ‘God only helps those who help themselves’ and she could overcome Sunday School as a child to attending Bible study in secondary school, but I stopped in junior college. My any difficulty with determination. In truth, I was concerned the church would lessen her determination excuse was that I was too busy. The real reason was to fight her illness. that I was disturbed by the imperfections in Church; such as the politics and strained relationships. I also Mum completed chemotherapy at the end of had reservations about the Bible’s teaching. More October. Everything seemed to be under control and importantly, I felt I was a good person and did not need God. For the next two decades, life was relatively the doctor even said she had over 90% chance of full smooth-sailing for me and I continued to stay away. recovery. But just before her scheduled mastectomy, a PET scan revealed the cancer had spread to her brain.

In March 2018, my mother was diagnosed with Even with radiotherapy, she only had a year left to stage three breast cancer. From our research and live, at most two. I was shocked. The probability of her the oncologist’s experience, if Mum could withstand chemotherapy, she had a 80% chance of recovery and cancer spreading to the brain was very slim due to the blood / brain barrier. Furthermore, Mum was a good of living past five years. Mum was very worried and kept praying for healing because she wanted to spend Christian. I could not bring myself to tell her the truth.

I simply told her she had a brain tumor which required more time with her two grandchildren. However, she radiotherapy. I asked her if there was anything she also prayed that if God wanted her to go home to wanted to do or any place she wanted to go to - perhaps heaven, she would accept it and hoped there would our hometown where our great grandparents had come not be prolonged suffering for herself and her loved ones. She shared her illness with the sisters in church. from? Or visit Jerusalem, a place she had not seen?

2019 was a difficult year for me but also one filled with grace.

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Mum (standing 4th from left) in 1994

I was willing to bring her anywhere she wanted.

She said she wanted to go back to BFEC, the church she used to attend.

I still do not fully understand all the Bible teaches but despite the imperfections in Church, I have witnessed God’s love, His grace and guidance and the love among his followers. I also acknowledge my own insignificance and ignorance in the light of who God is. I am willing to follow Him, grow in knowledge and in fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I firmly believe that we live because of God’s love and not as a result of evolution and survival of the fittest. I was baptized in August 2019.

I brought her to BFEC in November 2018.

It was my first visit. I found the building quite old and its design simple but it was here that I experienced the love and care of brothers and sisters in the Chinese Ministry. My mother’s condition deteriorated quickly over the next few months and she was called home in January 2019, just two months after completing radiotherapy.

I know there are many people like me who grew up in church, then left. We often do not feel any urgency to return to church. However, our Lord is just like a parent who never gives up on his children.

He is the Good Shepherd who is always searching to bring us back to Him. He hurts to see us struggle and shoulder life’s burdens on our own.

Our brothers and sisters in Christ comforted and supported us throughout this painful period. In the beginning, I could not understand why. Visiting an end-stage patient is depressing and they had nothing to gain from it. I also could not comprehend Mum’s concern and care for us despite her own suffering.

Gradually, I realized it is love for others that enabled them to empathise with others and be willing to bear each other’s burdens. It was also by God’s grace that during this time, Mum finally managed to release regrets she had harboured for years.

If you are still wandering today, it’s time to return to your Heavenly Father. Only in Him will you find the peace and joy you have been yearning for.

After Mum passed away, I stayed on with Dad in BFEC. Dad also began attending the Wednesday Evergreen gatherings. Dad had developed mild dementia before Mum passed on and sank into depression as his condition deteriorated. With support from the brothers and sisters in Church, his condition stabilized and his mood improved greatly.

He has even started smiling a lot more recently.

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This is a video I would like to share with you 最后想分享我最近看到的视频.

Hwee Ming’s baptism on 18 August 2019

于是从2018年十月底开始，我就带她去福兰克福音 堂。 这是我第一次到这里。在这里我看到了福兰克 的弟兄姐妹对她的关怀。在接下来的几个月，妈妈 的病情比预期恶化得快， 2019 年一月底就回天家 了。在这几个月内，弟兄姐妹一直陪伴着我们、安 慰支持我们。

2019 是艰辛的一年， 也是充满恩典的一年。我从 小就开始去教会，可以说是在教会长大的。在上初 级学院的时候，就以功课忙为借口，便停止上教会 了。除此之外，也因为看到教会里有复杂的人际关 系，还有对圣经的疑问，就更不想去了。我更觉得 自己也是一个奉公守法的好人，不太需要上帝，而 且觉得生活相当顺利，所以就这样过了二十多年无 教会的生活。

开始我不明白为什么，探访末期病人不是一件开心 的事，也不合经济效益，因为探访不能改变什么。 后来我才慢慢明白那是因为来自神的关爱和弟兄姐 妹的牵挂，也看到妈妈得到安慰。更奇妙的是，妈 妈一些多年不能解决的遗憾竟然都得到解决。

2018年三月，妈妈被诊断出是第三期乳癌。如果顺 利完成化疗的话，她的5年存活机率可超过8成。妈 妈非常担心，一直求上帝医治她，让她有多一些时 间可以陪伴两个孙子成长。但她也愿意顺服，说， 如果神要她回天家，只希望不要受太多太久的病痛 折磨，因为她不要给我们带来太多负担。当时， 我不断的劝她，不要老想着回天家的事。也告诉 她，“人定胜天”、“天助自助者”、医学昌明， 等等的事，也怀疑某些教会的教导可能会误导她， 无法帮助她坚定起来，接受治疗。

母亲过世后，我和父亲继续留在福兰克福音堂。爸 爸也开始参加常青聚会。爸爸在妈妈过世之前被诊 断患有轻度的失智症，母亲过世后，他的病情恶 化，也陷入了抑郁症。但在教堂的兄弟姐妹们的支 持下，他的病情稳定了，情绪也大大改善了，最近 几个月开始有更多的微笑了。 虽然我还不完全明白圣经，虽然我知道教会不完美, 但我看到了上帝的爱和奇妙的带领，以及弟兄姐妹 之间的关怀。我也认识到自己的渺小和无知，所以 我愿意跟随耶稣， 也愿意成为教会的一份子。我就 在2019年八月受洗了

妈妈终于在2018年十月底先完成化疗，一切好像都 控制得很好。医生也说妈妈有九成以上可完全康复 的机会。可是在进行切除肿瘤的手术前的例常检查 中，医生发现癌细胞已扩散到脑部，即使经过电疗 也只能延长多一两年。因为癌扩散到脑部的几率很 低，而且妈妈又是热心爱教会的好基督徒，我认为 这事实是不合理的。我不敢告诉妈妈真相，只隐瞒 她说脑瘤不能开刀，只需靠电疗和观察。之后我问 妈妈有什么心愿或有什么地方想去。我以为她会想 要去旅游、回去中国家乡或去耶路撒冷的。她却 说，她想回到她曾经短暂服事的福兰克福音堂去。

我知道有很多像我一样离开了教会的孩子，可能觉 得不急回来。可是天父就像父母一样，一直爱着我 们，焦急的等着我们，希望可以看顾我们，就像牧 羊人在找寻走失的迷羊。我体会到只有在上帝的爱 中，能找到和平与快乐。我终于明白，我母亲为什 么要让我带她回来福兰克福音堂了- 这是我们该回 家的时候了。 11

I SEE HIM AT WORK

By Benjamin Sim

The most precious thing to me is seeing how God has I decided to be baptised on 8 Dec 2019 as I led me. I grew up in a Christian home with godly know God is faithful and I want to be faithful to parents and studied in an Independent Chinese school. Him. I know nothing is more important than Over the years, God has grown my interest in the following Him in all aspects of my life. culinary world and I can feel his presence as I work towards my untypical Asian dream to be a pastry chef.

As Proverbs 3:5,6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Although many relatives have voiced their doubts, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your I can see God has blessed me with amazing mentors paths straight.” and opportunities, such as working in a leading pastry shop in my hometown in Malaysia, and enabling me to start my own business as a teenager. It took a lot of courage and determination. If it were not for God, I would not have made it. Now, I have the amazing opportunity to hone my craft in Singapore.

I believe these are all part of God’s plan to guide and help me succeed. The past few years have been gruelling and tiring. Some days were so tough that I felt I couldn’t carry on. Imagine having to wake up at 5 a.m. and ending work at 6 p.m., and having few friends and relatives in Singapore. Having God in my life made things much easier. There are times when I doubt my career choice but I am blessed that God will be with me throughout this journey. I believe that with his guidance, I will make it.

Benjamin at his baptism on 8 December 2019

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13

Do not con pattern of th be transform renewing of Romans 12:2

NEW MINDSET

nform to the his world, but med by the f your mind.

PIGSA!

By Kelvin and Julienne Ng

‘She must be confined in hospital right away!’ By September 2019, we were almost three months into our year-long mission serving the poor in Marilao, Bulacan, Philippines. We had just gotten used to dusty commutes, living without running water, and being away from family. Every week we had fought off a different stress monster. Our ministry had finally found its rhythm. Then these words from the doctor knocked us back to ground zero.

Theo had a pigsa (boil) on her forehead that had kept growing over the week despite antibiotics.

The infection had spread to her sinuses, swelling up the upper part of her face. We were hapless and desperate for answers. Finally this third doctor we saw diagnosed it with accurate severity. So we made a twohour journey to the only hospital our insurance policy covered, incidentally the best hospital in Manila.

We had known that bringing a two-year-old on mission to a developing country would be challenging. Yet we had not expected that the biggest challenge would be emotional, not physical. The ugly truth is we grappled with mounting frustration that she was holding us back from fulfilling our ministry potential. We had fond memories of ministry here as a young couple - late nights with skaters on the kerbside, and climbing into cardboard shelters to pray for the homeless. Now with Theo, we took fewer risks. We were taking turns being at home or in a back room with her while the other worked on the frontline. It was often lonely. For Kelvin, it was new. We also struggled with feeling less productive than we had been in Singapore.

Julienne and Theo in hospital

When Theo was hospitalized, we had nowhere to run from these feelings. God placed us in an incubator to literally do nothing but be with her.

No ministry, no work. For nine days, we sat together and simply enjoyed Theo. We learned that all other ministries could be done by someone else. Only we could fulfill our God-given roles as parents.

There were other upsides too. Theo was cheerful throughout her stay, while she was on a drip and all.

We experienced the selfless love of our colleagues, who accompanied us for registration, brought us food, and even took a night shift so we could rest when Julienne fell sick midway. We met US diplomats who housed us, did our laundry, and sent their driver to take us home. There was even a doctor who introduced herself as an ex-professor’s disciple, and prayed for us at our bedside. All these angels let us know that we were right where God intended.

Looking back, we see that God gave us this pigsa episode to overhaul our mentality towards ministry and parenthood. We now treasure the privilege of being at home with Theo. There is no greater calling than to simply worship God, whatever our roles for this season are.

Little Theo, since recovered, bonding with Kelvin.

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CHANGING MY SHAPE… HUNGRIER FOR GOD

by Nick Chung

I guess my “reappearance” in BFEC in September 2019 and, then, January 2020 after being in the field for most of last year caused a “stir” to many who have known me for a long time. The three most common comments I received were, “Nick! Are you unwell?!”; “You are half the man you used to be!” and “Did Pauline [my wife] mistreat you?!”

I had just undergone a medical checkup and almost all markers were in the red - obesity, high cholesterol, pre-diabetic symptoms - and my father had suffered a second minor stroke a few months back as well. Given all these triggers, I decided to embark on my weight loss journey. I honestly thought it would be a long and tedious process.

Having been overweight most of my life, I gave myself three years to reach my healthy BMI level.

God somehow helped me muster enough courage, faith and conviction to be whole-hearted about my weight-loss. Hence, I changed my lifestyle and diet, not drastically but entirely, by eating healthily and exercising more regularly.

Yes, I have lost weight, almost 30kg to be exact, and it was intentional.

It started on my 41st birthday in March 2019.

At a personal retreat to reflect on my 40 years of existence, I asked the Lord what resolutions and direction I should set for the year ahead. I thought I heard the Lord say specifically, “lose weight”. Come to think of it, He may have implied it metaphorically rather than literally, and I decided, “why not?”

Nick and Pauline, CNY 2020

Nick in 2013

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Surprisingly, it was not a long process, but definitely a tedious one that challenged my commitment and discipline. Initially, I would cook up a thousand excuses to avoid exercising, and whined at eating healthy food. I almost switched from being a non-vegetarian to a full vegetarian.

Many nights I was so hungry that I was tempted to put my hand into the cookie or pong piah jar to satisfy my hunger, but thank God I was able to persevere. I reached my healthy BMI within eight months and my latest medical review shows that almost everything is now in the healthy range!

Unexpectedly, my weight loss journey has, in turn, inspired me spiritually too, as I have learnt that my relationship with God is very dependent on my commitment and attitude to fully pursue Him. We can pray for a closer walk with Him but if we do nothing to make it happen, we will still be malnourished (pun intended).

P.S. No, I am not on a keto diet. I love my rice and noodles.

Many have asked me what kept me going in my weight loss journey. I think my experience as a business owner for the last five years played a significant part. I have come to realise that I am responsible for every action and decision I make and I cannot blame others for what happens to me. To see change and/or growth (or loss in this case), I need to work on it. What’s more, for years I knew God’s Word tells us that “...your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you...” (1 Corinthians 6:19).

We can pray for a closer walk with Him but if we do nothing to make it happen, we will still be malnourished

Nick with his family, 2020

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COURAGE TO BE HIS WITNESS

by Hwang Ching Yun

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.�

I found myself listing down five names, then started to pray for them, engage them, and eventually invite them for Celebration of Hope at the National Stadium. Even though only one attended and she did not make the decision to open her heart to Jesus, still I felt God wanted me to carry on witnessing and make it a habit.

One thing I personally grew in last year was the area of witnessing. Witnessing is not new to me because I had learnt how to do it when I was young from the parachurch organization, Youth for Christ.

So, I continued praying and engaging the five I listed for Celebration of Hope. God is so faithful, He answered my prayers. I had fruitful conversations with some family members and visited some relatives.

A friend who is very closed to Christianity allowed me to pray for her for the first time in more than 30 years! There have been no conversions yet but I just tell myself not to get discouraged. I just need to do my part and leave the results to God.

But it is an area I find very difficult because I am timid by nature. I am also not gifted at talking.

I worked in a mission organization for years as support staff so my excuse was I was playing my part, serving according to my personality and strengths.

Witnessing is not my gift so I leave it to others to do, I would often reason.

The 2019 Celebration of Hope called on us as individuals and churches to rally together to share about hope in God. Church staff were encouraged to attend the Andrew Initiative training and so I did, with my cell group.

He is amazing. Like Isaiah 43:18,19 which I took to heart, He has made rivers in this desert part of my life, which has been quite dry for so many years. Or if not rivers, at least, a stream or two. I trust that the rivers will come, for He who began a good work in us will bring it to completion (Philippians 1:6). Amen?

But guess what? Inwardly, I was not enthusiastic about going as I have been through such training before. But to my surprise, I found the training very helpful and as I applied what I learnt, God really helped me to start witnessing again.

Ching Yun (back row, extreme right) celebrating Chinese New Year with family in Hua Hin.

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THE BEST GIFT

by Samuel and Kuan Mei Ng

Mum Kuan Mei and Baby Dorian having fun

Dorian carried by Grandpa Geok Chye in the presence of the extended family.

Samuel is seated in front, second from left.

We welcomed a new member to the family earlier this year. Dorian was adopted after much thought, worrying and prayer. While adopting Dorian is a huge blessing, we believe that it also pointed to an even greater gift this year.

Doubt started to creep in and we wondered on several occasions whether we would ever be able to love him the way it was “expected” of us as parents.

As always, God knows what we need the most, and He reminded us of His love for us - his own adopted children (Romans 8:15). It never depended on whether or not we were loveable. In fact, that’s a good thing because otherwise we would have no hope for a happy ending. His love is constant and boundless, regardless of how many times we fail to understand Him. No doubt Dorian was a special gift this year, but the greatest gift was how God has used him to show us how glorious his love for His adopted children truly is, and has given us the privilege and responsibility to try and model that love for our own adopted son.

In the course of preparing to adopt a child, we came across many accounts of parents’ first meeting with the new child and how it is typically filled with love, tears of joy and an overwhelming desire to protect the new baby. In reality, the very first time we saw our child, we remembered thinking to ourselves - “don’t drop him”, “why does he look so weird” and “what have I got myself into”. There were none of those warm, fuzzy feelings. To make things worse, he wasn’t always adorable. There were times when the baby went through the typical bouts of screaming and crying like his world was coming to an end, and we were furiously trying to figure out what he was trying to tell us. It doesn’t make it feel better when you don’t feel like the baby appreciates and understands that you trying to put a bottle in his mouth is actually for his own good, that he thinks you are trying to torture him.

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1:4-6

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COMMISSION OR COMMANDMENT?

by Daniel Lau Chee Seng

What do you think is the most significant scripture for a missionary? Christians would say it’s the Great Commission. Matthew 28:19-20, the call to make disciples of all nations inspire many of us to crosscultural missions. This scripture has also set me on my journey to serve in Japan where only 1% of the population is Christian. This is the place where God,

by His strength and grace, has sustained my family for several years now.

In our relentless pursuit of well-intended goals, we sometimes miss out on what is most important….Are we results-driven or relationships-motivated?

However, I recently realized that the most significant scripture for a missionary (or any Christian for that matter) should be the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). First, the commandment precedes the commission. Second, the command to love God and others affects our service to the Lord. If Great Commission is the ‘what’, the Great Commandment would be the ‘how’.

Loving God. This means having ample time to cultivate a personal and authentic relationship with God. It means abiding and resting in Christ, thus bearing fruit such as joy, peace and patience (John 15:5). In OMF Japan, we have had tens of missionaries who suffered from ministry burnout.

Similarly, I feel overwhelmed at times by the enormous task of reaching out to people in Hanamaki, a rural town that is largely unresponsive to the gospel. I am still learning to get out of this sinking feeling by placing my focus solely on Christ, and not on my surroundings (Matthew 14:30). When we put God first in our lives, we also draw from Him the spiritual resources needed to do His work.

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Loving people. I used to think that missionaries should maximize efficiency by reaching out to the greatest number of people in the shortest amount of time. However, I remind myself daily to see people not as a means to a goal, but as dear friends needing to hear the gospel in its fullness. People can easily tell if you see them as true friends or mere statistics. We now try to be more intentional in our relationships by investing our time and prayers into the lives of those we care about. We thank God that this paradigm shift on our part has resulted in many spiritual conversations and several one-to-one Bible studies with our Japanese friends. Loving others as we love ourselves changes the way we view our work.

I wonder if my observations would be helpful to busy professionals in Singapore. In our relentless pursuit of well-intended goals, we sometimes miss out on what is most important. In my past experience, whenever I become too busy with work (Great Commission), my relationship with God and with others (Great Commandment) suffers as a result. Has that been your experience as well? Are we results-driven or relationships-motivated?

Wherever we are placed and whatever we do, our love for God and for people leads to God’s fulfilment of His purposes on earth. Choose what is better, and it will not be taken away from you (Luke 10:42, NIV). Let us then take hold of what is truly important in life (1 Timothy 6:19).

Daniel doing bible study with a local

Joylyn teaching in a Kids’ event

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OUR PRIVILEGE OF LOVE

by Francis and Maggie Ong

“You will need to be warded immediately as your baby is showing signs of distress from hydrops. We will need to do an emergency delivery either today or tomorrow.”

This is not what you want to hear from your gynecologist when you are 32 weeks pregnant at your regular checkup. How ironic that it was as we had planned to discuss our birth plans with the gynecologist. Yet it was not the first unexpected twist in the journey of our pregnancy. At 12 weeks the baby had some soft markers for Down’s Syndrome.

We prayed that the markers will go away, but at 20 weeks they were still seen. An amniocentesis was strongly recommended, but we didn’t want to risk a miscarriage and we weren’t terminating the pregnancy even if the test was conclusive as there were no structural issues.

After a Cesarean was done, the doctors told us Isaiah’s vital signs were good. We felt so relieved, yet a little sad Down Syndrome was confirmed. Just when we thought the worst was over, another bombshell came. Suspected perforations in Isaiah’s intestines led to a recommendation for immediate surgery. He had to be moved to another hospital to do it, all of two days old. It almost felt like the first relief was merely setting us up for the next torture. Even the doctor who brought us the news cried. To summarize, the surgery went well. After clocking 41 days in the hospital, baby Isaiah is back with us and enjoys coming to church on Sundays. Our gynecologist upon seeing him after he was discharged, said the outcome was as good as what we could hope for.

Praise God!

We prayed and decided to enjoy the pregnancy, trusting God. The picture of a healthy Down’s baby didn’t seem too bad, and there was always a possibility of a miracle if He wills it. But now, we found ourselves facing the possibility of God claiming back the baby we had waited so long to have. It helped that Frankelites were upholding us in prayer and presence.

Yet our hearts were still heavy with anxiety. We brought our tortured emotions to God, praying Psalm 86 and 121, reassuring the baby.

Francis and Maggie with Isaiah

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What we learnt through this continuing journey: 1. God is always good and in charge, but we won’t always understand what He’s doing.

“Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told. For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation.” Habbakuk 1:5-6a.

Little Isaiah

That was God’s answer to Habbakuk’s complaint on Judah’s sinfulness, bringing violence. We wouldn’t have wished for what happened but we don’t have to understand it to know God is doing His wondrous work.

2. Pain is the price we pay for the privilege of love in this imperfect world.

“In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” – 1 John 4:10-11.

Watching our son suffer is painful, there is no other way to describe it. The more we love him the more painful it is. But before we are tempted to shout injustice at God, a look at the Cross reminds us that greater pain was suffered by His Son and God Himself. It may sound counter-intuitive but this experience gave us a better appreciation of God’s love. Isaiah is God’s creation and gift to us. There have been many twists in this bittersweet journey, but we take each step trusting God to light our path.

But before we are tempted to shout injustice at God, a look at the Cross reminds us that greater pain was suffered by His Son and God Himself.

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TRUSTING GOD IN UNCERTAIN TIMES

by Melville Szto

What does it really mean to trust God?

The amazing thing I learnt again and again was that God answers prayer, very specific prayers even, but not always in the way I had hoped. God always gave me the help I needed even though the situation remained the same.

It’s easy to say we trust God when everything is going well but what happens when props we never knew we were depending on are knocked out from under us one by one? We are largely unaware that the security and comfort we experience depend on many such props – personal and family health and wellbeing, a safe environment, things running smoothly or the security of a good job. For many of us, it is a moment of truth as we face the challenges brought on by the Covid19 epidemic. Perhaps most of us never envisaged such a scenario happening now in safe, comfortable, secure Singapore.

One spiritual lesson I learnt at this time was the need for courage. I have often claimed the promise of God to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9).

I understood the need for strength because I knew my weakness. But now I also learnt the need for courage. Courage is our response of trust in God in the face of danger and we won’t really know what courage is until we face danger.

Over the last one and a half years, many props I had been unconsciously depending on were knocked out from under me, one by one. Firstly, an unexpected fall in Sept 2018 fractured five of my ribs. That had barely healed when my beloved wife, Salome, was diagnosed with a long-term illness in December that same year. I became her primary care-giver and had to drop other ministries; from the Japanese church to my BFEC commitments and finally OMF (our missions organization) to focus on this one role.

I can fantasize about what I might do if I were attacked by an armed robber but I don’t know what I would actually do until it happens. In other words, we cannot learn courage until we are confronted by danger, by a crisis moment. Courage comes from deep within us, but like everything else we need, it ultimately comes from God.

The third thing that happened was my mum’s change of health, which needed several periods of hospitalization and round the clock care. Thankfully, my sisters, especially Lindis, were able to manage most of the additional responsibilities. All these happened before the coronavirus epidemic struck.

What lessons have I learnt from this time of testing? Struggling to manage the many ups and downs of Salome’s illness and the treatment she needed, there were many times when I came to the point where I no longer knew what to do. In desperation, I prayed, “Lord, I cannot cope any more. If you don’t intervene in some way to help me, I just cannot go on. I have no one to turn to.”

Melville and Salome with mum and sisters Joyce (left) and Christine.

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When we see our way, we have no need of faith, but when darkness falls then faith receives her opportunity.

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We will need courage in times of testing and we need courage to individually and collectively face the challenge of Covid-19. The cowardly thing would be to run away, to hide or try to protect ourselves without caring what happens to others. That is not the Christian way. That is not the way of one who knows the God who has told us to be strong and courageous, not afraid and not discouraged because he has promised to be with us wherever we go.

The sign at the entrance of the OMF International Centre at 2 Cluny Road says “Have faith in God”. This sign is even more prominent at night as it lights up in the surrounding darkness.

Our general director, Dr Patrick Fung, reminded us recently that “Even the darkness will not be dark to you (God); the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you (Psalm 139:12).”

Patrick told us that China Inland Mission (now OMF) missionaries who were facing great persecution in 1927 were comforted by these words - “In the light we are largely unconscious of our limitations, but when the night descends, our helplessness takes hold upon us and makes us cry out for God. Faith is a faculty which needs the darkness to thrive. When we see our way, we have no need of faith, but when darkness falls then faith receives her opportunity.”

Just as faith is a faculty which needs darkness to thrive, so courage is a quality that appears in time of danger. We need courage for such a time as this. We applaud the contribution that courageous people, both here and in China, are making as they work sacrificially on the frontlines combating the disease and seeking to save lives. We, who believe in the promise of Joshua 1:9, cannot do any less.

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No, new w be poured wineskins.

Luke 5:38

NEW WINESKINS

wine must d into new

WITH HIM, EVERYTHING FALLS INTO PLACE

By Luke Roy Tan

I entered the limousine business in 2010 after my previous business venture failed. I knew nothing about limousines but plunged in because the start-up capital was low and most importantly, I wanted to be my own boss. My problem was that I’d only changed the kind of business I was in but not my attitude.

Unsurprisingly, I failed again in 2015 and my losses were bigger and messier this time.

God sent many people, believers (from various churches) and pre-believers, our way. We accepted everyone who came and supported each other by sharing devotions, God’s Word and practical work tips. We encouraged impromptu coffee breaks where we rest and fellowship. We also stressed the importance of family time and held weekly fellowship sessions at the Yakun outlet in Aliwal Street, owned by fellow Frankelite brother Chong Yew Thye who gladly allowed us to use this venue.

I heard the gospel during this period and invited Christ into my life. Slowly, I was transformed as I experienced how God provided for, led and protected me. I only had to trust and obey. It was as if He had been waiting all these years for me to turn to Him to untangle the knots in my life.

A few months after starting this group, we felt we were under spiritual attack as many funny incidents began to happen. Unknowingly, we had been functioning like a ministry in the marketplace but we lacked spiritual covering and accountability. We wanted someone in authority like a Pastor or Elder to provide spiritual oversight if we were to continue and asked God to please send us someone if He wanted CCsg Limousine to be a marketplace ministry.

My attitude to life and work changed after I put Christ at the center of everything. I began to understand that true contentment comes only if He is Lord of all. I faced many challenges and fears but God surrounded me with angels to support and encourage me. I stand today as a testament to His steadfast love, mercy and goodness to me.

As I grew in faith, I realised many in the limousine industry struggle with issues like finances, long working hours, family problems, loneliness, bitterness, resentment, fear. I knew I had to do something about it and shared my burden with two brothers-in-Christ.

In September 2017, we started a small group to support and befriend fellow chauffeurs in need. We called our group “Christ-Centered Support Group Limousine” (CCsg Limousine).

CCsg Limousine Ministry attending “Navigating Your Finances God’s Way”

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One fine day In Dec 2018, I met Elder Jimmy and he asked how my limousine group was doing.

I said CCsg had been operating for a year and that we were doing well. I didn’t share anything about the strange incidents. Imagine my surprise when Elder Jimmy asked if we would consider being adopted by BFEC as her ministry and he would be the overseeing Elder. I was overjoyed and teared instantly. God had once again answered our prayer!

Finally, may I share these verses from His Word which have helped me thus far: Nothing happens by coincidence – Proverbs 16:33 God works everything for our good – Romans 8:28 Always trust in God – Proverbs 3:5-6

In Jan 2019, we were officially a marketplace ministry adopted by BFEC. None of us have ever led a ministry but I know God will provide the wisdom and knowledge we lack because this is His ministry, not ours. God continues to send new friends to us and we continue to experience His presence in CCsg. We hope to be the beacon of God’s light pointing everyone to Christ.

God provides for our needs – Philippians 4:19 God vindicates us – Psalms 57:2 God equips us to do His will – Hebrews 13:21 Pray to God for answers – Matthew 7:8 Wait patiently upon God – Psalms 27:14

We thank God for the privilege to serve Him in building His kingdom. Yet looking back, God has been building us up before leading us into this ministry. I thank God for His love to people in the limousine industry and for paving our way to serve them. I still have so much to learn!

No one can stop God’s plans – Isaiah 14:27 Serve joyfully in everything – Colossians 3:23 Serve with Love – Galatians 5:13 Thank God for those we serve – 1 Thessalonians 1:2

It’s hard to miss the limousines wherever the ministry met.

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HEALED TO SHARE HIS HEALING

With the okay from Faith@Home, support from church office and counsel from Elders Jimmy, See Toh Ming Yew and his wife, Hui Ing - the predecessors of the earlier TMC runs in BFEC - we managed to get the course going. Within a short few weeks, 12 couples, with marriages ranging from 4 to 31 years, signed up.

by Raymond and Hwee Lin Cheah

With the daily stresses and demands of work, parenting and running a household, it is easy to neglect the husband-wife relationship. Conflicts, disagreements and unresolved issues can cause a lot of hurt and problems, if they are not handled properly. Unknowingly, the connection seems lost, the intimacy is gone, the trust is eroded, the husband and wife drift apart. Though the couple knows that something is wrong, they may not know how to fix it. Or they would rather just keep the peace and not “rock the boat”, for fear of making things worse.

Couples sat in a cosy “cafe-style” setting, where words were exchanged in love, prayers were uttered in hope, vows were renewed in faith, for better and stronger marriages. They reaffirmed and recommitted to each other once more.

What we enjoyed most were our journeys home after each session, where we reflected on the vulnerabilities, healings, breakthroughs that we had witnessed, and how grateful we were for the transformational work of the Holy Spirit in these couples. What an honour and privilege to journey with them through TMC! For we knew then, their adventures in building stronger marriages had begun.

These were the struggles in our own marriage for many years. From the outside, everything seemed ok.

But in reality, we were not in a good place; we felt stuck in a pit that we just couldn’t seem to get out of.

It was only by God’s grace that we made it through and emerged stronger. God had sent godly couples who journeyed and prayed with us through trying and difficult times. We had to heal from past hurts, unlearn and relearn a lot about ourselves, and about what it really takes to make marriage work. It was a very humbling experience.

What can we do to guard our marriage and make it better? How can we be more intentional and deepen our connection with our spouse? How can we learn to talk about and work on issues together?

These are crucial questions that married couples should continually ask and work on together as one.

It is a lifelong journey, not a once-off process.

We found that if we are willing to humble and submit ourselves before God and to each other, He will lead us towards a loving and fulfilling one-ness that He had intended for us in our marriage.

Looking back, we realised that if we had been better equipped with the right skills, approached our marriage with the right attitudes and understanding, had realistic expectations and sought godly counsel when it was timely, we could have avoided much of the anguish, frustrations and disappointments.

In June 2019, when we learnt that some couples in church were facing difficulties in their marriages, we felt led by the Holy Spirit to do something.

By faith, we decided to run The Marriage Course (TMC) by Alpha, which we felt would be a good course for couples who want to be more intentional in their marriages. The 7-week course covered a comprehensive range of topics that are close to the hearts of every married couple.

Raymond and Hwee Lin all geared up for The Marriage Course

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WE ARE DESIGNED TO DISCIPLE ANOTHER

By Elder and Chairman Alex Lo

Frankelites gearing up to be disciple-makers

Ps Benny Ho at Church Camp 2019

What new thing happened in 2019? First on our minds must be Covid-19 which brought China, a major economic power, to her knees but also brought Frankelites closer to God, even as our trust in Him is tested. Despite this trying time, we must not lose sight of Jesus’ commission to us – go to the ends of the earth and make disciples.

I have experienced many ‘Kairos’ moments in my life, especially at christian retreats. The first camp I attended, albeit as a reluctant teenager, deepened my faith so much that I went on to organize similar retreats for the Singapore Polytechnic Navigators for almost 10 years.

Camp DFD (Designed For Discipleship) brought back good memories. Over the four days, Pastor Benny Ho’s messages touched many hearts as we eagerly waited to see what new thing God would do. That Sunday, a challenge was issued to the campers; to rise up and be discipled. 30 campers signed up and attended our first READY Basic Discipleship Refresher course several months later.

This course is the first of several steps to becoming a Disciple Making church, which is a journey BFEC embarked on when she turned 60 in 2018.

May the Lord continue raising more disciples who will in turn train others in Frankel and beyond.

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DISCOVERING OUR FAMILY AT CAMP

By Isaac and Mary Heng

Mary felt so blessed that she could share her personal Christian life when she partnered Jenny Suwardy during the “Sacred Space”. God had brought them together despite the fact that it was the first time they had met each other. It is indeed the Holy Spirit that led them to bless each other.

We have attended BFEC since August 2017. We were officially transferred on Easter 2019. Thank God for guiding and leading us during this transitional period. We joined Max Leow/Julie Low’s cell group, shepherded by Elder Seetoh Ming Yew. At the end of February 2019, when the church first announced the dates of the church camp (7 to 10 June), I told Isaac that I would like to attend, this being our first church camp at BFEC. In mid-March 2019, when the registration started, I suddenly realized that we could not join the church camp, as my son had resigned from his current job and was to start his new job in mid-June. We were taking care of his six-year-old son who was attending Bethesda Katong Kindergarten. We prayed and God showed us Romans 8:28 (And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.) We then proceeded to register and paid up for the church camp without worrying!

Isaac also experienced God’s spirit leading him to share his personal experience with a fellow brother who was struggling with his faith due to circumstances. At the end of the camp, it was a great joy to see him stepping forward to receive ministry and prayer blessings! Isaac also stepped up beside him and told him that it was no coincidence for him to attend the church camp, that God has spoken specially to him through the speaker, Pastor Benny Ho. It was even greater joy that after so many years he decided to eventually be baptized in our church.

Praise God! In whatever situation we face, God knows and He assures us that all things work together for good.

What we need is to trust and obey, have fellowship with Him every day. Psalms 2:12 ……Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.

God is kind and good to us as my son could take leave during church camp, despite being new on the job. Praise God! He answered our prayers! Everything was well in place and we made it to the church camp.

2019 was a good year for both of us. We were not only blessed with good health and peace. He gave us the blessing of experiencing the joys of relating to our family in Christ!

It was indeed an enriching and fruitful four days and three nights. We got to know many brothers and sisters in BFEC.

The Frankel One Cell Group

Isaac (right) and Mary at camp with fellow cell members Eric and Julie

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BECAUSE EVERYONE MATTERS TO GOD

by Jocelyn Chong

“Because EVERYONE matters to God” - that’s the catchy tagline of The Jesus Club. We seek to integrate people with special needs as we share the Gospel through songs, a simple sermon, group discussions and games or crafts.

Much as I enjoy the programme, there are times when I struggle to attend The Jesus Club, especially after a long and draining day at work. But on each of these occasions, I have been absolutely amazed how God always provided the surge of energy to sustain me as I facilitated group discussions.

Games during The Jesus Club

My role is to recap the sermon using tools, like songs, images or acronyms, then check our members’ understanding. This means we volunteers have to listen actively, and where necessary, break the question down or rephrase it and finally, summarise the discussion. In doing so, I found it has deepened my own understanding of the Bible and helped me gain new insights.

I enjoy helping out in The Jesus Club because I believe everyone is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14), including those with special needs.

Therefore, they should also have the opportunity to learn about Christ and develop their relationship with Him.

Worshipping together

Since July 2017, we have grown from five to 20 members today. Do journey with us and pray that our 1) Members will grow closer to God. 2) Caregivers will be given the opportunity to share the Gospel with the members.

3) Volunteers will practise self-care and be encouraged by the members’ spiritual growth.

Jocelyn (foreground) with The Jesus Club members celebrating Christmas at SHINE

Come join us! We gather on alternate Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. at the BFEC Level 1 Chapel.

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The Way to Truly Live A Letter to Our Youths and Campers at G@N Camp

By Chan Hsin Yee

It’s been about six months since “This is Living” camp held in December 2019. How have you been? In those five days (they seem so short now!), we saw light and sparks of fire illuminating hearts and minds. How are those fires being fanned?

We got very personal at this camp. Armed with the book of Ephesians, we got right in your face to ask, “What’s the big deal about being a Christian? What’s the big deal about Jesus?”

And we tried our best to show that the answer is everything: Jesus must either come to mean nothing at all, or everything to you. That if one does not choose to come under the authority of Jesus, one is choosing to submit to Sin, the World, and the Devil. And these other masters, they do not show themselves in so crude a form as a red elf with horns and a pitchfork. They conceal themselves in photos, hashtags, self-care, the workhard, “Let it Go” mentalities, fears, practicalities, and ideals. They wrap themselves in feel-good speak that conjures an illusion of a world with no God. And any meaning, any value that can be found here is up to you to make. It is a fog that conceals a spiritual reality as real as this page at your fingertips, and God worked deep in us to make this reality known to us.

I praise and thank God, because He moved in powerful ways those five days. I think the rest of the camp committee would agree with me. We saw the fog clearing, and sweet, sharp light shining every time we came together to share, to sing, to eat. So many introspective, “light bulb” moments! People were sharing whether they genuinely believed they were Christian. Some concluded that they no longer wanted to live in the dark.

Others realised they had never really considered God to be relevant in their life up to this point. We saw the Christian-ese so many of you have grown up hearing – “sacrifice”, “sin”, “glory” – how they moved beyond words floating in our head to words that carried weight in our heart.

You know the most precious, most beautiful moment I will remember of this camp? The last night of worship, when we saw siblings, friends, classmates, young adults and youths, coming together in prayer, worshipping with hands raised, knees bowed.

My dear friends, now that the emotional high of camp has passed, I pray that you keep pressing on. Keep asking questions. Keep trying. Keep encouraging one another. Please know that the Lord is crazy about you, gave His life for you, and wants you to have the best – the best can only be found in Him. I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to do His good work in each of you, even in the most mundane of days.

May you know – really know – the goodness of our Lord. Every day.

You don’t have to live in the fog anymore.

Biggest hugs, Hsin Yee

Building a Generation Together

,

By Amanda Ho

For as long as I can remember, Sunday School camps have, for the most part, always been run by “older adults’. For the first time in December 2019, our annual Grow@Noon (G@N) camp was planned and executed by the largest and most diverse group of young adults (people in their 20s). Our committee was a group of 16, a mix of National Service men, tertiary and university students as well as young working adults. Despite our differences, what bonded us together was a fervent heart of love and service for the youths. This dedication was seen in the synergy of each meeting, how our committee overcame the challenges of a short timeframe, and how everything came together because God was in the centre of it all.

Going by the theme “This is Living,” based on the book of Ephesians, the purpose of the camp was to challenge our youths to go back to the basics of their beliefs, dive deeper and reflect on their own lives and where their own walk with God was headed.

When the camp was in full force, everyone sensed a tangible bond amongst the camp groups from the start. This energy led to a build-up of trust that in turn encouraged honest sharing of life stories during group discussions, opening up of vulnerabilities and fears about the faith, as well as lives that were dedicated afresh.

We put ourselves into His hands and were deeply encouraged when we caught a glimpse of a generation that is hungry to see more of God in their lives.

Even though the camp is long over now and our youth are back to their routines of their school and own lives, our hope for every youth lives on, and we appeal to Frankelites to pray alongside us as well – that our youth will continue seeking God in their lives and shining for Him through the good works that He has prepared for them to do.

“For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:14-19 ESV

GODSENT SURPRISES & GODLY ASSIGNMENTS

by Wong Lee Pin, Principal, Bethesda (Katong) Kindergarten

the emphasis on character building and our solid curriculum. One parent shared that her son can now feed himself, carry his bag, put on his own shoes and put away his toys since starting prenursery classes. Another shared how her daughter has learnt perspective-taking despite this skill being beyond her age. She could learn it because it had been effectively taught by BKK teachers and reinforced by the parents.

Just as Singapore and the world wrestled with COVID-19, Bethesda Katong Kindergarten (or BKK) fought a ‘war’ last year. For various sociological reasons including the falling birth rate in Singapore, we have been seeing declining enrolment in many church-based kindergartens.

We know God has sustained and enriched BKK through the past 60 over years. We have been blessed by committed staff, resources and wise counsel.

Our church’s 2019 theme verse was Isaiah 43:19 “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness, and streams in the wasteland.”

Yet God, in His mercy and grace, encouraged us recently with a surprise visit by two ex-students.

“Oh, look! I remember climbing these metal frames!” exclaimed Malik to his fianceé, Martha.

Indeed new ‘things’ are happening in BKK.

Both had attended BKK in the 1980s when their parents were stationed in Singapore and they recalled their kindergarten days fondly – painting on easel boards, playing in the sand, eating biscuits and drinking orange cordial for snacks. Although they were only in Singapore for a week, they made time to visit us – a testimony of BKK’s influence on our young ones.

We strengthened our Numeracy curriculum by incorporating visual models and classroom experience to boost understanding of concepts.

We started a Playgroup for 18-month-old toddlers in faith. It is our first venture into a programme for this age group and with the exception of one staff, the rest of us were novices. Things moved fast; the curriculum was confirmed, approval from authorities was obtained, the staff identified and commissioned. Jehovah Jireh provided the children - from three in March to nine by September, just one short of the limit of 10 we had set to ensure quality care.

Likewise, many other ex-students have returned to visit us. Many have also enrolled their children in BKK, their alma mater.

We are also heartened by the encouraging messages and tokens sent by parents. In our recent Parent Survey, parents said BKK’s distinctive characteristics are warm, caring and loving teachers,

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In response to feedback that there is a demand for after-school enrichment, we started `Coding & Robotics’ and ‘Public Speaking’ classes. The former prepares our children for the digital economy by developing logical thinking and problem solving skills. In fact, MOE announced that all upper primary students will undergo a compulsory 10-hour coding programme after we started our class.

The `Public Speaking’ class teaches children how best to receive and share information by taking the audience and context into consideration.

Our aim is that our students develop into wellrounded individuals, rooted in Christian values.

We thank God He has allowed us to partner in His work at BKK and humbly pray we will continue to do so for many more years. Would you pray with us?

Martha and Malik reliving their kindergarten days

Our playgroup children dressed up for Racial Harmony Day

Children in pairs planning how to move Dash during the Coding and Robotics class

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UNEXPECTED ASSIGNMENT FROM GOD

By Jonathan Cho

Don’t let them get away!

I may be regularly active and familiar in BFEC’s youth ministry but this was totally new territory.

“Lord, did I hear You wrong? Perhaps I bit off more than I can chew?”

Sometime towards the end of 2019, I was approached to be a camp speaker at a Youth Camp organized

by New Hope Community Services to be held at ‘Kampung Siglap’ (KS). The year was drawing to a close and I was looking forward to ‘winding down’. I wasn’t expecting to receive such a speaking/teaching assignment but after asking God about it, I felt compelled to take it up – especially since BFEC has been gearing up for more active service in Kampung Siglap. “Perhaps this is an opportunity to build a relationship with the KS community and set the path for something new in 2020”, I thought.

Simply quoting verses and teachings from the Bible was not an option, although it was very much my underlying driving force. I was forced to go beyond religious language and ‘Christian-ese’, which would have been easy for the typical BFEC youth to understand. I prayed the same prayer I would when ministering to a Christian audience – “God, what would You like to say to them?” – but was also pushing the boundaries of my understanding of what Christian ministry is and should be about.

The topic of the camp centered around the African philosophy, “Ubuntu: I am because we are”.

It is by no means a simple concept, although rooted in much scriptural truth, such as being “members of one body” and loving one’s neighbour. I understood the message immediately but my challenge was in creatively communicating these rich truths to youths of varying socio-economic status, ages and attention spans (averaging 10 to 18 years old) in a totally nonreligious setting.

Jesus never had difficulties communicating God’s truths to people of varied backgrounds because He understood the core of what the scriptures meant. He could make it accessible to anyone through parables and stories because He lived these truths and did not just teach them – He was just telling people about a reality He lived in. Could the same be said of me?

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Jesus never had difficulties communicating God’s truths to people of varied backgrounds because He understood the core of what the scriptures meant.

In faith I went, supported by a wonderful team of Young Adults from BFEC enlisted to help (albeit last minute!). The youths at the camp were thoroughly engaged for about an hour and even able to tell me what they learnt from our time together.

All said, I share this not just as a personal reflection but also for us to honestly contemplate as a Church (as we approach even greater KS engagement). If we so thoroughly live, breathe and imbibe the truth of God’s Word in our daily lives, we do not need to use the language we are so used to hearing and speaking amongst ourselves to help others grasp timeless and life-giving truth. God can assign anyone of us a task to teach His truth - even at the most unexpected hour – and we will find it as straightforward as simply sharing our life and the reality we live in.

Jonathan speaking to the youths

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r u O g n i t t e L e n i h S t L igh

By Ng Geok Chye

It’s not everyday we get to co-organise an event to bless our immediate community. So when the opportunity came, our church was happy to join Joo Chiat CC and New Hope Community Services to host a full-house Christmas extravaganza called SHINE on the evening of Saturday 21 December, 2019. It was a fitting way to soft-launch Kampong Siglap to the community too.

Apart from contributing towards the budget, BFEC and BKK wholeheartedly volunteered in organizing the stage programme, serving as Nativity characters and helping out in various ways to make everyone feel at home and be well-fed. The Lord blessed us with excellent weather as the rains stopped at precisely the right time (after pouring for a week).

The strains of favourite carols rang clearly in the air during the unforgettable mass candlelight caroling as MP for Joo Chiat (also Senior Minister of State for Law and for Health) Mr Edwin Tong and the 1,500 guests and Frankelites present declared in song the reason for the season.

It was a new way to think about serving the community - bringing people together to hear about God’s love at Christmas and to experience that love through each one of us..

From top to bottom: 1. Registration booth helpers 2. Welcoming the guests 3. SHINE at the newly renovated Kampung Siglap premises

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From top to bottom, left to right: 1. Candlelight finale 2. Food trucks galore 3. The joint committee 4. The community coming together 5. Song by our BKK children 6. Our home-grown MCs at the Concert, Avelina (foreground), Derek (left) and Daren 6. Maestro Alvaro sharing his life and music

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Behold, somethin Isaiah 43:19

BFEC IN 2019

I will do ng new

When God does a new thing, He often does so in community. Therefore our mission remains, that 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 be the Bride of Christ Ready at His Return. Can you see His hand at work? How would you respond in turn?

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. In 2019, we appointed three Co-opted Elders (Ethan Pang, Daryl Liu and Jonathan Cho). We also 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.

2019 Council and Staff Sitting (L-R): Advisory Elder Ernest Chew, Elders Melville Szto, Roland Tan, Joshua Quek Mong Hua, Danny Chua, Alex Lo, Jimmy Tan, Advisory Elder Lionel Ong, Elders Chong Kum Wah, See Toh Ming Yew, Caleb Chua Soon Boon Middle Row (L-R): Co-opted Elder Jonathan Cho, Deacon John Teo, Hwang Ching Yun, Deaconess Shirley Soo, Lim Seow Cheng, Lindis Szto, Deaconesses Sharon Ngoo, Abigail Ng, Wong Lee Pin, Lucy Yeo, Jenny, Kuah Leck Ping, Co-opted Elder Ethan Pang Top Row (L-R): Deacons Jason Sin, Vincent Lim, Ngoo Chih Yuan, Ng Geok Chye, Fong Chee Siong, Adam Tang Khee Lee, Ang Teck Soon, Chris Letchumanan, Willy Ong, Michael Mak, Kelvin Ng, Francis Soh, Derek Pang, Du Jian Hua Absent in photo: Co-opted Elder Daryl Liu, Deacon Kiang Tzy Peng

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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.

NUMBERS

23 Baptised 6 8 1308 16 Transferred In

Transferred Out

Members as at end 2019 (Nett increase of 5)

Called Home

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WORSHIP & PRAYER Worship Ministry is always heart before art, individual before corporate, always to the audience of One. About 70 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. After our June Church Camp, we piloted our READY Basic Discipleship materials for one on one discipling.

Our 44 Cell Groups continue to be the primary conduit of pastoral care, discipleship and mobilization for service, led by mature and caring individuals accountable to Elders and Deacon undershepherds. 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).

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We also heed the call of the Faith@Home movement to re-establish 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 more than 80 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? 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 near or are already in retirement?

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CHILDREN Before BFEC, there was already Bethesda (Katong) Kindergarten or BKK. Started in 1955, it touched the lives of 324 children last year with blessings of a strong leadership team, dedicated teachers and supportive parents.

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 co-disciple the little ones from the Creche (8 children) to Kindergarten Sunday School (34 children) and Junior Sunday School (55 children) ministries.

Is God calling you to minister to our children?

JSS Camp

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YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS Grow@Noon turned 7 in 2019, 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). As both Grow@Noon and YA come together in 2020 as one Youth Service ministry, would you be willing to befriend one of them as they navigate many critical transitions?

Young Adults

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SENIORS & SPECIAL INTERESTS As we turned 61 in 2019, 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 also seen new initiatives like Ukulele For Christ, Table Tennis fellowship and Jesus Club. In 2019, we adopted the Christ-centred Support Group Limousine ministry, a marketplace initiative. Together 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.

Evergreen outing

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Ladies Group

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)!

FIWF India Independence Day Celebration

Evangelistic Mid-Autumn event organised by Evergreen and Chinese Ministry

MISSIONS & EVANGELISM BFEC has been traditionally strong in missions because we believe it comes for 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 special 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 mobilised the church to rally behind the citywide Celebration of Hope and to share God’s love through song and deed at our Christmas collaboration with Joo Chiat CC and New Hope Community Services called SHINE. A group of faithful Frankelites share Christ’s love and salvation each month through street evangelism, reaching out to 131 others in 2019. How are you bearing witness faithfully in word and deed? (Acts 1:8)?

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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 Kampung Siglap Lifeskills Training and Retreat Centre or Kampung Siglap in short. It is right next to us at 10, La Salle Street. Due to some unforeseen renovation delays, the original launch was postponed. Nevertheless, we are heartened that a core team of Frankelites have grasped this early 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 Concern Sub-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?

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 and Worship (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 join 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, Steward 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?

TO GOD BE THE GLORY! 55

With every breath I long to follow Jesus For He has said that He will bring me home And day by day I know He will renew me Until I stand with joy before the throne To this I hold, my hope is only Jesus All the glory evermore to Him When the race is complete, still my lips shall repeat Yet not I, but through Christ in me!

Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me

by Jonny Robinson, Rich Thompson, Michael Farren

SUNDAY Worship Services: English - 8 am & 10 am Chinese - 9.30 am Creche, KSS & JSS (Children): 10 am Youth Service (Grow@Noon + YA): 12 pm International Fellowship: 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) Street Evangelism: 6.30pm (Every 3rd Wed) THURSDAY 9214 Table Tennis: 3 pm FRIDAY Church Prayer Meeting: 8 pm SATURDAY CCsg Limousine: 8am (outside location) 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 Facebook: facebook.com/bfecsg

READY N0.9 June 2020 A publication of Bethesda Frankel Estate Church | MCI(P) 074/01/2020