10TH THANKSGIVING ANNIVERSARY

MANDARIN WORSHIP SERVICE

Praise and thanks be to our loving and merciful God, who has found each and every one of His sheep in His own good timing. It was His unconditional love that has chosen us before the foundation of the world, and continues to preserve us each day till we meet Him face to face.

The Chinese Congregation in Tabernacle BP Church started with the leadership of brother Jia En more than a decade ago. It was a simple effort to build up the faith of the few parents of the English congregation. We thank God that the this effort has has been preserved till this very day.

The path of ministry was not easy as the Chinese Congregation met with many challenges and obstacles. Some have come and gone, but others stayed. The Lord that has been ever faithful and providing for all our every needs. It is truly by the mercies of God, that we are not consumed. The ministry was preserved and blessed. We thank God for the brethren for their faithful and fruitful service though in their little and quiet ways.

The brethren in their golden years are often bowed down by physical infirmities, but they have never shied away from volunteering to serve, whenever given the opportunity. They are always growing, and it is always an encouragement to us when we see them making the effort to be involved, even to the point of exhaustion at times.

The elderly can be slow, cumbersome and feeble at times. There were also a few hard knocks in some of their individual and family lives. It requires wisdom to minister lovingly and encourage them to grow in Christ. Therefore, we covet your prayers not only not only for their health and safety, but also for their spiritual strength in the Lord. For it is this faith and hope in Christ that will carry them through each day whatever they face.

Just as with any work of God, there needs to be much prayer and labourers.

“But when he saw the multitudes,
he was moved with compassion on them,
because they fainted,
and were scattered abroad,
as sheep having no shepherd.
Then saith he unto his disciples,
The harvest truly is plenteous,
but the labourers are few;
Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest,
that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:36-38

Brother Ya Hui will be graduating this coming May, and sister Cong Hui about a year later. Therefore, the rest of the younger brethren who are taking multiple roles in serving and growing at the Chinese Congregation are greatly stretched.

There is also a need to start a Fellowship meeting for the Chinese brethren, as they had been lacking in opportunity to fellowship with fellow brethren these many years. They need the spiritual, physical and mental support and encouragement from fellow brethren, on a regular basis. Therefore, do pray with us for God’s guidance and direction regarding this matter.

There is indeed a genuine need for more brethren to serve at the Chinese Congregation. We pray for more who will have the calling and burden to serve in the Chinese Congregation ministry. Whether it be ushering, chairing, singing, transport, follow-up, teaching etc., there is always a genuine need. It is an opportunity to put into practice whatever we have learned from all the many Bible lessons that we have accumulated all these years.

As for the language barrier, it typically takes about a year of commitment, of willingness to spend time and heart to fellow-ship and communicate with the Chinese speaking brethren. You will soon feel at ease with it. Such endeavour requires much humility, patience and love. Will there be some among the brethren who will avail themselves to this area of service?

Dear brethren, are you seeking for God’s will in your area of service? Perhaps this area of service is the Chinese Congregation! There is a genuine need of help in this ministry, and we pray that more will step forward to minister to the Chinese-speaking brethren.
All praise and glory be to God.

By His grace,
Preacher Yap Yee Kin