Ordination Charge
The Reverend Zhu Jian Wei was ordained on 3 January 2021 in True Life Bible Presbyterian Church Chinese service. Tabernacle BPC has been richly blessed by his labour of love among us as well, in the Chinese congregation and in the recent church camp.
The following was the charge given at the ordination service to our brother. As preached recently from 2 Timothy 4:1-2 by Reverend Quek, it is a divine charge given through a fellow ordained minister as an instrument.
Below is a sample of an ordination charge:
My beloved brother, since we believe that God has called you to be a minister of Jesus Christ, and since the church has recognized this call, and by prayer and laying on of hands has separated you to the gospel of God. As the representative of the church of Christ, I therefore beseech you that you give earnest heed to this charge from the Word of the living God:
“I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.” (2 Tim. 4:1-5)
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Tim. 2:15)
“… be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in
charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” (fr. 1 Tim. 4:12)
“… give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.” (1 Tim. 4:13)
“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.”
(1 Tim. 4:15 KJV)
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” (1 Tim. 4:16)
“… follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.” (fr. 1 Tim 6:11-12)
“Take heed therefore unto thyself, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made thee overseer, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” (fr. Acts 20:28 KJV)
Yours affectionately,
Pastor Clement Chew
Testimony of Sister Rachel Leong
Thank God for seeing me through 3.5 years of studies here in the Far Eastern Bible College. I do not have enough words to describe how thankful I am to know that God is on my side during these years of training in FEBC. The first time I felt God’s call to serve full time was in 2014. This was the time that I experienced so much joy and eagerness to know the Bible from cover to cover. Through the ups and downs, God confirmed my calling in 2016. I knew that I could do no other work other than God’s work. I have received the most perfect gift from our heavenly Father and there is no other way I would want to use my life, except to be fully dedicated unto Him. As I did not want to make rash decisions, so I continued waiting and praying. Finally, my application to FEBC was successful and I was part of the FEBC family. These two verses in Job fully described what I went through.
That which I see not teach thou me.
Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear:
but now mine eye seeth thee. Job 34:32
I always thought that FEBC life will be similar to an extended Church camp. However, things were not so easy and simple in FEBC. No amount of preparation I did was sufficient to prepare me for the FEBC life. That was a good lesson for me to keep on relying and trusting in God in every situation. I also learnt to give my best in everything, whatever it may be, and whether or not anyone is watching me. God slowly moulded me to be the person He wanted me to be. I’ve experienced God’s strength, wisdom and goodness in ways unimaginable. Even in my weakest and most trying times, God never failed to use His Word and friends around me to keep my eyes focused on Him. I thank God that He blessed me with a smooth FEBC journey. Thus, I can now say that my years in FEBC were much better than any Church camp I have attended.
I must not forget to give thanks for Tabernacle Bible Presbyterian Church. This is the Church that I grew up in and I am so blessed to receive tender loving care from all of you. I thank all of you for always asking and praying for me, for your patience as I made mistakes and grew, and for your kind words of encouragement. As of now, I am sure of my calling to serve within your midst and I pray that God will use my life to glorify His name. Serving God is not about what I can do, but what God can do when we submit our lives unto Him.
If I can sum up what I have gained from the past 3.5 years, it would be unconditional love and unfeigned faith. And I pray this will remain in me until the Lord takes me home.
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Psalm 73:26
As God had opened many opportunities for me to serve in Tabernacle Bible Presbyterian Church now, I will be serving in the children’s and youth ministry. To God be the glory.
Editor’s Note: We are pleased to have Rachel serving on a probational basis in Tabernacle BPC. Please pray for the Lord to guide her in the service for Christ.