Dear Brethren,
Our Church has just concluded 2 key events in our calendar – our 24th thanksgiving anniversary on 26 June 2011 and our Annual Congregational Meeting (ACM) cum Church Session election on 3 July 2011. We thank God for helping us to remember His goodness in our Church through these 2 events. Indeed, we can count our blessings and name them one by one. Our hope is in the Lord who will lead us ahead even though the future is uncertain. Let us echo the words of the Psalmist in faith and say, “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth” Psalm 121:1-2.
Pray for the New Church Session Members
The new Church Session has just been elected into office. The Lord has called us to serve Him to lead the Church. We serve in fear and trembling knowing our weaknesses and how easily we can be discouraged too. Pray for us that we will obey God’s Word to “watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you” Hebrews 13: 17. We covet your prayers for us that we will serve in humility and in the strength of the Lord.
As leaders, we know we are not perfect and will fail you in one time or another. We hope for your understanding and support in such time. By God’s grace, we will strive to walk in the way of the Lord and be a blessing and encouragement to your lives. Many of you are gifted by the Lord in many ways that the leaders of the Church do not possess. We encourage you to serve the Lord fervently and faithfully in your capacity for the edifying of the body of Christ.
Be Ready Always to Serve the Lord
I thank God for the opportunity to serve in our Chinese congregation from August onwards. God willing, I will spend 2 Sundays each month to chair and preach at the Chinese worship service. If you ask me to preach God’s Word in Mandarin a few years ago, I will never be able to do it. The Lord prepares and equips me over these few years by giving me a burden for the ministry to teach His Word in Mandarin especially at Kuching. When I feel most inadequate but the need in Kuching is great without a preacher, I can only pray and rely totally on God’s strength and wisdom. It is only by God’s grace that He uses me to go regularly to Kuching to preach His Word and be an encouragement to the brethren there. Today, I can testify that it is God who has helped me and equipped me for this service.
I regretted that I did not work very hard in learning my Mandarin during school days. Now I realize how useful it is to master a language so that we can serve the Lord better and be able to reach out to more people for the Lord with His Word. May I encourage all our students to work hard in school now especially in your languages. The Lord is using your school days as your spiritual training school so that you will be equipped to serve Him. It is our greatest joy and privilege to serve our King of kings and Lord of lords. Hence, work hard now in school and learn as much as you can. You will never know what the Lord will call you to do but be always ready for it.
Let every member of Tabernacle BP Church be a serving member for the Lord whether you are young or old. It does not matter if the area of service is small or big in the eyes of man. It does not matter if the area of service is seen or unknown too. What is important in our service for the Lord is that we should be “not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord” Romans 12:11.
Elder John Leong
Testimonies
I want to thank God for this Ebenezer camp that I am able to go once again. Before the camp started, I was feeling rather troubled as I had school lessons during those weeks too. But I still went ahead for the youth camp and decided not to go back to school. However, God honours those who honours Him. I received an SMS from my friends telling me that some lessons were cancelled and postponed. I felt really glad that God has made a way for me to attend the camp and from then, I was able to fully concentrate on the messages. I really thank God for acting in such a special way in my life.
Being a leader and kitchen IC was not an easy job because I could not rest as much I wanted to. But God still provided and gave me much strength throughout. I also thank God for supportive group members who shared openly during the group discussion, which made the discussion very fruitful.
Preacher Lek, our speaker, was a great speaker and God has spoken much to me by his messages. I learnt to treasure God’s Word and to serve God wholeheartedly to the end. The many messages have all spoken to me in a specific way and it seems that God has a message to instruct me about how I should be living my life. I am very encouraged by Preacher Lek and his meekness and how He gave up his career to go to full time ministry.
I hope this camp will not just stop here, but that I can continue to live my life for God to the end. When I go back to school after this June holiday, I strive to do my quiet time daily and truly experience God’s presence in my life. I also want to do my best for the Lord!
Sister Rachel Leong
The theme for this year’s Ebenezer’s Youth Camp is O’ Jesus I Have Promised Serve Thee To The End. This is my second time attending the youth camp. The camp was very fun and I have benefited a lot from the 6 messages by Pr. Lek Aik Wee. During this camp, I also did my first chairing. I was very nervous but I managed to do it with God’s help. What I have learnt from this camp is when we do God’s will, He will give us His blessings.
My favourite message in this camp is the third message, Blessedness of Walking with God. It has taught me that we all have to grow spiritually and to bear fruits and that knowing God’s Word is a privilege. What I have enjoyed most was the messages, games and the outing. They were all very enjoyable. I was also the kitchen IC with sister Rachel. We prepared breakfast for the campers, washed up and cleaned the kitchen. It was a pleasant experience working with sister Rachel.
I prayed that after attending this camp, I will be more prayerful and that I will submit my life to the Lord and also to serve Him till He comes again. I am waiting to attend next year’s youth camp.
Sister Brittney Peck