SharonBPC-50thAnniversaryMagazine

FELLOWSHIP

SENIOR ADULTS FELLOWSHIP The SAF Story: Ten Years of Blessings
(SAF)
The Senior Adults Fellowship (SAF)
by Dr. Tan Yew Ghee and Irene birthed on Saturday, 23 April 2011, at
Aloha Changi. At that inaugural event, the
Introduction invited speaker was Rev. Phillip Heng, who
shared with the group the experience of the
“The glory of young men is their strength: Golden Age Fellowship of Life B-P Church.
and the beauty of old men is the grey head” This inspired the SAF members to continue
(Proverbs 20:29). to do its part for Sharon B-P Church.

“With the ancient is wisdom; and in Later that year, a bus load of 40 church
length of days understanding” (Job 12:12). members comprising seniors and others,
went on an overnight trip to Tangkak, Johor.
“They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; The second meeting was organised for the
they shall be fat and flourishing” (Psalm senior members of our church to see the
92:14). outreach work and to encourage our
brethren at Tangkak B-P Fellowship. The
If you think you are old and feel your enthusiasm during the trip was contagious,
strength depleted, remember, you are still from good fellowship meals, spontaneous
alive! The fact that the Lord keeps you sharing and uplifting one another, to the
around, he must have something he wants highlight of God’s Word in John 4:35b, “Lift
you to do. “Age” is but a number, when you up your eyes, and look on the fields; for
see men and women in the Bible, like Anna, they are white already to harvest.”
Caleb and others who served God actively
into their ripe old age. They got involved in A film presentation on the missionary
God’s work, they informed others of God’s work of James Outram Fraser, who
Word and faithfully, they prepared the next laboured among the Lisu people in Burma
generation. (Myanmar), challenged the church
members to travel and support the local
What about you, how are you keeping and overseas mission work. Over the
yourself busy with the strength you have, years, some members went to support the
for your family, church, relatives and work in China, India, Indonesia, Myanmar,
friends? How often do you pray, “Now also Thailand and others.
when I am old and grayheaded, O God,
forsake me not; until I have shewed thy The subsequent ten years of the SAF
strength unto this generation, and thy programme consisted of quarterly meet-
power to every one that is to come” (Psalm ings, with an acronym for each year. The
71:18). acronym and a theme verse for each
meeting served as guide for the speakers.
We are alive in the present era, seen as Questions for discussions were given to the
a “perilous end time” in God’s calendar, yet, members one week before, at Sunday
the mission of God stands firm. He would worship service. The three-hour meeting
bring together for Himself, believers of would start with discussion time as
Jesus Christ from every tribe, nation, members answered the questions related
people and tongue. to the theme, followed by an exhortation by
the speaker, then questions and answers.
The meetings would end with a fellowship
meal.

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FELLOWSHIP

Thus far, these were the acronyms and The Future
topics covered:
Starting from this year, the SAF will
2012: FROG – Fully Relying on God combine with the AF (Adult Fellowship) for
2013: WOLF – Waiting on Lord’s Favor all subsequent meetings and events. On
2014: LAMB – Longingly Adore (God’s) 15 May 2021, an online combined meeting
via Zoom was held. The speaker was Rev.
Majestic Beauty Lee Hock Chin on the topic “Revive Us
2015: KIWI – Keeping Inspired Word Again”.

Impactful Although the online platforms may be
2016: DEER – Doing Everything relied on for some time to come, we are
prayerful that we will be able to have
Edifyingly Rightly physical meetings and fellowship again.
2017: SWAN – Surrendering Whole- We are also hopeful that God will grant us
opportunities to hold out-of-country
heartedly Anew Notwithstanding gatherings, for example in Malaysia, Indo-
2018: DUCK – Developing Unwavering nesia and Vietnam.

Commitment Knowingly Conclusion
2019: BEAR – Being Effective, Active
Our time is in God’s hand, don’t waste it!
(and) Ready Moses in Psalm 90:12 says, “So teach us
2020: ANTS – Acceptable, Notable, to number our days, that we may apply our
hearts unto wisdom.” The time of our life
Talents (to) Serve marches on. It is a great blessing to serve
2021: PRAY – Pursuing Relentlessly (to) God and positively bring forth fruit in old
age. It is best to let your children, grand-
Abide (in) Yahweh. children and others see you as a glowing,
growing Christian, helping them to know
Besides making two overnight trips to and love Jesus in their lives.
Tangkak and Muar, locally, the seniors
have held meetings in our home, Changi “To God be the Glory”
Beach Club, Good O’ Times Restaurant,
PeraMakan Restaurant, Uncle Tan Kelong
Seafood Restaurant, Metropolitan YMCA
and Beulah House.

SAF was much blessed with four willing
speakers each year who responded to a
wide variety of topics covered. The mem-
bers were diligent in preparing and
meditating on the answers to questions
given ahead of time, and there was good
participation and interaction. We were
overjoyed to have our Malaysian brethren
from Tangkak who took the trouble to drive
down to Singapore to join us.

However, the SAF physical meetings
were halted because of the Covid-19
restrictions, except for an online seminar
on Mental and Spiritual Resilience (Coping
with Covid-19) on 5 October 2020.

Truly, in all circumstances, the word of
God says, “For God hath not given us the
spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and
of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:17).

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FELLOWSHIP

ADULTS FELLOWSHIP (AF) YOUTH FELLOWSHIP (YF)

The Church Session saw a great need The Youth Fellowship has gone through
to minister to our members outside of the quite a number of transformations through
church premises. We started by visiting the years. The age range for this group
and encouraging them. As the visitation varies, but generally, it is meant to cater to
became more regular, we started the Home those from pre-teens to those who are still
Fellowship (HF) where we visited homes as studying (up to A-level). Currently, the
a group. The settings were more informal, majority of the group are those in their pre-
allowing the people to interact freely. teens and secondary schooling.
When the regular group which benefited
most from this was those with young As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic,
families, the Home Fellowship became the meetings were conducted online, and only
Adults Fellowship. once a month. We have a committee of
young adults, comprising Aw Jie Shi, Caleb
The Adults Fellowship meets quarterly Ho and Ekin Kwik, ministering to them. It is
at homes. The Word of God, pertaining really heartening to see that this group of
mainly to work and family life, would be YFers like the meetings and the fellowship
shared. Often there would be a “makan” with one another through the creative
session after the meeting. Food would be means offered by the committee.
contributed by everyone. Through food
and sharing, we got to know each other to JUNIOR FELLOWSHIP (JF)
pray better for one another. However, due
to the Covid-19 pandemic, the meetings at The Junior Fellowship was born out of
homes had to be stopped. Currently, the the need to minister to the young children.
AFers have combined online meetings with During the Home Fellowship / Adults
the SAFers. Fellowship meetings, the messages often
catered to the adults, leaving their children
YOUNG ADULTS FELLOWSHIP (YAF) unattended. The Junior Fellowship was
formed and it was conducted parallel to the
The Young Adults Fellowship has taken HF / AF meetings. It was a start to get the
different shapes and sizes through the children to learn to interact with one
years. At the beginning, the members were another and to learn a little about God’s
mostly “graduates” from the Youth Word. Most of these children have grown
Fellowship group who had outgrown their up and been "promoted" to the YF. We
teenage years. As our church does not thank God that Junior Fellowship was able
have a large group of youths, initially, the to cater to them then. Should there be a
Youths And Young Adults were combined need, we will restart the Junior Fellowship.
and called “YAYA.” As the needs widened,
it was inevitable that the Young Adults
would desire to address their own needs.
Hence, YAF was formed. Currently, the
YAF group is small. However, the core
group members are very consistent and
devoted. They meet regularly once every
fortnight. They discuss the Word of God
deeply for the edification of all. We thank
God for this group of devoted young adults.

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FELLOWSHIP

PASTORAL FRATERNITY 2012: “Always Reformed, Always
Reforming” (Rev. Ho Chee Lai) with
The Pastoral Fraternity was mooted 140 participants (5 May – Vesak
when a group of pastors desired to gather Day).
together to fellowship, through prayer and
the ministry of the Word one to another, 2013: “The Crossroad” (Rev. Mathews
and to share their experiences in the Abraham) with 136 participants (24
ministry. The first meeting was held at the May – Vesak Day).
home of Ho Chee Lai on 22 April 2008. The
meetings were then shifted to the church 2014: Combined B-P Youth Camp: “The
premises and eventually online during the Lordship of Christ” (Rev. Isaac Ong)
Covid-19 pandemic. It was out of this with 139 participants (15-18 Dec).
Pastoral Fraternity that some initiatives
came into existence. 2015: “Preparing for Christ’s Return” (Lim
Chien Chong) with 153 participants
Combined B-P Youth Conferences (4 Jul).

First, the Combined B-P Youth 2016: “Who am I? Full or Fool?” (Rev.
Conferences. Previously, the combined Jack Sin) with 153 participants (4
fellowship meetings were ad hoc; each Jul).
church conducted a meeting for that year,
and then passed it on to the next church. 2017: Combined B-P Youth Camp:
Due to a lack of pastoral oversight, the “Steady, Steady, Pom BP” (Rev.
combined fellowship did not last. Charles Seet, Rev. Isaac Ong, Rev.
Ong Hock Kee, Rev. Jack Sin, Joel
The structure of the Combined B-P Seah Geok Leng) with 96
Youth Conference is different. Although participants (18-21 Dec).
the committee changes over the years, it
reports directly to the Pastoral Fraternity. 2018: “Appointed, Attitude, Action” (Rev.
Moreover, there is always a pastor from the Lim Chee Boon) with 113
Pastoral Fraternity who acts as the Advisor participants (18 Aug).
to the committee. In this way, the
Combined B-P Youth Conferences were 2019: Discussion on “Christian Doctrines
conducted regularly and consistently since and Christian Living” (Joel Beeke)
its commencement in 2008. There were with around 100 participants (10
some years, where instead of conferences, Aug).
camps were organised.
2020: Combined B-P Youth Camp
Combined B-P Youth Conferences: (Online-Hybrid): “Our Christian
Identity” (Rev. Ho Chee Lai) with
2009: “Reformed  Resolved  Relevant” 116 participants (28-30 Dec).
(Rev. Charles Seet, Rev. Isaac Ong,
Mark Chen, Rev. Mathews Emmanuel Reformed Bible College
Abraham, Rev. Frank Low, Rev.
Jack Sin) with 150 participants (21 Second, we founded the Emmanuel
Sep – Hari Raya Puasa). Reformed Bible College. We recognise the
need for a Bible College to proclaim and
2010: “Believing and Be Living our teach the Reformed Faith, where we can
Christian Faith” (Rev. Jack Sin, send our future pastoral candidates and
Mark Chen) with 193 participants Gospel workers to be trained and equipped.
(28 May – Vesak Day).
It was imperative for us to lay down the
2011: “Running the Rat Right Race” (Rev. foundation for the future generations by
Isaac Ong, Rev. Mathews Abraham) forming ERBC. We also recognised that
with 140 participants (28 May). such work is beyond the ability of a single
church. It was through the combined
efforts of various like-minded churches that
ERBC was eventually birthed.

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FELLOWSHIP

Presbytery of Singapore Bible-
Presbyterian Churches

Third, we also saw the need to be true
to our calling as Bible-Presbyterian church-
es. Since the dissolution of the synod of
the Bible-Presbyterian Church of Singa-
pore in 1988, each congregation had
become independent.

We became more congregational rather
than Presbyterian. We saw the need to
establish a presbytery among like-minded
churches to regulate and govern ourselves
according to the Presbyterian form of
government. We are working towards its
formation.

All these are the fruition of like-minded
pastors gathering informally in the Pastoral
Fraternity, desiring what is the best for the
churches as a collective whole. We thank
God for the unity of the hearts and minds of
the pastors in the Pastoral Fraternity.

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OUTREACH

MISSIONS COMMITTEE This is not really something new as this
has been the desire of the B-P movement
One of the aspects of the Great since the beginning. This work is difficult
Commission is to go into the world and because Singapore is located at the south-
preach the Gospel (Matthew 28:18-20). most tip of Peninsular Malaysia, and it is
Hence, it is imperative for a church to have harder to minister to Gospel stations which
a missions programme. At the formation of are farther north.
Sharon, a great amount of work was
focused on reaching out to the local people With the establishment of Evangel B-P
with the Gospel. Things were done infor- Church (KL) in the capital of Malaysia, we
mally with personal evangelism. There desire to revive this project. The strategic
were also the occasional mission trips location of this church will help accelerate
overseas to visit Gospel outposts and to this Gospel work. The main focus will be
support the work in an ad hoc manner. We the bigger cities in Malaysia. Since then, a
have organised mission trips to various Gospel outpost has been established in
parts of the world – Malaysia, Thailand, Melaka. Doors of opportunities are also
Cambodia, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, opened to us, both in Penang and Ipoh.
Kenya. All these trips were designed to However, what is greatly lacking is the
enable our people to see the missions work labourers for the Lord’s vineyard. Hence,
in various parts of the world and to motivate we supported Rev. Lim Yew Cheng to
them to reach out to others with the Gospel. establish the Evangel Reformed Seminary.
The primary purpose of this establishment
In the 1980s, we started a mission is to train and equip the Malaysians to be
station in Kuching, Sarawak, naming it pastors and teachers to minister to their
Sharon Rose. We supported this work people along the Gospel Highway.
regularly. In the 1990s, we started the Gos-
pel Light mission station to reach out to the Another aspect of our mission pro-
people in the Toa Payoh neighbourhood. gramme is to offer scholarship to foreign
This work was led by our preacher then, students to be trained and equipped in the
Cheong Chin Meng. Eventually this mis- Bible college; and then, to send them back
sion station was established and became to their own home country for the work of
an independent B-P church. In the 2000s, the Gospel. Some of our past scholarship
we supported the work in Tangkak, Johor, students include Prabudhas Koshy,
with Yap Kim Chuan appointed as the Michael Koech, Leonard Musyoka,
preacher. After more than 10 years of Shachendra Shrestha, Tran Anh Kiet, Biak
support, we eventually handed this work to Lawn Thang and Yap Kim Chuan, for their
Evangel B-P Church (KL) as it made sense studies at FEBC. They are now actively
to consolidate the Gospel work in Malaysia serving the Lord in their respective
under that church. We worked closely with ministries. Currently, our scholarship stu-
Rev. Lim Yew Cheng to further the Gospel dents include Benjamin Chui, Mang Uk
work in Malaysia. Lain and Lal Nei Khup for their studies at
ERBC, and Lee Leong Kian, at ERS.
We choose to co-labour with the Malay-
sians for a number of reasons – the simi- The mission work is laborious and re-
larity in culture, the common language(s) quires a lot of patience to see the planting
and the proximity. We take a long-term of the Gospel seed in a mission station
approach to missions. These mentioned grow into a full-bloom church. We are not
reasons enable our people, rather than just fearful to dip our hands into such a work for
the pastors, to support the work. The grand sake of the kingdom of God. In spite of our
scheme is to develop the “Gospel Highway” limited abilities and resources, we will
with the establishment of churches and endeavour to do our best for the Lord. “And
Gospel stations across the western part of let us not be weary in well doing: for in due
Malaysia, stretching from the south all the season we shall reap, if we faint not”
way to the north. (Galatians 6:9).

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OUTREACH

SAMARITAN MINISTRY EVANGELISM AND OUTREACH
by Dn. Leo Tai Suan
On top of the mission programme which
The Samaritan Ministry is one of the mainly focuses on the Gospel work
essential ministries that provides emotional overseas, we are mindful of the Gospel
and spiritual support for the aged and work within our own community as well.
others who are suffering from anxiety, non- Evangelism and outreach programmes
clinical depression, early dementia, were conducted among our fellowship
uncontrolled rage, relationship issues and meetings as well as through the various
loneliness etc. Some of us in this ministry children ministry programmes. Other than
have attended the Emmanuel Reformed these, we also conducted special Gospel
Bible Class courses on Biblical Counselling. meetings with the purpose of presenting
This has added value to the Samaritan the Gospel through music and preaching of
Ministry. God’s Word. Some of these special
programmes included:
If anyone among us or our loved ones
have issues, the Samaritan Ministry would 2010: Evangelistic Service: “No Greater
be glad to help you or your loved ones, to Love” at Damansara Jaya (Evangel
achieve the desirable outcomes. We can B-P Church), PJ (29 May).
mutually bear one another’s burdens to
fulfil the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). 2011: “No Greater Love” (Rev. David
Wong) at YWCA, Fort Canning on
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has 22 April (Good Friday).
impacted Christian fellowship in the church. Praise Night: “The Message of the
Thus, we have organised meaningful Cross” at Luther Centre (Evangel B-
activities such as brisk walking, dinner P Church), PJ (17 Jun).
fellowship and home visitation for a number
of church members, to strengthen Christian 2012: “Christian’s View on Filial Piety”
bonding, especially among the seniors. (Rev. David Wong) at RELC on 26
May.

2013: Gospel Musical “The Love Story” at
Payar Lebar Methodist Girls School
on 24 Aug.

2016: Gospel Musical “Come and See His
Glory” at Oval Damansara (Evangel
B-P Church), KL on 25 March.

2018: “The Crossroad: A Love Story, A
Decision, A Destiny” (Rev. Ho Chee
Lai) at Church Sanctuary on 30
March (Good Friday).

2019: “Behold the Cross! A Dying Saviour,
An Undying Love” (Rev. Ho Chee
Lai) at Church Sanctuary on 19
April (Good Friday).

53



THE CHURCH

55

OUR PEOPLE

56

OUR PEOPLE

57

OUR PEOPLE

James Khoo & Family
58

OUR PEOPLE

Rebecca Ng

59

OUR PEOPLE

Dr. Tan Yew Ghee & Irene
60

OUR PEOPLE

Michael Wan & Family

Wong Lai Cheng

Yap Boh Tuan & Family

Chryssie Yap

Yeo Hai Teck & Family Susan Young
61

THE CHOIR

Presentation at Calvary BPC
62

THE FELLOWSHIP

63

THE YOUTHS

64

THE PARENTS

65

SUNRISE SERVICE

66

EASTER SUNDAYS

67

CHURCH OUTINGS

68

CHURCH CAMPS

69

CHRISTMAS

70

CAROLING

71

CHURCH ANNIVERSARIES

72



WE ARE Thank God for the opportunity to learn to
AT HOME serve him better, during a missionary trip to
Maepoon in Northern Thailand. This was a

joint effort of Calvary B-P Church and

Sharon B-P Church, led by Rev. Daniel Tan

of Calvary. I learnt a lot from the very

experienced ladies in the group, in how

they planned and carried out edifying

I would like to begin my testimony by programmes for the children. My faith was

thanking God for the salvation of our family. also strengthened during the two tes-

Thank God for Sharon B-P Church, where timonies that I gave, one to the men’s

my family can go to worship God in spirit fellowship on the first day, and the other, to

and in truth, and to experience His grace, the children and parents, on the last

mercy and love as we study the Bible evening. They reminded me of how the

together. In it, we are taught the Gospel of Lord had helped me when I was going

our Lord Jesus Christ – revealing “the way, through a really bad patch in my life. It also

the truth and the life.” God opened our presented an opportunity for me to publicly

eyes to the truth that we are lost sinners in express my gratitude and thanks to the

need of a Saviour; we believed and Lord for His providence and protection in

received Him as our personal Lord and seeing me through my life’s crisis.

Saviour, and were all baptised at Sharon Preparing, conducting and leading the

B-P Church. discussion for two morning devotions for

the missions group helped me gain a

Why Sharon B-P Church? Of all the deeper understanding of the two Bible

churches which we have attended, both verses chosen.

overseas and local, we have not found

many which faithfully teach the Word of I also thank God for the opportunity to

God. We found the Bible-believing doctrine give a little help to some who are not well

and conservative worship service of the or elderly, to draw closer to God. “So then

B-P Churches most suit- faith cometh by hearing,

able for us. We have and hearing by the word of

attended many of the We found God” (Romans 10:17).
Singapore B-P Churches I first recorded hymns and

in the past years and we the Bible-believing the audio Bible with a MP3
are back at Sharon B-P doctrine and player, for my late sister-in-
Church, the church which law, Linda, who struggled

we first started at. conservative with cancer for more than 3

Thank God for His worship service of years and was in and out of
the hospitals. She was a

providence and protection, the B-P Churches new Christian and I thought

as well as the prayers and most suitable it would be a good gift for
support from Sharon B-P for us. her. Later, I learnt that
Church members for us, there is a small radio that

when we were stationed can be used to play a very

and working overseas for large number of hymns,

many years. I had to travel sermons and audio Bibles

extensively by air and land, for work in in different languages and dialects, stored

China and the Asia Pacific Region, which in an onboard micro SD card. Thanks to

was very perilous 30-40 years ago. Thank this discovery, we were able to serve some

God for watching over us and seeing us of the senior church members, relatives,

safely through this perilous period. and friends in this small way. We also find

the small MP3 radio useful for our own

quiet time, listening in the morning and

evening.

74

Lastly, I thank God for the opportunity to For me, it matters only because I am
serve as a deacon at Sharon B-P Church reminded of the abiding faithfulness of the
for the past two years. I was very Lord, who answered my prayers in my hour
apprehensive about doing my duties well, of need. Indeed, these words of the hymn
but I learnt to commit everything into the resound in my heart: “I hear the Saviour say,
Lord’s hands, through prayer and thy strength indeed is small, child of
supplication. I got much encouragement, weakness, watch and pray, find in Me thine
help and support from Rev. Chua, Rev. Ho all in all.”
and all the other session members.
Without Christ we can do nothing, with
Looking back at the achievements in my Christ we can do all things.
working and spiritual life, I was surprised at
a few things which I was able to accomplish.
Upon reflection, I realise that each and
every one of them was possible only in
answer to my prayers for help from the Lord
Jesus, when I encountered difficulties.
Today, they are nothing to the company
that benefited from them.

NO Bernard & Christine Ng
INVITATION
Being a small church, everyone knows
NEEDED each other. If there is a house gathering,
everyone turns up. There is no need for an
We joined Sharon B-P Church in the invitation card. All that is needed is word of
early seventies. We were looking for a mouth and a simple announcement.
church and someone told us about Sharon.
Thank God for Sharon B-P Church.
At Sharon, we learnt more about God
and we grew a little more, spiritually. Roland & Janet Chung
Pastor Chua encouraged us to read the
Bible through in a year.

We praise and thank God we are able to
adapt to worshipping at Sharon and feel
comfortable among the people.

We had outings, which we enjoyed, over
the years.

75

OUT OF CRISIS We praise and thank God for His work in
our lives.

GOOD CAME TO US I accepted Christ as my personal Sav-

iour when I was a teenager. A home nurse

brought me to the Fairfield Methodist

I was previously working at Woodbridge Fellowship Group meetings, which I attend-

Hospital as a nurse, but because of an ed for a year or so. Later, I attended the

issue with my superior, I asked for a trans- Jesus Saves Mission. As years went by, I

fer to Alexandra Hospital. There I met my met a FEBC student who introduced me to

wife, through working and also playing Pastor Chua, and from then I went to Toa

squash together. Payoh B-P Church, where I was later

baptised, in 1971.

I have three children. Amos, the eldest,

was dedicated to the Lord, for full time I was involved in the Gospel van ministry,

ministry. However, he developed kidney ferrying school children from the school at

failure, and died at the age of 24. He had Bukit Ho Swee, where Mrs. Aileen Chua

a successful transplant, but there was was teaching. Together with Elizabeth

bleeding that no one knew about. It was so Wong, we sang Christian songs in the van,

extensive, that he could not be operated on. all the way from Bukit Ho Swee to Toa

He bled and died in ICU, three weeks after Payoh to attend Sunday School there. I

the transplant. I was devastated and also taught in Sunday School, and was

suffered mild depression. I was discou- glad to participate in block-to-block evan-

raged and confused. God said to me, gelism at Toa Payoh. I enjoyed the fellow-

“Amos belongs to me, I have the right to ship at the Young Adult Fellowship meet-

take him home.” That woke me up. ings hosted by Fred and his sister, Dorothy,

at Fred’s place. It was a joy to attend Pray-

Our second child is Amelia. We thank er Meeting every Tuesday, although I had

God she is gifted in music and plays the to travel from Telok Blangah Heights where

piano and violin. Praise God that she I was staying, all the way to Toa Payoh.

played the piano in church

when she very young, when When the Toa Payoh

her legs could not even We see Church shifted to the Life
touch the floor. She is God’s purpose Church building at
married to Joshua, who is Gilstead Road, I was

studying at Trinity College in life privileged to serve in the
to serve full-time in the through crisis. Sunday School, Adult
Methodist organisation. Fellowship and Session.

We also have little Faith, The Sunday School stud-

our granddaughter. ents have all grown up,

and are serving God else-

After birthing Amelia, Marie had end- where. This is an encouragement that

stage renal failure, and went for dialysis. work for the Lord is not in vain.

Within a year, God spoke to her sister, who

donated her kidney. The transplant was As a result of the split caused by the

successful, and her sister is also well. The VPP stand, all in the session left except one.

latter is Roman Catholic, but has come to The few old guard from the Toa Payoh days,

know the Lord, and together with her Fred, Mei Ling, Ronnie, Mr. Chin, and Mr.

husband, is serving God faithfully. We see and Mrs. Koa worked closely together.

God’s purpose in life through the crisis.

I have stayed at Sharon for so long as it

After the transplant, Marie became is a B-P church. It is traditional, separatist,

pregnant with Abe. The risks were high, and the doctrine is very sound, contending

but by faith and with the church praying for for and defending the faith.

us, we kept the child, and now all is well.

76

My only regret after serving 50 years, is We thank God for his graciousness in
that we do not have our own church seeing us through all these years.
premises. I also feel the loss of my
daughter’s talent to our church, as she has Leo Tai Suan
transferred her membership to her
husband’s church; but rationalise that her The Lord granted my prayer request to
musical talent is their gain. live long enough to see my first grandchild.
Baby Faith was born on January 2020,
Looking back, what is most significant bringing joy to our family.
for me is how the Lord worked in my family.
Now on reflection, I can see the Lord’s God has been gracious to my family
mercy and grace through the crises we members. My sister and her husband
faced. Out of crisis, good came to us, all received the Lord even though I had little
for His glory. May we all be encouraged to faith in this happening. Later, even my
continue to serve the Lord, through niece and her husband also accepted
whatever crisis we face. Christ. I am very grateful that God has
protected me through 26 good years, post-
GOD transplant. He healed me on many occa-
GAVE ME sions when I had severe food poisoning
and infection of the finger. He has also
YEARS seen me through a few surgeries.

I was "married into" Sharon B-P Church I thank God that I have been able to
in 1986. It has been a long thirty-five years. serve in the Ladies Fellowship, now the
I want to thank God for giving me strength Ladies’ Bible Study Group, and in the
all these years, to go through the ups and Church Session.
downs in life. Thank God for seeing me
through the most trying times. Now as I go through the golden years of
my life, I just pray daily for mental, physical
In ill health, when I needed dialysis and and spiritual strength to serve Him accord-
my two children were still very young, He ing to His Will and to lead a life that is
gave me strength to work and care for the pleasing to Him.
family despite the terrible feeling of dizzi-
ness, post-dialysis. He provided me with a Marie Chan
kidney from my beloved sister and
comforted me when I went through the
operation with the hymn, “Trusting Jesus.”
Post-transplant, He blessed me with ano-
ther child, Abraham. Against medical ad-
vice and after a stormy pregnancy, Abra-
ham was born. This poor little baby was
too small for dates and struggled in NICU
for almost a week.

The next most painful period in my life
was the death of Amos, my first-born, after
his long-awaited kidney transplant. Until
today I do not understand why God took
him away at the point when he was given a
new lease of life. My family were all suffer-
ing and struggling with this tragedy, but by
His grace, He has taught us to accept His
will and move on.

77

GRATEFUL We know that our Heavenly Father is
TO GOD using this to teach us to be more like Him
and to put Him first in everything. We are
Knowing God and being in Sharon B-P also grateful to all our church members for
Church have been a great blessing to us, their care and support.
and we are thankful to God for being
gracious and patient in guiding us through
each stage of our life journey. The birth of
our baby Hanah and parenthood have
brought joy and challenges.

SMALL CHURCH, Wee Tee & Michelle Soh
BIG ADVANTAGE
The church camps were memorable.
As a child, I used to attend the Teochew They were good times of spiritual learning.
Sunday School of Life Church at Prinsep I enjoyed attending the camps, although it
Street. Subsequently, we moved to Toa was not possible to attend all of them,
Payoh and then my mother brought my because of clashes with my teaching sche-
siblings and me to Toa Payoh B-P Church. dule at ITE.
I have been attending this church from the
time it started in 1971. Later, when the God has been very good to my family
church (which was renamed Sharon B-P and me. We are happy. God has provided
Church) moved to the premises of Life B-P us a house, as well as a car, and we are
Church at Gilstead Road, I brought Hai not in debt. He has blessed me with my
Teck to attend Sharon. daughter Audrey, and has seen her
through medical studies to become a
God gave me the opportunity to assist in doctor. He has given me good health and
ushering. I joined the Ladies Fellowship always answers when I pray for His help
and also participated in the Bible Study with my work.
sessions which used to be held on Satur-
days at members’ homes. I praise and thank God for all His
blessings, and truly rejoice that He has
Sharon is a small church, and this allows seen Sharon through these 50 years.
us to enjoy many advantages. For ex-
ample, in spite of the Covid-19 restriction Ng Poh Sing
on congregational size for religious
organisations, we thank God that because
of our small number of congregants, we
were able to attend church physically, to
worship together. I am also glad that being
a small church, we are able to get to know
each other better, and we have oppor-
tunities to serve the Lord together in our
own little way.

78

FUNDAMENTAL Do you know that each time we go out
BELIEFS, together, when it is sometimes not easy to
get a parking lot, it is God who provided
FAMILY LOVE even a small thing like a parking lot? Can
you imagine how God blessed us in other
I was introduced to Sharon B-P Church areas of our lives?
by my wife, Poh Sing, who was my
classmate at the Singapore Polytechnic. At We are very blessed with two pastors in
Sharon, I was involved in the PA Ministry our church. I have a friend whose church
and later, in Ushering and Offering. does not have a pastor any more, since the
late pastor went home to the Lord. At
Sharon B-P Church has a small Sharon, both pastors are dedicated and
congregation, unlike my previous church, know their calling, they are strong in their
Kampong Kapor Methodist Church. You faith and doctrine. Rev. Peter Chua has
will know everyone in the church and it is given 50 years of his life to God, serving
warmer. I like the fundamental beliefs of Him faithfully from his youth till today. Rev.
the Church. You don’t find this in many Ho brought new life. He is biblical and
churches anymore. imparts sound knowledge of the bible to us
through classes and sermons. Once in a
I enjoyed the church camps for the while, I will text him when I have questions,
seminars conducted, the fellowship, and and he will answer every question promptly.
the opportunities to discuss and share with He has also introduced many
other Sharonites during the group sessions. administrative means to improve the
running of the church.
God has always been good to my family,
blessing us in many areas of our lives. I I thank God for Sharon B-P Church, the
walk each day with faith in God and believe pastors and all the members. I thank God
He will provide. Over the years, I see God’s for blessing Sharon and blessing my family
hand working in the unity of my family, my through all these years.
career and Audrey’s education and medical
training.

At Church, we learn about the impor-
tance of family love and bonding; husbands
are to love their wives and raise their
children in the fear and knowledge of God.
As a family, we go to Church and worship
together, and trust in God to take care of
the rest of our lives.

Yeo Hai Teck

“I delight to do thy will,
O my God:
yea, thy law

is within my heart.”
(Psalm 40:8)

79

BLESSED & I am so thankful to God for this joy in
THANKFUL serving Him, even outside church, for

example at the Military Christian Fellowship.

My joy is in seeing people come to know

Christ. I also delight in watching the young

I started attending Sharon B-P Church people in Church grow up and am glad to

from the time it was at Toa Payoh. I was see them now actively serving the Lord. It

introduced to Sharon by Rev. Quek Swee is important to do God’s work. If there’s a

Hwa. This was when my calling, just respond, even if

family and I had just people criticise, never mind,

shifted to Toa Payoh from It is important let it pass. This is my
Sentosa. counsel.

Rev. Peter Chua had to do God’s work. I thank Pastor Chua who
asked for my help. I was If there’s a calling, has been very patient. He

appointed to serve as just respond, even is one reason why I am at
deacon in the Church if people criticise, Sharon and not elsewhere.
Session. As I like to The Lord has blessed me so

organise, I planned many never mind, much. I praise and thank
programmes for people to let it pass. God for all these years.
learn about Christ and to Now I am growing old to 81

bond as one happy family. and more ...

I was glad that Pastor

gave me the opportunity to May the light and power

serve the Lord. I felt very blessed to serve of your unending love in my heart grow

together with my wife. At the St John’s stronger each day to fill my life. “For to me

Island Camp, I was the Camp Master and to live IS CHRIST and to die is gain”

my wife was the Chief Cook. I enjoyed (Philippians 1:21).

organising activities for people to get

together, such as Family Worship, Sports I thank and praise you, my LORD. In

held in front of the church and picnics. Christ’s Name, Amen.

Whatever the event, the objective was

always the same; it was for the parents and

the children to realise that the Christian

way of life is different.

Ronnie Ong

“O Lord thou has taught me
from my youth...

(to serve thee faithfully)”
(Psalm 71:17-18).

80

I have matured spiritually through all the

IN EVERYTHING sermons heard and preached faithfully by
Rev. Peter Chua and Rev. Ho Chee Lai.

Lately, it was also through Sharon BPC that

I secured a job at Life Student Care after

After my dad’s passing in March 1999, I being retrenched by my previous company.

suddenly felt an urgent need to attend

church regularly. I knew I had been God is merciful and gracious in dealing

backsliding as I did not attend any church with me. I have failed Him numerous times

before this period. One of my ex- but He knows my strengths and

colleagues introduced me to Life B-P weaknesses. I thank God that He is

Church. However, during this time, I was longsuffering with my shortcomings and

more interested to attend an afternoon, has helped me tremendously in my new job.

rather than a morning Praise be to the Lord my

service. So, Sharon B-P God and all glory be given

Church was a rather Sharon unto Him.
obvious choice to me.

Sharon B-P Church is a B-P Church is a In everything, good or
small and closely-knit small and closely- bad, give thanks to God for
He is sovereign and in

church, but most knit church, but control of all things. God
importantly its doctrines most importantly its does not love us more
are sound and grounded in when we obey Him nor less

truth. doctrines are sound when we disobey Him but
Currently, I am serving and grounded He blesses us more when
we obey Him.

as an offering usher and a in truth.

Sunday School teacher. I

was also the Church

Campmaster from 2014 to

2016.

In 2014 when we had our church camp
in Batu Pahat, I was the Campmaster for
the first time. It was a memorable
experience as everything went smoothly
and everyone enjoyed the trip.

Danny Kwik

“In every thing give thanks:
for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus
concerning you.
(1Thessalonians 5:18)”

81

IN HIS TIME Fast forward to 2021, we have just
completed the purchase of our neighbour’s
In his time, in his time, unit, to be combined with our existing one
He makes all things beautiful, to create a home larger than the one we
In his time. had to sell. This process was not planned
“In His Time” is one of my favourite but it clearly shows God’s provision in His
hymns. The simple yet impactful sentence time.
“He makes all things beautiful in his time” is
especially meaningful to me. Indeed, life is never a bed of roses.
However, as God’s children, we are
encouraged to persevere on, knowing that
He loves and cares deeply.

Many incidences in my Moving forward, there

walk with God have will be many challenges

shown me how much He and obstacles along the

cares. One of the earliest “Casting all way. But faith in God tells
of such was when I was me that He is with me and

into my 5th month while your care will grant me the
expecting Ilysa and upon him; necessary to see my
Isaac; there was sudden for he careth family and me through
bleeding one night. every step of the way.
Further checks at the

hospital revealed that for you” “Trust in the Lord with
one of the twin’s amniotic (1 Peter 5:7). all thine heart, and lean
not unto thine own
sacs had a hole and

amniotic fluid was leak- understanding. In all thy

ing. There was basically ways acknowledge him,

nothing the doctors could and he shall direct thy

do. We could only pray paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

that the hole would seal

somehow to preserve the Last but not least, I

baby’s life in the womb. thank God for Matthew,

my ever supportive and loving husband,

“God is our refuge and strength, a very who spurs me on in this walk of faith. As

present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). we are so blessed by God, may our family

Nothing happens by chance but always in continue to serve Him to our best.

His mighty plan. By God’s grace and mercy,

the hole disappeared within a week and the

twins were able to develop till full term in

the womb.

God has been steadily providing all of
our family’s needs. Back in 2013, our fam-
ily had to, within a very short period of time,
sell our home and move to a rental flat. In

2014, when things were stable, we were
able to buy a flat where our three children
could simply walk to school a block away.

Matthew & Fangyi

82

CALLED OF I was deeply interested in the Word of
GOD God. I attended the evening classes at
FEBC regularly as an audit student. What
God is gracious. In my early teenage a wonderful time it was to sit at the feet of
years, I did not know the Lord even though my teachers at the end of the day, to
I had friends who were Christians. While immerse myself in the Word! Eventually,
studying in the local university, I was God put a burden in my heart to forsake the
searching for the meaning in life. Upon world and to follow Him into the ministry. I
realising this, many of my friends tried to entered FEBC for my training and
get me to their churches. During then, I felt graduated in 2002. Upon graduation, I
that faith was a private matter between a served as a preacher in Gospel Light B-P
man and his Creator, and should never be Church. I also taught in the Bible College.
influenced by others. I rejected all their
invitations and preferred to seek God In 2008, I heard of a crisis at Sharon
somewhere without the distraction of B-P Church. Rev. Chua was also not in the
friends. I ended up in Life B-P Church. best of health. I decided to return to Sharon
God is gracious and He opened my eyes to B-P Church to help Rev. Chua to
know the truth. I felt the immense love strengthen the church. Together with my
which the Lord has poured on me: “But God family, I transferred my membership back
commendeth his love toward us, in that, to Sharon B-P Church in 2009. I enjoyed
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for serving in Sharon B-P Church. Rev. Chua
us” (Rom. 5:8). This is something which I was a great encouragement to me as he
could never experience in the world. led by example. At the same time, the
Thereafter, I committed my life wholly unto Sharonites were also very supportive of my
Him. I desired to grow and to serve Him. ministry. I was indeed blessed with a
ministry where the people and the pastors
Rina invited me to Sharon B-P Church. worked in harmony together for the
I found it to be a cozy family church, with Gospel’s sake: “Behold, how good and how
many opportunities for me to serve and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together
grow in the Lord. It was at Sharon B-P in unity!” (Psalm 133:1).
Church that I was baptised (Apr 1992) and
married (Nov 1993). I was actively serving Looking back to all those years, I can
even though I was a young Christian. see clearly the hand of the Lord leading and
When Sharon B-P Church set up a local guiding me in every step of my life. When
mission station at Toa Payoh, called I was living my life aimlessly, God was
Gospel Light, I offered myself to serve. gracious to bestow His salvation upon me.
I admitted myself to the Sunday School God also directed my step to Rina as my
Teachers’ Training Programme to serve in soulmate. God had given me a wonderful
the Sunday School. I was involved in the career and a family which I am very
door-to-door evangelism, prayer ministry, thankful for. God is indeed good. My
music ministry, and whatsoever my hands service in the full-time ministry is pale in
could find to do. Rina and I were attending comparison to all the beautiful things which
and serving both at Gospel Light and God has done for me.
Sharon then. Eventually, when Gospel
Light B-P Church was registered as an I pray that God will
independent church, we transferred our continue to find me
membership there without hesitation due to useful and faithful in the
the great need. The Lord blessed me with ministry till He comes
a family and a good career as I served Him. again in glory. All glory
God is good. to God!

Ho Chee Lai

83

EARTH
ANGELS

When I get to Heaven, Bull’s Eye’s sensitivity and tactfulness
perhaps I may see make me feel comfy and at peace.
God’s created angels with my eyes. Although we do not banter much,
our mutual facial expressions say it all.
Angel Gabriel told Mary
that she would conceive a son Forthcoming’s undeniable devotion
and give birth to Jesus. to the Lord’s work
and Irreplaceable’s utter commitment
Zecharias heard Angel Gabriel’s to the Lord and Saviour
announcement that his wife, Elizabeth, warms my heart, lifts my spirit,
would bear a son and to name him John. and makes me ashamed
of my lagging lethargy.
Right now, I am blessed
to experience “angels” engaging with me. Whenever I hear expressions like
‘Don’t upset the apple cart’
They have super appropriate names and ‘No necessity to gain the upper hand
like No Pretence, Bull’s Eye, Forthcoming, in the situation’,
Watchful, Irreplaceable, Love, it reminds me of Angel Toe the Line.
Toe the Line and Relatable.
Toe the Line is an absolute role model
Angel Love is not one person to emulate, a sure winner in humility
but the sum of one plus one and self-control which are such priceless
plus many more. and elusive qualities.

Many moons ago, If there was a medication called
my family was tossing in a sea of worries. Sharon-50 which boasts of its efficacy
It was the worst of times, to temper arrogance with a single-use
akin to drifting with no shore in sight. dose, it wouldn’t work for me.

In jumped Love, No Pretence, Relatable To the God-sent angels of Sharon BPC,
and Watchful to keep us afloat. thank you for accepting me for who I am,
Without hesitation, they prayed warts and all.
and paddled with oars of simple trust.
Aileen Ong
By God’s mercy,
the cloud of despair dissipated.
What a release from the cage of doubts
about prayers and praying partners!

84

GOD’S I want to thank God for a supportive hus-
OPEN DOOD band in John who encouraged me every
step of the way.
Prior to 1992, I had never heard of
Sharon B-P Church. However, the Lord God blessed me with two amazing sons
had a special plan for me when I first visited and it has been encouraging to see them
the church as John’s girlfriend. On 23 May slowly but surely grow in the knowledge
1992, God brought John and me together and grace of God. Before my children were
in holy matrimony, and this was to be the born, I dedicated them to the Lord and
start of our new lives at Sharon B-P Church prayed that they would be used mightily by
as a couple, and later as a family. the Lord wherever He calls them. I praise
and thank God that they are serving in their
After I adjusted to married life for a year own capacity in church.
or so, the Lord led me to teach in Sunday
School. The greatest joy as a teacher is to Since I was a teenager, the Lord im-
see the salvation of the kids and how God pressed upon me the importance of mis-
is working in their lives. I still remember sions and missionary work. In His own
how the Lord worked in an amazing way in perfect timing, He opened doors for me to
this quiet girl in my class, by giving her the join several mission trips from 2016-2019,
courage to pray on her own. where some Sharonites co-laboured with
brethren from Calvary BPC, New Life BPC
The Lord blessed me with some admin- and Abundant Life BPC in missions work in
istrative skills too and in time to come, I Chiangmai, Trincomalee, Chennai and
planned for special occasions for the Myanmar. Each mission trip was different,
children during Easter and Christmas. One but our goals were all the same, that is, to
year, we put up a Christmas play and it was share the Gospel to those who are still
so fun and rewarding, to see the body of outside the kingdom of God. Mission trips
Christ work together for His glory. I also have been a rewarding and fulfilling ex-
helped to plan for guest-speakers to speak perience.
to the children on topics that were relevant
to them and in line with the church theme The Lord also gave me a burden to start
for the year. In addition, God enabled me a Ladies Fellowship group together with
to plan for missionaries or those involved in Marie and we met once a month at various
missions, to minister to the kids during members’ homes. Our spouses helped to
Missions Month in October. care for our young children while we had
Bible Study. There was a strong bond
Other than Sunday School, I also want- amongst this group of ladies as we grew
ed to attend prayer meetings on Tuesdays, spiritually and also fellowshipped over
and in time to come, the Lord gave me the physical food.
courage to also learn to pray corporately.
Though the group was small initially, I Even though
praise and thank God that it has grown Sha-ron B-P
during Covid-19 outbreak, to a regular Church is a small
group of about 30 members; and many who family church,
were previously afraid to pray, are now there are many
praying regularly. areas that you
can serve in, if
God also called me to serve Him in the you are willing to
Church Session and I heeded His calling avail yourself
only after seeking His will and much prayer. and serve Him
After the installation of the Session, Rev. with humility.
Ho slowly trained me to be the Clerk-of-
Session. Lim May Tie

85

Thank God for sustaining me through all LEANING ON &
these years of Christian faith in Christ. TRUSTING CHRIST

I give thanks and rejoice with Sharon a) FROG (2012): Fully Relying on God
B-P Church on its 50th Anniversary this b) WOLF (2013): Waiting on Lord/ God’s
year, 2021.
Favor
These are some means of God’s grace c) LAMB (2014): Longingly Adore(God’s)
that has built my trust in Christ.
Majesty Beauty.
1) Sunday corporate worship, Bible d) KIWI, (2015): Keeping (God’s) Inspired
exhortation, the Lord’s Supper, many
sermons delivered by God’s messengers at Word Impactful
the pulpit each Sunday and the weekly e) DEER (2016): Doing Everything
prayer meetings.
Edifying Rightly
2) The Sunday School. Serving Christ f) SWAN (2017): Surrendering
in the Sunday School and preparing
lessons each week to share God’s Word Wholehearted Anew Notwithstanding
with the students, has helped me to grow in g) DUCK (2018): Developing Unwavering
Christ.
Commitment(with godly) Knowledge.
3) Samaritan Ministry initiated by Rev. h) BEAR (2019): Be Effective, Active,
Ho, Dn. Leo and Dns. Marie. I am glad to
support this ministry. A vote of thanks must Ready.
be given to the sponsors who had i) ANTS (2020): Always Notable Talents
supported our late sister Adeline, since 1
October 2012, for 8 years, till she was Serving service
promoted to glory in November 2020. Our j) PRAY (2012): Pursuing Relentlessly
late sister Adeline was very appreciative of
your love for her. (to) Abide (in) Yahweh

Because of your prayer support and “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are
encouragement, the late Adeline had not consumed, because His compassions
written a book about her life in Christ. God fail not. They are new every morning: great
granted her desire to complete the book, is Thy faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).
which was published on 5 August, 2020.
To God be the Glory.
4) Last but not least, the Senior Adult
Fellowship initiated by Dr. Tan and Mrs. Wong Lai Cheng
Irene Tan. They have used God’s
resources to share God’s Word with all of
us. Not only are we fed with spiritual food,
but we are also nourished with balanced
food for our bodies. We had sweet
fellowship all these years. I have learnt and
been blessed by the following acronyms
from the SAF, which are aligned with the
Church yearly work-plans.

86

OPPORTUNITIES
TO SERVE

I was baptised in Toa Payoh B-P Church I think if I had joined a church with a big-

(former name of Sharon B-P Church) in ger congregation, I would not have got the

1974 and have been a member of the opportunity to serve God in the various

church till now. We first worshipped in a ministries of the church like Sunday School,

shophouse at Toa Payoh. Choir, Adult Fellowship and Ladies’

Fellowship.

I thank God for His mercy and grace for

saving me at the Keswick Convention in The church camps which we used to

1971. Being a first-generation Christian in have were not conducted in resorts and

a household steeped in superstitions and hotels but camping sites in Singapore and

traditions was not easy. Opposition came some off-shore islands like St. John’s

from my parents, especially my mum, Island. We had to lug our one week’s

because being the eldest in a family of supply of food for meals and snacks and I

seven children, I was deemed to have set remember the ‘gotong-royong’ spirit of

a bad example to the younger ones. I want yesteryears when we celebrated our

to praise and thank God that one by one, church anniversaries. We did not have

all my younger siblings fanciful catered meals but

came to know the Lord. the ladies in the church

would be cooking up a

I was looking for a Sharon B-P storm serving up dishes
church to attend after Church, being a prepared with much love
accepting the Lord as my from family treasured re-

personal Lord and small church at that cipes. Dishes that money
Saviour. I visited a few time, offered many cannot buy! Oh, what
churches in Toa Payoh as feasts those were!

I was living there at that opportunities of Praise and thank God for
time. A friend invited me service to the Lord His provisions in the past 50
to Toa Payoh B-P Church.

I remembered what the years and trusting in His

speaker at the convention love and grace to provide in

said. “Find a Bible- the years to come.

believing church,” he said, and I felt that I

had come home. To God be the glory!

Sharon B-P Church, being a small Yong Mei Ling
church at that time, offered many
opportunities of service to the Lord. Having
never been a Sunday School student
myself, I began teaching a Sunday School
class. It was the grace of God that got me
through each week. I must confess that
during that time, what I taught must have
just been the passing of intellectual
knowledge gleaned from Sunday School
teaching materials and study guides, for I
myself was still a vessel in the making.

87

GOD WILL When I was recuperating from my knee
SUPPLY ALL surgery, sister Janet visited me daily and
MY NEEDS when she noticed that I did not like the food
served in the hospital, she brought me
My late daughter, Edna, brought me to lunch at every visit. She also gave me a
Sharon B-P Church. I was not a Christian transistor radio installed with an audio Bible
at that time, but God is gracious and and hymns.
merciful to me, because it was not long
after that, that I accepted Christ as my I can now watch free to air TV pro-
personal Lord and Saviour and was grammes clearly, thanks to brother Fred.
baptised in Sharon. He fixed the digital TV antenna for me after
I shared with him that the images on my TV
I was glad to have the opportunity to do were fuzzy. I also get a lift from him to and
whatever little I could in the service of the from church every Sunday, and I am very
Lord, like folding copies of the Church thankful for this.
Bulletin before service, or bringing the little
children in Sunday School to the restrooms. I know I will not be suffering from mal-
nutrition because brother Samuel has been
I remember fondly the times spent in Dr. making sure that I do not run out of ‘Ensure’,
and Mrs. Tan Yew Ghee’s home for the a nutrition powder meal for the elderly. I
Senior Adult Fellowship meetings. We cannot cease to thank God for the many
were not only fed spiritual food by the others who give in cash and kind, espe-
various speakers. Mrs. Tan also made cially during festive occasions.
sure that we were physically fed as well.
I pray to God for all my needs, trusting
I thank God for Sharon B-P Church. that He will supply and He has never failed
Here, I found a big family of loving brothers me. He put me in Sharon – a truly loving
and sisters in Christ. I thank God for their church.
love, care and concern for me. It was the
knowledge that church members were Rose How
praying for me, that gave me the courage
to go for my knee operations. It was by the
grace of God that a subsidised patient like
me was operated on by Dr. Teo Yee Hong,
the head of the Adult Reconstruction
Department of Orthopaedics at Tan Tock
Seng Hospital.

I am truly blessed to be in Sharon
because the love of God towards me is
manifested through so many of the church
members.

88

BLESS THE LORD,
O MY SOUL

All by God’s grace,
And for God’s glory.
I’m thankful to God
for His blessings upon my family.
I know that when
my life sails on the rough sea,
Jesus is with me.
He is so merciful.
I am grateful for His
love for me.
He keeps me healthy,
He provides my needs.
“Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits”
Psalm 103:2.
Thank God for all His goodness,
and His mercy. Amen.

Katherine Ho

89

SUPPORTIVE The students were from Mrs. Aileen
FELLOWSHIP Chua’s school. Thank God that most of the
children, who have now grown up, are
My classmate-neighbour brought me to serving the Lord in one way or another.
the Toa Payoh B-P Church in 1971. Being
young and energetic, I participated in many By the grace of God, I was able to bring
church activities and “clicked” very well with all my nephew and nieces to Sunday
the brothers and sisters in Christ. School too when He provided us a station
wagon.
A group of us went tracting and door-to-
door knocking, to present the Gospel to the I “stick” to Sharon B-P Church all these
people. I was very happy when we saw the years because the fellowship is very warm
children and adults receiving Christ and and every member is really very close to
being saved. one another, always supporting each other
in prayer.
I enjoyed teaching the children, and the
good times at the church camps, prayer Elizabeth Wong
meetings and the choir. We sang for Life
B-P Church Silver Jubilee Service in 1975. Challenges

The church also started a “Van Ministry.” There have been many challenges in my
I rotated with Leo to teach the Word of God life and the most significant was being
in the van. We chaperoned between 10 to diagnosed with breast cancer in 2012 when
14 students from Bukit Merah to Gilstead Isaac was just three, and Clarence was
Road every Sunday. taking his “O” Levels. Throughout those
trying months and the period after, God had
GROWING been most gracious. He sent angels
IN FAITH throughout my treatment and gave me a lot
of comfort during those scary moments of
I was introduced to Sharon B-P Church uncertainty. He satisfied my every emo-
by David Chan, in 2003. I was raised in a tional and financial need; and I was not
free-thinking environment and went to a lacking in anyway. I had very little to no
mission school during my primary school side effect from the treatments and the
years. I came to know Jesus Christ and medication and was declared "cleared" in
accepted Christ back then. However, I had 2017. However, there was a recent scare
never attended church regularly as I was during an annual mammogram. Thanks to
searching for a church to attend. I was not those who prayed for me. I came out of the
comfortable with the few that I had doctor’s office, grinning (under my mask)
attended, either due to their doctrines or and half jumping in front of the other
practices. Since joining Sharon, my walk patients who were waiting to see the
with God has seen challenges and bless- doctors.
ings beyond my wildest imagination. I do
not even know where to begin to praise and
thank God for what He has done for me all
the years. Sharon is where I was baptised,
got married and witnessed Isaac's as well
as my late mother's baptism.

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At the invitation of Sister Lily, I started Missions:
serving God by joining the choir. Over the
years, I have come to learn many hymns I thank God for the opportunities to go
and songs to praise God. I am also thank- on mission trips with the church. From the
ful that Isaac is able to join the choir. trips, I got to know many people. I was very
encouraged by their walk with God. The
I thank God for the opportunity to par- trips also provided opportunities for my
ticipate in “The Love Story” where I played family to journey together, sometimes with
Bertha Allen, in 2013. It was beautiful to my parents too. The trips to KL allowed us
have David in the choir, Isaac acting and to reconnect with my relatives and friends.
Clarence helping backstage. I cannot
begin to describe the experience of seeing Two trips stand out as most memorable.
the audience moved by the singing and The first was when the choir performed the
performance. It was by God’s grace that a “Hallelujah Chorus” as part of the evan-
church of our size managed to put up such gelistic programme at Evangel B-P Church
a Gospel musical. Faith, the director, ex- in KL. I remember that halfway, there was
pressed her doubt on Facebook and I a cleaner who came into the hall when we
replied by asking her to look at her IC when were singing, and he sat down till the end.
all else failed. Even Rev. Ho joined the I do not know if he accepted Christ but I
banter saying, “With Faith, we shall know he certainly heard the message.
overcome” – all puns intended.
The second was when David and I acted
The next opportunity was playing the as a married couple in a skit at Evangel
piano during service. I always saw myself BPC. Wen-en played the role of our son.
as the ‘half-talent’ pianist as I was Despite the heavy downpour approximately
struggling, due to the size of the con- an hour before the show, God moved His
gregation and my own rusty skills. I am people and they packed the sanctuary. We
thankful that I was always ready to play and had very good fellowship with all present
also get Isaac to join me, to encourage him. and I believe a few in the audience
My prayer has been that he honours God accepted Christ that day.
with his piano playing skills. Again, God’s
grace was evident when we both played at My Wish for Sharon:
my mother’s funeral in 2020, with Isaac
playing her favourite hymn “Jesus Loves My hope for Sharon is that it will
Me.” continue to be a place where people can
come to know God and grow in their faith.
Adult Fellowship (AF): I pray for the revival of the spirit of
Sharonites, especially among young peo-
I took over managing the AF from Sister ple, to serve God. I hope to see Sharon
May Tie in 2015. I thank God for the grow in strength, faith and spirit.
opportunities to get to know many of the
members up close and personally during Blessed 50th Birthday, Sharon BPC!
the meetings. The fellowships were fulfil-
ing both spiritually and gastronomically. Christina Loh
(Refer to the FoodBook published together
with this magazine). One of the most me-
morable meeting was the one held at Sister
Siew Kiang’s place in 2019. I am sure,
apart from the great fellowship, those who
were present can still clearly recall the live
satay station arranged by Sister Siew
Kiang that evening.

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MY ONLY I like the fellowship at Sharon. Even
HOPE IN LIFE though the people are just a handful, they
are like family to me, for they are so caring.
When I was working in one of the The fellowship is warm and sweet.
electronics factories at Toa Payoh, the
person I reported to was a Christian. He The most memorable events are the
led morning devotions for a group of five church camps. We fellowship together,
colleagues. Through this, I came to know share God’s word, learn God’s word and do
the Lord. This person also brought me to things together. It was so much fun and joy.
Sharon B-P Church in the 1970s. Since
then, I have been worshiping in Sharon, till God has been good to me since the day
now. I believed in Him. In any trial I face, I will
call and focus on Him. I know the only hope
In Sharon, I was involved in helping out I have is God. I believe He will see me
at Sunday School, with little kids as young through any trial. I just need to call on His
as four to six years of age. The children Name. “Call unto me, and I will answer
were so cute and adorable. It was a joy to thee, and show thee great and mighty
see them grow in the Lord. At the same things, which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah
time, I also grew with them, as I prepared 33:3).
the Sunday School lessons.
By God’s grace, I have a life where there
I help in the Tea Fellowship after I is hope and love and there is a beautiful
stopped helping out at the Sunday School. place in Heaven for me.
I take charge of the food contributions and
also catering for church events. I enjoy
doing this, for this is the least I can do, to
contribute and help.

BLESSINGS OF Susan Young
BEING CHOSEN
I like the hymn “All the Way My Saviour
I thank God I have been attending Leads Me.” It reminds me to have faith in
Sharon B-P Church for 48 years, since God all the way, when in trouble.
1973.
I like the verse in Psalm 119:105, “Thy
To me, Sharon is like a big family. We word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto
help each other because we are brothers my path,” as I find much comfort in God’s
and sisters in Christ. Word.

Rev. Peter Chua asked me to oversee Glory to God in
the Tea Fellowship, and I was glad to serve the Highest.
the Lord for a while.
Mary Tan
I thank God that He has chosen me to
be His child. This is a privilege and bless-
ing.

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FIRM TEACHING, Many sermons have touched me and
FINDING PEACE gave me the “Ohhh…” moments. Sharon
BPC was where I learned about Sola Gratia
I started going to church when I was 14 (“By Grace Alone”) and Sola Fide (“By
after participating in Boys’ Brigade and Faith Alone”), that salvation is an unmerited
attending regular Bible Studies there. favour from God, by grace alone, through
I then got to know the Lord more and said faith alone. This knowledge gave my heart
the Sinner’s Prayer, accepting Him to be peace.
my personal Saviour.
Blessed Anniversary to Sharon BPC! I
After a brief walk in the wilderness pray that God will continue to bless this
during my period of backsliding, I thank church with many more years ahead.
God that I found Sharon Bible-Presbyterian
Church where there is firm teaching based
on the Bible.

Tay Wei Rong

GROWING IN MY Since then, I have been serving more
SPIGRoIdTwUoArkLs inWamAaLzKing ways in which He with the children and youth in church. I
pray that God will make a vessel out of me,
makes everything beautiful in His time to continue His works through me in
(Ecclesiastes 3:11). While I was still a Sharon B-P Church. I also earnestly pray
member of New Life Bible-Presbyterian, for all to experience the same.
through Youth Fellowship, I got to know
like-minded youths from other B-P Blessed Anniversary!
Churches who taught me a lot about our
B-P beliefs and views. Thus, when my Aw Jieshi
friend had questions regarding Calvinism,
I was already equipped with the knowledge
to explain to her. I then brought her to
Sharon B-P to know more and learn more
together.

After being called to serve in VBC in
2019, I began attending services more
regularly at Sharon B-P Church. In the past
year, I had this realisation that I was
growing more in my spiritual walk with God.

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ALL ARE POSSIBLE The event in Sharon BPC that has the
biggest impact on me was during the 2019
In 2002, when I was a toddler, my pa- Church Camp in Batam, where I felt more
rents brought me to Sharon B-P Church to connected to God on a personal level. This
be baptised. Later in life, in 2014, as a was also the first time that I gave a personal
teenager, I reaffirmed my faith, despite the testimony on stage since my school days
few medical challenges that I had to face. and it helped me to reflect on my
relationship with God.
At age 7, I was diagnosed with ADD
(Attention Deficit Disorder) which hindered Faith, if it does not produce good works,
me from pursuing a normal main stream is dead, as mentioned in James 2:26. So I
education. However, notwithstanding my decided to start small by serving as an
handicap, with God's help, I was still able offering usher and a bell-ringer. I pray that
to obtain a SHATEC Diploma in the the Lord will continue to use me for His
hospitality industry. greater purpose and whatever He wills for
me in the future.
At age 12, I suffered from a sinus con-
dition which gradually became worse. It In conclusion, I
resulted in me undergoing a nasal ope-
ration during my army days. Thank God my wish to thank the
sinus condition has improved significantly
since then. Lord for what He has

GOD LEADS made me into and
ME ALONG
done for me, and
To God be the Glory! These are the
words which perfectly sum up my life till also my family and
now (and is also the title of one of my
favourite hymns). It is truly a wonderful friends who have
thing to know Christ as my personal
Saviour and witness His glory and supported me
guidance in my life. Even though no
number of words can fully describe God’s through all these
endless love for me, this testimony seeks
to be a simple testimony for Him. years.

It is through God’s grace that I come Ernest Kwik
from a loving Christian family. I was
baptised at Sharon B-P Church at the There were many instances in my life
young age of four by Rev. Peter Chua. As when I felt His guiding hands. For example,
the years went by, I started to feel God’s at times I would face a dilemma between
grace flowing through me. two difficult hard choices. The first thing I
always did then was to commit my
difficulties unto God. Eventually, He would
answer me by placing obstacles to one of
my options, thereby solving the dilemma.
Although I was slowly growing spiritually, I
was not yet involved in any of the church
activities except only attending weekly
Sunday School.

The turning point in my life came during
my army days when I was posted to
Thailand (Sai Yok Camp) for 1 year and 3
months. I would say that this was one of
the most significant points in my life as it
made me more independent.

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It also changed my ways of thinking, my ll the church members present. Soon after,
goals in life and my walk with God my brother (Ernest Kwik) and Charlotte
spiritually. In Thailand, it was very hard to Ang followed and also shared their
find a church to attend regularly as I was testimonies; I felt proud of them as it was
staying in camp and there were many uncommon to see youngsters going up on
restrictions then. Notwithstanding, I made stage to speak. Besides that, the camp
it a habit to read the Bible daily and pray was also memorable, especially for having
nightly in order to stay close with the Lord. a TV with Internet connection in the hotel
All the while the Lord had been very rooms (we youngsters really needed this).
gracious to me in protecting me from any I can hardly wait for the next Church Camp
danger and also helping me to resist some but sadly this is postponed due to the
of the temptations over there. Praise the Covid-19 pandemic …
Lord!
By the end of 2019, Rev. Ho Chee Lai
When I came back to Singapore in 2018, approached me to ask if I could help out in
I felt the urge to finally commit myself to the AVA Ministry (Slides). It was indeed a
serve the Lord. In the past, I was not joy and privilege to serve the Lord faithfully
motivated to serve in the church ministries to the best of my ability in this. I managed
and at times felt that even attending church to assist Rev. Ho for the first three months
was tiring for me. However, through living before the lockdown and also continued to
in Thailand alone, it gradually dawned on help out when the church reopened in
me that I needed to start living for Christ. Phase 2. It was a delight to help when Rev.
Therefore, I started to pray to God to show Ho wanted to restart the Youth Fellowship
me what gifts I have so as to effectively (YF) recently. He managed to rope Jieshi
serve Him. Once again, God eventually Aw, Caleb Ho and me in to lead the YF
answered me by using one of our own group which was mainly for the primary and
church members – Dns. May Tie. Towards secondary school students. It is truly
the end of 2018, Dns. May Tie approached through God’s blessing that I have come so
me and asked whether I could serve as a far till this very day.
Sunday School teacher as there was a
need for new teachers. Since I personally So, I would like to conclude this tes-
like teaching and I did tutor some of my timony by quoting 1 Corinthians 15:58,
friends back then in secondary school
(even considered pursuing a teaching “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye
career path), I felt that it was God’s calling stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in
for me to serve in the Sunday School the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know
ministry. Not long after, I gladly accepted that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
the offer and started teaching till this day.
I believe that serving the Lord will bring
One of the church events which I enjoy- us more peace and joy but more
ed most was none other than the Church importantly also much blessings. Trusting
Camp in 2019 at Batam. I had the shock of in the Lord and
my life when Uncle Matthew Chua told me putting all of our
that I was assigned as the group leader for faith upon Him is
the youth group. I was totally unprepared vital in our lives so
as I had not led in any of the church that we can have
activities at that time. On top of that, I had inner peace with
to lead in the Singspiration on one of the God as He will help
days (I believe many of you should know us in all of our
that I cannot sing) and I was quite nervous difficulties. To God
about it. Despite all this, I managed to pull be the Glory!
through by God’s grace. All of these
cumulated in me going up on stage for the Ekin Kwik
first time ever to share my testimony and
experience throughout the camp, in front of

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SHAPING Perhaps one of the fonder memories I
WHO I AM
have of church would be the church camps.
Having grown up in Sharon B-P Church As we receive spiritual food through the
since I was young, I thank God for placing
me in an environment where I was able to messages followed by the discussions
grow. From attending Sunday School, to thereafter, I also have fond memories of the
attending fellowship groups, to serving in fellowship we had, be it gathering at
church, God has blessed me with many someone’s room or heading out for supper
opportunities to serve Him and grow in His at night. Even as I reflect on God’s
Word. Along the way, I have grown in the goodness towards my family and me, I am
grace and knowledge of God, and it has grateful for all that he has blessed me with
shaped me into who I am today. Even and I pray that I will be able to be used
though I cannot remember every sermon I
have listened to over the years, the truth of mightily by Him to serve in Sharon BPC.
God’s Word preached over the pulpit has
been a light to my path, helping me grow as
a Christian.

Nathanael Long

COMFORTABLE
SPACE

I have been part of the Sharon B-P “God is our refuge and strength, a very
family since I was born, going to church present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1).
with my parents ever since I was young.
Although the church may be small, this Whenever you’re feeling down and out,
helps members form many strong bonds. count on God’s promises and through Him,
I have always found it to be a very you will find true comfort and peace.
comfortable space to gather every Sunday
to worship God and praise Him together David Long
with other members. Over the years, there
have been many memorable moments
from Sunday School, Vacation Bible
Camps as well as church camps, which
helped me know and understand the
scripture better while having fun at the
same time.

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