My dear readers,

1. Guided Tour of Calvary Pandan B-P Church

I have just been transported on a "Guided Tour" of Calvary Pandan Bible-Presbyterian Church – the closest and largest Bible-based Church which I have ever come across! You may be a little skeptical, thinking I may be carried away by a somewhat "blown up" sales talk.

No, this is a balanced introduction to a true representation of a Bible-based Church organization existing anywhere on Planet Earth based on a balanced Biblically sound, Bible-based and Biblically structured group of believers led by a group of experienced, dedicated men and women whose one motive is to lead its members on the heavenly pathway, without any compromise or hidden agenda – our only agenda being embodied in a Biblical balanced, sound and Biblically compete agenda, described in our New Members Booklet running into 42 A4 sized pages.

2. Read Through this Booklet

Yes, do just that, and you will be persuaded of the truth of my introductory remarks! Right from the start you are introduced to the list of leaders (Session Members) followed in the next page by a list of 28 "Ministry Representatives" – and "Workforce" – the spiritual "Backbone" of the Church called "Bible-Presbyterian" – structured as closely to the Bible as we know how.

Following this is an Introduction to our ABC – "Adult Bible Class" (for serious students of the Bible), then our "Adults Fellowship".

The serious contents of our Agenda is clearly seen in the structure and programme of its agenda of activities.

Then we have a "Resource Centre" – the Library – a facility to meet the needs of serious researchers and students.

Our Choir is staffed and led by highly qualified musicians whose leadership qualities are impeccable. Our Choirs perform regularly – usually on a monthly basis.

We are specially interested in children who perhaps, living in the neighbouring housing estates, do not have the opportunity of attending Sunday School. To cater to these, our members have organized classes (similar to Sunday School), but on Saturday afternoon. In this way we cater to 80-100 children.

Then there are other groups e.g. "Contact" groups, "Fellowship" groups catering to different needs and interests e.g. Golden Years Fellowship, Senior Adults Fellowship, Adults Fellowship, Young Adults Fellowship, Youth Fellowship, Tracting Ministry, etc.

3. Testimony of service in the Lord's Ministry - By Elder Tan Nee Keng

During the 36 years that I was in Life Bible-Presbyterian Church, I saw how Rev Timothy Tow lived out the Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 by going to various countries to preach and set up missions stations and churches. This led me to visit some of these missionaries (in Kenya and Thailand) to see the work there. Visiting these places gave me a burden to serve in missions as I could see what the Lord Jesus Christ meant when He said in Matthew 9:37-38, "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".

In January 2005, I stopped work to serve my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ full time. I arranged to work with a friend who was a missionary in Kenya. Before I went, I "happened" to meet Rev Dr Timothy Tow who told me that I should study in FEBC first. He explained that going into the missions field does not involve just sharing the gospel; it is vital to be well trained in the Word of God as there are also many false teachers who are propagating false doctrines. I heeded his counsel and spent the next three-and-a-half years studying in FEBC. Upon graduation, I spoke to Rev Dr Jeffrey Khoo about my desire to serve in the Bible College of East Africa (BCEA) in Tanzania. He supported the idea and arranged for me to serve there. I served there for two years.

BCEA Tanzania is situated in the north-eastern part of the country, 2 hours from the border with Kenya and about one-and-a-half hours’ drive from Mt Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. It is located in a small village about 30 minutes’ walk from the main road. People in Tanzania are poor. At that time, there was no main grid electricity. Water had to be collected from streams. Every night there were people getting drunk at a liquor shop near the College. It was also common for men to desert their wives soon after marriage. Many need the power of the gospel to make them new creatures! Although many attend church, and public transport vans often bear slogans like "Praise the Lord", most appear to be largely paying lip-service. In the region, churches are more willing to spend money to buy powerful amplifiers to broadcast their singing in the church than to spend a small sum to send one of their members to Bible college. Just as Rev Timothy Tow described, there are many charismatic churches, some Seventh-Day Adventists, and churches aligned to the ecumenical movement with female pastors.

Besides teaching in BCEA Tanzania, I preached at some churches on weekends. The college church also held a fellowship meeting every Friday afternoon where I conducted Bible study. It was encouraging to see the power of God’s Word in changing people’s lives.

During those days, Calvary Pandan BP Church already had a part to play in the work there. The College received funds from Calvary Pandan. Some members of a family from Calvary Pandan also visited us at different times to encourage us there.

Some months after I stopped serving in BCEA Tanzania and came back to Singapore, I returned to Tanzania for three months to preach and teach at a few churches. It saddened my heart to see how the problems of the churches were caused by pastors who did not have a heart for the flock that they have been entrusted with. Ecumenical, liberal and charismatic churches abound, supported in some instances by foreign organisations of such inclination. There is a great need for Singapore churches that claim to have the proper understanding of God's Word to send out missionaries.

At present, I am preaching twice a month in a BP church in Batam, as well as speaking at their camps and fellowship meetings. I have consented to being nominated for election as an Elder of that church as they have no Elders there.

During these years of ministry, the Lord has shown me how He will enable us to do His work whenever we call on Him, especially at times when we lack wisdom, strength, and ability.

Ever grateful for His mercies and grace, Nee Keng

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,

Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor