My dear readers,

1. "God called me, after all …!"

I believe it was no accident that Miss Leona Wu came to Kluang in 1934, directly from Amoy, China. She was a graduate of the well-known Golden Link Seminary for Women in Amoy. She came to be the Principal of Kluang Presbyterian Church’s Kindergarten. For some reason, she became fast friends of Mother. In fact Miss Wu became firm friends with our parents (and Mother’s best friend).

Miss Wu subsequently became the "one and only" interpreter who could keep up with Dr John Sung’s preaching (in all the evangelistic meetings) in Southeast Asia.

Miss Wu urged my parents most earnestly: "Dr & Mrs Tow, you must all attend Dr John Sung’s meetings! You will be so blessed – your whole family will be blessed!"

For all the weeks and months before Dr Sung came from China, Miss Wu urged Father and Mother just this one thing: "Your entire family will be blessed!" And we were!

2. Revival fire broke out in Singapore!

In August 1935, Dr John Sung arrived from China. All his meetings were held in Telok Ayer Methodist Church (3 meetings of 2 hours each per day, for 2 weeks). Great revival broke out: men and women publicly confessed their sins and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour!

In my brother’s book "John Sung My Teacher" page 38 he recorded: "On October 18, 1935 Dr Sung made a ‘follow up’ visit to Singapore for a week of ‘spiritual nurture’ meetings. Again the Church was packed to overflowing … all inclusive more than 5,000 souls were won in Dr Sung’s first expedition into Nanyang."

This sort of spiritual awakening and revival had not been seen anywhere before, or after.

When Dr John Sung made an appeal for "fulltime consecration," Big Brother Timothy readily offered himself – there was no hesitation at all. On my part I felt somewhat "left out!" of the vow for "fulltime consecration," thinking that perhaps that vow was not for me.

3. Dr John Sung’s last meeting in 1938, Muar

I was then 13 years of age, staying with parents in Batu Pahat, Johor State. One morning Mother surprised me with an invitation. She said: "Father and I are going to Muar (32 miles to the north-east of Batu Pahat) for Dr Sung’s last meeting. Would you like to come along?" Immediately I took up the offer! "Yes, Mother! I will come along!"

Perhaps Dr Sung will ask for "full time consecration!" this time. He did. It was my fondest hope come true. During that morning meeting, Dr Sung appealed for "full time consecration" at the end of the meeting. I was all ready to respond – and I did. Dr Sung asked those who had indicated their wish to serve the Lord "full time" to gather in a "prayer room" behind the stage.

Together with the dozen or so other young people I knelt and Dr Sung laid his hands on my head, praying the prayer of "full time consecration." I have never forgotten the solemnity of that moment, when on my knees I promised to give myself for "full time service of the Lord Jesus Christ."

4. A vow never forgotten

The years flew by but the vow remained clearly imprinted in my mind. With the passage of years, events flew by. In 1942 the Japanese invaded Southeast Asia, freeing the entire region fromforeign rule. My education resumed as large parts of Asia became independent from colonial rule. (The British, French, Dutch colonies gained their independence.)

In 1968, exactly 30 years after my "full time consecration vow of 1938" I relinquished my professorial chair and became a simple practitioner of obstetrics and gynaecology. In this private status I devoted my time for the founding of churches and related institutions, about 20 worldwide.

Thus I fulfilled my vow of serving the Lord Jesus Christ by extending the Gospel effort – starting Churches and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

One day, a friend asked me: "Did you ever regret resigning the Chair?" My simple reply: "Never!" There is joy in serving Jesus.

There is joy, joy, joy in serving Jesus

Joy that throbs within my heart

Ev’ry moment, ev’ry hour

As I draw upon His pow’r

There is joy, joy, joy that never shall depart.

(Hymn: "Joy in Serving Jesus")

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Sr Pastor