PALM SUNDAY TESTIMONIES
God’s Irresistible Call
I grew up in a devoted Roman Catholic (RC) household. As the eldest of three boys, I was raised to practice RC rituals from a young age, as we lived close to the parish church. I became deeply devoted to image worship, the veneration of Mary and the saints, and praying for the dead. Roman Catholicism instilled in me the misguided belief that I could attain heaven through good deeds.
After completing university, I joined the teaching staff at my college. In 1997, I was offered an opportunity for further studies in Japan. Upon arriving in a country with a completely different culture, my beliefs about Roman Catholicism were shaken. During this time, I found myself in a circle of friends who confronted me with the reality of my spiritual condition—a wretched sinner before a holy God. The Lord convicted me, filling my nights with restlessness and a deep fear of death. I came to realise that the merits of my good works were meaningless, and my supposed assurance of heaven was in vain.
In an effort to find peace, I sought revival through church attendance, praying the rosary, regular confession, and good works. However, none of these could ease my guilt. Then, I met a Pentecostal Filipino who invited me to study the Bible with him. He also welcomed me to his church, where I found the services refreshing, as they reminded me of my past charismatic experiences in the Philippines.
Thanks be to God that in 1998, through His immense love in the Lord Jesus Christ, I heard Rev Robert Lee Kluttz preach the gospel of salvation. The Lord caused me to repent of my wickedness and self-righteousness and revealed to me His boundless grace and mercy. He saved me from a life of sin and debauchery, giving me the assurance of a place in His eternal home in heaven.
After completing my studies in Japan, I returned to the Philippines, but I felt a strong calling to continue serving the Lord. God opened a door for me to work in Japan again, providing me with a wonderful opportunity to assist in the ministry—especially at a time when our pastor was battling cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. This experience deeply moved me to serve the Lord as a tentmaker—engaging in professional work while also fulfilling a missionary role.
However, my plans were not aligned with God’s will. One day, during our family devotions, He called me through Matthew 4:19-20, which says: “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. And they straightway left their nets and followed him.”
It became clear that I needed to follow Him completely and leave my career behind. Initially, I struggled with this decision. As a husband and father, I was concerned about providing for my family—feeding, clothing, and sheltering them, as well as ensuring my children’s education if I entered full-time ministry. Yet, the Lord assured me through Matthew 6:33: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” His call was irresistible.
Pastor Kluttz advised me to receive proper theological training before committing to full-time ministry. At first, I resisted his recommendation, believing that student life would be a waste of time. However, he specifically pointed me to Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC). I thank the Lord for giving me the will to obey.
In 2009, my family and I moved to Singapore, where I was blessed with the opportunity to study at FEBC and serve at True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church (TLBPC).
My wife and I initially chose to maintain our membership at Hokkaido Bible Centre rather than transferring it to True Life BPC, as we wanted to continue supporting our former pastor until his homegoing in November 2024. However, after being under the faithful preaching and guidance of Pastor Jeffrey Khoo since 2009, the Lord led us to officially transfer our membership to True Life BPC for the purpose of continued service and spiritual nourishment. To God be the glory! Jose Lagapa
Thank God for His Mercy
I was born and raised in a Roman Catholic family. I can still clearly remember my grandmother telling me, “You were born a Roman Catholic, and you will die a Roman Catholic.” I was actively involved in the Roman Catholic Church (RCC)—first as a member of Singles for Christ, and after marrying Jose, we joined Couples for Christ. At that time, I truly believed I was already a Christian.
I recall a moment when a colleague asked me, “Do you think you will go to heaven when you die?” The best answer I could give was, “I am not sure. It is up to the Lord if He will let me in.” However, I did not dwell on such questions. To me, I was still young and wanted to enjoy life first.
A turning point came when my husband asked me to go with him to Japan. By then, he had already received Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. Hoping to bring him back to Roman Catholicism, I packed a Catechism book, rosary beads, statues, rosary guides, and other religious items. I thought that through these, I could convince him to return to the RCC, but all my efforts were in vain.
We had many disagreements, to the point where we even considered ending our marriage. Thank God that did not happen. My husband eventually said he would compromise with me, and I, in turn, compromised with him. As a result, we attended different churches every Sunday—including the Roman Catholic Church, the International Christian Fellowship (a Charismatic church), and conservative Bible studies. I disliked the Bible studies at first.
I praise God for using fellow Filipinos in Japan to patiently invite us to Sunday Bible study meetings under the late Rev Robert Kluttz. At first, I felt uncomfortable because Pastor Kluttz repeatedly exposed the errors of Roman Catholicism, of which I was still a devoted member. I felt dry and bored, but his messages were like a sword that pierced my heart (Hebrews 4:12). Whenever we were asked to open the Bible, I felt ashamed—I claimed to be a Christian, yet I could not even find the books of the Bible or common verses like Romans 6:23.
There were Sundays when I made excuses to skip Bible study, but I thank the Lord for His mercy and grace, which I still cannot fully comprehend.
One Sunday afternoon, after the service, Pastor Kluttz showed me a video titled “Catholicism: Crisis of Faith.” As I watched, God spoke to me through the testimonies of former Catholics who had left the RCC to follow Jesus Christ. At that moment, I had to face the truth: the church I belonged to was wrong.
When Jose decided to follow Christ by seeking baptism, I realised how serious he was about his faith. This left me wondering—what would happen to me if my husband was truly in the truth and on his way to heaven?
A few days before his baptism, I surrendered myself to Christ. I repented of my sins and received the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Lord and Saviour. That was when the Lord gave me the answer to the question that had once troubled me—“Can I know for sure that I will go to heaven?” The answer was found in 1 John 5:11-13: “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”
Since then, my faith has been growing. God has allowed me to learn more of His Word through Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) and to serve Him in small ways.
In November last year, my pastor, Rev Robert Kluttz, was called home to be with the Lord. Because of this, I now desire to become a member of True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church for continual pastoral care and spiritual growth. To God be the glory! Les Lagapa
Extremely Blessed
I was born into a Christian family and grew up with the knowledge of God. Ever since I was young, I have been extremely blessed—I have the privilege of attending church every Sunday morning, reading the Bible, and even participating in chapel and morning devotions at school. I am very grateful to God for everything He has done for me.
God has been with me every step of the way, guiding, teaching, and helping me. Last year, in Primary 6, I had many examinations and tests, as well as numerous new concepts to learn. It was a stressful year, but whenever I felt anxious about an upcoming quiz, I would turn all my worries over to God.
I remember feeling extremely nervous before my Chinese PSLE paper. I had forgotten many of the phrases I had memorised, and panic began to set in. However, once I prayed to God and asked Him for wisdom and guidance, everything I had learned came back to me.
Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” This verse teaches us not to worry about anything but instead to pray about everything, trusting that God will answer our prayers. Cherie Chua
I Thank God
By God’s grace, I was born into a Christian family. I don’t remember the exact age at which I was saved, but I do remember how my parents, influenced by the ways of Christ, taught me to give thanks for my food before eating. Back then, I didn’t think it was very important, so I often ate without giving thanks. At times, I also doubted my faith. Though my parents taught me that God is real and true according to the Bible, I listened attentively and believed their words. As I attended Sunday School, I learned about prayer and why we should give thanks to God.
I thank God for all the Sunday School teachers who have taught me and for my parents, who continue to guide me in the ways of Christ through everyday life examples. Before taking the PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination), I had several Weighted Assessments. After realizing that I didn’t do well in them, I felt hopeless and uncertain about what to do. My parents encouraged me to trust in the Lord, reminding me, “Do your best, and God will do the rest.” I studied hard and prayed that I would do well in the PSLE for God’s glory. I thank the Lord for helping me get into G3 (Express), for which I am truly grateful.
I praise God for how His Word has opened my eyes and my heart to receive His truth. Whenever I am in need, I rely on Him and pray for His help. The more I learn about God through my pastor’s faithful preaching every Sunday, the more I have grown to love Him. I pray that the Lord will continue to guide me through my secondary school years and the many milestones ahead. To God be the glory. Amen! Jazzlynn Lee
