We congratulate the 23 who will be awarded their certificates and diplomas tonight. Among them are True Lifers Catherine Loh (CertRK), Jason Lim (CertRK), Chin Foong Mei (CertBS), Jacelyn Chng (CertBS), and Clement Chew (MDiv). Let us rejoice with them, and all other graduands.

As usual, after the graduation exercises, the College family (faculty, students and alumni) will go to the Resort Lautan Biru in Mersing for a time of spiritual retreat, rest and recreation. We will be away from Monday to Wednesday (May 13-15).

We are grateful to the Lord for the successful completion of another semester. We had a total of 486 students comprising 104 day students (49 full- time, 55 part-time), 283 night-class students, and 99 distance learning students.

A good number of our distance learning students taking courses online are from Australia and the Philippines. Elder Harold Watkins of Faith Presbyterian Church (Perth, Australia) wrote this encouraging word, “It gives us much joy and encouragement to know a number of our members are studying online with FEBC to improve their knowledge and understanding of God’s Word, that they may better serve the Lord in these last of the last days.” We are heartened by the fact that our online programme is seeing increasing enrolment since it was first launched in 2008. Our brother Murray Ong has been our key IT engineer in making our online courses user-friendly. We will continue to develop more courses, and improve on the delivery of our courses through the internet.

We also thank the Lord for the many who came for our Basic Theology for Everyone (BTFE) night classes. Last semester, we had 283 lay students from more than 50 different churches. Not only did they come from Bible- Presbyterian churches, they also came from Anglican, Baptist, Brethren, Methodist, Presbyterian, Reformed, Independent and even Charismatic churches. There is a thirst and hunger for God’s Word. Last semester, the Rev Dr Quek Suan Yew taught Leviticus on Monday nights, and the Principal taught Calvin’s Institutes (Books I & II) on Thursday nights. Next semester, the following BTFE courses will be offered: (1) Exodus (Mondays) and (2) Calvin’s Institutes II (Thursdays). The online courses will be (1) The Theology of Giving, (2) Knowing the Will of God, and (3) The Petrine Epistles.

Please continue to remember FEBC in prayer. The High Court will hear us on June 24^th with regard to a scheme that is to be put in place for the sharing of the premises on both sides of Gilstead Road. Pray for a scheme that would (1) protect the College’s independence and freedom, (2) provide sufficient space for the College’s needs and operations, and (3) promote a peaceful environment for the College’s growth and development without hindrance and harassment. JK

SALVATION TESTIMONIES

God Gives Me Peace and Joy

I went to church when I was young. It was a Seventh-Day Adventist Church. I was in that church for 15 years. In year 2012, my cousin Hui Ching brought me to True Life B-P Church. I like this church because of the good teachings of the Bible. Pastor is kind to me. I want to worship in this church because we should worship God on Sunday. In March 2012, Aunty Jenny shared the gospel with me and led me in the sinner’s prayer to ask Jesus to come into my heart to be my Saviour. I love God. Jesus washed away my sins with His precious blood. Jesus died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead. God gives me peace and joy. I want to come to church to study God’s Word, worship God and serve God. I believe in Jesus and I want to be baptised and be a member of this church. Chua Wei Bin

I Will Always Put God First

I grew up in a devoted Catholic family. I thought that as a Catholic, I was surely guaranteed a place in the kingdom of God. I thought that Christianity and Catholicism are the same. However, when I started to attend the Domestic Helpers’ Sunday Bible Study in Changi Tabernacle Church, my knowledge about Jesus became deeper. I found out that praying to idols and Mary will not guarantee a place for me in the kingdom of God. Now I truly believe in Jesus alone as my Saviour. I am very thankful because I believe that it is God’s will for me to come to Singapore to work, to learn about Jesus and to be a true believer.

I also thank God for my Christian employers who allow me to attend the baptism preparation class because to me, to be a true Christian is to be baptised as one. I thank God for guiding my life everyday, and whenever I need His help I always feel that He is near me. In everything I do, I will always put God first, and no matter what will be the result I will always thank Him. I would like to share with you one of my favorite verses: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil 4:13). Geraldine Berbano Battung

I Was Not Totally Forsaken

I went to a Catholic school where I heard about Jesus, but was basically a free thinker. Life was not bad and was quite smooth sailing, though not exceptional, from Junior College, to Army, and then to University. I obtained a respectable degree, was employed by a respectable company and all seemed well until I was dealt a blow at the age of 33. I was struck with hearing loss. It was not deafness but a certain degree of hearing loss. There is a medical term for it, “Sensorineural Hearing Loss.” Unfortunately, there is currently no medical cure for this disease. I guess God decided to deal with me so as to bring me back to His embrace.

I was not totally forsaken. During that period, I got to know Felicia (a Christian of True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church). She brought me to church every Sabbath day (Sunday) to hear the preaching of the pastors. I got acquainted with Jesus once more. One Sunday, Pastor Jeffrey preached on these verses from the Bible, “Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” (Acts 3:6-8). I was transfixed. I guess it was related to the disease that I was suffering from. Could God cure me like He cured the beggar?

After the service, I had a conversation with Jenny Kan. I was told that the age of miracle cures was over. The Apostles were granted the gift of healing at that period of time but it is no longer given in our present era. I felt despondent. But so what was I told? I was told that our time in this life is temporary. Only in heaven will we have a glorified body where there is no sickness and our body will be perfect. One must accept Jesus Christ and trust Him as Lord and Saviour in order for this to happen. Also if I were to pray diligently and earnestly to Jesus, maybe one day a miracle might just happen. I finally accepted Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I have found faith after so many years and I trust the Lord to guide me in my life and future endeavours just like a candle guiding a person in the dark.

Before I end my testimony, please let me express my belief: I truly believe that everyone deserves a second chance in life. The only way to obtain that, besides giving oneself a second chance, is to seek repentance and forgiveness from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. And the Lord will give you that chance, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Matt 7:7). Ang Wee Chong

Not All Churches Are Charismatic

I was born into a Roman Catholic family and received infant baptism. Though I attended catechism classes throughout my childhood days and believed in Jesus Christ, I never really tried to find out more about the faith. Due to heavy workload in my studies and plain laziness, I stopped going to the Catholic church when I was in my teens.

During my Junior College days, I was introduced to the Christian faith by a schoolmate. Unfortunately, she brought me to a charismatic church. I felt troubled and found their way of worship repulsive. I had the misconception that all Christian churches were charismatic. It was many years later when my colleague and best friend Ji Meng brought me to Life B-P Church (now True Life) that I realised that not all Christian churches were charismatic. True Life’s doctrine and way of worshipping the Lord is exactly what I’ve been hoping for all these years.

After many years of attending services in True Life, I’ve finally decided I’m ready to get baptised and become a member of the church. Ng Peck Leng