Dear Co-laborers,
“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed,
shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”
– Psalm 126:3, 5-6
It was a joy and delight to receive news of the recent baptismal service in our Singapore Church! I know you will surely be blessed by the report and the pictures. I am so grateful for the Lord’s continued work and blessing in our midst!
“What a privilege was ours to gather by the seaside for another very special occasion … the baptism of twelve new Christians into our membership. This is always a very precious experience for the church as we take time to worship and rejoice in the testimonies of those who have been saved. It was a real encouragement to our hearts that out of the twelve baptized, nine were under the age of thirty. Not many young people in our present day are genuinely concerned about their relationship with the Lord. There’s so much to amuse and engage their attention that very few take time to consider their need for the Lord.
As is our usual practice for many years now, we share the Lord’s supper together after the baptism. It is a precious time as we gratefully and lovingly remember the Lord’s goodness and mercies in each of our lives.”
I also want to share with you the testimonies of two of the young people who were baptized that day:
Caleb
“My interest in God started when I was about 10, when my father shared with me a newspaper article about biblical prophecy coming to pass. But, as with many my age my interest was shallow and I often gave up. I’m thankful for my father who continued to often take me aside to speak to me and challenge me. He always encouraged me to be serious and genuine in my seeking for God. On one occasion I was very touched as he shared his testimony with me. I was encouraged that if God could save my father, he could save me too and I became serious in my search for God that day. For the first time I was aware of my sins and I was secretly ashamed of them.
A Sunday shortly after my father shared his testimony with me, God’s conviction fell on me during the morning service like I had never felt it before. As God spoke to my heart I understood that I needed His forgiveness and power to overcome my sin. Rushing to the altar, I confessed my sins to God asking His forgiveness and promising Him that I would love and serve Him forever. As I prayed that prayer the peace of God flooded my heart. I knew instantly I had entered into a relationship with God. I felt Him speaking to my heart personally, and I was filled with praise and worship.
I quickly found that my values, goals in life, and my perspective had changed. I found my heart drawn to the teachings of our Lord Jesus not just intellectually, but with the desire to learn and obey them. This desire has only deepened, as my relationship with God and his Word has matured. I have found Him faithful, kind, merciful, just, and worthy to be followed and worshipped!”
Henrietta
“Whenever I think back of the Lord’s patience with me all these years, I am overwhelmed with a deep sense of gratitude for His love and long-suffering mercy. I was raised in an idol-worshipping family. At the age of 10, I was introduced to Christianity when my aunts who were members of Harvester Baptist Church brought me to a Vacation Bible School. It was through the VBS lessons I first learned about sin and the Lord Jesus.
Throughout my teen years I struggled with sins such as pride, jealousy and lust. I thought these were childhood sins and I would be able to overcome them when I got older. But I was sorely wrong. Instead of becoming “better”, I became more self-deceived. It was not until I was 23 years old that I came to see how desperately in need I was of a Savior. I was tired of my miserable existence. At that point, I finally understood that the Lord died to save me from a miserable life lived for self. The only fitting response that I knew was to turn my life to the Lord and stop living this life for self.
Like what the hymn writer wrote, “I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how he could love me, a sinner condemned, unclean”. God was so patient with me for so many years, despite my disbelief and unwillingness to submit to him. I used to think that it will take a big sacrifice on my part to submit my all to Him. But I realized that all that I gave God that day was this miserable self which I had lived all my 23 years. In return, God gave me everything else that I needed. I don’t have to compete with others for attention from man, or always strive to be number one in everything I do. I never realized the bondage I was in until I was freed from it. The very things which I had held on to tenaciously were the very sins which caused my misery. I’ll never be able to repay the Lord for what He has done for me, but only desire to live a life pleasing and worthy of Him.”
Dear ones, thank you so much for faithfully co-laboring with us in the Lord’s whitened fields.
With love and gratitude,
Seow Eng Yeo