Lord’s Day, Vol. 9 No. 7
3rd Anniversary of Mandarin Outreach
Thank God for His grace as the Mandarin Outreach remembers the Lord’s goodness in beginning this gospel mission on 7 February 2021 on the occasion of her 3rd Anniversary Thanksgiving Service. It was the week after the church’s 4th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service in 2018. Recalling the evening fellowship time at the fellowship hall when Sister Lily and Brother Jimmy requested prayer for a relative stricken with cancer still outside the Lord.
The Lord granted the opportunity to share the gospel with Mr Chan Choong Shoung at the Alexander Hospital the next morning on a Monday in a visitation. Mr Chan was an old alumnus of the Nanyang University. He was also the chairman of a Buddhist society for many years. He was admitted to the hospital at the beginning of the previous week after complaining of pain in the abdomen.
The sharing led us to explain the word “道” or “word” in the Bible. Quoting from John 1:1-4, 14: John 1:1-4 (KJV) 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men…. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
Taking time to share with him where there were intervals when the pain disturbed his concentration. The “道” is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. God granted him understanding as it was being explained to him – Romans 10:8 (KJV) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; Romans 10:17 (KJV) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Indeed, it was explained to him by the words of Romans 10:9-10 (KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The word “義” or “righteousness” was explained to him – the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the repentant sinner. This salvation is received by faith both in the heart and confession with the mouth.
When it was asked to him if he will receive the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. He agreed and we prayed together for him to receive the Lord. Two choruses were sung “God Will Take Care of You” and “Only Jesus, Only Jesus” with the words written for his encouragement. At that time, the wife of Mr Chan was listening to the witness from God’s Word by the bedside.
The next day, an appointment was made to visit Mr Chan again on Wednesday afternoon. It was after the Wednesday Bible Study on 31 January 2018. There was the opportunity to confirm Mr Chan’s faith in the company of two of our brethren who came along to the visitation. The plan made with the hospital and the family was for Mr Chan’s discharge on Thursday, the next day.
When Thursday came, it was early in the morning before 8am while driving along the AYE after returning from a Bible Study at the Singapore General Hospital when the family called to share that Mr Chan has gone home to be with the Lord. At the hospital, an opportunity arose to witness to Mr Chan’s wife. She received the Lord that day as funeral arrangements were made for Mr Chan.
There were two days of vigil services on Thursday and Friday nights at the multipurpose hall near Mr Chan’s home. The Christian burial will be held on Saturday. There was an opportunity once again to receive the gospel to the unsaved loved ones of Mr Chan including his children, grandchildren, relatives and friends.
Thank God for His grace in sustaining Mrs Chan after the homegoing of Mr Chan to attend the Mandarin Outreach Service on Sunday morning. Mr Chan was our first convert in the Mandarin outreach service and Mrs Chan followed. Mrs Chan was baptized on 30 September 2018.
The Lord has also brought Mrs Chan’s helper Marianne Diampoc to worship together. Marianne was baptised on 30 December 2018. Thank God for His grace as we recount the Lord’s goodness in this gospel outreach.
More recently on 23 August 2020, the Lord brought a young man Daniel Gossage to attend the Mandarin Outreach Service. Daniel reaffirmed his faith on 20 December 2020. He has since been enlisted for National Service.
All praise and thanks to God for the provision of “The Upper Room” for the Mandarin Outreach Service since July 2018.
As we begin this new year, may the Lord guide us as we wait upon Him in this outreach for His glory. Amen.
Yours lovingly,
Pastor Lek Aik Wee