PASTOR'S TESTIMONY OF HIS CALL TO THE FULL-TIME CHRISTIAN SERVICE

I was raised in a Christian family. At the age of about seven, I attended Sunday School at Pasir Panjang Christ Church. I learnt a lot of Sunday School stories but was never led to receive Christ as my Saviour. No one told me that I needed to receive Christ as my Saviour. I guess they thought I was too young to understand.

When Galilee B-P Church came into being in 1960 at Pasir Panjang Road, I attended the Sunday School. I was not regular in attendance, it was rather an "on and off" affair. I was then neither serious about Church or Sunday School.

It was in 1967, while on my way to a Gospel meeting in Life B-P Church (Ormeo's Gospel Campaign) that a friend asked me a question, which got me thinking real hard. He told me, "It doesn't mean that since you come from a Christian family that makes you a Christian. If you were to die now, will you be in heaven?" I was stunned by that question. I could not answer him at that moment. I was not sure whether I could be in heaven. I thank God that at this Gospel meeting, I stood up to receive Jesus Christ as my Lord Saviour and personal Saviour.

It was several months later that I consecrated my life to the Lord (although not for full-time ministry).

In 1971, while I was working in Jurong Shipbuilders after completing National Service, I had the opportunity of visiting the M/V Logos (first visit to Singapore) and I told myself that I would certainly like to sail with the ship someday.

I continued to work in the shipyard but my desire to find reality in God grew stronger each day. Finally, one day in 1971, together with my good friend, Sherman Rajoo, we decided to seek after the Lord. I felt that Christianity is real because Jesus is real. I saw that many of us were only Sunday Christians and we never experienced the reality of God. God is real, He is all-wise, all-powerful and I wanted to experience Him in my life. I claimed the promise given in James 4:8 "Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you."

We decided to fast and pray for a week to seek after the Lord. It was indeed a very enriching experience for us. Sometime after this spiritual exercise, Rev. Philip Heng approached us for assistance in a demonic case at Calvary (Jurong) B-P Church. We both went and it was in this case that we saw how real our God is. I will never forget how God answered our prayers. It was evident to me that our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed LORD of all, LORD Over Satan and his demons. Jesus is the victorious LORD. I have seen the reality and power of God.

Then came the hardest decision in my life. I had sensed God's leading to sail with the Logos for at least a year, but I was hesitant about full-time service. Should I leave my job of which I loved very much or should I just forget all about Logos? I wanted to stay on in my job and become an engineer one day. What was I to do? I thought and prayed much about it. Finally, the Lord impressed upon me that I should take the step of faith in leaving my job and join O.M. for a year, then see what happens after that. I sensed this was God's leading and I submitted to Him.

I handed in my resignation letter to my employer and was told by my chief engineer that when I returned after one year, I might have my job back if I wanted to. I, however, told him that I could not promise that I would return to the shipyard after one year. So, off I went with the Logos from 1974-1975.

It was indeed a rich experience being in O.M. during that one year. I saw many needs outside of Singapore, in places like Thailand, South Vietnam, the Philippines, East and West Malaysia and India. It was in O.M. that I again experienced the reality and power of God. I will never forget those times in India, how God provided for our sustenance, protected us when we were almost beaten up, took care of me when I was sick. God is real indeed!

On our way back to Singapore, I was not very certain whether I should go into the full-time service. The call to enter full-time service came when I was challenged by the words of Sadhu Sundar Singh. God gave me the words of Jeremiah 1, too.

This confirmed my calling and I never regretted going into the full-time ministry. I know that I am in the centre of God's will.

It is my prayer that He will give me His grace to continue to serve Him effectively in Grace Church and in full-time service.

I've never been sorry,
I've heeded God's call.
I've never been sorry,
I've yielded my all.
My walk with the Master,
Grows sweeter each day.
I've never been sorry,
One step of the way.

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Brethren, you must be very sure that the Lord has called you to the full-time Christian ministry before you enter this vocation. Once you are in, you do not go back into the world and to your previous vocation. The Lord will be the provider of your needs. The Lord will see you through in His ministry. He will equip you to do His task.

If you are not sure of the calling, do not step into it. The call of God is always clear to the person whom He has called. There is no confusion over it. If there is any doubt, do not enter.

Pastor