OUR DAUGHTER CHURCH:
SHALOM B-P CHURCH

I was in Shalom BPC last Sunday, 6 September to commemorate the occasion of their 28th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service. I spoke on the theme: "A Time to Rejoice" taken from Psalm 44: 1-3. I reminisced with them on the founding of their church.

28 years ago, on 6 September 1981, a group of slightly more than 20 Gracians with Pastor Choon Seng were commissioned by Grace Church to establish a church in the Changi area. At that time, Rev (Dr) Patrick Tan was still in military service and as the founder of the Military Christian Fellowship, he had access to the use of St. George's military Chapel. Permission was sought by him to the Singapore Armed Forces to allow Shalom to use this chapel and it was granted. Hence Shalom BPC started its work in the vicinity of Changi.

The work was tough initially. Shalom was in an "ulu" place. Not many people knew where the chapel was, but the pioneers did a great job. They persevered in reaching out to the residents in the Changi area, as well as at Tampines New Town. Their work progressed gradually.

Some years later, words came to them that the military would take over the Chapel and the Shalomites began earnestly to look for a permanent place of worship. Praise the Lord for leading them to the present site in Pasir Ris.

I am most happy to see Shalom grow and prosper in the Lord. I was with them when they started out in Changi. The Lord, indeed, has done great things for them. They have been faithful to plant the seed and the Lord has given the increase.

Shalom has always been very close to the mother church. Gracians have given them a helping hand over a number of their building and expansion projects. We are grateful to be a part of their ministry. Rev Tan Choon Seng is also one of the teaching staffs in Asia Seminary for Ministry (ASM). Praise the Lord for his faithfulness in serving the Lord these 28 years.

Pastor