STRENGTHENING OUR CHURCHES
The COVID pandemic disrupted our annual retreats, but did not stop us from meeting.
In 2020, we met on Zoom with Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon addressing 87 of us from 11 churches on "The Post-Pandemic World & Church".
In 2021, we met onsite at Mount Carmel BPC, limited to a maximum of 50 persons, when Dr Robert Solomon spoke again, this time on "Towards a Spirituality of Sharing". You may remember that we practised strict safe distancing, sitting apart and going out for lunch in two's.
Last year, we finally met in larger number at Changi Cove with Pastor Denesh Divyanathan addressing us on "Strengthening the Church". From an exposition of 2 Timothy, he called on us to raise the next generation of leaders, to confront gospel dilution and opposition, and to preach the Word. In particular, he urged us to spend time, single-mindedly, one on one, to pass on the gospel.
This year, we are glad to have Pastor Benny Ho of Faith Community Church in Perth, Australia, to speak on "Strengthening the Church: Discipling & Mentoring". I was recently invited by him to join a panel, addressing pastors from the Anglican Church, on Preaching. It was one of the five engagements he had in Singapore this past month.
We look forward to God speaking to us at this Retreat, and showing us how we may strengthen our churches. May the Retreat be a time also of strengthening our bonds with one another we serve the Lord, together, across different congregations and generations.
"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father... that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith...." Ephesians 3.14-16
Pastor David Wong
General Secretary, BPCIS