Remembering Grace Church's Beginnings: A Brief Journey Through History

By Rev Tan Eng Boo

“O God, we have heard with our ears, our fathers have told us,

what deeds you performed in their days, in the days of old: you with

your own hand drove out the nations, but them you planted; you

afflicted the peoples, but them you set free; for not by their own sword

did they win the land, nor did their own arm save them, but your right hand and your arm, and the light of your face, for you delighted in them” (Psalm 44:1–3)

For almost 50 years, I have witnessed the unmistakable grace of God upon Grace Bible-Presbyterian Church. From our humble beginnings in January 1976 to this coming Jubilee Year in 2026, the Lord has faithfully sustained, guided, and blessed this congregation. Truly, as our Lord Jesus reminds us, “apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).

As we stand on the threshold of our Jubilee, I call upon every Gracian to pause and remember our precious history—not merely as a record of events, but as a testimony of God’s sovereign providence. Grace Church did not arise by human planning alone. God Himself planted us as a beacon of gospel witness in the eastern part of Singapore, and we exist for His honour and glory. That glory belongs to Him alone and can never be taken away.

The psalmist in Psalm 44:1-3 urges God’s people to remember how the Lord worked mightily in generations past. If Israel was commanded to remember, how much more should we reflect on the gracious hand of God upon our own church? Our Jubilee year should therefore be a sacred time: remembering the past with gratitude, embracing the present with thanksgiving, and pressing forward into the future with renewed faith and obedience.

Let me share with you three things about our brief history and the lessons we can learn from it.

 1. Grace Church: A Beginning Ordained by God

My wife and I had the privilege of visiting Mrs Lim (nee Tow Siew Yong). She is the only surviving sibling of the late Rev Timothy Tow. Her eldest sister, Dr Tow Siew Ai was the one who gave this property to be used as a church and later transferred the title deed to Grace.

Mrs Lim related to us that her sister, Dr Tow, told her that the previous owner of this property had wanted to sell it off quickly for some reason. Somehow, in God’s sovereign plan, the owner approached Dr Tow and offered to sell it to her at a low price. Dr Tow then consulted her brother, Rev Timothy Tow, about this offer. Rev Tow told her to buy it.

She later gave the property to Rev Timothy Tow to be used as a church. It was in January 1976 that Grace Bible-Presbyterian Church was established with some 30 persons forming the first congregation from Life BPC, our mother church.

Rev Timothy Tow was a faithful church planter who seized every opportunity to establish new gospel work. Grace Church inherited this same spirit. May we continue to discern and seize opportunities to extend Christ’s witness wherever He leads.

Being a Blessing to fellow believers

In the early years of Grace church, this place was also known as Shalom House. You may still be able to see the stone tables and chairs with the name “Shalom” on it. Our church building in the early days was a campsite for many churches and parachurch groups. The place was a blessing to many of them. But we had to stop it because of complaints from our neighbours over noise made in the night by these campers. We did not want to risk losing our change-of-use license.

Interestingly, the name Shalom House was subsequently used by our daughter church, Shalom Bible-Presbyterian Church (minus the “House”).

2. A Church Committed to Missions and Evangelism

When Rev Timothy Tow established this work, his vision was for Grace Church to be active in missions and evangelism. We have been true to this vision. Grace church grew in number, and we had to carry out two major renovations to accommodate the growing congregation. Two daughter churches have been established through our home missions endeavours. We had foreign students from the Far Eastern Bible College, whom we supported, and they became our missionaries in their homeland. We got involved with foreign mission trips while I was the chairman of the Bible-Presbyterian Foreign Missions. We supported foreign missions when we sent out our first commissioned missionary, Sister Catherine Ng.

At home we conducted Family Salvation Nights, Gospel Sundays, Christmas, Easter and Good Friday gospel services etc. This has been our practice, and it must continue to be so.

We also tendered for church sites, but somehow, we have never gotten one. We have sought the Building and Construction Authority’s approval for our present building to be re-zoned as a permanent church site. They replied that we cannot have this permanent change-of-use to be a church site as this is a residential area. We had thought of selling this property to bid for a church site. I spoke to Rev Timothy Tow about our intention, and he expressed deep disappointment with our plan. This would mean giving up this property that was given to be used as a church. Since then, we have never revisited that idea.

Looking back, I am convinced that the Lord Himself has sustained us. For 50 years, this building has stood as a church. What, then, is God’s purpose for Grace Church in the next 50 years and beyond? The answer remains unchanged: to go into all the world and proclaim the gospel (Mark 16:15)

3. Bonding the Gracians: Life Together in Christ

Grace church had lots of young people in the early days. We had Youth Fellowship meetings on Saturdays. The Bible classes were filled with young people. We had many outings to bond with one another. Kelong and fishing trips. Sports Days were almost a yearly affair on August 9 or May 1, as well as trips to Kota Tinggi Waterfall in Johor, church camps, etc. Thank God, many of our young people found their life partners in Grace church. I think I conducted marriage ceremonies for almost all of them.

Church members can and should get together to build their relationships through the activities of living and interacting together, and through learning the Word of God at camps, etc. Though times and lifestyles may have changed, the need for intentional fellowship has not. We must still make time to build relationships that strengthen the body of Christ.

There are many more things to share with you, but this would do for now.

Let us remember:

• God’s sovereign hand was evident in the acquisition of this property

• The vision of missions and evangelism must never waver

• The bonding and spiritual unity of every Gracian must be our shared desire

As we approach our Jubilee, may we recommit ourselves to the purpose for which Grace Church exists.

“So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him” (2 Corinthians 5:9)

May the Lord who has sustained Grace Church for 50 years continue to lead us into the next 50 years.

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JUBILEE NOTE FROM ELDER SEAH SOON HUAT

On behalf of Session, I would like to wish everyone in Grace BPC a Blessed 2026! Firstly, praise be unto God as we enter our Jubilee Year in 2026. Leviticus 25 speaks of Jubilee as a year of renewal and rejuvenation. There is indeed much to rejoice and celebrate as we lift our hearts in thanksgiving to glorify Him. With the “Great Reset in Jesus” as the theme for the year, the Jubilee Committee has been working hard to plan a whole year programme. We are grateful for their dedication and time to lead us in commemorating God’s faithfulness these 50 years as brothers and sisters in God’s family. Let’s pray for God’s guidance, unity and active engagement for these events which are led by the following:

• Dn Oei Kiang - Church Anniversary Service on 11 Jan

• Dn Jonathan Sam - Passion Week Reflection in Apr

• Dn Chien Chong - Jubilee Camp in Jun (17/6-20/6)

• Sis Ai Ling - Christmas Outreach in Dec

• Dn David - All aspects of logistical support

• Sis Boon Jin - All aspects of administrative support

• Sis Janice and Carol - Media and Communications

Let’s also pray for ourselves, that each of our hearts will be lifted and drawn closer to Him. May we be a channel of blessing, not focusing simply on activities themselves (and the running of them or even the slip-ups) but rather on how the Lord uses these programs to help us find our Great Reset in Him.

I am sure the team welcomes any additional help and I would like to urge all of us Gracians to render our assistance when approached.

Secondly, I want to pen my thanks to God for the session members who are serving their second year in this current term.

Let us remember to pray and support our session and pastoral team in their various areas of ministries to rejuvenate our church:

• Dn Oei Kiang as he oversees the weekly worship service, visitation programs as well as the ministry to the seniors in our community.

• Dn David as he oversees the prayer and usher ministry, property-related matters as well as the ministry to the young adults in our midst.

• Dn Chien Chong as he oversees the pulpit schedule, communication and church updates as well as the ministry to the youth and children.

• Dn Jonathan Sam as he overseas outreach and follow-up as well as the bible class ministry.

• Pastor Joseph Tee who will be our interim Pastor, ministering God’s Word and administrating the Sacraments (Holy Communion & Baptism), and as he works out the curriculum and membership classes in consultation with the Session, Rev Tan Eng Boo and Eld Victor.

• Rev Lee Fatt Ping, who serves in the Mandarin Service Committee, as he focuses on the Seniors ministry and outreach work at St Andrew’s Activity Ageing Centre @Bedok South Horizon, especially in conducting monthly talks on wellness (physical , mental and spiritual). Pray also for the Lord to lead and guide him in his role as an ordained Minister of the Gospel since 2001 at Faith BP Church and an elected Elder in Grace BPC, and in his service in our church’s English Service. ⁠ Praise God for opportunities to volunteer at St Luke Eldercare weekly, to preach regularly in other BP churches, and serve in Grace BPC (as Honorary Pastor for 17 years).

• Pastor Zhang Li Feng, who ministers in Grace Mandarin Service that he will faithfully preach the Word, administer the Sacraments, oversee and organise worship service, teach in bible class and discipleship class, organise and carry out monthly visitation, schedule prayer meeting duties, and take part in international students outreach with SYFC (Singapore Youth For Christ).

• Myself (Elder Seah Soon Huat) that I will be faithful to His Word and Work in my role as moderator in the Session, preaching, teaching in bible class, making disciples, being involved in visitation, personal outreach and follow-up, and also reaching out to international students with SYFC.

It is upon my heart that Grace BP will seek to be the beacon and lighthouse for another 50 years and more. Let us persevere to march on as soldiers of Christ, bringing in the sheaves for God’s Kingdom.

Finally, may the Lord bless you as we seek to have aligned hearts and minds in Jesus, work together as a Body of Christ and give Him the glory and honour. May we walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called with all humility, gentleness, patience, bearing with one another in love (Ephesians 4:1-7). Amen.

Elder Seah Soon Huat, Session Moderator, Jan 2026