By Not Known
As the year ends, this is a good time to prayerfully look back.
This has been a tough year for our nation. Continuing economic difficulties,
SARS and a troubled regional environment have all taken their toll on national
confidence, our sense of safety and our economic well-being. Yet, we end the
year with a sense that we have survived and grown during the year and that
things are improving on several of these fronts. For that, we should thank God
who sends rain and sunshine on the just and the unjust (Mt 5:45).
We have also faced challenges as a church. The same factors that threatened
the nation also affected us. SARS meant the cancellation of some ministry
activities and a struggle to keep others going. Wider economic problems took
their toll on church income. Heightened social anxieties necessitated even
greater sensitivity in taking the message of Jesus to non-believers in our
community.
Yet, we have much to be thankful for. The Lord has not only seen us through
another year, but he has been pleased to work in and through us. This year has
seen a string of ministry initiatives resulting from our resolve to be a disciple-
making church.
Consider the following new activities:
- Adoption of a three-year ministry plan
- School of Christian Ministry launched
- Sunshine Fellowship started
- Keryx Fellowship underway
- Pontian mission partnership developed
- Basic Christianity courses run
- Raffles Lunch Fellowship started
- Outreach services held on 5th Sundays
- Worship emphasis month
These things should amaze us and lead us to thank God for the privilege of being
so used in the cause of the gospel. Many of us are vividly aware that: we have
this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God
and not from us (2 Cor 4:7). Any good that we have done is indeed to the glory
of God. Let us therefore end the year with the Psalmist’s words: Not unto us, 0
Lord, not to us, but to your name be the glory (Ps 115:1).