Corps 7th anniversay

It's hard to believe that our church has been here at Upper Bukit Timah for seven years.On 7th July 2002, Pasir Panjang Corps closed its doors and the week after we moved to Upper Bukit Timah. Some folk wanted to keep the name Pasir Panjang Corps, others thought we should rename it Upper Bukit Timah Corps.(what a mouthful!) Some smart fellow came up with Bukit Panjang corps.

While we were stationed in Hong Kong, we amalgamated two corps - Tze Wan Shan and Chuk Yuen Corps. Each corps wanted to keep its name, so in the end we called it Pu Wai Lin Corps. (or William Booth Corps) So I threw in this idea and it was accepted by the Corps Officer Major Allen Satterlee and approved by the then Officer Commanding, Lieut. Colonel Tan Thean Seng.

What a lot has happened during these seven years.

On Saturday 22nd August, we had a special meeting in the evening. It was called “Don’t forget the lyrics” This special adaptation of the TV special combined with the popular games show “Deal or No deal.” Sadly I could not attend as I was not feeling well and kept sneezing! I would have gone if they had included in the programme a sneezing contest!

Folk had a lot of fun in this four generational team game. Each team included senior elders, adults, youth and children. It was a night of fun and fellowship.

Sunday morning began with a Prayer meeting at 9.45 a.m. Comrades gathered to sing praises to God for the seven years of blessing. Different comrades prayed on the following topics

Prayer of gratitude to God for seven years of blessing
Prayers of Intercession for Children’s ministries – Sunday School/Nursery, Junior soldiers, tuition programme, Local officers and teacher

Prayers of Intercession for Adult ministries – local officers and Ministry leaders, congregation, small groups and Bible studies, Music sections/ ushers, technicians, Women’s ministry.

Prayers of Intercession for Youth ministries – Youth worship ministry, small groups, youth mentors and leaders, Corps cadets.

The whole congregation prayed a United Prayer for William Booth Corps. The Corps Secretary Terence Tan closed the meeting with a special prayer for the future.

At 11.00 a.m. we began our Holiness meeting. It took the form of Family worship. The band and songsters combined to present a special rendition of “Solid Rock.” The cadets gave an item on the parable of the Two houses – one built on rock and one on sand. We all joined in the singing of the old chorus, “The wise man built his house upon the rock.” It's ages since I sang this chorus. YP locals gave a video presentation of the children’s ministry.

Major Ruth Pascoe gave the Bible message, “God is good – Praise Him.” It was based on Psalm 118: 1, 14- 29. The meeting ended with the singing of the song, “Give to Jesus glory.”

After the meeting, the band led the children to the Noah’s Ark Nursery classroom beautifully decorated by Janice Lau. It was then dedicated by the Territorial Commander, Colonel Keith Burridge.

The comrades then adjourned to the social hall where we had fellowship and enjoyed the anniversary lunch.

We started with a nucleus, the remnant from Pasir Panjang. Almost every week, we had new people dropping in. Some stayed, even became salvationists or adherents, others retain membership of their own churches but for convenience worship with us. We are pleased to have them as friends. Some have since gone overseas to study or work.

Some don't quite like our style of worship or for some other reason have left us.

The church is growing thank God who has been blessing us. Now we begin a chapter, the eighth year. There are big challenges ahead of us but we are trust God and move forward in the name and strength of the Lord.

For me and my wife, we continue to serve and do our small part. I shall continue doing the Adult Bible class. In my absence Sister Mrs. Lim Li Ching, retired school teacher takes over. She and her husband Ronnie, both transfered from Balestier are great supporters. We do all we can to support our leaders, and encourage everyone and certainly engage in the ministry of prayer. We run a cell group every Friday morning at our home. We'll work till Jesus comes for us!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! To Him be the glory!