Official Opening of Balestier Corps

What a delight it was to be in The Salvation Army's new building - 126 Balestier Road, next door to the Seventh Day Adventist Church. It was formerly an Eye Hospital. The dedication of the new Balestier Corps and Community Centre coincided with the
75th anniversary of the Corps.

The officers and comrades of Balestier Corps gathered outside the building and we marched in to the music from the William Booth Corps Band (a few of Central Corps bandsmen augmented the players)

The meeting began with the singing of the song, "Stand up and bless the Lord" led by the Chief Secretary Lieut. Colonel Bob Lee. He had entered training college from Balestier Corps! It was a lovely spirit of rejoicing especially for the Balestier comrades after being 'homeless' since 2007. In the interim they worshipped in the THQ chapel.

The Territorial Commander Colonel Gillian Downer cut the ribbon and officially opened the new building with James Lim one of the older members of the Corps, Rachael a youth and a child. James was one of my Sunday School pupils and now he is numbered among the seniors! How the years have flown past. James' father Norman Lim was my Sunday School teacher in those early days.

There was the showing of the video of the history of the Corps. Terence Nah and Anne Kwong prepared this video. Terence, Anne and myself had gone to the spot where the Army first began, the Boys' Home. We had visited the area where the Army used to hold open air meetings. They wanted me to be the narrator because of my involvement in the Corps from the early days in 1937. I was only five years old when my older siblings and I made our way to Balestier Road Corps after witnessing the open air meeting in Lorong Limau where we lived.

In 1957 I was appointed as the Corps Officer (pastor) for the Corps. I got married and my wife who was from Central Corps joined me in ministering to the folk till November 1959 when we farewelled and appointed to Penang.

The following officers brought greetings from the various Corps and Centres - Captain Lim Chee Kwee representing the east, Major Ruth Pascoe the west, Lieut. Colonel Tan Thean Seng for Chinese Corps and Lieut. Colonel Wendy Lee for Central Corps. It was significant that we sang "They shall come from the East, they shall come from the West and sit down in the Kingdom of God."

Balestier Corps ladies provided a timbrel item. They marched into the hall to the music from the bagpipe played by Sister Olivia Low. All the ladies were smartly dressed in Army uniform. Then the William Booth youth provided a dance.

The Territorial Commander gave the message urging the people who are now back in Balestier to heed the General's call to One Army, One Mission and One Message.

As I look back my heart is filled with praise and thanksgiving to God. No one would have dreamed on that day the five year old lad would be standing on the platform in the new Balestier Corps Hall to pronounce the benediction, Marvellous is the grace of God. To God be the glory.

Yes the Army is back at Balestier. The neighbourhood with many Housing Board flats provides a great opportunity for the Army to serve the people.