1. Not the Greatest…but are we the Least?
When Jesus gathered His disciples for the Last Supper, they were arguing who among them was the greatest. Whenever there is trouble over who is the greatest, there is also trouble over who is the least. Many know and accept that they cannot be the greatest, but few are willing to accept that they are the least. Gathered at the Passover Feast, no one volunteered to wash the feet of those who were present, simply because no one wanted to be the least. Washing of feet is done by one who is the least. But Jesus, took a basin and towel and redefined greatness.. “Now that I your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 14:14,15) Jesus changed the rule of the game. He did not abolish leadership or authority. He rearranges the lines of authority, from status to function, from title to a towel. The Baptist community will flourish abundantly when we have leaders who served as servants who are not just willing not to be the greatest, but willing to be the least.
2. Baptist Centre - Update
The acquisition Baptist Centre is an exciting journey of faith. It is exciting because God started the journey, remains in charge and will lead us to the destination. We who are His followers, must step up in faith and obedience to His leadership. The Baptist Centre is not merely about a building, nor our mission ends when the Convention Office and the BTS occupy it in 2012. It must herald the Baptist community to a renewed spirit of expectancy to experience God together and allow Him to lead us into new frontiers of ministry and service that He had set apart for us. I am thankful, grateful and encouraged to see Baptists stepping up their donations and spiritual support. Share my joy and thanksgiving to God for:
- BTS staff and faculty pledge almost $60,000 and
- BTS students engaging in raising funds from their friends because they want to be part of this historic journey of faith
- A small group has been meeting faithfully at the Convention Office weekly in the evening to pray for each other and for the Baptist community. One morning, I found a cheque of $10,000 for the Baptist Centre on my table – left by one of the members
- Queenstown BC who had fulfilled its pledge of $300,000 in the first phase of fund raising, confirmed today its commitment to give another $300,000. This decision by the church was made right in the midst of its own urgent need for funds for the church redevelopment in progress. Chairman Daniel Soh sent this note with the announcement, “We in QBC are honoured to participate in this historic moment in the endeavour to source for a permanent place to house BTS…. To God be the glory.”
- A brother asked me how much he pledged in the earlier phase. I checked and told him it was $2,000. Last week, I received a donation of $6,000 from him.
- A widow (late 70s) approached me and said that she is not able to give much cash, but can she use her arts & crafts talents to make quilts for sales. In her younger days, she made them to raise funds for charitable organisations and every piece she made was grabbed for its design and quality. I told her to go ahead. Call me if you want to place an advance order for a piece of her works.
- Abundant Life BC pledged $41,800 in September in response to our appeal for funds. 2 weeks ago while sharing the Word in the church, Pastor Janet and Chairman Soo Guan presented me with a pledge card committing $53,650 to the Baptist Centre.
The target is an additional $3.5 million to complete the purchase by 22 December 2011.
To date, we have received pledges and donations of about $1,300,000.
Every donation, big or small is received with gratitude and praise to our Heaven Father who richly blesses all who call on Him. (Rom 10:12). Cheque should be made payable to Singapore Baptist Convention – Baptist Centre. Regular update of the pledges and donations received is posted in our website at www.baptistconvention.org.sg and www.bts.org.sg
3. 37th Annual General Meeting: Thank You!
We thank God and member churches for the timely attendance of Messengers at the recent 37 Annual General Meeting on 8 October 2012 that allowed us to commence the meeting right on time. We are grateful for yet another year of harmony and support for the works of the Convention Office. We look forward to serving the Lord and the Baptist community with joy and passion. We shall be focusing on two primary tasks for the new year – stepping up recruitment of volunteers in preparation of our hosting the 16th Baptist Youth World Conference in Singapore (17-21 July 2013 @ Suntec City) and seizing the unique and strategic advantage of having the Convention and BTS working in close collaboration to serve the Baptist community. Convention and BTS are stepping up dialogues and efforts to explore new opportunities and frontiers to strengthen ministries in training and equipping our Pastors and Lay Leaders, and building a cohesive Baptist family.
4. Sweet Hour of Prayer gets Sweeter: 7 Times 15 Minutes Prayers for Combined Baptist Youth Camp
We don’t just say that young Baptists are our future leaders. We act to make it happen. At least this is what several of our Youth Pastors are trusting the Lord to do at the coming combined Baptist Youth Camp from 27-30 December 2011 at Pulai Springs Resort, JB. Pastor Ayan (Head of Convention Youth Department) expresses, “Such a momentous and life-transforming Youth Camp needs total dependency on the One who called us. May I bring to your kind attention on the urgent need of prayer leading to the Youth Camp - 7 times 15 minutes Prayer - we will come together for prayer at least 7 times. And each time we come we will at least pray for 15 minutes, prior to the Sweet Hour of Prayer. As I was contemplating and planning for the prayer, the number 7/15 came to my mind and the Lord led me to 2 Chronicles 7:15, which reads, "My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer offered in this place." Oh well, if you ask me what significance the number “2” and the name “Chronicles” hold. Here it is - 2 signifies our second time coming together to pray, and Chronicles signifies a marker or record in history that will see many defining moments in the lives of our Baptist Youths when they encounter and experience God personally. Let us come together at least 7 times to pray for at least 15 minutes with the faith and trust recorded in 2 Chron 7:15 that He will hear us as we pray.
5. Pray for Thailand
The unprecedented massive flooding in Thailand has taken a heavy toll on the economy and inflicted untold misery and uncertainty to many. Let us remember the people in our prayers as they cope with the damages and the continuing uncertainty of the situation. We have been notified that the first floor of BTS Bangkok has been flooded. A friend of mine requests for prayers for “Thai Christians and churches that are hit by the flood and that they will also be able to respond in grace and love to help their neighbours too.” The Convention Office will keep member churches informed when we received information on how we can render practical assistance.
peter tang
for Christ and baptist unity