NEW YEAR, NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Since the gradual lifting of COVID restrictions from mid-March last year, life has been returning to a new normal. According to a nationwide survey of churches in Singapore, an average of 72% of churchgoers have returned to onsite worship services. Smaller churches saw a higher percentage of returnees, so also churches with stronger small group ministries.

Evidently, churches that have focused on relationships together with activities now find themselves healthier than those which have focused only on activities. Also, churches are seeing movement of churchgoers, either receiving visitors or missing members. The dust has not settled yet. Perhaps as this year rolls out, we will have a better picture of how our churches are doing.

UPCOMING EVENTS 2023

For the 11 churches within BPCIS, we can look forward to a few exciting events. Pastor Simon Murphy of Redemption Hill Church will be our Good Friday Service speaker. Like last year, we will have One Theme, Different Locations, as the message will be video broadcast to services at our churches, all following a similar order of service.

Pastor Benny Ho, Senior Pastor of Faith Community Church in Perth, Australia, will be our Retreat speaker in 10-11 July, at Fraser Place, Puteri Harbour, JB. All pastors, elders, staff and lay leaders, young and old, are welcome.

As the year ends, Pastor Tan Eng Boo will be leading a Bible Lands Tour to Israel and Jordan, 26 Nov to 7 Dec. Places are filling up fast, so please contact email below for more information.

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

Zion Bishan Kindergarten, overcoming many challenges, transitioned into a full-day KinderCare this year. Let us pray for church kindergartens in Singapore facing closure and considering similar conversion to childcare.

BPCIS continues to support the training of some 40 BP pastors and leaders in India, in collaboration with the BP Presbytery in India. Six of our BPCIS pastors, partnering with Ambassadors for Christ Singapore, are also training pastors in Indonesia and Nepal.

Finally, an “Honour Fund” was launched by BPCIS to show gratitude and honour to BP pastors and elders who have served faithfully for decades, and continue to do so in active retirement without regular or significant income. Five presbyters have been nominated, and each will receive a gift from BPCIS.

“Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.” Hebrews‬ ‭13‬:‭7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Pastor David Wong

General Secretary, BPCIS

GenSecBPCIS@gmail.com