Mission Accomplished — Not Yet

Editorial

Editorial

Mission Accomplished — Not Yet

BP PASTORS & LEADERS RETREAT, 8-9 July, 2024, Doulos Phos, Bintan

By David Wong, General Secretary BPCIS

Eighty-eight of us left by ferry to Bintan for the annual Retreat. We stayed two days on a former ocean liner, now a ship hotel, berthed on reclaimed land. Once owned by Operation Mobilisation (OM), the ship had sailed around the world, bringing the gospel to 601 ports in 108 countries. 

Our speakers, appropriately were the International Director of OM, Lawrence Tong, and Missions Mentor, OM East Asia, Rodney Hui. The theme “Mission Accomplished—Not Yet” comes from Matthew 24:24:


“And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”


As General Secretary David Wong welcomed us to the Retreat, he reminded us of two significant years: 1950 when we broke away from the Presbyterian Church and became the Bible-Presbyterian Church; and 1988 when after 38 years, the BP Church broke up. 

Ng Zhiwen recalls what led to the break-up of the BP Church: 

“In 1987, my then Senior Pastor Quek Swee Hwa was invited onboard the ship ‘Doulos’ when it visited Asia for the first time. For a week, he sailed with it and gave talks on ‘Understanding Asian Religions’. 


“When he returned, he was roundly accused of compromising the BP stand on separation, at that time a rigid form of dissociation with groups considered different from us. This issue, together with controversies over the Charismatic Movement and modern Bible versions, led eventually to the dissolution of the BP denomination.”


At the Retreat, the irony could not be more obvious: pastors and leaders from BP churches on board that same ship in the company of two key leaders of OM. But there’s more. 

David Wong picks it up: “Our founding leaders were right in breaking away from the Presbyterian Church in the 1950’s when liberal theology held sway in the mainline denominations. God blessed and in the 60’s and 70’s, the BP Church became the fastest growing movement in planting churches locally and abroad. 


“Sadly, while we were strong on truth, we were weak in love. When differences arose, we failed to resolve them lovingly and went different ways. Though we appended “Bible” to Presbyterian, we did not act biblically, fracturing the body and even taking disputes to civil courts.”


So another touch of irony: our two retreat speakers came from Presbyterian churches. We need to learn from them, how they emerged from liberal theology, resolved their differences, and stayed together for over 140 years—when we could not last 38 years. 


Our Retreat focused on missions, obeying and accomplishing the Great Commission by Jesus to proclaim the gospel to all nations. But will people who hear also believe? 


Jesus prayed, “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” John‬ ‭17‬:‭20‬-‭21‬ ‭ESV‬‬


The credibility of the gospel is undergirded by the unity of the church. Such is seen in the 11 churches that now make up the Bible-Presbyterian Church in Singapore (BPCIS), a body reconvened in 2011. At Good Friday this year, more than 2,000 worshippers gathered at two services (English and Chinese). At the Retreat, the leaders gathered to bond, learn and work together for the kingdom of the Lord. 

Some takeaways from the Retreat by the participants

The wet weather on arrival at Doulos Phos did little to dampen my anticipation and desire to get to know more fellow leaders, as well as to be challenged by the speakers Lawrence Tong and Rodney Hui. The Lord did not disappoint, as both speakers shared from God’s Word as well as their personal experiences on the ground to encourage us to rise up to the challenges and opportunities arising from the changing dynamics and landscapes in missions work. Indeed, the ship itself, Doulos Phos, reminds us of God’s faithfulness and power in missions. 

Elder Elgin Chan, Mount Hermon

New place, new faces, new experience. As someone young and unknown, I am thankful to my colleagues for helping me ease into their conversations. During meal times, I met with newfound friends from the wider Bible-Presbyterian circle. The talks by Lawrence Tong challenged my preconceived notions about missions. I’m excited for the next BPCIS retreat!

Ting Han, Zion Serangoon

The stories shared by the speakers touched me deeply. They were ordinary men who trusted in an extraordinary God—and came away forever changed. I want to see that in me, my family, and my church Hebron. This can only take place when we in faith heed God’s call, band together to go and make disciples of all nations.

Ps Nathanael Tan, Hebron

The Retreat helped me understand the major trends impacting Missions today and opened my eyes to how the Spirit of God is at work around the globe. What a privilege to be involved in where God is moving!



In our group discussion, we recognised the urgent need to review policies and strategies in our church to stay relevant. We also sensed that the younger generation can be empowered to be involved – and even to lead – in this movement forward

Ps Thomas Lim, Mount Carmel

I feel blessed to have attended the Retreat two years in a row. Last year, we embarked on a journey of growing and making disciples of Christ. This year, we are reminded that our mission is far from complete. Furthermore, through fellowship with other BPCIS church leaders, I have learned more about church leadership and management. It has been a humbling and inspiring experience.

Dn Philip Ho, Herald

Retreat means taking time to rest, reflect and pray. We covered all these, and in a most relaxing way! The Doulos Phos Hotel was a beautiful venue by the sea. The talks by our speakers were refreshing and practical, with many real-life stories of God at work. The big picture helped us to see how each local church is part of God’s Mission. Many personal friendships were forged and renewed. Coming together helps us to realize that we are not on our own. 

Ps Peter Warren, Mount Horeb


Past Editorials

BPCIS: A Work in Progress, BPCIS turns 10! 

Read the Editorial on the 10th Anniversary of the BPCIS where we thank God for seeing us through the major milestones in our history. A graphic timeline helps show this in a visual format. 

Sharing Resources Beyond Our Shores

Read the Editorial on the BPCIS' gift of S$10,000 to OM for their work among refugees in West Asia. Earlier on, BPCIS also gave gifts for ministries in Myanmar and Nepal.

Saving our Kindergartens

An account of the BPCIS involvement in the Christian Preschool Alliance by Dr Oswald Goh.

Elder Oswald Goh shares about an initiative to safeguard Christian preschool education so that future generation of children in Singapore can know God at their tender age.

Article on how the Bible Presbyterian Church in Singapore is responding to the Divorce by mutual Agreement and section 377A.

Moving Boundary Stones 

Read the Editorial released on 9 May as we cover a range of local issues that the Singapore Church and society were facing. These include the introduction of Divorce by Mutual Agreement, the contentious issue of the repeal of 377A etc. 

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