From the President's Office
Message from the President's Office
April 2025
The Apostle Paul had much to testify about the blessings he received from His Master. He constantly reminded himself not to be conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations he received. He also had his fair share of personal sufferings, one of which tormented him so badly that he pleaded with the Lord to have it removed. But the Lord said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).
Such a comforting promise is God’s assurance that He is always there for our own good. Unless we experience trouble, we would never know the full sweetness of His divine grace and the power of the gospel. God’s grace shines most brightly in our trials and tribulations. When we endure hardships, knowing that all things work together for our own good, blessing will follow as we trust and believe God will deliver and strengthen us. God’s power is made perfect in weakness. Endurance allows for the display of the mighty power of God’s grace.
God’s handiwork is often displayed through His servants who stand firm and unshaken in the midst of trials, declaring victory in the face of chaos. They shine brightly for the Lord through battles, not on the sidelines. I am highlighting several of our BTS alumni for their courage in facing challenges and emerging as ones who truly embrace that “God’s grace is sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness”.
I mentioned Rev Gam Htun and his wife in the November 2024 issue. They left a comfortable ministry and lifestyle in Singapore to answer a Macedonian call to return to their war-torn homeland and shepherd their countrymen. Two weeks later, I met another BTS alumnus (2016), Pastor Sui who shepherds several churches in another war-torn region. I asked him if the residents have resistance believing in God with so much pains and sufferings around. He replied that on the contrary, they are more open to believe in God who loves and saves, and offers everlasting hope.
Pastor Vinh (not his real name), from Vietnam, graduated from BTS in 2017. He is currently serving as an Assistant Senior Pastor. He visited BTS recently and I got to know that since his graduation, he has been serving actively in shepherding God’s flock. In spite of the challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic, his two sons followed his footsteps, studied at BTS and graduated in 2021 and 2023.
Pastor Li (not his real name) and his wife, graduated from BTS in 2010 and 2016 respectively. He is currently pastoring a church in his homeland. Both of them visited BTS recently with their 23 year-old son with the intention of enrolling him to study at BTS from January 2026.
Closer at home, Samuel Kou who is now doing field education at Good News Baptist Church has been a student at BTS since July 2024. Seeing how Samuel has benefited from the training at BTS, his father, David Kou is currently a BTS student from the beginning of this year. David is also serving as the Mission Coordinator at Singapore Baptist Convention. There is also Rev John Chen who graduated from BTS in 2016 and is now a pastor at Covenant EFC. He is a member of the BTS Alumni Committee and his daughter has been a BTS student since last year.
The cases I mentioned are some examples of men and women who when faced with challenges, called upon God and found His grace sufficient to carry them through battles without being battered. At BTS, we are committed to cultivate missional pastors and equip lay ministers to engage in Asia’s vast harvest for the glory of God. We are excited to celebrate the completion of theological training of 18 graduands and equipping of nearly 90 lay leaders (under the Advanced Institute of Ministry programme) and warmly invite you to our 33rd Commencement Service to be held on Sat, 17 May 2025 at Calvary Baptist Church from 10.00am. The service will be followed by a lunch reception. Please come and RSVP via the link below:
Still Standing by the Grace of God,
Peter Tang
Interim Managing Director
