Mary Ngan – Vietnam
Reverend Mark, the senior pastor from the Church of Singapore, introduced me to TLBC. He knew that I needed to be equipped and trained to serve God more effectively. Although I have been helping my husband to pastor churches in Vietnam, I have personally not undergone formal training.
The first few days in school were difficult as I missed my husband and my son. I was also going through a time of grief as my mother passed away just before I came here. Further, I worried about the work back home.
I give thanks to the Lord for sending me here and also for the love and care which TLBC’s staff has extended to international students like me, which has certainly made me feel at home here.
Mary Ngan
Church in Vietnam
Christopher Seah – Singapore
My journey to TLBC is by no way an accident. Through my years of Christian life, I have never thought of attending a bible school. As I journeyed in life, my spiritual walk with God reached a level where believing in the word of God became intellectual. Whenever an act of faith demanded, I responded with reservations. I decided to come to TLBC with only one agenda – that God will reformat and reinstall my heart and mind.
Through the many lessons taught, my love for the word of God has since grown deeper with understanding. I’ve now learnt how to feed myself in times of need. Dean shared on Daniel 11:32b – “But the people that now know their God shall do great exploits for Him.” I want to be that!
Christopher Seah
Living Sanctuary Brethren Church
Avole Yoho – India
The Lord is so good. Even though I am not worthy, He really wanted me to work in His field. So, in 1994, I took a 4-year Bachelor of Theology course. It was a great challenge for me to be equipped in His Word in this way. After graduation, I returned home and helped out in the youth department in my local church. After some years, God led me into the children’s ministry, which was what I was longing for. I praise God because He answered my prayers and I’ve had many chances to share the gospel with many children. Since 2002, I have been serving full time in a children’s ministry called ‘Generation ministries of India’. I joined this ministry with much hope to prosper His Kingdom. We conduct camps and trainings for Sunday school teachers. The preparation of lessons for teachers and children has been an eye opener in my life.
Even though I am in the ministry, I need to learn more of His Word for my spiritual growth. I decided to come to TLBC in order to grow deeper in His Word and to refresh myself for more work in His field.
Avole Yoho
Church in Nagaland
India
30th Anniversary – Chairman’s Message
On this joyous occasion of the 30th Anniversary of Tung Ling Bible School, we celebrate God’s faithfulness and goodness for our work and ministry. Over the past 30 years, we have trained more than 4,000 students through our various courses. Our students have come from more than 40 nations around the world.
The theme, “The Journey – A Life that Bears fruit”, chosen for this issue’s Polished Shaft, is both appropriate and reflective. The school has played its part in impacting and transforming the lives of many students; and these students have in turn, impacted the lives of many others whom they have touched and ministered to.
We thank God for the two very dedicated Deans, the much anointed faculty members and our faithful and capable staff. We are very grateful to God for the supporting churches and individual donors. It is indeed through the support from all of you that has made the expansion and growth of our work possible.
Indeed the Lord is faithful!
Elder Goh Ewe Kheng
Chairman, College Board
A Pioneer’s Reflection – Rev. Canon Dr James Wong
The vision and idea of establishing a charismatic training school in Singapore was first mooted during a meeting among three brothers from New Zealand (they were Colin Campbell, Gordon Moore and Des Short) in September 1977. At that time, the charismatic renewal of the churches had already begun in Singapore. The fire of the Holy Spirit first fell upon the Anglican Church at the beginning of 1973 and soon spread to many other denominations, including the Methodist, Lutheran, Roman Catholic and various independent churches.
The Principal’s Message – Releasing The Arrow
Isaiah 49:2 He made my mouth like a sharpened sword, in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me into a polished arrow and concealed me in his quiver.
The hidden preparatory years of the Lord Jesus helped to lay the foundation for his appointed task. When John the Baptist uttered the words “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”, little was known of Him and certainly few had any idea as to what He was about to become. It took years of hidden, unseen molding under the shaping hand of His heavenly Father to prepare Him for His unique day. The shaft of the arrow was now perfectly formed, the tip sharpened and focused, now ready to be placed into the hands of the Master Archer. At the age of thirty, while coming up out of the water of baptism at Jordan, Jesus was released into the fullness of purpose for which he was called. The cross was the target and on it rested the hope of all mankind. Though the winds and wiles of the enemy sought to misdirect the arrow, it nonetheless found its mark resulting in the salvation and redemption of all who would call upon His name (Revelation 13:8).
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The Dean’s Message – Fruitfulness Matters
A boxing coach was instructing his assistant on how to identify and recruit a winning boxer. The coach said, “Some boxers get knocked down and they don’t want to get up. Some boxers get knocked down once and get up quickly; but when they get knocked down the second time, they don’t get up. Then, there are some who, no matter how many times they get knocked down, get up each and every time.”
Alumni Message – Tung Ling? Are You Sure Lord?
“I want you to go to Bible College.” That was the inner witness within my sprit that God was calling and challenging me to a deeper life and purpose in Him.
The year was 1994. I had many challenges and testing but this prompting to go to Bible school really excited me.
“Me? Going to Bible school? Wow!”
With this excitement and enthusiasm, I started scouting Bible schools.
Alumni Message – Being Good & Faithful Servants
I hesitated and was apprehensive when I submitted my enrollment form to Tung Ling Bible School in January of 2004. I was having second doubts about attending Tung Ling. I had just lost my job, betrayed by friends and partners in the company I had spent more than 10 years building. I was also worried about the shallowness of my faith and my limited knowledge of the Bible, amongst other things. Most of all, I was afraid of baring my inner self to strangers.
Rev. Ross Paterson
Rev. Ross Paterson is one of the leading experts on the church in China. He is well known as an author and as founder of Antioch Missions/Chinese Church Support Ministries. Ross served as a missionary in Taiwan from 1969-1979. Since 1994, he has been travelling and speaking extensively in Asia, Europe, Australasia and the USA.
