God is a God of doing new things. In Isaiah 43:19, God says, “Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness, And rivers in the desert.” He wants to change our dull lives into joyful lives. That’s why Paul says, “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things have passed away and behold all things become new.” To be renewed, it has to be done from the inside. We cannot do it ourselves. We have to surrender ourselves, to die with Christ on the cross and to resurrect with Christ and seated with Christ now in the heavenly places. What an experience if we have faith in Him. We thank God for bringing together the Dean, Principal, Lecturers and Staff to run the short term Bible School and to draw students from Singapore and many nations to attend the School of Ministry course. In every batch of students, we have seen so many lives and minds renewed through a new experience with the living God.

All glory to His Name.

We thank all our supporters who have invested in this ministry.

All glory be to God for His faithfulness.

Elder Goh Ewe Kheng
Chairman, College Board

I just want to be where you are” is a well known song of recent years. Dwelling daily in His presence will serve any Christian well in helping to ensure his or her place in this New Season of God’s favor. (Isa 43:19) The significance of the presence of God and its benefit for us today can be seen in examining the Ark of the Covenant, which for a time was part of Moses Tabernacle. Let us examine the three items contained in the Ark for in doing so we obtain keys and perspective for what God is doing today.

Heb 9:4 Which had the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold, wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron’s rod that budded, and the tables of the covenant:

1. The golden pot that had manna speaks of the hidden truths of God’s Word. At Tung Ling we put a high premium on the study and meditation of God’s Word. Is the Bible a part of your daily spiritual diet? Consider the following verse: Num 11:6 But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes. The children of Israel began to despise or lightly regard God’s daily provision. They were not thankful which resulted in the seeking after of other pleasures. In many places the study of God’s Word is being substituted for programs and activities that diminish the church’s effectiveness in meeting today’s demands. Consider the man in the following verse: Mat 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. This is the attitude of heart that is needed in our approach towards the Bible. Seek for the treasures, the hidden truths that God reveals through His Word. Prov 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
2. Aaron’s rod that budded speaks of authority and resurrection life. (Num 16-17) The leadership of Moses was being challenged due to his lifting up the standard of holiness. (Num 16:1-3) Even today the preaching of the cross proves to be an offense to many. As the leaders of the 12 tribes placed their respective rods before the congregation, the rod of Aaron took on life and budded above the others. God demonstrated who had the true message and authority. (Num 17:8) And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds. Aaron’s rod also gives a picture of resurrection power. The apostle Paul not only believed that Christ rose from the dead but he wanted the reality and experience of resurrection power in his own life. (Phil 3:10) Are you experiencing barrenness in areas of your life? Are you still looking for the realities of unfulfilled promises that God has spoken to you? Do your hopes resemble the dry bones that are illustrated in Eze 37? Be encouraged and cry out for resurrection power. Believe God and take Him at His Word.
3. The Tables of the Covenant speaks of God’s law. Today, lawlessness abounds everywhere. The sense of right and wrong has been lost, which has given way to moral relativism. (No objective understanding of right and wrong) Why do we find God’s laws (10 commandments) being removed from schools and public places? They represent absolutes that man chooses not to live by. (Mal 3:6) For I am the LORD, I change not…More than ever the church must become a clarion voice which will reflect who God is, what He is like and the laws by which His kingdom is governed. God is preparing a company of New Testament priests who will effectively teach the precepts of the Lord. (Neh 8:8) So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

It is important to note that the Ark of the Covenant was not always stationery. The purpose of the Ark’s journey in the Old Testament from Shiloh to Zion was to determine those who had a true love for God’s presence. The items contained in the Ark help to give perspective and understanding as to how we can be those who learn to dwell daily in His presence. We at Tung Ling pray that in this New Season of God’s favor, each student will have an ever growing love for the Word of God as represented by the Golden pot of manna. To seek to uphold God’s standards while experiencing the realities of resurrection life, as seen in Aaron’s rod, that budded, and finally, to be a people who make known the ways of God to the people. To have a love for the law of the Lord as David did who had the privilege of bearing the presence of God before the people upon the holy hill of Zion. (Psa 19:7-10) Amen.

Reverend Tim O’Connell
Principal

The year 2008 has gone down in history as the crisis of the three Fs – Finance, Food and Fuel. The more than 100-year-old investment bank, Lehman Brothers, was forced into a shocked closure. Oil prices shot up to a dazzling height of more than US $100.The melamine tainted milk sold worldwide might have killed, who knows, more than 100 children. These global crises of epic proportions have given rise to discomfort, uncertainty and fear.

The crises of finance, food and fuel reminded me of the story in 2 Kings 4:1-7 about the poor widow and the prophet Elisha.

The poor widow had a crisis.
The finance was due, the debt outstanding… but the cheque book was negative. The family had no food. There were three hungry mouths to feed but the cupboards were bare. The fuel was almost gone and the whole house was empty except for an almost empty jar of oil.

In her desperation, the widow turned to the prophet Elisha.

Elisha asked her, “How can I help you?” And before she could even answer, he said, “Tell me, what do you have in your house?” …Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbours, even empty vessels; do not get a few. And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels…”

To experience the seasons of new beginnings, the widow had to do three things:

1. She had to do what she was told – Fancy the widow and her children going to the neighbours to borrow empty vessels. What would the neighbours think? Isn’t there more than enough empty stuff? There’s already an empty cupboard, empty house and now, more empty vessels?

   But the widow took the prophet Elisha at his word. As soon as she received directions from Elisha, she acted. She obeyed immediately. She obeyed implicitly. Even though the orders were unusual, she did not worry about what the neighbours would think! She obeyed inclusively. Step by step she carried out Elisha’s instructions.

   A new beginning always starts with trusting and obeying God’s Word and His direction.

2. She had to use what she had – It did not make much sense to pour out her few precious drops of oil into the empty vessels. But she did. When she stepped out with the little she had, God turned it into much. God uses what little we have, not what we do not have.

   God can do great things with small resources. A little pebble from the brook can overthrow the great Goliath. A young maid can point the great commander, Naaman, in the direction of Elisha. A small meal of five loaves and two fish can feed the five thousand.

   Are you small enough for God to use? In serving the Lord or in facing the trials of life, we have to use the resources we have and God will do the rest. We just have to do the natural and God will do the supernatural.

3. She had to prepare in abundance – Elisha told her, “Don’t ask for just a few.” It would appear she cleaned out the village of every pot, pan, jar and bottle she could find.

   God wanted to give the widow as much oil as she could expect or ask for. Expect abundance! Imagine the headlines in the local newspaper, “Widow discovers oil!”

   The widow can sell the oil and settle her debt. With the money from the sale of the oil she can get enough food and more than enough fuel to keep the house warm.

It’s our expectancy that limits what God wants to do for us and through us. It was not the oil that ran out. It was the vessels! God is more than enough. God is more than adequate. God is more than generous.

When confronted by uncertainties and desperate situations in life, bring your empty jars before God. Whether it is an empty ditch, an empty well or an empty net, God will fill it and bring about a season of new beginnings.

To you as the graduating class, my congratulations for a season of new beginnings. Let this be a season of trusting God and obeying Him. Whatever you have learnt at Tung Ling Bible School, go and do what you have been instructed. Let this be a season of doing what God tells you to do, using what little resources you may have and you will experience faith instead of fear, fullness instead of emptiness, and abundance instead of famine and drought.

Ju Ong
Dean

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.

Over the next two decades of the 1970’s and 1980’s, many from the mainline historic churches were revived. The Gospel was proclaimed and many families as well as young people in our church schools came to know the Lord. In fact, the revival first began in two mission schools – Anglo-Chinese School and St Andrew’s School.

The fruit of the revival soon manifested itself. Looking back over these past 30 years I see a five-fold contribution with lasting results from the Charismatic Renewal in Singapore. The establishment of the Tung Ling Bible School in 1978 was definitely one of them. In order to conserve the fruit of the revival and raise up more workers for the work of the ministry, it was felt that a short term Bible School was needed to equip and train Christian workers to lead these churches that had experienced spiritual renewal by the Holy Spirit.

We are indebted to the brothers from New Zealand who offered their valuable service to lead this Bible school. During the first half of the history of Tung Ling these New Zealand missionaries like Des Short, Percy Campbell, Gordon Moore, Neil Patterson, and many others came to teach and train the students.

Tung Ling graduates have been a blessing to many churches in Singapore and South-east Asia; many have become pastors, church planters and full-time workers in these countries.

As far as I am aware Tung Ling is the first and only trans-denominational charismatic Bible school in this region. It has made a significant contribution to the life and witness of the Church in South-east Asia.

Besides the founding and establishment of Tung Ling Bible School there were other fruits which resulted from the move of the Holy Spirit.  I think of four other significant outcomes which impacted the Church in Singapore. They are as follows:

1) The Spiritual Renewal Seminars and numerous charismatic conferences.

These conferences, which began in 1974 through the ministry of Ralph Mahoney and Brian Bailey of the World MAP from the U.S.A., have contributed to the strength and growth of the Church in Singapore. Their strong and faithful teaching of the Word of God has helped many new Christians in the churches to grow in the Spirit.

2) The establishment of Christian bookshops which distribute and promote Charismatic books and worship songs to spiritually hungry Christians.

These bookshops together with the annual Festival of Praise events over the past 22 years, have introduced many contemporary and charismatic worship songs to our churches for their Sunday worship services.

3) The development of an active market-place ministry by “full-time” ministers and missionaries in the work-place.

Two dynamic charismatic organizations, Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship and the Singapore Chapter of the Women’s Aglow were formed in 1974 and 1977 as a result of the Spiritual Renewal Seminars. These two spiritually-initiated and lay led organizations have been used by the Lord to spearhead the marketplace ministries in the nation of Singapore.

We have talked much about the 7 spheres or pillars of society which the Church should penetrate. However, this cannot be left entirely to the ordained pastors of our churches but can be effectively undertaken by the businessmen and professionals in their workplace. Tung Ling Bible School offers short-term courses to help to equip and train these lay ministers. This will give them confidence to serve the Lord and engage in effective evangelism and discipling of Christians.

4) Church-growth and church-planting in unreached areas of Singapore.

Singapore is known in many parts of the world for its rapid church growth and its impact on the youths. Many mega-churches were started in the 1980’s and all of them are either Pentecostal or Charismatic. They are a testimony of the dynamic power and work of the Holy Spirit contributing towards church-growth. Although these new churches and ministries were birthed by the Holy Spirit it is important that they continue in the fullness of the Spirit.

The Christian life is not a 100-metre sprint but a long marathon race. It is not how well we have started but how well we will finish that counts. Led by the Spirit we need to grow into maturity and continue to advance in the Spirit. Time will tell whether the fruit will last. Thirty years is not a long period. May Tung Ling Bible School go on from strength to strength in the next ten to twenty years and contribute to the growth and mission of the Church.

The blessings of God upon Singapore can be linked to the spiritual vitality and witness of the Church in the nation. God will bless the nation because of the faithful testimony and Christian living by the believers in the nation. Singapore is celebrating its 43rd birthday this year and our prayer is that God will continue to bless and strengthen the Church so that it can fulfill the mandate to advance the Gospel and transform Singapore for Jesus Christ.

Rev. Canon Dr James Wong

“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.

I began by going down to Perth because I knew a mature and leading Christian leader had graduated from Perth Bible College. I figured he could not be that wrong, and also Perth, Australia is not too far from Singapore.

It was a forgettable trip! Not only did I waste my time and money, I knew the Lord was not with me on the trip!
In fact, He was knocking hard on my head, as if He was saying, “Hullo-o! What are you doing here?”

“Huh! Checking out the Bible school,” was my immediate reply.

“But that’s not where I want you to go!” said the Lord.

So it was back to Singapore to look at the other options. I next considered Singapore Bible College, as it was one of the leading Bible schools in Singapore. I thought it was the best option for me.

Once again, I heard the Lord ask me, “What are you doing?”

“Huh! I thought it will be good to check out one of the leading Bible schools in Singapore,” was my reply.

”No, that’s not where I want you to go!” said the Lord.

The door was closed again and I was not making any headway or getting any wiser. I finally resigned myself to letting the Lord decide on when and where He would lead me.

Then in December 31, 1994, my church, Salem Chapel, invited Bro. Robert Francis to be our year-end speaker. I knew he was then the Dean of Tung Ling Bible School and I thought it will be a good opportunity to talk to him about the course at Tung Ling.

Although I made an appointment to meet up with Bro. Rob (as he is affectionately called) to find out more about the school, I was also wondering aloud   “Lord! 3 months… Are you sure?”
Before meeting up with him, I just sensed that the Lord was telling me, “I want you to go to a school that will touch, challenge and transform the heart and not just feed you with more head knowledge.”

So it was with this deep impression that I told the Lord that if Tung Ling Bible School was where He wanted me to go, then Bro. Rob must tell me that the focus of the school was about the heart change and not head knowledge.

I was thus stunned and thrilled-amazed to be more exact-when in my meeting with Bro. Rob he shared that Tung Ling is about dealing with the heart change and not about the head knowledge.  Was there a conspiracy or what?

So without further need to set out any “fleeces” for God to confirm His leading, I signed up for the School of Ministry Term I in 1995 and it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life.

The 3 months spent at Tung Ling Bible School were one of the best times of my Christian life.  There was this insatiable appetite for God that I never knew could be so alive. I was hungry and I desired for more of God in my life. And each day at Tung Ling was a richer and deeper experience in God.

I was learning to be more discerning of the voice of God – the quickness with which I could turn to Him for all things and decisions was very pronounced and rewarding.

I also saw how God took me deeper into His word. I grew in my seeking after Him and waiting on Him and in learning how to be silent and quiet before Him.  I allowed Him to bring these very precious disciplines into my spiritual life which helped me personally, relationally, and also in the ministry.

Tung Ling Bible School was God’s instrument to prepare me eventually for full-time ministry for Him. The learning, the friendships established, the counsel received, and the experiences in God were pivotal and defining in my spiritual formation and subsequent ministry for the Lord.

My time at Tung Ling has indeed touched, changed, challenged, and transformed my heart.  I am indeed grateful for the staff and lecturers who keep the ethos of the school in focus.

So with my heart molded, fashioned, and shaped by the Lord at Tung Ling, I then asked the Lord, “Where and what’s next?”

I was quite certain that there must be visible signs of change, maturity and stature in my life.  Also, the fact that I was an elder of the church meant I needed to challenge members to have a deeper life in God.   Through my testimony, I began to see more and more of my brothers and sisters at Salem Chapel wanting to attend the same course at Tung Ling. I especially thank God for the joy of seeing my wife, my oldest son, my siblings, and my nephews all taking and going through the same course and discipline at Tung Ling that I went through years before.

I know each life trained at Tung Ling will add value to the life and ministry of the church.

Tung Ling was the spring board, the launching pad that God used to challenge me to go “deep” with Him. The Lord was telling me that the miracles and workings of God are best experienced when I take the step of faith to let Him lead me into His plan and purposes for my life.

Through my time at Tung Ling, God softened my heart toward the call to missions. I was willing to be sent out and willing to go to the nations. I wanted to be useful in the place He has designed for me and family.  Never had I envisioned myself capable of offering my life to God in such a manner and I know it was the time spent with Him at Tung Ling that had changed that paradigm.

Tung Ling Bible School, may the Lord continue to bless and establish you for His eternal purpose. Blessed 30th Anniversary!

Pastor Neo Ban Hui
Salem Chapel

Today, I realize I would have missed a major milestone in my life if I had not attended Tung Ling. The three months spent at the feet of our Lord were the best moments of my life, as it was time spent edifying the spirit, satisfying the soul, praising God and glorifying our Lord Almighty. I was immensely blessed from the onset.

It has been four years since I have graduated from Tung Ling but my memories of the time I spent there still remain fresh in my mind. Though I am not an expert on the subject matter of the Bible, though I am not always fervent in my quest to walk closely with the Lord, I am today confident of our Lord’s faithfulness. I have learned to trust Him with all I have.

Proverbs 3:5-6  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

The Lord gave my wife and I a business immediately after completing my term in Tung Ling. Despite the challenges we faced in the new start-up, we were often comforted by the promises of God. We dedicated the company to God and asked God for His wisdom, knowledge, and understanding that would be necessary to drive His company. Both of us desired to be called “good & faithful servants” when we finally meet Him. With this confidence, I was able to find strength to face the constant challenges and overcome the works of the enemy.

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Our company grew from strength to strength, as God opened many doors for it. Despite being a very young company, it landed a major contract with a prominent customer, beating out companies that had been longer established and had better infrastructure. I knew that it was only possible because God made a way for His company. All honour and all glory belong to our Lord Almighty!

Jeremiah 29:11 11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

My peers have noticed a significant change in my behaviour. I am more confident in the promises of God. I have begun to rely more in God than man. I am able to use the situations I have been through to testify for the Lord, giving Him honour and glory. I am able to openly acknowledge His goodness, His greatness, and His unfailing love. I can better understand and relate to what it means when the Bible tell us that His grace and His mercies are new everyday! I know the power and importance of prayer, regularly committing everything to God. Praise the Lord!

Because of my testimonies and experiences, I was able to speak to friends who were deciding if attending Tung Ling would be a good choice. God reaffirmed their decision and they attended and reaped the joy and blessings I enjoyed.  Praise God!

Despite a slow start, I am now a little more disciplined in my quiet time and Scripture reading. I am now praying more than I ever have. Even though there are many times that I feel weary, discouraged and frustrated, God’s unfailing love never fails to envelop me and to comfort me. He is my strength. He is my Glory and I am a testimony of God’s love!

Danny Lien
Church of Singapore, Balestier