In February 2007, I began my studies in a seminary in my hometown, Manado. During the second semester of my studies, my Senior Pastor offered me an opportunity to study and serve the Lord in Singapore. My heart leaped within me as I remembered my calling to be a missionary. I assured him that I would pray about it. I remember asking God while sitting at the terrace of my house: Was it His will for me to study in Singapore? Suddenly I received two words in my spirit: APOSTOLIC and PROPHETIC. I immediately understood the meanings of these words. It must be related to the five-fold ministry in the Body of Christ: Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher (Ephesians 4:11). My father does both evangelizing and teaching of the Word of God. At that time, I knew for sure this was the reason why God wanted to send me to Singapore.

I arrived in Singapore in January 2008. My Pastor asked me to find out more information about seminaries or bible schools in Singapore. In June 2008, I almost entered one but I failed the English test. For a whole year it seemed so difficult to enter a seminary or bible school. One day, I found myself asking God again: Is it really Your will for me to study in Singapore? I was anxious. Had I made a mistake? But deep in my heart I knew everyday that I could still expect God to do a new thing in my life. So there I waited.

On the third week of December 2008, there was a glimmer of hope as I applied to enter Tung Ling Bible School’s School of Ministry, Term 1, 2009. Because of immigration office regulations, I probably would not have gotten my student pass. I had to learn how to trust God for this. One particular morning, I found myself crying out in prayer to God: Lord, I want to join Tung Ling! I will join Tung Ling! I must join Tung Ling! To my surprise, I received an email from the school saying that I had gotten the approval for my student pass from the Singapore ICA.

From the Orientation to the studying of every module in the class, this has really been a life-changing experience for me. Every morning as I enter the class, I just recognize that His presence is real and He is preparing a new thing for us everyday. Many of the lecturers have been Apostolic and Prophetic in their anointing and teaching. I’m now even more confident that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

I thank God for my pastors, family, friends, loved ones, Dean, lecturers and classmates who are supporting me to reach out for the very destiny that God has for me. I love you all. It is just the beginning of this New Season we are entering in. Keep thirsting and hungering for more of God. Trust and believe that He has new experiences in store for us every single day. Fire!!!

Hizkia Refli Ticoalu
Tiberias Church

I enrolled in Tung Ling for more than a time of equipping, but also a sort of retreat to rediscover communion with the Lord. I yearned to know God, not merely as a source of wisdom and strength for my life and ministry, but as my Lord and Friend. I needed a radical transformation in my inner life. Something had to be done, and taking 3 months’ leave from work to examine and renew my relationship with God was a small price to pay.

I thank God for the daily chapel time and the body ministry at Tung Ling, especially in the first week of the term. During one such time of worship, I struggled with doubt and accusations about the authenticity and heart of my worship before God. Instead of singing to the Lord, I battled these thoughts and my heart cried out for God to help me truly worship Him the way He deserved- it was really a struggle.

One morning, Dean released a word and encouraged us to put the past on the altar because God wanted to do a new work in us. That was when God revealed to me that I had been so caught up with what was ‘not right’ in my inner life, in my worship life and in my ministry, it had become a hindrance to perceiving or appropriating the new work that God had promised. So I began to lay down each area before God and receive God’s grace, redemption and restoration.
Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit, instead of lamenting and despairing at what was ‘not right’, a divine exchange took place. God was already beginning to do a new work in my life and would continue to do so until He was done with me. As I received God’s fresh anointing and strength, I began to worship Him anew.

In Isaiah 43:18, the Lord instructs us not to recall the former or the things of the past. Indeed, if we do not lay down our past disappointments and unmet expectations, failures, hurts, and fears, we can easily miss out on the ‘new thing’ He is doing. What a tragedy to remain in the things of old, when a fresh season of the Lord is literally dawning upon us! We must lay hold of what God is doing!

We’ve got to ask God to open our eyes to perceive His season in our lives! As I look back now, I realise that God was already doing a new work within me. I had not recognized it then, because it did not meet my definition of ‘something new’. I remember sharing with my Tung Ling cell group that I that I did not want to walk away from this term ‘thrilled but not transformed’, ‘inspired but not truly changed’. I was so concerned about that, I almost missed out on simply enjoying the fresh bread, and delighting in His presence each day.

In our short time at Tung Ling, I have been so blessed by anointed lecturers, men and women who love the Lord and have been called by Him to equip the people of God for the advancement of His kingdom. Much as I am excited at being an instrument used by God to further His kingdom, I now know I am first called to BE His very own and enjoy this relationship because He delights in me. I am learning to wait upon God these 3 months, and exchange my personal agenda for His. Above all, there now burns within me a deeper desire to worship and know my God, meditate on His Word and walk close to hear His heartbeat.

Sheila Tan
Living Sanctuary Brethren Church, Singapore

I wanted to study at TLBC because I want to be well trained as a pastor to serve the Lord and to meet the needs of the church in the various aspects of ministry.

God is truly leading me into a new season. This is a time of new beginnings for me, to launch out and to start operating in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. TLBC has also given me an opportunity to meet new friends, experience a different culture, different life situations, different kinds of teachings and different forms of worship. These new experiences have challenged me to believe God for new direction and greater heights in my ministry.

Rev. Christopher Thein Htaik
St. Luke’s Parish, Myannmar

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

Elder Goh is married with 6 children, 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grand children.  His children are actively involved in the Lord’s work.  Elder Goh was recently given an award by the Department of Prison’s in recognition for three generations of voluntary work as Counsellors in the Prisons.

Elder Goh, his son and grandson are ministering in the prisons.  Elder Goh has ministered in the prisons for more than 40 years.  Elder Goh also serves in more than 20 para-church organization Committees.  Of late, he has assumed the role of Advisor to some of them.

He is also the Founder-President of the annual Festival of Praise since 1986.  He has planted several churches both in Singapore and Indonesia.

Currently he serves as the Honorary National Director for Crown Financial Ministries and the Crusade for World Revival which was founded by the late Selwyn Hughes.