For those who attend the church prayer meeting regularly, you will know that we have been praying for an English congregation. This item has been in the church prayer list ever since this church was founded. In other words, we have been praying about this every Tuesday for the last five years. I also mentioned this to all of us on several other occasions. More recently, during our church camp in which almost the whole church attended, the church leaders also filled us in with some details. Some of you might be apprehensive about dividing the present congregation into two separate ones. “But we are not a big congregation. Can’t we wait until we are a little bigger?” Your concern is a reasonable one.

To be honest, remaining as we are now is definitely more comfortable—no risks and no worries. But is remaining as we are now God’s will? I don’t think so. Our Lord Jesus thinks that there are too many souls to be saved and is always urging His disciples to go into the world to save souls: “Then He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest field’” (Matt 9:37-38). Before the Lord returned to heaven, He commanded His disciples to aim for the salvation of the whole world: “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt 28:18-20). This command is also put differently on another occasion as: “you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Act 1:8). Christians all over the world have obeyed this commandment by starting churches all over Singapore and sending out missions to various parts of the world. Men and women, in obedience to this Great Commission, have left good paying jobs, risked their lives and the lives of their families, in order to save souls and bring to people the precious gift of eternal life.

Tree of Life Christian Church, too must obey our Lord’s command to save souls. I thank God for you as a church. Souls have been saved and lives have changed. The Lord has used you in marvelous ways. Well done and keep up the good work. If you hope to advance the kingdom or your Saviour (and we must), having separate congregations for the Chinese and English speaking people is one critical thing that we must do. The present worship service is more Chinese than English. Those prefer an English worship service may find it difficult to adapt. Also, as much as we have excellent translators, some people may not get used to translations. Furthermore, there aren’t too many seats left if more new friends were to visit us. Starting new congregations also has the advantage of getting more people to serve and nudging us to bring in new friends when we see so many empty seats.

You can be sure that starting separate English and Chinese congregations is a very tough work. For one, there will be many empty seats. Also, all of us will have to work harder. There is also the fear, as there was when we first started this church, that we will not increase in number. There are many uncertainties. But be brave because Jesus promises us that when we do gospel work, He and His almighty power “in heaven and on earth,” will be with us always. Let’s trust God.

We will meet on 5^th October 2014 after worship service to discuss this matter. A nice lunch (with dessert!) will be provided. I urge all, members and also those who worship with us regularly to attend. If you care about the Lord’s work, if you are serious about saving souls, please attend. May the Lord move your heart to extend His kingdom.