Our fund-raising a journey of faith, says pastor
FOR 20 years, the Chan Wah Teck Hall (CWTH) of Bedok Methodist Church resided on a piece of swamp, and finally the structure sent out warnings signals – cracks in the building.
After enquiring from the Lord and related authorities on the possibilities to rebuild the church, the good news arrived: the plot ratio allocated for the church has increased from 0.5 to 1. This means that the size of land available for Bedok Methodist Church has doubled.
“I am sure and clear that this is God’s calling,” said the Rev Lawrence Chua, the Pastor-in-Charge of Bedok Methodist Church, who believed that God is the One who opened the door for the reconstruction and expansion of CWTH.
The two-storey CWTH has been demolished to give way to a three-storey building with a landscaped roof-deck. It will contain a bigger kindergarten, a larger sanctuary and more prayer halls.
The upgrading and extension of the church will accommodate the various expanding ministries while catering to church events such as youth and children camps. Construction work is expected to be completed in April 2003, with an estimated cost of $4.3 million.
“Raising the funds is never the issue. This is not merely a building project, it’s about stretching our faith,” said the Rev Chua. “We have collected more than $3 million since we launched the project. I believe when God calls, He will provide.”
The Rev Chua added that the general and mission givings have also increased, despite the recession, which has affected some of the church members.
The building project serves a dual purpose: Building of people – a community of faith – and Building of space – a ministry of harvest.
In a pamphlet about the upgrading and extension of the church, it is written: “Our first concern as Bedok Methodist Church is to build up the Body of Jesus Christ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God. Our second concern is the manifestation of the first. As we set the structure for nurture and growth, God will see fit to release to us more of the harvest. It will demonstrate to us and stand as a testimony of the faithfulness and grace of God.”
Said the Rev Chua: “The journey of faith is so evident. So far, the fund-raising programmes have opened the door to stretch members’ faith and obedience. Apart from evangelism and social outreach, this is one of the many ways we express our faith and commitment to God.”
He also believed that the funds raised were an indicator that the church members had responded obediently to the promptings of God, as they encountered Him in their personal times.
In addition, every fund-raising programme, whether it is the Golf or Bowling Tournament, was prayerfully planned and carried out under the direction of God. The church determines to seek the face of God instead of the hand of God, while preparing the people for the next level of faith.
“Faith is being worked out continuously in the lives of the people,” the Rev Chua pointed out.
NO ISSUE
“Raising the funds is never the issue. This is not merely a building project, it’s about stretching our faith.”
— The Rev Lawrence Chua.