Blessed 70th?anniversary of our alma mater! What a privilege to be alumni of the Singapore Bible College! I have been a part of SBC’s history for over 50 years and I am?thankful?to God for it was here that God grew me in my faith. He grounded me in his Word and enabled me to become a woman of the Word and of Prayer. God used the classroom, the dormitory, the non-formal and informal interactions, the recreation, the meal-times, the friendships between lecturers, students, staff and family to shape & mold me – and so much more – to make me the person I am today. I will not exchange this for anything! I am so blest and if I am a blessing to others today, it is only because others have first blest me immensely, and I owe them a great debt. My greatest debt is to the Lord, my Saviour who first loved me and showed me how to love others in the same way that he loves me!
I?thank?God for the many missionaries, especially from the Overseas Missionary Fellowship who were seconded to teach at SBC. I was privileged to study under them for 4 years. I was blest by the many deans I studied and served under for these five decades. I am especially?grateful?to Rev Dr Poulson the first Dean of the English Department (now called School of Theology English, SOTE). Dr P as he was affectionately known, was my spiritual counsellor and friend throughout these years till the Lord called him home in 2017. He was instrumental in my teaching career at SBC. He also encouraged me to further my theological education, first in Wheaton College, USA and subsequently in Aberdeen University in the UK. Since then, I have served under 11 other Deans! Each one of them has brought new changes and new impetus for SOTE. All of them have been very kind and gracious to me in extending love and kindness and giving me many wonderful opportunities to serve my beloved alma mater!
Mrs Eileen Kuhn was one of the lecturers who deeply impacted me in my walk with the Lord and in Christian service. She became my spiritual mentor till the Lord called her home in 2021. There were numerous other lecturers who played a part in my spiritual and academic journey which I save for another time!
God used several Principals to bless, encourage and nurture me in my service for God. Rev Yap Un Han was the 3rd?Principal when I studied at SBC. He was a dear saint who walked the talk and lived an exemplary life for all to emulate. I started my teaching career when Rev Dr Maak Hay Chun became the 4th?Principal. He impacted me with his enthusiasm and passion for the lost and his courage to venture on building projects that are now SBC’s heritage. Rev Dr Michael Shen the 5th?Principal’s love for God and the gospel impacted me and his vision and mission for SBC is etched on my mind and heart. Rev Dr Albert Ting the 6th?Principal was the first principal to use the English language in all his communication although he was effectively bi-lingual. This was such a great honour for me as I was only an English speaker and did not speak nor understand Mandarin. He also empowered me to take on administrative roles as Chair for the first Missions Conference, the Maak Hay Chun Missions Challenge and also as Dean of Students, a position I embarked with fear and trepidation! I served under the 7th?Principal Dr Clement Chia, who continues to empower me to do new things and l currently serves as an alumni advisor under his guidance. He coined the term SBCians which we all use freely today to identify ourselves as the community and family of SBC! Praise God for every one of these principals. God had given each of them unique gifts to bless the SBC family.
I was also deeply blest by the staff who laboured tirelessly for decades. Three people need to be mentioned – Ee Chay, the cook, Uncle Lee dispatch and Lydia Wong (Ai Chiu) affectionately called ‘Da Chieh’. These were lovely servants of God, who though appeared stern, yet took their jobs seriously and loved us. We love them and thank God for each of them and the many who have come and gone since that time, and the many who are currently serving faithfully in all the various departments!
I am?grateful?to my classmates, schoolmates and all the subsequent alumni, some of whom have?gone to be with the Lord.
Yes, this 70th?anniversary, I am very?grateful?to the Lord for allowing me to be part of this heritage of faith and ministry at SBC!
To God be the glory, great things he hath done,
So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,
Who yielded his life our redemption to win,
And opened the life-gate that all may go in.
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear his voice,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice,
Oh, come to the Father,
To Jesus the Son,
And give him the glory;
Great things he hath done!
We are surrounded by such a cloud of witnesses just from SBC alone! Some of them have gone before us and others are pointing us to our heavenly home. Let us run the race with confidence and press on to gain new heights because Jesus is the Author and Perfector of our faith and he will lead us home. May we leave wonderful footprints in the sand for others to follow! (Inspired by the song: We’re Pilgrims on the Journey of the Narrow Road based on Hebrews 12:1-2)
Soli Deo Gloria!
