Some insights relating to BC Ladies Ministry
When Bethesda Chapel settled at 27 Lorong Melayu in 1988, a Ladies Fellowship was started. Even when we were at Lorong 29, Geylang, young ladies were meeting with senior ladies. Between these two periods, the ladies met to for mutual encouragement and support.
Yes, each of us sisters in-Christ in BC has a ministry and an obligation.
- A ministry is to encourage one another in our Christian walk.
- An obligation is to share our God given talents and gifts with fellow believers.
Few of us know that the present BC Ladies Ministry started some days before Watchnight Service in December 2004 as a Ladies Support Group. The first event was the Year 2004 Watchnight Service! The second opportunity to feed our “lambs” came in Feb 2005 and it was a Farewell/ Dedication of Richard Lai and Helen as they received God’s calling to serve in China. It was a memorable occasion. Besides the wives of BC elders and deacons, other active church ladies also brought their culinary skills and gifts of generosity to share with one and all.
The purpose of the Ladies Support Group was for the ladies to exercise their God-given talents and gift of hospitality with BC members and visitors by serving at various church events.
It took another five years for BC Ladies Ministry to be inaugurated officially. In 2009, the Church Council met and appointed some wives of the Council and other ladies to form a Ladies Committee. The Committee was to assist the Council on matters relating to spiritual and pastoral needs of women in BC as well as to develop a ministry that focuses on women roles in church.
By the grace of God, the Ladies Committee met and unanimously agreed on the following objective for BC Ladies Ministry:
“To promote the spiritual and general well being of all women in BC and
to organize programs that will meet their needs.”
This is the Committee’s key verse for every sister in-Christ:
“A woman who fears the LORD is to be praised”
(Proverbs 31:30)
The BC Ladies Fellowship is a main program of the Ladies Ministry. We are now entering our 4th year. We had our first meeting in Feb 2011. How time flies!
More than 100 BC ladies have so far attended the Ladies Fellowship. The environment promotes mutual encouragement and ministry to one another.
“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!” (Psa 115:1 ESV).
All glory to our Lord for building up our BC Ladies Ministry.
Yoong Hong Siang
