1^ST ANNIVERSARY THANKSGIVING SERVICE

Today is a day of great rejoicing for Berith. Like the Psalmist, we declare with thankful hearts, “The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad” (Ps. 126: 3).

As we look back upon the past year, we thank our Almighty God for the way He has led us. Some may ask : “Why is Berith celebrating her first anniversary? Shouldn’t it be the eighth, since we started in July 2000?” These are relevant questions.

At our recent session meeting, the leaders decided that we should use the date of our registration, 12th May 2007, as our official starting point. Our recognition as a legal entity reminds us of God’s faithfulness to us as a church.

Berith – a reminder of God’s faithfulness

Our name, “Berith” meaning “covenant” in Hebrew, was chosen to remind us of God’s faithfulness. The underlying principle in any covenant God made with man is the grace and faithfulness of Jehovah. It is our desire to testify that the Lord is ever true to His promises. We echo the words of the Psalmist, “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant” (Ps. 25: 14).

Brief history

Berith started “unofficially” with a small gathering of believers at the Salvation Army Headquarters at Changi on 9th July 2000. We rented a meeting hall and an annex room for our worship service and Sunday School. Due to financial constraints, we had to move after a few months. Some kind brethren from Faith Mission Home, an independent church in Lorong 11 Geylang, offered us the use of their premises.

After about a year, we moved to a two-storey semi-detached unit at Lorong 25 which belongs to Eden BPC. Directly opposite the Aljunied MRT station, the location was most convenient. Several neighbourhood children joined our Sunday School classes and the attendance registered a marked increase. At its peak, Berith had some 20 children in the Sunday School.

When Eden BPC needed the premises because of their growing membership, we committed the matter to the Lord. We are grateful to the Lord for graciously providing another place along the East Coast, Grace B-P Church, for our meetings.

Ministries

We thank God for the faithful ministry of His Word through the Worship Service, Adult and Youth Bible Classes, Sunday School for Primaries and Young Teens, Prayer Meeting, Church Camps, Young People’s Fellowship (every Saturday) and Ladies Fellowship (every 3rd Saturday). May each of us continue to love and treasure God’s Word, and to build up our faith, “precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little” (Isa. 28: 10).

Registration

Meanwhile, the Lord had been working to allow us to reach a congregation number acceptable for registration as a legal entity. In December 2006, we submitted our formal documents to both the Registrar of Societies and the Commissioner of Charities, Singapore for registration.

In mid-May 2007, Berith was officially gazetted as a church under the Registrar of Societies. Praise God for His bountiful blessings. However, we are still awaiting approval as a charitable organisation from the Commissioner of Charities. On this matter, let us continue to pray, and wait upon the Lord.

Evangelism

Just last month, we started the evangelism ministry to reach out to the Bedok neighbourhood. Thus far, the response from the residents has been encouraging. It is our prayer that more will be committed to this outreach ministry, and souls may be won to the Lord.

Conclusion

It is a great joy to recount the Lord’s faithful dealings with us as a church. Thank God for what we can do for Him by His grace. May we be of one mind and one heart as we serve the Lord. Remember that we live in the end times. Let us put our hands to the work that the Lord has entrusted to us. Let us labour faithfully and persevere till our Saviour returns for us.

- Pastor