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© 2023 WOODLANDS EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH
1 Woodlands Street 83 Singapore 738488
+65 6303 6130 • [email protected]
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Our Journey
OUR STORY
Our Journey
1958 – 1960
starting small
Our journey began in 1958, when siblings Henry and Margaret Khoo, both teachers with huge missional hearts, were led to open up their home on King’s Road as a place for their students to learn about Christianity. King’s Youth Group, as we were known then, consisted of students from Bukit Panjang Government High School and Duchess Primary School, where the Khoos respectively taught. With their friend Herbert Woon, they provided tuition for the youths and conducted Bible study classes.
In 1960, as numbers grew, the group moved to Nanyang Kindergarten, opposite the Khoo’s house.
渺小的开始
我们的旅程始于1958年，在丘殷扬（Henry Khoo）和丘殷英（Margaret Khoo）位于 King’s Road （国王路）的家里。亨利和玛格丽特都是心怀大使命的教师，他们开放家园给想要认识基督的学生来这里认识耶稣，一个青年小组就从此形成了。 那时候，大家把这小组称之为「英皇青年组」，成员都是殷扬和殷英所特执教的学校的学生。他们连同朋友温赫伯 译音（Herbert Woon）为这些青年补习、教导他们如何读经。随着人数的增加，小组在1960年迁至位于殷扬和殷英家对面的南洋幼儿园聚会。
Our journey began in 1958, when siblings Henry and Margaret Khoo, both teachers with huge missional hearts, were led to open up their home on King’s Road as a place for their students to learn about Christianity. King’s Youth Group, as we were known then, consisted of students from Bukit Panjang Government High School and Duchess Primary School, where the Khoos respectively taught. With their friend Herbert Woon, they provided tuition for the youths and conducted Bible study classes.
In 1960, as numbers grew, the group moved to Nanyang Kindergarten, opposite the Khoo’s house.
EARLY 1960S
becoming Bukit Timah EFC
The King’s Youth Group joined the family of the Evangelical Free Church (EFC) in 1961, after being introduced to Rev Eric McMurray, an Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) missionary. We shifted to a house on Yarwood Avenue and called ourselves Bukit Timah Evangelical Free Church (BTEFC).
In 1964, we officially registered as a local church under the EFC in Singapore. This move was supported by another missionary, Rev Ben Sawatsky, who composed our church constitution and aided with the registration process.
We owe a great debt to EFCA for sending missionaries across the world to Singapore and supporting the work financially. This served as the catalyst for our own firm commitment to missions work years down the road.
成为武吉知马播道会
1961年，在认识了来自在美国播道会的传道士 Rev Eric McMurray， 英皇青年组加入了播道会这个大家庭。小组也迁至一栋位于雅兀道 (Yarwood Ave) 的房子，成为了武吉知马播道会。真正成为新加坡的一间「播道会」是1964年。有了另一位传道士 Rev Ben Sawatsky，我们才能正式注册成为一间教会。 Rev Ben Sawatsky 制定了我们的教会章程，也在注册的过程中给予我们帮助。
我们非常感谢美国播道会（EFCA），他们差派来自美国的传道士来到新加坡，并给予我们财政上的支持，这也促成了我们后来始终都看重传教工作，持久不懈。
The King’s Youth Group joined the family of the Evangelical Free Church (EFC) in 1961, after being introduced to Rev Eric McMurray, an Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) missionary. We shifted to a house on Yarwood Avenue and called ourselves Bukit Timah Evangelical Free Church (BTEFC).
In 1964, we officially registered as a local church under the EFC in Singapore. This move was supported by another missionary, Rev Ben Sawatsky, who composed our church constitution and aided with the registration process.
We owe a great debt to EFCA for sending missionaries across the world to Singapore and supporting the work financially. This served as the catalyst for our own firm commitment to missions work years down the road.
LATE 1960S – 1970S
12b King Albert Park
In 1968, we moved again when the lease at Yarwood expired. Singapore Bible College became our home for two years. During this time, we steadily grew in number. End 1969, we successfully secured a plot of land at 12B King Albert Park (KAP) — our home for the next 29 years — with support from churches in the US, donations, and interest-free loans.
We commenced our first meeting at KAP on 4 January 1970. In 1975, Rev Lee Twee Kim, who had attended the King’s Youth Group as a teenager, began leading BTEFC. He would serve for 30 years, till stepping down in 2005.
12B 阿尔柏王园
我们在1968年的时候由于租约到期再次面临搬迁的问题。新加坡神学院成为了我们接下来两年里的聚会场所。期间我们的人数不断增加，于1969年底，通过美国教会的支持、热心人士的捐款和免息贷款，我们成功地购买了12B阿尔柏王园的地皮。就这样，12B 阿尔柏王园成为了我们尔后29年的「家园」。
1970年1月4日，我们在12B阿尔柏王园举行了我们的第一个聚会。1975年李瑞锦牧师 (Rev Lee Twee Kim) 接下了领导武吉知马播道会的重担，直至30年后的2005年才卸任该职务。李牧师年少时是「英皇青年组」的一员。
In 1968, we moved again when the lease at Yarwood expired. Singapore Bible College became our home for two years. During this time, we steadily grew in number. End 1969, we successfully secured a plot of land at 12B King Albert Park (KAP) — our home for the next 29 years — with support from churches in the US, donations, and interest-free loans.
We commenced our first meeting at KAP on 4 January 1970. In 1975, Rev Lee Twee Kim, who had attended the King’s Youth Group as a teenager, began leading BTEFC. He would serve for 30 years, till stepping down in 2005.
1980S – 1990S
multiplying & moving again
NOTE TO SELF: INSERT PIC OF PS LEE
Growth continued through the 80s and 90s as Rev Lee and the leaders taught God’s Word boldly and cared for the flock in a warm family church setting. Rev Lee also put in place the small-group structure to ensure all members would receive adequate pastoral care. All these laid a strong foundation for our priorities and our personal tone of ministry in years to come.
Our commitment to missions took shape with our first Missions Committee formed in 1984. And in the early 90s, we sent out our first missionary families to Africa and Japan.
In 1993, we were informed that our permit to use 12B KAP as a church would expire in 1994. This was heart-breaking as we were in the midst of upgrading our premises. When it became clear there was no possibility of permit renewal after multiple appeals, we began our search for a new location, sensing that God was directing us to a heartland estate. Thankfully we were allowed to stay on in KAP while looking for a new place.
再次因为人数倍增而搬迁
80、90年代的武吉知马播道会正在迅速地发展着。李牧师和教会领导大胆地传讲神的话语，在一个倍感温馨的环境里给予会友关怀与关心。也是在这时段里，李牧师发展了小组事工，确保所有的会友得到他们需要的牧养。这些为教会打下了一个坚固的根基也奠定了教会多年以来的事工基调。
我们于1984年成立了我们的第一个宣教委员会，致力于宣教工作。我们也在90年代初期差派了我们的第一波宣教士和他们的家人到非洲和日本。
我在1993年收到了一个让人心碎的通知——我们就12B阿尔柏王园的使用权将于1994年失效。对于正在翻新教会的我们来说，这是个极大的打击。经过几轮的协商，当我们确认了续约无望时，我们开始找寻新的聚会场所，感知到神或许在引领我们走入邻里。非常感恩，土地管理局允许我们暂时继续在12B阿尔柏王园聚会，直到我们找到新的聚会场所。
Growth continued through the 80s and 90s as Pastor Lee and the leaders taught God’s Word boldly and cared for the flock in a warm family church setting. Pastor Lee also put in place the small-group structure to ensure all members would receive adequate pastoral care. All these laid a strong foundation for our priorities and our personal tone of ministry in years to come.
Our commitment to missions took shape with our first Missions Committee formed in 1984. And in the early 90s, we sent out our first missionary families to Africa and Japan.
In 1993, we were informed that our permit to use 12B KAP as a church would expire in 1994. This was heart-breaking as we were in the midst of upgrading our premises. When it became clear there was no possibility of permit renewal after multiple appeals, we began our search for a new location, sensing that God was directing us to a heartland estate. Thankfully we were allowed to stay on in KAP while looking for a new place.
1999
becoming Woodlands EFC
In 1997, the government released a plot of land at 1 Woodlands Street 83 for church purposes. We bid for it, and by God’s grace, acquired it. Upon moving to Woodlands, we officially changed our name to identify not just with the neighbourhood that God had planted us in, but the neighbours whom He was calling us to reach. On 14 March 1999, WEFC held its first service. That very first day, our worship attendance doubled as the neighbourhood flocked in! Over the next few months, many Woodlanders made WEFC their home.
We set up the Woodlands Social Centre that same year so that we could fulfill our mission in coming to Woodlands — to minister to the needs in the heartlands. As the social arm of the church, WSC was first housed in church before its move to nearby Block 830.
In 1997, the government released a plot of land at 1 Woodlands Street 83 for church purposes. We bid for it, and by God’s grace, acquired it. Upon moving to Woodlands, we officially changed our name to identify not just with the neighbourhood that God had planted us in, but the neighbours whom He was calling us to reach. On 14 March 1999, WEFC held its first service. That very first day, our worship attendance doubled as the neighbourhood flocked in! Over the next few months, many Woodlanders made WEFC their home.
We set up the Woodlands Social Centre that same year so that we could fulfill our mission in coming to Woodlands — to minister to the needs in the heartlands. As the social arm of the church, WSC was first housed in church before its move to nearby Block 830.
成为兀兰播道会
1997年，政府发放了位于1号兀兰83街的土地使用权，供新加坡教会投标用作教会的聚会场所。靠着上帝的恩典，我们成功地投得了这块地皮。搬到兀兰后，我们正式更名，反应了我们是兀兰的一份子，融入了这个神所要我们侍奉的社区。1999年3月14日，兀兰播道会举行了首次敬拜，也就在这第一天，因为社群的涌入，我们出席敬拜的人数翻了一倍！在接下来的几个月，许多住在兀兰的基督徒开始来到兀兰播道会，并加入了这个大家庭。
同年，我们为了执行来到兀兰的使命，成立了兀兰社区中心，牧养和帮助社区里有需要的人。 兀兰社区中心最初时被安置在教会里，尔后才搬到隔壁座大牌830组屋楼下。
2000S – EARLY 2010S
extending beyond our walls
In 2005, Rev (Dr) Kenny Fam became our next Senior Pastor. Under his leadership, our outreach platforms expanded. The newly formed Chinese Ministry opened its doors in 2007, giving us an avenue to reach the Chinese-speaking in Woodlands. That year, we also took our first steps into the prisons, marking the birth of a ministry that remains instrumental in helping many ex-inmates and their families find Christ.
With the vision of further growth, we undertook major renovation works to expand our premises starting early 2010. We held our first service in our current church building on 3 July 2011.
拓展教会
2005年范建利牧师出任教会的主任牧师。在他的领导下，教会开拓了不同的外展渠道。新成立的华语事工在2007年举行了第一次敬拜，让我们可以去认识住在兀兰社区里其他惯用华语的朋友。同年，我们也开始到监狱侍奉、为我们日后的监狱事工奠下一块重要的基石，而教会的监狱事工业在日后成为了帮助许多前囚犯和他们家人的一个重要渠道。
为了实现我们继续拓展神的版图的愿景，我们于2010年初开始进行大规模的翻新工程，扩建教会设施。2011年7月3日，我们在翻新后的教会举行了一次的敬拜。
In 2005, Rev (Dr) Kenny Fam became our next Senior Pastor. Under his leadership, our outreach platforms expanded. The newly formed Chinese Ministry opened its doors in 2007, giving us an avenue to reach the Chinese-speaking in Woodlands. That year, we also took our first steps into the prisons, marking the birth of a ministry that remains instrumental in helping many ex-inmates and their families find Christ.
With the vision of further growth, we undertook major renovation works to expand our premises starting early 2010. We held our first service in our current church building on 3 July 2011.
LATE 2010S – PRESENT
deepening our discipleship
In 2014, we celebrated our 50th anniversary with a series of Jubilee events. This was a time of commemorating God’s unfailing faithfulness to us through both good and hard times, and recalibrating ourselves to partner Him in His redemptive work in our midst and the community.
Ps Lim Kee Oon became our Senior Pastor in 2018, and has since been moving us towards a deeper discipleship that is to have a transformative impact for Christ — first in our own lives, and then in our homes, our community and the nations. This is reflected in our renewed mission statement: Making disciples who transform Woodlands and the world.
更深入地培训门徒
2014年是教会的50周年纪念，我们举行了许多禧年庆祝活动，纪念神坚定不移的信实，无论在顺境还是逆境中祂都与我们同在。我们也借此调整自己，让自己能更好地和神搭配，在会友当中、在社区里，与神一同进行祂救赎的工作。
林基稳传道于2018年成为了教会的主任牧者。接任后，林传道带领教会走向更深入的门徒培养，盼望因着基督，我们的生命、家庭、社区、和世界得到了更新、转变。教会的使命宣言就清楚地表明了教会的这个大方向：「建立为主在兀兰直到地极改变生命的门徒」。
In 2014, we celebrated our 50th anniversary with a series of Jubilee events. This was a time of commemorating God’s unfailing faithfulness to us through both good and hard times, and recalibrating ourselves to partner Him in His redemptive work in our midst and the community.
Ps Lim Kee Oon became our Senior Pastor in 2018, and has since been moving us towards a deeper discipleship that is to have a transformative impact for Christ — first in our own lives, and then in our homes, our community and the nations. This is reflected in our renewed mission statement: Making disciples who transform Woodlands and the world.
In 2014, we celebrated our 50th anniversary with a series of Jubilee events. This was a time of commemorating God’s unfailing faithfulness to us through both good and hard times, and calibrating ourselves to partner Him in His redemptive work in our midst and the community.
Ps Lim Kee Oon became our Senior Pastor in 2017, and has since been moving us towards a deeper discipleship that is to have a transformative impact in our homes, our community and the nations. This is reflected in our renewed mission statement: Making disciples who transform Woodlands and the world.
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我们的旅程始于1958年，在亨利（Henry Khoo）和玛格丽特（Margaret Khoo）位于King’s Road （国王路）的家里。亨利和玛格丽特都是心怀大使命的教师，他们开放家园给想要认识基督的学生来这里认识耶稣，一个青年小组就从此形成了。 那时候，大家把这小组称之为「王的青年小组」，成员都是亨利和玛格丽所特执教的学校的学生。他们连同朋友赫伯特（Herbert Woon）为这些青年补习、教导他们如何读经。
随着人数的增加，小组在1960年迁至位于亨利和玛格丽特家对面的南阳幼儿园聚会。
Our journey began in 1958, when siblings Henry and Margaret Khoo, both teachers with huge missional hearts, were led to open up their home on King’s Road as a place for their students to learn about Christianity. King’s Youth Group, as we were known then, consisted of students from Bukit Panjang Government High School and Duchess Primary School, where the Khoos respectively taught. With their friend Herbert Woon, they provided tuition for the youths and conducted Bible study classes.
In 1960, as numbers grew, the group moved to Nanyang Kindergarten, opposite the Khoo’s house.