Recap of Members' Meeting (11 May 2025)
We held our Members’ Meeting on 11 May 2025. This meeting started with the election of elders — both staff and lay — as part of the English Congregational Meeting. Following that, we welcomed new members, heard of updates about missions and our missions partners, and also head about other updates in our church life.
Introduction, Opening Prayer and Elder Elections
Elder Gerald opened our Members’ Meeting with prayer, and proceeded with the election of elders as part of the English Congregational Meeting. Members had already registered prior to the start of the meeting, and the voting was able to take place smoothly.
Membership Matters
Pastor Jeremy took us through some membership matters. He began by reminding us why church membership matters to all of us. Church membership makes visible our commitment to Christ and His people. As members of this local body, it helps us love one another and gives us opportunities to serve. He encouraged members to use the church’s membership directory to get to know who the members are, meet other new members and to also pray through it.
Members, you can pick up a copy of the directory by contacting the church office (info@gracebaptistchurch.sg).
Members coming in
He invited the elders who did the elder chats to introduce prospective members who are coming in. In total, we heard the testimonies of 6 individuals – 3 who sought to join us by baptism, and 3 by transfer. The elders introduced each prospective member, and members heard of how they heard and responded to the gospel and now profess faith and trust in Jesus’ work on the cross. Members were given a chance to ask any questions they might have before voting to affirm these individual’s profession of faith and to welcome them to membership.
After this, Pastor Jeremy led the members to affirm these brothers and sisters have, along with the members of the church, have repented of their sins and believed in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. The members also affirmed that we receive them as fellow members of Grace Baptist Church, and therefore commit to walk with them in Christ-like love and unity, for our mutual encouragement and for building up the body of Christ.
He led all – new and existing members – through the Members’ Covenant as a fitting end to this section.
Members transferring out
Pastor Jeremy shared the names of members who are transferring out because they are attending or joining another church. As our Members’ Covenant states, “we will, when we move from this place, join another Gospel-preaching church where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God’s Word”. The members affirmed the transfers.
Other membership matters
Pastor Eugene came forward to share an update about members who have turned away. It was with a heavy heart that this was presented to the members, and there was also a time for questions from the members. Pastor Eugene led everyone in prayer to close this section. Members who have more questions, please speak with the staff and lay elders.
Ministry Updates
Deacons
We recently introduced 3 new deacons – Dikaios Pang, Darius Ng and Aaron Lum – and at this Members’ Meeting, they were given a chance to share their prayer requests. Dikaios will be focussing on the AV system and he requested prayer in his role as a deacon that he will continue to support the church’s worship.
Darius will be serving with the Worship team, and will focus on working with the song leaders. Darius has been serving as a song leader and as a deacon, he prays that he will continue to be faithful in this area of service. Aaron has also been serving as a pianist with the Worship ministry and as a deacon, he will be working with the musicians.Pray that he will help our instrumentalists grow in skill and their faith too.
We thank God for their faithful service all these years, and pray that He will continue to sustain and strengthen them as they seek to build up the church.
Church Camp
Pastor Thian Chye also updated the church about the upcoming Church Camp. We thank God for the 390 campers that have signed up, including 70 children. This is the most number of campers that we have had for a Church Camp and we are excited to be spending the time together!
At this camp, we will be hearing from our guest speaker, Ian Buntain. There will also be workshops by various pastors and members of GBC. We are also thankful for the help that we will get from students from The Masters’ University to run a children’s programme. Pastor Thian Chye also shared how we can be praying for this camp. Pray for:
Smooth daily operations throughout the camp
The speakers, as they prepare and also bring God’s word to us
For campers to be refreshed and recharged through the camp, and that they will be able to make new relationships
Sunday School Curriculum
Pastor Jeremy also came up to share about a new Sunday School curriculum that the Children’s Ministry will be adopting beginning January 2026. The 0-8 year olds will be using materials from the “Generations of Grace” curriculum while the 9-12 year olds will be using the “Truth 78” materials.
Through this, the Children’s Ministry seeks to share about God and the gospel. It is our prayer that they will trust in Christ and bear good fruit in their lives.
The current Gospel Project curriculum will be done in June, thus, from June to December this year, they will be using a bridging curriculum that focuses on God’s promises. Questions? Speak with Pastor Jeremy (jeremy@gracebaptistchurch.sg), Siew Ting (siewting@gracebaptistchurch.sg) or the Team (kidsmin@gracebaptistchurch.sg).
Missions
Young Adults’ Missions Trip
Pastor Eugene shared about an upcoming missions trip to East Asia by some of our Young Adults. Joshua and the team were invited to come and share about their plans for the trip and how the church could support them. There are 3 ways that the church can participate:
Pray for their preparation and the trip
Speak with them. Reach out to Joshua (joshua@gracebaptistchurch.sg) to find out more.
Give. The team is raising support for the trip. If you are keen to find out more, speak to Joshua.
Partnerships
Eugene also gave some updates about some of our missions partners. One of the items was about Hannah, who is currently doing a missions internship with GBC. The first half of her internship is with GBC, to help her gain a better understanding of how the local church functions before she spends the second half doing an overseas placement. Hannah is looking to find an overseas partner for the 5-month placement.
As a church, we can pray for discernment and wisdom from church leaders on both sides – GBC and the overseas partner. Pray also for Hannah as she adjusts to a different language and culture, and for her to grow in love for Lord and unreached people groups, no matter where God leads her. If you would like to find out more, you can speak with Hannah or any of the elders.
Looking Ahead
As we seek to grow in the word, we will be embarking on a short series in the Psalms titled, “Pilgrim Songs : Songs of Ascent”. Following this series, we will spend time in Ecclesiastes.
EQUIP will take a break in June but before that, there will be one more panel Q&A to help us unpack and apply the recent sermon series on “God’s design for men and women”. This panel will be on 18 May after service.
The elders also shared some upcoming events in our church’s calendar:
Church Camp (4-7 June)
Ministry Traineeship (Jul to Nov ‘25) – Our Trainees will be introduced soon!
Weekender (11-14 Sep) – We are looking for volunteers to house and host the participants, and also on-site help in church during the Weekender. If you are interested to find out more, speak with Joshua (joshua@gracebaptistchurch.sg).
Results of Elder vote
The results of the elder elections was ready by the end of the meeting. We thank God that the candidates were elected with more than the 75% majority required. Let us continue to be keeping these elders and their families in prayer as they seek to be faithful and love and serve the church in this way.
Elder Gerald also took the opportunity to share about the next steps for our new Pastor for Church Planting and Missions. The necessary administrative steps will now begin and Lord willing, we hope to welcome him and his family around September to October this year.
Closing Prayer
Pastor Andrew closed the meeting by thanking God for all His gracious provisions for our church and also expressed our continual dependence on Him.