Recap of Members' Meeting (13 September 2026)

We held our Members’ Meeting on 13 September 2026. That morning, we also had our Weekender participants join and observe the meeting.

Membership Matters

Welcoming New Members

Following an opening prayer by Elder Toshi, Pastor Jeremy stepped forward to introduce those seeking to join GBC as members. He invited up the elders who did their elder chat to introduce them by sharing their conversion and subsequent growth in the faith. Their testimonies had already been sent to members prior to this meeting. During the meeting, members could also ask any questions at this meeting before the church affirmed each candidate by a show of hands.

At this Meeting, we welcomed a total of 4 new members – 1 by baptism, 2 by transfer and 1 by statement. We welcomed by transfer Vareingam Vashum and Koh Yan En, while Carla Talavera joined us by statement. We also welcomed Rachel Soh pending her baptism. She was subsequently baptised last Sunday (20 Sept).

Pastor Jeremy also led all the members to recite the Members’ Covenant as a reminder of our commitment to one another as members of this local church.

We thank God for these new members. All members can request for a copy of the Membership Directory (as well as all subsequent updates) from here, or access this link via the “For Members” page on our website. We also have name tags that we hope can help us get to know one another. Request yours here.

Members transferring out

Pastor Jeremy shared about those who are requesting a transfer to other churches. Members were given the chance to ask questions, before affirming their transfers. We also had the joy to hear from one of our missionaries, Hannah, who is transferring to join a local church where she is serving. She had the chance to share the many ways that GBC and her members have been a part of her Christian growth. Following her transfer, Hannah will remain under the “Supported Missionary” category in our photo directory for our continued prayers.

We are encouraged that they have found another gospel-preaching church to be a part of to love and serve. We pray that they will continue to grow in the local body where God has led them to be.

Pastoral Care Issues

Pastor Andrew brought an update about one of our members before the church. He encouraged those who know this member to reach out, and for all of the church to be in prayer that the member will respond in obedience and faith.

Elder Andrew Sung also gave an update about the pastoral care issue raised at our last Members’ Meeting in July. This member responded to a member in GBC who had reached out. Andrew encouraged us to keep praying for God to bring about repentance.

Members, if you have any further questions, or would like to share any updates regarding the issue, do not hesitate to contact the elders.

Deacons

Pastor Andrew also came up to share about the role of deacons in GBC. When we think about leadership in the church, we often think first of pastors and elders. But God, in His wisdom, has also given the church deacons. Elders and deacons serve together for the good of God’s people and the building up of His church.

Acts 6 gives us a beautiful picture of this. As practical needs arose, godly men were appointed to care for them, allowing the apostles to remain devoted to prayer and the ministry of the Word. In this sense, deacons serve the church so that elders can faithfully shepherd the church.

But Scripture reminds us that being a deacon is not first about what you can do, but who you are in Christ. Deacons are to be people of godly character—faithful, trustworthy, spiritually mature, and willing to serve others.

So deacons are more than administrators. They are servants of Christ who love His people. Elders shepherd, teach, and oversee; deacons serve, organise, and care. And together, we labour as one team for the glory of Christ and the good of His church.

How are deacons appointed? Rather than simply filling vacancies, we seek to recognise those whom God has already raised up.

The process is intentional:

The overseeing elder recommends individuals already serving faithfully.
The Elders' Council agrees to consider the individual.
The candidate completes a discipleship assessment and meets with the elders.
The elders prayerfully seek unanimous agreement regarding appointment.
The congregation is informed several months before being appointed so that members may examine the candidate and raise any concerns.
Finally, the church affirms the new deacon during the Members’ Meeting .

This process reflects an important biblical principle: leadership is recognised, tested, affirmed, and commissioned—not simply elected or recruited.

At this meeting, the elders recommended our member, Joanna Tuballes, for the role of deacon in Evangelism. Joanna has been a member of GBC since November 2019. It was also the same year she started serving in Sunday school. In 2022 she also started serving in Gladiolus Place when the monthly GP dinners resumed after COVID. She was at one time also serving regularly as a Library helper but had to step down due to other ministry commitments. She is currently attending Cory’s CG.

Andrew shared how he has personally served with her in GP and has found it to be a joy to do so as she has exhibited humility, faithfulness and love in her service. He recommends Joanna for the role of deacon with the recognition and affirmation of the elders. Her name is being put up for our prayerful consideration and he encouraged the church to reach out to her and get to know her better. She will be put up for affirmation at the next Members’ Meeting in November.

Elder Candidates

Pastor Eugene introduced 3 new elder candidates – Jimmy Tan, Chong Kangwei and Jonathan Tan. Jimmy and Kangwei are being presented before the church as lay elders while Jonathan Tan is being presented to be a staff elder for the role of Pastor of Missions and Equipping.

This will be voted on at our November Members’ Meeting. There will be a Q&A for these men at our Prayer Meeting on 11 October. We encourage the church to attend the Prayer Meeting, get to know these men and to prayerfully consider their eldership before the vote in November.

Weekender Interviews

We also had a chance to hear from some of our Weekender participants. This year, about 120 participants from 68 churches and 15 countries spent about 4 days in GBC learning about what it means to be a gospel-shaped, biblically-ordered church. The participants could observe some of our church life such as the Elders’ Meeting and our Members’ Meeting. Pastor Ryan also took the chance to thank the church for the ways they have helped out with the Weekender – hosting participants, taking them out to see Singapore, helping out with the operations and logistics, providing food and snacks etc.

The participants shared how they have been encouraged by their time with us and thanked the church for their generosity and hospitality in hosting them. During their time with us, they had a chance to learn and also build friendships with other pastors, elders and leaders from the same country and the region. We pray that they will return with refreshed hearts and strengthened for the ministry.

Ministry Plans

Pastor Eugene then shared some ministry plans. Our study in the book of Numbers will take us to the end of the year.

Eugene also highlighted a couple of upcoming events:

Church Plant Prayer (Sun 4 Oct, 2pm)
Prayer Meeting and Q&A with elder-candidates (Sun 11 Oct, 11.15am)
Women of Grace (Sat 31 Oct, 9.30am-12.30pm)
Training Day (Sat 14 Nov, 9am-12.30pm)

Closing Prayer

Elder Toshi brought the meeting to a close. Many of the church members stayed around to have lunch and get to know the Weekender participants too.

Our next Members' Meeting will be on 8 November 2026. See you there.