A testimony of God's goodness in all things, His love and care for His children, in all situations.
(Posted here with permission from Sungei Nibong Gospel Hall)

10th Anniversary Service

20th Anniversary Service

In July 1978, Mr. and Mrs. Lim Foo Keong from the Chinese-speaking Assembly of Burmah Road Gospel Hall (BRGH) moved to No. 8, Jalan Pantai Jerjak, Sungei Nibong, a then newly developing housing estate. They were followed about a year later by Mr. and Mrs. Yun Wei Chin, Dr. and Mrs. Goh Kim Chuan, and Mr. and Mrs. Edward Low, all of whom were then fellowshipping at Island Glades Gospel Centre (IGGC).

At that time, the development of housing on the island had been steadily spreading southwards into the suburban areas of the island, and this, together with the increasing presence of Christian families from BRGH and IGGC, responsible brethren from the two assemblies sensed the need to expand outreach work to the south of the island.

After much prayer and consideration, it was decided to formally proceed with outreach work, including the setting up of suitable premises to do so. Several potential sites were inspected, and the Lord led those responsible the present property.

The present site of Sungei Nibong Gospel Hall (SNGH) was part of the vast land bank of the property tycoon, the late Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew. His daughter, Ms. Loh Gim Lan (?), then attending IGGC, helped to persuade her father to make the site available for Assembly outreach work. Building Plans were drawn up and submitted in 1980, and the premises was completed a year later, receiving the Occupation Certificate on Christmas Eve, 1981. It was then called Sungei Nibong Home and Centre (SNHC). The Home referred to the several apartments within the premises, while the Centre referred to the community-oriented premises. It was also conceived right from the beginning to commence a Tadika as one of SNHC's ministries.

The first couple to stay at the premises was Mr. and Mrs. Tan Kok Seng, who moved in on 1 st January 1982, shortly followed by Mr. and Mrs. Ang Boon Seng, and they occupied two of the three flats on the first floor.

At this juncture, we remember and praise God for our dear elder from BRGH, the late Mr. Tan Wah Kim, who spear-headed the efforts in conceiving the project, obtaining the site and getting the place built. When the whole project came to a successful completion with every cent owed and loan settled, the late Mr. Tan was ready to return to His God and Maker. He was called home to glory on 31 st May 1983.

Meanwhile, those families in the area were already in the process of setting up a Sunday School, and a committee was formed with Mr. Yun Wei Chin, Mr. Edward Low, Mr. Lim Foo Keong and Dr. Goh Kim Chuan.

Sunday School commenced on 20 th January 1980 in the home of its first Superintendent, Mr. Lim Foo Keong. The Sunday School moved into the new building on 3 rd January 1982, with about 60 children. (Subsequent Sunday School Principals included Mr. Edward Low, Mr. Michael Chang, Mr. Yong Hin Seng and Mrs. Teo Fang Fang)

In September 1981, the Church Care Committee had been formed to take care of the affairs of SNHC, with the late Mr. Tan Wah Kim, an elder with BRGH, and Mr. Daniel Jevaraj, an elder with IGGC, as advisors, and Dr. Goh Kim Chuan as the first chairman of the committee. (Subsequent chairmen included Mr. Yun Wei Chin, Mr. Yong Hin Seng and Mr. Saw Yew Seen)

In 1982, Mr. Ung Kim Cheng, an elder with BRGH, and Dr. Lim Seang Chye, an elder with IGGC, were seconded as elders of SNHC.

Mr. Stefan Khoo became our first full-time worker on 7 th March 1983, commended to full-time service by IGGC. Later, he returned to IGGC as their full time worker.

Our first caretaker was Mr. and Mrs. Liw Oi Tong, who joined us in early 1982.

On the 11 th January 1982, the Tadika Sungai Nibong was opened to the public, with Mrs. Serena Ang Su Fun as the first Principal, with an enrolment of about 60 children. She diligently implemented Christian principles into the Tadika activities. The Tadika Board was led by the chairman, Mr. Thomas Chin, an elder from BRGH, and the Tadika was then under BRGH's wing. (Subsequent Principals included Ms. Irene Ong, Ms. Ooi Guat Phaik, Ms. Susan Khoo, Ms. Lily Lim and Mrs. Rama)

Sunday School was not the only outreach effort in this area before the present premises came to be. There was already a regular Tuesday Prayer Meeting going on in the home of Mrs. and Mrs. Yun Wei Chin. Prayer Meetings commenced in the new premises on the 2 nd of February 1982, with Mr. T. C. Koh, from Bethesda Katong, Singapore, being the first speaker of the first Prayer Meeting.

On 6 th February 1982, the Young People's Meeting commenced, with Mr. Tan Kok Seng as the first chairman. There were about 20 people in all, with a significant number of Indian youths from the Sungai Dua area. (Subsequent chairman included Mr. Chew Tong Fatt, Mr. Teo Pek Bing and Mr. Richard Naden)

On 7 th March 1982, the late Mr. William Wilson, a missionary attached to both BRGH and IGGC, came to preach at the first Gospel Meeting.

On 10 th April 1982, Sungei Nibong Home and Centre was officially opened with a Dedication and Thanksgiving Service, and members from all the Assemblies in Penang were invited to attend. An elder of Jalan Imbi Chapel, Mr. Harold V. Cooke, was the speaker for the day.

On June 6 th 1982, SNHC had the first baptism in its baptistry in the man hall, where 8 believers obeyed the Lord through the waters of baptism.

On 2 nd January 1983, we had our first Lord's Supper with about 80 believers.

Our first newsletter, Baskets Full, commenced in the early 80s, with Mr. Edwin Khoo as Editor. The name Baskets Full was suggested by Mr. Ung Kim Cheng, perhaps a vision of how SNHC, with its newsletter, was to be serving the local church and the community – filled and overflowing. (Subsequent editors include Mr. Terence Wong, Mrs. Khoo Lay Kim and Mrs. Rosalind Low)

The first Ladies Committee Meeting was held on May 1984, with the first chairwoman being Mrs. Yun Lai Wah, and the first Ladies Hour Meeting was held in her home on the 27 th of July 1984, with Mrs. Rosalind Low speaking, with 17 ladies in attendance. (Subsequent chairwomen include Mrs. Rosalind Low, Ms. Leong Kian Yeong, Mrs. Ngui Yim Lie and Mrs. Sally Foo)

Dr. Goh Kim Chuan and family left for Brunei sometime in 1985, and the chairmanship of the Working Committee fell to Mr. Yun Wei Chin.

The first wedding was conducted by Mr. Daniel Jevaraj for Mr. Tan Boon Sai and Ms. Leong Yong Chee on 20 th December 1986.

The January-March 1987 Issue of Baskets Full reported that Mr. Ung and Dr. Lim were the elders of SNHC, with Mr. Yun Wei Chin, Mr. Tan Kok Seng, Mr. Yong Hin Seng, Mr. Christie Tye and Mr. Edward Low as deacons.

In 1987, the young people under Peter Chong organised the first musical drama, the Exodus.

The young people also organised our first Inter-Assembly Telematch in 1987, with the theme of "girding yourself with the armour of God". Highlight of the day was the last event, where elders representing each of the assemblies present put on the "armour of God". They had to then use their armour to defend themselves against the fiery darts of the Evil One (water-filled plastic bags).

SNHC held its first SNHC Workers Conference at the Christian Convention Centre (CCC), Batu Ferringhi, on 21 st October 1987.

The First SNHC Family Camp was held in the Methodist Bungalow, Penang Hill, on 1st May1988.

In 1988, some disagreement arose within the leadership of SNGH. The combined IGGC-BRGH Oversight requested Mr. Daniel Jevaraj to step in to resolve matters. The existing committee and diaconate were dissolved. A new working committee was then formed, with Mr. Daniel Jevaraj as chairman.

In 1991, the elders were Mr. Daniel Jevaraj and Dr. Lim Seang Chye, and the deacons were Mr. Teo Pek Bing, Mr. Ng Teng Huat, Mr. Chew Tong Fatt and Mr. Terence Wong.

On the 27 th of May 1991, the first SNGH Sunday School Camp was held in the premises.

In February 1992, Mr. Ng Teng Huat was recognised as an elder, and Mr. Edward Low, Mr. Thomas Ling and Mr. Yong Hin Seng became deacons.

On 14 th April 1992, 350 people attended SNGH's 10 th Anniversary Thanksgiving Celebration Service, organised by Mr. Ng Teng Huat, with Mr. Ung Kim Cheng speaking on "A Committed Eldership/Leadership, A Coordinated Membership and A Challenging Stewardship". [This 10 th Anniversary message is posted in this same website: http://www.berita-bethel-ung.com] It was decided at this auspicious point in time that SNHC will henceforth be officially known to other assemblies as Sungei Nibong Gospel Hall (SNGH).

On 23 rd August 1992, the SNGH Oversight was formed, with Mr. Daniel Jevaraj, Dr. Lim Seang Chye and Mr. Ng Teng Huat as elders, and Mr. Edward Low, Mr. Yong Hin Seng, Mr. Thomas Ling, Mr. Teo Pek Bing and Mr. Chew Tong Fatt as deacons. The first Oversight Meeting was subsequently held on the 18 th of September 1992.

In April 1993, an invitation was sent to Mr. David Jevaraj and his wife Heidi, then attached to the New Tribes Mission (NTM), and in the process of completing their studies in the States, to take up the position of full-time workers in SNGH. This they accepted, returning in November 1993, residing in the apartment above the main hall. They would serve in this assembly till March 1997, returning then to the States and continuing on their involvement in NTM.

In December 1993, Mr. Edward Low and Mr. Yong Hin Seng were recognised as elders of SNGH, and Mr. Lee Kha Kooi became a deacon.

In May 1993, the Oversight of both SNGH and IGGC decided to recommence the Sungai Ara Sunday School Outreach Work. On 1 st August 1993, 5 families each from IGGC and SNGH met in IGGC elder Mr. Tan Boon Sai's house in Sungai Ara for a combined cell group meeting. Subsequently, the lease for No. 7, Lengkok Kenari Satu, Desa Ria was signed on the 23 rd of March 1994, and a gotong royong by the Bayan Lepas Cell Group (SNGH) and the Glugor Cell Group (ICCG) cleared the place on the 2 nd of April 1994.

A Thanksgiving and Dedication Service was held for SAOC on the 10 th of April 1994, with Mr. Peter Ferry, a missionary to Phuket, Thailand, speaking on Psalms 127:1, "Unless the Lord build the house….", and Matthew 16:18, "I will build My church….".

In 1995, arising from some differences, Mr. Ng Teng Huat left SNGH with some others.

Meanwhile, the combined Oversight had begun to sense the need for a more permanent witness in Sungai Ara. After much prayer and waiting upon the Lord, in 1997, the combined Oversight decided to purchase a 2-storey townhouse corner unit, No. 30, Lengkok Kenari 8, Sungai Ara. After some renovations were carried out, SAOC carried out their activities in the new premises from 5 th December 1998 onwards.

On the 1 st of May 1999, Sungai Ara Gospel Hall (SAGH) had its Dedication Service in the new premises, with Dr. Lim Seang Chye speaking. Next day, they had the first Lord's Supper. At that time, there were 17 families present, a total of about 57 people.

On the 29 th June 1998, there was a request from Taiping Gospel Hall (TGH) that Mr. Daniel Jevaraj, an elder and formerly fellowshipping with TGH, go to Taiping to resolve some problems they were having then. This was supported by JIC and other assemblies. On the 10 th July 1998, the SNGH Oversight commended Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Jevaraj to the work in TGH.

Initially, the Jevarajs commuted to Taiping most weekends, but have since then bought a house and settled down there.

Mr. Teo Pek Bing was recognised as an elder in July 1999.

Mr. Lee Kha Kooi was also recognised as an elder subsequently on 7 th November 1999.

After about 16 years of service at SNGH, Mr. Liw Oi Tong ceased his position as the caretaker in December 1999.

Mr. Choong Chang Chin became a deacon in June 2001, with Mr. Simon Ngui and Mr. David Foo becoming deacons the following month.

On the 13 th of April 2002, Sungei Nibong Gospel Hall celebrates its' 20 th Anniversary under God.

For the 20 th Anniversary Message visit: http://www.berita-bethel-ung.com .