TESTIMONY OF

ELDER PETER YAP HUAT TUAN

One of the most significant events in my life occurred when I was fourteen and studying in Tao Nan School. From 30 August to 12 September 1935, the Chinese Inter-Church Union conducted a series of revival meetings at the Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church. The speaker was Dr. John Sung, a faithful servant of the Lord from mainland China.

On the first night, Dr. Sung preached on the need to be born again. He spoke with great zest and power. I felt as though he directed every word at me. I realised that Jesus died for me on the cross. He shed His precious blood to deliver me from so great a peril as eternal damnation. I realised what a wretched sinner I was. As I pondered over these truths, I was moved to tears. At that moment, the Holy Spirit began His good work, convicting me of my sins and enabling me to confess and accept Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour. It was a touching experience.

All the pastors on the stage and the congregation repented of their sins, each one accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour. Dr. Sung taught us a prayer of repentance and we confessed our sins specifically before the Lord. Then he prayed for us and committed us to the Lord. On that very night I was born again. Praise the Lord!

Over the two-week period, Dr. Sting spoke three times daily, at 9:00 am, 2:00 pm and 7:30 pm. At every meeting, the hall was packed to capacity. It was marvellous to see such a large crowd listening attentively to the Word of God. It was as though the congregation were sitting at the feet of Jesus receiving wonderful portions from Him. The Holy Spirit continued His marvellous work and the number of those saved multiplied daily. As it was during school vacation, I attended all the three meetings daily and was spiritually enriched. This series of meetings also brought great revival to all the churches in Singapore.

Dr. John Sung guided us to form the Singapore Christian Evangelistic Band. Altogether more than one hundred teams went out eagerly to proclaim the gospel throughout Singapore. My late father was the leader of Team 7. The other members of this team were cousin Chin Choon, my younger brother Huat San and me. We preached and witnessed for the Lord along Telok Ayer Street and Amoy Street. Before the revival meetings concluded, Dr. Sung appealed to the believers to dedicate their lives to the Lord. Moved by the Holy Spirit, I decided to dedicate my life for His service. A total of one hundred and twenty persons did likewise that evening.

The churches in Singapore were greatly blessed by these revival meetings. The tremendous effects could be broadly summarised as follows:

1. Most believers clearly understood the significance of rebirth.

2. The believers were encouraged to preach the Gospel and witness for the Lord.

3. All the Christians were urged to lead prayerful lives and to read the Bible regularly.

4. There was evidence of a great revival in Singapore.

Wherever Dr. Sung went, he brought forth good fruits. Some of his fruits still remain today. Rev. Quek Kiok Chiang, Rev. Timothy Tow, Dr. Tow Siang Hwa, Mr. Lim Kim Seng and I were saved at that time. For the past fifty years all these brothers and many others have served the Lord faithfully and unflinchingly.