TESTIMONY OF DR. TOW SIEW AI

The year was 1935; the month August. There was much expectancy in the air as family folks talked of the soon-coming of a famous evangelist from China, Dr. John Sung. It was reported that he had held many mass rallies on mainland China and had saved myriads of souls.

I was then in my first year of studies at the Singapore King Edward VII College of Medicine and living with grandfather at the English Presbyterian Mission Church quarters in Upper Serangoon Road. Father, Mother came from Kluang, Johore where Father had a Medical Clinic with my brother Siang Hwa and a few younger children. We attended meetings from early morning till late at night. The main theme of the good doctor's message was on repentance. Father was so stirred that he decided the other children left behind in Kluang should not miss such blessings. Accordingly he instructed me to send a telegram to Siang Hui (Timothy) who was left to hold the fort with Siang Yew and Siang Yeow to close shop immediately and come out to Singapore to attend the revival meetings.

For two whole weeks we drank in the blessings of his teachings, and no one was too tired to be present for the day long meetings. Dr. Sung stressed on the riddance of sins, the rebirth and the imminent return of Jesus Christ. His style of presenting was unique. He would burst into singing such stirring songs and choruses that nobody could go to sleep. Many young hearts were moved. These decided to dedicate their lives to the saving of souls for the kingdom of God.

On the last night of the meetings, Dr. Sung called for the dedication of those willing to follow the way of the cross and serve the Lord Jesus all their lives. On that last night, as if to confirm their faith, a huge cross formed by white clouds against a bluish background appeared in the sky over the Telok Ayer Church. This was seen by many. As Miss Alice Doo my aunt and I were walking towards the Church, we looked skywards, and were thrilled to witness this amazing phenomenon.  It was truly an unforgettable event.

That same night many young people went up to the platform to dedicate themselves to the service of the Lord Jesus. Amongst our family four members offered themselves for this fulltime ministry. They were my Fourth Uncle, my Third Aunt and my brothers Siang Hui (Timothy) and Siang Yew. Dr. Sung also organised Evangelistic Bands to each of which was given a triangular white flag with a red cross to go out and witness for the Lord, especially on Sunday afternoons. Up to this day the Evangelistic League is still carrying on its work, although much of the original fire of revival has waned.

As a result of her dedication to the fulltime ministry, Third Aunt Alice, who was a nurse at the Singapore General Hospital, resigned her job and returned to China with Dr. Sung to study in a theological school. After her training in Nanking she worked faithfully for the Lord for many years in the South China Coastal regions. Before the Communists overran the Continent, she was invited to hold evangelistic meetings on the island of Formosa (Taiwan). During her sojourn in Taiwan. China became red. So she stayed on to establish a Christian witness at Kwan Tze Ling and Tainan. She served there for many years winning many souls for Christ.

She returned to Singapore finally where the Tow clan is rooted. For two decades she continues to witness for Christ, using her flat in Pandan Valley as a retreat for Christian women and girls.

A far greater result of the John Sung revivals is the birth of the Bible-Presbyterian movement. Rev. Dr. Quek Kiok Chiang, my brother Rev. Dr. Timothy Tow Siang Hui who were both reborn during the John Sung meetings have worked ceaselessly to preserve the fundamental faith. As the old Presbyterian churches had come under the Ecumenical movement, they broke away and organised the B-P Church and missions in the Spirit of John Sung. Today the B-P movement covers most of the Asian countries. Together with my other brother Rev. Dr. Tow Siang Hwa, the work has been extended to Australia. This is in obedience to the Lord's Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the gospel to all countries. Whether older or younger, all our leaders have the zeal to burn out for Jesus Christ. And to honour the good doctor who had done so much to revive the Church, Siang Hwa has called the Sanctuary of the Calvary-Pandan Bible­-Presbyterian Church the John Sung Memorial Chapel.

As Dr. Sung has stressed so much on the nearness of the Lord's return, we shall all endeavour to serve Him in everyway possible. May this work of love for the lost souls of men be blessed by the good Lord Himself till He comes. All praise and glory be to God for all His goodness upon our generation since the John Sung Revival.

Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.