REMEMBERING OUR CO-LABORER IN CHRIST (1 CORINTHIANS 3:8,9)

Dear Members in Christ,

Remembering our co-laborer in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:8,9)

We remember our co-laborers in Christ in whatever capacity they have served in. As the Apostle Paul says, whether in watering, or in planting, we are all co-labourers in Christ. In addition, the Apostle Paul mentions that we are also “labourers together with God.”

“Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.” 1 Corinthians 3:8,9

Today’s article is about God’s faithfulness upon a man we all remember, the late Elder Chan Wan Fook. When we remember a man and his service, we also remember God’s work of grace for His servant and for His people. For anyone who truly serves the Lord, we must know that the servant of the Lord accomplishes God’s will by doing his master’s bidding.

On the afternoon of 30th December 2024, I received a message from Sister May Chin informing me that Eld. Chan Wan Fook had passed away. I was shocked by the news. Immediately, the Board of Elders together with Rev. Lee Kim Shong set about to offer assistance to the bereaved family. When it was made known that the family had not prepared a burial plot, and since the request is in compliance with Calvary Jaya’s “Burial Plot guidelines and procedures”, the Board of Elders agreed to release a burial plot for Eld. Chan on compassionate grounds. Thank God for this provision which was passed as a resolution in the Church ACM in 2023.

The late Elder Chan Wan Fook was one of the founding members of Calvary Jaya church, and we know that Elder Chan served in the pro-tem committee from the inception of the church. Since the 1980s, Elder Chan has been serving in Calvary Jaya church. He was elected as an elder in 2003. He labored amongst God’s people in many areas. He was very much in the forefront of God’s work, in visitation of the sick, in exhortation from God’s Word, in speaking and counselling, and many other areas. In fact, to try and summarize a man’s work in one brief article would be near impossible due to the vast amount of time and labour Elder Chan has put into his service for the Lord Jesus Christ. What I can attempt to do, though, is to highlight one area of spiritual life which have been impressed in my memory about the late Elder Chan, and snippets of conversation which I have had in my interaction with him. All glory be to God for His grace in granting this man the strength and perseverance in His service for the Lord. May God grant us all the same zeal, determination and devotion in serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

A persevering and praying man, the servant of the Lord  

One area of service which the late Elder Chan was engaged in was the church prayer meeting. Besides leading in giving a word of exhortation during the prayer meeting, he was always ready to lead in prayer, and encouraging believers to pray. In our frequent discussions, the biblical exhortation to “pray without ceasing” was often brought up, and very often, whatever the situation or occasion that we were in, Elder Chan would urge that we put our petitions before God.

As an elder of the church, he was engaged in prayer constantly. I am reminded of the verse from the book of Samuel.

“Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way: …” 1 Samuel 12:23

In the latter days of his life, in the years 2023-2024, Elder Chan would still come to church to pray and study the Bible despite his failing health and bouts of breathlessness. We were so concerned for him that we advised him not to be alone in church after hours, as there would be no one to render assistance to him should anything happen.

In the moments when we had a conversation with him, he would share with me about the items in his prayers. He said that he has been praying for me and for the Session of the church, for God’s guidance upon us all in the ministry of the church. Not only that, he had been praying for the needs of individuals - those who are sick, or in need of maturity and spiritual growth. I was greatly encouraged by this act of faith, that in his state of health, the physical and spiritual welfare of the church was still on this man’s mind.

Brothers and sisters, let this be an encouragement to us all. Let us be mindful of others in our prayers as well, thinking of the good for others. The late Eld Chan saw the church as the body of Christ, of which he is a lifelong member, for the Bible teaches us, “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.” (Romans 12:5). Let this example of the late elder be an example we can learn from, to be in constant prayer for the church, the body of Christ, for the growth of God’s people and for the glory of God. May His name be praised.  

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor