Rev Raymond Fong, Pastor-in-Charge, Wesley Methodist Church, delivered the sermon titled “The Faithfulness of God”.
Using the context of Zechariah 4:1–10, Pastor Raymond offered encouragement to the NBLP church during its anniversary celebration. He began by affirming that God loves His people, who are His temple, and reminded the congregation to be secure in their identity as sons and daughters of God.
He then highlighted God’s faithfulness to provide for His people. In the vision described in Zechariah, the seven lamps are connected to olive trees that supply them with oil to keep burning. This imagery beautifully illustrates how God continually sustains His people, ensuring that their light never goes out.
Verses 1–6 of the passage were central to the message, especially the reminder that “He who began a good work in me…” will be faithful to complete it. Pastor Raymond drew a meaningful connection to the church’s name — Lamphu, which means “lamp” in Malay — emphasising that NBLP is a lamp in the darkness. Despite small and difficult beginnings, God is using each member of the community to build His house and shine His light.
Alvin Tay, Chairman, LCEC, Wesley Methodist Church shared how he believes God will bring to completion what He has started. He encouraged the community and the audience to “rejoice, reflect and re-educate ourselves to the vison God has given to us”.
He also observed how the NBLP community “has seen lives transformed, families restored, children raised in the fear of the Lord, and souls brought into the kingdom” through the efforts of the church.
Rev Chinnakorn Saengkasa, Chairman of the Mettakij Church Association (MCA) urged the congregation on the joyous occasion, to look at ourselves, to see how faithful God has been, how He keeps His promises all the time.
He observed how NBLPMC has been a role model to fellow Methodist churches in the country, how it has served the community despite challenges.
He also reminded us of Mother Teresa’s words — “We are called not to success but to faithfulness” – reminding all that “we succeed but the success belongs to God”.
Rev Derrick Lau, Executive Director, Methodist Missions Society (MMS) brought us back to 2005 when Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon consecrated the church and baptised four persons. He commented that we were all “enriched by the history and culture of the Thai people”.
Referring to the video, he observed that NBLP is a community that loved the Lord. Citing John Wesley — “the world is my parish” — he encouraged the NBLP community “to grow the love they have for each other to the regions and nations around them”.
Suchad Chiaranusati, Chairman, Muangthai Mettakij Foundation (MMF) who has been involved with NBLPMC for close to two decades now commented that NBPL is “hard ground” which involves “very hard work”; he recalled the early days of his involvement such as the day they prayed on the ground when they first bought the land the church is standing on.
He also remembered the early days of outreach to schools, which was difficult. However, he is glad to be a part of a church that promises to span the generations, as evidenced by Pastor Kluay who is part of a three-generation family of believers.
Rev Kamtorn Pluemjit, Chairman of the Coordinating Committee of Protestant Churches of Nong Lamphu Province, used statistics to challenge NBLPMC to further their outreach efforts: the province is home to 500, 000 Thais but there are only 500 Christians in 18 churches. This works out to one Christian to every 1,000 unsaved Thais.
He observed that it is indeed true that the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few, but reminded us that “we are part of the Great Commission, and to do outreach is not the work of one denomination or organisation”. He ended with saying that for this work, “we do not depend on our own strength and effort but on God”.
Related article: “The good news is that God will bring to completion what He has started through us”: A Lamp in the Darkness Celebrates Two Decades of Ministry
