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28th December 1920 – 20th April 2009
(Part I)

Monday 20th April 2009 was a sad day for Singapore’s Bible-Presbyterian churches as well as all the outreaches established through them. That early morning, the Lord called His faithful servant, Rev Timothy Tow Siang Hui, to His glorious Home above where “there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying” nor “pain” (Rev. 21: 4). At the vigil services held at Calvary Pandan B-P Church, and at the funeral, B-P pastors, Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC) students, members and friends mourned the loss of the beloved founder of the B-P Movement, principal of FEBC, and fearless soldier of the cross of Jesus Christ.

 Through this faithful servant of God, the glorious light of the Gospel shone forth to many ASEAN countries namely, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. It has also gone “beyond to Saipan in the Pacific, to Australia, to India, to Africa, to Canada, and to London. If we include the graduates of the Far Eastern Bible College, that light is extended, indeed, to the ends of the earth.”

Many of us who came under Rev Tow’s teaching, have had fond memories of our teacher and mentor. As a student of FEBC for about six years, I had the blessed privilege of sitting at the feet of this great scholar, and learning from him Biblical doctrines, pastoral theology and many other wonderful truths.

Rev Tow and my call to the ministry

I have Rev Tow to thank for my studies in FEBC and my call to the ministry. Fired up by my zeal to “stand separate” from all unbelief and compromise, I made an appointment to see Rev Tow, sometime in June 1984. That visit humbled me as Rev Tow challenged me to “come to FEBC, and learn God’s Word, since you are so zealous for the truth.” His parting words were: “FEBC starts 23 July.” After that evening, my heart was exceedingly troubled. His invitation kept ringing in my ears. My work as a construction/chemical salesman became insipid. I should be happy as around that time, I had my first substantial contract. Yet for many days, I had no peace. That July, I resigned from my job, and along with Rev Ronny Khoo, entered FEBC. Praise God for His work of grace upon my heart. I thank Him also for using His servant, Rev Tow, to confirm my calling to the full-time ministry. Without his stirring word of challenge, I wonder where and what I would have been today. In the words of the Apostle Paul, “But by the grace of God, I am what I am …” ( I Cor. 15: 10).

Fine example

By his life and example, Rev Tow taught us lessons on humility, patience, compassion and grace. I remember well my first preaching assignment at FEBC. Rev Tow was my homiletics teacher. He understood the struggles of the students as they took on the pulpit for the first time in their lives. After the message which I felt was poorly delivered, Rev Tow spoke gracious words to encourage me.

Rev Tow’s life has many lessons for us who follow after in faith. As we consider further his life, let us learn from the fine example of this great teacher and pastor.

Godly heritage
“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also” (II Tim. 1: 5)

From their earliest childhood, the Tow children “were immersed in the light and love of a godly family.” Rev Tow’s grandfather was a godly minister of the Gospel. In fact, the roots of his Christian heritage ran even deeper. His maternal great-grandfather Tan Khai-lin, also known as Tan Soo Chuan, was the first convert of the English Presbyterian Mission to Swatow (1859).

A mother’s vow
“What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?” (Proverbs 31: 2)

In his book, “Son of a mother’s vow,” Rev Tow shared how his mother dedicated him for the Lord’s service.

“It was one of those happy hours in our early childhood that Sister Siew Ai and I would sit at Mother’s feet and talk, while younger brothers, Siang Yew and Siang Hwa would be playing hide-and-seek around the house. We had just come home from school in Singapore to Senai, Malaya, for the vacation, so the pleasure of sitting at Mother’s feet was sweeter than ever. The things we talked about were serious subjects for children of our age …. ‘Mother,’ Sister and I asked almost in unison, ‘What shall I be when I grow up?’ Beginning with Sister, Mother said, ‘Sister will be a doctor.’ Then she jumped to Siang Yew, ‘He will be an engineer.’ Of sprightly Siang Hwa, her ambition was he should become a lawyer. When I felt a little left out and implored, Mother solemnly replied, ‘You are to be a pastor!’ Then she added, ‘Before you were born, I had given you to the Lord. The day that you were born, Grandpa offered you up to Him in prayer.’ Why of all her children did Mother offer me to the Lord? Three years after Mother was married she gave birth to Sister. This did not fulfil the hopes of the Tow Clan, as everyone in the old Chinese tradition expected a boy, and that usually within the first year. When it took another three years before my arrival, Mother had become anxious. Like Hannah in bitterness vowing to the Lord, Mother vowed the same vow, that should He grant His handmaid a man-child, “then I will give him unto the Lord all the days of his life ( I Sam. 1: 10-11)” (… to be continued)

- Pastor