Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving;
Sing praises on the harp to our God,
Who covers the heavens with clouds,
Who prepares rain for the earth,
Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
                                                     – Psalm 147:7-8 (NKJ)

History of Two FGT Songs

When the Full Gospel Tabernacle was established in 1981, it had about 30 members most of whom were young people who were still schooling or in varsity. Only two of the church members owned cars. The rest went about on motorbikes or bicycles.

At our first meeting in a shoplot, we could not even afford to buy chairs. So we sat on newspapers on the floor. We struggled to raise funds to pay for the fixtures in the shoplot which we had rented. Every member sacrificed to raise funds. Most of the adult working members gave all their savings. The students gave most of their savings. Even with all this sacrifice, the church barely managed to raise RM6,000. Nevertheless, we took over our first premises in SS2, Petaling Jaya, with complete faith that God would provide the balance. The funds did come and we paid for all the fixtures over the next few months. God provided for us!

It was in this setting that these two songs were written. “Every Time I Pray” was written for our church camp. The song speaks of how we depended on God through prayer. The church lacked in finances, recognition and resources but it never lacked the presence of God. Today, prayer remains the foundation of the church. Every major decision in prayed over in our prayer meetings months before the elders take these decisions. FGT was built on prayer.

The song “Approved In Every Way” speaks of the sacrifice of the people. Although many were lacking financially, they gave almost all that they had. The members did not mind cleaning the church, fixing things which had broken down or fetching people to church. There was nothing that we would not do for God.

From this group of 30 young people, God raised many full-time pastors. Rev Dr Eu Hong Seng is now the senior pastor of FGT in our main church in Petaling Jaya. He is also vice-chairman of the National Evangelical Christian Fellowship (NECF). Rev Goh Hock Huat is the pastor of our main church. Rev Voon Yuen Woh planted a church in Seremban. He now pastors FGT Seremban and Malacca. He is also chairman of Evangelism Explosion Malaysia. Pastor Clarence Chan pastors FGT Kota Kinabalu. Pastor Cheng Yoke Poh pastors FGT Kuala Lumpur. Pastor Yapp Gaik Sim pastors at our main church. Recently, I came out full-time and am presently principal of Tung Ling Seminary, Malaysia.

These two songs belong to the pioneers of FGT who have lived such sacrificial and exemplary lives.

Ng Wah Lok
3 January, 2000

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Expect great things from God, attempt great things for God. – William Carey,
father of the modern Christian missionary movement