Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority,
because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.
Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden,
for that would be of no benefit to you (Hebrews 13:17, NIV).
As a member and church leader of Living Stones Fellowship Church, may I have a moment of reflection about Pastor Arnold and Effie. I have been blessed to be under the ministry of Pastor Arnold Wong. He has been a gentle and caring pastor for us in his seven years of ministry among us. We have all enjoyed the fruits of his years of ministry, the wisdom that he shared among us in his sermons and interactions with us. He has helped us grow in the Lord and become more organized as a church.
His wife, Effie, has served quietly and supportively with her husband. We know that Pastor Arnold had four back surgeries. She is the one who cares for him. I see her in the toddler’s room preparing the room and waiting for the toddlers to come in. She faithfully attends the Women’s Class. And, I am certain she is a wonderful hostess when the Fellowship Group meets at their home. She walks with him in his visitation and joins him in our prayer meetings.
Have we had confidence in the leadership of Pastor Arnold and has it been a joy for him to be our Senior Pastor? I know so for him and for us. I sense there were great times of joy and Spirit-filled worship of our God, the deepening of our fellowship through special events as our church retreats, our Good Fridays and Easter Services, and yes, even in our workdays at the church.
It was bittersweet attending last Sunday’s service and hearing Pastor Arnold’s final sermon as Senior Pastor. And, yet, I was happy that his seven daughters and their families came to support him. God has blessed us with Pastor Arnold and Effie.
But, Living Stones’s story isn’t coming to an end! We are opening a new chapter today, June 1, 2025. Pastor Darren Lim is joining us as our new Senior Pastor with his wife, Melissa. I know that each of us will welcome both of them with open arms and co-labor with them in this ministry. As we believe God has led Pastor Darren to be our new Senior Pastor, so let us entrust and pray that the Spirit of God will continue to work in and through Pastor Darren. May we continue to become a Christ-centered church by being faithful followers of the Lord Jesus.
Let’s open our hearts and spirits and welcome our new Senior Pastor, Pastor Darren and his
wife, Melissa this Sunday and every Sunday. See you on Sunday.
Kingston Tong
June 1st, 2025