A Pastor’s Reflection: Introducing Brother Peter Lim as an Elder under observation.

Thank God! The year 2025, which has just passed, marked the 30th anniversary of PEC. Over these thirty years, God has raised up among us various servants of His—men and women, elders, deacons, and many faithful brothers and sisters. Without counting personal gain or loss, they have worked together in one heart and one spirit, building up God’s house in love and holding fast to the testimony of unity that the Lord has commanded.

Thank God! In 2026, according to the needs of the church, God has also moved seven new deacons to rise up and take on greater responsibilities in serving, watching over the church together. These seven were introduced at the beginning of last month. Please continue to pray earnestly for them.

Today we give thanks again, for God has raised up Brother Peter Lim as an elder under observation among us. Since he and his family came to PEC in 2000, they have been worshiping here faithfully until today. Brother Peter strongly identifies with the church’s spiritual direction. He holds firmly to the truth, is humble in character, and often feels himself unworthy to serve the Lord. The following is his personal sharing:

I, Peter Lim, am from Malaysia. After graduating from university in 1993, I believed in the Lord in Singapore. In 1998, I moved to the United States, and at the end of 2000, I immigrated to Canada. From the time I came to PEC to worship, I have remained here until today. In 2016, I was ordained as a Mandarin deacon.

My wife is Zoey, and our two sons are Mark and John. All of us worship at PEC and serve in different ministries.

Recently, an elder told me they wished to meet with me to talk about taking up the service of an elder. I had never thought about becoming an elder, because I truly feel unworthy. Whether in gifts, knowledge, training, heart for service, or in dealing with people, I feel I fall short of others. I have always felt inadequate, so according to my own wishes, I did not want to become an elder.

However, in past years I made a commitment before God to follow the Lord’s prayer in Gethsemane: “Yet not my will, but Yours be done.” How could I think only of myself? Should I not be concerned with my Heavenly Father’s business? Do I not trust God? God’s only begotten Son has already been crucified for me. The God who works all things together for good—does He not intend that we all may benefit together? Is His grace not sufficient for one as weak as I am? No. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. And it is not that we are competent in ourselves to undertake anything; our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of the new covenant—not of the letter, but of the Spirit.

Therefore, in the limited days I have on this earth, I am willing to follow the Lord together with my brothers and sisters, to be His disciples. For whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God is truly made complete. By this we know that we are in Him.

I thank God, because in these past days you have shown me such forbearance, patience, and forgiveness, and have treated me with kindness. You are indeed walking in the truth. I have much to learn from you. I also want to learn the example of our Lord: to empty Himself, to take the form of a servant, to humble Himself, and to be obedient even unto death.

May we all deny ourselves and follow the Lord together, serve God together, advance the gospel together, and glorify the Lord—worshiping and praising Him.