About us
Who we are, Our journey, Our beliefs
From our humble beginnings as a small house church in Taman Jurong to having multiple services in our own church Building. This is how far we’ve come.
Senior Pastor's Message
This year, Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah) celebrates our 45th anniversary. We praise God for His provision and guidance. Since our first service on 4 January 1981 at Jurong Town Hall Theatrette, God has planted us at the foot of Bukit Timah Hill.
He has given us a grand vision of Impacting the World for Christ. We want to continue to be a light in the darkness for Jesus in Singapore, the nations, and even to Israel. To do this, we need to be moving with one heart and position ourselves as a dwelling place for God.
Individually, each of us is called to make a difference in our homes, schools and marketplace. God has also called us to build prayer altars throughout Singapore, to drive away darkness and draw His presence. We also want to renew our concern for our neighbourhood, Hindhede Estate. This year, we also are taking over the Boys' Brigade at Bukit Timah Primary School.
To continue being a blessing, we need to continue to strengthen and consolidate our home base. Therefore, our theme in 2026 is Growing as a Family. In our own homes, we want to continue growing in love, faith and hope. At the same time, as a church family, we need to continue growing in all aspects unto Christ.
Everyone in COSBT is special, loved and treasured. We want everyone to find their place in the community. COSBT is our spiritual family and home. Here, we grow and learn. Here, we contribute and serve. Here, we stay and fight. COSBT is far from perfect; there are many gaps. With God's help, we will arise and build. We cheer each other on, and we plug gaps when we see them. Our ultimate goal is to glorify Him and see His kingdom come.
"... but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is in the head - Christ - from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love." Ephesians 4:15-16
Ps (Dr) Chen Jer Shih
Senior Pastor
Our Church Vision
Impacting The World For Christ
Our Mission Statement
Impacting the World through Godly Lives
Magnifying God and Loving Him Wholeheartedly
Proclaiming the Good News to All
Assimilating New Believers into Our Fellowship
Cultivating Godly Families
Training and Empowering Our Members to be Effective Ministers
Philosophy Of Ministry
Impacting the World through Godly Lives.
We make a difference in our world through living godly lives. We believe this happens when we become practitioners of the Word of God (James 1:22) in our daily lives.
This is the salt element (Matthew 5:13). When salt is used, even though it cannot be seen, the effects are tangible. In the same way, we are called to bring God’s life and healing to our oikos and to make a difference in our community (Matthew 5:13).
Oikos1 is a Greek word for “household”; used often to denote our “sphere of contact and influence”.
Magnifying God and Loving Him Wholeheartedly
We believe the primary purpose of the Church is to worship. It is through true worship that we magnify God and love Him wholeheartedly. We believe that true worship is more than singing a song; it also involves acknowledging the Lordship of Christ with our whole being and in our everyday lives.
“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life — your sleeping, eating, going to work, and walking around life and place it before God as an offering” (Romans 12:1, The Message).
We seek to obey the Great Commission by proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ in Singapore, South East Asia, Asia and to the rest of the world (Acts 1:8, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15). This is the light element. We are called to let our light shine before others and not to hide it (Matthew 5:14-16).
Our mission strategies are evangelizing, discipling, training local church leaders and planting indigenous churches, for we believe these are the most effective ways to reach the nations for our Lord Jesus Christ.
Assimilating New Believers into Our Fellowship
We believe that as Christians, we are called not just to believe but to belong. We are to belong to Christ’s family and be members of His Church (Ephesians 2:19).
We believe assimilating new believers is a vital part of discipleship-making (Matthew 28:19). We therefore believe in helping new believers assimilate into the fellowship of our church by bringing them through the process of discipleship and placing them into a caring community of believers (cell groups).
Assimilation is achieved when believers have found their place and function in the body of believers and are participating actively in church life (1 Corinthians 12:12).
We believe God desires for families to be healthy and godly. He is the author of the institution of marriage (Genesis 2:24) and consequently, the concept of family. Throughout history, He has worked salvation in and through families (for example, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, the Levites, David and the Philippian jailor in Acts 16:31).
The Bible provides instructions for the healthy functioning of families (for example, Ephesians 5:22-6:4, Colossians 3:18-21). We believe they are relevant for all times and cultures, and seek to help believers understand and apply these principles in their lives and families.
Everyone is part of a family. All believers have the responsibility to cultivate godly lives and relationships, and to witness to others through godly families.
Training and Empowering Our Members to be Effective Ministers
Everyone is called to be a minister. We embrace the theological concepts of the priesthood of all believers (1 Peter 2:9) and equipping the saints for the work of ministry (Ephesians 4:12). As such, we believe that all church members are called to minister wherever they are.
We provide opportunities for members to discover their God-given gifts. We train them in the use of their gifts, and support them in their ministry in and outside of the church.
Our Past (Timeline)
1975 - 1980
Nurturing Stage
The church's journey began in 1975 when Sister Hu, a paralytic who moved to Taman Jurong, inspired the elders of Church of Singapore (Marine Parade) to hold weekly Holy Communion services at her home. This small group of 10–20 people laid the groundwork for future growth, with most attendees being supporters from Marine Parade.
1981 - 1984
Beginning Stage
In 1984, the church lost its venue at Jurong Town Hall. God provided a new location at St. Andrew’s Junior College, but the change to afternoon worship caused a 20% drop in attendance. This period was marked by trials that shaped the church’s identity.
1984 - 1987
Molding Stage
In 1984, the church lost its venue at Jurong Town Hall. God provided a new location at St. Andrew’s Junior College, but the change to afternoon worship caused a 20% drop in attendance. This period was marked by trials that shaped the church’s identity.
1988 - 1995
Growing Stage
A significant milestone came in 1988 when the church became independent from Church of Singapore (Marine Parade). Worship services returned to the JTC Auditorium with morning timings, and membership grew from 270 to 400. The church responded to a government initiative by starting a childcare centre in Bukit Panjang. In 1990, it moved to ACS (121 Dover Road), expanding to 700 members by 1998. The church also attempted to establish a permanent home by purchasing land at 485 Pasir Panjang Road, but due to zoning restrictions, the property was later sold in 1996.
1996 - 2002
Developing Stage
God led the church to a new home at 2B Hindhede Road, near Bukit Timah Hill. With the acquisition of adjoining state land, the church was finally able to build its own worship premises covering approximately 20,000 sq. ft.
A Church After God’s Heart
We, the Church of Singapore (Bukit Timah), declare that we shall be a church after God’s heart.
Love Shall Be Our Motivation
We shall love God and our neighbour, as a motivation for all that we think, say and do.
Unity Shall Be Our Expression
We shall appreciate the God-given diversity in our midst, and uphold the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Obedience Shall Be Our Attitude
We shall obey the Lord’s commands in love, submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Imitating Christ Shall Be Our Personal Goal
As we build Prayer Altars, we will be transformed into His likeness.
Supporting Israel Shall Be One of Our Key Ministries
The Jews are God’s chosen people, Israel is their promised land; both Jews and Gentiles in Christ are the One New Man.