Latest update on us…

The last few months have been quite busy, and this month is no less!!

Sunday we started School of Scripture with Bro. Chester Wright from Annapolis, Maryland.  Yesterday was a full day session with Bro. Chester Wright of Annapolis, Maryland.  We started at 10am and finished around 3:45 pm.  What an excellent teacher and worker in the Spirit.  The Word of God was strong meat to the soul!  We also have a session tonight and then a full day session (10am to 4pm) on Wednesday for a Purpose Institute recording.  Should be really good!

On Sunday morning before English service with Bro. Wright, we had 28 in service on Sunday morning for the Tamil ministry, and we had 3 guest speakers who are students of Purpose Institute, Wesley Whitehead, Pei Ting and Sam David.  They delivered a powerful and timely word of God.  What a blessing.

On Sunday afternoon, having completed on Unlocking the Bible class (UTB) last week, I started a new class.  One, Sam, is in the Tamil ministry and the  other is a Nigerian named Stanley who brought 3 Chinese students to be taught a Bible study in Mandarin!  So while I was teaching Stanley and Sam in the church entryway a Bible study the three Chinese were being taught in another room, and Johanna was teaching a Bible study in the small auditorium.  After the Bible study with Sam and Stanley, I led a small group discipleship class and talked about our discipleship material and then answered questions and taught a bit on prayer and Bible reading.  While I was teaching this class, Johanna started teaching her second Bible study.

After our Bible studies, we went to an Indian wedding.  We had a wonderful time.  The food was great and it was a wonderful cultural experience!  We made new contacts with several who stated they may come to one of our Tamil services.  To God be the Glory!

When we got home on Sunday night, we crashed!!  The next morning, we were up and at it again!

Working for God is a thrilling and exciting journey.  His mercy is new every morning because the journey is new every day!!!

Thanks for your prayers,

Lionel

A Rose in the Midst of Pain

Sunday service was bittersweet.  ”Bitter” because Sis. Barb wasn’t there physically to worship with us; sweet because of His closeness and presence and because of the knowledge that she is with Him now. 

The presence of the Lord was so strong, uplifting and encouraging the entire Church as we grieved our loss.  The saints of God worshipped, danced and lifted up the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.  Pastor Doughty, from Mattoon, Illinois ministered to the Church about the ability of Jesus Christ to do exactly what is needed in every situation.  People lifted up hands, tears streaming down their faces, and spoke out their trust to God.  And, God swept in.

After the service, Johanna taught a group of Punjabi speaking Indian people a Bible study.  After the Bible study, two were baptized in Jesus name and one was filled with the Holy Spirit in the water.  Trully, it seemed that God expressed His love to His people (a Rose in the midst of the Pain), as only He can, when He brought new birth to these precious souls.

Thank you everyone for your prayers for Tabernacle of Joy and the Willoughby Family.

Sis. Barbara Willoughby

What a fighter!  I am glad she was on God’s side!

Johanna and I will never forget Sis. Barb.  She was completely sold out to Him.  She always had a comeback and witty remark.  She was visionary and prophetic.  She was a Deborah. 

Even now as I write about her, it becomes hard to do so without tears. 

She was there for us:  The night Lionel-John was born and Johanna needed a “mom” or walking coach to help her walk and breath during labour pains last October.  The second day we were in Singapore, and she took us to her English class (her “fishing pond”) and chatted with us, making us feel “at home” and comfortable at the beginning of our new adventure working for the Kingdom in Singapore. And, the times we sat with her and discussed culture and customs of Asia, which gave us deep insights that only come through years of life experience.

She made us laugh:  The day she told us her story of getting her drivers license in Pakistan. The day we heard about her crossing the border into Malaysia, 8 months pregnant,  praying she wouldn’t be seen.  And, the day she finally told Bro. Willoughby “OK” because she felt sorry for him, after she told Bro. Willoughby already three times “NO!” when he asked her out on a date.

She made us think:  When she related how the Spirit of intercession came upon her and Sis. Doughty as they traveled by train in China.  When she told us about how God identified to her the new Spheres of Spiritual Influence and Spiritual Authority that He gave her through the years.  When she related the tremendous battles to dig out a church in Singapore and the miracles that resulted with each battle.

You didn’t want anything on the schedule to be cut this last week “just” because of your sickness for the Kingdom has to go forward. You didn’t want anyone to cry beside your bed because you wanted to laugh and smile. You gave many prophetic words over the ministries of this church and God’s Word never fails.

Thank you Sis. Barb.  We won’t forget.

Sis. Barbara Willoughby

Barbara Ann Willoughby: 1959 – 2009 Friday 21st August 2009

Dear Friends Let the Peace of God Reign.

“Every man dies. Not every man really lives.” -W Wallace

And what a life she lived! Barbara Ann Willoughby nee Denning, wife, mother, friend, musician, pastor’s wife, missionary, Bible School graduate, mentor, author, Sunday School teacher, fighter and her most prized title – worshipper. This evening, Friday, 21 August 2009 shortly after 11.00 pm with her family lovingly at her side, her loving Father called her home. Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1959, Barbara Willoughby fondly known as ‘Sis Barb’ or ‘Sis Barbs’ placed her life in God’s care at an early age. Spiritually nurtured by Rev Derold and Judy Doughty from Apostolic Center, Mattoon, Illinois, a burden for missions was placed in her life in her teens.

At the Apostolic Bible Institute in St Paul, Minnesota, Barbara met a young man, Steve Willoughby who possessed a similar burden for missions. They eventually married and set out on the missions trail. Prior to establishing themselves in Singapore, the Willoughbys ministered in Pakistan and Malaysia. Sis Barbara was blessed with three children, Meghan, Barak and Mikayla. During her 12 year battle with cancer, Sis Barbara taught her church family, Tabernacle of Joy many wonderful life lessons. She taught us how to worship in the storm, how to lean on Him and how to turn fear and doubt to worship. She was a fighter who never gave up. Worship and praise were her daily weapons to triumph over fear.

“Why?” is a question that many of us have at this time. Earlier this week, a dear friend of Tabernacle of Joy shared that when she was crying out to God saying ‘This is just not fair! It doesn’t make sense! She heard a voice from another place finish each sentence: “It isn’t fair … on this side of eternity.” “It doesn’t make sense … on this side of eternity.” Only on “the other side” does it make any kind of sense at all. This does not make sense “on this side of eternity” but when you serve a sovereign Lord, He calls the shots from a whole different perspective … His side of eternity. ‘

As the Tabernacle of Joy family mourns the passing of Sis Barbara with Bishop Steve Willoughby, Meghan, Barak, Mikayla and Sis Barbara’s parents, Alvie and Mary Denning, please pray that the peace of God will reign in their hearts. Your constancy in prayer has provided much strength and comfort to us over the past months.

Details regarding funeral and memorial services will be circulated later. Sis Barbara had requested donations to Missions in lieu of flowers and wreaths. Information regarding donations to Missions is found in the attached note.

Cards may be sent to the following address: Tabernacle of Joy Singapore, 133 New Bridge Road, #05-02 Chinatown Point, Singapore 059413. Please do log on to the Tabernacle of Joy website at www.tabjoy.org for all updates and information. For further information, you may call (65) 97570075 or (65) 312 7498.”

-copy from tabjoy.org website

Update on Sis. Willoughby, 14 August 2009

“Dear Tabernacle of Joy Family and Friends,

Thank you for your continued prayer support for the Willoughby Family. Your prayers have given them much strength during this very difficult time.

The family met with Sis Barbara’s oncologist yesterday to discuss a possible treatment option. As the treatment option proposed, radiation to the brain, will cause unpleasant side effects with no guarantee of improvement, the family with Sis Barbara’s consent decided not to proceed with any additional treatment. She has decided that she wants to spend these precious moments with her immediate family with a reasonable quality of life.

Sis Barbara is not experiencing any pain. She is receiving steroid therapy. Because she has difficulty swallowing, Sis Barbara is receiving protein through a feeding tube. Sis Barbara remains steadfast in her love of and trust in God and asks that all of you, her family and friends remain the same.

As you continue to pray for the Willoughby family, pray especially that God’s presence, grace and love will be keenly felt by each one – Bishop Willoughby, Meghan, Barak and Mikayla and Sis Barbara’s parents, Alvie and Mary Denning.”

-taken from tabjoy.org (Friday, August 14, 2009)

Update on Sis. Barbara Willoughby (August 11, 2009)

Dear Tabernacle of Joy Family and Friends,

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of the Willoughby family. Yesterday late afternoon, the Willoughby Family was told by Sis Willoughby’s physician that the cancer had spread to her nervous system (brain) and has begun to affect her senses – sight, mobility, breathing and speech. According to the doctors, this is not a good sign. The doctors are now discussing possible treatment options. Even with this negative report on her condition, Sis Willoughby is in high spirits and continues to exhort her family and the church staff.

Sis Willoughby understands and appreciates that many of you will want to visit and see her, but she requests that you bless her with the gift of time with her family. The family has requested all potential visitors to contact the church office before visiting. Please call Sis Sophia Umehara at (65) 6334 4002 or at (65) 94769719 to make an appointment before going down to the hospital. Sis Willoughby’s speech is not clear at this time, so it is difficult for her to accept phone calls. However, all messages and words of encouragement can be sent through the Church Office and they be given to her.  The Willoughby Family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for your prayers and words of encouragement. Your response to Sis Willoughby’s battle has been uplifting and encouraging to the entire Willoughby Family. Please continue to pray for the peace of God to fill the Willoughby’s hearts and minds during this difficult time.

Your Pastor and Friend

Timothy Lee Seng Keong

Tabernacle of Joy Singapore

Looking Back on Our Recent US Trip

It was wonderful being back in Oklahoma. 

The first thing upon arriving after trying to catch up on sleep was eating Mexican food and having a Braum’s Chocolate Almond shake.  Benny’s Tex-mex enchiladas (Altus, OK) were tremendous and the shake was everything I remembered (so I had a few more throughout our time in Oklahoma)!  We visited one of my favorite eatin’ joints in Meers, Oklahoma where I had the beef rib plate!  Wow!  This food was a little piece of heaven on earth!

We attended the entire Oklahoma Campmeeting.  There were several thousand people there for the services.  Bro. Hopkins and Bro. Mooney preached with fresh anointing and vision, and they both encouraged us with the word of God.  It was a tremendous time of blessing and refreshing for me and Johanna.  Johanna and I tried to shake hands with all of our friends we hadn’t seen in several years.  And both of us just want to say thank you for all who spoke words of blessing into our lives and for all who encouraged us with prayer.  Your friendships are such a support to our family.  Also, thank you to the Adams’ and the Chickasha church who allowed us to stay in the church parsonage.  What a wonderful blessing that was to us! 

I preached a camp youth service and was filled with such a strong, burning sense of Godly awe at what He is doing in Oklahoma.  I asked for those who felt a call of God on their lives to come and pray around the altar, and before I could even finish the altar call…the youth surged forward.  The strength of their hunger and keen desire to fulfill God’s will for their lives have empowered my faith to continue claiming the birth of the five-fold ministry in Oklahoma in prayer.  I believe that this present generation will overwhelm us with what God does through them to reach the world.

On Saturday evening, following campmeeting, and on Sunday morning, Johanna and I spoke at Victory in Ponca City for Bro. and Sis. Hughes!  The church was filled with new faces.  The Hughes’ have hearts of burden and eyes of vision along with strong Godly character that matches their anointing.  We always receive more from God in Ponca then we could ever impart to the people.  We celebrated with the Hughes’ on what God continues to do for Ponca.  One was water baptized and 2 received the Holy Spirit!

That evening we drove to Paoli and preached for the Erwins.  Wow!  The response to the word of God was tremendous.  The altar service lasted for some time, and one young boy who told us that he hadn’t spoken in tongues before prayed until he did.  We were blessed by the Paoli church. 

Pastor Erwin worked in the corporate world before becoming a pastor.  His knowledge of people and leadership ability is clearly seen in the many young men that he is building up as ministers of the Gospel.  He has a heart for mentoring and He and Sis. Erwin have been such an encouragement and inspiration to me and Johanna.  

While in Oklahoma we saw a total of 5 receive the Holy Spirit and 1 water baptized.  We were refreshed and renewed and encouraged. 

 Thank you Oklahoma for your faithfulness to the Kingdom of God and for being such a blessing to the Dabbs family!

Our visit to the States!

We are currently in the States:) 

We preached in Altus on Wednesday night after arriving Wednesday morning around 3am.  It was a packed out service.  What a wonderful time we had in God.  One lady received the baptism of the Holy Spirit and another recommitted her life to God.

After visiting family, we travelled to Chickasha and preached the Sunday morning service, and one received the Holy Spirit!  The Adams’ are a tremendous family who are making an indelible impact on their community.  We were so happy to be with them and thankful for them providing us a place to stay throughout our time in Mustang.

Our annual Campmeeting here in Oklahoma has been going well.  Sunday night and Monday night were Spirit-packed services…and we are anticipating more of it tonight as well.  Oklahoma is an awesome district, and I am glad that God has allowed us to come and visit this summer.

I am to minister in the Youth service on Wednesday morning.  Looking forward to that.

God bless and thank you for your prayers…

Recent Update on Nepal from a Friend of Mine

I recently received an email from a pastor in Nepal named Yanger.  He runs a Bible school in Kathmandu.  I spoke for him in a recent trip to Nepal.  They are doing a tremendous work. 

He has requested prayer for himself, his wife and his work.  Please keep this in your prayers.  Thank you.

“Dear Lionel, 

Greetings from Nepal in the most precious name of Jesus!

I bring this email needing your prayers for the churches and the saints of Nepal.

These days Nepal Defense Army (An extremist Hindu underground group) has been very much terrorizing the Christian leaders of Nepal. Not long ago they have bombed a Catholic church in Katmandu and warned to bomb in all the churches in Nepal. They have given ultimatum to missionary to leave the country. For quite some time they have been forcefully involved in extorting money from the churches especially in the Eastern part of Nepal. Now days, they have extended to Katmandu and intensified intimidating and terrorizing pastors and Christian leaders by demanding money over the phone, through letter and by approaching personally.

Churches have strongly taken precaution and heap on prayers. Many churches started using metal detector to screen through the church attendees.  I feel a bit awkward to stand in front of the church gate and screen through. But this is the circumstance we have. Please join with us in prayers for the Nepali Christians to stand firm in her faith, united one and intensify the task of evangelization.”

Thank you for helping me pray for the people and churches in Nepal.

Prayer Initiative

Global Prayer Initiative, Wednesday, July 8 2009, 8.00 pm

“The other night it was mentioned that the Apostolic Center of Mattoon, Illinois pastored by Rev Derold Doughty has organized a global prayer initiative to pray for God to bring healing and wholeness to the Willoughbys. This prayer initiative will commence at 8.00 pm (CST) on Wednesday, 8 July.  At the same time in Asia this will be on Thursday, July 9, 9.00 am. The session will last 3 hours. Apostolic Center has prepared a video presentation to encourage others to join them in this prayer. You can view it at www.apostoliccenter.org.  Bishop Willoughby provides some insight on why now is the time for an intense time of spiritual warfare.

We have been praying for all the physical problems that Sis Barbara and I have been experiencing but now is the time to go to the root of the problem – the spiritual attack.  There has been a horde from hell that has with brazen arrogance come out of China, sent I believe by the head of the Chinese dragon that Chinese Christians believe is located in Lhasa, Tibet.  He has attacked Tabernacle of Joy and the Willoughbys to destroy them before they can impact China . But his intent is ultimately going to be his destruction.

Several years ago at the UPC General Conference in Salt Lake City, USA, I was given a word about a coming black cloud from China to Singapore and some instructions. I was told firstly, to “Fear Not” and secondly, when the time came I would know and God would allow me to spring an ambushment, a surprise counter-attack that would defeat Satan’s desire and design for the attack in the beginning.  The time is NOW. Please set your clock to the time given by the Apostolic Center .  The starting time is 8.00 pm (CST), Wednesday evening ( Asia , 9.00 am, Thursday morning.) If any of this resonates in your heart and spirit then the time of ambushment is NOW! Blow the battle trumpet, this is WAR!

Specific prayer instructions are as follows:

1          The spirit from China is first fear and then intimidation. Bind these spirits. Once they are subdued…

2          (Very, very important) Command that the spirits not return to China but that they be sent to an abyss never to return to China .

3          Loose love. 1 John 4:18 ‘There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.’

4          Loose power and a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7 ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.’

Beyond these instructions, you whom He calls to battle will know and be led into knowing what to do.  I believe that one of the many results of this prayer is unprecedented harvest in China .  All praise be to the Lord God Almighty whose name is Jesus!

Our faith is in Him not what man says ‘That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.’ 1 Corinthians 2:5.  Let us stand together and believe that the tipping point on the journey to healing and wholeness for the Willoughbys is in our prayers.”