Rev. Timothy Tow (1920-2009)
Rev. Dr Timothy Tow was taken to be with the Lord on 20 April. He was born in Swatow in South China, and was deeply influenced by Dr John Sung during a 1935 revival in Singapore, and by Dr Carl McIntire.
In 1950, after ordination in Geneva, he seceded with other church members from the ecumenically involved Presbyterian Synod of Singapore and Malaya, then part of the World Council of Churches.
He helped to inaugurate Life Bible Presbyterian Church in 1950 and the Far Eastern Bible College, in Singapore, in 1962. There followed almost 60 years of earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.
Partly through his students, he spearheaded missions into Malaysia, Cambodia, Myanmar and Indonesia. He was the master of several languages and authored many books and articles.
Rev. Tow always had a word of encouragement for the downcast. He seemed to have the right words for the right occasion. He showed genuine Christian love and concern for all. He encouraged his students in witnessing and giving out tracts.
He distinguished himself as a covenant theologian in the reformed tradition. He loved the doctrines of grace and his preaching was Christ-centred and gospel based.
It has been said there are three kinds of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen, and those who wonder what happened! Undoubtedly, Timothy Tow belonged to the first category.
Dr Jack Sin
